BEAUTY 212

ALMAY MASCARA REVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:52:00 +0000

I've grown to loathe mascara. Most mascaras out there irritate my eyes. Other popular formulas make my lashes brittle. Some even cause major lash fallout for me for a multitude of reasons. For $7.50 I thought I would give Almay's new formula GET UP AND GROW in the non-waterproof formula (blackest black) a whirl.

I can't say enough great things about this mascara. From the minute I put it on it made my wimpy lashes buxom. Even the janitor at my office mentioned he noticed something different after I had debuted the mascara. He said 'you look younger for some reason today'. Others noticed as well. So volume: check.

Then I noticed that if I left the formula on overnight (because I was too lazy to take it off) it was really easy to reapply right over what I already had on without clumping. How many mascaras can you say that about????? In fact I feel like the more layers you work with the greater the impact you get without the clumps. Length plus volume: check.

After a week's use I started to notice my lashes grow. Why? This is easily explained. The formula is not drying, but nourishing to the lashes. The lashes remain soft throughout use whereas the other formulas on the market are quite drying and make my lashes blunt from breakage over time.

This formula also does not irritate me. This is a huge plus.

I could see a couple of cons with this formula. If you have oily skin this formula might give you a raccoon eye at the end of the day like some of the old mascaras in the 80's did. I don't get it because I have dryer skin, but the formula is so emollient I could see it causing a problem.

The second thing I noticed while using it on some models at a photoshoot the other day is that if you have very straight lashes the formula may not hold your curl as well. It just means you might have to maneuver your curler a little bit more. Not a deal breaker for me when you consider all of the other advantages.

Overall I have not been this thrilled about a mascara in a very long time. Look back at the posts and see.

Let me know what you think!

p.s. I think I'll try the waterproof next. Something tells me the non-waterproof is still going to be the best formula for me though.

TESTING. TESTING

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:21:00 +0000

Did you know we test thousands of products a year in both health and skincare? If you're an editor at a magazine you probably know this about us.

Many have noted our blog entries are spread really far apart. The reason is solely because Beauty 212 is reserved for products that catch our eye. These products are high performers or products we think you should really know about. Believe it or not there's about 4 in the final phases of testing that we really love!

In the past we have also learned a valuable lesson on behalf of the consumer: wait to post until you see the long-term results. If we don't wait the companies are the ones who benefit from these postings leaving the consumer still struggling in the vast beauty wastelands. All we did was increase the product's SEO (search engine optimization). It's only happened a couple of times, but that is two times too many for us.

It takes a lot of hard work and research to do what we do. We have over 700 human testing lab rats at any given time. If a majority likes a product and benefits from the product then you're going to know about it.

We also have one of the most advanced pieces of imaging equipment on the market that measures 3mm below the skin. We can measure collagen, check out sun damage, and see if there's any improvement in blood flow. It also keeps a timeline of the tester.

On a different note I'm proud to say today Marie Claire recognizes us for the hard work we do in the May issue. It talks about us exposing Korea's brave new world of beauty advancements. We are about 12 years behind! Thank you so much Marie Claire for educating the public on the real truth about beauty!

Want to be a Beauty 212 tester?

Email us at mybeauty212@yahoo.com
Let us know why you think you would make a good tester and what kind of products you would like to test.

xo mary schook

p.s. Check out our weekly blog postings at http://www.tuesdaytips.blogspot.com

AFFORDABLE ECO

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:07:00 +0000

It's not the fact that this train case is made out of natural hemp and cotton or that it uses recycled PET liners that makes it attractive. Nor is it the fact that the ink is non-toxic....and I can't say the idea of Alicia Silverstone having designed this bag makes it any more attractive. Nope.

This stylish bag represents so much more. This Eco Tools bag that debuted last week at a press breakfast I attended signifies something that is key to every consumer (and what every company should strive for): affordable eco consumption. Eco Tools believes "why sell a product to reduce the carbon footprint if no one is going to be able to afford it anyway"?

Purchasing power means everything, but if you can't purchase a product that supports a cause you are passionate about (whether it's Chantecaille's marine missions or a Coach bag for Cancer) then what's the point?

Eco-Tools is making affordability without compromise their mission with this beautiful well-built bag that retails at $14.99 (avail Target, Walmart, and other major retailers). It's just nice to see someone like Alicia Silverstone catch on to a good thing. ;)

p.s. it's even cuter in person.

THE HOLY GRAIL OF SKINCARE

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:04:00 +0000

We have finally discovered the holy grail of skincare. It comes at a hefty price tag too. The system averages about $2,000 a month.

Never did we dream that a cream or any combination of creams would be able to topically affect the skin. The cream uses stem cell media in combination with liposomes (delivery system). The two materials reside in separate chambers until the serum is pumped through by the user. It also comes with an ionizer to help increase the product's absorption.

It's genius!!!

In our tester her collagen had increased by 20% in only two weeks!!! Check out her blog documentary at amazons of nyc.

Beaucell is a skincare line that hails from Korea. After such stunning results we have decided to carry the line at M.S. APOTHECARY.

Our testing will go on for 6 months to see how long-lasting the effects are. The kit is supposed to be a 30 day supply, but it seems as though it could stretch to about a month and a half.

Take the kit to your esthetician or doctor and the kit transforms into a treatment when you combine it with laser and other modalities.

Stay tuned here for the 4 week pro lab images so you can see what happened to sun damage, blood flow, etc.

Another big star for the Koreans!

SMART GLOW

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:17:00 +0000

Ah gone are the days of baby oil and iodine. Boy did I love to tan. But now we've left one extreme for another. We're in a pasty era of beauty now that is getting us sick in so many ways. Once again the public seems to be misguided about the sun and products we are recommended to wear. Because of this misdirection our country has become depleted of Vitamin D. One of the major things Vitamin D does for us is help protect our immune system. That's why when people with acne go into the sun they start to clear up because their body is able to fight off the bacteria that is invading their bodies.

There is a unique line of products that help us work with the sun and absorb the Vitamin D we really need. It's a line that works from the inside out and even helps to produce a richer, safer tan. The brand is called Oxelio. They had started to invade the tradeshow circuit a couple of years ago, but then my friend Mary Winkenwerder suggested I really give it a whirl.

The line is actually quite brilliant. The gel topically neutralizes the sun with antioxidants leaving less of a risk of age spots or skin cancer.

Internally the capsules add a healthy dose of beta carotene, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and minerals. Even if you don't go into the sun this is a great supplement to have in your beauty arsenal.

For a person such as myself that works in the office 24/7 the capsules took a few weeks to see anything. What it did for me is take some of the blue out of my skin and make me look a little less pasty. Now I really feel the need to go on a vacation somewhere and get a real tan! At least I know I now have the right tools to do it safely!

SHELLACED

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:53:00 +0000

So these are my nails 5 days after a manicure I had to get for a beauty segment for NBC. To be honest with you the manicure didn't even last a day for me.

I am the prime candidate for the new Shellac from CND. It's a polish that's supposed to last flawlessly for 14 days. It's a pro service so Jin Soon Salon and Escape Spa are the only pros who do this right now. On my feet I am currently testing the OPI gel polish. So far that's not too bad, but my feet don't take the wear and tear that my hands do.

If this product performs the way the company touts then I will give you more info. In the meantime I'm going to get this horrible polish off!!!!

Let the testing begin!

GET GLOWING!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:07:00 +0000

Almost every day or at least every other day I get emails about acne problems! It's always refreshing to get a question about makeup from time to time.
I actually had an old friend email me today and ask me:

"I'm going to be in a wedding next month and I am planning to do my own makeup, normally I wear next to nothing, eye liner, mascara, & lip gloss. Any suggestions on how to spiffy up my look keeping it natural, without looking too overdone?"

It's really great to play around with makeup. The last thing you really want to do is try something because it's in style! You want to feel comfortable at special events and it's really about making yourself look as good as possible! The runway looks are for inspiration and to follow if you have the right look and attitude for it.

In this particular case I felt that my friend really needed to make a statement without being obvious. I used to love Benefit's High Beam liquid shimmer tapped onto the top of the cheekbone and into the lid and browbone area. It gives the face a bit of highlight, dewiness, and glow without looking like you tried too hard. The look can also be quite youthful.

High Beam has been out for a while so I wasn't sure if Benefit still carried it, but I'm glad to see an old goodie is still out there! This color by the way is good for light to medium skin tones. You can find fantastic highlighter sticks by NARS for medium to dark skin tones to complete your look as well!

So don't wait, Get Glowing!

LOSE THE LUGGAGE!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:19:00 +0000

I'm beginning to think that there must be a spy camera in my office. Every time I have a beauty issue Clinique sends me over a product to test. It's always EXACTLY what I need at that very moment! Might I remind you that I do not get paid for testing and talking about these products!!!

So this morning I woke up with some pretty puffy eyes.(I was so glad I didn't have a client first thing in the morning to worry about scaring). The minute I walked into my office the postman handed me off a package from Clinique. It contained the new All About Eyes Serum. I decided to take a before and after photo to see the product work in action.

I rolled the gentle roller ball both below and above my eyes and into my eyebrows. Not only did depuff my eyes, but it lifted them as well. Within minutes my eyes felt more open and refreshed. I especially liked that it didn't irritate my eyes.

Oh, just in case you couldn't tell the above picture is the before and the one below is the after. Notice how my upper lids are not hanging over my lower lids in the after picture. Eyes are definitely much wider as well!

This might become my new beauty essential!

HIGHLIGHT YOUR DAY

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:53:00 +0000

Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see a product make a difference in someone's life. My friend Ameena Meer is a currently a cancer fighter. She has lost all of her hair, most of her lashes, and a big portion of her brows from her chemotherapy treatments.
When Clinique sent me the New Instant Lift For Brows I thought who better to test it out on than Ameena!

Ameena loved the brow pencil and highlighter combo. The pencil wasn't intimidating for her to use. The brow color didn't go on like a pencil either. It went on more like a shadow which gives a very natural look and it seemed to have staying power so you don't have to go reapplying it every hour or worry about sweating.

The highlighter is an added bonus that opens up the eyes. The formula is very smooth, but what I REALLY like about the highlighter is that it can double as a cheek highlighter which can give Ameena more of a youthful, glowing look instead of a sunken, tired look.

This pencil is definitely going to become a staple in my kit especially now that the Models Prefer pencil is so hard to purchase!

You can follow Ameena's brave journey at http://amazonsofnyc.blogspot.com/

FOOD, INC AVENUE

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:17:00 +0000

I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be about reinforcing change on so many levels. If you're a client or friend of mine you already know that when it comes to beauty you have to start with change from the inside first by nourishing the body. There are just countless times we have witnessed people just changing what they eat and benefiting from it on the outside. The saying 'you are what you eat' has been passed down since 1826 for a reason! I also always say when you're tired, your cells are tired. Don't expect them to perform any better than you would without sleep. No cream can cure that!

Anyway after seeing the movie Food, Inc I had wondered if the source of our food could really make a difference in how we look? Is it all hype or a bit of food extremism? I've been hearing about our food and what they have been doing to it for years, but it wasn't until I saw the diabetic epidemic spelled out for me (1 in 4 children have diabetes) that I really felt called to take action.
This photo I found featured above couldn't paint a better picture.

So please follow my daily journey for Food, Inc Avenue and let's learn and grow together!

Bon Appetit!

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:42:00 +0000

In the past when it came to skincare many women felt the higher the cost of their cream, the better the performance. Thanks to a sea of blogs and forums on the web consumers are a little savvier to the claims that beauty companies make.

Despite all of the knowledge circulating across the internet we still feel a duty to test products that are constantly being launched out there because a lot of confusion still remains. What's great to know is we will NEVER be bought or swayed even when a friend approaches us like author and stylist extraordinaire Michele Weston.

I had the great fortune of meeting Michele in a past life when she booked me to model on the Oprah show as well as for Mode Magazine where she was the fashion editor. It was then I knew this woman had taste. LOL! Anyway as you can see we have a bit of fun history together. For a while Michele and I lost touch, but thanks to Facebook we found each other all over again. She quickly discovered I was reviewing products and referred a line called Underology TM by Connie Elder.

I contacted Connie and told her to send her top two products to me. She included a few more items she thought I should review as well. Over the last month I did not tell clients that I was testing a new product. They stopped asking anyway because they know we are always testing products around here. When I applied the Underology products I heard a unanimous "that feels nice!" and " What is that?!".

What I like about this line is that you are getting high quality products at about $100 dollars or less. I feel that this line is competitive and even out performs some of the more expensive lines.

Our favorites were:

The Resveratrol-Peptide Firming and Line Formula because the next day you looked like you might have stepped back in time a bit. The skin also felt a bit firmer.

The Hydro Xtreme Cream I think is going to be a big seller. It really brought the moisture back to the skin and doesn't clog pores like a lot of moisturizing creams do.

Another big winner from the line was the Hydro 1000 Moisturizer (100% Hyaluronic Serum). The difference between this Hyaluronic Acid and some of the others on the market is its purity. In addition it doesn't leave that residue you get with a lot of the other Hyaluronic Acids on the market! That is the one thing that women always come to me and complain about. They love Hyaluronic Acid but hate the "rollies."

I feel like anything you use from this line is great and you know you're getting quality products at a VERY reasonable price.
Good job on this find Michele!

Connie has just informed me she has a formula that is great in this severe cold weather as well as for skiers.
Happens that we have a LOT of skiers around here so we will let you know how that formula tests with us.

Are there some products out there you would love for us to test? Are you up for the Beauty 212 challenge?

Thanks again for visiting and Happy New Year too!

Mary Schook

BOLD BEAUTY

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:32:00 +0000

For years now I have been very concerned about what I put on my body. The problem was there weren't many products available that were "natural" and if there were they weren't widely available.

Thanks to consumer buying power and the pressure from small innovative beauty companies the larger companies were forced to step up their game by removing the stuff you don't really need and keeping in or adding ingredients we can use.

Today I would like to applaud Arm & Hammer for being one of the "big" companies to take out the stuff we don't really need.

I was very excited when I first saw the ads for Arm & Hammer's Essentials Natural Deodorant because we all know that baking soda is tough on odors. I still had a little doubt in my head as to how effective the Arm & Hammer would be. Over the last year I was beauty director for an organic magazine and had a chance to "test" SEVERAL of the natural deodorants. They all basically failed the test in odor protection. There's nothing like going around apologizing for your odor because you're testing a deodorant. A socially crippling job, but someone's gotta do it.

I also didn't feel the need to test another deodorant. I already have a favorite natural deodorant that I love called Crystal Alley Deodorant, Keeping Abreast of it. It is made of Angstrom Zinc and Silver which kill odor causing bacteria. I wish I could say the same for a lot of the natural deodorants out there. BUT since a lot of viewers from BEAUTY 212 have told us they would like for us to report on products that are more mainstream I decided to take one for the team.

The moral of the story is I have run out of my Crystal Alley Deodorant and can feel confident about substituting in the Arm & Hammer Natural Deodorant! Two thumbs up on this one!

GREENGATE

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:35:00 +0000

Due to popular request many people have asked me to republish my writing and video on Green Cosmetics. This is the pre-edited piece I submitted to an international magazine before it was published in 2008.

Let me know if you have any questions. I will also be following up on this piece with my current thoughts on natural beauty care. Enjoy!

BREAST CANCER VIDEO

GREENGATE
By Mary Schook

We live in an exciting time in cosmetics and skincare! Consumers are currently more educated than ever before about the wide array of product ingredients and packaging choices, but with the rapid upswing in naturals do we really know what we are buying? Does natural really mean better? Does natural even really mean natural?

After a tumultuous 2008 Presidential election and the recent hit to the economy one would think that nothing else could be more taxing or confusing, yet the fact of the matter is the beauty industry is going through it’s own mortgage crisis. Many consumers and even business owners view the current state of the market as the Wild West when it comes to organic and natural personal care products.

For entertainment purposes I’ll call the current state of the industry Greengate. On the far left we have the super corporate conglomerates. On the far right there are the indie or independent companies that tend to be the smaller companies, but before we delve into Greengate, we need to explore how we ever reached this point of mass confusion in the first place?
As a former top makeup artist and current owner of one of NYC’s top anti-aging centers I have always made it my business to stay ahead of the technologies and trends through my greatest source, the packaging and cosmetic conventions.
When I first entered the convention scene over 15 years ago the personal care industry was just at the verge of hitting the age of technology. Consumers demanded lipsticks that lasted all day and mascaras that would go to great lengths without smudging. Creams filling the pages of magazines promising the miracle of youth in a jar and foundations swore luminous coverage throughout the day. The seduction of advertising made the public think we could all become genetically superior beings after observing the commercials and relishing the ads touting the transformation of countless flawless faces, lengthened lashes, cellulite-free legs, and anything else a woman could ever desire through the introduction of Photoshop® and CGI.

It’s not that women didn’t always want these things. We know dating as far back as Cleopatra youth was what people had always desired the most, yet technology brought us hope and ad copy writers made us think that all of those things could be effortlessly achieved with that one magic bottle of cream because technology was now going to save us all. The consumer demanded results and companies quickly recognized that buyers were willing to pay any price for those promises. Even as recently as three years ago one popular company commanded as much as $700 for one ounce of precious anti-aging serum.

The greatest marked evolution in the industry was the introduction of technology through nanotechnology used in anti-aging. Nano means at a cellular level. Up tp that point most creams sold on the market couldn’t get past the epidermis, the first layer of skin which happens to be dead anyway. The particles were too large, but if you make those particles small enough to enter the cell through nano technology it would most likely deliver the “goodies” to the lower layers of the skin. Keep in mind that also means chemicals, which are foreign to our bodies, are also more likely to enter the blood stream.

According to Oxana Beauregard of the NYC’s prestigious esthetics school, Atelier Esthetique, a new scenario surfaced from all of the new skincare advancements. Instead of there being only four skin types: dry, normal, oily, and combination, a fifth one surfaced: sensitive. Formulations made popular on the market that were fast-acting for acne, hyper-pigmentation, and other conditions were more likely to come at a cost to the skin by destroying the delicate balance the skin must have to protect itself. Sensitivities and hyper-pigmentation can begin to surface with exposure to the sun and can even cause an increased susceptibility to skin cancer!

One of the first people who dared to enter the scene and make the public aware of some of these possible problems (after trying to resolve her own skincare issues) was a woman named Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop, and best selling author of Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Wait a minute! Why does there even need to be a cosmetics cop? Doesn’t the FDA already regulate our cosmetics and skincare? That’s where the first misconception begins. The FDA does not regulate our skincare and cosmetics the way you think they may. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act products are allowed to be released to the marketplace without FDA approval, which includes the absence of any safety testing. Companies are not even required to substantiate their claims. Manufacturers are only left to bide by the small list of prohibited substances that are banned such as color additives or bovine products imported by countries on the mad cow disease list. They must also disclose all ingredients in descending order of quantity on their labels according to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. As the law stands anyone could come out with a product or a line with enough capital and a compelling story.

The real problem lies in the companies from both the left and the right who have abused these privileges. In the United States companies have the right to make claims under the first amendment, the freedom of speech as long as they stay within the minute guidelines administered by the FDA. That first amendment and lack of regulation is what brings us up to Greengate.

Shortly after the technology portion of the industry was beginning to take shape so were the smaller independent companies. These small companies were coming out with products that fit a niche and a need. One such company that impressed me at a California trade show eight years ago was called Illuminare Cosmetics. Founder and president Ruthie Molloy was able to formulate the first pure liquid mineral makeup on the market with long-lasting wear and broad-spectrum sun protection. Her greatest philosophy was not about what she puts in her products, but what she keeps out of them. You won’t find wild orchid extract or any ylang ylang. She finds that adding extra ingredients only adds a potential risk of irritating the skin. Her products are meant to perform and do what they say. That should be enough right?

Several other companies followed similar philosophies, but they weren’t so easy for the public to find. These indie products were usually found in specialty stores or in small sections of a Whole Foods or other green marketplaces. It wasn’t until a report of a study surfaced about parabens found in breast tissue samples did an entire natural industry go from specialized to mainstream. Word of this report spread like wildfire throughout the public via the internet and press. Overnight paraben became a dirty word. Consumers began a witch hunt to search out products without parabens which caused a new division of the beauty industry to emerge: the Organics, Naturals, 100% pures, Paraben Free’s and any other concept in natural branding and trending.

But not every small company felt pressured to jump on the green wagon right away. Luca Sunscreen, a line developed by MD pathologist Karl Gruber decided to consciously keep the parabens in his sunscreen line. Furthermore Karl Gruber states the studies on the breast tissue samples were incomplete and inconclusive. Parabens have been around for over 20 years and have been derived by natural sources such as blueberries. Parabens are also known to have the least amounts of reactions in skincare products. If there was a substantial risk Karl said he would be willing to reformulate in a second. He feels as an indie company and it’ s easier for him to reformulate than it is for the bigger companies. Keep in mind Luca was developed because Gruber couldn’t locate any sunscreens on the market that protected from both UVA and UVB rays. His son Luca was allergic to everything on the market. Why would Gruber want to keep in chemicals deemed toxic to even his own son?
Furthermore Karl is concerned that the alternative preservative choices out there are too new on the market. There is a greater risk of consumer reacting to a product. In addition many “green” companies are stabilizing their formulas with ingredients that sound green such as Grapefruit Seed Extract which is synthetically produced from Grapefruits Seeds under a chemical synthesis.

Then the evangelical side of the right wing came full force this past summer when the former founder of Aveda, Horst Rechelbacher launched a line that called Intelligent Nutrients. IN is a 100% certified organic line that simply states if we can’t eat it why should we wear it? We have an obligation to the planet and ourselves to eliminate all chemicals in our products. Our skin is the largest organ on our bodies and is semi-permeable. Makes sense right?
But is everyone going to love the smell, texture, or performance of 100% organic. Only time will tell with that, but Horst has always been one ahead of his time.

Who’s also ahead of their time are the Koreans. I would speculate they are at least 12 years ahead of us. We owe so many of our beauty innovations to them. At the past Vegas convention this summer my jaw dropped when I saw the amount of parabens contained in their products they chose to feature at the show. They said that the Koreans took out the chemicals and went natural years ago, but manufacturers soon became worried after seeing the hightened number of reactions and a cutback in sales for natural formulations. The Korean skincare industry literally panicked after they saw they were eliminating their consumer all together. So they went back to adding in the parabens.

Some speculate the refusal for the US industry to change is because of cost. The left have said that packaging, reformulation, and eliminating these chemicals is cost prohibitive. Clarissa Richardson of design firm Richardson Sadeki and one of the original developers of the world renowned Bliss Spas in New York says when it comes to retail there is no excuse for not creating a natural product.

With mounting pressure from the public the companies on the left are in fact taking steps to go green. Jergens just launched with what they claim is a 90% natural ingredient moisturizing line called Jergens Naturals Moisturizer, but whether all companies from the left and right like it or not the confusion may be drawing towards a legislative and regulated direction. Over the past year Dr. Bronner’s magic soaps filed a lawsuit over misleading organic labels to companies they felt were misleading the green community. Among the implicated are Oasis and Eco Cert, two third party companies, for certifying products containing conventional agricultural or petrochemical ingredients. In addition some of the other named parties on the suit are Estee Lauder, Stella McCartney’s CARE, Jason Natural, Avalon Organics, and Nature’s Gate Organics. The choice these companies have is to either change the formulations or discontinue Organic claims.

Of course Greengate has many more facts, details, studies, debates, but instead we have decided to allow you exercise your consumer power and draw your own conclusions by bestowing our Guide of top ten of things to help you make more informed choices as a consumer:

1. Research over 37,000 products through the non-profit Environmental Work Group
at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
Or you can also check out these other great sites for more places to do research:
www.smartskincare.com
www.organicconsumers.org
www.cosmeticscop.com

2. An unknown factoid is TV networks keep cosmetic companies honest by holding them legally responsible to substantiate their claims. So you can believe some things you see on t.v!

3. Be responsible by reporting any reactions to skincare or cosmetic products to your local department of consumer affairs or the store you purchased from. In fact if you join Sephora’s beauty insider program every time you make a return they will notate the ingredients listed in the product you are returning and alert you should you try to make a purchase with similar ingredients that may cause you react to a product.

4. Try looking in the ever-growing beauty section of your local bookstores for fun green guides like The Little Green Book of Beauty by Sarah Collard. It contains 250 tips for an Eco Lifestyle.

5. Don’t leave leftover product in your containers. It’s a definite sentence of that bottle or jar hitting the landfill instead of the recycling circuit according to

6. Try to buy products with fewer ingredients. You’re less likely to have a reaction.

7. When it comes to recycled packaging, not everything is really recyclable. For instance using corn as an alternative plastic sounds nice, but there aren’t any facilities to recycle the alternative material. The smartest choice is to buy products featuring the PETA 1, 2, or 3.

8. Even though there is some regulation in the organic food industry don’t take for granted that the line of division will be clearly drawn.

9. Seek out companies that not only want to educate about their products, but also want to educate on skin, sun care, organic, or any other means to help the consumer.
www.sophyto.com is a wonderful company that is trying to do just that.
Other companies are also signing the Compact for Safe Cosmetics which is an agreement companies have signed to replace their hazardous material with safer alternatives within three years. Sadly enough several of the major cosmetic companies have yet to get on board.

10. The greatest power a consumer has is not to buy a product according to Ameena Meer, an ad executive and owner of Take Out Creative Agency of NYC.

We’d like to hear your voice? Is organic important to you?
Should companies be accountable for what they advertise? How far is the first amendment allowed to go? Should consumers continue to have choices or should the FDA tighten up regulations?

THE VALUE OF VITAMINS

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:26:00 +0000

I have this kooky thing I do with my Apple computer where I document my face/aging through the years. I am obsessed with how the face changes.

Today I had a lot of clients and friends say that I was looking really good again. Thanks to an incident earlier in the year I looked like hell up until now. It took seeing these two photos next to each other to really realize it.

It all started this past early summer when I went to go see a doctor on my way out of town for a beauty convention. I had a constant dull pain under my left rib cage. Last thing I wanted to do is hop on a plane and have to deal with an emergency landing because my spleen exploded.

My people were busy, and I was in a rush as usual so I didn't really think twice about trusting what the doctor would do because he was recommended to me. I mean he is a doctor right?

Long story short the doctor injected my muscles with lidocaine because he thought I had a hernia and he ended up paralyzing my entire digestive system. I couldn't keep food down for months and yet I couldn't not eat because that also made me feel even worse. Think about morning sickness times twenty added to dire exhaustion from a prescribed meat and potatoes diet and you might be close to how I felt. (Can't wait to see my dental bill for my teeth!).

The reason I'm posting all of this is that this is pure proof that nutrition is vital.
It had always frustrated me that people never believed me when I would tell them my skin looked as good as it did because of my diet and the supplements I take. Thanks to bioresonance at a place called VitalGate in NY I was able to get back on my supplements after this summer's drama and really learn to take care of me for once.

In the photo on the left (about 1.5 months after the injection) you can see the heavy bags under my eyes, the bloat in my face, and the sag in my skin. (Some of my clients wanted to take me back to the hospital during that time).

In the photo on the right my face is much tighter and my eyes are MUCH brighter. I don't look like a bad walking Lindsay Lohan mug shot anymore!

So next time if someone asks you if you think vitamins and supplements really work think back to these photos! I'll take the girl on the right any day!

Oh.....and thanks to all of the clients who stuck by me this summer. I don't know what I'd do without you all!!!

Cheers to everyone's health in 2010!

xoxo mary schook

p.s. The MS APOTHECARY videos were about two months after the malpractice. Look how heavy my face is!!!!! The poor videographer had to take a break while I was vomiting in between takes!!!!!!!

WINTER RELIEF

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:44:00 +0000

As most of you well know by now Beauty 212 goes around and tests a bunch of products so that you don't have to waste your hard-earned money. Most of the products we go around and buy, but from time-to-time a company like Clinique will send us a product to review. If we like it you'll know about it.

What's funny is Clinique has an interesting bit of timing to their product previews. Last time my lips were pretty chapped and all of the sudden their Superbalm shows up in the mail. This time my cuticles were dry and cracking from all of the manual labor I have to do and behold Deep Comfort shows up at the office!

What's great about this formula is that it doesn't have a scent. Fragrance can rob your skin of moisture and add unnecessary chemicals to the body. What's really amazing about this product is it provides instant moisture relief without any greasiness!!! We tried it on several clients here and they loved it. There were a few clients that we found with severe dry cases. It gave them temporary relief, but wasn't a solution.

I think you'll be happy with this moisture pick. I know we are! This item also make a great travel moisturizer (under 3oz) as well as a stocking stuffer.

SIMPLE BLENDS FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Looking for some early holiday inspiration or just need a bit of your own inspiration? After mastering her own gorgeous blends of organic essential oils, Hope Gillerman of Gillerman Organics has launched a BRILLIANT photo deck/guide to Essential Oils. Every card has a beautiful photo on the cover and a wealth of ideas on the flip side to literally create your own personal blend of soaps, scrubs, and massage oils. Who needs a spa?

Aromatherapy can be a very powerful tool in regards to your health and beauty. For instance almost everyone knows lavender can be calming, but how do you use it? Where can you use it?

Did you also know essential oils can help heal wounds or aid your digestion? What can essential oils do for scars and stretch marks? Can you overdo essential oils?

Guess you'll have to get the deck to find out!

Check out more information on Hope's site at www.hgillermanorganics.com

FAT ATTACK!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 02:00:00 +0000

I first introduced the Zerona® laser to you as a theoretical piece of equipment that was about to hit the market in one of my old posts just as car companies like to introduce concept cars at the car shows.

The Zerona laser is one of the very few ways to actually non-surgically shrink fat cells. Specifically it is a cool laser that painlessly creates an opening in the fat cell causing the contents of the fat cell to melt away.

Since fat is toxin-soluble and the body needs time to process the toxins, treatments are done every other day for a period of two weeks.

When I spoke to the actual manufacturers of the equipment they said that the number of treatments may vary. Men can need only 6-8 treatments whereas we estrogen-laden women might need an extra kick with 8-10 sessions.

The reason I am entering this new post because I finally had the pleasure of interviewing a wonderful doctor and founder of New York City's Better Body Solutions®, Dr. Nick Ungaro who had decided to carry this amazing piece of equipment. Dr. Ungaro has successfully been taking New York City by storm with the Zerona laser which he first introduced within the last 12 months.

The fat cells still exist unlike liposuction so no result is ever permanent should you waver and decide to go for that bucket of chicken or extra slice of cheesecake, but Dr. Ungaro and his team are prepared with programs to help you maintain the average 3-5 inch loss that his clients generally achieve.

I haven't personally tried it YET, but the science and clinical reports are sound.
I can also say that after speaking with Dr. Ungaro he sounds like a real problem-solver. Either way I like to feel a sense of solace knowing there is something out there that can safely AND effectively sculpt the body.

Check out this video from Better Body Solutions and in the meantime I'll see if I can give you a treatment update.

Thanks again for watching!

Mary Schook

MS APOTHECARY FEATURED IN OCT MARIE CLAIRE

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:38:00 +0000

A great BIG THANKS to Courtney and Marie Claire for their very kind feature on MS APOTHECARY seen in this October's issue!

MS APOTHECARY

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:53:00 +0000

It is coming up on almost two years since we started Beauty 212.

I have learned a lot from the public all around the world and you have helped me to challenge the experts we have featured thus far.

It has been brought to my attention by consumers and through the media that people have lost trust in corporations, our national leaders, and so many other things.

I gave this problem some thought, and wondered about what I could do to make a difference and rebuild that trust again.

With that in mind my clients and some of our viewers have asked for us to put together a store that sells some of the products "they just can't believe work" so it can all be in one place...the best of the best.

So I am proud to announce that Beauty 212 will be launching MS APOTHECARY over the next few weeks. We hope to be a beacon in the industry of trust with products that work for everyone. Every product works in theory, but we will soon bring truth to reality. As consumers we all deserve the best. It's a start to help make the world a more trustworthy place.

Don't worry. Beauty 212 will continue to exist.

Thanks for all of your support and help for us to grow.

We look forward to helping you put your best foot forward.

xoxo mary schook

SUSTAINABLE YOUTH

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Nothing gets me more excited than being surprised by a product around the Beauty By Mary Schook testing "lab". A couple of months ago I was sent a cream and serum to test from a company called Sustainable Youth .
What initially drew in my curiosity about this particular product is that it said it was mostly green and clinically effective in anti-aging because of their patented ingredient Alasta ®. We can't count how many times we have tested "green" products only to find them disappointing and cause our client's (or even my own skin) to react.
Another thing that attracted us to this product line is their mantra: beauty starts from the inside out. That is also our philosophy at Beauty By Mary Schook.
In addition the fact that there are only three products is sometimes a good indicator that a consumer will likely end up with more quality, not useless products!
BUT educated deductions never replace testing for us, so our testing began by adding Sustainable Youth's serum and cream to some of the client's treatments.
Immediately from that moment forward we began to receive phone calls and emails from the clients. They were calling to tell us that their skin seemed to "hold their treatments better" and also "appeared more elastic"!
I am still pleased to say that the popularity of Sustainable Youth has continued to increase.
Give the website a quick view to see some of their befores and afters at www.sustainableyouthproducts.com
I believe right now they're even running a recession special. Special or not I can say that the product is well worth the price and opens the eco market up to new hope!

Cheers!
Mary Schook

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:41:00 +0000

Very exciting news! Beauty 212 has entered the new century of technology to bring to you up to the minute expert beauty and product tweets via twitter.

Watch how Beauty 212 transforms in April to bring you beauty like you've never seen before!

Keep coming with those questions!!!!!

xoxo mary schook

SPRING BOHO HITS STORES TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:41:00 +0000

Mary Schook, and Boho Magazine, fashion and beauty's first green magazine, have joined forces to shed some light on the booming organic and natural care industry. Boho's spring issue hits newstands Feb17th with cover model and A-list actress turned activist, Neve Campbell. PRESS RELEASE

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:20:00 +0000

If they had to rewrite My Big Fat Greek Wedding Gus, the father would have said
Terrasil Max cured everything instead of windex.
I came across this product as I was researching nano silver products online. It seems that whenever I have a problem the universe will plop the perfect product in front of me.
As part of my new year's resolution I had decided to take up some swimming. I am sad to say that as my new enthusiasm grew for swimming so did a wart between my toes (and a few other fun things! Ouch!). Things were in a tailspin until the Terrasil Max showed up in my mailbox.

The wart calmed in less than a week along with any itching or scaling.

I highly suggest this product! Silver is very anti-bacterial and this product is naturally quite effective.

BEAUTY STARTS FROM WITHIN

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:22:00 +0000

It's 2009! We have a new president. Feels like a good time for a fresh new start right?!

No matter what your beauty regimen is or how old you are beauty has to start from the inside. If your cells are toxic and can't function then how do you expect to fight the aging battle?

Beauty 212 called upon Inna Topiler C.N., H.H.C. from Hoboken, NJ's Complete Nutrition and Wellness to give us some guidelines on how to jumpstart our "inner beauty."

"January is generally a great month to start a cleanse," states Inna. "The holidays are certainly a time to enjoy, but many of us overindulge in food and drink and tend to skip the gym. This leaves us feeling bigger, more fatigued."

What is the best way to go about a cleanse?
Inna writes in her monthly client newsletter:

"For the past 2 years, I have been using the Standard Process 3 week purification cleanse in my practice and getting amazing results. It involves discontinuing fast foods, processed convenience foods, and sugar filled snacks which place an unnecessary load on the body and replacing them with whole, unprocessed, preservative-free foods, like whole grains, fruits, vegetable and lean meats, lots of pure spring water and tasty shakes. Whole food supplements are also used to help your body purify and rebuild itself naturally, from the inside out while supporting all the organ systems involved in detoxification.

Patients have experienced anywhere from 5-15 pounds of weight loss, increased energy, removal of food addictions, clearer thinking, better digestion, less bloating, clearer skin, shinier hair, and improved general health with the disappearance or lessening of past conditions. Because this is a true healthy cleanse and not just a fad diet, it is not very difficult, does not require any fasting and you can go on with your daily routine without any interruptions. And best of all, the above results stay with you after you are done."

Thanks for that great information Inna!

To find out more details about cleansing click HERE

In a future post we will talk about a hair analysis that Inna has done with me that tests the nutrition taking place in my body, and address the things I need to start thinking about.

I think you will find it fascinating!

Thanks for Reading!

Mary Schook

LOVIN' MY LASHES!!!

noreply@blogger.com (beauty) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Behold......I have FINALLY found the lash formula that is the closest to the original Jan Marini lash formula. It is called NEU LASH.
I had my hesitations that Neu Lash would even work after growing weary from trying over a dozen "lash growth" products advertised on the market. It seemed pointless to test it now that the magic ingredient contained in the original lash growth products was revoked from cosmetic products.....that is until one day metrosexual Santa Monica Bob sent me over a tube and said I HAD to try it.
He said it was so effective on him he had to cut his lashes shorter.

With hesitation I applied the Neu Lash formula at the base of my lashes every night as instructed.
First week. Nothing.
2nd week. Nothing too noticeable.
3rd week. It began to look a little fuller.
4th week. Fullness maintained.
Fast forward to 2.5 months......WOW! My lashes aren't yet up to my brows, but they're considerably longer and fuller. Everyone asks me if I have lash extensions on when I put on my mascara. Yippee!!!!

And by the way if you prefer to pay to see an eye doctor to get a prescription for lash growth.....please be my guest.