Sunday, October 14, 2012

Must-Know Skin Care Information

Dear SYSters,

It's been several years since I interviewed this special guest about skin care on my BlogTalk Radio show, but it's such helpful information I felt I needed to share it again.

(BTW, my weekly podcast is now associated with FlyLady and Friends. Just put 'Flylady and friends' into the search box at BTR's website and search for my 'archived' or 'upcoming' MissusSmartyPants weekly podcasts).



My special guest was a bio-chemist and research scientist from the cosmetic industry. His name is Dr. Andre Hegi. He's so full of information (and quite honestly, hard to understand because he has a strong accent) but he's wonderful resource for helping you (and me) select the right skin care products.

Dr. Hegi has worked extensively in the cosmetic industry as a bio-chemist and research scientist. He’s retired now but continues developing exclusive skincare products for spas and plastic surgeons.

Dr. Hegi shared a wealth of product information on this past BTR show (link to listen is at the bottom of this post). Since he's Swiss and had an accent that was a bit hard to understand... I’ve have compiled a list of skincare suggestions based on this interview. You’ll find this list below helpful when determining what ingredients you want in your skincare products.

Dr. Hegi pointed out that the skincare/cosmetic industry spends millions on marketing and packaging—and not necessarily the product ingredients! There is a lot of “hype” when it comes to claims of younger, smoother skin in this business. However, there are new innovative ingredients available and every woman needs to find the right one for her skin type.

You don’t have to spend lots of money to get quality products if you know the desirable ingredients you want. Often neck cream, eye cream and face cream from the same brand ARE the same product but in different consistencies—so buying different products often ends up wasting your money!

The first ingredient on your skincare label most often is water (up to 90%) it is the active ingredients you want to look for (or avoid) that are listed below:

Dr. Hegi says AVOID:
Animal by-products from the fur & leather industry: mink oil, emus oil (only exception is lanolin)
Fishing by-products like shark liver oil, squalane (fish based)
Oil-based products like petrolatum and mineral oil
ONLY squalane from olive oil is desirable

Dr. Hegi says to look for the following active ingredients:
Peptides (firms skin): can also be called Oligopeptides, Dipeptides, Thetrapeptides, Polypeptides
Olive oil: contains fatty vitamins like A, E, D, F and squalane (an emollient)
Squaline: only if it is processed from olive oil.
Shea Butter: a good natural emollient.
Cocoa Butter: another good natural emollient.
Lanolin: and its derivatives are also excellent emollient. Lanolin is the only acceptable animal by-product emollient ingredient.
Vitamins: are essential to healthy skin. Look for vitamin C (also called Sodium Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid among other similar names). Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) B5, Pantothenic Acid.
Oil soluble vitamins: vitamin A, D, E and F.

Dr. Hegi also pointed out some other interesting skincare facts:


  1. Your skincare products should be based on botanicals (plant-based).
  2. Skin cell turnover occurs every 28-35 days and slows down as you age. You want to increase your skin cell turnover for a more youthful glow.
  3. Wash face 2X daily (morning & night) and follow up with a good moisturizer based on your skin type.
  4. Weekly exfoliate your skin gently to increase skin cell turnover.
  5. Look for products with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or glycolic acid to reduce aging and improve skin’s texture.
  6. For oily or acne-prone skin use a product with Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
  7. For mature/aging skin use Retinoids (a vitamin A derivative) which encourages skin to renew it’s self.
  8. For rosacea (redness and bumps) use primrose oil and vitamin F.

Here is the link to listen to this archived show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/MissusSmartyPants/2009/08/18/Missus-Smarty-Pants-Fashion-Rescue  

Again, you can now find my current weekly style podcasts here:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/flylady-and-friends/upcoming/mostrelevent/_/_/_/_

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Just say "thanks"!

Do you feel awkward when others compliment you? Do you minimize them or find it difficult to know what to say in response to the compliment you just received?

If so, it's time to practice receiving compliments! When someone compliments you, simply say "Thank you" and smile back. Do not discredit their kindness by saying "This old dress?" or "I usually can't figure out what to wear".

Receive the compliment and take pleasure in it! At first this will be difficult to do, but it becomes easier as you practice it.

I would like to add...that if you get a compliment from someone, it's now your turn to say something nice (and unexpected) to someone else. Watch out! This behavior will bring a smile to your face, help you make friends with everyone and generally make you feel good about yourself!


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Tips for Putting Together a Good Basic Wardrobe


Only when you put together a good basic wardrobe--can you begin to have true great style. 

It starts by having 60-70% of your wardrobe basic pieces. That's a lot more than what most women have in their wardrobes. Often women have 25-30% basic items and the rest are odds and ends (impulse purchases).

For an article of clothing to be considered a ‘wardrobe basic'  it must be:

__Versatile. It needs to go with lots of different things and be worn a variety of different ways.

__Good quality. It will be worn often, so it needs to be the best quality you can afford.

__Classic styling. It shouldn't go out of style quickly because it is a wardrobe staple.

__Good fit. It is worn often, it must fit you well and make you look your best.

__Flattering color (or colors) that works with most of your wardrobe.


Keep your style current! Don't collect clothes year after year...if you haven't worn it in a year purge it!

Monday, October 1, 2012

I've seen lots of bad style around town lately. Unstyled hair, high-water poor fitting jeans, ugly scuffed clog shoes...well you get the picture. 

One of the biggest style faux pas (totally avoidable) is lack of wearing a good bra. If your bra is getting a bit worn consider this a friendly little nudge to get fitted for a new one.

Do you think your straps are what holds the "girls" up? If you said 'yes'...you are WRONG! 

90% of the support you get from your bra is from the BAND!

Don't let this style faux pas make you look sloppy in your clothes!
You will look slimmer and younger when you wear a good fitting bra!

4 Steps to Chic

1. Start with a feminine top 2. Pair with classy slacks 3. Ground with bold shoes 4. Finish with statement earrings ...