Nitro Noir by KIERIN NYC What They Say: An irresistible rendez-vous with the city night. Hypnotic, sensual head notes of orris flood the senses with intense heart notes of vibrant pink-berries and a pucker of bergamot infused in a delectable dry down of earthy patchouli for a scent that is sexy and impossible to resist! Genderless but never generic, Nitro Noir is a bold scent for men and women. Perfect for every day, or night, to enhance the mood or match your vibe. Made in the USA. Our designs are unique with NYC art-inspired labels living “on the edge”, wrapped around our canvas-like white bottles like so many murals of street art. What We Say: This fragrance is NOT for the faint of heart or for someone who wants to maintain a subtle aura. It is very reminiscent of the days of the original hippies (‘60’s, ‘70’s) since one of its main ingredients in patchouli. We recommend this for those of you who are of a certain age and want a “Blast from the Past” or those youngsters out there who realize that “Everything Old is New” and you want to be just as cool. Available online at kierin-nyc.com
ProDen PlaqueOff® Dental treats We normally don’t endorse any products of any kind but these ProDen PlaqueOff® Dental treats for cats and dogs were pretty impressive. We tested them on our 12 year old tuxedo kitty, Tramp, and gave the pooch treats to friends who have a cool pooch, Darby, who has breath and plaque problems. Both of these products professed to provide an easy complement to ordinary oral hygiene. The kitty treats are formulated with an algae that is clinically proven to help support normal oral hygiene and are highly palatable, fuss-free treats for felines that are supposed to eliminate bad breath and fight plaque. They are grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free – contain 100% natural and sustainably harvested sea kelp, harvested along the North Atlantic coast. They are available in 60g suitable for any type of cat. MSRP $9.99 Tramp says: “For an older kitty I am lucky that I haven’t had major dental issues, however, I loved the way these treats tasted. It was very easy to “brush my teeth” each morning and hopefully by doing so I have prevented any future problems.” The pooch versions are supposedly the only bones on the market containing PlaqueOff™, a powder which helps promote superior dental health with a 100% natural and environmentally sustainable kelp ingredient. They are also grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free and made in the USA with natural ingredients. They are marketed as very easy to blend and digestible and suitable for dogs all sizes (from 10 pounds and up). They are available in four flavors: meat-free Vegetable Fusion, Chicken & Pumpkin, Turkey & Cranberry, and Natural Bacon. MSRP $17.99 Darby’s human told us: “I just wanted to let you know that Darby just finished the last of the Plaque-Off that you kindly gave to us over Thanksgiving. She’s only a mid-size…
Teadora Rejuvenating Red Clay & Scrub Masque What they say about this product: This unique and powerful combination of clay masque and sugar scrub will gently detox and hydrate sensitive skin while improving elasticity and toning. Infused with powerful super-fruits and actives, this treatment will leave your skin smoother and brighter. Packed with Teadora’s exclusive blends of powerful Amazon superfruits and anti-aging botanicals proven to bring out naturally glowing skin, this powerful scrub removes dead skin, smoothes, brightens and minimizes ingrown hair while infusing your skin with moisture, antioxidants, and anti-aging botanicals. The organic Sugar Scrub provides a more gentle detox & exfoliation for sensitive skin, formulated to work well for body and face. This superfood cocktail for your skin includes RainforestYouth(tm) Elixir, a superfruit cocktail especially formulated with Açaí, Andiroba & Maracujá Oils. Our RedAmber(tm) Clay complex is made with an Exotic Brazilian Red Clay for which clinicals show 172% increase in elasticity and 34% in firmness when used at this level. Our YouthSpark(tm) Actives complex combines the power of Açaí, Babassu, Maracujá & Rice Bran to provide long-lasting hydration, revitalization, regeneration, and silkiness for younger-looking skin. Teadora’s Scrub & Clay Masque features our 100% natural Amazonian Afternoon scent with exotic cattleya orchids, freesia and river cyclamen flowers, sparkling orange peel, savory green sage and delicate ylang-ylang blossoms. Did it meet our expectations? YES, YES, YES. It is rare that you find a beauty product that lives entirely up to its hype. Only one drawback is the packaging. The tube that they sell this in doesn’t have a wide enough opening to easily dispense the scrub. It is an effort to get enough in the palm of your hand to cover a decent area of your body. It was put to good use in the shower and used as…
MY SKIN Liquid Treatment MY SKIN’s incredible liquid solution removes and dramatically reduces the appearance of ingrown hairs, razor bumps, burns, red bumps and inflammation from shaving, waxing, laser, electrolysis, threading and tweezing. MY SKIN Liquid Treatment can be used for men’s face, neck, head and chest and for women’s bikini lines, legs and underarms. Ingredients: Isopropyl alcohol, hamamelis, organic tea tree oil, white willow bark, black willow bark, aloe vera, vitamin E, salicylic acid, glycerin, natural fragrance. About MY SKIN: MY SKIN is formulated by leading industry professionals with over 30 years of experience in all phases of Barbering, Cosmetology, Dermatology and skin care for motion pictures, television, video shoots, runway and camera readiness for film. MY SKIN is the #1 recommended choice of today’s leading dermatologists, barbers and estheticians. MY SKIN Liquid Treatment retails for $9.99/2oz, $18.99/4oz, $29.99/8oz available online via http://www.gomyskin.com.
Product of the Month emerginC spf 30+ and tinted 30+ spf 30+ and tinted spf 30+ are touted as “Broad Spectrum Sun Protectors” – a lightweight, non-greasy powerful sun block for the face that provides powerful UVA/UVB protection. This sun block has been formulated with hydrators, vitamins, antioxidants, and herbal extracts and does not leave any white film on the skin. spf 30+ contains all natural ingredients to protect and nourish the skin, including vitamin C, which improves tone and texture by removing dead skin cells, ultimately diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that often result from sun exposure. spf 30+ also uses the antioxidant power of vitamin E and green tea, as well as soothing hydrating effects of aloe vera, which also stimulates cell growth. Other active ingredients include sea buckthorn extract, licorice root, maritime pine bark extract and panthenol. What we think: This sun screen does go on nicely and the tinted version lets you know that you have even coverage and there isn’t a white residue like some of the others we tried. Probably because it doesn’t contain any zinc oxide. It is good under makeup and holds up to normal perspiration, however, we don’t recommend using it if you are at the pool or the beach since it is neither water resistant or water proof. We did use it in conjunction with other emerginC products for the face, however, for the price, we aren’t sure that it does that much better than some of the drugstore brands out there. Retails Prices: spf 30+ $38 spf 30+ tinted $40 Available at upscale spas and online at emerinC.com.
Product of the Month Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum Formulated with Vitamin C ,konja root, ferulic and hyaluronic acid, and 4 other actives, this antioxidant blend is purported to: “Brighten, Tighten and Smooth Skin While Reducing Effects of Photoaging!” By leaving out harmful chemicals, parabens, synthetic color and fragrance, Mad Hippie is said to help skin achieve true harmony. Does it do what they say? We used the serum in conjunction with a moisturizer from another vendor for 6 weeks or so. It had some positive affects on older (63 year old) skin in that it did appear to tight and smooth the skin. As for reducing effects of photoaging, it was hard to tell. The user is an old sun worshiper and freckled naturally. Recommendation: It most likely would work more effectively in conjunction with other Mad Hippie products since they are all created to work with each other. Just the name alone would be enough for some of us to pick it up! Price: $33.99 Availability: Select Whole Foods Markets and at madhippie.com. About Mad Hippie: The offer an extensive range of natural, safe skin care products geared to protect the skin from the harmful effects of environmental factors. Their goal is to create safe, effective products on the market utilizing scientifically advanced actives coupled with Mother Nature’s finest antioxidants. All Mad Hippie products are made in the USA and are never tested on animals and are packaged in BPA-Free, recycled and fully recyclable bottles.
Arabica Coffee Scrub By artnaturals Dead Sea Salts combine with Kona Coffee, Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oils to create a scrub for the reduction of cellulite and deep exfoliation. Caffeine in coffee is a rich source of antioxidants which fight the free radical process. A powerful aid for improving the appearance of age spots, acne, rosacea, varicose veins and eczema. Does It work: We used this product for a month and have to say that it pretty much lived up to the hype other than none of us were sure that it really did much for our cellulite, however, we only used it for a short time. Our skin did feel fabulous after use and the coffee scent was uplifting in the morning! The only real down side of this scrub is that it is messy and you have to be really sure to get your shower floor rinsed off after you use it. Active ingredients: dead sea salt, kona coffee, shea butter, sweet almond oils $18 via http://www.artnaturals.com
Resveraderm Antiox Cream By Sesderma Cosmetics 1.7 ounces $56 online Sesderma.com What it does: Antioxidant daily defense that helps to make skin appear more youthful. A moisturizing cream that helps protects the skin from daily environmental aggressions, stress, fatigue, UV rays) while helps maintain skin moisture by night, helps to cover the appearances of wrinkles, loss of tone and luminosity. How to Use: Cleanse and tone your face. Apply the product with a gentle massage until completely absorbed. Apply mornings and or evenings. Ingredients:Resveratrol (grape polyphenols), Retinol, Coenzyme Q-10, Vitamin C and vitamin E. About the Product: Resveratrol is one of the components of wine, belonging to the family of polyphenols with important biological effects on health and skin, and with potent antioxidant properties, preventing accelerated aging of our skin (wrinkles, sagging …) and protecting the cellular DNA. Recent scientific studies highlighted the action of resveratrol directly on the longevity gene. Resveratrol is capable of launching a series of metabolic processes related to the duration of life through the stimulation of a gene family (SIRT) and the proteins which encode these genes, SIRTUINS. Furthermore, it was recently demonstrated the expression of a type sirtuin in the skin cells, especially fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which converts them into a focal point for skin rejuvenation treatment by the action of resveratrol. Antioxidant cocktail suitable for all skin types. New generation of antioxidants thanks to the application of nanotechnology, innovative technology which achieves the transport of active ingredients encapsulated in nanosomes, to the deepest layers of the skin, enhancing their effects. Protects the skin from daily environmental aggressions (stress, fatigue, UV rays) and corrects the skin by night, wrinkles, loss of tone and luminosity
As a new addition to the Health and Beauty Section, we are going to feature a new product. We receive many, many samples from PR firms from all over the country and have decided to publish results on some of those we have tested. While not everything does what they say they do, we will feature ones that we have found that live up to the hype. DHC Tokyo Collection Quick Film Smoother 0.88 oz. Net wt. $27.50 WHAT IT IS Instant wrinkle-smoother and lightweight moisturizer. WHAT IT DOES Works immediately to plump and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as provide refreshing, weightless moisture to any area of concern. WHY IT’S DIFFERENT This gel cream relies on EMS peptides and seaweed extract to instantly firm the appearance of skin and support collagen, while cross-linked sodium hyaluronate protects the skin’s natural moisture mantle. And soybean protein complex works over time to protect skin’s natural elasticity. This product and others in the DHC line are available at Urban Outfitters as well as online at dhccare.com.