by Amy Macgowan | Nov 6, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Snow is predicted here in MN for later today. Oh joy! We're busy ‘winterizing' our houses, cabins, cars, motorcycles, bikes, boats, water toys, lawnmowers, etc. In fact, I ran down to the office to ask John if we'd blown out the sprinkler system yet. (After 25 years of marriage, we have a his/hers unwritten list of maintenance items for spring and fall. The sprinklers are a ‘his' item).
I got to thinking…what about ‘winterizing' ourselves? There are a few products I use in the deep, dark, cold and dry winter months that take some of the discomfort away. I want to share them with you with the hope you will comment and share your favorite ‘winterization' products as well. So many products…so little time (and money!), so we can help each other out :), and get through winter a little less scathed.
Dry peely lips? Try e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfolliator ($3). It's a sugar exfolliator stick infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. How can you go wrong with all those natural ingredients and the price? Then I follow up with a favorite of my mom's: Mentholatum ($7.49 for 3 oz. at Walgreens). It's certainly not sexy, but I find it keeps my lips and nose from chapping. If you can't stand the taste/smell of menthol, another great option (with anti-aging benefits) is Clarins Extra Firming Lip & Contour Balm ($38). It contains Shea Butter, Raspberry Seed Oil and MaxiLip Complex that minimizes fine lines for smoother, fuller lips. Although it's not as price friendly as Mentholatum, you need very little. I've had my jar over 8 months.
Dry nose? My nose get super dry by January. And it's dry inside and out (sexy, I know). No matter how ladylike I try to be, my nose runs pretty much all winter long unless I'm in the Caribbean. As mentioned above, Mentholatum helps heal the outside at night and keep it looking good most of the day, but I can't stand it inside my nose. And I don't want to smell like I'm treating a cold during the day. So, I use Lancome's Nutrix Soothing Treatment Cream ($50 1.9 oz.) Thanks to a Lancome Coordinator I had years back, my sore, itchy winter nose and nose bleeds are a thing of the past. She showed me to put a dab of Nutrix on a Q-Tip and pop that baby right in my nostrils. Try it, it works!
Nutrix has an interesting history. It's the very first skincare product developed by Lancome in 1936. Lancome tried to discontinue it in the early 2000's and there was a mutiny from the masses. It's the ONLY product I've known Lancome to ever bring back from the discontinued list. It's still one of the most asked for classic products they have today.
Heading out into the tundra for some skiing/skating/snowshoeing? Skin/Wind protection is a must (second only to sun protection-which was covered ad nauseam here. Nutrix (as mentioned above) also makes a great barrier and protects against windburn when out in the elements. I also like Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream ($19.50 1.7 oz.). It gives the same great barrier that Nutrix does at less than half the price. It also seems to do a good job of healing minor cuts. 8 Hour Cream is orange in color though, so be careful if you have light colored clothing anywhere near it. The original 8 Hour Cream has quite a peculiar smell, but glory be, it now comes in fragrance free! In the future, I'll be buying the fragrance free version and using it instead of Nutrix for all my winter needs. I slather it all over my face (after sunscreen) when I head outdoors for winter fun (an oxymoron, but you know what I mean!) It's a bit shiny, but worth it to not be windburned for weeks.
Flaky eyelids? It defies me how my eyelids can still be oily in the crease, but dry and flaky underneath, and in, my eyebrows. Last winter, finally- no flaky anything thanks to Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye ($82 .5 oz). You can read more about the benefits of this eye cream here. Suffice it to say that last winter, I had no problems and got all the anti-aging benefits from this product. Before finding Total Eye, the only product that worked for me was Lancome's Progres Eye ($59 .5 oz.). We called it Crisco for the eyes. It's another classic product (classic means it's not featured on the counter units and it doesn't have any new technology) that women buy 2-3 at a time because it's so intensely moisturizing. I found the best way to use Progres was OVER makeup. I couldn't use it before makeup application- it was to greasy!
Super dry face? It's possibly more than dryness. It could very well be dehydration. Here's how to tell: Take your index and middle fingers and push gently up between your jawbone and cheekbone. If you get a bunch of baby lines on the surface of your skin, you're dehydrated. I know we drink a lot of water, but that's hydrating from the inside out. In a harsh environment (like winter and flying), we also need to hydrate from the outside in. Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil ($50 1 oz.) does an amazing job of hydrating our skin. Used as a night time moisturizer (you can use it as your day moisture as well, but pure plant oils don't make a great primer for makeup), it re-hydrates skin amazingly well. It's one of the first 3 original Clarins products developed in 1954. Only 3 drops, warmed up in your hands and applied by placing and pressing, will make a huge difference in the skin's hydration level. I used it all last winter and I still have half a bottle left, so it's quite a value. I use my anti-aging serum underneath at night to still get anti-aging benefits while I sleep.
Dry, itcy skin? Me too! I've found adding a drop or two of body oil to my body moisturizer helps the itching and extends my body cream. Neutrogena Body Oil ($15.99 16 oz.) does the trick. It comes scented and unscented. When I really want to treat myself, I get Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil ($56 3.3 oz.). It contains pure plant oils- rosemary, mint and geranium and smells SO GOOD! Our house smells like the spa when I've used this oil. A little bit goes a long way with this oil too.
Cracked, split skin on your fingertips? Here's a tip from my dermatologist: take clear nail polish and seal the crack. It hurts a lot initially, but it finally seals up the crack so it can heal. I've tried liquid band-aid, but it doesn't seem as resilient as good old clear polish and it's just as painful upon initial impact, so I'm sticking with polish.
Hit us up with your winter saving favorites. I sure would like to know about them!
Update: It's snowing as I'm putting the finishing touches on this tonight :(.
*I receive no compensation for writing this. If/when I do I will happily let you know.
lue Orchid Oil
Elizabeth Arden eight Hour cream
Progres/total eye
by Amy Macgowan | Oct 30, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Dark Circles…Puffiness…Wrinkles…Loss of Firmness…Dryness…
Every time I'm in store, women (and some men) ask for an eye cream that will truly addresses these issues.
Through the years, I've had the opportunity to try many (many!) eye creams. Some I've received as gratis (free from the companies I've worked for) and quite a few I've purchased. All with the hope they would actually do what they promise. From exorbitantly expensive eye cream (La Mer $185) to cheapo eye cream L'Oreal ($24.99), none did.
I got so discouraged layering 3 eye products (serum for puffiness, one cream for wrinkles and another for lifting and firming) that I quit the regimen altogether and resorted to smearing a bit of my face cream in the vicinity of my eye area. And guess what? Sadly, I noticed no difference when I quit my eye ‘beauty' routine.
Until I discovered-
(This is where I disclaim that I desire to be completely non-denominational and give many options in my reviews and opinions. And that I never, ever want to sound like an infomercial for any company/product.) But today, I only have one option to present to you…
Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate ($82) .5 o oz. (referred to as Total Eye from now on). Total Eye is the best eye cream I've ever used myself, on clients, or with family (like when I put it on my sister and my nieces could not believe the immediate and long term improvement). My droopy eyelids are not so droopy anymore. The botox treatments I might have indulged in every 4-5 months for my crows feet, now only need refreshment every 9 months or so.
Why is Total Eye the best you ask? It has to do with the product ingredients and the Draining Pressure Points Method of Application for Eyes.
Clarin's Total Eye contains the Forever Young plant (Pueraria Lobata). Harvested in China, it grows a foot a day. This crazy good cellular renewal process starts to happen in our eye area. Total Eye also contains Dermaxyl (a plant peptide complex) that boosts collagen production, along with shea butter for intense moisture and caffeine for dark circle reduction.
Here's the kicker: Total Eye is tear soluble, never migrates into our eyes, and is ophthalmologist approved for the entire eye area from lash line to lash line. It has to be in order to use the Draining Pressure Points Method of Application for Eyes, which releases excess fluids and toxins.
So now I use one eye cream, morning and night. Just a small pump (the size of a piece of rice) of Total Eye is needed. (More is not better, or more effective). Used this way, one bottle of Total Eye will last 5.5 to 6 months. At $82, that's a darn good investment. No other eye product is needed. I also like that it's in a vacuum sealed bottle, so it remains sterile. I hate to think what happens to our product when we dip our finger in it over a period of 5 to 6 months……
Pop on over to your nearest Clarins counter and ask the Skin Care Specialist to show you the ‘5 Second Eye Lift'. She or he should be well versed in the method. Also ask them for a sample to take home. They should have one, or can make you one- especially at Nordstrom where they are equipped with their own sample jars. Apply with the Pressure Point Method and check out the immediate results that only get better over time.
Gone are the days of layering 3-4 eye products haphazardly on my orbital eye bone and hoping they'll work for me. I've finally found something that does work. I hope it does for you too!
Here's a list of eye creams/serums I've tried and not seen results with. The list is extensive, but not exhaustive by any means. I've added comments when appropriate. I'd love to know what you've tried and what's worked. You can reach me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee First Wrinkle Eye Cream ($49) .5 oz.
Lancome High Resolution Eye Refill 3X ($60) .5 oz.
Lancome Progres Eye ($59) .5 oz. Progres Eye is like Crisco for our eye area. I do like this eye cream for intense hydration in the winter months and used it for that purpose until I found Total Eye, which takes care of all my eye needs, including hydration.
Lancome Visionnaire Eye Advanced Eye Contour ($60) .5 oz. This is supposed to reduce the appearance of dark circles in 4 weeks, and also correct wrinkles and uneven texture around the eye area….nope.
Lancome Absolue Eye Precious Cells ($110) .5 oz.
Lancome Absolue Eye Premium Bx ($95) .5 oz.
Lancome Bienfat Multi Vital Eye SPF 28 ($39) .5 oz. I like the sunscreen element and will continue to use what I have left while on vacation. No anti-aging benefits. An okay general moisturizing eye cream with SPF.
Lancome Genifique Eye Light Pearl Eye Illuminating Youth Activating Concentrate ($68) .67 fl. oz.
Lancome Genifique Eye ($62) .5 oz. Remained sticky on my eye area all day :(.
Lancome Renergie Eye Multiple Action ($78) .5 oz. eye cream plus concealer. Funky consistency in the eye cream and the concealer wasn't the correct color in any shade offered and it creased like crazy. Never saw any of the 6 visible action corrections.
Lancome Renergie Life Multi-Action Eye ($68) .5oz. Allergic…red rash and flakiness all over my eyes. Yucky.
Clinique All About Eyes ($30) .5 oz.
Strivectin SD Eye Concentrate ($65) 1 oz.
Bremenn Upper Eyelid Lifter ($59) .5 oz.
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Eye Capsules ($56) .35 oz.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Eye Advanced Anti-aging Serum ($100) .5 oz.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Eye Ultra Protection Anti-aging Eye Cream SPF 15 ($100) .5 oz.
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift and Firm Eye Cream SPF 15 ($52) .5 oz.
La Mer The Eye Concentrate ($185) .5 oz.
La Mer The Eye Balm Intense ($185) .5 oz.
Loreal Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment ($24.99) .5 oz.
*I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE- not even an eye cream to add to the list above :). If I do receive anything in the future, I'll let you know.
by Amy Macgowan | Oct 16, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
I have instructor friends with very blonde eyelashes. So for them to go without mascara on teaching days (like I do) is not an option. Most of them don't like waterproof mascara. (Me either- it feels heavy, dries my lashes out and is virtually impossible to get off, even with the best remover.) If they had a choice, they wouldn't use waterproof mascara.
Guess what? We have a choice!
I'm aware of two products that ‘waterproof' regular mascara. Like a waterproof topcoat. It's ingenious, really. We can wear our regular mascara most of the time, and waterproof it only when we need to!
Double Fix Mascara ($23) by Clarins is a transparent fixing gel that seals mascara to your lashes. It can also be used as a brow groomer as mentioned in this post: https://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/icipro-instructor-training/framing-the-window-to-the-soul/ or used alone as a lash conditioner.
Bare Minerals Locked & Coated Waterproof Lash Topcoat ($12): I've not personally tried this, as it's new to market, but the reviews are great. This invisible topcoat instantly makes your mascara waterproof, without altering your mascara application.
So now when we have a life event where we might shed a tear or two- we don't need to go without mascara.
A video shoot of our class? No need to go lashless!
A good eye make up remover is needed when we've waterproofed. Make sure it's for waterproof make up removal. As a rule of thumb, if something says “gentle”, it most likely won't remove waterproof makeup. Good removers are:
M A C Pro Eye Make Up Remover ($21)
Lancome Bi-Facil ($28)
Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips ($18)
Physicians Formula Eye Makeup Remover Lotion ($4.75)
Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover ($27)
Happy mascara wearing.
If you have amascara you like, or know of other ‘waterproofers', please let us know. You can reach me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
*I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE. I'll let you know when/if I do.
by Amy Macgowan | Oct 9, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Oh joy, oh bliss, it's fall here in MN (insert sarcasm here). Time to put the self tanner away and pull out the tights.
In the past, I would put on my ‘cheapo' tights for the first time in the fall, and they would make ‘that' sound. You know, the sound of elastic stretching one last time. And then would come the internal question, “Will they stay up through this one class, so I have time to go purchase more cheapo tights?
Years ago, I would motor to Target, Marshalls or TJ Maxx for three or four new pair tights for the season. And that's all they would last- a season.
But last year, I splurged and ventured to Lucy and Lululemon for my indoor tights. Lucy offers 20% off in store and Lululemon 15% off in store to instructors. Guys- Lulu has a great men's line. I used our ICI/PRO discount program at Pearl Izumi for my outdoor riding tights (40% off for ICI/PRO members!) Everything went on like a dream this season. No moments experiencing ‘that' sound and no wondering if my tights would stay up through class. The added expense last season was completely worth it, as I don't need to replenish anything this season.
However, there is a big difference between need and want. Athleta has opened two stores in the Minneapolis area and offers a 30% in store discount to instructors- bettering Lulu by double and Lucy by 10%.
My newest wardrobe addition this season is the Athleta's Odyssey Chaturanga Tight. They made today's chill a little less chilly. I was at the Mall of American with two dear friends (instructors as well). We all bought these tights. At $64, they come to $44.80 with our 30% instructor discount! Well worth it in my humble opinion, not only because I know they will be good to go next fall, but also because they are, by far, the most comfortable, flattering tights ever. I wear them almost everyday- under dresses, long shirts and to teach in. The waist band is perfect for preventing the dreaded muffin top experience (not that we would ever have a muffin top) and something about the fabric is j-u-s-t the right amount of leg hug.
I checked with Athleta, and so far, the instructor 30% discount program is in store only (as is Lucy's and Lululemon's). It's a manual process at each store. (They actually do a manual look up in a file folder), so it's not available on-line. They do have future plans to take it on line, something like the old Nike/ Reebok / Avia instructor discount programs if you remember those.
Here's a current listing of stores near you:
Athleta
Lucy
Lululemon
Do you have a favorite workout wardrobe piece? Please let us know! We'd like to know about it, so we can add it to our wardrobe as well.
Want to talk about something here at PRO/STYLE? Contact me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
*I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE. I'd love a free pair of tights from someone. I'll let you know if some mysteriously appear from UPS and report on them.
by Amy Macgowan | Oct 2, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Eyebrows. They make us look younger, frame our eyes and we need them to make our facial anatomy look right.
Guys- just a quick word and then you can b(r)ow out :). If you have exceedingly bushy, or wiry brows, you can easily groom them with a manicure scissors. My dad has eyebrows the consistency of fishing line. He simply cuts the wild ones with a little manicure scissors in a mirror he has on the wall in the garage (access to good mid-day lighting.) He's been doing that since I was a little girl. He stays looking well groomed, yet very manly.
Okay, onto girl brows. I've heard four specific brow challenges from instructors:
1. No brows: never had them, over-plucked them, just noticed they lost them. In addition, nothing they put on seems to stay on, especially during and after teaching a good, sweaty class.
2. Sparce brows: aggressively plucked since middle school, they have a few miscellaneous hairs in the vicinity of their brows, but definitely need supplementation. Whatever they use to supplement their brows doesn't stay put all day, let alone during and after a good sweat.
3. Light disappearing brows: they have great brows, but nobody can see them. Their brows are either blonde, or that other light color that comes in 50 shades.
4. Too many brows: brows, brows everywhere. Unruly and they grow like weeds.
Before we talk about the four brow challenges, I want to look at brow shaping and color:
You can see the three brow shaping points in this picture.
-Brow shaping: An easy way to shape your brow is to take a pencil and hit three points. 1. straight up from your nose is the brow start point 2. from your nose to the middle of your iris is the top of your brow arch 3. from your nose to the outer corner of your eye is your brow end point. When in doubt, you can always get a brow shape/wax at your salon. Ulta now has a Benefit Brow Bar. A wax is $20.
Our eyebrows are sisters not twins. They will never be identical, as hard as we try. So don't try that hard!
-Brow color: As a general rule, our brow color should be one shade darker than our hair. Please trust me on this. As we age, our eyebrows get lighter, until they all but disappear. We look SO much younger with brows. With the exception of the little old ladies that draw in their brows way too dark, most have none at all! (Take a look the next time you are out and about and let me know what you see.)
So, it's important to have brows with color and it's just as important to have the right color. Many pencils/ gels are simply too warm toned, or red. 90% of the time, I find a taupe pencil or gel is right for my client. Please make sure you have a good, neutral tone on your brows unless you truly have auburn hair.
Challenge Solutions:
Wow- do you recognize Angelina Jolie without her eyebrows?
1. No brows:
2. Sparce brows:
Both these challenges fall into the same basic solution category. A permanent solution is eyebrow tattooing. If you're considering brow tattoos, I'd strongly recommend having a brow shape and color you've worn for awhile and love. Find a reputable permanent make up artist that uses non-metallic ink and will work with you regarding color and shape.
My favorite non-permanent solution is Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse in taupe, medium brown and rich brown. It wears for at least 12 hours, just like it says! It's $28 and it comes with a perfect double ended angle and grooming brush. I've been using mine for 6 months and have hardly made a dent in the jar. Make sure to put the cap on tightly after each use because it will dry out if left open.
I like Clarins Pro Palette Eyebrow Kit for its versatility. It comes with three shades, so you really can get the perfect customized eyebrow color. Then you ‘lock it in' with a wax- so it's extremely long wearing. The kit also comes with a magnifying mirror, tweezers and double ended brow brush. At $37, if you have a hard to match hair color, or are prone to changing your color often, this one's for you. Customers tell me the kit lasts up to 5 years!
Prefer a pencil? The best one I've found (since Bath & Body Works quit making their ‘Earth' eyebrow pencil- at $6, this was the best taupe pencil around!) is Lancome's Le Crayon Poudre Powder Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe $25.50 . Be sure to buy a Lancome sharpener. The Beauty Specialist isn't giving you a line when they tell you to get one. The pencil is very powdery and encased in a plastic lining that needs a specific sharpener.
Once again, I must call out elf- Eyes, Lips, Face and their Professional Studio Eyebrow Kit in Ash. At $3, this is completely worth a try. Opposite of Clarins, the directions read to use the wax first, powder second. Disclaimer: I've not tried it. Have any of you?
3. Light Disappearing Brows: Blonde or uhm….gray, there really are two solutions: get them dyed, or Lancome's Modele Sourcils Brow Groomer. In Taupe, Brunet, or Chataigne (reddish brown), this mascara-like color for your brows is an easy answer for women with brows that are simply too light! Back in the day, I sold this to more than one man as well. This product also helps keeps brows in place. Thus the name ‘Groomer'.
4. Too many brows: Unkempt, overgrown brows can make women look heavy eyed, older, and even angry. A permanent 2.5 to 3 week appointment with a good aesthetician for regular brow waxing will take care of that! Lancome's Modele Sourcils Brow Groomer also comes in Clear for keeping brows in place. Clarins makes a product called Double Fix that serves as a clear brow groomer AND makes regular mascara waterproof, so it's a two for one product at $23.
I've tried Cover Girl Professional Natural Lash Mascara at $4.99 as a brow groomer. It gets good reviews, but for me, it pilled and looked nasty on my brows after 3 hours or so. Same goes for Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara for Lash and Brow. (This was my black mascara of choice for many years! Did you all use it too?)
Anything you want to talk about here at PRO/STYLE? Shoot me a message: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
*I don't receive compensation from anyone for writing PRO/STYLE. When I do, I'll let you all know!
by Amy Macgowan | Sep 25, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
When dancing years (and years and years….) ago in college, we had only one efficient way to remove calluses from our feet. We would sit around the studio after practice and use a single razor blade to cut them off. Thinking about it now, I am grateful I didn't get a nasty infection.
I continue to be a stellar callus maker and, since my college days, have sought the holy grail in (safer) callus removers. There's really nothing that ruins the look of a gorgeous pair of sandals and a nice pedicure like big rough calluses!
I've tried ‘foot smoothers' like this one:
Numerous pumice stones like these:
Scary chemical callus removers like these:
And foot ‘softeners' like this:
I managed to work up a good head of steam and increase my biceps size with the foot smoothers and pumice stones; however, my calluses remained in tact.
The chemical removers were just scary smelling and not very effective.
The handle version of the Ped Egg. Also available without a handle.
The the softeners only created a greasy mess.
BUT, the ‘As Seen on TV' Ped Egg is the holy grail. I love this thing! It has 135 stainless steel micro files and includes an emery board piece to smoothen after you file. The Ped Egg comes with, or without a handle (I like the handle version). It also has a little collector compartment for your foot shavings, although I've found this to be the least effective aspect of the Ped Egg.
At first use, I was a bit over-aggressive with the Ped Egg. I was so excited, I might have over filed a bit! We do need some callus to protect our feet while walking and running. I was quite sensitive for about a week, so be careful.
File and emery board refills are available for your Ped Egg in a three pack.
This is one ‘As Seen on TV' product that really works.
I haven't tried using a good foot cream afterwards, but I think it might extend the time between needing to Ped Egg again. Right now, I need to re-file about once a week.
You might ask why I just don't get a good pedi twice a month? Truth is- I'm super ticklish. Plus, when I DIY (do it yourself) I save a lot of $ and can justify spending it on something else :).
Questions, comments, suggestions? Something you love to use? Please comment or write me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
I'd love to hear from you!
*I receive no compensation for writing this. Not even from John. I will happily let you know if I do in the future.
