By Devin Almonte ![]() You may have heard that it’s better to air-dry your clothes than to machine-dry them because it’s gentler on your clothing. But what about your hair? Surely, we can assume that it’s better to let your hair air-dry instead of blow-dry after a rinse because it’s gentler on your hair, right? Not necessarily. And our friends at Dyson have found a great solution. Problem with the Air-Dry MethodThe Air-Dry Method can leave your hair in quite a frizz, not to mention tangled, knotted, and unstyled. Now, if that is the organic look you are going for, then don’t let me stop you! But do beware that your minimalistic attempt at au naturel could actually be costing you the health of your hair, not to mention your time. Natural Isn’t Always GoodWhen it comes to your hair, natural isn’t always good. In fact, it isn’t always the healthiest choice for your hair either. Jenny Jin, beauty writer for Pure Wow tells us, "When hair comes into contact with water, it swells. When it swells, it messes with the protein within each strand and leads to damage from the inside out. So the longer your hair is wet, the longer it swells and the greater the chance for damage." Further, a scientific study on hair suggested that it's not always best to let the hair dry itself, as the longer the scalp and hair are wet, the greater the opportunity for bacteria to accumulate, and that can generate fungus or weakening in the structure of the hair. This especially applies to those that go to bed with their hair wet. Time DilemmaAccording to a poll taken by longhaircommunity.com, most women found it took 2-3 hours to dry their hair naturally. And more than 15% said it took 5 hours or more to fully dry. Now who has the time and patience for that? You can fly from New York to L.A in less time! Problem with the Ordinary Blow-Dry MethodThere can also be problems associated with blow-drying your hair because heat can be damaging. Your hair can become too dry and brittle because the temperature can be too hot, leaving you with head full of fried strands. And just like air-drying your hair, it’s a time consuming process, costing the average woman about 30 minutes to an hour of their day. However, according to a recent study from Korea, Prevention Magazine beauty editor, Nina Elias tells us: With the right technique, using a blow-dryer is actually better for your mane’s health than letting it air-dry. Yes, the heat of a dryer can cause more damage than not using one, but using a hair-dryer at the right distance and temperature can actually cause less damage than letting hair air-dry. And thanks to recent technology, we now have an even better solution than attempting to manipulate our way into drying our hair just right with outdated and subpar hair dryers. Dyson. A Step Above the Rest.Our good friends at Dyson (yes, the must-have vacuum people) became aware of this blow- dryer dilemma and spent years of research seeking ways to modernize and revolutionize your blowout at home. And in late 2016, Dyson’s Supersonic Hair Dryer made its debut in the US market. This is more than a hair-dryer. In fact, I’m not even sure if I would put this in the same category as a hair-dryer. It’s truly a modernized hair device engineered with ultra-fast drying power. It comes preloaded with superior technology that manages heat control to prevent heat damage to your hair. In other words, it’s like having your own personal stylist within the device because it will automatically know what level of heat your hair needs more than you do! In true Dyson fashion, this hair device includes all the fancy and easy-to-use magnetic attachments. Pop on the smoothing nozzle, styling concentrator, or diffuser with ease and style away. Why Dyson Supersonic Hair DryerGreat-looking Hair This is truly the DIY blowout device! Customers report that there hair looks and feels smoother, silkier, and healthier after using the Supersonic. Easier Hair Care No more boring 80s style L-shaped dryers. Get rid of that dreaded arm-ache, as the Supersonic is totally redesigned, lightweight and balanced with the motor in the handle. Computerized Hair Care It’s a smart dryer. The microprocessor measures air temperature 20 times every second, applying just the right amount of heat to keep you from damaging your hair and protecting its natural shine, leaving your hair soft and smooth. Fast and Efficient Hair Care Dyson knows airflow. That’s why it’s no surprise that the Supersonic has high-velocity airflow for ultra-fast drying power. Time to gain back lost time from inefficient hair dryers. Depending on your hair, you may even be able to cut your dry time in half! Because it’s a Dyson Quality. Quiet. Sleek and modern design. Thoughtfully designed and technologically reimagined. Worth ItThe Dyson Supersonic Hair-Dryer is expensive, but it's worth the investment. It's more than a hair-dryer. It's a smart drying device that takes a proactive approach to hair care. You might actually be saving yourself some money because you might even be able to cut down on those pricey, hair-smoothing, Keratin treatments! So, is beauty by Dyson worth it? Yes. It doesn't get any better than Dyson. Where to PurchaseAs an On-Air Guest Host for QVC, I highly encourage you to shop everything QVC! It's the place for great, products, great deals, and great fun. Check out the below airings to learn more about the Supersonic and to see it in action. Disclosure: All comments written above are my own opinion and thoughts related to products and companies that I love and enjoy. I have not received payment for any type of product promotion, nor have I received commission from any of the above mentioned companies, products, or websites related to this article.
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Fit Makeup. The New Must-Have Athletic Accessory. But is it safe? And if so, what you should use.8/10/2017 By Devin Almonte Is it me, or did makeup recently slither and sneak its way into gyms across America as an acceptable athletic accessory? When did this happen and why? And more importantly, is it really safe to wear makeup during a workout? We used to be afraid to show our bodies at the gym out of fear of what people would think of us for being a bit too heavy or untoned. How dare we go to the gym to get in shape looking like that! It’s almost sacrilegious. And now we are afraid to show our real faces? Dear Lord, we are a sick bunch. I guess I can be included in that sick bunch because I am guilty of this relatively new trend. Now, I’m not in a full face of makeup, but I’ve definitely used concealer to hide a few things that make my face look tired and dull. Plus, I want to have blemish-free, glowing skin while I do my burpees and shimmy across the studio floor! Before we go any further, I want to stress that I am advocate for good health, including our skin. Good health and good skin is naturally beautiful. So I’m all for nurturing our skin and body for health reasons before caring for it cosmetically. However, given that women want to “look good” at the gym (a place for healthy living), I wanted to find out why women wear makeup to the gym and if it’s okay to wear makeup during your workout. Because that makeup you are wearing could be doing more damage to your beautiful face than you realize. And all for the mere sake of looking good while working out for an hour! WHY WOMEN WEAR MAKEUP TO THE GYM1. To look your best no matter what. Looking your best is a great motivator to get you to workout. So whether a cute new fitness outfit or makeup makes you feel your best, this becomes the motivator you need to get your butt to the gym and it can help boost your confidence. 2. To feel less self-conscious. Makeup can help someone feel less self-conscious about themselves and their supposed flaws. Just as someone who is overweight or not happy with their body can feel totally vulnerable and exposed at the gym, so does the person without makeup. Not everyone feels this way, of course, but particularly for those who struggle with body image issues, makeup may give them the courage to show up. And if that is what it takes to get them to the gym, then I am all for it because with a healthy body will come a healthy mind. And hopefully, makeup will no longer be needed for these superficial reasons! 3. For selfie reasons. It’s hard to believe that this alone is a reason to wear makeup to the gym but it is. In this new world of Instagram and Snapchat, everyone wants to look their best when they post to their accounts, showing off at the gym in their new outfit and newly toned arms. So we dare not take a gym selfie without a face full of makeup! After all, we have an image and reputation to uphold online to all our followers and fans. Not to mention that gyms are encouraging such selfies because it helps to promote their gym. 4. It helps you play the role. About a year ago, the NYT had a chance to catch up with Eve Kessner, an instructor at SoulCycle studios in Brooklyn Heights and Union Square, to ask her her thoughts about makeup at the gym. For Eve, getting ready for the gym each morning goes beyond brushing her teeth and pulling on a pair of leggings. Before heading out to classes that often start before 8 a.m., she applies Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara and a face luminizer by RMS Beauty or Josie Maran Cosmetics. “Wearing some amount of makeup makes me feel good,” Ms. Kessner said. “Part of getting ready and feeling prepared for class are the steps I take in the morning.” 5. You're headed to the gym from work. Many women head to the gym right after work. Some of the women I interviewed have admitted that they are just too lazy to take off their makeup before class. Plus, they are scared to see what is under that makeup after an eight-hour day at the office! Others said they are just rushed trying to make the 5pm or 6pm exercise class and don't have time to take off their makeup, so they don't bother. THE TRUTH: WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE THE MAKEUP FOR LATER1. It clogs your pores. Metro.co.uk asked Andy Millward, facialist, aesthetician, and member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, why working out in makeup is so bad for our skin, and he pointed to congestion and blockages within the pores as a major factor. ‘Unlike skin care products which are designed to be absorbed into the skin, makeup is designed to sit on the surface of the skin to give it that flawless, airbrushed appearance,’ Andy told metro.co.uk. 2. It can make your pores bigger. Since the makeup may cause congestion in your pores, the pores may stretch or enlarge to manage the blockage, which could cause larger pores over a period of time. 3. Toxins become trapped in your skin. We are an organic and all-natural obsessed culture. By wearing makeup during your workout, your own body is essentially working against you because you are not allowing the sweat and toxins to be naturally released. This sounds anything, but organic! You are allowing the makeup to trap in the toxins instead of allowing them to evaporate off the skin, as they should naturally. So for the sake of looking good, you’re holding your sweat toxins hostage under that foundation. Time to let them go free. 4. Breakouts are likely to occur. What happens when you hold in pent-up emotion? It gets worse and worse until it explodes. You need to release it (in a healthy way of course). Your face on makeup is no different. Your skin needs to breathe and release - during a good workout even more so when your pores open up. Mix in sweat, heat and open pores and over time the skin will become blocked under a face full of makeup. Eventually it will explode in the form of blackheads, whiteheads and dull texture. No thanks! 5. It may promote aging. According to Samer Jaber, MD, of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City, working out with makeup is believed to be a contributing factor to aging. Wearing makeup while exercising inflames the skin, and chronic inflammation is the root cause of skin aging. IF YOU MUST...After reading this, there are many of you who won't listen to this advice and will opt for makeup anyway. I get it. We spend hours of torture to look better anyway, so what if I am trapping toxins in my skin? As long as I look good for that hour, I'm happy! So, if you must, I suppose you must. At least the skincare products and makeup products have come a long way to accomodate our needs. And you are starting to see some cosmetic companies specialize in Workout Makeup like Sweat Cosmetics and Tarte. Like I said, if you must, here are my recommendations pre and post workout: PRE WORKOUT In preparation for your workout, make sure you take a 3-step approach for your pre-workout skincare routine. Use a great cleanser, toner, and moisturizer to get you prepped for your workout. Think simple with a soapy cleanse, hydrating toner, and oil-free moisturizer: Now for the makeup. You want to keep it light and fresh so that your skin can still breathe. And stick with waterproof mascara and finishing sprays to keep everything in place: POST WORKOUT Congrats! You've finished your workout for the day. But don't let your health kick "go on hiatus" just yet. You skin still needs some love after all that grueling work you just put in. Keep it clean, hydrated, and refreshed: My advice? Do what feels best to you that will help you stay healthy. If that means a little makeup during your workout, then go for it. Thank goodness there are some products out there that work with your active lifestyle. But be sure to always give your skin some downtime to breathe. For more information:
http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/09/why-you-really-shouldnt-wear-makeup-to-the-gym-6499218/ http://www.vogue.co.uk/article/why-wearing-make-up-to-work-out-exercise-is-bad-for-skin http://thebeautybean.com/makeup-2/is-wearing-makeup-at-the-gym-really-that-bad-hint-it-is www.rd.com/health/fitness/wear-makeup-gym/ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/fashion/makeup-that-can-take-a-workout.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur By Devin Almonte Skin care has come a long way, even in most recent years. There is an old way of doing things and a new way of doing things, Take a look at how we used to treat skin care the old way. Learn why that approach needs to change and why our skin is so important. Discover the new revolutionary way to approach skin care and how Défiderm may help us get there. Skin Care The Old Way |
Fast forward to today, and we have stand-alone retail stores just for skincare. They stock their shelves with everything from exfoliants, toners, serums, oils, starter kits, three-step processes, blemish removers, eye care, cleansers, face masks, moisturizers, and scrubs. And for an added punch to your skincare regimen (and a hit to your wallet) you can take a medical approach to skincare by getting your fillers, peels, botox, and lasers by your trusted local medical physician. |
So how do we really know what is best for us? As it stands now, it's been a lot of trial and error. We need to recognize that many factors play into this. Our skin needs are always changing and greatly affected by various factors such as our age, the climate, our hormones, the seasons, or even what we eat and drink. So your tried and true moisturizer that works wonders for your skin in the winter may become your worst enemy during those hot and humid summer months.
The Quest for More Knowledge: Défiderm
- Helps you understand your skin before you treat it
- It records your skin condition and identifies daily changes to your skin condition
- It combines skin, temperature, moisture and uv information to give you an accurate skin assessment based on your skin condition and the environment
- Records product history and makes product recommendations based on your skin condition and environmental assessment
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Perfect Products for Your Skin
- When you gently put the device on your skin, the application on the smartphone will display the level of hydration, melanin and skin health.
- It will also display the temperature and humidity percentages in your surroundings, which can help you better discover your skin condition and find the most suitable skin care regimen.
By the looks of it, it appears that Défiderm may be the mover and shaker that can truly help us understand the health of our skin first before we treat our skin cosmetically. There's no doubt that this technologically-advanced skin analyzer is going to be making waves in the world of skin care.

Summer is by far, my favorite time of year. Nothing feels better than a sun-kissed face. And as a former sun worshipper, a true sun-kissed face looks anything but glowing. It can leave your skin, dry, flaky and dull. It’s screaming at you to give it some juicy hydration to maintain that healthy glow.
Please, take good care of your skin this summer. I found some great tips from Diabeticpick that I want to share with you along with some of my own. Follow these great tips to maintain smooth, soft, and glowing skin.
Take Care for Summer Skin
1. Drink plenty of water. Think of your skin like a plant. It needs hydration, it needs water, daily care and love. Once your water that plant, think of how it just comes to life. This is your skin on water. Feed your thirsty skin! Aim for at least 12-14 glasses of water a day. If you workout on a daily basis, up that total! |
2. Use a toner. A toner works to keep your skin cool and glowing, and also aids in keeping those pores closed! Burt’s Bees makes an excellent rose water toner, leaving your skin feeling naturally refreshed. |
3. Use a daily moisturizer that’s water-based. Do not skip your moisturizing routine! That’s rule #1. Rule #2. The best beauty tips for glowing skin must include a water-based moisturizer. One of my favorites is Josie Maran’s Whipped Argan Face Butter. With or without the summer sun, I have the driest skin on the planet. This moisturizer has saved my skin! It’s all natural. The argan oil does wonders to hold in the moisture all day and gives me that wonderful sun-kissed glow. Can’t say enough about this moisturizer. |
4. Limit your soft drinks. If you are like me, I still love an cold soft drink full of ice on a hot summer day. While is may temporarily quench your thirst, remember that in the process it can create great stress for your skin between the sugar and caffeine. Stick to some fresh water with lemon or lime, fresh fruit juices, or coconut water to stay hydrated. |
5. Use sunscreen. This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s easy to forget this simple step or apply it at the wrong time. Before heading outside, apply your sunscreen 25 minutes before exposure. And it you are spending a good portion of the day outside, don’t forget to reapply. Your skin will thank you. Clinique makes a great sheer, high-level, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB daily sun protection that's perfect alone, or as an invisible makeup primer. It’s a lightweight formula with SPF 25 helps wick away perspiration and absorb excess oil so makeup looks fresher, longer. It contains no chemical sunscreens. |
6. Exfoliate and Cleanse. The best summer skin care tips must include exfoliation. More than the rest of the year, it is important to exfoliate the skin in the summer to improve the blood circulation to the face. Choose from any of the cosmetic scrubs available in the market or make one at home. Want some help? Dr. Denese makes a great exfoliate and cleanse duo. It hydrates as it cleans and exfoliates the skin. Daily and weekly treatments help to give skin the appearance of a youthful-looking, glowing, radiant complexion. |
Have a wonderful, sun-kissed summer!
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