Its Fashion Flash Monday!

This week, Geri of Fab Over 50 is hosting Fashion Flash.    Her second Beauty Bash event will be on September 29  at the Metropolitan Pavillion in NYC.  One of my favorite make-up artists Sandy Linter will be back and I look forward to getting  a new evening look.   The  fun  and  info will continue in New Jersey  and New York for an entire   Beauty Bash week.  Check out   Fab Over 50 website  to read about the experts  you will meet at Beauty Bash  and the events  for the continuing fabulous week.   Use the code NYPost to  get $30 off the $75 ticket. 

Just published, Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible  is  my new favorite fashion guide.  But rather than just another make-over book, it is an entertaining exploration of what we wore  though  history.  I have to admit that I am a history wonk.  I’ve even  been busted   reading  a book on the history of salt.   Traditional history in school books  deal with wars, kings and politicians and are written by the winners.   I believe that we can get a much  more honest picture  of  what actually happened by looking at how people lived– what they ate,  how they  furnished their homes and  especially   what they wore.  For example, Gunn points out that the Romans shortened the Greek toga because the streets of room were so dirty.   Another  Fashion factoid from Mr Gunn?    Blue jeans became popular in the 1849 California Gold Rush  when men needed  pants rugged enough to work in a mine.  My favorite tidbit–   The raglan sleeve  was created for Lord Raglan  who lost an arm at the battle of Waterloo and needed a jacket that was easier to  pull on.  ( I love this stuff)

This beautifully illustrated book is  more than   just a  history book.  It relates  fashion  history  to  current styles  and offers  Gunn’s advice is always  on point.   The  book is peppered  with his  never boring and often hilarious  personal anecdotes.

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Its Fashion Flash Monday!

This week, Jodell of Black Cat Plus is hosting Fashion Flash.  Recently she uploaded an inspiring post  that focused on Sarah Robles, the awesome Olympic weightlifter.  Like  many  full figure women Sarah had trouble finding flattering, wearable clothes.  Two plus size designers, Jill Alexander and  Ming Wang stepped up to outfit Sarah for  London and the Olympic.

Red is apparently the hot color this year.  Be sure  to checkout the plus size options in this vibrant color

Black Cat Plus looks  at more more than  just plus size fashion.   I was moved by her analysis of a controversial Nike  that featured an over weight boy struggling to exercise.   Was it  motivational  or exploitive?  I’d love to hear what you think.

I’m so excited about the second Beauty Bash (created by our Geri Brin of Fab Over 50)  on Sept 29 at the Metropolitan Pavillion in NYC.   If  you went  last  year you know  how amazing it was.  This year  promises to be even better.  In addition to a day of skin care experts, cossmetic surgeons, fashion gurus, fashion and accessory pop-up shops, fashion shows, and  mini-massage,  you will go home with a ginormous goodie bag packed with must-have products.

But wait there is more.  Beauty Bash will be followed by  FOF  Week a celebration of incredible beauty and  fashion  activities  in both New York and New Jersey.  From September 30 to Oct 6, you’re invited  to a wide range  of events and options including  a cocktail party and charity shopping at J.Mclaughlin, a free beverage at Trump Grill and   20% off Clarins Kin Spa, Bliss and Foxcraft Collections.    And save  some time  for free consultations  with master hait stylist Yann Varin, Manhattan Dental Spa and lifestyle expert Betsy Karp.

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Its Fashion Flash Monday!

This week Geri of Fab Over Fifty is hosting  Fashion Flash.  I love her product testing features.  Instead of  just one opinion  she  has a panel of 5-7 women using the product  and reporting the results.  We all  have such individual reactions to skin care products that  a  a thumbs  up or down from one person is pretty limited.  Geri  gets a range of opinions that provides much  more information about the benefits  ( or drawbacks) of an anti-aging therapy. 

I was also excited to learn that Beauty Bash, the health and beauty expo created by Fab Over Fifty is coming back this year in September  and will be accompanied by Beauty Bash week in NYC. More on Beauty Bash as  the program develops.

May is National Smile Month  and it  seems like karma that  the book of the week is Smile! by the dentist  who invented GoSmile, Jonathan Levine.  Its  basically a  no-nonsense approach to  caring  for  your teeth and is packed with wonderful information. For example  it explains the differences between  whitening, desensitzening  and tartar control toothpastes including which ingredients to look for and which to avoid. I was surprised to learn that  about 60% of Americans have tooth   sensitivity issues  because the tiny tubules in the teeth  transmit messages to the nerves.  Potassium nitrate seals up tubules and prevents  pain transmissions.  However  Dr Levine points out that  to be effective  a toothpaste needs to have 5% potassium nitrate  and not all that make sensitivity claims  have that formulation. FYI   Dr Levine recommends Sensodyne  if  you have sensitive teeth.

The chapter on tooth whitening  alone is worth the  price of the book.  I was  fascinated  by the science behind tooth whitening and the way the different  techniques can work together.  Dr Levine writes about who should  and  should not get tooth whitening-  during pregnancy,  while breast feeding and under age 14. He also includes a tooth whitening spread sheet that  I will take with next time I  buy a whitening product.  Smile! by Joanthan Levine  has  earned a permanent place on my beauty bookshelf.

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No-Nonsense on the Radio

True story.  I was at  a blogger meetup at the HBA, a huge beauty expo, when I was introduced to a very pretty young woman with  a popular  blog called Aging Backwards.  I was a bit put off. What  would this young woman know about aging?  When she told me her age I was shocked– and impressed.  I decided that  if she could look like that at her age she certainly   knew her stuff. Her blog is now part of the Fashion Flash group and Jackie  also  co-hosts the  The Ageless Sisters, a well-known radio show with Cynthia Rowland –  and this week I was   delighted to be a guest.  The Ageless Sisters  asked such  great  questions that I   uploaded  the full interview to share it with you.  From Invisalign to the new BB creams to the No-Nonsense  beauty diet,  The Ageless Sisters steered   the conversation into  useful  fact-  filled areas. 

  In a short interview  I had to boil down my  beauty philosophy to four key points. Since   I can spend  an hour  discussing the differences between  AHA’s like glycolic acid and Retin A, time limitations made me focus on what is really important.  Compressing  a file of info into  the top four tips is a great way of getting to the most critical facts for  just about any subject.  From buying a car to writing a resume to choosing the name of a baby,  selecting the four  top  ideas is a relevant way  to cope  in a busy world with a short attention span.    Let me know what  you think.

The Ageless Sisters also presented at Beauty Bash last October, demonstrating Facial Magic, their exercise routinue  to firm up the skin.   It was  amazing to see the entire audience  trying out the exercises  that Cynthia and Jackie  were showing on the stage.   I could genuinely feel  the  muscles  under my jaw working to build up contours. And FYI,  without Botox or fillers their skin is smooth, taut and free of lines and wrinkles. 

Click here to hear the Ageless Sisters Radio Extravaganza

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Home Lasers– Day 1

It’s no secret that I’m a fan  of  lasers.  I respect their power to erase dark patches, eliminate  lines and fry away  unwanted  facial hair.  But they are expensive and when I saw  the arrival of home lasers I was interested– but cautious.  Lasers are powerful tools and in inexperienced hands can cause burns, scars, discolorations and even eye damage. 

At Beauty Bash in October, I stopped at the Palovia Booth to talk with the rep about their home laser kit.  I was delighted to learn that its made by Palomar, one of the most highly regarded makers of professional grade lasers used by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons.  I was even more impressed to hear that Palovia   is FDA approved  to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

They offered me a machine to try out and  despite my natural cowardice, I really wanted to see what anti-aging benefits they can deliver.   The thick instruction booklet  was a little daunting.  It had a fairly extensive   list of guidelines and I read it severral times  before feeling comfortable enough to get things started.  There are several on and off buttons,  charging instructions, choices in intensity, and a list of  potential problems that were sobering.  And I have to admit that I was afraid of pain. 

I charged it up  for several hours, read the booklet one  more time and was ready to start– with baby steps.  The instruction book recommends trying out the machine on your arm to get used to the sensation.  I decided to try  the home laser on my arm for several sessions to see how my skin responds. I adjusted  the Palovia to its lowest setting and as per instructions, I spread on a layer of gel I ( included in the kit). I  placed the head of the machine on my arm and pressed the on button.  I felt a very mild buzzing sensation  for three seconds, then the machine turned off.  That was my signal to move to another area. I repeated the treatment in four closely linked areas.  When I wiped off the gel,  my skin felt a tiny bit irritated and  the redness lasted for about an hour.  So far, so good.  The sensation was definately not painful and I’m going to continue tonight,  extending the treatment time to see how my skin responds. Baby steps.

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Its Fashion Flash Monday!

This week the host of Fashion Flash is Staness of Menopause Makeover.   I love her blog for its  healthy delicious recipes and her down to earth advice.  She was one of the most popular experts at  Beauty Bash and  she had over 40 back to back consultations  over the two day event. It was the first time I met Staness and she  is beautiful, warm and super smart.  Her site always the latest info on woman’s health issues and its facts you can trust.

And when you’ve clicked through all the great Fashion Flash sites,  check out The Flat Belly Book by Liz Vaccariello who  is editor-in-chief of Prevention magazine. This best selling diet book offers nutritional dvice to reduce  belly fat.  All good, but what I like about this eating plan is the emphasis on fats like linoleic acid– the fat  linked to reduced  levels of wrinkles.  People who had diets higher in linoleic acid (found in nuts and avocodos) had fewer and later signs of skin aging.  The book is packed with nutrional tips and strategies.   For example it offers a uique 4 day anti-bloat  diet that is a wonderful way to have a flat belly on those occasions (  high school reunions, first  date)  when you want to look especially spectacular.  I tried the diet when I realized that  a new dress bought for a conference dinner  pulled around my tummy when I sat down. The anti-bloat diet worked beautifully  and I didn’t have to fall back on my black “fat” dress.

And I think its recipe for Sassy water ( a blend of  ginger, lemon and cucumber) is worth the price of the book.  Calorie and caffeine free, Sassy water offers delicious hydration and anti0xidants  that you can sip on all day.   I’ve started to keep a pitcher of it in my fridge.

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Its Fashion Flash Monday!

This week Shawna of Female Fat Loss Over 40 is hosting Fashion Flash.  She recently  threw down a challenge to  the  rest of rest of us to join her in a structured fitness program.  Jojami  of Fabulous After 40  took  it on and  has posted a video clip  of her progress.  We were together at Beauty Bash and she looked  amazing. But  even more impresive was her stamina.   After six hours   on her feet at the Fabulous After 40 booth, she was still bright and bubbly– and in  4 inch heels!  

And when you have  checked out all the linked posts on Fashion Flash, go back to Fabulous After 40  and click  on The Ultimate Cure for the Dysfunctional Closet DVD from Jojami.  I thought I had my clothes under control, but  Jojami is a closet grand master.  She takes you through   cleaning out  the content,  buying the right tools, and how to put  it all back.  The Ultimate Cure for the Dysfunctional Closet is an extremely well done video– funny, well edited and with great energy.  I’m not surprised since   Jojami has been connected to  media since childhood.  Her  dad is actor James Best  who was a fixture  on TV westerns in the fifties and on The Dukes of Hazzard.

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I’m Hosting Fashion Flash Monday!

This weekend, Fashion Flasher Geri of Fabulous Over Fifty hosted the amazing Beauty Bash in New York City.  For the first time, eight Fashion Flashers were together at one time.  We went out to dinner at Olives in the W Hotel and were having such a good time that a  young women came  over to find out who we were.  When she heard about Beauty Bash, she and her friends bought tickets and came to hear the lectures and visit the booths.  It was that good!  And in between giving presentations and talking to the over 1000 women who came to   visit, we kept blogging.  This week:

* Kari of  Fab Over Forty insists that beauty does not have to be complicaed, giving us  a few quick beauty fixes to  make the day a little easier.

* Deb of Fabulous After 40 answers the question– what is the top fall fashion acessory for casual dressing?

* Jodell of Black Cat Plus presents a plus size  fall fashion forecast including texture, color and animal prints.

Staness of  Menopause Makeover has another amazing recipe, this time  a chicken, charred tomato and broccoli salad.

Cat of Obsessed With Shoes  looks at what master cobbler Christian Louboutin is doing this fall.

Shawna of Female Fat Loss Over Forty asks  if  you are working out but  feeling tired and gaining weight?  Don’t worry, Shawna will sort things out.

And if  you are in the New York area this week,  Clarins is hosting the second in a series of four  beauty evenings, sponsored by  Glow magazine.  On Oct 6, ( from 6:30-8:30) this event  features Mommy Makeovers to  get back  your  shape and vitality.  I get so many emails from young moms  who are now concerned about early signs of aging.  Motherhood is wonderful, but stressful and takes a toll on  your skin, hair and contours.  The expert panel  includes Dr Wilfred Brown, plastic surgeon specializing in body contouring, nurse Julie Tupler who developed a technique on belly flattening that was featured on the Today Show, and nutrititionist  Brooke Alpert who is considered a rising star in the  health and wellness field. I will be held  at the Clarins store at  1061 Madison Avenue.  The  program is without charge, wine and cheese will be served AND you get a goody bag when you leave.  To attend please RSVP to Kerry at 212-374-6100 by October 3.  I’ll be there and I look forward to talking with you.

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Top Ten Anti-Aging Tips at Beauty Bash

Its just three days to Beauty Bash, an amazing beauty and health expo that will be held  in NYC  on Oct 1&2.  I am putting the finishing touches on the presentation  I will be doing with Kari of Fabulous Over Forty.  We are offering  ” The Top Ten Skincare and Make-Up Tips on Sunday Oct 2 at 10:30.  Beauty Bash will also  feature  two of my favorite doctors.  Dr Ellen Marmur will be speaking  on skin cancer and melanoma on Saturday at 3:40 and on Sunday  from 10-4 pm Dr Albert Lefkovits will be doing free  skin cancer checks.

Midday  Saturday,  The Glam Gals from Fabulous After 40  are going to have you looking fab in a hands on, interactive workshop.  This dynamic duo are going to be reviewing the five common faux pas women make and teach you how to go  from from fruumpy to fabulous with a few easy “tweaks”.  I definately don’t want to miss miss  another Fashion Flasher, Staness of Menopause Makeover.  Her presentation “What Your Mother never Told You About Being Over Fifty” will be on Saturday at 2:50 and her book, The Menopause Makeover will be at the Beauty Bash Barnes and Noble table. 

There will be more than 30 superstar speakers including  celebrity hair stylist Mark Garrison, make-up artists Wendy Geller and Sandy Linter, over  40 cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists and cosmetic dentists and eleven fitness experts including Guiding Light star Beth Chamberlin.  Over 40 and as nice as  she is incredibly beautiful, Beth  and her husband Dr Peter Roy have developed a unique anti-aging exercise and nutritional program.  They will be speaking  on Sunday at 11:30 and demonstrating how to use kettlebells  for a great toned body.

But wait there is more.  There are more than 40 booths including  L’Oreal, Laura Geller, Soft Surroundings, The Red Hat Society and two  of my top picks Jane Iredale and Skinceuticals.  I will have a booth  with Kari and will be giving away  samples kits of anti-aging  skin care products from Eucerin and  the No-Nonsense Beauty Blog guide to Retin A.  And  when you leave Beauty Bash you will get a bag of goodies worth over $300.  Every day there are great specials  on  Beauty Bash tickets.  For example, yesterday  there was a mother/daughter special.  If you buy a full price $75 ticket  for your self, you daughter comes free. 

I am really excited by the caliber  of the experts and vendors that will be at Beauty Bash.  After being rejected by Invisalign, I  have been trying to find the best cosmetic dentists in my area.  Beauty Bash will have  four of them, and I plan to grab  a few curbside consultations.  Hope to see  you  there!

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Its Fashion Flash Monday!

This weeks hosts are Fashion Flash founders The Glam  Gals of  Fabulous After 40.  I love to read their blog at the start  of each season to give me a cheat sheet on how a women over 40 can master  trends.  They decode the new ideas and then  explain how to use them in real time.  For example, plaids are  going to be  huge this year, but a grandma in a plaid mini skirt in not my idea of chic.  You’ve got to read Fabulous Over Forty to see  what smart ideas they have  for plaid.

And when you’ve clicked through all the great Fashion Flash  sites, please stop on Fab Over Fifty to grab a ticket for Beauty Bash.  Held on Oct 1&2 at the Metropolitan Pavilion at 125 West 18th St, this is an incredible  health and beauty  expo that celebrates women over 40.  On Sunday Oct 2, at 10:30  I will be doing a presentation with Kari of Fabulous Over Forty called “Top Ten Skin Care and Make-up Tips.”  I will be explaining the twelve signs of aging and how to deal with  them easily and affordably.  I’ll also be giving out samples of,  IMO, the two most important  anti-aging  items  we should have on hand.  If you can’t make the presentation, I will be at  a booth with Kari handing out the No-Nonsense Guide to Retin A and will have  more samples.  Please come by to say hello!  If you go to  the Beauty Bash site  and enter the code FOF20, you will get a 20% discount on the ticket price!

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