Articles about Skin care

Fancy Pants Giveaway: PaloVia At-Home Skin Renewing Laser

This PaloVia at-home laser kit can be yours with the small price of filling out an entry form.

Before and after shots as part of the PaloVia press kit.

I have not used this bad boy myself, so I can’t promise you you’ll look like your teenage daughter after a few uses, but I can tell you the PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser’s purpose (to “reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes”) and its retail price ($499).

The spiel as it was pitched to me:

The PaloVia™ Skin Renewing Laser™ is the only FDA-cleared, at-home laser clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Now, the same patented laser technology proven by dermatologists for more than a decade has been adapted and perfected for use at home. It delivers a visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles in just one month. The laser generates short pulses of micro-fine laser light that reach deeply into the skin’s sub-layers, where wrinkles form, treating the aging support structure. Then the body’s natural healing process sweeps away older, damaged tissue and rebuilds it with fresh new collagen and elastin – the crucial building blocks of smooth, youthful skin. Best of all, it fits seamlessly into your life – because it’s fast and easy to use. Each treatment session takes just 3-4 minutes. Use it daily for one month, and then just 2 times per week to maintain your results.

The kit comes with the laser, pre-treatment gel, charger, storage case, and instructions. The initial phase requires once-a-day treatment for 30 days (but remember only 3-4 minutes) and the follow-up maintenance consists of twice-a-week touch-ups “ongoing.” To to win this loaded weapon, enter here.

posted by Raya Ramsey | May 18th, 2012 9:32am | filed under Beauty, Skin care, giveaway | 3 Comments »

Book These Treatments Now: Natura Bissé Facial at Ritz-Carlton and Tan and Teeth Whitening at Facelogic

A South Seas tan. (photo courtesy of South Seas)

I’m not going to pretend life is hard as an editor  forced to review to facials and airbrush tans for the job, but I’ve been through my fair share of mediocre treatments and tan jobs ala Oompa-Loompa. But I love risking my body for the price of potential orange streaks so that I can tell you, dear readers, which treatments to try and which treatments aren’t worth the dough. Three services you must enjoy: Natura Bissé Aroma Awakening facial at The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton and the airbrush tan and Da Vinci one-hour teeth whitening at Facelogic.

Jump for details.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | April 26th, 2012 4:13pm | filed under Beauty, Skin care, Spas & salons, Sunless Tanning | 3 Comments »

Meet Aesthetician Kate Somerville This Week. Your Face Will Thank You.

My can't-live-withouts: Quench Hydrating Face Serum, Deep Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8, and ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment.

I have picked my can’t-live-without skincare products from brands all over the board. I’ve got my earth-friendly Hugo Naturals soap stock, luxurious Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme, beloved Revision Skincare Intellishade tinted moisturizer, etc. But if you asked me my two favorite skincare lines ever, it would come down to Renee Rouleau (whose purse we spilled yesterday) and Kate Somerville. These are lines that I love from wash to moisturizer and everything in between. My love affair with the Kate Somerville line began when I had the opportunity to sit down with Kate and talk product. Her understanding of skin from the inside out and passion for results is what drives this collection of lotions and magic potions. (Read up on her philosophy here.) The deal was sealed when I played with several products from the line. Each one had a glorious texture and an immediate effect on my face. You have an opportunity to meet Kate, too, in a Master Class at the Kate Somerville counter at Neiman Marcus Willowbend on Friday, and I highly recommend it if you’re in the market to see difference in your skin. Friday, April 27 at 11 am or 2 pm. Reservations can be made by calling Gina at 972-629-1700 ext. 1333.

If you can’t make this work, consider picking up the Glow Kit. You’ll be as head over heels as I am. I know it.

posted by Raya Ramsey | April 24th, 2012 11:05am | filed under Beauty, Events, Products, Skin care | (0) Comments »

What’s in Aesthetician Renée Rouleau’s Bag?

photography by Matthew Shelley, design by Charlotte Tobin

We’re lucky to still have access to Renée Rouleau here in Dallas. The aesthetician is always en route to LA and New York to pretty the punims of celebs, but she still makes time for her Dallas clients. When she’s out of town, you can rely on her line of products to keep your skin in check. (My favorites include the Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, the new Glow Enhancing Cream, and most recently, the Soothing Eye Makeup Remover.) She’s fun to spot at events, too, always with a matching mani and eyeshadow job and occasionally a quirky and whimsical accessory (like her pink fascinator and faux tattoo at DIFFA). I knew it would be fun to look in her bag.

Renée's Valentino bag

1. Crossfit socks.
2. Tina Craig ostrich wallet
3. Payment reader
4. Motley Crue ticket stub. “I grew up in the 80s.”
5. Water. “Hydrated skin is healthy skin.”
6. Wisp toothbrushes. “For in between clients–my career is spent inches from people’s faces.”
7. (from top) MAC Cremesheen Glass in “Fashion Scoop” and “Loud & Lovely,” and Lancome Color Fever Gloss. “I love color.”
8. Business card holder
9. Renee Rouleau Daily Protection SPF 30 and Synergy.
10. Duracell Instant Power Charger
11. Vintage lock. “My husband gave me this from Tunisia.”
12. Lab sample of “new top secret product”
13. Keys to Harley. “I have a 2009 Sportster with loud pipes and a custom paint job.”
14. Mini nail files and Colore Science Mineral Powder SPF 50 as a “way to touch up sunscreen through the day.”
15. Altoids and Band-Aids. “It’s part of a woman’s survival kit.”
16. Renee Rouleau Skin Drink. “To keep my skin hydrated on the go.”
17. Jewelry: beaded bracelet from Cape Town (“One of my favorite cities”) and Shona earrings and necklace for “going from day to night.”
18. No Picking Twisty Toy.
19. Renee Rouleau samples. “When I hand out business cards, I also hand out a sample.”
20. Rosetta Stone. “I’m French and my husband’s French, so I use this to keep fresh on my French.”
21. iPhone
22. Photos with husband.
23. Ted Baker “Hoola” quilted iPad case.
24. Vogue sunglasses.

posted by Raya Ramsey | April 23rd, 2012 12:15pm | filed under Skin care, Spas & salons, What's in Her Bag? | 1 Comment »

Eyes Burn After Removing Your Makeup? Not with This Stuff.

I hate using facial cleansers to scrub off stubborn eye makeup remover. I feel like I’m scrubbing off layers of my young eyelids with all the salicylic acid in my cleansers. I don’t always love eye makeup remover, either. It either does the job and is full of grease, does the job and burns like hot lava, or stays gentle on my skin but leaves mascara crunchies behind. Behold the power of Renee Rouleau’s new(ish) Soothing Eye Makeup Remover. It is both mighty and gentle with its pH balance of 7.2 (apparently similar to tears). It’s also oil free, fragrance free, and all that healthy jazz. Only $19.50 at Renee Rouleau spas and online.

posted by Raya Ramsey | April 11th, 2012 9:17am | filed under Beauty, Products, Skin care | 3 Comments »

Looking to Go Under the Needle? Three Sure Bets for Botox in Dallas

photography courtesy of National Laser Institute


Now that we’ve addressed a little inner beauty, let’s get to this week’s outer beauty question:

“I just moved here from California and I need a recommendation for a place to go for Botox. Help!” –Calissa

Here’s a short list of local med spas personally approved by the lovely ladies (and their crows feet) of D Magazine. Rejoice, rhytiphobics.

Skintastic Medical & Surgical Rejuvenation
The D staffer says: “I’d never had any needles put into my face before, and Dr. Adelglass totally put me at ease. A nurse even humored me and held my hand. His technique is subtle but noticeable, so I walked away looking better, but no one could tell exactly what I had done. (Restalyn and Botox.)”

Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery
The D staffer says: “Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery is who I use and love for BOTH Restalyn and Botox. Dr. Bassichis is helping me keep my youthful look as I get older!”

Regional Plastic Surgery Center
The D staffer says: “I’ve had Botox numerous times over the years with various physicians and most recently had it done in the fall with Dr. Watumull at Regional Plastic Surgery. Not only was it almost pain free, he did a great job of not “over doing it” and making the look very naturally improved. I’ve gotten lots of compliments and will be certain to return later in the spring when I need refreshing.”

posted by Raya Ramsey | January 31st, 2012 1:57pm | filed under Ask Raya, Beauty, Skin care, Spas & salons | (0) Comments »

Look What I Found at LAFCO New York Today

The Great Wall of Candles.

Every visit to LAFCO New York is a treat. The shop smells like heaven and the products are divine (almost literally). My inner history nerd can’t get enough of the Santa Maria Novella goodies whipped up originally by  Dominican monks in the 1200s. Soaps, incense paper, and other health and beauty elixirs are still made based on the original recipes using herbs, vegetable-based glycerins, and essential oils. The Great Wall of Candles, as I like to call it, shelves rows and rows of LAFCO jars housing some of the most potent and delicious candles on the market. Larger jars run at $55 (and are worth every penny), but the Little Luxuries mini jars with a matchbox in the lid for $20 are equally delightful. Bars of soap are aged like fine wines and carved by hand. Jump for a roundup of my favorite things in the Highland Park Village boutique.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | November 4th, 2011 9:18am | filed under Beauty, Pet Fun, Skin care, gifts | 3 Comments »

Bad Skin Giveaway: Proactiv Bundle

You don’t actually have to have skin problems to enter (or win) this giveaway, don’t worry, clear-faced gals. (And guys.) Today’s giveaway is a box full o’ Proactiv products. For those of you who have seen (and are annoyed by) all the commercials featured fresh faced teens whose lives are much, much better after using these products, and you kind of want to try them, this is for you. You want a one month trial? We’ve got you covered. (And we don’t even dupe you into signing up for life.) Enter here to win.

posted by Raya Ramsey | October 14th, 2011 9:03am | filed under Skin care, giveaway | (0) Comments »

V Spa Puts the Lime in the Coconut

I’m a sucker to flavorful marketing ploys. For example, when a I spy pack of gum in the grocery line that screams “NEW Watermelon Mint Banana Burst!” (or whatever) I have to buy it. Like, have. to. It should shock no one, then, that I can’t get enough of the summer festive spa specials. Take V Spa, for example, and their cocktail themed spa treatments. Mango Margarita Body Polish?! Strawberry Daiquiri Facial?! Pina Colada mani/pedi?! It’s almost too exciting to bear. From this upcoming Sunday, June 19, through September 4, these festive spa treatments will be available for scheduling.  Prices run from $50 (mani) to $95 (body treatment) and include a day pass to the Verandah Club’s outdoor pool and swim-up bar, so you can have a daiquiri on your face and then on your tongue. Delish.

posted by Raya Ramsey | June 15th, 2011 2:41pm | filed under Beauty, Skin care, Spas & salons | (0) Comments »

Got Sensitive, Red Skin?

A coworker of mine has seriously sensitive skin.On top occasional rosacea, she’s allergic to zinc. She’s tried a million and two products and can’t find a good cleanser to keep her skin from drying out. I thought this was a perfect problem to take to local resident skincare expert, Renee Rouleau. According to the guru:

“Based on the information given, it’s my assessment that she has a damaged moisture barrier in her skin which is causing increased sensitivity, dryness and irritation.”

Continue reading to see Renee’s solution.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | June 14th, 2011 10:36am | filed under Ask Raya, Beauty, Skin care | (0) Comments »

Best Evening Ever Thanks to Plano’s Woodhouse Day Spa

The Vichy shower set-up at another Woodhouse Spa in the country.

It’s true. A couple weeks ago I had one of the best evenings ever. After a champagne flight and cheese platter with apples, grapes, and pears from Cru, I headed to the Woodhouse Day Spa, where I enjoyed one of my new favorite treatments: the Organic Sea Polish body treatment, a Woodhouse staple. Dead Sea salts are used to exfoliate your body and applied like a massage. You’re then rinsed in a deliciously cozy Vichy shower, while you basically relax in bed. You’ll leave feeling silky smooth and so relaxed. I have one complaint: it’s not long enough. Forty-five minutes of bliss is a tease. Follow it up with a massage to keep the high going. If you want this experience (and trust me, you do), call up Woodhouse Day Spa and make an appointment. Mention ShopTalk while booking and you’ll get a 20 percent discount throughout the month of June. (Valid on all massage, facial, and body treatments.) I’m sure all the treatments are equally wonderful, but if the Organic Sea Polish sounds like your cup of tea, consider the discount: it’s originally $90, but with your ShopTalk discount, you’re talking only $72. Not bad. Not bad at all.

posted by Raya Ramsey | June 6th, 2011 4:44pm | filed under Beauty, Hot Deals, Skin care, Spas & salons | 1 Comment »

Hiatus’ “Walking on Sunshine” Treatment is a Heckuva Deal

photography courtesy of Hiatus Spa

The newest treatment in the lineup at Hiatus Spa & Retreat includes a body scrub, Vichy shower, full body massage, and my favorite part, a lemon cocktail. (If you haven’t had the Vichy treatment yet, imagine being given a soothing shower while you lay in a warm bed–I just had one at the Woodhouse Spa in Plano. It’s magical.) This whole package will cost you $160, which is quite a deal for the bundle. Reserve your “Walking on Sunshine” treatment now.

posted by Raya Ramsey | May 18th, 2011 1:01pm | filed under Hot Deals, Skin care, Spas & salons | 2 Comments »

Haus of Beauté Hosts a Wellness Week Par-tay

So, we’ve just heard about a little place called Haus of Beauté in Richardson, an airbrush makeup and skincare studio. It’s basically a one-stopper for all things big event-related. Got a wedding? Date night? Vacay? You can head here to be prettified with eyelash extensions, airbrush makeup and tanning, facials and microderm, and hairstyling. Tomorrow, in honor of Wellness Week, the beauty joint is hosting a little get-together. Skin consultations, treatment regimen suggestions, facials, airbrush makeup, and some hairstyling will be performed on the house. Unfortunately, only one person from the attendee list will be drawn to be the model per facial, makeup, hair, and henna station, but hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served, along with a swag bag to take home with “gift certificates, skincare and makeup samples.” We can’t vouch for the swag bag, but if we lived in Richardson, there’s no doubt we’d be there. Enjoy the party on Thursday, March 24, from 8 pm to 10 pm. Plenty of time to say hello to family and eat dinner. RSVP to 972-664-0024.

posted by Raya Ramsey | March 23rd, 2011 9:40am | filed under Advice, Beauty, Events, Skin care, Spas & salons, drinking and shopping | 5 Comments »

You Didn’t Wear Sunscreen. You’re a Lobster. Now What?

The sun is out to play, so this reader question comes in with perfect timing.

I got sunburned this weekend. Spare the lecture. I’ve already kicked myself for forgetting the sunblock. What do I do with my face NOW? Do I aloe it? Do I moisturize it? Do I exfoliate? Are there any products I should hold off on using until the burn has faded? –Lobster Face

We asked resident expert, Renée Rouleau.
“The goal is to reduce heat and give it time to repair and heal,” she says.
Jump for the cure.

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posted by Raya Ramsey | March 22nd, 2011 10:18am | filed under Advice, Beauty, Skin care, Spas & salons | 2 Comments »

Get An Airbrushed Glow at ZaSpa for $20 on Thursdays

Airbrushing is your best bet for an instant tan. The color can be tailored to your skin, and the formula covers more accurately than, say, a Mystic machine, because it’s applied by hand. There’s one downfall (besides the fact that it eventually wears off): the price. A good by-hand airbrush can cost you up to $60. Head to ZaSpa on Thursdays, however, and you’ll pay $24 (plus tip) instead. It’s a steal.

Ps. Um, TODAY is Thursday.

posted by Raya Ramsey | March 10th, 2011 2:40pm | filed under Beauty, Skin care, Spas & salons | 3 Comments »

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