Oil right for the hair and body, too

DEAR RISSA,

What’s a good body moisturizer that isn’t sticky and I can use every day?

CARLA

Argan Oil has been a recent beauty craze and someone gifted me with the Bench Organics Moroccan Argan Oil. Although not pure 100% Argan Oil, the product combines other skin-caring ingredients such as Macadamia Oil and Vitamin E, making it one of the most affordable Argan Oil products on the market today. Knowing Argan Oil is famous for its nourishing properties, I wanted to try it. I’ve tried Argan Oil products on my hair but not on the body. I initially thought it would feel heavy, slimy, and sticky. I was so surprised that it felt light and not greasy at all — yes, despite the hot and humid weather these days! I was so wowed because other lotions I’ve tried felt even stickier than this. I’m the type who religiously moisturizes her body from the neck to the toes every single day, so I loved how lightweight this felt yet made my skin feel soft and supple. It was absorbed on my skin pretty quickly, too, so I didn’t need to wait for extra time before dressing up. I’ve actually been using this every day for the past two weeks and it has become my new favorite body moisturizer. The best part is this product gives you the best beauty mileage because you can use it on your face and hair, too!

You know how else I used it? I discovered it’s great for moisturizing dry cuticles. I used it during a shoot and it made my hands look like they had just gotten a massage and manicure.                         

RISSA

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Peel the difference

DEAR LUCY,

How do I deal with uneven skin tone?  What kind of foundation should I use? I have been hearing my girlfriends say that a Power Peel helps them keep their skin clear.  What exactly is a Power Peel, and can I achieve the same results if I just use a scrub at home?

CATHY

A CC cream would be your best bet.  Once upon a time, the CC cream also did not have too many shades to choose from, but the ones from Bobbi Brown pretty much cover the different skin tones.  Remember that the CC cream is meant to not cover up but balance so make sure you choose the right shade.  I suggest you make a trip to the Bobbi Brown counter so that an expert can help you find your perfect match.  You can choose from a pale nude, warm nude or dark nude.  

According to the Belo Medical Group, the Power Peel (also known as microdermabrasion) makes use of a technology with the aid of crystals vacuumed through a delicate handpiece that is held at a precise angle to the skin.  Like the scrubs we can use at home, this one functions to exfoliate dead and dull skin, thus stimulating the production of fresh new skin cells and collagen.  Will using a scrub at home achieve the same results?  Maybe not.  And it would also depend on the kind of scrub you use at home.  Personally, if I cannot go for a Power Peel at the Belo Medical Group, then I tide it over between visits by using my Clarisonic facial brush.  The Clarisonic is the closest I can get (in my opinion) to a Power Peel and I really like how clean my face feels after I use it, especially when I have worn makeup the whole day.  I feel though that getting a Power Peel professionally done will yield better results.  Even just once or twice a month will do.              

LUCY