Face It : Now, before it's too late

The Cities that Keep you Young... and the ones that age you

2011-04-06T12:28:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

2011-02-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

I wanted to have a post with all of the product ingredients as they're not on the website. Here goes!

ReFresh Facial Scrub

Deionized Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polyethlene, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polysorbate 20, Glycol Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Isostearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Dream Beautifully

Deionized Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol USP, Glycerine USP, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Lanolin Alcohol, Squalene (from olives), Glycolic Acid, PEG-40 Stearate, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate USP, Hyaluronic Acid, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Sorbitan Stearate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, SD Alcohol 39-C, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Passiflora Quadrangularis (Passionflower) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Hydorxyethylcellulose, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Aloe Barbedensis Leaf Juice, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Cucumus Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

Helping Hand

Deionized Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycol Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerine, Butylene Glycol, Isostearic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Smooth Eye-perator

Deionized Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane (from Olives), Glycerine USP, Cetyl Esters, Isopropyl Myristate, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Carbomer, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Retinol, Ubiquinone, Sodium Borageamidopropyl PG- Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Emulsifying Wax NF, Triethanolamine, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Lecithin, Glycolipids, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Daily Defender

Deionized Water, Glyceryl Stearate (and) Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine, Glycolic Acid, Poloxamer 188, Squalane (from Olives), Propylene Glycol USP, Retinyl Palmitate USP, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Emulsifying Wax NF, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, SD Alcohol 39-C, Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Glycerine USP, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Retinol, Salicylic Acid USP, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid USP, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Lecithin, Glycolipids, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

ReFresh Facial Scrub does Double Duty

2010-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

I got my first professional spray tan the other day. Those who know me know I love all the fake tanning creams and gels I can get my hands on, because it's way safer than the harmful rays of the sun. But having someone spray me down was really the royal treatment.

It went as I thought it should have until she was cleaning me up. She squirted what looked just like ReFresh Facial Scrub onto the palm of my hand and asked me to rub them together to remove the tanner from staining my hands.

She then took a Q-tip and scrubbed my nails and nail beds with the same product.

It worked like a charm and I had no orange hands or discolored nail polish!

So I gave Face It the test. I used my at home spray tanning set and ReFreshed my hands, feet, fingers and toes just like they had done in the salon. I had the lovely scrub and fresh minty scent along with superficial and penetrating exfoliation to remove traces of the self tanner.

It worked amazingly well and I had the bonus of softer hands and feet! Give it a try and let me know how it goes!!

Applying Products Properly

2010-11-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

In trying to educate others about healthy skin, I've come across many different skincare applying techniques. I won't go through them all but after reading this, you should know who you are.

A skincare routine takes time.

Please, don't rush washing, drying or applying products. You will only shave mere seconds off your time and it's way more important to rejuvenate your skin. I've seen rough towel drying, one finger facial application, and vigorous washing. Not ideal.

Face first.

In the morning, it's ideal to give your skin a light washing with warm water. I don't even use soap at all. Especially in the winter months where skin tends to try out it's important to start the mornings hydrated.

After patting your skin dry, apply Daily Defender with a couple of fingers on each hand and rub it into your skin in an upward motion, massaging it into winkles or laugh lines until it is absorbed. Let it sit for at least two minutes before applying makeup or sunblock.

Try to avoid touching your face throughout the day, the germs and bacteria from your hands lead to break outs.

In the evening, use ReFresh facial scrub with warm water and with small round circular movements make your way around your face, removing dirt oil and makeup from the day. Splash with warm water and pat dry.

I really like using masks, but since this line doesn't have one YET, I use other brands, but now is the time to apply it if you choose to do so.

If not, start with Smooth Eyeperator and dab it around the eye area in a circular motion until it is abosrbed. Massage any extra into your crows feet and temple area.

Then apply Dream Beautifully all over your face and neck, rubbing it in with slight pressue on your fingertips until your skin's thirst is quenched.

Let me know how it goes!

Thanks,
Allison

The Pump

2010-11-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post a note to those who have experienced some issues with the pumps. I apologize for this and I wanted to give you some tips as to how to "fix" this problem.

If you've received a bottle that doesn't start pumping cream after numerous tries:

- DO NOT OPEN IT
sometimes when airless pumps get filled it can take a little more enthusiasm to get them started but please don't expose the products to air unnecessarily, I would rather send you a new one than have you ruin the product

- GIVE THE BOTTLE FOUR CEILING TO FLOOR HARD SHAKES
you may look a little silly doing this, but believe me it works! consider it a workout :)

- TRY PUMPING THE BOTTLE AGAIN

If shaking and pumping attempts fail, just send me an email to let me know. And possibly a hilarious video of you trying to shake the product silly.

Thanks,
Allison

SUMMER SALE!

2010-07-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

It's time for a break this summer!

Stock up while you can.

All Face It products are 50% off!

Take care of your skin now, before it's too late. Even Jessica Simpson, who just turned 30, tweeted the other day that she found her first wrinkle. That's because she wasn't taking care of her skin, but you can!!

Spread the word and make sure you look our for your friends and family - you don't want them to get wrinkles either!

What Sun Care Products are you using?

2010-07-22T08:13:00.000-07:00

We all know it's important to use SPF daily and protect our skin from the damaging rays of the sun. So tell me, what is your favorite sunblock?

I love Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray SPF 70 for my body and you can't beat the pricetag. The first bottle that I bought of this product swam away in a lagoon in the Bahamas never to be seen again. That's the life. At least it's got protection!

For my face, I like La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Shaka Ultra Fluid Sunscreen but that's just for daily use. If I'm going to be in the sun all day, I use a broad spectrum SPF 100 like Neutrogena's Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray.

Here are some examples to help you out!

What do YOU use?

Japanese Women and Wrinkles

2009-10-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

Japanese women don't get wrinkles
(from More Magazine: http://www.more.com/2021/8385-japanese-women-don-t-get-wrinkles)

French women may not get fat. But it’s Japanese women who live longest and rarely need face-lifts. MORE investigates.

When I was in Tokyo recently, I kept meeting attractive women who appeared to be in their late twenties. Then they’d tell me about the difficulties of raising teenagers or what they’d learned about careers over the past 20 years, and I’d calculate that they had to be closer to 40. I thought these women had all won the genetic lottery—until I met California native Tiffany Godoy, who moved to Japan 12 years ago and never left. While living in Asia and reporting on the fashion scene, Godoy has adopted many Japanese habits and says she’s noticed a significant difference in her complexion. Looking at her now, as she approaches 40, I would have guessed she was 10 years younger. Clearly, there’s something in the water (or the tofu). And as I asked—and looked— around, it became clear Godoy was no exception. You don’t have to be Japanese to age as well as they do. You just need to steal some of their diet, lifestyle and skin care strategies.

In her book Japanese Women Don’t Get Old or Fat, Naomi Moriyama describes her native country as a land “where 40-year-old women look like they’re 20. It is a land where women enjoy some of the world’s most delicious food, yet they have obesity rates of only three percent . . . less than one tenth that of American women.” Moriyama credits the Japanese diet: small dishes jam-packed with nutrients from fish, soy, rice, vegetables and fruit. Rice, especially, “is thought to contribute to better skin,” she says. “There is even a Japanese phrase for soft, supple skin: mochi-hada, or skin that resembles mochi, a moist rice cake.”

Jessica Wu, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in Los Angeles whose parents are from Taiwan, grew up on a traditional Chinese diet (which has a lot in common with Japan’s), and she believes it’s the soy that plays the biggest antiaging role. “As a child, I drank soy milk exclusively. My mother made it fresh every day. And instead of meat and dairy, we ate a lot of tofu.” Wu cites science to back up her theory: Soy has been shown to help combat acne and to lessen such menopausal side effects as dry skin.

The Japanese fondness for green tea probably also helps slow the aging process. People guzzle this antioxidant-rich drink all day (rather than the vats of coffee, juice and Diet Coke we prefer in the U.S.). And antioxidants, of course, combat the free radicals (triggered by sun exposure and pollution) that break down collagen in our skin and cause wrinkling and sagging.

MIT Open Course on Shiseido

2009-05-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

MIT's open course ware enlightens us on Japan's changing ideals of feminine beauty, the emergence of a vibrant consumer culture and cutting-edge trends in advertising through the use of nearly 100 years of Shiseido marketing materials.

Read about it!

Brushes for Skincare

2009-05-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

I just heard about a great new brush set that you use to apply your skincare with. I like this for many reasons. First off, it really bothers me when you have to put your finger into a tub of cream thereby contaminating the products. Second, some people apply creams a little roughly and pull and tug on their skin, damaging it and increasing the aging process.

The obvious downsides are washing the brushes and keeping them clean and having to pay more money for new brushes when you could probably make due with some of the brushes you already have that you don't use.

Either way, check it out and let me know what you think!

Anisa International

Sunscreen

2009-05-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of questions about why I haven't included sun protection in Face It creams yet. The answer is simple. Sun protection changes the consistency and absorbency of skincare products. It is obviously a necessity, especially in the protection of skin from the aging process, but I think it should be kept separate from your moisturizer. Think of a two in one for your hair - shampoo plus conditioner is never as good as separately using a shampoo and conditioner.

There are two good places for sunblock - in your makeup or in a weightless sun-protection-only formula. Check whether or not your usual powder or foundation contains protection. If not, I would recommend my favorite sunblock: La Roche Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Fluide Extreme. We call it liquid t-shirt - it's that good.

Also remember that even if you are using a high SPF you have to make sure you are putting enough on. If not, the SPF is only as strong as the square root of the number you are using.

Cosmetic Executive Women

2009-04-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

CEW is a wonderful organization that I am a member of. They hold many events and networking opportunities for those of you already in the cosmetics industry as well as those of you who are interested in it. I wanted to share a photo from one of their recent events from GCI magazine.

I'm in the second photo all the way on the right, surrounded by amazing women and friends.

To get involved check out cew.org.

International Orders

2009-04-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

I didn't mean to leave out my people around the world - you can still order Face It products off the site, I just didn't make all the country specific versions - yet.

When you are checking out, just select your country and you'll be able to have Face It shipped to you, wherever you reside!

Thanks and enjoy!!

UK Shopping

2009-04-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

The UK version of the site is now up and running and ready to go - so let's put those pounds to some good use and Face It now before it's too late!

Don't forget to check out Cosmopolitan's article about us!!

Beauty and the Feast Product Giveaway!

2009-04-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Everyone I know loves a good bargain, and what better way to enjoy bargain beauty is with a nice meal in your belly. This blog is a great place to get beauty tips and specials as well as choose your next delicious meal. Check it out at http://www.beautyandthefeastblog.com/

Face It will be doing some giveaways this month through Beauty and the Feast so if you want some free products - keep checking back!

ReFresh Facial Scrub has Arrived

2009-04-01T05:28:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite products, and an ideal addition to the Face It line, ReFresh facial scrub is now available!

It's minty and fresh and the perfect way to give your skin a burst of energy and prepare it for moisturization.

Check it out now for only $25.

The Origins of My Interest in Beauty

2008-09-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

My interest in beauty products predates my ability to read and write.
Growing up as the middle of three sisters in New York City, I made my first foray into pigmented glamour with the help of my aunt, who painted our faces in secret with shades of purples, blues and greens. When my mom caught her daughters in the latest 80s looks, she was not happy – but we were. Makeup was one of many close bonds us three girls shared, and that intimacy propelled me to create Face It.

Throughout childhood, I was treated to tons of my aunt's leftover cosmetics, which my sisters and I would tote around our Caboodles cases proudly, playing dress-up whenever we could. We sat in front of the mirror for hours, painting and smudging and lining. Then, with a handful of cold cream and some tissues, we were ready to start all over again.

But too soon puberty waged war. Breakouts and oil ruled my daily routine, and with soap as my only available ally, I quickly turned to concealer, foundation and powder for reinforcements. Makeup became a challenge that only brought me pleasure when I could experiment with techniques and colors in the privacy of my bedroom. Eventually, I emerged victorious, once I perfected techniques to make my skin look amazing and draw people to my brightest feature, even though at that point it was an illusion.

In high school, I added more makeup to my morning schedule and became fond of quicker application as it allowed me to sleep later. I soon realized that incorporating better products for my skin into my regimen made me look better – with less makeup – thanks to healthier skin. I started researching various moisturizers and gentler face washes. My background in science kept me abreast of developing chemicals and materials, which guided me from reading labels to getting results.

I went to MIT to refine my chemical engineering skills and apply them to my earliest love: beauty! After conducting countless informal studies, I focused on the aging process, when it starts and how to delay and minimize its effects.

My mother, once an opponent of my affair with skincare, became a great supporter of my efforts, sharing with me her experiences as a nurse in a plastic surgeon's office. Her tales of needles and knives motivated me to explore options that would allow youth seekers to avoid invasive procedures.

FaceIt was born. I combined proven ingredients with a potent combination of anti-aging and repair proteins that I had uncovered in my research. After toiling in the lab almost long enough to give me gray hair – but no wrinkles – I constructed what I believe are the perfect chemical formulas for everyone.

The response has been tremendous. People of all ages are thrilled to learn that a product exists to address all of their concerns – and it is crafted by someone enduring the transformations. My daily life includes developing new products, reading about cutting-edge research in the area of anti-aging, packaging and shipping products to all of my lovely customers and reporting on celebrity events in NYC.

Please feel free to use this blog as a space to ask me questions about anything and everything beauty!