Products of the Month - October

Recently, IMPO Pro Melissa Street went to Europe for 14 days to work with a very special client.  During her European tour, which closely resembled the National Lampoon Chevy Chase movie, she experienced several filming challenges, including weather that went from sweltering (in Tunisia) to freezing rain (Marseilles, France) and everything in between.

So, which products did this Pro turn to help conquer travel dehydration, sleeplessness, dry and frizzy hair, perspiration issues, skin irritations, chapped lips and one or two swanky dinners with a cruise ship captain?

Ladies and Gentleman…The Products of the Month for October:

Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30 – Melissa knows she preaches about this product, but it is only because it really works!  This is a non-greasy sunscreen that is actually good for your face!  Melissa uses this personally, professionally and in place of primer.

Embryolisse Exfoliating Care Cream – this product gently removes impurities and dead cells leaving the complexion fresh and radiant.  Perfect for travel and to revitalize tired, dehydrated skin.

SAMPAR Prodigal Pen – this product will treat and reduce the appearance of skin imperfections such as pimples/blemishes, irritations, bacteria and assists in healing insect bites, razor burn, etc.  A makeup artist must have!

Bed Head Let’s Get Tropical – this body oil treats and rehydrates the skin after long exposure to the sun.  Contains coconut, avocado and sunflower oils, as well as aloe vera.  Gives skin an amazing all-over, healthy glow.

Tara Smith Base Coat Serum – you prep your face with primer before makeup, so prime your hair before styling!  Totally organic and vegan, this product helps protect your hair, hydrates and provides a nutritional supplement for a good hair foundation.

L’Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray – this product is the legendary hairspray of choice for red carpet events, photo shoots, film and television sets because it is so fine that it will disappear at the stroke of a brush.  Won’t way the hair down and has amazing holding power!

Prairie Dawn 100% Natural Lip Balm – this lip balm is more like a lip treatment!  Goes on smoothly and keeps lips moisturized.  Great to use as a lip primer prior to application of lipstick.  Comes in 4 luscious flavors!  Melissa’s favorite is Sweet Orange.  Psst! Check out IMPO's first contest thanks to Prairie Dawn! Details below under Pro Contest (scroll all the way down to the end of the post)!

Hakuhodo Brushes – renowned in the beauty industry as the best in brushes, this line features premium bristles and first-rate craftsmanship.  Melissa refuses to work without this brush line.

CoverFX Big Cover Up Set – traveling with multiple products in individual packaging can be frustrating, but the geniuses at CoverFX have solved that problem!  This 5- piece kit not only achieves total coverage of minor to major complexion issues, it comes with a foundation brush and instructional DVD too!  Melissa used this kit on stage, on camera and for all personal appearances!

CoverFX Conceal FX Camouflage Concealer – this product instantly erases under eye circles and dark spots as well as, redness, sun damage, tattoos, birthmarks, trauma and moles.  A little goes a long way and because it comes in 6 shades you can easily find your exact skin tone match!

Youngblood Cosmetics Artiste 2 Nude Awakening Palette – as a Pro MUA travel is a must, but Melissa hates packing individual colors, it’s just impractical and can be very messy if something breaks.  This palette has all the essential colors for day and night!  It’s a one-stop-shop!

Smashbox Brow Tech To Go – IMPO raved about this product last month, but this product is worth another mention.  Brow Tech is so longwearing and waterproof that it lasted all day through long hours of filming and into the night for a personal appearance and dinner! No need for touch up!

Senna Cosmetics Lip Sync – this is a Pro MUA’s dream!  Lipstick and coordinating lip gloss all in one component!  Gotta love Eugenia Weston for inventing this amazing product!  Incredibly pigmented with tons of staying power, these lip colors are all you need.  Melissa’s favorite colors:  Stunning and A La Mode, but the good thing about owning all 4 sets is that you can mix and match.  Oh and did we mention that this product is formulated with collagen?  Excellent lip plumping power!

MAI Couture Blotting Papier – this product is incredible because it is a bronzer and a blotting paper in one.  Gives a light shimmer while controlling and absorbing oil.  Leaves a warm, sun-kissed glow on the skin.  Melissa also used the Rejuvenate Oil Blotting Papier in Lavender scent for removing excess shine without adding more makeup to her client’s face.  The soothing lavender scent is very calming and refreshing without being overpowering.

Lifewave Y Age Glutathione Patch – Melissa uses this product personally and was introduced to this technology through a client.  Daily, Melissa is asked about her personal skincare regime and because she feels that having good skin is not just about the products she uses on the outside, it’s also about how she treats her body on the inside, she felt it necessary to share this patch technology with our readers.

Here is a little information; Glutathione functions in our body as a master antioxidant that prevents damage to important cellular components caused by free radicals.  Basically, this patch technology slows down and can help improve the signs of aging by neutralizing free radicals that cause skin damage.  It has been clinically proven to help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve overall health. As we age, Glutathione levels start to decline and many scientists now believe that how long we live is directly proportional to how high our Glutathione levels are.

In all fairness, Melissa is a distributor with Lifewave, but for the sole purpose of purchasing these patches at wholesale cost.  If you would like more information, feel free to click on the link or visit Suzanne Somers' website at www.suzannesomers.com.  You can also read about this incredible, nontechnology in her book Knockout.  This is a personal product of Melissa’s and is not sold to any business clients on set, nor is this mention intended to generate distributors for the Lifewave organization.

Pro Contest:

Thanks to Prairie Dawn Natural Body Products for providing us with our first IMPO/Twitter contest!  Be our 1,500 follower on Twitter and the Pros will send you two of each flavor of Prairie Dawn’s Natural Lip Balm (8 lip balms total)!  Click here and start following – Good Luck!

Photo credit: Makeup by: Ayami - Photography by: Rankin for Sightsavers 

Spotlight - SAMPAR!

Living in the fast paced world of the entertainment industry can be…overwhelming! This Pro relies daily on major technology to make life easier. My computer houses everything from bank account info to a list of groceries for tonight’s dinner, to research for an upcoming shoot!

My iPhone feels like it is attached permanently to my body and my heart actually stops beating when I dig through my purse in hopes that I did not leave it in my car because that is precisely the time a client is going to call in desperate need of my professional makeup services!

Twitter, Facebook and my electronic calendar keep me up-to-date on family, friends, clients and blog associates. And with an “app” for just about anything, why do I still feel as if life is just one step away from complete chaos?

Just when I think I need a break from life or at least a little vacation, in comes my saving grace, my secret beauty savior...enter SAMPAR!

According to their website, “SAMPAR is a unique skincare treatment manufacturer that combines nano-technology, aromatherapy and highly concentrated high-tech active ingredients, which forms the basis of the SAMPAR URBAN ACTIVE family of products. These products create an effective shield to protect the skin from environmental pollution while restoring balance and fighting the signs of cutaneous and extrinsic aging!” Now that is the type of “technology” this Pro loves!

For the past several months, the Pros of In My Professional Opinion has been using and testing a ton of SAMPAR product. Specifically focusing on using these treatments during times when we knew our skin would need extra help; before and after travel, during “that time of the month” and during seasonal changes.

In conducting our research prior to using their products we learned that SAMPAR creates each formula using the URBAN ACTIVE complex, which is a “hand-made” blend of 3 high-tech and all natural active ingredients: Shea Butter Extract, Mint Leaf Extract and Plant Sugar and Lactate Extract.

Shea Butter is an incredible moisturizer, but we also discovered that SAMPAR includes it in their product line because it is a “powerful free-radical scavenger and detoxifying ingredient.” Shea Butter has been known in the medical community as an anti-inflammatory and SAMPAR says that it also “neutralizes the iron and lead found in polluted air.”

Mint Leaf Extract is used to soothe and calm the skin and SAMPAR says that it helps with “pollution-induced inflammation and stimulates the production of “pleasure hormones.”

Plant Sugar and Lactate Extract is, according to the SAMPAR concept, “a natural element, which helps to develop beneficial bacteria that restores the skin’s equilibrium, cell regeneration and enables the skin to repair itself.” And that statement is what got our attention! We couldn’t wait to get our hands on this skin treatment line fast enough!

The SAMPAR product line is available in four types of skincare treatments:

Essentials – balance and moisturize – six products include; Velvet Cleansing Milk, Skin Quenching Mist, Equalising Foam Peel, Ultra Hydrating Fluid, Nocturnal Lifting Mask, Good Weekend Kit. This treatment combines floral water, essential oils and plant extracts that calm, balance, protect and restore the skin.

Pure Perfection – purify and matify – four products include; Daily Dose Foaming Cleanser, Barely There Moisture Fluid, Clear Solution Mask and Prodigal Pen. These products purify and matify the skin when hormonal variations or atmospheric pollutants that can cause breakouts and imperfections unbalance it. Rich in essential oils, these products restore balance and harmony to the skin.

Age Antidote – revitalize and fortify – three products include; Lavish Dream Cream, Vivid Radiance Serum, Splendid Eyes Elevation. These products contain natural active elements such as peptides, walnut and chestnut, which help diminish the signs of aging.

City of Light – lighten and clarify – three products include; White Velvet Cleanser, Serum Luminescent, Spot Lighter. Over time the sun and hormone changes create little brown spots on the skin. These products are replete with concentrates of bioflavonoid, citrus, enzymes, shea butter and chamomile, which give clarity, even skin tone and bring brightness to the complexion.

Here is what we have been testing:

Velvet Cleansing Milk – used product morning and night on our face and neck before and after travel and during seasonal weather changes. What we noticed was that this product was lightweight and did not make our skin feel “tight” after rinsing. Washed away all traces of makeup and helped to repair any dry patches.

Quenching Mist – used on face both morning and night this product was an immediate boost to the skin! As suggested on SAMPAR’s website, we used this product on our eyes by soaking a cotton pad and applying as a compress. Noticed decreased puffiness around the eyes within 10 minutes.

Equalizing Foam Peel – used product in the morning twice a week for two weeks. Lathered onto the skin in a massaging motion over our entire face, avoiding eye area. Left on for the recommended two minutes and then removed by rinsing with water and by wetting a cotton pad, which we gently smoothed over our face to ensure all product was removed. Noticed that our skin felt soft and appeared to be more radiant – reminded us of the same effect as right after a facial.

Hydrating Fluid – applied immediately after cleaning, after mist and peel to lock in moisture and re-moisturize areas of our face that felt dry or dehydrated from travel. Fluid was easy to blend into the skin and it felt as if our skin “drank” in this fluid because of lack of hydration.

Nocturnal Lifting Mask – used at night only after proper cleansing and after Hydrating Fluid. Removed in the morning per instructions. Skin felt very toned and firm.

Prodigal Pen – this product was used during our "time of the month" when we are prone to break outs due to hormonal changes. Helped to diminish unsightly and large pimples. After 2-3 days of use 4 times per day the pimples on our face were completely healed with no scaring effects.

Eye Rule – used to repair and hydrate the skin around our eyes. This product helped reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles around our eye area and diminish puffiness. This became our “go to” product while traveling and for everyday use. Applied to the orbital bone area in a small circular motion, we used this product several times during airplane travel over and under makeup. We placed this product in the refrigerator, which gave our skin a refreshing experience (and maybe helped diminish the puffiness under our eyes faster!).

Good Weekend Kit – we will never be without this kit when we travel! This set contains small vials of the entire SAMPAR beauty ritual and easily slips into your suitcase so that you can continue your treatment while traveling for business or pleasure!

SAMPAR is a French cosmetic brand. The research and development department, the laboratory and the production are all based in France. They do not test their products on animals. Products are evaluated through clinical studies on a panel of volunteers.

All products are non-comedogneic and have a high concentration of natural ingredients. SAMPAR’s line is formulated to limit the risk of allergy and while most of the SAMPAR product line is completely safe to use during pregnancy, they do recommend avoiding the following products during the first 3 months:

Lap of Luxury Sea Scrub

Dew it Again Shower Gel

Equalizing Foam Peel

Prodigal Pen

To purchase SAMPAR products please visit www.samparusa.com or www.sampar.com to place an order online or to find the nearest retailer or spa.

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

SAMPAR’s Prodigal Pen was used on a very large and swollen dock spider bite that our Makeup Pro suffered from while on a recent vacation. Used after proper cleaning and disinfecting the essential oils in this product helped to heal and reduce swelling and itchiness. Spider bite was completely healed after 4 days.

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: The Fall Season is coming up fast! That means it is time for IMPO’s Fall Must Haves! Discover what we can’t live without this season!

Body Electric!

I sing the body electric

I glory in the glow of rebirth

Creating my own tomorrow

When I shall embody the earth...

Remember Fame? This was a very important and inspiring movie to this Pro back in 1980! I wanted to be a dancer, singer, actress and musician. I wanted to attend New York’s High School for Performing Arts!

However, like many young teenagers, I had a warped sense of what a healthy body should look like and spent many hours pouring over the pages of Vogue, Glamour and Cosmo! Skinny models looked amazing to me and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t look like them!

When I became a makeup artist I worked with tons of professional models and I discovered something…they have a very hard job. They have to stay thin (sometimes abnormally thin) in order to work. They don’t eat! They don’t indulge in a craving! They are not “normal!”

No offense to anyone; it just became very clear to me that my body type was not that of a fashion model even though I had the height! I was happy that I chose a different path by making those models even more beautiful through the art of makeup.

We can’t all have a dancer’s body even if we spend 5 days a week in the gym! Dancers are gifted and use different muscle groups when they “work out” and getting on the machines at the gym just doesn’t do the job! You have to move your body and dance like no one is watching!

Through the natural process of aging our skin looses elasticity and muscle tone if we do not exercise and we have to watch what food we put into our body as well. When this Pro was young, eating the occasional Hostess Twinkie was not a big deal, but today I would feel incredibly guilty if I allowed myself to taste that delectable treat.

Why? Because I know myself and I can’t have just one Twinkie, I must have several and that is bad for the body! Plus, do you know how far you have to walk on the treadmill to burn off the calories in just one Twinkie? Yikes! I don’t have that kind of time!

When you are a Pro MUA and you work on a movie or television set, there is an area that I try to stay away from as much as possible…that area is called “Craft Service!” Now, craft service is made up of amazing chefs and other crewmembers, whose full-time job is to provide the cast and other crew with food. Sometimes healthy and sometimes not!

You can get almost anything your little heart desires from craft service; grilled chicken, steamed veggies, fresh fruit, Ding Dongs, donuts, ice cream…see what I mean? Combine that food with the amount of stress a cast and crew is under while making that next big blockbuster film and you can imagine how out of control a person’s eating habits can get!

Celebrities have personal trainers and nutritionist that helps them stay fit, but what about us? It takes a village my friends and support from others for this Pro to control her cravings and to put those Ho, Ho’s DOWN!

Thank goodness there are many incredible beauty products on the market that can help your body look hot even when you have skipped your routine work out days at the gym or if you happen to be a complete couch potato!

This Pro thinks that all women are beautiful regardless of size, shape or color and it is time we all took a good look in the mirror! We need to appreciate ourselves and love those things we can’t change and take control of those we can!

Self-discipline is the name of the game, but there is no harm in purchasing those little body “helpers” invented by smart people who understand that sometimes we just don’t want to exercise or that we love to eat bread with loads of butter everyday (thank you Spanx)!

When this Pro is feeling lazy or like my body could use a little…makeover, I reach for the following products:

Clarisonic - this unbeatable skin care system comes with a brush head for both your face and body. Use it to say sayonara to dry spots and dead skin cells on your arms, legs and decollete!

Orlane Paris – S.O.S. Abdomen Firm & Reshape – "the must-have bodycare product to help remodel your abdomen and control sagging skin." Ladies!!!! Have you recently had a baby or have lost weight? Does your abdomen need a little tightening? Then you should try this product! Your skin will appear firmer and better toned!

CoverBlend – Corrective Leg & Body Makeup SPF 18 – an opaque, natural finish makeup developed to correct any imperfection on the hands, legs and body. Smudge and water resistant treatment makeup that moisturizes and protects the skin from the sun! Can cover tattoos and other discolorations (age spots, varicose veins, bruises, birth marks).

Talika – Bust Serum – this serum is a comprehensive beauty package giving volume, lift and firmness to the breast. It can prevent the tissue from sagging and improves bust appearance.

Lucy B – Frangipani Bronzer – pour a small amount of this incredible bronzing oil into your hands and apply to decollette, face, arms, and hair to add shine and shimmer! Has an amazing tropical fragrance of frangipani and coconut! Hello summer!

Clarins – Extra-Firming Body Care Replenishing Cream – gives your body nourishment and moisture. Helps to firm and revitalize skin everyday. Overtime skin can become more supple, softer and silky-smooth.

fresh – Umbrian Clay Treatment Soap – this bar can be used on your face and body to dramatically improve the overall quality of your skin. I use this daily in the summer to clean off sunscreen residue after a day at the pool or the beach!

It Cosmetics – My Beautiful Breasts – can't afford a "boob" job? Now you can and the best part about this amazing product...no pain! This ket contains everything you will need to make your breasts appear full and lifted instantly. Plus this is a waterproof formula so you can exercise or swim and this product will not fade. Comes with a handy step-by-step instruction guide and this kit works on all body types and skin tones!

Carol’s Daughter – Almond Cookie Sea Salt & Body Scrub - what I love most about all the products from Carol's Daughter is that Carol's Daughter is really making, mixing, blending and testing all of those incredible products herself! This body scrub is perfect for smoothing rough or dry skin and it contains pure ingredients. Your body will be glowing!

Tarte Cosmetics – celluFight – this product does double duty! You can get a great tan and get taut in one easy step! This product helps to hydrate the skin and gradually tans your skin overtime, which can help to minimizes the appearance of cellulite. Also, it is formulated with skinTIGHT complex which will firm and tone the skin increasing elasticity.

Mdskincare Dr. Dennis Gross – Alpha Beta Daily Body Peel – designed with all skin types in mind, this product is first a peel formulated for daily at-home use. It is a unique two-step system with ready-to-use pads that contain a precise blend of alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids, as well as many other ingredients that will smooth and moisturizer your skin making it appear healthier and more vibrant.

Orlane Paris – Refining Arm Care – this product was created to target the arm area and to effectively fight against sagging skin. Used properly this product will help your arms regain their toned, defined and firm appearance. Make sure you follow directions and use for the recommended 45 days of treatment for the best results.

Sampar – Dew It Again Shower Gel – when this Pro needs a little pick-me-up I reach for Sampar's shower gel. This product completely indulges all of your senses and will make you feel renewed and invigorated. Plus it removes toxins and pollutants from your skin while reinforcing a natural barrier of defense helping to keep your skin smooth.

Laura Geller – Body Frosting – this is an extremely fine, silky smooth powder that adds warm luminosity to the body. Use to add a sexy shimmer to your arms, legs, shoulders, back and decollette.

Me! Bath – Shower Sherbet – when it is time to have a little bit of "fun" in the shower (no, ladies, not that kind of fun!), I reach for this Shower Sherbet! It smells just like a weekend afternoon when the dark clouds are rolling in and you get caught in a huge rain storm. Jump into a hot shower and let this product energize your body!

These products don’t exactly make me a Dolce & Gabbana super model, but they make me feel like The Body Electric song says…”and in time, and in time, we will all be stars!”

PRO TIPS & TRICKS:

If you suffer from chest wrinkles then you are going to love what this Pro discovered at the recent IMATS Convention back in June. Nothing is more aging than wrinkles on your once beautiful chest! Decollette Pads were designed to correct and prevent chest wrinkles caused by sleeping on your side, sun damage, aging and gravity! These pads are made of 100% medical grade silicone and are reusable for up to 30 days! To place an order for Decollette Pads visit them online at www.decollettepads.com.

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: Cover up! Got a tattoo or other skin issue? Tired of people commenting on it or need to cover it up for work or special occasion? Our next post will take you through step-by-step instructions on how to disguise your body art or birthmark!