Aqua Technology defines Deep Sea Water as water harvested at depths greater than 600 feet (200 meters) below the ocean surface. At this depth, Deep Sea Water has higher quality minerals that are more pure and effective than those collected at shallower depths.

It’s not just any deep sea water that’s 600 feet below the ocean’s surface that is useful; the location at which the water is retrieved actually makes a difference in how ‘pure’ the water is, or how abundant its minerals are—meaning, how beneficial it is from you.  Originating in the area around Greenland, the ocean currents circulates around the world taking about 2,000 years to travel between the warm Mexican currents through the freezing Arctic currents.  Below is a diagram that shows the current flow. Blue depicts the deep cold currents. Note how this system is continuously moving water from the surface to deep within the oceans and back to the top of the ocean. (Source: Arctic Climate Impact Assessment -ACIA).

source: www.aquatechnology.net/deepseawater.html

Deep sea water that is most beneficial for you, it’s the water that is clean of any impurities, kept away from the sunlight (to avoid photosynthesis and growth of microorganisms or bacteria), because it is this water that has the most abundant amount of minerals.

Deep Sea Water Benefits and Characteristics (source: www.aquatechnology.net/deepseawater.html)

To learn more about the merits of deep sea water and what it does for your skin, click here.

Maybe it’s just a female thing but I swear there’s nothing more physically and emotionally fulfilling than shopping whether it’s at your local CVS, Target, boutique or mall. Every woman understands the adrenaline rush from purchasing the last pair of size 7 killer stilettos or the excitement of trying on that oh-so-pretty pink lipstick.

But while we can agree that a majority of women enjoy shopping, a new survey from WSL Strategic Retail  reports that not all women are created equal when it comes to their shopping habits. Disregarding the ridiculous names (a guy must have come up with these), there are 5 shopper personalities:

• SHOP-A-LOT-SUE: Loves to shop but has limited means with a household income of $60,000, Prefers to shop online or at stores like Wal-Mart and has “given up her aspirations for big-name brands and is OK with less”

• MISERABLE MONA: Also has a household income of $60,000 but “is so jaded by her financial situation that she finds no pleasure in shopping”, Shops at discount stores but not online

• I’LL PASS PATTY: Views shopping as a necessity and has an income of $90,000, Lives within her means, Shops online to avoid going into stores, Believes that “smart shopping is no shopping”

• BUBBLE BARBIE: Lives in a bubble and continues to shop within her $72,000 income, Has a high debt

• CHIC CHIC CHARLOTTE: Has an income of $101,000 and loves to shop, Will buy less than she had in the past due to the recession as a result of ‘retail guilt”

I’m still giggling over the silly personality names (Chic Chic Charlotte? Seriously?!)  but it’s interesting to see that despite the recession, women are still shopping. Oh retail therapy, how I love thee…

Japanese brand makeup spray

This has been the case until I recently discovered Japanese makeup ’setting sprays.’ Makeup setting sprays seal my makeup and are resistant to smudging, tears, humidity and water. I feel like they sort of ‘hold’ my foundation and eye makeup in place for at least 4 hours when I’m outdoors and at least 8 hours when I’m indoors during these hot summer months.

Easy directions

There is such a spray from Japan that not only sets my makeup but makes my skin glow. People have started complimenting me about how bright my complexion looks. What they don’t know is that my complexion is exactly the same. It is all because of the spray. This Ikemes brand also has sprays not only for normal skin but dry, and oily skin too. The only downfall is that you can only buy it in Japan right now.  *sigh*  Time to make new friends in Japan!

Aimee won a full-size Marie Louise Washing Foam Facial Cleanser, our velvety foam cleanser that’s suitable for all skin types, worth $51!

Marie Louise Washing Foam Facial Cleanser

Our facial cleanser contains plant-derived cleansing agents that gently sweep away impurities while one’s skin’s natural moisture is retained, leaving skin perfectly soft and ready for nourishment. Also, its antibacterial formula with Quaternium-73 ushers the way to clear and healthy skin.

Check back with us next month for another chance to enter another contest!

There’s no way to avoid hyperpigmentation completely, but there are things you can do to minimize its appearance and prevent it from getting worse.

Block it out
Wear sun block every day, no matter what. Sun block blocks the sun; sunscreen filters the sun. To keep sun from damaging skin, use a sun block with a SPF of 30 or higher. You should also wear a wide-brimmed hat any time you’re in strong sun as an extra precaution.

‘Brighten’ skin
Use products with skin brighteners such as alpha-arbutin, peptides and alpha hydroxy acids, among others. These can help reduce melanin production that results in hyperpigmentation.

Treatment
Whether it’s at home, at an esthetician’s treatment room or at a dermatologist’s office, skin must be exfoliated to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It can be done chemically or with lasers. The result depends on the severity of hyperpigmentation as well as its cause. Results can take three to 12 months, so be patient.

See a skin professional
Only an esthetician or dermatologist can tell you what’s really going on with your skin. If you want healthy, younger looking skin, see a skin professional. Doing it yourself, in the drug store or having a sales person do it in a department store can lead to unpleasant results.

I just read a recent article in the LA Times and I’m ashamed to admit it but I am a borderline “Cosmoholic”. SO SAD.

Ranqueen store in Tokyo, the Cosmoholic's house-of-worship, where its chock-full of anything and everything you think you need

What’s a Cosmoholic? Basically someone who is unable to discard items even if they’re worthless, hazardous or unsanitary, according to Dr. Renae Reinardy, who founded the Lakeside Center for Behavorial Change.  Click here for a checklist of classic Cosmoholic signs

So do you consider yourself a Cosmoholic?

What is the most you’ve ever spent on beauty/skincare products at one place?

Do you ever buy multiples of the same beauty/skincare product at a time?  Any other thoughts?

Let us know by answering ALL the above questions, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win one (1) Marie Louise Washing Foam/Facial Cleanser , our velvety foam cleanser that’s suitable for all skin types (approximate retail value $51).

Enter to win by submitting a comment below (please answer ALL the contest questions above) and make sure to leave a valid first and last name and e-mail address so we can properly contact you if you’re a winner.

Contest STARTS on Monday, August 2^nd @ 12:01am Eastern Time (“ET”) and ENDS on Sunday, August 8^th @ 11:59 PM ET.

No purchase necessary. One entry per person/e-mail address. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (void in Puerto Rico, Guam, and other U.S Commonwealth & Territories) who are 18 years of age at the date of entry.

Click here for official contest rules

I don’t know if you are as confused as I was before about why sea salt began appearing in skincare and beauty products all around me— all of a sudden. The first image that popped into my mind was companies adding table salt into my skincare products—a selling point for me. Wasn’t too much salt supposed to be bad for you? It is supposed to cause bloating, water retention, high blood pressure and other health problems.  How it is supposed to be good for for your skin?

Table Salt

After some research, I realized that I was confusing table salt (refined salt) with sea salt (unrefined salt). In simple terms, the two salts are made up of sodium chloride; the major difference between sea salt and table salt is that table salt is made up of 99.9% of sodium chloride, while sea salt is 98% sodium chloride. In sea salt, the remaining 2% is made of other important minerals like iron, sulfur, magnesium and other trace elements. Basically, table salt is chemically treated and sea salt is natural.

Sea Salt

So what does this mean?

According to Buzzle.com, it means that the sea salt extracted from sea water contains minerals that are needed by our bodies in order to function optimally and maintain a balance in mineral content. There are many benefits to the natural potassium, calcium, and magnesium that sea salt contains.

Potassium helps regulate and balance the moisture level of the skin, and also provides energy to the body. It also helps relax muscles and relieve stiffness. Calcium not only strengthens bones, but also prevents the retention of water and increases circulation. Magnesium fights the retention of fluids and also helps to fight stress. Moreover, it has a calming effect on the nervous system and helps in slowing down the aging of skin.

I think it was the only time I didn’t want to finish my hash browns since I wanted to HURL IT ON HIS SMUG FACE (and I loooove hash browns so you know I was seriously furious).

As much as we want to believe that appearances don’t matter in a work environment, a recent Newsweek survey found the following:

• 13% of women and 10% of men said they’d consider cosmetic surgery if it made them more competitive at work
• 57% of hiring managers said that qualified but unattractive candidates are likely to have a harder time landing a job
• More than half of these hiring managers advised spending as much time and money on “making sure they look attractive” as on perfecting their resume
• 61% of these managers said it would be an advantage for a woman to wear clothing showing off her figure at work
• Asked to rank employee attributes in order of importance, managers placed looks above education

What??!!!

I don’t know what’s more shocking – my naivety that looks really do matter in the office or the fact that the hiring managers surveyed were actually honest about their interview process.

Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel

Hillary won a full-size Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel, our dual-purpose makeup remover and facial cleanser worth US $57!

Our Cleansing Clear Gel gently whisks away makeup while taking care of your skin with its special hydrating formula. Gently rinse off with warm water and you’re left with a fresh and clean face. This is the last week for our special July offer to save 31% on our Cleansing Clear Gel so hurry!

Check back with us next week for another chance to enter another contest!

Earlier this year, back when it was cooler in San Francisco in the spring, Marie Louise launched exclusively at the soft opening of Coco Spa.  It was an exclusive and intimate party full of the close friends, family, and clients of Coco Pai.  But on this rainy evening, anyone could see how professional and successful of an esthetician Coco is from the amount of people who showed up on that wet evening at the new swanky spa located in the penthouse loft of Union Square.  It’s a one-stop shop, with full facial, waxing, massage, laser removal services and more services all located within the same beautiful penthouse suite.

With over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, head esthetician of one of the most renown spas in a 5-star hotel in San Francisco, Coco Pai has just recently launched Coco Spa, and is offering free personal in-depth skin consultation services, facials, waxing, at reasonable prices.  She is also exclusively providing Marie Louise facials, using its products exclusively to give her clients a gentle, soothing, yet effective treatment.

For more information, please visit www.cocospasf.com or call 650.576.7222, and mention that you heard about her spa from Beauty Essentials.