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.

Sure, it takes a bit of an effort on your part, but if you just try it once, I guarantee that you’ll convert.  You will see that an effort of just 30 minutes/ week (15-minute sessions, 2 times a week) can make ALL the difference in the world for your skin, especially if you mask on a regular basis.

Biocellulose Sheet Mask vs. Paper Sheet Mask

Any mask– mud, cream, hydrating– can revitalize your skin, but for those of you who are more limited on time (or just lazy!), I highly recommend sheet masks.  Sheet masks and its usage, are all the rage in Asia, and has been a trend for many years already, but it is still a new concept in the US market.  It is essentially a sheet of paper, woven cotton, or gel-masks are now created, cuz out in the shape of your face, with holes punched out for your eyes, nose and mouth.  Personally, I prefer a new generation of sheet masks made with the material called ‘biocellulose’ that molds to the shape of your face, and has a much more effective delivery system.

These masks save you the messiness of mud masks, but delivers the same results.  Each are one-time use, and the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Take mask out of package.

Step 2: Place mask on your face.

Step 3: Leave on for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4: Dispose mask– no need to wash anything off.

That’s it.  Do you STILL think you don’t have time for this?  Come on… it can’t get easier than this.  And another reason to convert?  Pamper yourself. Can you argue with that?  Just think about the money (and time) you’ll save in giving yourself a mini spa session at home instead of going into a spa. Give it a try, and post us a message to let us know what you think!

TIPS: Double up the results, and mask after a quick exfoliation with a gentle gel exfoliator like Restoration Clear Gel, and you’ll see even BETTER results.  Don’t know where to purchase sheet masks?  Google it, or email us, I can send recommendations.  Or, if you’re already a Marie Louise fan, you can also use our Creme a-VC as a mask by applying a thin layer all over your face, leaving it on for about 15-20 minutes, and then massaging the product in.

Bare Minerals, La Mer, Shu Uemura, to name a few—there are several companies out there that base entire brands and skincare lines on minerals and deep sea water.  We, Marie Louise, are no exception either, using Deep Sea Water instead of water, and including a proprietary blend of Deep Sea Concentrate abundant with minerals that’s infused into all our products.

Pacific Ocean, off the shore of Yoron Island, Japan

“I know what it means.” Being the beauty industry, one comes across many clients and when asked “Do you know about how minerals, deep sea water, deep sea concentrate is like caviar for your skin?”, there’s usually a vigorous nod.  But ask, “Ok, do you know why?”, there’s usually a blank stare in return.

Let’s go back to the basics. Think of a baby and his/ her skin… pretty good, no?  A baby’s complexion is the closest to perfection we could probably ever achieve in our lives as humans.  While it’s impossible to go back to that entirely, the concept of minerals and deep sea water is essentially setting the goal to try to achieve this perfect, flawless complexion.  How?

A Mother’s Womb = Deep Sea Water. A baby receives all necessary nutrients and nourishment in the mother’s womb.  Scientifically, if one were to breakdown the mineral contents of a placenta and the uterus, the makeup is actually shockingly similar to the makeup of minerals found in the depths of the ocean.  In other words—at the risk of sounding poetic—each human being essentially comes from the deep oceans of our mother’s womb.  With this concept in mind, imagine the benefits of having the same ratios of minerals and nutrients in your skincare line.  It, literally, brings your skin back to as nature intended.

Deep Sea Water Applied to Skincare. The makeup of deep sea water is also very similar to the makeup of the fluids in between cells in our skin.  This makes skincare products that contain deep sea minerals especially effective: when doubled with penetrating technology such as nanotechnology, the abundance of minerals not only nourish damaged skin cells, but also the fluids in between, empowering your body’s ability to reset skin regeneration and create newer healthier skin cells altogether.

Pacific Ocean near Yoron Island

Balance, Balance, Balance. Human bodies naturally produce nutrients, such as Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium etc.  The delicate balance of the ratio of these minerals and nutrients is what keeps our bodies, and our skin, healthy.  But once a baby is born and leaves its mother’s womb, natural aging and harmful environmental factors tips this delicate balance.  The more we age, the more damaged our skin becomes, the more nutrients we lack.

Good Balance = Repairs.  Bad Balance = Irritation. A good balance of minerals in your body and your skin repairs, builds, and encourages skin regeneration; tipping this fine balance of minerals is what causes skin irritation, wrinkles, and breakouts since the body is trying to compensate for the imbalance.  This means that it is the combination of different ingredients and minerals that brings most benefits to your skin.  Be wary to not fall victim to effective marketing and the latest ingredient trend.  In reality, the truth is to nourish and replenish the delicate balance of all nutrients and minerals your body and skin needs.

Earlier this year, a research study done by the NPD Group on women’s skincare reported that anti-aging continued to be a key factor for women buying skincare products. 53% of women surveyed said that anti-aging benefits such as wrinkle/line reduction and firming/lifting were extremely important in facial skincare products. When it’s broken down by age group, NPD found that 65% were ages 55+, 62% were between 35-54, and 26% were ages 18-34.

It made me wonder why women in general waited until they got older until they started using beauty products with anti-aging benefits. Instead of waiting for those tell-tale aging signs of wrinkles or sagging skin, shouldn’t we just start using these products earlier? Isn’t the whole point of using these products to PREVENT aging signs?

As my hey-you’re-not-getting-any-younger-reminding mom used to tell me, it’s like drinking water AFTER spending a day out in the sun.

So what do you think?

When shopping for beauty/skincare products, what anti-aging concerns do you have – fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, age spots, sun damage, lack of collagen, sagging, eye bags, etc.?

Let us know and you’ll be automatically entered into our MARIE LOUISE VITAL CONTEST for a chance to win 1 of 3 Marie Louise Vital Nanoemulsion a-VC (an anti-aging & brightening serum with an approximate retail value of $75). Enter to win by submitting a comment below (please answer the contest question above) and make sure to leave a valid name and e-mail address so we can properly contact you if you’re a winner.

Contest STARTS on Thursday, May 13^th @ 12:01am Eastern Time (“ET”) and ENDS on Monday, May 17^th @ 11:59 PM ET.

No purchase necessary. One entry per person/e-mail address. Open 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.

For complete rules, go to: http://marielouisecosmetics.com/contest_rules/

When tests were done on public makeup counters in department stores, specialty stores and drugstores, they found staph, strep, and even E.Coli bacteria on makeup testers. If that doesn’t freak you out, this finding will – when they tested the makeup on Saturdays which has the most customer traffic at cosmetic counters – THE PERCENTAGE OF TAINTED MAKEUP WAS 100%.

OMG. As if you don’t have enough things to worry about like whether that self-tanner makes you look like an oompa loompa.

So how do you try out new makeup/beauty products without physically testing them? While it’s recommended that you really shouldn’t try on any publicly-tested makeup on your eyes, lips, and nose, if you still feel the need to try on that new shade of pink lipstick, here are some tips to remember:

• Make Weekday Visits: Go during the week when there are fewer customers. If you don’t currently carry one in your purse, bring an anti-bacterial hand gel or pack of wipes with you.
• Use Tester Apps: Always use plastic, disposable applicators or cotton swabs like the ones at stores like Sephora. If you’re at a department store, don’t be afraid to ask the customer service rep behind the counter.
• Use Bottled Products: Try bottled products of lotions or foundations instead of ones that are in jars or palettes so that you can squeeze or pour them directly on your hand instead of using your fingers to scoop them out.
• Scrape the Lipstick Tip: Use a disposable applicator or a tissue paper to scrape off the tip or use a tissue paper.
• Eye & Lip Pencils: Sharpen the tip using mini sharpeners.
• Use the Spray Alcohol Bottle: Use an alcohol spray bottle to lightly spray the product. Wait a few seconds for the alcohol to evaporate before testing.
• Remove Tested Makeup ASAP: Remove makeup immediately with anti-bacterial wipes or makeup remover after testing.

So if shopping for beauty/skincare products isn’t scary enough in the first place, now you’ve got some real grossness to deal with.

We all like gifts with purchases but some freebies are better left at the cosmetic counter.

Packaging of eye patch from Biore (front view)

If steam heated eye masks are not your thing and you prefer something cooler for your eyes, then I think I might just have the right product for you. These individual packaged gel like eye patches from Biore, a large cosmetics company in Japan, offers a great alternative.

Instructions on the back of the eye patch packaging is self explanatory. The picture tells you where to place your eye patches.

I normally put these eye patches under my eyes like shown on the packaging (see picture) after I put on my eye cream at night.  Then I sleep with it on for 6-8 hours and I really see a difference in the morning.  Somehow the coolness of the eye patches make my eyes look smoother and hydrated in the morning.  It maximizes the absorption of my eye cream too.

The top side is felt material and the bottom side is gel material.

It’s a shame that Biore only sells this product in Japan. I went on their website, www.biore.com and could not find this product except on their Japanese website. I wish these Japanese companies would share more of their beauty secrets and products with the rest of the world. I really love the coolness of the gel patch under my eyes and how great I look the next day!

 I don’t know if you are like me but I’ve been having a hard time going to bed before midnight these days. My dark circles are becoming more apparent and my eyes look puffy and often dehydrated in the morning. Therefore, I was so happy to discover these STEAM HEATED EYE MASKS on my recent trip to Tokyo. 

Steam Heated Eye Masks come in a box of 5

 These Steam Heated Eye Masks come in unscented and lavender scent. I bought the lavender scent to try. 

Individual packaging makes it good for traveling.

 According to the packaging, I could use this eye mask any time from sleeping to taking a break or traveling. It is suppose to relax your tired eyes. It should have the effects of having a steam sauna on your eyes. Sounds amazing, right?

Directions on the back of the package.

 This eye mask is very easy to use. See the pictures below for demonstration. 

Lavender Scented Eye Masks

Pooh Bear demonstrating the eye masks.

Side view of the mask. The ear loops are very comfortable and should fit any face shape and size.

The two purple squares warm up once it is exposed to air, but not too hot and at a very comfortable temperature. The steam is released slowly so that I could actually feel it on my eyes and the lavender scent is so soothing and calming. I tried this eye masks right before going to bed and after applying my eye cream.  The scent and the heat made me really sleepy and I fell asleep within a few minutes. 

Conclusion:  The skin around my eyes looked refreshed and hydrated the next day. I’m definitely buying some more when I go back to Japan again.

Every day living takes a toll on skin… Makeup, oil and dirt from our fingers, even dust and smog settle on the skin, creating a really disgusting stew of yuck. Sure we wash our face at least once, hopefully twice a day, but how do you know you’re really getting skin clean? Another reason why you want clean skin is that it allows for deeper product penetration, which means you’re more likely to get the result you want in the first place.

Here are a few simple tips:

Oil is good. To get skin really clean, use an oil-based cleanser -like Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel – before a regular cleanser. Make-up is oil-based, and only an oil-based cleanser can safely remove it.

Double up. Double cleansing is the only way to make sure skin is truly clean. After washing with Cleansing Clear Gel, use a mild cleanser like Marie Louise Washing Foam to remove any residual dirt and debris.

Take a time out. It takes two full minutes of massaging skin in circular motion with your fingertips to fully cleanse your face and neck. Want to know how long two minutes is? Sing the “Happy Birthday” song at four times in a row.

Wash twice a day. It is important to cleanse in the morning also because we sweat when we sleep at night.

Choose wisely. Understand what your true skin conditions are to help you make a better decision about the cleansers you should use. An esthetician is the best person to consult.

I asked her what her secret was…. Good genes?  Foreign products made in silence by monks? Nope: “I scrub my face like crazy with a loofah every morning under the hot shower. Scrubbing dead skin away is the key!”

So I tried it. The results? Well, lets just say I didn’t feel like going out that night.  Not all of us have thick skin! But it got me thinking: there’s got to be a better way to shed the dead skin cells that are clogging my pores. And that’s when my desperate search to properly exfoliate my skin started!

Remember that whole at-home-microdermabrasion-craze? Sure, massaging my skin with pea-size beads made out of walnuts shells and ingredients I could not pronounce exfoliated dead skin. In fact, it exfoliated most of my skin away, leaving it blotchy, red and sensitized. NOT what I was looking for. Neither were all the scrubs, peels, serums and magic washcloths that followed: the chemicals in most of the products only managed to assault my skin, causing it to flare-up!

Little did I know that over-exfoliating, just like hard water, weather and pollution, is actually harmful to your skin. So what’s a girl to do?

Please meet Marie Louise’s Restoration Clear Gel. First of all and most important, this exfoliating gel is actually hydrating and nourishing, thanks to ingredients such as desalted deep sea water, glycerin and algae extracts, known to help the skin retain moisture.  It literally melts as your skin absorbs it, dry grains gently (and that’s the key word one should look for in all products) lifting away impurities and dead skin. Once they have ceased to appear and have been rinsed off with warm water you are left with a bright and pure complexion. Since it’s gentle enough, you can use it more often; this regular regimen will allow your skin to absorb all the benefits your moisturizers, masks and serums have to offer, thus making them more effective! It will also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles- after all, it’s no secret that the cleaner your skin is, the younger and healthier it looks!

Just remember: you shouldn’t need sandpaper to get results!

Like so many girls, I realized how important our eyelashes are a long time ago.  The difference between having curly and straight lashes makes a dramatic difference for my eyes, since mine are not the biggest in the world.  Let’s just say that I definitely get more compliments when my lashes are all dolled up and curled, with an application of mascara.  In a way, I feel like it is my shield and sword, where it gives me more confidence to go out and face the world…lol…

Therefore, in order to achieve the perfect set of eyelashes, I have bought infinite numbers of eyelash curlers.  From Shu Uemura, heated, plastic to metal eyelash curlers, I spent countless dollars on trying to find the right one.  Right now, I have two favorites that I would like to share with you.  One is for use at home and the other is so little and convenient that I can carry it in my bag everywhere I go. 

1.  Excel Eyelash Curler

Excel Eyelash Curler (39mm)

Excel Eyelash Curler

 This 39mm eyelash curler is wide enough to capture all my eyelashes (even the ones at the corner of my eyes) at the same time.  The design of the angle of the eyelash curler allows my eyelashes to curl at a beautifully natural degree.  I curl my eyelashes twice, and I find that most effective.  The first time is before I apply mascara, and then a second time after my mascara dries.  With this technique, my eyelashes stay all curly and natural for a really long time.  The best part is that it doesn’t break my eyelashes at all.  =)

2. Compact Curler for people on the go  

Compact Curler

side view

My friend was actually the one who discovered this and recommended it to me.  I fell in love with it right away.  Even though it doesn’t capture all of my eyelashes in one squeeze, it is so compact that I can’t leave home without it now.  My eyelashes look so natural after I curl it with this.  The best part is that I can use this at the end of the day without applying new coats of mascara and my eyelashes still appears curly and natural.  This is definitely a good buy since it costs only around $5 dollars in the US.