We here at Marie Louise Cosmetics wish all our fans a very HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

See you all in 2012!

If you’re like me and use a mix of different skincare and makeup brands and products, sometimes its confusing on what to put on first so here’s a quick guide from InStyle magazine’s August issue on WHAT TO APPLY FIRST:

1. Dab an acne spot treatment first (if you use one)
2. Then apply your serum (click here on why serum is necessary)
3. Follow with any dermatologist -prescribed skincare creams
4. End with your moisturizer

Acne spot treatments and serums usually have strong active ingredients and penetrates the skin first so definitely put them on in the beginning.

An easy rule to follow is APPLY ON SKINCARE PRODUCTS IN ORDER OF CONSISTENCY FROM THIN TO THICK.

Now you’re ready for your beauty sleep!

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With all the different creams, gels, ointments, toners, and other skincare products out there, it makes you wonder whether you need all of them.

Serums:

• are a liquid or gel-like formula packed with a high concentration of super effective ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides
• made up of small molecules so it penetrates the skin deeper to give faster results than a lotion or cream
• can treat all kinds of skincare issues from acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and other anti-aging issues

Here’s how to use a serum properly:

1. Wash your face (click here to see how to wash your face properly – you maybe doing it wrong)
2. Pat your face dry
3. Smooth on a few drops of serum
4. Wait for your face to absorb the serum
5. Apply moisturizer

I personally like using serums especially after a shower. There’s something about the consistency which is thick enough to apply but not greasy afterwards.

We’d love to know what your favorite beauty serums are so let us know!

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The next time you see or hear a bee buzzing nearby, you may want to think twice about smacking them to death with a magazine or shoe.

Thanks to the Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles’s wife), a face mask made of bee venom will now be available all over salons in China.

Say NO to Botox, Yes to...Bee Venom?

This bee venom mask (which the Duchess is a huge fan of)  is being promoted as an organic alternative to Botox in smoothing lines and delaying the aging process. According to the UK-based Heaven by Deborah Mitchell brand, the “magic bee venom ingredient works to control the facial muscles for immediate lifting, tightening and firming, whilst getting to work on frown lines and wrinkles.”

Mitchell now has a 10-year distribution to sell bee-venom treatments and products including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and cellulite creams across Heaven by Deborah Mitchell stores and salons in China.

Heaven stores are already in other Asian countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, and Japan.

 I’m not sure about this one folks.

Not sure if “organic” is the right way to describe this new skincare trend since Mitchell doesn’t elaborate on how she’s getting the bee venom. If my memory serves me right, don’t bees die when they leave their stinger inside their prey/enemy? So how many bees are being sacrificed to make just one teaspoon of bee venom in a bee venom face mask jar?

Really makes you wonder what we’re willing to sacrifice in the name of beauty

Even though its almost the end of Summer, our Marie Louise Cosmetics Summer Cleansing Sale isn’t over yet!

Get a FREE, full-size Cleansing Clear Gel worth $57 with ANY MLC purchase!

The MLC dual-purpose makeup remover and facial cleanser is capable of removing even the most stubborn makeup (like waterproof mascara) gently whisking away makeup while taking care of your skin with its special hydrating formula. This softly textured gel easily removes grime as it gently glides over pores to lift away makeup and oxidized oils. Rinse thoroughly with water or wipe off after use for a fresher, cleaner feel.

Hurry now while supplies last!

Please note that we’re experiencing technical difficulties and you may not see the CCG in your shopping cart but don’t worry, we promise to include it in your order!

Click here to start shopping (and saving!)

Click here for more info on our Cleansing Clear Gel

Congrats to our FINAL June FB Calming Masque Giveaway Winner – TRACY ROE!

Trace is our last winner to wina SPA-SIZE Marie Louise Cosmetics Cool Pack (Calming Masque) worth $91!

MLC’s gel-based mask from their NEW professional spa-care collection helps calm and cool down any redness or minor irritation after a day out in the sun.

PERFECT FOR THE SUMMER!

Tracy's winning MLC Calming Masque

Congrats again Tracy and enjoy your MLC skincare treat!

OK we no longer blame the FDA on delaying their sunscreen regulations for over 9 months since they’ve apparently been verrrry busy. They recently released final guidelines for over-the-counter topical acne medication and classified benzoyl peroxide as a safe and effective ingredient.

We know, we know…haven’t we all been using acne creams that have benzoyl peroxide since our puberty-miserable years in junior high?!?

In addition to finally getting around to confirming that benzoyl peroxide is indeed safe after all these years, the FDA guidelines also confirms the following:

• Using benzoyl peroxide makes you more “light sensitive” so its essential to use sunscreen at all times especially AFTER using bp
• BP shouldn’t be used on already irritated skin or large areas
• Its totally fine to use BP in addition to antibiotics and Retin-A
• BP, salicylic acid, and sulfur are all deemed safe active ingredients as long as their concentrations are FDA-approved

So basically all those zit creams we’ve been lathering on our pimple years in junior high were…OK to use.

 Click here to read the full report

Our June MLC Calming Masque Winner...LISA VANCE!

Thanks to everyone who entered our June Blog MLC Calming Masque Giveaway.

Congrats to our winner – LISA VANCE!

Lisa WON a SPA-SIZE Marie Louise Cosmetics Cool Pack (Calming Masque) worth $91!

MLC’s gel-based mask from their NEW professional spa-care collection helps calm and cool down any redness or minor irritation after a day out in the sun.

PERFECT FOR THE SUMMER so enjoy Lisa!

Diane WON a SPA-SIZE Marie Louise Cosmetics Cool Pack (Calming Masque) worth $91!

MLC’s gel-based mask from their NEW professional spa-care collection helps calm and cool down any redness or minor irritation after a day out in the sun.

PERFECT FOR THE SUMMER!

 

Diane's winning prize: Marie Louise Cosmetics Calming Masque

For those of you who have entered, not to worry.

You still have 1 more chance to win!

Click here to find out how else to enter for more chances to win!

Good luck!

OUCH!

So you’ve enjoyed the hot rays of the sun hopefully in a safe sunscreen-protected way but now looking down at your pink skin and dreading the pain that’s about to come.

Aloe vera gel is by far the BEST remedy in cooling off your sunburn and now there’s a collection of aloe-infused bras and undies!

Simone Perele, a French lingerie brand founded in 1948, recently launched their Caressence collection of bras, undies, and bodysuits all infused with aloe vera. Micro beads of aloe are incorporated into the lace of the lingerie making it super soft on the skin and more importantly, soothing for the sunburnt parts of your skin. What will the French think of next?

For a quicker (and cheaper) way to soothe your sunburn, check out these handy tips!

• ALOE-VERA ICE CUBES: Before heading out on a hot day or especially to the beach, fill an empty ice cube tray with aloe vera gel (can be purchased at any drugstore or health food store). You’ll find its much more cooling and moisturizing to the skin rather than applying aloe vera directly after the sun.

• REFRIGERATED SKINCARE: After returning home and before showering, place whatever liquid skincare item you will use post-shower such as face & body moisturizer/lotion, eye cream, toners, etc. into the fridge. They’ll feel even more cool and refreshing as an Arnold Palmer once you step out of the shower!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and don’t forget to lather on sunscreen!

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