January 15, 2013

Beauty Tips Tuesday: Caring for Your Skin During Cold and Flu Season.

January 15, 2013/

This years cold and flu season is here; it is a bad one. At first I thought it was a "media story", but as I had a visit to my Doctor and my childrens Pediatrician this past week, theyare both very worried about how bad this flu season is already. I know two people (one is 21, one is 52) in the hsopital with the flu right now. And they are normally healthy people. It is scary. The pediatrician told me "not to be surprised" if our school system is closed soon. It is that bad here in Massachusetts.

I know at some point this winter, we are all going to be sick with a cold, if not the flu. Did you know that cold medications, constant nose blowing, sore throats and fevers can all negatively affect skin condition? Seriously! All that can leave it spotty, flushed, dry and dehydrated. Of course I have the beauty tips you need to combat these things.

Winter Skin Tips

Renowned celebrity esthetician and skin expert, Renée Rouleau, offers her expert skin tips to care for skin during cold and flu season, ensuring that once that cold has been kicked, glowing skin will be just what the doctor ordered.

Use a humidifier at night.
Whenever the air is dry it looks for moisture wherever it can get it – and that means robbing it from skin. Common decongestants also dehydrate the skin, leaving it parched and dry. Using a humidifier at night keeps moisture in the bedroom air, which maintains hydration levels in the skin, and keeps it feeling comfortable.

Apply a cold gel mask to the skin.
Since decongestants can dehydrate the skin, a gel mask is a good way to replace the skin’s moisture while also alleviating a pounding head and achy face from congestion. Renée’s Recommendation: Keep a mask like Bio Calm Repair Masque ($49.50) in the fridge for cooling relief when you need it.

Keep moisturizer on the nose at all times.
Repeated nose blowing causes friction of the tissue (even tissues with added moisturizer) and nose area resulting in red, dry, irritated skin. After every blow, apply a small amount of cream to the nose area for comfort and repair. Look for creams that contain ceramides and lipid-rich oils for ultimate soothing moisturization. Renée suggests her Glow Enhancing Cream ($69.50).

Use skin care products with mint.
Fighting an infection can leave skin looking gaunt and sallow and congestion makes is hard to breathe. So think mint! Renée’s Recommendation: Her favorite cleanser to use when she has a cold is Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel ($35.50), because it really clears a stuffy head, opens up the nasal passages and stimulates blood flow to give skin a much needed glow. Sip on mint tea, too – medical experts recommend it to sooth a sore throat, help drain sinuses and ease congestion.

Drink a lot of water.
Despite common perception, this isn’t very beneficial for the skin, since water is the least efficient way to hydrate it, but more so for the body. Keeping fluids running through your system can flush away toxins and keep your internal temperature down. Renée’s Recommendation: Try making refreshing water recipes to help flush out those germs. She love strawberry + mint + lemon. Adding fresh ginger + honey is great for combating colds with a refreshing spicy twist.

Follow Renée and access all of her tips at Reneerouleau.com, on Twitter and on Facebook.

May 25, 2010

Wake Up with the NEW Renée Rouleau Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel.

May 25, 2010/

Who doesn't need a little added pick me up in the morning? Anything that can help me "wake up" in the early hours of the day is a plus, and this is one thing Renée Rouleau had in mind when creating her brand new Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel.

For more than 20 years, Renée has been helping helping women and celebrities attain healthy, glowing, beautiful skin at her spa and through her line of over 70 products. Knowing how women constantly battle tired, dull-looking skin, Renée set out to create a new formula in the form of a cleanser. When formulating, Renée knew that studies have shown that when someone smells peppermint, it increases alertness and wakes up the mind. Also, Peppermint has long been known for increasing blood flow to the skin, encouraging a glowing radiance. Thus, Peppermint is one of the main ingredients in the product.

I can certainly attest to the fact that I definitely feel more awake in the morning when using Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel. It contains a unique combination of not only the Peppermint, but Spearmint and Rosemary Oils (along with a few other skin saviors) were added into the mix as well. I use a dime sized amount of the gel and gently rub over my face and neck in the shower. It is a very smooth feeling gel that lathers up gently, while it instantly energizes my skin. Not only does my face feel revived immediately, there is a lasting coolness that lingers on my skin. I love how both my senses are uplifted and my skin looks and feels awake, with just the freshest feeling.

My skin never feels dry or tight when using either. Don't you hate it when you feel like you have to slather moisturizer on immediately after cleansing? That is why Renée made this cleanser (like the rest of the cleansers in her line) soap, sulfate, and paraben free. It does lather up a bit, so you definitely get that squeaky clean feeling, but skin is never stripped of essential hydration as those harsh ingredients are indeed left out.

I am not the only one loving Luxe Mint. Renée has heard from a few of her celebrity clients who are loving it too. Just to name a few, fans include Dancing with the Stars alum and star of the new reality show, When Harry Met Lisa, Lisa Rinna; Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson; and American Idol's Kara DioGuardi.

The only people who should not use this product are those who suffer from a lot of redness in their skin or from rosacea. Also, be careful when working the cleanser around the eye area, as it is refreshing, but strong.

I hope I have you intrigued! I know you want to try this cleanser out for yourself and experience an awakening of your skin too. I really am loving this Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, and really want you to try it too, so Renée has so generously offered up a special discount for my readers. All you have to do is shop online at Renee Rouleau's website and use the promo code MAKEUP to receive $5 off the regular cleanser price of $35.50, from May 25-31, 2010. If you do buy it, let me know what you think, though I know you will love it.

*Press sample of the product featured was provided by brand or brand representative for editorial consideration.