Philosophy Beauty Products

© Catherine Solmes
Jun 27, 2008

Philosophy cosmetics blends science and fun for a unique line of highly effective skincare and beauty products that enhance your life as well as your appearance.
Adored by Oprah Winfrey, long-standing cosmetics company Philosophy has the medical background, the word-of-mouth buzz and inspirational lifestyle philosophy behind it.
The History of Philosophy

The Philosophy cosmetics story begins with the medically-based skincare company Bio-Medic, founded by Cristina Carlino. A high-tech, frill-less skincare line specifically designed for distribution by cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists, Bio-Medic was intended for the intensely sensitive/cosmetically damaged skin of their patients.
The move to a less-specialized market was made when Carlino founded Philosophy. Using the research of Bio-Medic, Philosophy cosmetics has years of revolutionary formulations and ingredients behind it.

Today, the brand is sold at Sephora, department stores such as Bloomingdales and Macy's in the US and smaller specialty boutiques as well as on QVC. The product line runs the gamut from serious skin care products such as facial peels and serums to fun, colourful shower gels and "un-make-up" make-up.

Philosophy's Packaging
Simple and effective is the idea behind the product packaging as well at the brand. Frosted or clear plastic bottles hold the colourful shower gels, cleansers, scrubs and skincare and small glass bottles hold the fragrances.

Each container is decorated with inspirational messages such as this one, found on their popular facial moisturizer Hope In a Jar: "Philosophy: Where there is hope there can be faith. Where there is faith miracles can occur." or on their deep conditioning hair mask Shear Splendour: "Philosophy: Begin to define shear splendour in the simplest of terms. Ask yourself is this a choice that is good for my soul? By doing so the splendour of life and living become yours."

Philosophy's Skincare
The idea behind Philosophy's skincare is that the best make-up is no make-up. Using extensive medical knowledge, the Philosophy skincare line is designed to give you the best possible complexion and ideally to make make-up optional.

Easily their most famous skincare product is the Hope line of facial moisturizers. Chockfull of rich antioxidants, the original Hope In a Jar facial moisturizer for all skin types is designed to smooth, hydrate and even skintone while giving the skin a natural rosy, youthful glow. There is also the Hope In a Bottle moisturizer that contains salicylic acid (a deeply exfoliating agent that helps to clear acne, clogged pores and soften fine lines) and the restorative and protective When Hope Is Not Enough moisturizer for dehydrated skin.

Another noted and bestselling skincare product is Philosophy's Purity Made Simple, a 4-in-1 gentle but effective facial cleanser that removes eye make-up, cleanses, tones and lightly hydrates the skin all in one step.

Philosophy's Shower Gels
In something of a contrast to the serious effectivity of the skincare lines, sit the brightly coloured and deliciously fragranced Philosophy shower gels. Designed as a guilt-free way to indulge in treats we're told not to, the 3-in-1 gels work as a shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath, and come in scents such as Cinnamon Bun, Frozen Lemon Custard, Pumpkin Pie, Senorita Margarita and Powdered Sugar Cookie.
And just to go one step further, each bottle is printed with a recipe for the treat the shower gel is named for.

Philosophy's Fragrances
In line with their simple and clean branding, Philosophy's offers three fragrances: the best-seller Amazing Grace, Inner Grace and Pure Grace - each soft, feminine and clean-smelling.

Philosophy's Make-Up
While they tout their skincare line as giving you skin that doesn't need make-up, Philosophy also carried a line of "Un-make-up Make-Up" called The Supernatural. They offer Airbrushed Canvas, a powdered mineral foundation that gives your skin a soft, glowing, airbrushed quality, The Supernatural Lipgloss, a richly tinted, minty, moisturizing gloss that looks soft and natural and their best-selling lip plumper Big Mouth.

The copyright of the article Philosophy Beauty Products in Beauty Products is owned by Catherine Solmes. Permission to republish Philosophy Beauty Products in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Hair Care Product: Kerastase

by Maclyn Zaportiza

One of the highly recommended hair care products nowadays are Kerastase products. Kerastase hair care products are for the after care and maintenance of the hair. Hair conditioners, hair shampoos, hair treatments, hair leave in, hair masque, styling mousse and hair serums are some of the hair care products that Kerastase offers.

Here are some

Kerastase products with descriptions:
Conditioner for Kerastase includes Lait Vital Protein- Care for Dry and Sensitized Hair and Volumactic Soin Vitaliseur Conditioner. Lait Vital Protein treats and enriches sensitized and dry hair without heaviness making hair silkier and shinier. Volumactive Soin Vitaliseur gives strength to fine hair without heaviness.

Kerastase also have hair treatment products such as Masquintense, Aqua -Oleum Nourishing Recharge With An Instant and Long Lasting Effect , Ciment Anti Usure (Resistance), Crème-Richesse Intensive Repair Treatment , Forcintense Progressive Reconstruction Programmed and Masquintense Epais. Masquintense nurtures and treat very dry or fine hair, Aqua -Oleum Nourishing Recharge with an Instant and Long Lasting Effect changes your hair making it soft and silky by penetrating and nourishing the hair shaft with a long lasting effect. Ciment Anti Usure(Resistance) is a treatment for damaged hairs with split ends, after using this product hair could be easily untangled because it smoothes and nourishes the hair. Crème-Richesse Intensive Repair Treatment contains Phytodefense System that deeply repairs hair that is exposed under the heat of the sun, oceans or beaches or chlorinated water. Forcintense Progressive Reconstruction Programme is for hair that is very weak. Using Forcintense Programme restores the hair's health for lasting strength.

Another great Kerastase product is the Leave In formula which is called Substance Constructive; it is a leave in treatment for chemically weakened hair that instantly improve hair's resistance to breakage.

Masque Oleo-Relax, is a nutritional hair masque that easily detangles hair, making the hair silky and smooth. Styling Mousse comes in two forms, Emulsion Nutri-Instantanee, a leave on foam which nourishes dry or sensitive hair and Nutri-Body Volumizing Treatment is a mousse that gives body to dry and fine hair.

Oleo-Relax Ultimate Controlling Elixir, Serum Nutri-Instante and Serum Oleo Relax are Kerastase hair serums. Oleo-Relax Ultimate Controlling Elixir is for dry, unmanageable and untamed hair. This hair must be applied on towel-dried hair. Serum Nutri-Instante is a Silicone treatment for damaged hair that also eliminates frizz. Serum Oleo Relax a protection against frizz which is long lasting with a smooth-shine finish.

Shampoos such as Bain Après Soleil, Bain De Force Shampoo, Bain Oleo Relax Shampoo, Bain Prevention, Bain Satin1 Shampoo, Bain Satin 2 Shampoo, Bain Satin 3 Shampoo, and Bain Volume active are products from

Kerastase.
Without a doubt, with these products, beautiful, shiny and healthy hair is just within your reach. Remember though that these products are here to reinforce the maintenance of your hair, you should also have proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to achieve the kind of hair that you want.
*** Product Ranges ***
Biotic - for keeping the scalp healthy
Nutrients - new range of dietary supplements
Nutritive - for normal to very dry hair
Resistance - for weakened, damaged hair
Reflection - for color-treated hair
Specifique - for scalp concerns (not available in the US)
Soleil - for sun-exposed hair
Dermo-calm - for sensitive or stressed scalps
Noctogenist - night treatment for hair

When you lose your hair

Hormonal disorders, under nutrition, taking some kinds of medicine, stress are just a few reasons which can cause thinning and hair loss.

Extensive falling out of hair is one of the most common causes of consulting a dermatologist by men and often by women these days.

Often there is no reason to be anxious and, in fact, there is no need to panic. You should be concerned about your hair loss only if you lose more than 100 hairs a day.

Why do we lose our hair?

There are various factors responsible for our hair loss.

• The mechanical reason for losing one’s hair is, for example, the hair style, like: a pony tail or a bob. Such hairstyles make the hair to be pressed too much. In such cases you should simply consider changing your hairstyle. If you change it early enough, your hair will grow up again completely. However, if you wait for too long, your hair loss may remain because of the disappearance of your hair follicles.
• Falling out of hair happens also for various toxic reasons, mainly if a body gets intoxicated with arsenic (As), thallium (Tl) or mercury ((Hg). In case of talasemia there are some characteristic changes in the hair structure which can be observed under the microscope. Alopecia development appears about two weeks after taking the toxin in, and eventually hair loss is almost complete. However hair usually grows again within following six to eight weeks. In cases of body intoxication, first of all a patient is given an antidote to save his/her life.
• Exceeding hair loss during and after contagious diseases is caused mainly by high body temperature and, in addition, some toxic factors and food deficiency which may appear a disease is developing. Exceeding hair loss would usually appear between 2 and 4 month after the fever is gone. Hair grows back on its own accord. As body reinforcement, some vitamins and minerals are also given to patients. People who suffer from syphilis also deal with hair loss, which may be extensive or rather focal in its character. Of course, this type of disease needs specific kind of treatment which helps in growing hair again, too.
• Systemic illnesses which cause baldness are, for example, lupus erythematosus, but also hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The treatment of hair loss in such cases is strictly connected with the treatment of the basic illness.
• Drug-induced baldness is caused by, for instance, cytostatics and immunosuppressants which are used in not only treating chronic cancer cases but also in dermatology in dealing with such illnesses as: difficult cases of psoriasis, systemic collagenosis or pemphigus. Hair loss is likely to appear in about third week after the drug is given. After we stop giving the medicine, and in some cases, in spite of further giving it to a patient, hair grows back again. Hair loss may be also caused by taking antithyroid drugs, anticoagulants and contraceptives. When we take contraceptives, however, the hair growth is never fully stopped.
• Hair loss is also connected with some skin diseases and scalp diseases. For example, in mycosis baldness would usually appear in the type of hairless inflammatory focus (es). The treatment in such cases means giving the patient oral and local antimycotic remedies.

Baldness of women
Women can suffer from two characteristic types of baldness: female androgenic alopecia, which is quite rare and appears mainly after menopause, and progressing baldness.
Androgenic alopecia is conditioned with both hiperandrogenism, i.e. higher level of androgens, and genetic condition. Hair loss takes place usually at the forehead ankles and on the top of a head. It is often accompanied by the saturation with fat of a scalp. When hiperandrogenism has been diagnosed, it is necessary to continue the diagnosis and to follow the endocrynological treatment.

In other cases, it is supposed that hair follicles may become oversensitive to the normal level of androgens in a body. This type of "oversensitivity" may be connected with uncongenial factors, e.g. genes. Some contraceptives of estrogenic or antiandrogenic action may be taken in (e.g. Diane 35). For external use one should take tablets with estrogens, for example Alpicort E, and Loxon or Regaine, which help to cure baldness of men. Any medicine, for oral and external use, should be taken under the strict control of a dermatologist. If you have seborrhoea diagnosed, you may try out on your own accord Seboren or seboradin which lower the production of tallot.

Extended form of alopecia may be a symptom of various diseases, for instance the lowered level of iron in the blood serum, which sometimes appears with no symptoms of anaemia, or neuroses, or hormonal disorders. Those women, who have genetic predisposition for growing bald, may find out that some detergents in many hair cosmetics such as: hair sprays, shampoos or paints can provoke the hair loss. This chronic illness often causes the feeling of a scalp tension.

Extensive alopecia treatment of women must start from excluding all other possible diseases. Then you may try to use contraceptives as in the case of androgenic alopecia. If there is some stress in the scalp’s skin, the patient may be given larger doses of vitamin E. Some drugs with sterydes like, Alpicort or Neril lotion may be used in certain parts of a scalp. In all cases one should stop getting one’s hair waved or dyed. For washing one’s hair one should use only very mild shampoos without any dyes or fragrances, for instance Freederm PH Balance.

Each case of alopecia should be carefully examined by a dermatologist and other specialists in order to decide on the best treatment. It is also important to remember that re-growth of hair may take 2 to 3 months because of the specific cycle of hair growth.

Do you know that…?
Epilation of hair, both chemical and mechanical, causes only the change of the stage the hair is in, i.e. moves from the phase of resting to the phase of growth.
Cutting hair has got no influence on the hair growth.
Trichotillomania, the pulling out of one’s hair is the psychopathic symptom and it is characteristic only for neurotic children.

After-birth alopecia
In pregnancy the secretion of estrogens gets higher which stops falling out of hair. After the childbirth the level of these hormones gets lower. This, and the labour itself, causes that many hair bulb go to the catagen phase. Extensive alopecia may thus occur between 11th and 16th week after the childbirth. Yet, the hair grows again within the following six months with no treatment whatsoever.
Destructive factors
Falling out of hair may become extensive due to some hormonal disorders, e.g. dysadrenocorticism or malfunctions of: thyroid, hypophysis or sexual glands. Hair loss is also caused by under nutrition, and some amino acids and some deficiencies of metals, like zinc or iron.
There are types of hair loss which may cause stress and some psychic disorders. Another damaging factor is ionizing radiation. The high dose of this radiation, i.e. 350 R, results in the total hair loss after several days. Hair will grow again, however, after six weeks. The dose which causes permanent hair loss is 1500 R.
Other damaging factors, for instance, hair paints or hair lotions for permanent etc., they usually damage the part of a hair which grows out of the hair bulb and not a hair bulb itself.
Alopecia areata
It usually happens to men and children, but occasionally it also occurs to women. In this type of alopecia, there are a few hairless areas around a scalp. The cause of this has not yet been found. The probable explanation is that this disease has got auto immunological or genetical source. Treatment must be taken under the full doctor’s guidance and lasts for many months.

Hair Straighteners - Top 10 Review

There are many different ways to create the sleek, shiny look of pin straight hair. Here is a review of the top ten methods of straightening hair, in no particular order.

1. Shampoo and Conditioner: There are many shampoos and conditioners on the market today to help encourage your hair to straighten, but most need to be used in conjunction with another product. Be sure to look for products that can help protect your hair from the heat of blow drying or ironing, and choose a very good conditioner.

2. Silicone Serum: Adding a touch of silicone serum will give your hair extra shine, but be careful, as a little bit goes a long way.

3. Blow Dry Straight: Blowing drying is an effective way to straighten your hair, but it must be used with a protective product and you should use a weekly conditioning treatment to keep your hair healthy. Remember that heat is not as important as a good strong air flow.
4. Ion Conditioning Blow Dryers: A new concept in blow drying hair, these blow dryers send negative ions to the hair, replacing moisture and protecting the hair, while also cutting down drying time.

5. Straightening balm: Usually used in conjunction with blow drying or ironing, a straightening balm can help cut down on frizz, especially in humid weather, and protect dry hair.

6. Chemical Straighteners: Chemical straighteners should always be applied by a professional, as everyone’s hair is different. The good news is that chemical straighteners can keep the hair straight for up to six months, but the hair needs a great deal of conditioning, blow dryers should be used sparingly, and adding color could damage the hair.

7. Thermal Reconditioning: This new procedure, which was developed in Japan, is a permanent way to straighten hair, and is good for all types of hair. The downside is that it takes a very long time and can be very expensive.

Finally, we’ll take a look at three different kinds of straightening irons:

Ceramic Hair Straighteners: Hair irons that have ceramic plates have extremely smooth surfaces, usually have no edges that will catch the hair, and heat up very quickly, in around thirty seconds.

Titanium Hair Straighteners: Hair irons with titanium plates infuse the hair with negative ions which help protect the hair and helps prevent colored hair from fading.

Steam Hair Straighteners: Steam is an effective way to straighten hair, but beware of badly made products that will eventually break down or cause hot water to spill on you as you iron your hair.