A not so basic “basic”!

Review: Marika Magic Slimming Capri Legging ($55), available in S-M-L-XL.

When it comes to my workout gear I’m not one to hop on the latest trends–I usually stick with basics. I recently had the opportunity to try these slimming workout pants and am thrilled they’re now part of my wardrobe! They’re made from a cotton/spandex blend for comfort, support and control and they  definitely flatter in all the right places. My thighs looked slimmer, my butt looked higher and best of all I had more energy during my workout. I’m not sure what to attribute that to, maybe the extra confidence I felt knowing I looked good in these pants.

They’re basic enough to be mixed and matched with any top, have contour seaming to sculpt, power mesh lining along the thigh area, a 4 inch flat waistband and a Coolmax gusset. I love the capri but longer pants are also available in a straight leg and boot leg cut. Marika’s Executive VP/General Manager, Carrie Henley says, “from the moment they are worn, women find instant confidence knowing that they are wearing the most flattering product in the marketplace.” I couldn’t agree more!

The Marika Magic Slimming Capri Legging is available at marika.com

http://www.marika.com/productinfo_item_1686-dc_500-md_-pd_-sn_1.htm

**The Beauty Wall readers get 30% off entire marika.com purchase with the code MM30. Good through August 31, 2014

Full Disclosure: I was given a review sample for consideration. As a reminder, please note that when I receive samples to consider, I only write about the ones I love…and I do love Marika’s Magic Pants.

xoxoNancy

 

 

Got 5 minutes?

For those days when you’re feeling lazy, it’s nice to know that you can still get in a mini workout that has mega benefits on your health. Apparently, running just 5 minutes a day can have significant benefits and help you live a longer, healthier life.

Click here to read full article.

 

(photography courtesy of pinterest)

Nationwide Model Search and Giveaway

Calling all male and female wannabe models…have you got what it takes?

If you’ve got great hair and great style you could be the next L.A. Looks® model! All you have to do is be a fan of L.A. Looks Facebook page and  submit a photo with your best “L.A. Look. All 18 and older male and female fans will get the chance to win a trip to L.A. for a professional photo shoot and a surprise VIP experience, including airfare, L.A. car rental, hotel and even a trip stipend.

Plus, The Beauty Wall readers will get a chance to win a basket full of L.A. Looks® products. The basket contains L.A. Looks Absolute Curls, L.A. Looks Volcanic Rush Glue Gel, L.A. Looks Mega Mega Hold gel and L.A. Looks Define & Shine gel.

To enter to be a model, simply click here and like L.A. Looks Facebook page. Also, submit a hair shot of yourself (your personal L.A. Look). The deadline for this is 9/6/14. *

To enter to win the basket of L.A. Looks® products, simply leave a message on this post or leave a message on my Facebook Wall. One winner will be randomly selected. The deadline for this is 7/25/14.

*Model search entries will be judged on originality, creativity, quality of photo and overall appeal. Using these criteria, the judges will select 10 women and men for the finalist stage. Starting on Sept. 22, 2014, L.A. Looks will ask its fans to vote and determine who the two grand-prize winners will be, with the winner announcement to be made later in the fall. The model search will be promoted on product packaging, social media and the website.

GOOD LUCK!!! xoxoNancy

Road Tested: Ultherapy / Dr. Jacono Reviews

We all have our bad beauty days–you wake up and regret the salty food you ate the day before or the extra-late night or the second cocktail. But you get through the day, get some extra shut-eye, eat lots of fruit and veggies and within a day or two your eyes are bright again and your skin glows. Lately though, I’d been noticing it took me a little longer to bounce back and my skin wasn’t as taut as I remembered. I couldn’t blame it on anything but age. My less-than-tight jawline was all I could see when I looked in the mirror and I was hoping there was a solution to reverse this downward shift, short of cosmetic surgery.

I’d heard about Ultherapy and thought it might be just what I was looking for but there were conflicting reports–some people seemed to love their results and others couldn’t even see a difference. Said to improve loose, sagging skin in the face and neck in a significant but completely non-surgical way, Ultherapy is a non-invasive, no-downtime, anti-aging, in-office procedure that uses focused ultrasound waves to bypass the skin’s surface and heat the deep layers of skin tissue, stimulating collagen production for subtle yet visible tightening (the best candidates can expect about a 30% improvement).

I made an appointment with world renowned Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono at his NYC office. He explained how the loss of volume in my lower face was contributing to my less than taut jawline. Though everyone is not an ideal candidate for Ultherapy (possibly the reason for the mixed reviews) he  accessed my skin and assured me great results. Apparently, those with a fair-ish, on-the-dry side, thinner-skinned complexions will get better results than those with oily, thicker skin. Since it’s hard for people to determine this on their own, speak to your doctor about your skin type and whether you’re a good candidate for it as well.

Before my treatment I took some Advil to make it a bit easier to handle. Through an imaging window (that looks very much like a computer) Dr. Jacono looked below my skin to determine which specific areas needed the most energy to jumpstart new collagen growth. He marked up my skin like a roadmap (see my before picture) so that Joyce, his Laser Technician/Aesthetician would know the precise locations and depths to direct the energy. I had to stay very still as Joyce used the hand-held transducer  to zap me a few times in each area Dr. J had marked. The whole procedure took about 60 minutes.

It can be uncomfortable at times (especially around the bonier areas), but Joyce was calming and patient as she got the job done. She didn’t even bat an eye when I found that the lamaze breathing I learned many years ago was helping me get through it. In fact, once I started doing the breathing techniques it was quite easy to handle. The second the treatment was over any discomfort was all but forgotten.

Afterwards, I had almost no redness and was able to go about my day as if I hadn’t done anything. I went to a work event and even met a friend for dinner. Over the next week or so I did experience some mild tenderness that almost felt like what a sunburn or mild bruise feels like even though there weren’t any visible marks on my skin. I was actually happy for it since I knew it meant it was working.

Ultherapy prices vary from office to office but it costs approximately $2000 – $6000 depending on the area(s) being treated and the doctor or technician’s expertise. Though it’s non-invasive with no downtime whatsoever, don’t count on a spa-like experience. Basically, Ultherapy heats small, targeted amounts of soft tissue below the surface of the skin to the point that it contracts and the body starts creating new collagen. It’s tricky because the right amount of heat needs to be delivered to the right depths of tissue, without injuring the surface of the skin.Re-building collagen takes time and I was informed that results can take 2-3 months to appear and many clients experience continued gradual lifting and firming for up to 6 months afterwards. My after  photo is taken just 2 months post-treatment and you can already see a more defined jawline, so I’m excited to see this through to the 6 month mark. Though the results aren’t as dramatic as they’d be with surgery, I’m quite pleased. I actually prefer maintenance types of treatments like this that no one will ever mistake for surgery. You’ll look like yourself, but you on your best day all the time.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive, anti-aging treatment with no downtime that can put off (or put an end to) the need for surgery Ultherapy has got what it takes. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

 

 

Add a Pop of Color!

Product Review: Laura Geller Love Me Dew Moisturizing Lip Crayon, $16 at laurageller.com

For someone who doesn’t wear a lot of lipstick, I’m crazy about my new Laura Geller Lip Crayon. I’m loving it in Purple Currant but it also comes in shades of pink, cranberry, plum, orange, coral and more.

Laura Geller Love Me Dew Moisturizing Lip Crayon is the perfect blend of balm, color and shine. It leaves my lips super-moisturized and it never feels tacky.

Since the bright, bold lip trend is going nowhere I keep it in my bag at all times–whenever I need to look good, out it comes and on it goes!

 

(photography courtesy of laurageller.com)

Go Faux!

Everyone loves sun kissed skin, but for the safest route you’ll want to forego an actual suntan and go faux instead. Click here to check out my latest story for Beauty in the Bag. It’s chock full of pro tips and product recommendations to help you get golden. xoxoNancy

 

(featured image courtesy of pinterest)

Summer Must-Have: The Tunic

I don’t know about you, but every summer I live in tunics…and this summer is no exception. They muti-task over cutoffs, jeans, swimsuits and depending on the length can even be worn as a dress. Ahhhhh…what summer dressing all about!

Here, what I’m coveting right now:

Enza Linen Striped Tunic Tank, $69 at calypsostbarth.com

Lem Lem Striped V-Neck Tunick, $200 at barneys.com

Lilla Stripe Tunic, $240 at shoplatitude.com