If Elephants Can...So Can YOU!

Even Elephants do their assigned stretches/ball exercises! If an Elephant can do it, YOU can do it! Set up your appointment today and learn how you can maintain your massage results even longer with AT HOME techniques!

Just So You Know...

Happy Monday everyone! I know it's not so happy when you begin the work week, but I think so...b/c that means I'm looking forward to seeing many of you! I will be scheduling appointments all day today, grab yours before it's gone! ♥

Words of Wisdom

I truly do LOVE watching each and every one of you live a life of good health, and I'm certainly always happy to be a part of it! Keep up the good work y'all! :)

Top 7 Lies Your Makeup Label is Telling You

I came across this article while doing some BeautiControl Research...it can be found at this link Click Here.  I asked Gary for his personal opinion since he's the expert here!  I wanted to know how BC matched up to this article and boy did I get my answer!  I thought I was right, but not quite sure.  This is excellent information for anyone out there concerned about what they are putting on.  My whole view of skincare and cosmetics has been drastically enhanced with BeautiControl.  I can say with confidence that I back these products 100% and have seen amazing results!  Personally and with those I've seen these products work their magic on!  See Gary's expert review on this article below.  And don't be fooled by your makeup label any longer!  

Ashlee, Please see below for my answers.

I hope this helps.

Top 7 Lies Your Makeup Label is Telling You

"Oil free!"

"Natural!"

"Long-lasting!"

Chances are you've seen these phrases on makeup labels — and maybe you've been persuaded to buy something because of these claims. Unfortunately, most of them don't mean a whole lot — and even the ones that are technically accurate can still be misleading.

That's partly because the FDA does not regulate what goes into cosmetics. And while there are guidelines for labeling, there's no review process in place. So it's our responsibility to see through the label lingo and understand what we're putting on our faces.

Actually, this is not an accurate statement.  The FDA does regulate every ingredient that is used in cosmetic formulations, as well as have strict labeling laws and claim substantiation requirements.  They do not, however, test and approve the final formulation. 

We talked to experts — from dermatologists to manufacturers — to find out what we really need to know when reading a makeup label. Here, we're decoding what the claims on makeup labels mean to make it easier to understand what you're really putting on your face.

Nobody really needs 'oil-free' Most people who are prone to breakouts are adamant about only wearing oil-free foundation and concealer because they think oil will make their breakouts worse. And now many beauty companies are making oil-free versions of just about everything — even blush and eyeshadow — to appeal to these women. However, most dermatologists agree that having "oil-free" emblazoned on the label is mostly a marketing trick.

I agree.  In most cases, the skin will benefit from the addition of oil, even if they have oily skin; however, many prefer to have oil-free options to choose from.

In fact, if you turn over your bottle of oil-free makeup, you may very well find oils on the list of ingredients. Companies substitute synthetic oils for natural versions in order to call the product oil-free -— and the irony is many of the synthetic oils are actually more likely to irritate your face.

This is a very misleading statement.  In the absence of oil, cosmetic formulators must substitute an ingredient to provide lubricity to the formula.  Silicones are typically used due to the fact that they give the formula a nice slip, but they also help to control oil breakthrough and have a soft and powdery dry-dpwn.  This statement makes it sounds as if companies use these ingredients as a deceptive measure, when in fact, silicones are often the first choice to use due to the finish that it leaves on the skin.  I don’t think it is fair to call these ingredients “synthetic oils”.  Oils are oils and silicones are silicones.  An informed consumer would be able to recognize the difference.

"The key is looking for the word 'noncomedogenic' or 'nonacnegenic' on the label," explains Washington D.C. dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi. These terms indicate that the product will neither clog pores nor cause zits. While acne sufferers tend to avoid all oils, Tanzi stresses there are certain oils that are actually beneficial. Tea tree oil kills bacteria, and lavender oil is an antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties.

Just because you see SPF doesn't mean you're safe
It's fantastic that so many companies are adding sunscreen to makeup — we can all benefit from more daily SPF. But there are two very different kinds of sunscreen ingredients —chemical and physical — that work in opposite ways. Physical sunblock acts as a barrier on your skin to reflect UV rays. Meanwhile, chemical ingredients absorb UV rays and create skin-damaging free radicals.

"I'm a big advocate of physical sunscreens," says Tanzi. "My number one choice is zinc oxide, followed by titanium dioxide." If you're prone to breakouts, titanium dioxide may make them worse, but zinc oxide is an excellent choice.

Even if your makeup contains zinc oxide, you shouldn't rely on it as your only form of sun protection. Dermatologists recommend applying a teaspoon of SPF 30 or higher to your face — and no one should be wearing that much foundation. The ultimate regimen is an antioxidantserum, followed by a teaspoon of sunscreen, and then your makeup.

I agree with this.  SPF in your color cosmetics are never a substitute for an SPF in your skin care regimen.

'Natural' means nothing
Of all the confusion in the beauty aisle, organic and natural products might be the worst offenders. "FDA requirements say you only have to use 20 percent natural ingredients to say that a product is natural," says Tyler Hanson, founder of Mineral Hygienics. "So the other 80 percent? Who knows?" If it's important to you that your makeup is truly organic, make sure the label specifies that the contents are "USDA-certified organic." And research the products through organizations like the Natural Products Association and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

You may also want to consider whether or not natural is the best thing for your skin. "Just because something is organic or natural doesn't mean it won't irritate your skin," says Tanzi. "Lemon and orange oil are two of the most common irritants found in beauty products -- and that's true even if they're organic." If you have allergies, always do a patch test on the inside of your wrist before slathering an organic cream on your skin.

I agree 100%.  If a consumer is adamant about using products that have a “natural” positioning, they should have a clear understanding of exactly what they are using and the regulations surrounding these claims.

'Anti-aging' ingredients don't really work
So many makeup products are now calling out skin care benefits — like anti-aging and anti-acne — on their packaging. Unfortunately, smoothing wrinkles isn't as simple as adding a fine-line-fighting ingredient to a foundation.

"You can get anti-acne benefits from makeup that contains salicylic acid," says Tanzi. "But anti-aging ingredients? Not so much. And you're better off saving your anti-aging for nighttime anyway." (Many anti-aging ingredients are photosensitive and break down in sunlight.) While Tanzi recommends using makeup with built-in SPF to supplement your sunblock, she says that antioxidants in makeup aren't going to be particularly effective. "They're better delivered through a serum worn underneath your moisturizer," she says.

It is true that anti-aging ingredients in color cosmetics is often wasted, depending on the ingredient.  Like SPF, anti-aging ingredients in color cosmetics should be seen as a supplement, not a substitute for anti-aging ingredients in a person’s daily regimen.

The statement “anti-aging ingredients don’t work”, is just not true.  There are many ingredients that are best to use in the daytime and many that are strictly used at night.  Anti-aging ingredients include SPF ingredients, anti-oxidants, skin recovery ingredients, anti-inflammatory ingredients, collagen and elastin stimulators as well has skin hydration ingredients.  Products used in the day should protect against UV and oxidative damage, strengthen the dermal matrix with collagen and elastin stimulating ingredients and maintain skin hydration.  At night, you need products that speed cellular renewal, provide ingredients to help the skin recover from daily environmental exposure by reducing cellular inflammation and UV assaults.  There is a huge difference between daytime and night time ingredient requirements.

Fragrance-free products may contain fragrances
If you don't like strong smells, fragrance-free is a great option for you. However, if you're buying fragrance-free products because you're allergic or sensitive to fragrances, you may still end up with a reaction. "A lot of companies add masking fragrances to cover the scent of other ingredients — and the FDA doesn't require that these masking fragrances be included on the ingredient list," says Laura Verallo de Bertotto, CEO of VMV Hypoallergenics. While the term hypoallergenic means that a product has only a small chance of causing an allergic reaction, if you're prone to reacting you should always do a patch test when trying something new.

While the FDA does not require “incidental” ingredients be added to the ingredient listing.  This would include each and every component of a raw material.  For instance, let’s use almond oil as an example…most companies would list “almond oil” on the ingredient listing when in fact the ingredient is made up of almond oil, citric acid, phenoxyethynol, etc.  Every ingredient has its own stabilizer and preservative system.  These are considered “incidentals”, and while by law there is not a requirement to list them, by practice we choose to list every component of every ingredient, including incidentals to help the consumer be better informed.

Long-wearing is not the same as waterproof
There's something so enticing about makeup that makes claims like it lasts for "24 hours." We're all busy — who wouldn't want makeup that could survive every obstacle we might face during the day? However, if you plan to jump in the pool while wearing your long-lasting makeup, know that it will be dripping down your face when you get out. These formulations are not the same as waterproof — but they're perfect for someone whose eyeliner tends to be smudged by lunchtime.

This is true, but again, I don’t think this is a “lie” as much as a lack of understanding from the consumer.  There is a clear difference between long-wearing and waterproof. 

'Dermatologist tested' doesn't mean dermatologist endorsed
Just because a dermatologist tested a product doesn't mean he or she liked the product. It's a semantic trick, and the phrase is basically meaningless.

This is true, but again, I don’t think this is a “lie” as much as a lack of understanding from the consumer.  This statement is actually an incorrect generalization.  I don’t speak for every company on the market, but when we use our claims “Dermatologist, Sensitivity and Allergy Tested”, that does mean that the product was tested and approved for market by an independent laboratory that has conducted consumer use, safety, irritation, efficacy, allergy, acne, and toxicological studies.  We only bring products to market that have a zero occurrence rating during the clinical testing period.  That means none of the testing participants experienced any negative reactions as measured by a physician. 

Stay BEAUTIful,

Ashlee Brooks : Your BeautiControl Skin Care & Spa Expert!

shop my store // BeautiAshlee@gmail.com //  facebook + twitter + pinterest

Do you need help with your skincare? What is BeautiControl?

Do you have skin issues that bother you, or do you have great skin and can't believe it can be even better? Want to know why I fell in love with BeautiControl Products? Just ask! Tell me about your skin issue...and let me help correct and change your life!


BeautiYOU training-- Saturday Sept 8th from 9-3! Located at the Hilton in Innsbrook, let me know if you would like to join me! I can bring up to 3 guests with me FOR FREE!! If you are curious about BeautiControl and want to see what all the hype is about, message me and I'll register you as my guest! :) You will learn all about BC products and try many of them!

Stay BEAUTIful,

Ashlee Brooks : Your BeautiControl Skin Care & Spa Expert!

shop my store // BeautiAshlee@gmail.com //  facebook + twitter + pinterest

Today Show: Needles, Knives, or Nothing! vs. BeautiControl

http://klgh.today.com/_news/2012/04/30/11473893-todays-talk-week-of-april-30?lite if you didn't get a chance to see the Today show special on Needles, Knives, or Nothing with Kathy Lee and Hoda, you can check it out by clicking on the link here.  It is a segment on the newest plastic surgery craze called Cellulaze...it of course is a cellulite treatment!  And it doesn't look very pain free to me, it was hard for me to watch without cringing.  They also touch on spider veins, stretch marks, botox, microderm abrasion, chemical peels, and lip treatments.  Boy that's a lot of needles!  OUCH!  And guess what...they don't cover the negative side effects!

What does BeautiControl offer?  Amazing results!!  AND at a fraction of the cost without the pain or negative side effects!  Don't believe me, come try them for yourself!  I'm going to post a few product reviews and photos here.

BC Sculpt (Cellulite, Scar, Stretch Mark, Spider Vein, etc.)

Every woman wants the body she had in her 20s; however, as we age it is harder to get and maintain such perfection.  Increased size of fat cells leads to cellulite.  A reduced production of collagen and elastin leads to sagging skin.  Sun exposure and other environmental factors can lead to fine lines and wrinkles on the decolletage and bust.  While prevention is the best remedy, not everyone can steer clear of the hands of time.

BeautiControl now offers two new products to help treat the appearance of cellulite and firm sagging skin… Introducing BC Spa Sculpt Body Sculpting Gel and Firming Body Creme.  These two products utilize the best of scientific and technological advancements as well as the holistic benefits of natural botanicals and essential oils to provide benefits beyond compare.  Both products work synergistically to bring your body back to a more youthful appearance.

Body Sculpting Gel This product helps sculpt the areas of the body that suffer from cellulite and excess fatty deposits.  Below the epidermis and dermis, there is a layer of subcutaneous fat cells, called adipocytes.  These fat cells are held together by connective tissue.  Cellulite is a result of fat cells expanding in non-elastic connective tissues.  Cellulite affects both men and women (however, it is more common in women) and those who are thin or overweight. 

Cellulite can be caused by numerous factors, like hormones, age, genetics, poor circulation, poor diet and lack of exercise.  There are a variety of treatments offered at spas, ranging from liposuction to laser therapy to lymphatic massage. 

Body Sculpting Gel is an alternative to medical procedures and therapies and contains a Triple Sculpting Complex that works three ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite and fatty deposits…

1. provides the optimal environment for the skin to empty excess lipids (fat) stored in the adipocytes,
2. stimulates skin’s natural ability to prevent lipid uptake into adipocytes, and
3. visibly firms, tones and reduces the appearance of sagging skin on the arms, decolletage, thighs, buttocks and abdomen.

This unique complex is combined with a delivery system, so the ingredients penetrate deeper into the epidermis where they can be most effective.  Also, the formula is lightweight and dries quickly, so you can easily layer it with the Firming Body Creme for maximum results.

Body Sculpting Gel also contains BeautiControl’s exclusive Botanical Detox Complex that has a cooling sensation and helps encourage skin to flush out toxins and protects skin from environmental aggressors.  This complex consists of caffeine, ginseng, dandelion, green tea, sea kelp and juniper berry extracts.  This botanical complex also contributes to the scent of the product.

Key Ingredients

1. Triple Sculpting Complex – a combination of a theophylline derivative, linoleic acid and palmitoyl carnitine.
2. Epidermal Delivery System that helps ingredients penetrate into the epidermis for maximum efficacy.
3. Botanical Detox Complex – a cooling blend of caffeine, ginseng, dandelion, green tea, sea kelp and juniper berry extracts.

Key Benefits

1. Reduces the appearance of cellulite and fatty deposits.
2. Visibly firms, tones and reduces the appearance of sagging skin on the arms, decolletage, thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
3. Encourages skin to flush out toxins and helps balance water levels in the skin.

Firming Body Creme This product is a moisturizing body cream packed with the same great anti-aging peptides normally found in anti-aging face creams.  These peptides help boost skin’s natural ability to produce collagen and repair skin damage that comes with age, resulting in visibly firmer, smoother-looking skin.  These peptides, combined with Coenzyme A and Bupleurum extract, make up the Triple Firming Complex found in Firming Body Creme.  Like Sculpting Body Gel, this formula contains a delivery system that carries the “active” ingredients deeper into the epidermis for maximum results.

Firming Body Creme also contains BeautiControl’s exclusive Botanical Detox Complex that has a cooling sensation and helps encourage skin to flush out toxins and protects skin from environmental aggressors.  This complex consists of caffeine, ginseng, dandelion, green tea, sea kelp and juniper berry extracts.  This botanical complex also contributes to the scent of the product.

Key Ingredients

1. Triple Firming Complex – a combination of anti-aging peptides, Coenzyme A and Bupleurum extract.
2. Epidermal Delivery System that helps ingredients penetrate into the epidermis for maximum efficacy.
3. Botanical Detox Complex – a cooling blend of caffeine, ginseng, dandelion, green tea, sea kelp and juniper berry extracts.

Key Benefits

1. Helps boost skin’s natural production of collagen and encourages skin’s repair mechanism.
2. Visibly firms, tones and reduces the appearance of sagging skin on the arms, decolletage, thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
3. Botanical Detox Complex – a cooling blend of caffeine, ginseng, dandelion, green tea, sea kelp and juniper berry extracts.

The Set cost $70, order yours today and start using it in just a few days!

 Here the client used 2X daily for 5 days adding 30 minutes of exercise each day!  What an amazing difference!

This is without adding exercise to the 2x daily treatment

No exercise was added to this treatment 2x daily for just 7 days!

Botox Be Gone!  Introducing....

BeautiControl's Instant Facelift Treatment To The Rescue!

We all want to look as young as possible for as long as possible.  Women, and men alike are spending thousands and thousands of dollars a year to stave off the aging process with more aggressive treatments designed to lift, firm and restore a youthful appearance.  There is not a day that goes by that I don’t get a groupon, or email special advertising botox or dermal filling injections, chemical peels or microdermabrasion treatments.  You could easily spend a few thousand dollars per session for injections or $500 each for a series of Microdermabrasion or chemical peelsessions.

But I want to let you in on a secret…in fact, it may be America’s best kept secret.  BeautiControl’s instant facelift has everything you need to give you the same results without the needles, knives or expense of those more aggressive treatments.  These 4 products offer you clinical strength results, at a fraction of the price and in the convenience of your own home.  You don’t need a day spa when you have BC Spa.

BeautiControl’s Instant Facelift Treatment is more than a quick fix.  It not only helps your skin look younger, it helps your skin act younger.  With every decade of aging, our skin’s metabolism slows dramatically, which means your skin does not regenerate new cells as quickly as it did when we were younger.  The IFL treatment has everything necessary to increase the rate of cellular renewal as well as restoring the key components of youthful skin and increasing the rate that the skin produces collagen and elastin…the building blocks of youthful skin.

Your first step is BC Spa Resurface Resurfacing Peel.  This peel contains a 30% blend of alpha, poly and beta hydroxy acids that help to loosen the glue that holds dead skin cells on the skin’s surface.  Leave on the skin for a minimum of 10 minutes or longer as your skin become accustomed to the treatment.

Next, follow with BC Spa Resurface Microdermabrasion.  This treatment will offer the same results as clinical Microdermabrasion treatments because it uses the same crystals as those used by a dermatologist oresthetician to shave the skin’s surface and remove the cells that we loosened with the Resurfacing Peel.  These first two steps offer both chemical and physical exfoliation.  Exfoliation is the key to helping the skin to increase cellular renewal and restore that youthful vitality.

Next, Tight Firm and Fill Extreme offers all the benefits of botox and dermal filling injections by delivering hyaluronic filling spheres to the skin.  These special spheres are dehydrated and once absorbed by the skin, they rehydrate and swell to plump the lines and wrinkles immediately.  In addition, this product features our exclusive tri-peptide complex that not only helps to relax expression lines, but also increases the skin’s firmness by stimulating the skin’s own collagen and elastin production.  Tight Firm and Fill Extreme contains maximum levels of these ingredients to be one of the most potent and concentrated products on the market today.

Next, apply your Regeneration Tight Firm and Fill Eye Serum created exclusively to address the more expressive areas around the eyes.  Those same peptides are combined by Hyla-sponge technology to offer sustained delivery to the skin around the eyes to continuously feed the active ingredients to the skin throughout the day. 

Sound like a miracle?  Well, it is.  You have to see it to believe it. Try it on just one side of your face so you can see the dramatic before and after results. I have always said that the older I get, the younger we are all going to look!  Stick with me, kid...we are going to look good for a long time!!!  And this month it's on sale!!  Buy the IFL set this month for $163.50 regularly $218!  The set includes the chemical peel, microderm abrasion, TFF eye firming serum, TFF Face cream.

 20 minutes after treatment, can you guess which side the IFL was done.  Look at the difference in the eyes from left to right....you got it, her Right side!!

Make your results EXTREME!!

The Extreme Tri-Peptide Complex will cost you $95, and results are almost instant!

So forget about those costly needles and knives and put in your BeautiControl order today!  You wont be sorry!!

Stay BEAUTIful,

Ashlee Brooks : Your BeautiControl Skin Care & Spa Expert!

shop my store // BeautiAshlee@gmail.com //  facebook + twitter + pinterest

OH BABY! BeautiControl Has Something for YOU!

For years, BeautiControl has received requests for a Baby Care line…but you know, timing is everything. In the past, mothers were choosing more commodity brands for their baby care needs. But the times have changed. Today mothers are more aware and informed and are looking for products that are not only gentle, but contain ingredients that are proven to be safe and effective.

It only seemed natural that BeautiControl should take their expertise and know-how as it relates to product quality and efficacy and create a new generation of skin care treatments, for a new generation...

And it’s called… BC Spa for Baby 

 

The first time I tested and smelled this product, I almost went out and got a baby! Then I thought about that diaper thing and those late nights and…well, I decided that might not be the best idea.  BeautiControl has been making gentle, soothing, emollient products for Moms for years… and now, put the expertise to work for baby. The new BC Spa Baby collection includes a Gentle Hair & Body Wash, Gentle Baby Crème, a No-Rinse Wash, and this fresh, delicate oh-so-baby scent.

Gentle Hair & Body wash nurtures your baby’s delicate skin with a soothing, easy-rinse, tear-free formula… and I know “tear-free” is a HUGE plus with you Moms!  The calming scents of chamomile and lavender help relax and soothe your baby before a nap or bedtime and leave baby’s skin smelling clean and fresh. You can use this a baby shampoo – and for an all-over body wash. It’s  gentle enough to use for every bath time.

After the bath… or anytime… this BC Spa Baby Gentle Baby Crème is specially formulated for baby’s sensitive skin, hypoallergenic and dermatologist, sensitivity and allergy tested. It’s not greasy at all and leaves your little one smelling clean, fresh and cuddly.

Now I know NOBODY likes a sticky baby… least of all me. But this BC Spa for Baby No-Rinse Wash is a perfect on-the-go solution! The self-foaming formula allows you to clean baby’s hair or skin without using water – and of course it’s perfect for baby’s sensitive skin. No more crying over spilled milk. But the greatest thing about this product is that it’s not just for babies…in fact, I have one of these at my office, at home and in my car.

Now, what about a Baby Cologne? If it’s the soothing scents of pure lavender and chamomile, YES!  This light, alcohol-free formula is calming as well as irresistible for those who love the way babies smell, and a must have after a diaper change.

I don’t know about you – but there’s always someone in my life who’s about to be a Mom, an Uncle, an Aunt – a grandparent. And I am always getting invited to baby showers. I am always running around trying to find something unique for friends who are expecting babies.  The search is over.  BC Spa Baby is the perfect gift. It’s beautifully packaged – and it’s all a new Mom needs to welcome baby home.

It’s a new generation for a new generation! BC Spa Baby.

Stay BEAUTIful,

Ashlee Brooks : Your BeautiControl Skin Care & Spa Expert!

shop my store // BeautiAshlee@gmail.com //  facebook + twitter + pinterest