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As seen on TV products tend to be the worst of the lot, which is too bad because, the truth is some these products actually work well. The trick is weeding out the poor ones to get to the good ones. I’ve taken on that task in an effort to help you – - the consumer – - consume your retail dollars well. I’ve expanded my focus to also cover products sold by television retailers like Home Shopping Network and QVC.

All of the products listed here have been tried by myself and/or my husband, by my daughter and/or her husband as well as other family members and friends. Therefore, the opinions here are not mine alone.

Magic Bullet. I go on record as saying that I not only like this product, I absolutely love it as does my husband, my son-in-law, and a number of my friends. The secret of the bullet is its specially designed blade and unique bullet-shape that automatically circulates food back into the cutting zone with enough force and speed that it can do virtually any job in 10 seconds or less.

There are no buttons to press and no complicated manuals to read. You simply load the ingredients into the cup of your choice, twist on the appropriate blade, line up the tabs on the power base, and press down on the cup to turn it on. To stop, all you have to do is let go.

In the hands-free position the motor runs continually until you twist the cup back counterclockwise and release. This mode is useful for blending foods until they achieve a calm consistency, making it perfect for preparing creamy dishes like chocolate mouse or fruit smoothies.

The pulsing technique is outmoded for chunky, textured dishes like guacamole, egg salad or bean dip.

The Magic Bullet comes with:

• a high torque power base,
• two blades (wicked and flat),
• one tall and one short bullet cup,
• shaker/steamer tops,
• stay fresh, resealable lids,
• four party mugs with color comfort lip lids,
• a classic blender,
• the juice extractor kit, and
• a 10-second recipe book.

For its cost, which ranges between $49.99 and $59.99, the bullet is worth every penny. I use mine to reduce onions, blend omelets and home-made soups, do delicious shakes and considerable more. It’s the one appliance I could now never do without. Therefore, I give this one two thumbs way up.

Suzanne Somers Oven. When my husband and I moved from our home into a smaller apartment, we looked for ways to compact our appliances. We loved our convection oven as well as our Showtime Grill and didn’t want to give up either appliance. However, the reality of it was that we didn’t have room for both. Luckily about the same time, Suzanne Somers came out with a new product that fit all of our needs into a single appliance.

The Suzanne oven, as we call it, bakes, broils, and convection cooks and doubles as a rotisserie. It is fairly compact, measuring 18″ by 13″ by 12,” and comes in appliance white. The oven comes with the insert grill which can be raised or lowered to several different heights; a drip pan (which I use for baking cookies), and an aluminum flat sheet and well as the rotisserie spindles.

I design virtually everything in this oven. I love the convection mode for quick cooking, especially those late night snacks. I like the bake mode in the summer because it prevents me from turning on my gas stove and heating up the whole apartment. I utilize it a lot for baking cookies and cupcakes for my grandson because it heats quickly. He likes that he can watch the items as they cook through the glass front.

I purchased my oven on HSN at a today’s special cost of $59.99; however it currently retails for between $89.99 and $119.99, depending on where it is purchased.

My husband and my daughter are also big fans of this wonderful appliance as are a couple of my friends who have one of their own. We all give it two thumbs up!

Youthful Essence. As a big Susan Lucci fan, I have always been amazed by her ability to leer years younger than she is (particularly since she is actually older than me). A few years back she decided to share one of her beauty secrets called Youthful Essence.

Developed more than a decade ago in Europe, microdermabrasion came to American in 1998 and quickly gained popularity. Today, it’s one of the top non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the U.S., enticing millions of men and women every year with its magical skin-rejuvenating effects.

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure which gently exfoliates the outer epidermal layer of the skin to remove dead, plain skin cells and announce the unique, younger-looking skin beneath. Pure, sugar-fine mineral crystals gently sweep away the damaged surface cells, encouraging the skin’s natural renewal process so fair, refined skin can shine through. The procedure is quick and painless.

A team of Beverly Hills developed the Youthful Essence system skin care specialists. This patented personal microdermabrasion offers an alternative to costly chemical and laser peels. It combines state-of-the-art cosmetic technology with luxurious spa-quality ingredients.

By removing the damaged top layers of the skin, Youthful Essence helps to undo the ravages of time. One treatment can diminish fine lines and wrinkles, fade age spots and superficial sun distress, refine enlarged pores, equalize skin tone, and stimulate circulation. Overall, the effect is much like turning back the clock to restore the silky soft skin of younger years. It can be used alone or in conjunction with another skin care program to ensure softer, smoother, younger-looking skin

Although microdermabrasion exfoliates only the most superficial layer of skin, if redness or irritation occurs, it recommends that you apply less pressure with the resurfacing tool. If irritation persists, it recommends discontinued use for a period of time to let the skin rest. Those suffering from rosacea, pustule acne or other sensitive skin disorders are advised to consult a health care practitioner before using the system.

I purchased my system a few years back and I’ve tried it several times. However, I don’t personally believe that it works well for aging skin. It, in fact, seriously irritates my skin and actually makes it look worse. My daughter, on the other hand, who is in her mid-thirty’s, loves her microdermabrasion system. Perhaps this is a product better generous to the young to stave off the effects of aging. However, it isn’t billed that way.

Youthful Essence retails for $39.99 and comes with the resurfacing tool, a sponge tip applicator, a massaging applicator, skin cleaner, and the microdermabrasion cream. Sorry guys, I have to give this one thumb up (for exercise on younger skin) and one down (because it doesn’t work well on older skin).

Bare Minerals. I began using these products about 10 years ago. I noticed that as my skin aged, liquid foundations and powders tended to settle in the creases and lines to make my skin look much older. I purchased Bare Minerals from QVC because I knew that, if the product didn’t work for me, I had 30 days to return it and get my money back, no questions asked. Luckily, I found that it worked beautifully.

Bare Minerals products, which include foundations as well as cheek and eye colors, are crushed to a silky, creamy powder construct…but they are NOT a powders. They are 100% pure minerals free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other harmful chemicals. These produces provide amazing coverage and work well for every skin type and skin tone. As an added benefit, they also protect the skin with an all natural sunscreen.

Complexion products include foundation, multi-tasking minerals, all-over face color and mineral cloak. The foundation comes in 12 shades to cover every skin color: fair, fairly light, light, medium beige, medium, medium tan, tan, warm tan, warm deep, deep, dark, deep, and deepest deep.

Multi-tasking minerals are veteran to camouflage scrape areas. They include bisque, well-rested, and a face lifting duo. All-over face colors bring a specific kind of “glow” to the skin and include:

• Warmth, for the leer of skin in candlelight;
• True, for a soft inner glow look;
• Glee, for the way your skin glows when you’re happiest;
• Faux Tan, for that sun-kissed glow;
• Rose Radiance, for the youthful glow of a child;
• Bare Radiance, for a natural umber sheen;
• Warm Radiance, for instant revitalization;
• Pure Radiance, for the gawk of innocence; and
• Clear Radiance, for a youthful dewy glow.

Mineral veil adds no color but takes away unwanted sheen and gives the look of a flawless completion. It comes in uninteresting and tinted formula. Plain mineral cover is worthy for all complexions while the tinted formula is for those who want just a hint of glowing radiance.

Cheek colors, which come in a wide variety of shades, add the perfect touch of color without giving that heavy recognize. Seek shadows, which also come in a large number of shades, are soft – - adding just the right tint.

Bare Escentuals, which is the Bare Minerals parent company, offers a full make-up product line as well as other skin care products.

While Bare Minerals are not cheap – - ranging in price, on the average, from about $17 to $35 – - they seem to last forever as long as you select care to avoid cross contamination. Since the minerals do not contain additives and chemicals, there is less concern for product shelf life.

My daughter and I both worship Bare Minerals as do many of our friends. We like to experiment with mixing and matching shades to create our own custom colors. The product lends itself well to that technique.

I, therefore, give this product line two thumbs way up.

Signature Club A. HSN offers a line of skin care and makeup products from Adrienne Arpel. It is called Signature Club A. Some products can be purchased individually while others must be purchased in kits which typically range in note from about $39.99 to $129.99.

I once stale the Signature Club A products because I like much of the makeup and absolutely love her hair thickening shampoo and gel. However, I derive the skin care products a little too harsh for aging skin that is not use to such heavy products.

Adrienne’s line includes:

• Vinoplex;
• Jet Tech Wet;
• Caviar,
• Imperial C,
• Non-Toxic Silicone Plus,
• Elastilift,
• Firm Fills,
• Dead Sea Minerals, and
• Retinol.

Of all of these lines, the Imperial C is most appropriate for aging skin like mine. While I cannot use the face creams in this line because they are too heavy for my particular skin, I really love the Brush-On Face and Neck Remove and the Vitamin C capsules. This product works really well even for the neck area. I also like the Non-Toxic Silicone Plus Wrinkle Inhibitor/Relaxer (both day and night). I actually did experience a diminishing of fine lines and wrinkles when using these products in conjunction with the vitamin C capsules. I also like the silicone magical blue skin primer for evening out wrinkles before makeup application.

My favorite Adrienne product, however, is her over 40 hair thickening shampoo and gel. I have extremely baby delicate hair and it gives me enough of a lift in that area to actually give the appearance of much thicker hair.

Some of Adrienne’s makeup, unfortuantely, doesn’t work for me because it is too heavy for my delicate skin. However, a lot of my friends swear by it so I suspect it has more to do with my skin type than the makeup itself. I do, however, love her bronzing powder. Because it comes in multiple shades within the same powder, it works for just about any skin color. I particularly love the Nefertiti Golden Patina with Vitamin E. It gives such a beautiful glow.

On the other hand, her heat seal lash extension kit is a waste of money. The heated eyelash curler goes through one AAA battery in just two uses and the lash extension products clump and look blueprint too fake.

Known for her undercover and concealer products, I will admit these work pretty well. I also love her lip plumping capsules. They truly moisturize like nothing else on the market.

Since both my friends and I are split on her products, in that we love some but find others not worthy, I have to give Signature Club A botha thumbs up and down. However, keep in mind that purchasing these products through HSN assures you a 30 day trial period. If you don’t like the products, you can return them after 30 days and get your money back; no questions asked. That certainly makes giving them a try easy and painless.

Moving Men. I’ll admit to being skeptical the first time I heard about this product. How could four little plastic discs make moving a 100 pound piece of furniture easy? I still don’t exactly know why it does, I just know that it does.

I’m one of those women who moves everything around in a room from time to time. I like to be able to tidy under furniture and I like variety. However, as I got older this process has become tedious and painful. Until I purchased the Moving Men. Now I can disappear anything and everything with ease. Not bad for a purchase of $7.99.

I give this product two thumbs scheme up.

OxiClean. Let’s build this easy. I haven’t found an OxiClean product yet that actually works. From their newest – - the OxiClean ball – - to KaBoom to Orange Glo, these products simply do not deliver on their promises.

The OxiClean ball promises to make some of the hassles of doing laundry depart forever. Claiming to last for 25 or more loads, the ball – - about the size of a baseball – - fits into a resusable dispenser and then into the washing machine. This prevents measuring and pouring detergent, which can, of course, be messy.

Water and washing action supposedly activate the detergent allowing it to slowly release the perfect amount into each load. A patented technology allows for leaving it in the wash and rinse cycle without leaving any soapy residue.

Oxygen-based cleaners claim to get clothes clean without dyes or phosphates. OxiClean advertises:

• A super concentrated formula;
• Color-safe;
• To be chlorine-free; and
• That it is safe for use with septic systems.

I used it repeatedly and found it totally ineffective.

KaBoom, the self-proclaimed best cleaner on the market, works no better than Lysol, Clorox Clean-Up, Fantastic, or 409.

Orange Glo, while it smells wonderful, is also no more effective than its many different competitors.

Although not expensive in price, only ranging between about $2.99 and $5.99, the fact remains that there are better products on the market. I give these two thumbs down.

On the flip side, Joe Campanelli’s Stain Remover is amazing. It use it primarily to remove stains in the carpet but I have also used it as an upholstery cleaner. It works removing:

• pet stains,
• dirt,
• soft drinks,
• cosmetics,
• coffee and tea,
• wine,
• fruit juices,
• grass stains, and
• much, much more.

Although it isn’t inexpensive at $19.99 for one foam and one concentrate, it is well worth the price. I give this one two thumbs up.

Mrs. Prindables Gourmet Apples. Can I just say YUM? I’m hooked on these tasty treats that combine Granny Smith apples with luscious chocolate combinations. Sold on QVC, generally in sample sets, these are just too scrumptious for words.

Mrs. Prindables comes in:

• candy coated (think M&Ms),
• milk chocolate,
• dark chocolate crunch,
• white chocolate peanut butter,
• milk chocolate peanut butter cup,
• chocolate pecan cluster,
• dark chocolate chip,
• dark chocolate chip cashew,
• dark chocolate chip with cherry pieces,
• triple chocolate,
• triple chocolate walnut,
• pecan pie,
• cherry crumb pie,
• deep dish apple,
• chocolate cookies and cream,
• cherry cordial,
• Heath toffee and chocolate chip, and
• Nestle Crunch.

I’m addicted to the chocolate pecan cluster apples. They are the best in my opinion. My daughter likes the peanut butter cup because she loves chocolate and peanut butter. I honestly doubt that you can go wrong with any of the above choices. The apples are huge and will easily serve a minimum of four people.

Mrs. Prindables averages roughly $5.00 per apple; the same as inferior brands you can purchase during certain holidays at local grocery stores.

This product easily deserves its two thumbs way up.

Flameless Candles. On the surface, it might seem that this product is a little too expensive at about $12 to $16 each. But you have to remember that these are candles that never burn down or out. Plus, no flame, no fuss, and no mess to clean up sells this product for me.

Flameless candles allow you to enjoy the ambience and beauty of candlelight without the safety hazard of an open flame. Crafted from plain and vanilla-scented wax, each pillar flickers just like a real candle. An LED light creates the flame and the faux wicks cannot be lit accidentally. And thanks to the patented random-flickering technology, you can feel comfortable leaving them unattended or near children and pets, open windows and breezes, combustible materials, and on fine wood and surfaces.

They reach both in smooth and lattice design in standard white or in colorful daisy designs in yellow, purple, and pink. You can even purchase them in tealite form.

Each candle requires 2 C batteries, not included. Light time per candle is approximately 350 hours.

This product gets two thumbs up.

There you have it, my latest round of “As Seen on TV” products. Keep reading and I’ll keep doing the research and reporting the results. Until then, I’ll meet you at the next infomercial.

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WATER
I’m listing water first because it’s probably the most well-known thing we can do to support our skin and keep it sure. Whether you’re dealing with dry skin or problem skin, you NEED water. Our skin’s hydration begins inside of us, and water is the only way to do that effectively. Water flushes toxins and impurities out of our bodies as well so it is critical to healthy skin. Water keeps our kidneys and liver functioning properly so it’s necessary to keeping our insides healthy. The recommended amount varies according to the source, but many suggest drinking half your weight in ounces of water. (Example: If you weight 100 lbs., drink 50 oz. of water since 100/2 = 50). Sugary drinks and carbonated beverages should be avoided when possible. Green tea and white tea are wonderful antioxidants. They help maintain youthful, healthy skin. Horsetail tea is high in silica,

DIET
We really are what we eat, and our skin shows it. A poor diet can cause spot for even the best skin. Avoiding processed foods high in preservatives and hyrdrogenated oils is a must for acne-prone skin. The chemicals in these foods are not skin-friendly.

Here’s a list of the main foods to avoid and why:
Dairy products – Many people are lactose intolerant and don’t even realize it. Just because you haven’t formally been diagnosed as being lactose intolerant does not mean that you don’t have a mild intolerance that could manifest itself as acne. Dairy products are acid forming in the body, and our bodies need to remain slightly alkaline. Therefore, over consumption of dairy products can lead to an upset of this balance and acne. Dairy products are also notoriously hard on the digestive system which is another cause of acne. The hormones found in many dairy products can cause skin problems ranging from acne to dermatitis.

Meat – Animal protein should be eaten in moderation or not at all. Cooked animal protein is difficult to digest, and it often takes several days for it to travel through the digestive system. During that time, it putrifies and creates toxins. Our digestive systems are simply not designed to digest the amount of meat most of us consume. Animals have smooth, short digestive tracts that are designed to handle large quantities of meat. Human digestive tracts are long and folded so that we can derive the most nutrition from the food we consume. When we consume animal protein, it becomes trapped in these pockets and leads to a buildup of toxins in our system which is eventually expelled via our skin in the construct of acne and other problems. Cutting down meat consumption rarely leads to protein deficiency because protein can be found in many other places in our diets.

Refined carbohydrates – Eating refined carbs and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor. This leads to an excess of male hormones which encourages the skin to produce large amounts of sebum (oil). Excessive sebum is one of the important causes of acne since too much sebum is a breeding ground for bacteria.

In light of the buildup of toxins that bad foods create, detoxification systems and liver cleanses are great ways to remove toxins from the system and clear skin quickly. Fasting is another fabulous skin-clearing strategy since it gives the digestive system a break.

What you should be ADDING to your diet are fruits and vegetables. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are Famous to healthy skin. I can’t think of a single fruit that doesn’t contain some ingredient that helps healthy skin thrive. Juicing fruits and veggies or make fresh smoothies is a enormous way to add more fruits and vegetables to the diet.

SLEEP
Sleep is the body’s time to repair itself. The body must maintain the body’s most important organs first (heart, liver, brain), and the skin comes after these things. Without sufficient rest, our bodies can not effectively repair themselves and our skin often shows it. A lack of rest often shows up as blemishes, enlarged pores, bags under the eyes, dark circles, and sallow skin. In addition to tremendously reducing stress which in turn reduces acne-causing hormones, sleep keeps the immune system in tact so it can effectively fight off bacteria and infections.

EXERCISE
Exercise is great for the skin because it increases the blood flow to the skin and allows oxygen to acquire to the cells more efficiently. Light sweating will help clean the pores from the inside, and exercise will improve the fitness of the internal organs. Also, exercise is wonderful for regulating hormones.

STRESS
Our bodies have their own ways of telling us that we’re under negative stress. Hair loss, skin problems, loss of appetite and other indications are typical evidence of stress. It’s important to secure facilitative ways to handle stress in order to preserve it from ruining our skin. Our bodies release cortisol, an acne-causing chemical, when we’re under great stress. Whatever the remedy is: exercise, sleeping, writing, meditating, talking to a terminate friend – we have to be aware of the things that help relieve our stress.

TOPICAL CARE
Oftentimes people with oily skin will try to strip the skin of its oil in an effort to balance it. Although logical, our bodies don’t work this way. The key is to maintain a healthy balance by regulating sebum production through diet and exercise. When the skin is stripped of its oil, it begins producing more oil to compensate, and this only leads to more problems.

For this reason, a gentle cleanser is best. Natural products that are free from harsh ingredients such as alcohol are better for troubled skin. Harsh ingredients and astringents strip the skin’s moisture and contribute to problems instead of eliminating them. Tea tree oil has been found to be an effective astringent without drying as great as commercial astringents. If possible, avoid products containing the following: alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and parabens.

Exfoliants are important to a good skin care regimen. They slough off tiring, skin and remove surface debris that can clog pores. Again, natural ingredients are best. Exfoliation should be done every other day or less often, depending on the regimen. Too much exfoliation can damage the skin and leave it raw and vulnerable.

Facial masks are a great way to bear excess oil and refine pores. Clay based masks using kaolin or sea kelp powder work well. Steaming the face with boiling water (with a few drops of tea tree oil) prior to using the clay mask will help plot out impurities and shrink pores.

Acne blemishes and pimples should not be picked at or squeezed. Doing so often spreads infection and pushes the plug deeper into the skin. It also increases the risk of ruptured and scarred skin. Applying tea tree oil to the blemishes will help hasten healing.

Scars can be effectively treated with lavender oil or rosehip essential oil diluted in almond oil. Also, coconut oil is great for improving the skin’s texture and reducing red scarring. Aloe vera gel is also immense for reducing scars and hyperpigmentation. Other methods such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser treatments can also fade hyperpigmentation and restore skin’s smooth texture. A good sunscreen is also necessary to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays that can age the skin and cause problems with uneven tone.

Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores. They should not be forcibly extracted. Instead, the excess oil and dead skin should be removed from the skin in order to eliminate blackheads. Gently exfoliating regularly will help hold blackheads away.

Professional facials are typically fine for the skin but extractions should be gentle. Too often, estheticians use undue pressure and force on the skin. This results in ruptures, scarring (particularly in AA women), and enlarged pores.

RECOMMENDED SKIN CARE LINES
Arcona
Aveda
Faith Products
Dermalogica
Dr Hauschka
Aubrey Organics
J/A/S/O/N
Green People
Living Nature
Lush Cosmetics
Neal’s Yard Remedies
Origins
Earth Science
Mychelle
Origins
Desert Essence
Avalon Organics
The Sanctuary
The Body Shop
Weleda

OTHER TIPS
-Don’t touch your skin throughout the day unless you’ve just washed your hands. Otherwise, you’re spreading dirt and bacteria from your hands to your skin.
-Change pillowcases and bed linens regularly as they touch the face throughout the night. Oils from our face and hair can contribute to skin problems.
-Take a beneficial multivitamin every day to be sure your body & skin are receiving the necessary nutrients for healthy functioning.
-Wear makeup that is oil-free and are non-comedogenic. Use disposable sponges to avoid the transfer of bacteria. Be sure to wash makeup brushes once a week to keep the clean and free or dirt and bacteria.
-Try drinking aloe vera juice to boost the immune system and heal the digestive system.
-Flaxseed oil, Echinacea, MSM, olive leaf extract, and evening primrose oil are all sizable supplements.
-Milk of Magnesia makes a great mask for minimizing pores and smoothing skin’s texture.
-Raw honey makes a great face mask. Simply apply raw honey and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Honey antiseptic properties will help clear blemishes and maintain the skin’s moisture balance.

Ok, this is all I can think of for right now. If anyone has any questions, I’ll be happy to reply them or another lady here may be willing & able to help. I hope this helps those dealing with skin problems as I know how frustrating it can be. Capable luck!

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