I love skincare, and might be borderline addicted, if not at least obsessed. I love trying new products, learning about new ingredients, and discovering what others love and have realized real results. I've always liked how scientific and effective Murad skincare, and recently tried their new Murad Professional range Eye Lift. And I must say, I'm definitely a fan.
In a trial by Dr. Murad, users reported:
• 86% noticed a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in one week
• 2x visibly firmer skin instantly
• 93% noticed skin was smoother instantly
Eye Lift Firming Treatment was developed by dermatologist Dr. Murad and focuses on anti-aging and makes for more youthful, radiant skin around the eyes. This treatment infuses the delicate
eye area with exclusive, proprietary surface-filling and firming
technologies that instantly lift, firm and visibly reduce the appearance
of lines and wrinkles.
Eye Lift Firming Treatment is the first product in the new Murad
Professional collection. Now you can bring home the same
professional-strength formulas used in Dr. Murad’s dermatology office for dramatically more youthful skin without
post-surgical downtime.
With the ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water, Hyaluronic Acid
provides the intense and lasting hydration required to effectively fight
the age-related dryness that makes lines and wrinkles appear deeper.
By encapsulating Hyaluronic Acid in microspheres, these sponge-like
molecules can penetrate deep into the skin’s surface to provide
immediate and lasting plumping that creates a smooth “filled”
appearance-- as if lines and wrinkles have been lifted with an
injectable filler.
Free of parabens, sulfates, and phtalates. Each bottle comes with 40 eye pads for added efficacy. Three pumps per eye area for ten minutes, once or twice weekly will make for lighter, lifted, more luminous eyes.
Super shout out to Jessica at Nashville's Green Hills Sephora, for her friendly nature, passion, and professionalism. Her excitement for this product pushed me to try it right in the store. Well done, ma'am!
Terrible service in the retail marketplace is like a virus. Rude waitstaff. Uneducated "beauty advisers" who know nothing about their brands. Salespeople who know nothing about the products or services they're representing. Untrained "professionals" who are merely glorified stock keepers and dust mopers.
Considering today's technology and on-demand consumer trends, anyone can get anything at any time from anywhere. Customer service should be about the experience and interaction; otherwise, we'd simply order everything we ever wanted to purchase online or over the telephone.
Case en pointe, I've visited several different Ulta Beauty stores recently. Each location, no matter how large or small the market, includes "stylists" in uniform smoking cigarettes near the front entrance. This was at every single location I visited! What a way to welcome customers? Once inside, other than a drone like welcome shouted from the cashier, there has been virtually no interaction from employees. I've been researching new skincare products over the past few weeks, and wanted to learn about and actually try some items. In four separate trips, only one associate asked if I had any questions or offered any assistance. Over the last two weeks at Ulta, I've noticed the same disgusting, crusted tester, as seen below. And it's too bad, because I love Murad products.
Then, I stopped at the local Sephora. Many of the same items are stocked at both Ulta and Sephora. But the experience at Sephora - hands down, far and above. Each department was staffed with employees who were "experts" and trained in their respective categories. Armed with product knowledge, vast understanding of virtually every ingredient included in their products, and actual tips and tricks for application and achieving desired effects, it's no wonder the number of customers shopping Sephora was at least triple that of the busiest Ulta store. Self-serve tester units at Ulta were dusty, dirty, oxidized, and disgusting. Not only was I offered samples to take home from Sephora, I was given detailed product sheets for each item, so I knew not only how to use it, but the active ingredients, and could easily identify later what I want to purchase. Even the brands' YouTube channels are strikingly different. This was only intensified at another Sephora location, where a trainer from a particular brand was on the sales floor with the regular associates providing in depth product knowledge training and demonstration techniques.
I'm sure there are some good employees and well trained staffs for Ulta somewhere, but I haven't seen one for myself. Ulta isn't alone. I heard a friend's horror story last week about ordering kitchen appliances from Sears. After multiple failed deliveries and erroneous charges to their account, Sears ultimately lost another valued customer, along with the lackluster experience being told to hundreds of her close friends. And rightfully so! Circuit City was never Best Buy. It's not enough to just stock the right products, in the right place, at the right time, at the right price. Learn something about the goods and services you're selling! Sephora isn't the only captain of their industry - I've had similarly positive experiences at space.nk and Douglas. Dazzle your customers with product knowledge, create an atmosphere of education, stimulation, and dialogue! Shopping should be fun, not frustrating. Shopping should be a pleasure, not a pain; enticing, not enraging.
Particularly in skincare and cosmetics, there are so many specific products, application tips and tricks, and trends to discover, customer service is paramount. Take a look at a wonderful example from space.nk:
On the flip side, there is a room for many different types of retailers in the marketplace. Some "minimal service" or "no service" stores will always be in business, driven by price, quick opportunity for self-service, and selection. You can walk into a Wal-Mart, spend an hour gathering bargains, typically items you've predetermined to purchase, ring yourself up at the self-checkout lines, and never speak to an employee. Other than keeping the shelves stocked and toilets from overflowing, it seems there's not much need for employees there. And that's ok. Same with Ulta - if you know what you're getting, require minimal assistance, and don't mind a dressed up version of a drugstore. With that being said - some consumer categories are service oriented, and always will be.
Product selection should never replace customer service.
Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we're all connected to nature and Mother Earth. When the seasons change, it's easy to implement other changes in your life as well. Wash away the winter blues and prepare to blossom with spring cleaning. Shed those unwanted pounds and dull skin in the spring with a fresh outlook and lifestyle for summer. Now that it's all, we're bundling up more, enjoying time outside as much as possible, and preparing ourselves for holidays, family gatherings, and other traditions. Here are a few things I love, that just may help you get in the spirit, add a little dash of style + class to your day, and optimize your time so you can ultimately be your best self.
I've talked about the many benefits of candles multiple times, but it's always worth mentioning again. Candles are the easiest way to add ambiance and festive cheer to any space. As autumn's crisp nights creep upon us, I love the warmth, soft glow, and pleasant scents that great candles provide. Choose candles that are as natural as possible, so they don't leave soot or irritate allergies. In the fall months, I love fragrances that are a little spicier, like amber, cinnamon, and clove, with dashes of brightness, like citrus or herbs, and deeper woods, like sandalwood, teakwood, and oud. Agraria Home has a fabulous bitter orange, Nest offers Hearth, Diptyque Paris now features Oud, and Firefood from Henri Bendel are all sure wins.
You've spent the summer outside, holidayed as much as possible, and exposed virtually every inch of your body to the summer sun - it's time now to prepare for the cooler, drier months ahead and refocus your skincare routine.
Exfoliating is very important. Once or twice weekly, gently slough away dead skin cells and other icky irritants. You can either physically exfoliate, by using a textured masque or scrub, mechanically exfoliate, with a sonic brush that literally polishes the skin, or chemically exfoliate, with powerful acidic solutions and serums. Choose a natural product, free from fillers and other harsh ingredients, and always consult your dermatologist if you're going to try something drastic. I love Origins' Never a Dull Moment. It's made with ground mango and apricot seeds, crushed walnut shells, and powerful papaya and grapefruit extracts, dissolving lackluster dead skin, revealing more radiant, fresh, and renewed skin. It's good for all skin types, smells delicious, and is gentle and effective enough to use a few times per week. My skincare maven and friend for life Linda F. recommends Peter Thomas Roth's firmX peeling gel - a potent potion of multi-action enzymes from pineapple, pomegranate, and keratinase, with cellulose
that effectively peel and help uncover a smooth, fresh, new complexion
without drying, irritating or causing undue stress to skin. Also excellent at removing impurities and decongests clogged pores for a youthful, radiant look.
Cleanse the skin, preferably both morning and night. Look for a wash that leaves the skin feeling crisp and cool, without over drying. Face washes don't have to be complicated or overly fragrant - I look for one that foams, leaving behind no residue for that squeaky clean feel. In the summer, I find my skin is a bit more oily, so I'll look for a wash containing a bit of salicylic acids and fruit enzymes, to cut down on the shine. Intended for acne, Philosophy's Clear Days Ahead is frequently in my rotation - this gel packs a powerful punch on bothersome breakouts. Plus the orange extract leaves skin feeling fresh and radiant - and smells incredibly refreshing. Because Philosophy's Clear Days Ahead can be a bit too drying, I limit its use to the summertime or for troublesome times only. Year round, I love Biotherm Homme's Aquapower Cleanser, This powerful double-action daily cleanser, which also includes a small dose of exfoliating power,
effectively removes impurities while refreshing the skin. Its
ultra-cleansing fresh gel formula contains a combination of
oligo-elements and potent cleansing agents that leave the skin soft,
comfortable and exceptionally fresh.
Moisturize and Protect - after you've exfoliated and cleansed the skin, it's time to moisturize and protect. I look for products that protect against dehydration, deterioration, and oxidation, like Origins' A Perfect World serum, Just one tiny drop of this workhorse literally stops the clock on aging, protecting the skin from damaging environmental factors like smog, stress, and other oxidizers and keeps skin looking fresh, toned, and radiant. I also love Murad's Invisiblur Perfecting Shield - a one-stop-shop for anti-aging, flawless looking skin and protection from the sun's harmful rays (and is really great for both men and women).
And I'm absolutely adoring Tom Ford's oil free daily moisturizer for men. This lightweight,
quick-absorbing,
skin-mattifying
moisturize urses
the
Tom
Ford Skin
Calming
and
Infusing
Complexes
with
a
combination
of
luxurious
butters
to hydrate
your
skin,
help
reverse
dullness
and
help
reduce
the
look
of
fine
lines and pores.
It
leaves
your
face
looking
toned,
polished
and re energized, without looking primped or too done.
Spot treat with masques: sometimes all you need is a quick "rescue" - whether sudden dryness, breakouts, or too much oil and shine, a quick masque will often steer your skin back on track in no time. Exfoliate and cleanse as normal, then apply a thick layer of the masque to face, neck, and decollete. Let the masque work its magic for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and continue with your regimen. For dry skin or a quick moisture surge, I love Fresh's Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask - their special blend of black tea ferment and extracts of blackberry leaf, black tea, and lychee seed pump the breaks on free radicals and restore skin's elasticity, while Belle de Nuit extract soothes and rebalances the skin to optimal condition, peptides firm the skin and visibly defy the signs of gravity, and hyaluronic acid attracts and maintains moisture for smooth, sheer suppleness. Origins' Out of Trouble is a just what the doctor ordered to fix over productive pores, prevent pesky pimples, and put the kibosh on shine. It packs a one-two punch with super absorbent zinc oxide and sulfur. (Side note: If you didn't already know, products with zinc oxide naturally block harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun and light sources, has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is a natural astringent, and reduces pore size. If you suffer from Rosacea, Psoriasis, Eczema, diaper rash, or dandruff, products and foods with zinc may be your answer.) It also contains Camphor, which naturally calms the skin. You'll notice a smoother texture and clearer skin in no time.
If you travel frequently, or want to make sure you're prepared without breaking the bank, Origins offers the perfect dose of masks in convenient travel or "just in case" sizes.
If you're like me, you can't live without your iDevices - whether iPhone, iPod, iPad, or iWhatever, they're an essential part to our everyday function. And that means one thing - we must always have power. My favorite chords and charging accessories are from Blue Flame. The cables are brilliantly braided and secured, preventing the dreaded "cable split" so typical of the basic white bits provided by the fruits at Apple. I had a Blue Flame cable last several years with my last iPhone, and immediately went out when I updated last. Especially handy if you travel or are frequently on the go, I've had no problems whatsoever.
Makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift at the office holiday party, too.
Don't get me wrong - espresso has a place in my life, regardless of the temperature outside or season we're celebrating, but it's nice to finally enjoy hot beverages now that the temperatures and leaves are falling. I'm loving hot beverages, especially piping hot coffee. Williams-Sonoma stocks a delicious concentrate of five different apple varieties, making for a quick and easy pot of mulled cider. I can't get enough of Teavana's Pineapple Kona Pop herbal tea, either. When I was growing up, my Mom would make a delicious "percolator punch" - a marvelous mix of equal parts pineapple juice and cranberry juice, with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and ginger in the percolator basket. I think it'd be really nice to mix this Pineapple Kona Pop with Mom's "percolator punch" for an added layer of tasty treat. And for a boozy punch, a mighty measure of Solerno Blood Orange liqueur will make mouths happy.
My favorite activity during fall: spending time with family + friends. Get outside. Throw a cocktail party. Just because. Take a hike. Literally! Keep a soccer ball in the trunk (boot) of your car for a random pickup game in the park. Open the windows, feel the fresh air, and remember why you're alive. Be spontaneous. While it's important to look to the future, don't forget to see your now.
In a consumer marketplace driven by marketing and the creation of strong demand, it can be easily confused what is "luxury" and not so much. There's nothing "couture" about Juicy Couture. There's nothing "super" or "premium" about Abercrombie & Fitch.
"Luxury" is defined by a multitude of characteristics. Quality of materials. Durability, integrity in construction. Time and resources required for construction, creation. Exclusivity and distribution. Function and convenience. All of the aforementioned characteristics need not be present for something to be considered "luxe".
Some luxe items I'm loving and lusting, in no particular order:
-- Never run out of juice again, let alone pay for that juice. HYmini is a handheld, universal charger/adapter device that harnesses
renewable wind power / solar power and conventional wall plug power to
recharge almost all your 5V digital gadgets. HYmini is a hybrid mini green power station that fits in the palm of your hand. Perfect for the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, or anything else you could charge in the car.
How it works:
As with a hybrid automobile, more than one power source is used to collect energy. HYmini stores energy collected from a wall plug, renewable DC input, wind and sun.
The
energy stored in its internal battery can be used to recharge your cell
phone, MP3 player, iPod®, PDA, digital camera or other 5V devices
Choose your power source including
Built-in supplemental wind powered generator
Universal adaptability for mobile devices
Wireless charging with wind and sun
No need to carry extra power source 1200mAh lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery
No additional software required.
Lightweight / handheld / compact green portable power bank
-- Secret Supper at Southport Grocery, Chicago. Lisa Santos, owner/chef of Southport Grocery, loves food. And she doesn't just love food, she knows food. Part grocery emporium, part cafe, SoPo Grocery hosts a monthly secret supper, an underground dinner, if you will. Each month, seasonal selections are dreamed up, served alongside an eclectic mix of food lovers and fun folks, right in the middle of the place. If you're heading to Chicago, or live in the Windy City, you must share the secret.
-- skin care. You don't have to spend a fortune to get great skin. Focus on ingredients that are right for your skin, and you can't go wrong. Here are some thing I especially love:
Origin's A Perfect World US$28.50 - 1.4 oz / 40 mL UV Face Protector with White Tea
This lightweight, hydrating
protective serum with White Tea plus Maritime Pine and powerful UVA/UVB
sunscreens helps perfect and protect skin from environmental damage to
delay visible signs of aging.
features powerful silver tipped white tea, Shea butter, Mimosa
vitamin and antioxidant packed
protects the skin from stress, pollution, and fatigue
gives a youthful, healthy, and radiant glow
Murad's Essential-C Face Cleanser US$36 / 6.75 fl oz. This featherlight cleanser neutralized environmental aggressors, restores moisture, and prepares skin for repair. Removes impurities and potential irritants. Binds moisture to skin.
Antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E neutralize free radicals and other
environmental aggressors while Phospholipids bind moisture to the skin.
Essential-C Cleanser establishes a well-hydrated foundation for
application of a treatment product.
As part of the Murad Environmental Shield® line of anti aging skin care products
to combat Environmental Aging, Murad Essential-C Cleanser is rich in
antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to neutralize free
radicals. Don’t just cleanse your skin. Restore radiance by actually
giving your skin the nutrients that it needs to combat Environmental
Aging.
bliss fabulous skin-reviving rubberizing mask US$38 / 6 pack Boost
your skincare regimen with this straight-from-our-spa facial treatment,
a weekly must for all skin types. The unique rubberizing mask is
designed to envelop skin’s surface, allowing its key ingredients to be
optimally absorbed by the skin. The brightening, skin-renewing formula
is packed with powerful antioxidants and nourishing, detoxifying
seaweed. So if you’re looking for a bright and healthy
complexion—‘mask’, and you shall receive! Includes 6 individually
wrapped mix-it-yourself masks, 6 spatulas and measuring scoop.
features Bilberry + vitamin C to calm skin and fend off free radicals
HYmini stores energy collected from a wall plug, renewable DC input, wind and sun.
The
energy stored in its internal battery can be used to recharge your cell
phone, MP3 player, iPod®, PDA, digital camera or other 5V devices
Built-in supplemental wind powered generator
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