Interestingly enough, I recently read that the Food and Drug Administration has come down hard on Allergan, the manufacturer of Latisse, for misleading consumers about the risks associated with the product.

The agency said the Latisse website either doesn’t mention potential side effects including bacterial eye infection, allergic reactions, excess hair growth outside the intended treatment area, and permanent changes in iris and eyelid pigmentation, or presents them in small text that is much less prominent than statements about the product’s effectiveness.

The drug is approved to make eyelashes thicker, fuller and darker. The FDA approved it for that use last December. Latisse, or bimatoprost, was already on the market as a treatment for glaucoma.

Hair growth outside of the treatment area?! GROSS! I’ll keep my wimpy eyelashes, thank you very much…

Need a good mascara for your poor un-medicated eyelashes? I have been using this one for years:

Paula Dorf in Chocolate: $20.00

It’s waterproof and it thickens. It comes in several colors, like chocolate, which is great for me. I’m a redhead so my eyelashes are lighter and look a little strange with black mascara.

Shop for affordable mascara at Smarter.com.

Ahhh, define irony - dental floss flavored after the very stuff that causes tooth decay! Brilliant!

Honestly the sooner I can get you lovelies to become addicted to flossing, the nicer and fresher smelling mouths around the world will be. The cupcake floss contains a 2.5 inch tall plastic dispenser containing 27 yards of yummy frosting flavored waxed floss.

Costs $3.99

If you are interested in the Cupcake Floss, click here.

I think it has happened to everyone. You are on a date and you start to notice that the person you are talking too begins to stare at your teeth! And not in that “My what a great smile she has” way BUT in a “I am now distracted because jabber jaws over here has half a steak stuck by her incisor”…

It’s always embarrassing!

I always hated flossing, I always felt that it was such a hassle. Like all things it is a task that I have resigned myself to learn to love as I got older. It really makes a HUGE difference both in the color and healthiness of your gums but as well as your breathe.

Specifically I am a fan of Glide Mint flavored Floss.

The floss itself is wider and more comfortable. Plus the minty taste makes it tolerable. The thinner versions of floss creep me out and often cause my gums to bleed or become tender. Plus the wider strip helps pop out food and built up teeth crap.

The dispenser is discrete and portable. Don’t ever got caught with food in your teeth again. Just throw one in your purse and go!

To shop for discount Glide Mint Flavored Dental Floss - Click here!

Price $3.52

Now that the holidays are half way over you might want to start forming a fitness regime that includes losing all the holiday food you have been scarfing. I find that many of the over the counter brands make me feel dizzy, sweaty and very well… “cracky”. (For lack of a better term..)

Well one of my friends recently told me about some sort of apple-vinegar pills that helped her shed some weight and were healthier. I haven’t tried it, but it seems interesting.

Here are the claims:

1. Suppresses the appetite so you eat less
2. Enhances calorie and fat burning
3. Encourages weight loss when used along with a healthy diet and exercise plan
4. Binds bile acids in the small intestine and then facilitates its elimination from the body
5. Helps maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels already in normal range
6. Supports healthy circulation of blood and oxygen throughout your body
7. Provides superior support to your entire cardiovascular system
8. Promotes joint health, comfort, and flexibility
9. Promotes better digestion and relieves occasional heartburn
10. Regulates the pH balance in your body so it is not too acidic or too alkaline
11. Breaks down fat faster so it moves out… fast!
12. Provides life-giving minerals, trace elements, and vitamins to every cell

Hmmm, seems like something worth trying! I’ll give it a go and let you guys know how it goes..

If you are interested in checking out APPLE CIDER VINEGAR PLUS 90, click here.

Price $13.29

Don’t like this brand here are more Apple Vinegar Weight Loss Supplements, click here. 

The benefits of fish oil have long been circulated and recommended by doctors and friends alike; my question is does anyone know of a brand that doesn’t make you burp up fish breathe?!!

Briefly for those who are wondering why would anyone willingly swallow “fish oil” pills, here are the benefits:

1. Less Pain and Inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body’s inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in “itis.”

2. Cardiovascular Health. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help to lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol. This adds years to your life expectancy.

3. Protection from Stroke and Heart Attack. When plaque builds up on arterial walls and then breaks loose, it causes what’s known as a thrombosis, which is a fancy way of saying clot. If a clot gets stuck in the brain, it causes a stroke and when it plugs an artery, it causes a heart attack. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids break up clots before they can cause any damage.

4. Better Brain Function and Higher Intelligence. Pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with fish oil. For adults, omega 3 improves memory, recall, reasoning and focus. You’ll swear you’re getting younger and smarter.

5. Less Depression and Psychosis. Making you smarter is not all omega 3 does for your brain. Psychiatry department researchers at the University of Sheffield, along with many other research studies, found that omega 3 fish oil supplements “alleviate” the symptoms of depression, bipolar and psychosis (Journal of Affective Disorder Vol. 48(2-3);149-55).

6. Lower Incidence of Childhood Disorders. Just to show how fish oil fatty acids leave nobody out, studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life thanks to omega 3 oils.

7. Reduction of Breast, Colon and Prostate Cancer. And finally, omega 3 fish oil has been shown to help prevent three of the most common forms of cancer – breast, colon and prostate. Science tells us that omega 3s accomplish this in three ways. They stop the alteration from a normal healthy cell to a cancerous mass, inhibiting unwanted cellular growth and causing apoptosis, or cellular death, of cancer cells.

(Source: 7 Fish Oil Benefits Proven by Research)

Umm, anything that can make you smarter as well as help your heart and reduce the odds of some of the scariest cancers out there is perhaps worth the sea sewage breathe. Like I said I am actually a fan of fish oil supplements. I just figure there has to be a brand out there that doesn’t cause you to burp and literally you can taste the fish emanate from the depths of your throat.

And if I can taste and smell it, lord knows others can too. No one has outright told me I smell like fish, but I figure people are just too polite. That or they assume because I am Asian that it goes hand in hand with my diet or something. That’s my theory at this point.

I digress, my point is - Does anyone know of a fish oil brand that does not cause bad breathe? Please SHARE! 

Came across this awesome article the other day “Reflections on Injections: Dermal Cosmetic Enhancers” by Katie Kazmir and simply had to share!

I have been meaning to discuss this topic with everyone. Have you ever noticed that the more weight you lose the more haggard your face tends to look? Particularly as you age, like sure you finally got the six pack of your dreams but now the youthful glow has left your face, your eyes hollow out a bit and your sunken cheeks bring on an “anemic” vibe.

I will give you a prime example - Cameron Diaz!

Do you guys remember how she looked when she first hit the scene?

See how her face was plumper then? Her body was not as toned as it is now but the latent baby fat in her face kept her fresh and youthful looking. Now there is no denying her toned physique but the loss of fat from her face truly ages her. In her quest to hang on to youth and health in her body, the adverse effect has literally sucked the youth from her face.

The current beauty remedy to this cruel joke of nature is - Botox and “New Generation” dermal fillers. Here is a quick snippet from Katie Kazimir’s article:

“Before cosmetic enhancers such as Restylane and Juvéderm, the unfortunate truth was that keeping your aging body in top physical condition often sacrificed the soft contours of your face. The result was often a tired, aged, and haggard appearance. The options to reverse this process were few: undergo costly, risky cosmetic surgery, or ease up on the fitness and gain the weight needed to plump up the face.

With the recent advent of Botox and “new generation” dermal fillers, it’s easier and less expensive to maintain a youthful, fresh, rested appearance. Today there are many options to the simple “lift and tighten” face-lift approach. The latest three-dimensional approach to reshaping the face focuses on filling in, plumping up, and contouring.” (Source: InnerRewards.com)

She offers key factors to consider before you take the needle. Things like costs, types and professional administration. “The success of the procedure is dependent on the execution. Steer clear of individuals who offer to host “injection parties”… ”

Who in their right mind would willingly attend an INJECTION party? That my friends is the stuff of my nightmares, I envision a macabre needle fest, like a scene out of a Tarantino film!

Mind you as father time continues to tick away I am not opposed to little “touch ups” along the way so finish reading “Reflections on Injections” at InnerRewards.com to learn more.

I like this site - InnerRewards.com. It’s a nifty social networking community for women. You can find “original” content and watch videos about top spas and wellness destinations. You can rate your favorite places and read/post and discuss with fellow ladies. I find that the best information and the most honest is from fellow “trial and error” beauty junkies like myself.
I have bookmarked the site, you should do the same! - Michelle

As I sit here with my shoulders slumped over and my spirit hanging by a thread, do you blame me for dreaming of MASSAGES!

My personal fetish every time I dare to step foot into a mall is to visit Brookstone and play with all their knick knacks; astronaut pillows, coolers slash thermostats, un-foggable mirrors and especially their assortment of massage chairs!!

Well check out this bad boy would you! The OSIM Uspace massage chair, looks like something out of the Jetsons. (Which I dig!) Here is the official description from the folks at Brookstone:

“Experience relaxation that’s out of this world with the OSIM uSpace Complete Well-Being Chair. It’s truly the ultimate escape for body and mind. Enjoy a full-body massage thats precision-engineered to soothe, caress and invigorate you from head to toe. Before each massage, advanced sensors detect your personal acupressure points for a customized experience. The heated seat warms your muscles for further relaxation and an enhanced massage. Surround foot massage with air cushions literally surround your feet, applying firm pressure to forefoot, ankle and heel areas. Airbag massage targets your calves, thighs and seat to loosen tension and reduce stiffness. Music synchronization lets you set the mood simply plug your MP3 player or CD player into the input jack, and uSpace will match the tempo, rhythm and intensity of its vibration to your music. Stereo speakers are built right in. To make your escape complete, simply press a button, and the power-reclining cocoon surrounds you with sound from your music player and a choice of three different mood-lighting programs each designed to transport you to a deeper state of relaxation or rejuvenation. Easy-clean, bacteria resistant synthetic leather. ” (Source: Brookstone) 

Now here comes the sucker punch: Price $5995.00 

I envy you beyond measure if you can afford it, as for me I guess I will have to visit the mall soon, lay in it and pretend I am someone I am not..

If you are interested in checking out the OSIM Uspace Massage chair from Brookstone, click here.

Want to find another massage chair to fit your budget or tastes, click here.  

I admit it: Whenever I hear the word “glyconutrients” I cringe. Four years ago, my dad was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and given 3 months to live. He lived 3 months, passing away at 56. When you have Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, you have less than a 1% chance of surviving a year. With this diagnosis came a lady from a multi-level marketing scam which has been featured on 20/20 before for preying upon terminally ill people. I can still hear here today: “If you take as many of our glyconutrients as you can afford to buy, your cancer will most likely be cured!”

When I hear about glyconutrients, I usually picture that woman in my dad’s foyer.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago when I was looking for CoffeeBerry supplements to see what effect they would have on my skin. CoffeeBerry has had lots of press lately, and rightfully so. It is an anti-oxidant powerhouse, and has been touted as one of the most promising ingredients in years in the war against sagging skin. If the hype about this whole fruit of the coffee plant is true, then green tea and other well-respected antioxidants are going to have to start hanging their heads in shame.

I am new to the Smarter beauty blog, so you don’t quite know me yet. I am a former makeup artist and aesthetician turned full-time Mom to 2 wild little boys, as well as a small business owner. I am very interested in the connection of the mind, body and spirit. I do Pilates and Yoga. I practice the healing art of Reiki and in 2005 completed my Master/Teacher training. I also am a certified aromatherapist and like to incorporate a holistic approach to all areas of my life to balance things out. I take wonderful care of my skin and try to treat my body with just as much respect.

I firmily believe that whether you use skin care from a drugstore or from a high end boutique, you need to start treating it from the inside out. For starters, I drink NOW Certified Organic Aloe Vera Juice daily. Not only do I believe it is an immune booster, but I believe it soothes and brightens my skin. I drink one cup a day and have for 3 years. I also take vitamin C, D, and calcium in addition to my multi-vitamin. I had been pondering adding CoffeeBerry supplements to my nutritional support regimen and came across NOW Foods Glyconutrient Complex . It is billed as an immune booster. It blends CoffeeBerry with Glyconutrients and its potential for my skin was enough to make me place an order.

You might ask what exactly a Glyconutrient? Glyconutirents are plant-derived nutrients which are thought to nourish cells. They are made of 8 essential sugars: mannose, glucose, fucrose, xylose, galatose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-aceytlneraminic acid and N-aceytlgalactosamine. Scientists say that most people are deprived of these nutrients.

With a reputable brand like NOW offering this supplement with such a high concentration of CoffeeBerry, I knew I wanted to try it. NOW doesn’t mention any relationship between their supplements and skin benefits, but I thought with the CoffeeBerry that it might have potential. It’s been about 6 weeks of daily use (1 tablet) now. Has this had an affect on my skin? For starters, I think so. Like I said, I already treat my skin very, very well. I cleanse, freshen, moisturize, use a serum, wear paraben-free sunscreen daily, eat well and don’t smoke, That’s helpful! I am sleep-deprived, though. Between my business and my boys, I sleep no more than 6 hours a night and I am almost always tired.

My skin feels wonderful and it looks great. One thing I have noticed may just be a fluke. Since I am always tired and have red eyes from being tired, I often need to reach for the eyedrops. Not now. My eyes are bright and white. My skin looks fantastic. No ruddiness, no irritation. The results are not dramatic at all in terms of my skin, but I believe the supplement has had an effect.

The biggest difference is in how I feel. I get horrible colds this time of year. When I got one recently, it went away very quickly, which never happens. I feel more energized and awake. I just feel healthier and stronger in general.

I spent $12 and change on this supplement and it will last 3 months. $4 a month to feel better and have small skin improvements is so well worth it! I bought mine at Lucky Vitamin for $12.47 . I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried this blend with any positive effects on the skin. Let me know if you have!

If you would like to shop for discount Nutrition Supplements, click here.

I don’t know if I mentioned this but I miss my long hair, and I am sick of my bangs!

They satisfied my craving at the time but now I am over them. I was looking back at pictures and I miss feeling like a girl with long hair. I think short cuts have a lot of style and spunk but nothing exudes class and femininity like long flowing locks.

Well when I set myself to something, I get really impatient and want it NOW! I hate waiting, especially for my hair to grow. The irony is I have been told that my hair grows pretty fast, especially my bangs which are always in my eyes a few days after a trim!

As luck would have it I recently had an appointment with my dermatologist about my face, but I figured while I was there and paying for the appointment I might as well ask what he recommends to aid hair growth.

Well he told me to take the following vitamin supplement:

Apparently BIOTIN aids in healthy hair, strong nails and scalp! I didn’t know that did you? Plus it doesn’t have a funny taste or smell and is quite small and pleasant to take. I take one with breakfast now, and even if it is just my imagination, I think it is working!

My hair seems shiny again!

By the way it is “yeast free” high potency biotin in a vegetarian capsule.

Retail is $25.49 On Sale for $11.48 (you save 55%)

Want to try it out for yourself? Buy Biotin Vitamin Supplements, click here.

In a recent quest to become addicted to “healthy living” versus drinking and “other” living I have begun jog/walking the perimeter at the Rose Bowl at Pasadena. The first day went well enough, no cramps, felt nice and rejuvenated when I got home. A sense of accomplishment and pride filled me and I thought to myself,

“Self, this ain’t so bad…”

Now let’s take that sentiment and try to apply it to DAY TWO, shall we? From the moment I stepped onto the track I felt a marked difference in my calves. I could already sense that “dull ache” that signals major crampage for me. So I took a 10 minute pause and made it a point to try to stretch it out. Felt fine at first and I thought I was in the clear.

However, as we rounded the end of the first lap (3 miles), my calf muscle started to “lock up”, I tried to walk it out, wishing and praying that it would subside but oh no no no, apparently the “powers” that be have a wicked sense of humor. I tried stretching out the calf muscle and it went away for awhile but then in the midst of sit ups in the grass..

BAM!!! Calf muscle just LOCKED UP!!! Like rock hard, flexed shooting pains -LOCKED!! Ya, so I pretty much screamed. What? Call me dramatic but I can not handle charley horses, I spazz out and find it so difficult to flex it out. How can I when the muscle is stuck? So my friend Wendy literally had to force my foot flexed and she started massaging my calf muscle. God bless her.

Well the incident inspired me to research Causes & Treatments for Leg Cramps. Here is what I found:

Causes:

• Muscle Fatigue
• Dehydration
• High Weight (not necessarily obesity)
• Electrolyte Imbalances
• Certain Medications

Treatments:

• Stay Hydrated - Drink at least 3 full glasses of water each day. Including one before bedtime. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after workouts.
• Stretch Regularly - Relaxes muscle fibers, stretch before and AFTER working out
• Train Gradually - Don’t G.I. Jane it like I did, slow and steady seems to be the path…

How to make the cramp go away?

• Massage the cramped muscle
• Stretch the muscle (gently!)
• Take hot shower or bath and let the warm water relax the muscle

I am going to try this stuff tonight guys, I am still going to go to the Rose Bowl (call me crazy, but I must) and “if” it happens again I will give these options a go. Wish me luck please.

Do you guys know any secret quick fire tips to avoid or treat leg cramps?