Raw Essentials by Carol Alt - raw beauty never looked so good!

The far too lovely Carol Alt was in town recently to help launch her new new exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart line - Raw Essentials. Alt, a longtime follower of a raw food diet, realized that the benefits of raw ingredients to retain vitamins, minerals and nutrients could be harnessed for skin care and that what she put on her body was every bit as important as what she put in her body.

The theory behind Raw Essentials is that raw ingredients lose the potency of their vitamins, minerals, nutrients and enzymes when exposed to heat. Furthermore, when oils and fats are heated, they disperse toxic trans-fatty acids that can cause skin to weaken and result in sagging, aging skin. To combat this, Raw Essentials developed a proprietary, low temperature (cold press) manufacturing process to retain the nutrients in its ingredients. The line also does not use any petroleum, sulphates, synthetic preservatives like parabens, artificial colours and fragrances or genetically modified organisms.

Quite honesty while I appreciate the enthusiasm and dedication that you can easily see she feels about the whole raw food/skincare thing - the proof is in the (raw) pudding - and dammit, this woman's skin looks amazing! She's 50 - that's 5-0 people and she wasn't wearing even a touch of foundation, nor did she need it!

Not that I can see myself giving up bacon anytime soon, but I sure will be giving her skincare a try!

There are nine products in the new line and we are going to start with my favourite: 

Radiant Face Scrub - 177ml - $14.99 - this gentle clarifying scrub contains: 40% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; eucalyptus leaf oil - to protect the skin form inflammation; and sucrose cocoate - a non-ionic cleanser made entirely from sugar - what I like most about it is the scrubby bits are smooth, round microbeads so it scrubs without feeling scratchy like so many of the granular scrubs can. I know some people think that if a scrub doesn't feel abrasive, it isn't working but this one makes your skin feel so smooth that you will be changing your tune on that one! 

Refreshing Face Wash - 177ml - $9.99 - this gentle foaming wash contains: 40% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; oat extract - a natural emulsifier with moisturizing and antioxidant benefits; and sucrose cocoate - a non-ionic cleanser made entirely from sugar. 

Carifying Pore Tightening Face Toner - 118ml - $11.99 - this gentle refreshing toner contains: 40% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; witch hazel - a natural anti-inflammatory that tightens pores without drying; and licorice root extract - a natural soothing anti-inflammatory with potent antioxidants. 

All Day Revitalizing Face Moisturizer - 50ml - $24.99 - this concentrated hydrator contains: 40% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; tamanu oil - to heal and smooth; virgin coconut oil - to help keep connective tissues strong and supple; and 100% pure citrus oil. 

Night Time Firming & Nourishing Face Moisturizer - 48g - $24.99 - it brightens and evens skin tone, firms the skin and offers incredible moisture as well as fights discolouration, lines, wrinkles and signs of fatigue and contains: pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; tamanu - an antioxidant that regenerates, smoothes, repairs and softens the skin; vitamin E - antioxidant rich that protects against toxins and promotes healing; and olive leaf extract - antioxidant rich that helps protect from damaging free radicals. 

Moisturizing Face Serum - 29ml - $29.99 - has all the same benefits of the night moisturizer and contains: 84% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; tamanu - an antioxidant that regenerates, smoothes, repairs and softens the skin; vitamin E - antioxidant rich to protect against toxins and promote healing; and olive leaf extract - antioxidants rich to help protect skin from damaging free radicals.

All Day Eye Cream - 15ml - $29.99 - provides intensive hydration and also helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes with: 82% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; virgin coconut oil - antioxidant rich and helps keep connective tissues strong and supple; and mushroom extract - rich source of kojic acid and natural skin lightener.

Night Time Age Defying Eye Serum - 8ml - $29.99 - this nifty roll-on was specially developed to help reduce the appearance of puffy, tired eyes in mature and aging skin with: 84% pure aloe - to hydrate, moisturize, soothe and keep skin firm and tight; tamanu - an antioxidant that regenerates, smoothes, repairs and softens the skin; and carrot juice - antioxidant rich and a valuable source of vitamin polypeptide.

Body Oil - 124ml - $12.99 - a sheer moisturizing oil that helps dry skin and improves the skin's natural tone with: avocado oil - vitamin rich to hydrate, heal and regenerate; primrose - rich in vitamin E for improving elasticity; olive oil - with vitamins E,K and A that penetrate deep into the skin to provide a long lasting shield of moisture.

Available now exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. What do you think about "raw" skincare - is it something you would try or do you like your skincare cooked?

- Lisamarie -

American Music Awards: Why So Drab?

The American Music Awards red carpet was almost recession worthy tonight. It was black, white, grey and tan outfits all around. The occasional shimmer and sparkle reminded us it was still an awards show and not a funeral.

The stage outfits have been getting weirder by the minute courtesy of Lady Gaga and Rihanna, or maybe I'm just getting old and I don't understand what's edgy anymore. I do fear for Rihanna's state of mind though, she got a new tattoo on her chest!

The Black Eyed Peas' hairdresser has mad skills!

Nicole Kidman, frozen in time and wearing a grey asymmetrical dress, another trend of the evening.

Kerry Hilson, covered up in a black and sparkly number.

Kelly Clarkson in another black and sparkly dress. Do you think all these celebrities use the same discount stylist?

Rihanna showing off a new classy tattoo and wearing a weird stage getup.

Alien called from 1979 and wants his bones back. I know it's a stage outfit but it's kind of a mess. Lady Gaga has redefined the word "weird". Look it up in your 2010 dictionary.  The dancers in the background seem to be having a good time though...so who am I to judge?

The big winner of the evening (appearing by video link), Taylor Swift, dressed more like a Mormon than a young country star. Does that mean that she actually has talent?

Black and gold for Alicia Keys. And weird Heidi Hair. She should ask help from the Black Eyed Peas' hairdresser.

Same hair on Jennifer Lopez. Ugh. Also the boxer theme is so Madonna from last year. Get on with the program, girl.

Anyway, I'm off to bed. My bitchiness needs to be refueled.

-Christelle-

Update: Here is what the West Coast missed: Jennifer Lopez falling on her ass. Don't worry it didn't hurt with all that padding.