Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Free Striking Question of the Week - 12/18

Winner drawn 12/28 - Congrats to Joy R.!


Weather and holiday gatherings tend to drive us to our kitchens to bake something special...

Free Striking Question of the Week - 12/18 - What are you baking this week?

Prize - Striking Holiday Duo ($77 value) includes moisture creme and eye creme.

Post answers here on our Facebook fan page, here on the Striking Blog or email to strikingskin@gmail.com by 9am PT on Friday 12/25. Winners will be randomly selected and emailed on or before 12/28.

(Whoops - we posted this to Facebook and did not post it here on the blog. Same question for this week as posted on Facebook just now posted here too!)

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Monday, December 21, 2009

Oh no, not my neck...

I’m in my mid-forties, but ten years ago, a supervisor of mine told me I had the neck of a fifty-year old. I went home and studied my neck in the mirror for hours and much to my dismay, she was right. I forgot about my neck.

I, like so many other women, spent so much time concentrating on my face and hair that I forgot about the important part of my body on which my head rests. Oops! From the day that my saggy, wrinkly neck was pointed out to me, I made it my personal mission to tell everyone, “skin care shouldn’t stop at your chin.” My goal is to rid the world of sagging necks and wrinkly cleavage. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. I’m the self-proclaimed head cheerleader of neck and cleavage rejuvenation.

If you’ve found yourself in the same boat as so many other women, read on and learn about what you can do to get your neck and chest to match your perfectly maintained visage et coffuire:

1. Lower your sights. Take a good look at your neck and décolleté. Do you see lots of fine lines and loss of firmness? Do you see sun damage on your décolleté? Have you spent your precious time and money making sure your face and your hair look great? Hate to tell you, but your neck and décolleté might be giving away your age. Time for some TLC!

2. Start repairing. The easiest thing to do it is to extend your skin care regime below your chin to include your neck and your décolleté. That means include those areas in all facets of your skin care regime especially the application of anti-aging serums and treatments with high performance ingredients as well as application of an SPF product. When you have a professional facial performed by a licensed esthetician, she will always include your neck and décolleté during the treatment. Why don’t we do this at home?

3. Major remodel. If good skin care isn’t enough and you need a little more help, there are several treatment options available from a full neck lift, to procedures like a thread lift, thermage, and laser for the neck and injections of fillers for wrinkly cleavage. Procedures in both of these areas can produce dramatic results and those results can be long term if you are complaint with your post-procedure instructions and if you continue with proper skin care maintenance (see #2).

4. One last thought. If you, like 300,000+ other women in 2007, had breast augmentation surgery, you’ll want to make the most of your investment by keeping your décolleté smooth and wrinkle free. They can lose their allure when they’re mired in wrinkles.

The thing to keep in mind is that it’s never too late. Over the last ten years, I’ve managed to salvage my neck and while it isn’t perfect, it certainly isn’t 15 years older than my face anymore and I’m definitely not a candidate for surgical intervention at this point.

What about you? Did you forget about your neck? Do you care? Why or why not?

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

My Winter Facelift

If you watched my routine at home, you’d never know that I work in the skincare industry. I use three products religiously (cleanser, serum, moisturizer) and a fourth, eye creme, only when I think about it. I love my Clarisonic, but I forget to use it most of the time. Most nights I’m too exhausted to wash my face before I hit the sack and wake up with eyeliner and mascara smeared all over my face. I’m lazy. I know.

My skin really started to change this year (I’m 44) and in an attempt to continue to chase the fountain of youth and with a sincere of goal of having great skin to start 2010, I decided that I’m going to get a winter face lift.

Not that kind of face lift! I’m talking about the do-it-yourself, no knife option. Want better skin by the Valentines Day? Follow along:

1. Commit to a skin care routine. Of course, I prefer Striking Skin Care products, but whatever you use, make sure you have the basics: cleanser, serum, moisturizer and eye creme. Use them twice a day religiously.

2. Add a retinol, vitamin C or AHA product to your routine at night. Each of these products will help to resurface and rejuvenate the skin which aids in the absorption of the active ingredients in your serum and moisturizer. Once you’ve added one of these types of products into your routine, it’s imperative that you add a SPF during the day as well (it can be in your foundation or in your moisturizer) as retinols, vitamin C and AHAs can make your skin photosensitive.

3. If it’s in your budget, try a Clarisonic brush. I am a HUGE Clarisonic fan. Their brushes range from $225 for the Clarisonic PLUS to $149 for the Clarisonic Mia, and it’s worth every penny. The brush gets your skin 6xs cleaner than with manual cleansing which helps the performance ingredients in your skin care products to penetrate more efficiently. When I use mine, I see a difference immediately. Mine is sitting in the charger, ready to be used tonight!

4. Get a deep cleansing facial. In a perfect world, I’d have the time and money to get a facial once a month. For my winter face lift, I’m committing to one facial a month for the next three months. It’s time to do a clean sweep of my skin.

5. Drink water and lots of it. I’m in a constant state of dehydration and it shows up on my skin with tiny little fine lines and a sallow complexion. It doesn’t help that I live in the land of Starbucks and have a serious caffeine addiction. Time to double up on water (and trips to the bathroom). Not only does staying hydrated make your skin look better, it also helps with brain function!

6. Get a brow wax. I know this doesn’t really have to do with skin care as we traditionally think of it, but it does work wonders for the no-knife face lift. I’m religious about getting my brows waxed and I’m amazed at the number of friends that I have that have never had it done. If you want an instant “lift” to get yourself inspired for your winter face lift, find a great esthetician and schedule a brow wax NOW!! You’ll love the results!

All that being said, the next thing I’m doing is calling my esthetician to schedule a brow wax and get this regime jump started. The goal is fantastic skin by Valentines Day and glorious skin by March.

Are you in?

Posted by Brigette, contributor

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Around the Water Cooler: What book are you reading?















I asked around the office and here is what our group listed as what they are reading this week (or month!)...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Devil's Brood by Sharon Kay Penman - Historical Fiction Eleanor of Aquitane
Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food by Gene Baure
Wishin' and Hopin' A Christmas Story by Wally Lambs
Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch


Tell us about what book you are reading and post your answer to this week's Free Striking Question 12/11 and be entered to win a Striking Holiday Duo (value $77.00).


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Why am I so dry? Oh yeah, I forgot. I’m over 40.

When I hit 40, everything changed. My eyesight went south, my occasional gray hairs became an entire crop and my skin dried up. I could hear my mom and my aunt snickering “I told you so” in my head as I complained about how my body was betraying me.

I skipped the box of hair color (I’m just too lazy to keep up with it, so why start?), got a new prescription for my contact lenses and then contemplated what the heck I was going to do about my skin care. I’ve been in the skin care industry for a long time and have tried hundreds of moisturizers, but I knew that I needed something different this time. Gone are the days of my carefree 20s and my simple 30s. I need something serious in my 40s, especially with perimenopause right around the corner. I’ve got to undo some damage and prepare for the slow down in collagen production.

Striking Restorative Moisture Creme is just what the doctor ordered. It feels extremely rich at first, but within 5 minutes, my skin soaks it up and feels renewed. Because I’m an ingredient junkie, let’s talk about some of the performance ingredients that make this moisturizer worthwhile:

It’s full of shea butter which my skin drinks up. Shea butter is the natural fat from the karite nut which grows in Africa. It’s an excellent emollient ingredient that also smoothes the surface of the skin.

It contains sodium hyaluronate which is a super-humectant that can attract 1000 times its own weight in moisture to the skin.

Green tea is added to soothe the skin (inflammation contributes to the aging process)and provides antioxidant protection. Couple green tea with antioxidant vitamins C and E and you have got a powerful defense against free radicals.

The most powerful ingredient however is SmartPeptide Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, a patented ingredient that has been shown to increase collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even skin tone. In a clinical study 97% of subjects said they had firmer skin in 14 days and 93% said that the overall appearance of their skin had improved in 14 days. This two week time mark seems significant to me because when we get feedback about Striking products, invariably the customer always mentions that she saw a different in that time frame.

Are you ready for something more serious? Are you ready to transform your skin?

Posted by Brigette, contributor

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Monday, December 14, 2009

Another Best Things in Beauty Product Review





Adrienne Whyte of Best Things in Beauty has been using our Striking Multi-Peptide Serum and wrote a fabulous review on it. Read her post here.

Subscribe to her feed and read the latest about all the "best things in beauty".

bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com

Friday, December 11, 2009

Free Striking Question of the Week - 12/11

Winner drawn 12/18 - Congrats JoJami!
















Question: What book are you currently reading?

Prize: Striking Holiday Duo Set (NEW for the holidays)

Set includes -
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz jar
Product Value: $77.00

Winner will be drawn on Friday, December 11th.

Post your answers here, on our Facebook page or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, December 18, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

HDTVs and Seeing Real Beauty















I thought that last year was the "big year" for flat screen televisions for the holidays but as I look at the ads, discounts are available this year as well. Last year we did end up splurging and buying a large HDTV. I had heard that the picture can be life-like, almost as if the people were standing in front of me. What I did not realize is how "real" people appeared and they lost their flawless image. When watching on my former box TV, anchor men and women would appear ageless with smooth, perfect skin. Now when watching our television, people have uneven skin tones and wrinkles around their eyes and mouth. Their hair has fly aways like mine and their teeth are not as straight or white as I remembered.

I was taken back initially by this as it was such a change, almost as if they had aged overnight. But now I appreciate it because we live in a world of perfection as the targeted goal and air brushing is the norm in magazines, online photos and other forms of media. It does seem more "real" seeing them clearly on HDTV and I think this is exactly what people need to see; that not everybody is flawless but beautiful just being themselves.

We came across this post on Entrepreneurial Menopause Freedom and wanted to share it with you. The author writes about how she felt after being interviewed and then broad casted in HDTV without a make-up artist available to her. It is honest and does drive the question: Why are we so hard on ourselves when it comes to aging and physical changes?

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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Glam Girls and Accessorizing

We really enjoy the Glam Girls from Fabulous After 40 because they "get it". They understand how to answer the questions that so many of us have. They can look at outfit that we might wear and turn it up a notch.

In the past I have personally viewed accessories as something extra that I can do without, when in fact it is the accessories that make the outfit. It is better to have a few great outfits than a wardrobe of incomplete outfits. There is definitely a difference in how I feel when I wear an outfit that is complete. I have more confidence, I walk a little taller and overall my day feels better.

Here is a short video from JoJami Tyler and Deborah Bland and how to accessorize something everyday and make it more memorable. You might get an idea or two that you could use to spruce up an existing outfit you already have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBJWuHC75u0



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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Around the Water Cooler: What is your signature fragrance?

















When it comes to perfume, it is all about personal preference. I asked around the office and here is what our group listed as their favorites...

Poême by Lancome
Destinations by Ann Taylor
Tuscany by Estee Lauder/Aramis
L’interdit by Givenchy
J'adore by Christian Dior
Fleur de Vanille
Euphoria by Calvin Klein
Kai
Chanel No 19

Tell us about your favorite perfume and post your answer to this week's Free Striking Question and be entered to win a Striking Holiday Duo (value $77.00).

Monday, December 7, 2009

Floral, Woody, Fresh... What does this mean when referring to perfume?

I recently stopped at the fragrance counter to smell the latest perfume from Faith Hill that I encountered while perusing through the November Redbook. During my visit, I was asked "What type of perfume I usually wear? Was it something floral, woody, fresh?" I was not sure so I said "fruity?" and told them the name of the perfume. I was wrong and realized that I needed to read up on perfume lingo so I could describe what I was looking for.

When I was looking for my signature fragrance (see recent post) on RealBeauty.com I also stumbled across the lingo I was looking for in a fragrance overview. I began reading and learned why I was incorrect in my perfume language that I had been using.

Fragrances can be described in 3 different terms: family, tone and notes.

A family is the main descriptor of a fragrance. There are 14 different families that are are used and can range from floral, oriental, fresh and woody. They are then divided into smaller or sub-categories that are in between each family. Example would be florals become soft florals when vanilla is added or if something spicy is added it will be described as a floral oriental.

Next is the tone. The tone refers to the strength or intensity of the fragrance. I was surprised to hear that a fragrance can only have one tone and I was in fact using it incorrectly.

Last is the note of a fragrance. A note can be what you are smelling or separating out from the scent. For instance, it you smell cinnamon, apple or vanilla you are smelling a note in the fragrance.

Think about your signature fragrance, can you describe the family, tone and notes? I will need to get back to you on that one for me...

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The Key to Finding Your Signature Scent

This week the Free Striking Question (12/4) is on the topic of fragrance. Most people have a scent that they feel is their "signature" scent; the one that smells best on them or the one that they prefer most. Others have fragrance that is specific to what they are doing whether it is during the day at work, in the evening or for a special event or date.

Fragrances can take on a life of their own when applied in different amounts to skin and they smell different on each person. A scent can smell amazing on one person and not the same on another.

If asked, I believe that most women would have at least one fragrance come to mind that they love. A fragrance is something personal for each person, it can bring back a memory or create a feeling of confidence within one's self.

If you are unsure and looking for your signature fragrance, we came across an online tool:Fragrance Finder at RealBeauty.com that can help you.

Fragrance can also be a great gift for someone special. But, it is not something that should be chosen based on the person who sniffs it at the counter, it should also be chosen by the person who will wear it. If you are planning on buying perfume or cologne for some one this holiday season, find out in conversation what their signature fragrance is or at least what type they light (notes of fruit, floral, musk, oak). By taking the time to find out, it will make the gift something that they will use and enjoy and not sit on the counter untouched.

What were your results?

Update:
I took the quiz to see if I found out something about new about myself and I did. Here were my results:

Fragrance Finder Quiz Results

Congratulations! Here are your results:
You might like Woody Fragrances

You seem like the calm, nurturing type who makes others feel at ease. You have a self-confidence that's extremely attractive. Your boho-chic aesthetic is more glam than granola, and you always look great in an effortless way. This indicates that you might like a scent that's sexy yet earthy and unconventional. Classic woody fragrances are dominated by notes of cedar, patchouli, pine, sandalwood, and vetiver. Some newer versions are blended with exotic oriental notes, fresh citrus and lush green leaves, or feminine flowers.

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Friday, December 4, 2009

Free Striking Question of the Week - 12/4

Winner drawn 12/11. Congratulations Valerie!

A fragrance is all about personal preference...

Question: What is your signature fragrance?

Prize: Striking Holiday Duo Set (NEW for the holidays)

Set includes -
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz jar
Product Value: $77.00

Winner will be drawn on Friday, December 11th.

Post your answers here, on our Facebook page or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, December 11, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

My Shopping Connection



MyShoppingConnection.com is a one stop shopping galleria of ideas for the person who loves interesting products and is looking for that one of a kind item when shopping. It lists reputable online and local stores by area.

There are several features on the site such as the Shopping By Mail and My Area Shopper pages. The Galleria lets people quickly scroll through products that are reviewed by the editors to see if something peaks their curiosity. Products are only selected as Editor’s Pick if the editor(s) have used the product and felt it would be of value or interest to their readers. Striking Skin Care was selected as an Editor’s Pick and a product review was written on our line of products.

My Shopping Connection is a fun shopping site where there is something for everyone to find there. Are you having trouble finding that perfect gift for something, My Shopping Connection could provide the idea you were looking for.

My Shopping Connection
www.myshoppingconnection.com

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December's Known Bargains

Look for and stock up on these items that might be a better deal this month.

December is the month for these bargains:
• Gift Wrap
• Bakeware (usually after the holiday, sometimes before)
• New cars
• Weddings
• Computers
• Real estate

See our original post in September to read the entire article from Kathryn Cavanan in USA Today (9/4/09.

Look for next post on January's Known Bargains early next month to give you idea of what bargains traditionally occur in January.

See September's bargains.
See October's bargains. (Listed at the bottom of this post.)
See November's bargains.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Free Striking Question of the Week - 11/30


Question: During the holidays and all of the discounts, do you splurge and pick up a little something for yourself?

(Honestly, we do!)

Prize: Striking Holiday Duo Set (NEW for the holidays)

Set includes -
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz jar
Product Value: $77.00

Winner will be drawn on Friday, December 4th.

Post your answers here, on our Facebook page or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, December 4, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Free Striking Friday - Question of the Day 11/20

Winner drawn Monday, 11/30 - PJ MariaPatricia is the winner. Congratulations PJ!


Question of the day: Be honest, is it cranberry from a can (jellied or whole) or real cranberries on Thanksgiving. Or if you are reading this on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, then was it real or canned?

Prize: Striking Holiday Duo Set (NEW for the holidays)

Set includes -
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz jar
Product Value: $77.00

Winner will be drawn on Monday, November 30.

Post your answers here, on our Facebook page or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Monday, November 30, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Striking Skin Care at Chat-tabulous Things Event 11/19/09

See Striking Skin Care and numerous other vendors at the Chat-tabulous Things Event at the Embassy Suites in Bellevue, WA. The event is presented by Chat with Women, Pam and Rochelle, a radio program for women by women and their charity partner Go Red for Women.

Girls Night Out with live auction, vendors, foods, no host bar and loads of Chat Cash!

Details:
WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2009
TIME: 5:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
WHERE: Embassy Suites Hotel, 3225 - 158th Avenue S.E., Bellevue, WA 98008
ADMISSION:$35.00
Tickets include wine, appetizers, dessert, no-host bar, shopping and CHAT CA$H*
Buy tickets here.

Listen to Pam and Rochelle on Chat with Women here.

Chat with Women
www.chatwithwomen.com

Romy Raves About Striking

Romy Raves about Striking in her recent post, Skin Care for 40 Somethings. Romy Raves is a blog that is the "Go to" girl for tips, trends, product reviews and any other suggestions that would be of interest to you. Read about her Striking Skin Care experience and stay tuned for an opportunity to win products on her site Romy Raves.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Free Striking Friday-Question of the Day 11/13

Winner drawn 11/20. Congratulations Alice K.!


We love to shop till we drop. In light of this exciting holiday shopping season that we are entering, we thought we would direct our Free Striking Friday question this week to shopping.

Question of the day: Are you planning to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving this year?

Prize: Striking Holiday Duo Set (NEW for the holidays)

Set includes -
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz jar
Product Value: $77.00


Post your answers here, on our Facebook page or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, November 20, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

November is...




National Healthy Skin Month.

An entire month dedicated to maintaining skin health.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Menopausal Skin - What is it?

I’ve been throwing around the term “menopausal skin” for a few weeks now and somebody asked me to explain what exactly that means. I’m glad she asked, because it encompasses so much more than “aging”.

Menopause brings about all kinds of changes in woman’s body. The physical changes that we most commonly associate with menopause are the end of the menstrual cycle and the beginning of hot flashes. But, menopause has a significant impact on the skin as well. The loss of estrogen causes diminished collagen and elastin production which results in loss of firmness and elasticity of the skin and the appearance of more lines and wrinkles. In fact, there are some studies that show that skin can lose up to 30% of collagen after the first five years of menopause. Women can also experience changes in texture and tone of the skin, dryness, pigmentation problems, acne and even facial hair. Aren’t you glad you asked???

One of the ways to manage menopausal aging is to use skin care products that contain ingredients known to enhance collagen production. Retinoids (Vitamin A such as retinol, retinol palmitate, retinoic acid or tretinoin) are always a good choice. Your doctor can prescribe Retin-A® or Renova® for its proven exfoliation and rejuvenation qualities. It’s a good treatment if you are suffering from menopausal acne as well.

Collagen-enhancing peptides such as the SmartPeptides found in Striking Skin Care are also excellent for restoring menopausal skin. For instance Striking Multi-Peptide Serum contains Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 and Heptapeptide-7. These peptides encourage keratinocyte proliferation and migration as well as collagen production. In plain English that means it makes the skin look and feel firmer while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, in an independent clinical study of Striking Multi-Peptide Serum, 94% said they had firmer skin in 14 days and 84% said the appearance of fines lines and wrinkles were reduced in 14 days.

Here is a "before" photo:

Here is the "after" photo at 14 days:


The formulation also contains trehalose and glycerin which are excellent at protecting the skin from dehydration while helping to restore its natural moisture balance. The result is smoother, firmer, well-hydrated skin.

The use of a good broad-spectrum sunscreen is also highly recommended to protect the skin from the sun’s aging rays as well as discourage any hyperpigmentation that may occur. Look for a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. There are many sunscreen options available for use over or under your moisturizer or there are several foundations on the market that contain SPF that are a good option.

I’d personally also invest in a Clarisonic Sonic Face Brush (see my post on 10/8/09). This brush cleans your skin more efficiently than manual cleansing which allows your treatment products to penetrate better and do what they’re supposed to do. The initial investment is big ($195), but the payoff is worth it.

What tips do you have for managing menopausal skin?

Posted by Brigette, contributor

Monday, November 9, 2009

Free Striking Friday - Question of the Week 11/6

Winner drawn 11/13 - Congratulations to Marina G.

We are still having the Free Striking Friday Question - although we are a little late this week in posting it.


Question of the day: What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Prize: Striking Holiday Duo Set (NEW for the holidays)

Set includes -
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz jar
Product Value: $77.00


Post your answers here, on our Facebook page or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, November 13, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Send Holiday Cheer!













Check out our holiday set now available in our web boutique.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

What Magazines Do You Read?

What magazines do you read and where do you buy them?

Answer our short survey and once we reach 50 survey responders, we will randomly draw one winner to receive a Striking Daily Essentials Kit (value $50.00).

Good luck!


Click Here to take survey

November's Known Bargains

Look for and stock up on these items that might be a better deal this month.

November is the month for these bargains:
• Candy - items in the Halloween markdown area
• Frozen turkeys
• Baking ingredients
• Travel deals

See our original post in September to read the entire article from Kathryn Cavanan in USA Today (9/4/09) and see what September bargains you may have missed out on. If you are on the hunt for an outdoor grill you may have missed a deal because October was listed as the best month to purchase one.

Look for next post on December's Known Bargains early next month to give you idea of what bargains traditionally occur in December.

Only a few more days until the Woodinville Women's Show

The Woodinville Women's Show is a great way to meet local businesses that are female focused. The event is taking place the Carol Edwards Center in Woodinville, WA on Saturday, November 7th from 11am to 4pm. Visit the Striking Skin Care table to be entered in a raffle for a gift basket of skin care products.

Tickets can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets for $5.

If you are in the area we would love to see you. If you are not local we would still like to get to know you, enter a contest, post comments or send us an email at strikingskin@gmail.com.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Update Your Look with a Hair Makeover

Whenever a show is on with makeovers, I am instantly drawn to it. I came across this makeover of a woman who just celebrated her 40th birthday. It is not a drastic makeover but updates her hair style so that her face is more visible and lets her new found confidence shine through.

I think everyone needs a refresher every so often, even if it is only for that "just styled feel" after you get a new hair style. I feel a surge of confidence after I have my hair styled or colored that I didn't have when I walked in to the salon the hour before.

Need a boost in this fall weather? Schedule an appointment with your hair stylist and update your look.

Enter our Free Striking Friday Question for this week (before 11/6) and tell us how often you cut or color your hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EblNfHOVYVI

Striking Giveaway at Best Things in Beauty




Adrienne Whyte from Best Things in Beauty is hosting a giveaway of Striking. To enter click here for more information.

Best Things in Beauty
http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com/

Winner Drawn for Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway!!!

Congratulations to Kelly H.

of Washington, she has been randomly drawn as the winner of the Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway.

For more giveaways, stay tuned as we are posting them regularly and always on Fridays with our Free Striking Friday Questions.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Free Striking Friday - Question of the Day 10/30



Winner drawn on 11/9 (late!). Congratulations to V G Marcel!

Question of the day: How often do you get your hair cut or colored?

Tell us your hair schedule and see how yours compares with other women. More or less or about the same...

Prize: Striking Daily Essentials Kit (Value $50.00)

Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, November 6th, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Striking Product Review: Best Things in Beauty




Adrienne Whyte from Best Things in Beauty has been using Striking products for a month or so. She has written a fabulous review about using Striking Skin Care on her blog titled Best Things in Beauty. Read about Striking and other products that she reviews on her blog.

Best Things in Beauty
http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Only a few more days to enter the Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway


The giveaway will end at midnight on 10/30/09. Make sure that you enter before then and let your friends know about this fantastic giveaway before it is too late!

Read more here: Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway Post

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Free Striking Friday - Question of the Day 10/23

Winner drawn 10/30/09: Jane D. Congratulations Jane!

Question of the day: What types of exercise do you do to stay fit?

Prize: Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1oz and Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser, 8oz. (Value $70.00)

Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, October 30, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Is Denise Austin Really 52?


Well, we checked and yes she is 52 years old. When I saw that she was over 50, I was floored. She looks amazing and has incredible energy as a person and business woman. Denise has been working on fitness videos and writing books for the last 25 years. Her first big break in to the public eye was on the Jack LaLanne show in 1981. Since then she has sold over 20 million videos and DVDs as well as multiple books on fitness.

I found a article on in the LA Times that she recently wrote titled "Denise Austin: Q & A with a fitness guru". It touches on tips for fitness for women like her, over 50.

When asked "What can women expect from their bodies after 50?"

This was Denise's response excerpted from the article:
"I believe a woman can get a fit, toned and sexy body at 50, but she has to work out for it. Fight gravity all the way. Exercise is a must. Especially muscle-conditioning moves. To keep up your muscle tone and firm up, work out at least three times a week with weights, your own body weight, Pilates or boot-camp-type exercises that focus on strength."

For more tips on exercise for women, check out her website at www.deniseaustin.com

She has a new DVD that was released on Sept 15 and two more coming out in time for the holidays with a new book to follow after the first of the year. Even if you are not a fan of exercising or Denise Austin you can still appreciate the fact that she looks great for any age, especially 52!


Photograph by Hilmar Meyer-Bosse on www.deniseaustin.com

Friday, October 16, 2009

Free Striking Friday-Question of the Day 10/16



Winner drawn was Linda I. Congratulations Linda!

Question of the day: What is your favorite thing about fall?

Prize: A fall basket full of a Striking Daily Essentials Product Set, a delectable bar of Seattle Chocolates and a cozy assortment of Bigelow teas to warm you on these cool Fall days.

Set includes - 4 conveniently sized products:
•Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser, 2 oz bottle
•Striking Multi-Peptide Serum, 0.5 oz bottle
•Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.25 oz jar
•Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 0.5 oz jar
Product Value: $50


Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, October 23, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Free Striking Friday---On a Tuesday!!

Winner drawn 10/9 - Congrats to winner Holly C. of Amberjewelry.com,.

Vacations and the flu threw us for a loop! Here's the question of the day, just a few days late:

A peptide is a chain of _________ acids.

Prize: Striking Skin Care Daily Duo (a $69 value)
Includes:
Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5 oz.
Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1 oz.

Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, October 16, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other than your email address.

Winner!!

Question of the Day winner for 10/2/09 is Holly P. Congrats!

New Question of the Day coming soon. Stay tuned.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway - Striking Skin Care + Clarisonic Mia!




We are thrilled to be able to offer a fantastic October Giveaway, the Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway includes the Striking Skin Care System and a pink Clarisonic Mia. Total prize package worth $319!!

Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway includes:

Striking Skin Care System ($170)
• Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser (8 oz.)
• Striking Multi-Peptide Serum (1 oz.)
• Striking Restorative Moisture Creme (1 oz.)
• Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme (0.5 oz.)

Pink Clarisonic Mia ($149)
Mia is the new, go-anywhere Sonic Skin Cleansing System in a great compact size. The one-button, one-speed Mia fits your active lifestyle for beautiful, glowing skin wherever life’s adventures take you.

To enter the Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway, enter your name and email address in the giveaway box in the right panel or click on our Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway Contest Page. All entries must be made by October 30th, 2009 at 11:55 pm. One winner will randomly be selected using Contest Machine. The winner will be notified via email and asked for contact information to send the Clean Beautiful Skin Giveaway prize to. For more information, visit our Clean Beautiful Skin contest page.

Clarisonic - A Must Have!



Sometimes I’m just wrong; and I was dead wrong when it came to the Clarisonic Sonic Face Brush. About three years ago, someone asked me if I had ever heard of the Clarisonic. I had not. I did a little research, looked at the price ($195) and quickly dismissed it as another overpriced gadget. Boy, was I wrong.

My moment of conversion came when I used the brush. I had been battling a horrible bout of eczema on my face for almost two years and nothing seemed to work. After two days of using the Clarisonic, my eczema was gone. That was enough to make me become a believer. My theory is that it cleaned my skin so efficiently that the products I was using to combat my eczema could finally penetrate and do what they were supposed to do.

Since then, I have been singing the praises of the Clarisonic. It makes every skin care product that you use work better. Within a week of using it, people will start to ask you what you’ve done to your skin.

Just how does it work? Here’s some information pulled directly from the company’s website:

Benefits beyond just clean skin: Clarisonic improves the appearance of skin tone and reduces the appearance of pore size

Clarisonic is the sonic technology proven to gently yet effectively loosen dirt and oil to clear your pores. The Clarisonic Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth your skin. In just 60 seconds a day, the Clarisonic micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing.

Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing Benefits
• Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle enough for twice daily use
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles


I feel that this is a product that really delivers results. Within a week of using it, people will start to ask you what you’ve done to your skin. I love this product so much that after telling them my story to five of my friends and family members they have purchased the product and are now as enthusiastic about this product as I am. Just a head’s up: Clarisonic is not a “cheap date”. The brushes range in price from $225 to $149 and are available online in their web store. There's also a personalization feature for fun, or if you end up with more than one in your household. The bottom line is, if you want to get the most out of the skin care products that you are using, you’ll work this brush into your budget. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Posted by Brigette, contributor

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I love October. I love the crisp fall days in the Pacific Northwest when the weather takes a left hand turn right out of summer and smack into autumn. I love all the pink products that hit the market place that benefit organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation. And I love that it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (www.nbcam.org).

Honestly, the importance of breast cancer awareness was lost on me until I turned 40 and had to get a baseline mammogram before my breast augmentation procedure. I have no history of breast cancer anywhere in my family and I was really bad about doing my monthly exams. I know about 5 breast cancer survivors, but they are acquaintances. No one close to me has had breast cancer. The disease hadn’t really touched me in a significant way, so I really didn’t think about it.

When I had my mammogram, a doctor came in right afterwards to tell me that there were some “suspicious” areas in my films. My right breast had calcifications that needed further study and I needed to schedule a needle biopsy. Wow. Talk about having the wind knocked out of you. Here I was: 40-years old, in the middle of a divorce with two children, getting ready to embark on a new life and there might be something seriously wrong.

I went in for my biopsy a week later and waited for three sleepless nights for the wonderful women at the breast center to call me and tell me that everything was okay. After getting on my knees and thanking God, I knew that I was forever changed. That was by far, the scariest 2 weeks of my life, and I had a perfect outcome.

So, what’s different for me now?

I do my monthly breast exams. After breast augmentation surgery, this is especially important because it’s that much more challenging to negotiate around the implant. If you’re bad about remembering, either schedule a time monthly in your planner or your iPhone/Blackberry, or get a shower card from your OB/GYN. If your doctor’s office doesn’t carry them, you can the Susan G. Komen Foundation at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) to request a free one. Check out their site: www.komen.org.

I stay on the mammogram schedule that has been outlined by my physician. After my baseline mammogram, I had a mammogram every six months until the doctors told me last year that I only have to go in every two years for a while. Luckily, I have fantastic insurance. If you are currently uninsured or if you insurance doesn’t cover mammograms, Google “free mammograms” in your city and often times, you’ll find local events in which a mobile mammogram unit is onsite giving free or discounted mammograms. Take advantage and get yourself scheduled now! I also go to The Breast Cancer Site (www.thebreastcancersite.com) and click to donate a free mammogram.

I donate to the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Truth be known, I’m not a good joiner. Never have been. But I’m really good at supporting my friends that do the 3-Day with my dollars and have done so yearly (www.the3day.org). This year, I just happened to be at the Seattle Center with my family when the 3-Day walkers were getting to cross the finish line. In comes a huge sea of pink, and as they entered the stadium, all of the walkers’ family, friends and supporters cheered loudly. I literally stood in awe with my daughter in her stroller and cried. I thought to myself, “What wonderfully brave women to walk for their friends or themselves. Would I walk for my friends? Yes! Would my friends walk for me? Yes! Then why aren’t I doing this?”

I buy lots of pink stuff. Like I said, true retailer that I am, I “vote” with my dollar. When October comes around, I buy the items that donate back to breast cancer causes. Pink M & Ms? Check. Pink water bottle? Check. Pink Ribbon Sharpies? You bet. There are a variety of products that give back in the month of October. Keep a Breast does a great job at educating and increasing breast cancer awareness among young people with t-shirts“Keep-A-Breast” (www.keep-a-breast.org).

These are just small things that I do, and quite honestly, I should be doing much, much more. What kinds of things do you do? I’d love to know other ways that my time or my dollars can make an impact to eradicate a disease that has affected so many of our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.

Posted by Brigette, contributor

Friday, October 2, 2009

Free Striking Friday - Question of the Day 10/2





Question of the Day:
What is the name of our patented ingredients that are used in 3 of the 4 Striking products?

Hint-________peptides.

Prize:
1 free Striking Mini Kit (value $40)

Includes:
Striking Multi-Peptide Serum, 0.5oz
Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.25oz
Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 0.5oz

This is a great introduction to the Striking line.

Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, October 9, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other then your email address.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Right time to buy? Monthly bargains...

According to an article by Kathryn Cavanan in USA Today, Friday, September 4th, there really are seasonal bargains. I was just wondering when the best time to buy a lawn mower was and her article was placed on my desk.

There has always been a myth that bargains can run seasonally and I believed in some, like baking ingredients are always on sale around Thanksgiving. So I stock up like many others do and cringed in March when I need to restock.

In her article, Plan purchases a year out to get bargains, Kathryn lists out the bargains month by month during the year. Some may seem straight forward, but others are a welcomed surprise. Read her article here and see if an item on your list might be cheaper if you wait a month or two.

September is the month for these bargains:
• New cars
• Landscaping, plants, trees
• Appliances
• Holiday airfares

Spend a little more money or wait another year for August bargains, which most of us will not need until next spring anyway:
• Patio furniture
• Swing sets
• Beach toys
• Large outdoor toys
• Swimming gear
• School supplies
• Fresh produce
• Coolers
• Barbecue grills

Friday, September 25, 2009

Free Striking Friday - Question of the Day 9/25

Winner drawn 10/2 is Roxy. Congratulations Roxy!


Question of the Day:
How many products are in the Striking Skin Care line?

Prize:
1 free Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, 1oz ($42.00 value!)

Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, October 2, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other then your email address.

Striking Product Review - Cool News for Women

Cool News for Women is a blog that focuses on health and life issues important to women. Anita Mahaffrey is the founder of Cool-Jams Pajamas and the writer who blogs about aging, night sweats, menopause and much more.

She has been using Striking Skin Care products for a couple of weeks and really likes the results that she has experienced so far. Read her blog post to learn more about her Striking experience.

Cool News for Women is also running a giveaway for five lucky winners to receive Striking Multi-Peptide Serums from now until October 20th, 2009. Click on Cool Jams Comment Form to enter your information in the form.

http://www.cool-jams.com

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Style Secrets for Real Women - Video

Sam Saboura from Extreme Makeover and stylist among celebrites posted a video just today on Style Secrets for Real Women. We stumbled upon it and wanted to share it with our friends in our Striking Community.

A Clean Sweep - Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser




I do not like cleansers. Don’t get me wrong, I love the feeling of a clean face. I have eczema, so trying a new cleanser makes me tremble with fear. Worse yet, is that I love foaming cleansers, which are the worst for my sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

When I was asked to try Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser, I was nervous. I had just solved a 2 year long eczema breakout on my face by using a foaming baby wash and I wasn’t ready to trigger another flare up. On top of that, it’s a creamy cleanser. Not exactly my favorite because I haven’t ever used a creamy cleanser that left my face feeling clean. So, with major reservations, I tried it and surprisingly enough, I liked it and (bonus!) it didn’t trigger my eczema.

Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser is a lightweight creamy cleanser that is really efficient at removing makeup (even eye makeup), dirt and environmental grime from your skin. I’ve had long standing issues with feeling like my face isn’t clean after using a creamy cleanser, but that’s not the case with this cleanser. I use my Clarisonic (more on my love for the Clarisonic later) when I wash my face so that’s probably part of the reason I’m getting over using a creamy cleanser in the first place, but I’ve also noticed that it rinses very thoroughly. I feel clean but not stripped of all moisture.

This cleanser is chock full of age-fighting vitamins A, C and E as well as plant extracts that are rich in vitamins as well. For instance, it contains evening primrose oil which is full of essential fatty acids (vitamin F). EFA’s are excellent for eczema-prone skin. It also contains avocado oil (rich in 20 different vitamins and minerals), carrot extract (vitamin A) and seabuckthorn extract (high in vitamin C which supports the activity of vitamin E). All of these skin-loving vitamins help to fight free-radicals which can attack your skin, mangle your DNA and accelerate skin aging.

My skin feels comfortable and moist after washing and I’m not scrambling to slather on the moisturizer to get rid of that claustrophobic skin-tightening feeling that happens after I insist on using a foaming cleanser. I’ve definitely become a fan.

What cleanser are you using?

Posted by Brigette, contributor

Monday, September 21, 2009

Product Review: Cool Jams – PJ’s that Keep you Cool



I have been trying out a pair of pajamas from Cool-jams for the last week or so. Cool-jams is based in San Diego, California and was founded by Anita Mahaffey. Her idea came to be when on a factory visit to Turkey, she discovered a new micro-fiber fabric that “wicked” moisture away from the body and dried quickly. Combine her experience as a manufacturer of apparel and sleepwear (she sold robes of her own design at Neiman Marcus and other retailers) with this soft, lightweight fabric and suddenly she had a winning idea.

Cool-jams targets women 40+ who suffer from night sweats, a common side effect of menopause. However menopausal women aren’t the only people who suffer from night sweats. This condition also occurs during pregnancy, use of certain medications, thyroid conditions, diabetes, obesity, chemotherapy or sleep apnea. Here’s how it works: Cool-jams uses a special wicking fabric that is similar to athletic clothing to help keep the sweat or moisture off the skin. The moisture is absorbed from the skin into the fabric and then evaporates out the other side, leaving the body comfortable and dry. A dry night’s sleep can also mean a good night’s sleep for someone suffering from night sweats.

When I received my package I was surprised to find a “bonus”: a drawstring bag was included for use when washing to prolong the life of the clothing.

While I typically don’t get night sweats, it has been very warm in the Seattle-area this month and like most Western Washingtonians, I don’t have air conditioning. I’m happy to report that I have been sleeping comfortably when I would normally wake up due to the heat and subsequent sweating. I have been wearing the Savannah night shirt in periwinkle blue (it also comes in peach) and I love it. It has lace edging to make it oh-so-feminine. The fabric is soft and silky so that when I sleep it doesn’t catch on my sheets but instead moves with me. The fabric is definitely keeping my skin dry and helping me rest without waking up due to discomfort. I was pleasantly surprised that the nightshirt came out of the dryer wrinkle-free and also that it didn’t shrink. I also read that it is snag free which is very nice so that it will look newer longer and not become snagged from my rings or from wear.

The website (Cool-jams) is very informative in discussing how the wicking fabric works and why it makes sense. There is a size information chart online to help pick the size that is right for you.

Win a pair of Cool-jams pajamas or night shirt here (http://www.cool-jams.com/cust-care.html). Under Contact click on “Do you want to enter one of our contests?” Fill out the form and in the drop down click on Cool-jams Contests. Post what your favorite pajama or nightshirt is there on the site and winner will be selected randomly.

http://www.cool-jams.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Free Striking Friday- Question of the Day 9/18/09

Winner drawn 9/25 is Janet Faye. Congratulations Janet!

Answers accepted were: Menopause Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Gynecological Awareness Month.
_________________________________________________

Question of the Day:
What women's health related awareness month is September?

Prize:
1 free Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme, 0.5oz ($35.00 value!)

Post your answers here or email us at strikingskin@gmail.com. All answers must be posted by 9am Pacific time on Friday, September 25, 2009 in order to qualify. Winners will be randomly selected and then emailed for contact information. Please do not post your address or other contact information to this blog other then your email address.

Free Striking Fridays!

Every Friday, we will post a question on women's skin care, Striking products, events, product review or something related to our Striking Community. We will give readers the chance to post by the following Friday. Answer the question correctly (or close to) and you will be entered in a random drawing to win one free Striking product.

Post your answer with your email address or email your answer to us. All entries must be posted by the following Friday before 9am Pacific time to qualify for the giveaway. Once we select a random winner, we will contact you to retrieve your address and then mail the prize to you.

Good luck to all!

Striking Product Review - Goldivas.com



We received a fabulous product review from Rita at Goldivas.com and are thrilled to share it with you.

Goldivas.com is an internet magazine for women 50 +. This website posts articles every month that cater to the interests of women who are 50 and over. The topics covered include beauty, careers, creative living, fashion, fiction/poetry, fitness/health, money, technology and travel. During the month of September, Striking products are featured under the beauty topic.

Goldivas is offering a giveaway for 5 lucky winners in a drawing that will take place at the end of the month. You can enter by signing up for their newsletter here.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Calling all menopausal women...Are you prepared?

I’m reading “The Wisdom of Menopause” by Dr. Christiane Northrup, not because I’m going through menopause but because I need to learn more about what happens to our bodies (and more specifically, our skin) during that stage so I can write about it more accurately on the Striking blog and newsletter.

I was sharing with some of my friends that I was simultaneously reading books about raising teenagers and going through menopause. Then the questions came up:

“Why are you reading about menopause?”

“Are you perimenopausal?”

“Which book are you reading? Maybe I should get a copy too.”


Then the realization hit me: as a generation of women, we are unprepared for menopause. We get to see the movies about menstruation in grade school, but there’s no mandatory movie about menopause to watch in our late 30’s/early 40’s to prepare us for that next stage of life. Some of us may get some information from our mothers if we ask, but there’s no “birds and bees” type conversation like the ones we get when we’re learning about the facts of life, so it’s up to us figure out this next phase of womanhood.

We throw around words like “perimenopause” and “menopause” like we know what they mean, but really, most of us are grossly uneducated on the subject until the doctor tells us we’re right in the middle of it. Do we really know what happens? Do we care enough to research it before it happens to us or does all the book reading and information gathering start once the doctor has given us the official diagnosis?

I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I’ve started to ask questions of my mother and my aunt. So far, I’m not following in my mother’s footsteps: she gave birth to me at 18 and started menopause at 40. I, on the other hand, gave birth for the first time at 29 and had my third (and I think, my last) child 18 months ago at age 42. I’ve started reading about menopause and asking other women who have been through “the change” what they would recommend to read, or if they read anything at all.

What will do you to prepare?


Posted by Brigette, contributor

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Striking Product Review - Fabulous After 40



Read Fabulous After 40's product review of Striking on their website.

Fabulous After 40 is a website for women over 40 who are fashionistas. When women hit 40 their lifestyles as well as their bodies start to change. There is no need to look or feel frumpy or outdated. Women are coming in to their own in their 40's and should be able to express their new found confidence through their clothing.

JoJami Tyler and Deborah Boland are the women who own Fabulous After 40 and are known as the Glam Gals. They are style consultants that work mainly with women over 40 and are the authors of the eBook, The Glam Plan ~ 12 Simple Steps to Take You from Frumpy to Fabulous. This eBook is the first step in helping you find your own signature style that is age appropriate and fits your lifestyle.

Check out their site and sign up for their newsletter for fashion trends and advice.

For the month of September, each subscriber will be entered in a drawing for 1 Striking Product Set, a value of $170.00! This set includes 1 of each of the following: Striking Multi-Peptide Serum, Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, Striking Rejuvenating Eye Creme and Striking Multi-Vitamin Cleanser.

Sign up here for the Fabulous After 40 newsletter.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ladies Home Journal - October 2009


Check us out in the October 2009 issue of Ladies Home Journal with the women from The View on the cover.

Two of our products, Striking Multi-Peptide Serum and Striking Restorative Moisture Creme, are located on the Tips n Trends page as well as on their website. Click on the photo of the products to read more about them and see other products that were included on that page.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

6 Pieces of Advice from Women Who’ve Been There

Here are some pearls of wisdom gathered from the wise women in my life who have hit menopause and emerged fabulous on the other side:

1. If you’re not a water-drinker, get into the habit now. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body as well as your skin.

2. Stay out of the sun, but if you just can’t help yourself, wear sunscreen. Choose an SPF 30 with a combination of chemical and physical sunscreens (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide). Cover your entire body with at least an ounce and reapply every hour. If you start getting red, get out of the sun, pronto! Remember that overexposure to the sun is the skin’s enemy.

3. If you smoke, you may want to consider quitting. You already know what it can do your skin, so I won’t preach to you.

4. Don’t forget to use your anti-aging products past your chin. Pay attention to your neck, decollete and even your hands.

5. If you feel like you need a little “extra work”, go for it! But remember, you need to take care of your skin to maintain the results whether it’s Botox, fillers or surgery.

6. Since collagen starts to diminish by 1% every year once you hit 40, choose products with ingredients that are known to boost collagen production. Striking Skin Care with SmartPeptides is a good place to start.

All pretty common sense notions, but sometimes, it’s common sense that we lack!!

Posted by Brigette, contributor

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The “M” Word

From time to time we’ll have guest bloggers posting. Our first guest blogger is Brigette, a 43-year old skin care professional, mother of 5 and part-time blogger.

Menopause. There, I said it.

Truth be known, I’m not there yet. I am actually an anomaly in my family: the women in my family for the last two generations started at 40, and here I am in my mid-40’s with an 18 month old. But still, I know what happens and I am not looking forward to it.

All that being said, the thing that I’m most concerned about is my skin. This might stem from the fact that I’ve been in the skin care industry for over 20 years, or maybe because I’m just plain vain (or a little of both). All I know is that what my aunt warned me about: “You’re going to dry up from the inside out and then your face is going to fall in your lap.” Nice.

During menopause, the lack of estrogen being produced in the body causes skin dryness and in some cases, acne, never mind the fact that once menopause starts, collagen production decreases dramatically (hence, the face falling in your lap comment). In fact, once you hit 40, your collagen diminishes by 1% per year. I was really starting to panic about the dryness (my skin already has the moisture content of the Sahara and I am prone to eczema in the winter) and the sagginess (I hate gravity) until I started working on the Striking Skin Care line.

I had been using another product with peptides that I was completely satisfied with when I came to work for Helix BioMedix (the manufacturers of Striking). Not one for change once I find a combination that works for my fussy skin, I switched over because we kept getting incredible feedback from customers about the quick and positive changes they had seen in their skin after using the product. They were right. I started by adding the Multi-Peptide Serum at first. This product contains Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 and Heptapeptide-7. These peptides encourage keratinocyte proliferation and migration as well as collagen production, which make the skin look and feel firmer while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I literally saw a change within a week. My skin looked more hydrated, felt firmer and those pesky lines that keep cropping up around my eyes seemed softer. I added the Restorative Moisture Creme as soon as I ran out of my favorite peptide cream from another company and I’ll have to say, my skin has not looked this good in years.

About Brigette:
Brigette is a 43-year old veteran skin care industry professional who has worked with retail, direct sales, spa and medical skin care companies. In her 20+ years she has worked in all facets of the business from sales and marketing to training and product development. She’s also a part-time blogger and mother of 5 children. She loves leading women to the right products for their skin and readily admits her overwhelming addiction to lip gloss (for which, she notes, there is no 12-step program).