September Birthstone: Sparkling Sapphire

September’s birthstone is sparkling sapphire. This sapphire birthstone ring is sterling silver with a marquis cut 3/4 carat sapphire. Hugged by curves of CZ accents, with silver tapering down to the band. Sapphire symbolizes sincerity and faithfulness. Introductory price of $29.99 (will be $59.99)

Incredible Skincare Solutions, Backed by scientific research

Taking care of your skin can lead to more than just a glowing face; it can help boost your self esteem, and radiate confidence! Regular care of your skin, especially facial skincare, can make a difference.

Avon Skincare Institute

The Avon Skincare Institute is leading skincare research. Skincare scientists are going beyond the beauty industry to explore genetics, botanical ingredients, and sleep research. Avon, as a company, has been a leader in skincare research for decades. (Did you know that it was Avon that brought AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) to the beauty industry?) Avon has a global research and development team of over 200 scientists, working to continue innovative skincare and aging research and bring breakthrough skin cleansers, treatments and moisturizers to you.

We truly care about women feeling good from the inside out.

Current Industry Research

Just this month, August 2015, Avon scientists have presented breakthrough anti-aging skincare research at the summer conference of The American Academy of Dermatology. The research is centered around a protein called “dynein” (pronounced dye-neen) which has to do with transporting nutrients and mitochondria within skin cells. Additional research is focused on autophagy, which is related to how cells remove damage. Both denein and autophagy decline as we age, leading to lines and wrinkles. This kind of research is innovative, and will contribute to the continued development of anti-aging skincare products. Read more here: Avon Scientists Present Research Behind Groundbreaking Anti-Aging Discovery at Summer Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology

Anew Skincare Specialist

I have worked to become an Anew Skincare Specialist with Avon, and my training allows me to recommend Anew products to you based on your skincare needs. There are several Anew lines of skincare, from Vitale to Reversalist to Platinum to Ultimate that will each address specific skincare concerns. In addition, Anew Clinical products have specific targeted solutions! Avon’s latest skincare product, Anew Power Serum, was inspired by Nobel Prize winning research.

Seriously, Serums.

Target all signs of aging and Boost treatments and moisture

Serums are powerhouses for skincare. The secret to serums is that the moisturizing ingredients, like oils, have been removed, so that the serum is a concentration of active anti-aging ingredients. Serums contain smaller molecules which allows them to absorb into the skin more efficiently. Emollients or moisturizer carriers have larger molecules, so they function more as a barrier to lock in moisture.

The finer molecules allow the anti-aging ingredients to deliver more potent results. That's what makes serums a powerhouse.

Serums should always be applied to cleansed skin. Serums do not replace your skincare, they work to enhance what you are currently using. Because they are concentrated, they do not carry the moisturizing element that you still need, so continue to moisturize as you normally would. Plus, that serum will improve the absorption of the moisturizer, enhancing the anti-aging benefits.

Imagine a serum that can detect where additional skin treatment is needed, plus a boost that amplifies your current skincare regimen. Anew Power Serum is lightweight, and designed to be used in conjunction with existing skincare because it focuses on the visible damage to skin and delivers anti-aging results. It is a general treatment that helps with smoothing, coloration, lines & wrinkles and sagging.

The inspiration for Anew Power Serum originated with the 2013 Nobel Prize award for Physiology research in cellular transport

I participated in an online Chat with Anew Power Serum Innovator Pradeep Yadav on August 25th, and he offered some insight into the chemistry of this incredible formula! He shared that the Anew Power Serum is concentrated to really target and deliver maximum anti-aging results. It is definetely meant to be used in conjunction with all other regimen, including after cleansing, and before any other targeted treatments, and under moisturizer. It boosts the benefits of the moisturizer, day and night. Again, this Power Serum boosts your current regimen, so that makes it suitable for layering. This is definitely a unique serum!

Fragrances 101

Ancient perfumery has a 4,000 year history, and fragrance chemistry has used a variety of herbs, spices, flowers, resins, woods and even animal materials.

Fragrance Concentrations

Fragrance concentration is the percentage of "aromatic compounds", and determines how long a scent will last and how strong it will be. From most strong and lasting to least strong and lasting:

• parfum, up to 40% aromatics, lasting up to 8 hours
• esprit de parfum, up to 30% aromatics, lasting up to 6 hours
• eau de parfum, up to 20% aromatics, lasting up to 5 hours
• eau de toilette, up to 15% aromatics, lasting up to 4 hours
• cologne, up to 10% aromatics, lasting up to 2 hours

Avon has eau de parfum, eau de toilette and cologne.

Chemists classify "aromatic compounds" by their molecular structure, in categories like "ester", "terpenes", "amines", "aldehydes", and "ketones". But we like to refer to scents by their main aromas, like rose, jasmine, orange blossoms, greens, and musk (respectively). It is the scent ingredients that are often the most alluring, and we love to take in the aroma of a unique blend, like blackberry, rose and vanilla.

Apply Fragrances at Pulse Points

If you love fragrances, your fragrance should be applied at pulse points:

• behind the ears
• on the neck
• at the inner wrists
• the inside elbows
• behind the knees. 

Applying too much fragrance is not only unnecessary, it can also create allergen problems for others around you. If you apply the fragrances just to your pulse points, you enjoy the aroma on your own body, and you smell "nice" to others close to you, but you will not overpower others with scents they may react to.

Layering Fragrances

Help your fragrance last all day by layering it with same scent shower gels, bath oils and body lotion.  Avon has these for many of their fragrances!

Fragrance Notes

Fragrance notes are the combinations of aromatic compounds that work together to create beautiful aromas. They are layered and designed to release over time and in response to body heat.

• Top Notes: Your first impression of the fragrance. What you smell right away, it also evaporates right away. Usually a light scent. 
• Middle Notes: The heart or substance of the fragrance. This is a pleasant and smooth odor that will carry the fragrance.
• Base Notes: The body of the fragrance, that will last the longest. This is the scent you will have at the end of the day.

Did You Know? Your body chemistry actually changes a fragrance when you apply it. So, the same fragrance will smell different on different people! Avon fragrance samples instruct you to apply the fragrance to the wrist, because the body heat at pulse points help to amplify the scent, and it will help you determine how it smells on you, whereas a scratch and sniff or smelling the sample itself wouldn't.

Current Perfume Trends?

Light floral scents are in for fall, as are earthy, spicy, "global" scents.

Layering different fragrances to create your own unique blend is definitely in, though it does take some trial and error to get your own perfect scent just right!

You don't wear the same clothes every day, so why wear the same fragrance every day? On trend right now is having a wardrobe of different scents to wear based on mood or destination.

Serious personalization is very trendy, if you can afford it! There are many companies offering personal mixology so you can create your very own scent. Some even have bottle and logo design to go along with your aromatic chemistry experiment!