A More Beautiful You

By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS

We all want to be beautiful, and, in fact, we all are.

There is no single universal trait that define beauty, and no ideal image of aesthetic perfection.

As the old saying goes: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or as Miss Piggy famously put it: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.”)

And while we may not all be Angelina Jolies, we each have our inimitable comely features that set us apart from everyone else and give us our own personal beauty.

The secret to looking our absolute best is to identify what exactly our special features are and then accentuating them so that the entire world can appreciate our unique gorgeousness.

If, for example, your eyes are your biggest allure, play them up with smoky eye makeup and a dab of concealer just above the tear duct so that they are the focus of attention whenever someone looks your way.

On the other, if your flawless complexion is your most important physical asset, forget the heavy eye and lip makeup and let the natural glowing beauty of your skin shine through as the main attraction.

By the same token, if there are certain parts of your body that you are not that thrilled about, you can use clothing and makeup to diffuse attention away to more attractive features.

Vertical lines have a thinning effect, so if you are feeling a bit pudgy around the tummy, try wearing a vertically striped blouse with a look-at-me Peter Pan collar that will draw all eyes to your face, not your waistline.

But beauty is more than physical attributes.

How we feel, how we express ourselves, how we interact with the world around us all reflect on our individual beauty.

Also, it is important to take time out each day to indulge yourself with some personal pampering, whether it be fanning through your favorite magazine while listening to the maniacal rhythms of the Geto Boys, or relaxing in a tub of warm, perfumed water while reading the latest romance novel from the drugstore rack and sipping a glass of sherry.

Doing things you like to do makes you feel beautiful, and if you feel beautiful, you naturally project that beauty back into your environment.

Here, then, are a few new products that will help you feel great about who you are, and, in so doing, will make the rest of world take notice of how great you are too.

Healthy Skin

Your body has no organ larger nor more exposed to the outside world than your skin, and there is no clearer sign of beauty than a healthy complexion.

If you absolutely have to skimp on some aspect of personal beauty care, your skin is not the place to do it.

After finally winning a tedious three-year court battle against a firm that was inappropriately using its label and brand name, the Texas-based Nerium Biotechnology is finally back in Mexico.

And this time around, Nerium, which has built its skincare and beauty empire on products derived from the nerium oleander flower – used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of health conditions such as skin problems, inflammation, infections, epilepsy and asthma – has upped its game.

In addition to its flagship Advanced Skincare antiaging line – composed of a face cream, a night cream, an eye cream and a body cream – Nerium has added an Rx Therapy line of derma pharmaceuticals to treat acne, cold sores, psoriasis and shingles.

Recent scientific study has shown that extracts from the oleander flower – a type of evergreen shrub that grows wild in many parts of the world, but is now cultivated by Nerium Biotechnology in Texas as the key ingredient in its personal skincare and medical products – not only has antioxidant properties, but also antimicrobial properties as well.

(Preliminary research at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has even suggested that oleander extract may be effective in inhibiting and reversing the growth of some malignant tumors, including brain cancer.)

What is certain is that the antiviral properties of the extract are very effective in treating cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), and shingles, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

The soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of oleander extract, when combined with Aloe Vera extract, works by helping to reduce redness and irritation in psoriasis and acne patients.

Nerium’s new Rx Therapy line is available exclusively in Mexico through licensed dermatologists and at specialized dermatological pharmacies, and the company’s Skincare range can be purchased online.

To order, go directly to Nerium’s Mexican internet page.

Protect and Nourish

Beautiful skin needs to be nourished and protected, which means moisturizing and plenty of sunscreen.

Now, at last, MartiDerm — the Spanish cosmetic pharmacology company that first pioneered the use of ampoulettes in skincare — has developed a three-in-one Black Diamond Epigence Optima SPF 50+ ampoulette that fights premature aging, nourishes and protects against sun damage and other environmental aggressors, and helps to reverse some of the external appearances of aging.

In vitro clinical studies have shown that, used daily, Optima SPF 50+ helps to reprogram skin cells to better withstand the effects of aging (MartiDerm calls it “smart aging”) and dramatically improves the appearance of skin through revitalization and brightening.

It’s exclusive formula contains the company’s patented Proteum 89+, which offers deep-penetrating intense hydration while increasing skin’s firmness and elasticity.

Another ingredient, Epigen 145, helps to boost skin’s natural resilience to stress and free radicals, stimulates cell renewal and slows the progression of the outward signs of aging.

And here’s the best part: A long-lasting, broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sun filter blocks UV rays, encapsulated pro-retinol protects against infrared ray radiation, cacao extract protects from HEV (blue light) radiation from electronic devises like computers and cellphones, and glyogen glucose fights off the harmful effects of WiFi and Bluetooth REM waves.

Black Diamond Epigence Optima SPF 50+ can be used over your normal daily skincare products and under makeup as a protective primer.

Each ampoulette contains enough Epigence Optima SPF 50+ for two applications on face, neck and decolletage.

Don’t Sweat It

It’s hard to feel beautiful when your self-confidence is at rock bottom.

And nothing makes us feel more insecure than concerns that our personal hygiene may not be up to par.

Most of us don’t carry deodorant sticks in our handbags (although when we break into a nervous sweat when the boss calls us in to give an improvised presentation to a new client or when we feel hot and sticky after a six-hour plane ride, we often wish we did).

Fortunately, MartiDerm has also just introduced the prefect solution, MartiDerm Driosec Wipes, handy little, use-anywhere, fit-in-your-purse antiperspirant deodorant towelettes that control excess sweating and eliminate unpleasant odors that can be used on any part of the body, including your face and scalp.

These dermatologically tested wipes provide up to 48 hour protection and are much easier to tote (and far more discreet) than a bottle of Ban roll-on.

What’s Cooking at Palacio

Beauty isn’t just about looking good; it’s also about surrounding yourself with beautiful things, particularly in your home.

Studies have found that people who live in visually pleasing environments are not only less likely to suffer from stress, but are more productive in their daily lives.

The Swedish multinational home appliance manufacturer Electrolux has just signed a contract with Mexico’s high-end Palacio de Hierro department store chain to distribute exclusively its premium kitchen and laundry appliances.

Incorporating the latest in modern technology and designed for convenience, practicality and beauty, the brand’s new exclusive collection includes stoves, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers.

Based out of Stockholm, Electrolux is the world’s second-largest appliance maker.

In Mexico, where it produces many of its appliances for both the national and international markets, it sells under its own name and that of Frigidaire.

The company has gained international recognition for its commitment to energy conservation and sustainable production methods.

To mark the new agreement with Palacio de Hierro, Electrolux and Palacio hosted an exhibition of the sleek new appliance line inside the Prendes restaurant at Palacio de Hierro Polanco on Thursday, March 28.

Give Him a Fashion Makeup

And while you are in the process of sprucing up your home environment, how about considering a style update for your main squeeze?

If your love interest is still wearing that faded Rolling Stones T-shirt from the concert he went to back in 1994 and his entire footwear collection consists of tennis shoes in varying degrees of tatteredness, it is time for a serious fashion intervention.

The super-stylish (good for you), super-comfortable (good for him) Spanish menswear line PuroEgo has just released its oh-so-chic spring/summer collection.

Soft, loose-fitting jackets with light squares and checkered patterns of navy blue worn over uncuffed above-the-ankle blue trousers with muted solid shirts give the collection an airy, Mediterranean feel that imparts relaxed sophistication and European poise.

The collection is available at Liverpool department stores nationwide.