Hair's the Scoop

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Some of the finest things in life come in the smallest of packages, and this miracle balm is no exception.

A potent, nutrient-rich moisturizer, Tammy Fender Intensive Repair Balm was originally created for Tammy’s post-op clientele, but soon became a Hollywood must-have for its many additional benefits, including:

— New cell growth and skin cell regeneration (Anti-aging)
— Healing of acne, stretch marks, and other long-term skin damage
— Reduction of tissue pain, swelling, redness and discoloration
— Healing of bruises and wounds
— Soothing of muscle aches and pains
— Fading of under-eye circles
— Strengthening of weakened capillaries
— Renewing and soothing of traumatized skin damaged by sun exposure
— Balancing of dry skin, including eczema

And, as if that's not enough, stars like Julianne Moore even use this product on their children. It's truly the ultimate "cure all."

Highly recommended.

Tammy Fender Intensive Repair Balm, $130. Available online at TammyFender.com.

Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Whatever your age, or the time of year, SPF is a must for both your appearance and (more importantly) your health. "Younger women haven't totally grasped the importance of sunscreen, and they'll regret that," warns Kristen Davis.

But, thankfully, it's never too late to start protecting your skin. Adds Sarah Jessica Parker, "[Sunscreen is] quite a recent discovery for me and now I can't live without it. It's also essential to drink lots of water and moisturize regularly."

Find your fix in one of these personal favorites:

20s: Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15
Guards the complexion against UV damage with a chemical-free, full-spectrum SPF shield. A brightening, hydroxy-acid complex of certified organic apple and lemon juices, age-defying peptides, DMAE, alpha lipoic acid, co-enzyme Q10, and vitamin antioxidants revitalize and restore skin. $38, Sephora.com.

30s: La Prairie Anti-Aging Day Cream with SPF 30
Protects against Free Radicals, stimulates collagen production while protecting skin against collagen and protein damage, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and significantly increases hydration using intelligent moisturization materials. $200, ShopLaPrairie.com.

40s: Olay Professional Pro-X Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30
Designed to help shield your skin from harmful UVA & UVB exposure. This primary solution also hydrates to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. $42, Drugstore.com.

50s+: CHANEL Ultra-Correction Lift Lifting Firming Day Cream with SPF 15
High-performing star ingredient elemi PFA (Polyfractioned Active) stimulates the production of tensin, improving the quality of skin's collagen and elastin fibers, and helping to improve their bonds within the skin to create a firm supportive network. May be paired with UV Essentiel Protective Care SPF 30 ($48) for increased sun protection. $150, Chanel.com.

George Pimentel/WireImage

Derm-to-the-stars Patricia Wexler shares her top tips & tricks for at-home anti-aging care:

Skip Purifying/Foaming Facial Cleanser
Cleanser should cleanse your skin without stripping natural oils, which protect our skin from aging.

What to look for?
Non-greasy, yet penetrating to leave the skin free of debris while the natural balance is protected and enhanced.

Don't go there!
Anything that foams, because it contains alcohol. If it makes you skin feel tight, like trying to fit yourself in a pair of Calvins in the 80's, skip it. It's going to do more harm than good. It will dry out your skin and your skin will either flake or your skin will become oily/ problem skin because your oil glands will pump alot oil to compensate for the dryness in the lower layers of the skin. So, your skin will be dry on the inside and oily on the outside and after 6 months your skin will be sensitive.

Also, When it comes with cleansing products, always try to find products with no fragrance or natural fragrance because alot of times that's what's causing the irritation.

Get Scrubbin'
A facial scrub should remove surface impurities, prevent build-up and leave the skin brighter and with a glow.

What to look for?
A gentle scrub that you can use everyday, again something which won't strip your skin of its natural oils (protection).

Don't go there!
A scrub that has sharp edges because it will cut your skin and you won't be able to see it with the naked eye. A scrub that is dry is also not recommended because rubbing or massaging dry skin will cause trauma.

Be Sure to Tone
Toner should soften, retain moisture and contain moisturizing ingredients because water travels to the lower layers of the skin quickly. If you have a good toner it can help your skin absorb nutrients from your moisturizer.

What to look for?
All of the above and most importantly don't skip this step. Most people think a toner is just water but a good toner can travel and deliver nutrients quicker than any moisturizer.

Don't go there!
If it contains alcohol, smells like citrus (high acid levels) or leaves your skin feeling stripped. It's not recommended.

Treat Your Skin, Two Ways
Moisturizing facial masques, or any other water base mask, will nourish and moisturize the skin as it deep cleanse the pores.

What to look for?
A mask which is moisturizing (because it's water base, it can deliver nutrient quickly) and prevent cellular build-up. It should leave the skin feeling soft, supple, refreshed and skin tone looking brighter.

Don't go there!
If it contains alcohol or it leaves your skin blotchy. It probably means that the acid levels are very high.

And/Or
Use a purifying clay masque to draws out oils and surface impurities lodges in the pores.

What to look for?
A clay masque that also helps to shrink the pores and firm the skin.

Don't go there!
I f it burns or your skin starts to flake after use because that means it's stripping your skin completely which will lead to wrinkle formation.

Click here for additional information on Dr. Wexler's practice, or to purchase products from her Bath & Body Works collection.

Brand X/Jupiter

There are updos and upDON'Ts, Glamour explains.

Allure reveals 10 hairstyles that can make you look 10 years younger.

Do blondes have more fun? Jessica Alba investigates.

The Daily Mail discusses a "new epidemic in older women": receding hair.

Perez Hilton unveils the new Armani Underwear campaign, featuring Posh & Becks (and their fiece coifs).

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

"You can get any plastic surgery in the world, but hair color is what enables women to look younger longer."
— Cindy Crawford, Allure Magazine.

Source: Brand

Congratulations to myLifetime.com members LilyBiscuit, Koalaty, Kagey10, Deanna6, and BettyKate for winning the previous Charles Worthington giveaway!

Now for your chance to win...

One lucky HTS readers will be gifted with a selection of both Phytodensium (anti-aging) and Phytovolume (a personal favorite!) products from Phyto. Included in the prize:

Phytovolume Shampoo
A perennial favorite of Phyto addicts, this shampoo gives a boost to fine, limp hair adding incredible fullness and increased styling manageability.

Phytomousse Volume Shampoo
Ideal for fine or limp hair, this weightless shampoo foams into a mousse to provide maximum volume and shine to the hair.

Phytovolume Actif

A simple spray of this amazing volumizer will literally “pump up” your hair by increasing the diameter of each strand. Hair gains extra body, bounce, vitality and increased styling hold.

Phytodensium Serum

As we age, our hair often becomes weak and fragile. This serum helps to fortify the hair shaft, fight free radicals, increase your hair’s elasticity, reduce the appearance of grays, and protect against further damage.

Phytodensium Shampoo
Designed to work with Phytodensium Serum, this shampoo helps to keep your scalp in-check, increase your hair’s level of resistance and elasticity, and adds ample shine.

Phytodensium Mask

With its creamy texture and delicate scent, this mask instantly restores hair density and thickness.

Phytodefrisant
This award-winning product is a lightweight, botanical balm formulated exclusively for naturally curly or wavy hair.

Phytophanere Vitamins
An all-natural, daily dietary supplement that fortifies hair and strengthens nails.

For a chance to win this fabulous gift basket full of Phyto products (valued at over $245), simply leave a comment on ANY post on this blog. The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on November 15, 2008, with one lucky winner chosen at random from the eligible entries. Click here for a full list of rules & regulations.

We'll slather ourselves with expensive creams, try all sorts of invasive treatments, and even go under the knife for a shot at eternal (or extended) youth, so it's odd that anti-aging hair care is often overlooked. It's one of the most quick and easy ways to turn back time.

To achieve a more youthful appearance, try swapping a couple of your daily hair care products with one of these fabulous alternatives:

Philosophy Shear Splendor Shampoo
A bio-peptide and soy-based shampoo that helps restore shine and body to your hair with daily use. $22.

Kerastase Paris Resistance Ciment Anti-Usure
This nurturing conditioner helps to protect and treat your hair, without weighing it down. $36.

Phyto Phytodensium Anti-Aging Serum
When applied to towel-dried hair, this lightweight serum helps to restore density and vitality, while also boosting melanin levels to reduce the appearance of grey hair over time. $32.

Fekkai Ageless Damage-Defense Capsules
A protective serum, to be used after styling, that contains proactive "decoy" molecules, which deflect and shield your hair against pollutants and other environmental age accelerators. $45.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
This fast-action, intensive treatment revives your hair and gives it that youthful bounce. Just apply Elasticizer a minute before shampooing, and you're set. $5.50- $125.

If you're loyal to a certain brand that's not listed above, just look for products that are rich in protein (for greater elasticity and resistance), amino acids (to strengthen, hydrate and protect), and/or rich fatty acids (which condition and hydrate), to ensure you get a proper dose of preventative and restorative care.