Eat Your Way to Healthier Skin!

Caring for your skin using the right products is crucial, but you can also help your skin out by eating the right foods. Here are some elements you should be looking for in the foods you eat for healthy, glowing skin!

Essential Fatty Acids: Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) help keep skin cells healthy by keeping harmful elements out and sealing nutrients and water in, leaving skin more hydrated and young-looking. EFAs also help dilute sebum and unclog pores. The best-known essential fatty acids are omega 6 and omega , which many people lack. Some great sources of Essential Fatty Acids are fish (especially salmon!), and walnut, canola and flaxseed oils.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants protect from free radicals that damage skin cells’ membranes and DNA. Protecting against this damage helps prevent premature skin aging. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, plums, and Goji berries are some of the fruits with the highest antioxidant content.

Selenium: Selenium is especially beneficial in the summertime, when your skin is more exposed to the sun. This essential mineral helps protect skin against sun damage and other oxidative damage that can increase the risk of cancer. Selenium and vitamin E together also form a powerful free radical-fighting antioxidant. Some great sources for Selenium are: Cottage cheese (also great for calcium and Vitamin A!); whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals; turkey, tuna and Brazil nuts.

Vitamins A, C & E

• Vitamin A (niacin) is important for healthy skin: it is anti-inflammatory, provides soothing and calming properties for irritated skin, and maintains and repairs skin cells. As an antioxidant, vitamin A also fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. Avocado and mango are a great source for Vitamin A – just one avocado contains 27% of your daily requirement for Vitamin A, and one mango contains more than 80% of your daily requirement! Dairy products are also great for your daily intake of Vitamin A – dairy also contains calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and the "live" bacteria acidophilus that helps regulate intestinal health, which also reflects healthier-looking skin.
  

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight skin damage and wrinkles. It also plays a central role in the production of collagen, the structural protein in your skin – it will help your skin stay younger and more supple. A surprising source of Vitamin C is Acerola cherries – while most cherries are not normally a source for Vitamin C, just one Acerola cherry will fulfill your daily requirement of Vitamin C – one cherry contains 65 times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges!

• Vitamin E: Vitamin E's rich oils moisturize dry skin, and its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging. Vitamin E can be found in almonds and sunflower seeds –just a handful of sunflower seeds fulfills most of your daily requirement for Vitamin E.

Do you have any skincare food secrets?



Sources: www.webmd.com, www.lifescript.com
Photo credit: spotsfordates.com, chinesegrandma.com, graphicshunt.com

Beach-Chic with Lierac Expert Catherine Raubiet

Summer is almost here! That means we'll have to put on a bathing suit sooner or later and face those body issues that we’ve been hiding all winter. Unlike what you may have been told, it’s never too late for bikini prep. Our own Catherine Raubiet, Lierac Beauty expert and National Educator, shares her secrets for looking bikini-ready in a flash!

1- Exfoliate your entire body 2-3 times a week. This will get rid of dead skin cells, prevent ingrown hairs, stimulate circulation, and give your skin a healthy glow.

2- Finish every shower with cold water. This will tone end energize your skin.

3- Apply a self-tanner evenly over your entire body and face, one area at a time to avoid streaks. I would suggest a self-tanner cream (versus an oil or spray), which blends into skin more easily. Not only will this give your skin a healthy, summery glow, it will also camouflage any imperfections like cellulite or winkles! Lierac has an express or a progressive option that gives a natural-looking glow.

4- This will not solve the problem overnight, but it's never too late to start treating imperfections and problem areas with targeted products. An anti-cellulite cream, for example, will noticeably diminish the appearance of cellulite with regular and prolonged use, and will give you a firmer, tighter feel right from the start – an instant confidence booster at the beach! I would suggest Morpho-Slim Anti-Cellulite Concentrate and Morpho-Slim Stomach & Waist Resculpting and Firming Concentrate, that contain Active Caffeine to effectively diminish the appearance of cellulite.

5- Moisturize your skin regularly- especially after sun, salt and chlorine exposure to keep your skin nourished and healthy. Your skin will look visibly healthier and radiant with the moisture. A light, non-greasy option is ideal for summer: Sensorielle Multi-Use Oil is fast-absorbing, ultra-hydrating, and has a delicious, light floral scent.

6- Don’t forget to drink water! It is not only important for your body’s hydration levels, but also for glowing and healthy skin. This is especially important during the hot summer months, when your body is more dehydrated than usual.

7- Bring a healthy snack with you when you leave the house: fruits like berries are full of antioxidants, and raw vegetables and almonds are great for energy and feeling clean and healthy – your skin and body will thank you!

8- Always wear sunscreen, and pack it in your bag at all times! It will protect your skin from the harmful UV rays, and will also give you a more uniform and healthy tan – no one looks good with a sunburn!"

Merci, Catherine! Do you have questions for Catherine? Ask or comment below!

A Vitamin Cocktail for Your Skin

The amazing @BeautyChick101 gave Lierac's Crème Mésolift a glowing review on stylebakery.com, and we couldn't wait to share it!

The verdict: "Dry skin? Gone. A healthy glow? Immediately noticeable. Tighter, smoother skin with fewer wrinkles present? You won't believe your eyes!"



Crème Mésolift's secret is a 5% Mesolift concentration for effective anti-aging and radiance-boosting properties:
o Vitamins A, C, E, B5, and B6
o Minerals: Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, and Copper
o Hyaluronic Acid

Plus

o AHA’s (citrus, glycolic, tartaric, lactic, malic) for gentle exfoliation and radiance
o Apricot butter and lime wax for hydration and comfort.

Check out the full post here!

New Initiatic Cream Featured in Health!

If you every wondered about the benefits of Goji berry, check out Health Magazine's recent editorial on this powerful antioxidant featuring our very own Initiatic Cream!

Initiatic is a new line formulated for those noticing those fine lines and wrinkles appearing (which is never fun!)

The line was developed to meet the needs of women aged 30 and over and formulated with Lierac's exclusive Bio-Botanical Complex: a synergy of high-tech peptide and goji fruit extract. This rich cream effectively reduces and prevents the first signs of fine lines and wrinkles. The skin becomes smoother, hydrated and radiant. Ideal for normal to dry skin, and also available in an oil-free fluid. What's not to love? And don't forget to eat those antioxidant packed berries! Merci, Health Magazine!

It Product of the Hour: Lierac Sensorielle Oil

Un grand merci @YuliZ for the wonderful post on Sensorielle on My It Things!


Read it here!

Oh la la! Sensorielle in @RedbookMag

We were just flipping through the latest issue of Redbook Magazine and we were excited to see our new Sensorielle multi-use oil featured in their "Make Your Skin Shine" editorial right next to the beautiful Mila Kunis.

Merci, Redbook!

One-on-One with Junior League Member Becki Fleischer

This week, Lierac, heads to the Association of Junior League International annual conference in Philadelphia. We just met another inspiring member, Becki Fleischer, E-learning Consultant , who’s making a daily difference in her community.

Lierac: Which chapter are you in & what initiatives are you working on?

Becki: I’m in the JL Northern Westchester chapter. Right now we’re focusing on hunger and healthy eating initiatives for kids. We’ve done the JL Kids in the Kitchen program, and now we have a program called “Backpack Buddies” where we provide about 115 local elementary school students with backpacks filled with healthy food. This is significant because these are the kids that qualify for the free and reduced federal lunch programs.

Lierac: Do you mind expanding on that?

Becki: It’s a federal program that subsidizes breakfast and lunch at school for those who qualify. These kids mostly get their food from school that they take home over the weekend. Our backpacks have healthy food options such as fortified pastas, tomato sauces, peanut butter, canned goods of fruits and vegetables. Next year we’d like to include fresh produce from farmer’s markets. But the neatest thing is that we create the recipe cards that are user-friendly and helps them prepare these foods at-home.

Lierac: How long have you been doing this initiative for?

Becki: We’ve been giving about 117 backpacks per weekend since September 2010. This is all done through the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester.

Lierac: When did you join Junior League?

Becki: In 1999. I joined in Indianapolis. My boss was an elected official. Her and all of her friends were high profile and I was inspired by their work. The Junior League is a really impressive network to be involved in.

Lierac: Have you always been drawn to charity work?

Becki: I’ve also always been involved in charity groups in school. There was no defining moment for me joining Junior League. I’m drawn to their 3-part mission.

Lierac: Which is?

Becki: 1. Promote volunteerism. 2. Develop the potential of women. And that’s the part that resonates so much with me. It’s truly about developing women’s skills. It was a safe place to try new things that your formal education didn’t prepare you for. That really appealed to me and this is the piece that’s keeps me going. Now I work on the training program. The 3^rd part is improving communities through effective action. By my work, I’d like to make my mark in this world.

Lierac: Is there a woman or women who inspires you?

Becki: It’s easy to be inspired whenever you come to a JL Annual conference such as this one because you hear about the amazing things happening around the world. JL women come together see a need, and get the necessary training to go out there and make a difference.

Thank you for inspiring us today, Becki! Good luck with the conference today.

Interested in learning more about Junior League? Please visit www.ajli.com Follow them on Twitter: @juniorleague

Dreaming of Skin Worthy of a Prince

Ahh...the storybook wedding that has had the world dreaming since November has finally arrived, and we (like all you ladies out there), were so excited to see how gorgeous Kate looked on her special day. We weren't disappointed...
We all dream of having glowing skin fit for a royal so we couldn't help but recommend a few Lierac products to make everyone woman feel like a Princess.


Head to toe: Before anything else, you'll want to feel relaxed and beautiful from head to toe. At night, take a relaxing and sensory bath with a multi-use oil, like our brand-new Sensorielle oil. When mixed with bath water, Sensorielle transforms into a milky veil that will soften and hydrate your skin and hair, and envelop you in a sweet and sensual aroma of gardenia, jasmine, camellia, and precious oils. The flowers and oils in Sensorielle, in addition to their softening and hydrating action, also have soothing, relaxing, and anti-oxidant properties.

Body: Next comes more body pampering: your skin probably hasn't gotten much sun in the past few months, and the last thing you want it to walk down the aisle looking pale! There's nothing like a pick-me-up for your skin in the form of an instant self-tanner to give you the glow of a royal spring bride! Lierac's Sun Result Express Self-Tanner will give you a gorgeous, natural sun-kissed look while moisturizing your skin with orange blossom extract and nourishing botanical agents.

The eyes: The key to a refreshed and flawless face lies in your eyes. Make sure to get plenty of sleep on a regular basis, but a little extra help doesn't hurt! Apply a soothing eye cream, such as Diopticalm, in a thick layer around your eyes. The complex of botanical ingredients it contains will soothe, decongest and refresh your eyes while you sleep. Apply a thin layer in the morning for a refreshed-looking face all day long!

La visage: Finally, there's nothing like a radiance-infusing vitamin cocktail for your skin to give your skin a royal glow! Mesolift Serum and Mesolift Cream immediately boost and energize your skin with vitamins, minerals, and apricot and lime extracts.


It's the weekend, so take some time to pamper yourself... What are your secrets to feeling like a princess?

Stay Young, Go Goji!

We usually think of aging and wrinkles as a problem that arises in our 40s or 50s, and as a problem to tackle once it arises. However, the key to longer-lasting youthful skin is protecting our skin before the wrinkles appear, and to treat them effectively as soon as they start to appear.

In our 30s, our skin's cells start producing less of the cellular energy it needs to stay supple and young. This slowed-down energy production leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but with the correct treatment to prevent this energy breakdown, the first signs of aging can be delayed.

This is why Lierac has created two moisturizers that not only correct early wrinkles, but also help prevent them: Initiatic Fluid and Initiatic Cream contain a high-tech pentapeptide, that counterbalances the decline in energy production, and our newest star ingredient: Goji berry.

Goji berry, also known as the "fruit of longevity", has powerful anti-aging properties. Lierac uses the Lycium Barbarum variety, originating in Tibet.

Goji berries boast a wide range of incredible benefits for your health and skin. They contain 500 times more Vitamin C than oranges, over 12 times more protein than apples, oranges or strawberries, and are chock-full of trace elements, vitamins, polysaccharides, and amino acids.

But perhaps the Goji berry's most impressive and beneficial quality is its powerful antioxidant action: it has the highest antioxidant value on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbancy Capacity). Eating foods high in antioxidants, like Goji berries, may slow down the aging process. It does this by minimizing damage to your cells from free radicals, that injure cells and damage DNA. By doing so, antioxidants help reduce the risk of some serious diseases.

Here are some other interesting facts about the benefits of Goji berries:

- Over time, people have used Goji berries to treat common health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, and age-related eye problems.*

- The Vitamin A in Goji berries is known for its anti-aging benefits, and helps boost immune function, protect vision, and may even help prevent heart disease. Some research suggests that Goji berry extracts may boost brain health and may protect against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's.*

- Goji berries are the perfect snack: there are only ninety calories in a quarter cup of fresh Goji berries, and they provide a lot of Vitamin C, minerals, and protein for such a low calorie snack food. The high protein content of the goji berry also makes it more filling that most fruits.

Now it's your turn - what is your anti-aging secret?



* Sources: www.tibetauthentic.com, www.webmd.com, www.associatedcontent.com, www.gojigourmet.com

Happy Earth Day!

Did you know? According to Earthday.org, the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify, and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

In celebration of Earth Day, the Lierac team is making extra "green" efforts today. (Not that we don't always!)

Our Earth Day plan includes the following:

- For those of us who drive, we're taking the train or bus into work (or carpooling with a friend or neighbor).
- Our lunch is freshly packed in a tupperware container (no cellophane, or plastic bags).
- We're shutting off our bright lights in the office and using minimal power. Also making sure they're off when we leave the room.
- Recycle!

- We're using eco-friendly cleaning products.

These changes are so small, but make such a big difference, and we remind ourselves every day how important it is to remember to respect the environment in every way we can. If it's hard for you to remember some of these things regularly, then what better day than Earth Day to start?

We're also lucky to be reminded daily of the green efforts that Lierac makes - many of our products come in recyclable containers, and we also create formulas that are environmentally safe and friendly.

So if you're a Lierac fan, you're already off to a good start.

We invite you to take action today. Learn more at www.earthday.org

And tell us, how are you celebrating?

Celebrating Women’s History Month with Junior League Member, Julie Anne Elginer

At Lierac, we find our inspiration in all women, who embody strength and beauty on all levels. The Junior League is made up of over 160,000 such women who exemplify strength and beauty, and their amazing work to empower all women and build better communities makes us a proud and an inspired sponsor. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are kicking off Lierac's first JL interview and we plan on continuing this trend each month!

Julie Anne Elginer, is a member of the Junior League of Los Angeles, and below she shares her inspirations and words of wisdom with us.

When did you join Junior League, and why?

I moved to Los Angeles in 1999 after graduating from business school on the East Coast. As a native Midwesterner, I really knew very little about the issues facing the city, including homelessness, poverty, literacy, and more. Working for a large biotechnology company located in suburban LA, I felt disconnected from these issues. A friend in the Junior League of Washington DC suggested that I join a local League. I joined The Junior League of Los Angeles in 2003 searching for an opportunity to affect change and to enhance my network among women who shared my passion for volunteerism. What I found was beyond my expectations!

What past Junior League member do you wish you could have worked with, and why?
This may sound hokey, but I have long admired Eleanor Roosevelt, even as a child. When I lived in DC, I used to visit the FDR Memorial, and I found it so inspirational that Eleanor has a statue within the monument to her husband. No other Presidential memorial contains a First Lady. Her contributions to history are significant. She was a strong woman who navigated the political and social climate with poise and confidence. When I learned that she was an early Junior League member, I smiled, nodded my head and thought to myself, “Of course she was.”

Which woman in history would you have liked to meet, and why?
I am astounded at the tremendous impact that Mother Teresa left on the world. She fought for social justice issues through her unyielding commitment to the most impoverished. Small in stature, her legacy is mighty. She epitomized selflessness and unconditional love. She understood the need to combine direct service with advocacy to create lasting and sustainable change in her community.

Which chapter are you in & what initiatives are you working on now?
I am incredibly honored to serve as a Board member of the Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA). As the Public Policy Director, I’m fortunate to work with nearly 40 women who share my commitment to non-profit public policy. Our Board of Directors and League leadership share my conviction for affecting social change through advocacy. Our prioritized issues include perinatal depression awareness, human trafficking and the educational achievement gap. Secondary issues are childhood obesity, literacy and foster care. A sampling of the initiatives (tactics) to address these include:
- Conducting legislative advocacy, through sponsored state legislation addressing the educational achievement gap and perinatal depression. In that capacity, we draft the legislation, find a state senator or assembly member to author the bill, create a coalition of support and shepherd the bill through the legislative process. We also support over 30 pieces of legislation that impact our community partners in the areas of health, education, violence prevention and family support.
- Developing media advocacy for perinatal depression awareness through a public awareness campaign in partnership with community partners and other Leagues throughout Southern California.
- Convening an annual community leadership forum which brings together the public, private and non-profit sectors to address an emerging issue within our community. This year, our focus is partnering with law enforcement to address human trafficking within LA.
- Training our members to understand city, county, state, and federal levels of government such that they can engage in the public policy process on behalf of nonprofits. This is accomplished through our award winning program “Public Policy Institute” and through our newest training program entitled “Appointments to Boards and Commissions Institute.” This new program provides a unique opportunity for our members to learn to navigate the process by which citizens are appointed to public boards and commissions. These boards and commissions make substantial policy decisions that affect our society and women are grossly underrepresented in these roles.

Who or what has most influenced and inspired you during your time with the Junior League?
I am consistently inspired by the women within the League both in California and throughout the four countries. Many of these women are extraordinary and are incredibly accomplished. Truly, they are a force for good and I often find myself in awe of their perspectives, passion, energy, insights, dedication and accomplishments. By and large, the women of the Junior League make things happen when no one else can…or will. Volunteering is their hobby and they demonstrate a lifelong commitment to service. They radiate energy and generate enthusiasm for effecting change in their communities.

What event in history do you wish you could have been present for/fought for?
Women's suffrage. I still cry when I watch videos or read stories of our foremothers who refused to accept anything other than equality. The struggle for women’s right to vote endured for decades before the passing of the 19th amendment in 1920.

What areas do you see the most impact from the Junior League’s work in?
I’m partial to our collective advocacy work at the state level through our State Public Affairs Committees (SPAC). In California, 16 Junior League chapters represent nearly 11,000 women throughout the state. Each League sends two delegates to participate in collective legislative advocacy on behalf of our community partners and focus areas. Within its 40 years, the women of SPAC have led the development of tremendously important legislation including:
- The first children’s bicycle helmet law
- A required number of hours that a woman can remain the hospital after giving birth
- Calling on the US Congress to create a branch within the National Institutes of Health dedicated to microbicide research, which would allow a woman to protect herself against HIV transmission without relying on a man to agree to use a condom.

This work is invaluable, particularly when you consider that it is conducted by women volunteers. The California SPAC joins other SPACs throughout the country including New Jersey, Florida, Michigan, Washington and more. These women are creating systemic change through advocacy. It’s remarkable.

What words of wisdom do you wish you could impart to all girls & women?
- To quote from Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.”
- “Sometimes, your only available transportation is a leap of faith” – Margaret Shepard

What makes a woman beautiful?
Her spirit of generosity.


Thank you, Julie for inspiring us! For more information on the Association of Junior Leagues International, please visit http://www.ajli.org/ or stay connected at http://connected.ajli.org/

Now you tell us - are you a woman making a difference in our world today? Or has one particular woman inspired you?

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Morpho-Slim Your Body!

Spring is around the corner! Crocus and snowdrop gently lift their flowering heads out of the softened earth to announce the season’s pending arrival. These petit fleur signal a beauty ritual of French women everywhere; the discreet rush to pharmacies for our Lierac MORPHO-SLIM body contouring products.

Cellulite is a fact of life for women as it is related to changes in hormones and metabolism. It is a mechanism by which fat is stored in the body; irrespective of body weight. For over 30 years, Lierac has been offering targeted solutions for unsightly dimpling of the skin caused by cellulite. Our latest and greatest include:

MORPHO-SLIM Anti-Cellulite Concentrate This award-winning product (merci NewBeauty magazine!)diminishes the volume of fat cells in the thighs and derrière with a 12.5% concentration of proprietary LIPO-REVERSE® containing 10% Active Caffeine and 2.5% Glaucine Complex (a fat-fighting ingredient derived from the yellow horned poppy flower).

MORPHO-SLIM Stomach & Waist offers targeted slimming benefits with Lierac's own 7.5% LIPO-REVERSE® and extract of Phllacantha fibrosa (brown algae); first active ingredient capable of reducing the volume and number of fat cells while boosting skin’s firmness.

A pampering tip; mindfully use your sense of touch when applying MORPHO-SLIM products. The sense of touch reassures, comforts and relaxes, and reminds us all that being compassionate towards ourselves is a worthwhile luxury!

Just in time! Lierac MORPHO-SLIM Bonus for the Months of March and April:
Buy 1, get the 2nd 50% off online and in-store at select Duane Reade Look Boutiques and CVS/pharmacy.

Do you have any spring rituals you’d like to share? Tell us about them and you could win BOTH Lierac Morpho-Slim products!

The Unconventional Valentine's Day Bouquet

When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think of roses – all in various shades of reds, pinks and whites. Well, what about a black rose? Synonymous with luxury and rarity, the black rose is exotic and rich in flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. Instead of receiving a bouquet of black roses, treat yourself to a spa day featuring Lierac’s Exclusive Premium Wrinkle-Filling Nutrition Cream.

3 highly nutritive and antioxidant flowers are found in Lierac's Exclusive Premium Wrinkle-Filling Nutrition Cream:

Black Rose contains very high levels of:

- Flavonoids, especially anthocyans with potent, anti-free radicals and detoxifying properties

- Tannins with astringent benefits for a sublime skin texture and ultra-smooth skin

- Phenolic compounds which soften skin

Black Poppy oil contains 30% oleic acid which has a protective skin barrier action by reconstructing epidermal lipids. It has an intense nutrition action enabling skin repair, protection, and increased elasticity.

The Black Orchid is particularly rich in anti-oxidant polyphenols. All of these characteristics give this extract astonishing anti-aging and nutritive properties.

These flowers work in conjunction with the Lierac-exclusive B-Relaxor Complex ® and Hyaluronic Acid to efficiently combat deep-set wrinkles.

Who needs a bouquet?