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StriVectin-SD Launches Virtual Anti-Aging Tool

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 2:01PM

By: Ariston Anderson

StriVectin is a brand that's all about results. To celebrate this brand legacy, they've launched a new product which has been on their wish list for a long time: a virtual tool that lets you instantly see results on your own face.

The skincare line has always promised high outcomes. The new StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate takes this even further, showing that test subjects demonstrated in just eight weeks, a 20 percent decrease in fine lines and wrinkles, 25 percent improvement in skin laxity, and nearly 100 percent improvement in texture, not to mention it increased skin barrier function by 40 percent for long-term skin health benefits. The secret weapon is a patented NIA-114™, niacin derived formula that works to strengthen the skin's barrier by 40 percent to protect it from environmental wear, as well as increasing peptide levels 4x to stimulate higher-quality collagen.

But what does this all mean for your face? After discovering incredible before-and-after photos in clinical trials, they were so impressed with the results that they wanted to give users a way to see how the products could change their own skin. Enter the first virtual, anti-aging results tool for the web, Facebook and iPad, a new product built by ModiFace that uses advanced facial recognition and HTML 5 to show users real results.

Casa Noble: Driving More Refined Tequila Consumption

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 1:01PM

By: David Kiley

Tequila seems to have to fight for respect more than other spirits, such as whisky, rum, brandy and even vodka. Perhaps it's because Tequila seems to be more associated, in the U.S. with benders and beach parties rather than snifters and sommeliers.

But one of the small-volume craft Tequila producers helping to raise Tequila's image beyond the margarita is Casa Noble, a brand whose history dates back to the 1700s.

Casa Noble, which produces about 150,000 litters of Tequila of different ages each year, produces from a holding of about 3,000 acres of blue agave, about one-tenth that of Tequila giant Jose Cuervo (curve also buys blue agave from other growers). And Casa Noble's blue agave fields are mostly on slopes and hillsides, which stresses the plant, and the company believes produces a more complex tasting agave plant.

Vacheron Constantin Historiques Aronde 1954 Watch Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 12:01PM

What a strange bird. This is the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Aronde 1954 watch for 2011 (and I suppose also for 1954). This retro revival has the name of an avian and "wings" on the side of the case. This is 1950's era watch design experimentation in full force. My favorite part of the watch is the dial - that has vertical or horizontal lines that go in a few directions.

The oddly shaped case is however comfortable on the wrist. It is 31.20mm wide by 44.50mm tall. It has a curved sapphire crystal and is done in 18k pink gold. Inside the Aronde is a Vacheron Constantin made caliber 1400 AS manually wound movement. The alligator strap is very high-quality and brand lovers will appreciate the Maltese Cross buckle. While interesting, aside from being a vintage redo, there isn't much to say about the Aronde watch. It will not satisfy all people's tastes, but that is OK. Enough retro watch lovers will appreciate the historic design and Vacheron sense of quality to peck these timepieces up.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Vacheron Constantin Historiques Aronde 1954 Watch

Four Seasons Provence Offers Experiences for All

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 11:01AM

By: McLean Robbins

The Four Seasons Provence at Terre Blanche sits in a unique location – it's not on the French Riviera's famed coast, nor is it located in the chic towns of Nice, Cannes or St. Tropez. The resort instead sits between the three towns, nestled at the base of the hillside village of Fayence and near the towns of Mons, Tourettes and Grasse.

Still, the resort offers a variety of private experience for guests seeking a retreat with a variety of customized experiences. A-listers flock to this hotel during peak times like the Cannes Film Festival, and stars like Angelina Jolie have holed up at the hotel for a few weeks of privacy. This writer had the pleasure of spending a few days at the resort earlier this month.

Dr. Frank Lipman's Remove Cleanse

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 10:01AM

Dr. Lipman Eleven Eleven Wellness Remove Kit

By: Ariston Anderson

I have to admit, I'm not one for fasting. I've tried it all: lemonade, green juices, Organic Avenue. They all just left me craving more of the foods I was trying to rid my diet of in the first place.

But when I came across Dr. Frank Lipman's Cleanse Program, I knew the kit created by a medical professional, seemed a step above the rest. My primary goal was to cut my sugar cravings, rather than multiply them. And many health fanatics from Kevin Bacon to Donna Karen have given this detox the gold star of approval for helping to reset their own systems.

The cleanse consists of three protein shakes a day, plus a lunch and dinner consisting of greens and protein. No booze, no sugar, no gluten for two weeks straight. A big bottle of glutamine capsules is included, known to help curb sugar cravings, as well as daily vitamins. And in just two weeks, it promises to boost your body's own ability to detox.

The program is designed to be taken on the go, with a blender bottle that easily mixes up shakes wherever you are. I decided to put it to the ultimate test and bring it with me to South by South West. The annual festival, held in Austin, Texax, is not only home to amazing interactive panels, show-stopping indie films and emerging rock acts, but also to liter-sized beer mugs and huge baskets of BBQ brisket. I knew if I could do it in Austin, I could do it anywhere.

The shakes ended up being great on the plane and kept me from indulging in processed snacks. The taste, a thick vanilla with a hint of lemon, wasn't bad, and I never dreaded making it a part of my daily routine. Once I arrived in Texas, I had the added convenience of two morning shakes, and not having to worry about where to find breakfast.

The festival became a breeze, and for the first time while traveling, I felt that I was actually getting healthier rather than destroying all the progress I had made back home. I did make the mistake of putting a shake in a water bottle for later, and having a colleague ask me if I was drinking cake batter. I since put it in opaque bottles when I was chugging in the open.

Did I cheat? A couple of times. You try and turn down a famous Austin fish taco. But overall, I stuck to it, and even with the few cheats managed to lose five pounds and flatten my stomach after the two weeks were over.

And the best part? My sugar cravings were gone. I was able to walk by the chocolate aisle without even glancing at it. The cleanse is a great thing to do annually to reset your system. And it's the perfect kit to take while traveling if you fear you're going to kill your diet and pack on a few pounds.

Sleep with Rolex & Patek Philippe at Florence's Luxe L'O - Hotel L'Orologio

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 9:01AM

Under the patronage of new Italian luxury hotel group Whythebest, one of Florence's hippest and best-hidden boutique hotels is getting set to welcome the fashion crowd to the city this summer during the Pitti Uomo men's shows.

L'O - Hotel L'Orologio is unique in being inspired by the prestigious world of international high-end watchmaking as well as by owner Sandro Fratini's personal collection of over 2,000 vintage timepieces. If you appreciate haute horlogerie – and what man of style doesn't? – it's hard to imagine wanting to stay anywhere else.

Benefit Launches High SPF Moisturizer

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 8:01AM

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

By: Ariston Anderson

Every summer, I'm on a search for the perfect SPF day cream -- something light enough for my sensitive skin, yet provides both UVA and UVB protection.

San Francisco makeup giant Benefit recently launched a skin care line with promising products that work fast for brighter, younger, radiant skin. The collection is packaged in fun vintage bottles, inspired by the waters of San Francisco's gorgeous coastline. After sampling the line, I discovered a beauty must-have that I'm looking forward to wearing in the warm months ahead: Triple Performing Facial Emulsion.

The facial emulsion offers full SPF 15 PA++ sun protection, boosted by plant extracts, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to provide maximum antioxidant advantages. With a light citrus scent, that's not too medicinal, it's the perfect lotion to wear under makeup or alone on a bare summer face. It also provides supreme hydration through Benefit's patented tri-radiance exclusive complex, designed to capture and maintain water to rebuild the skin's natural reservoir.

One hit of the emulsion on my face, I instantly felt refreshed. It provided a silky gloss that was neither greasy nor oily. In weeks, you will see a decrease in spots and fine lines and an increase in skin firmness. It's the one product to protect your skin against sun damage that no beach bag should be without.

Tod's Ivy Bauletto Piccolo Top Handle Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Apr 15th 2011 5:03PM

Looking a little like a highly stylized bowling bag, the Ivy Bauletto Piccolo Top Handle Bag by Tod's is a cute and casual option for adding a block of earth-tone to your spring wardrobe. It's all smooth monochromatic leather and features rolled double top handles attached with a slightly industrial over-sized stitching pattern, a detachable leather shoulder strap, silvertone hardware, and a seam running down the middle interrupted only by the designer's logo stamp. It has a zippered top closure, is fully lined in designer-print beige fabric, and houses one interior zip pocket. $1,095

DeWitt Academia Quantième Perpetuel Sport Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — Apr 15th 2011 4:01PM

"Sport" and "perpetual calendar" (they use the french "Quantième Perpetuel") usually aren't terms you hear in the same sentence when discussing high-end mechanical watches. But to be ballsy, that is what DeWitt did with the Academia Quantieme Perpetuel Sport watch. The amazingly loud design of the case and dial is sporty and bold. Certainly not for everyone, a good amount of people will appreciate the architectural complication that the design offers.

The watch isn't new, but this red bathed version is. Logically this watch should not look good. If you explained the concept of it to someone on paper, you'd be describing a mess. Though it does in fact seem to be greater than the sum of its parts. It comes across as cool - certainly more so that the original Academia Quantieme Perpetuel watch.

Seven Stars, Suite Luxury on the World's Most Beautiful Beach

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Apr 15th 2011 2:01PM

The luxe Seven Stars resort in Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos islands presides over the world's best beach, according to the new TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards. It was also just named the world's Most Romantic Hotel or Resort in About.com's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards. Looking at its luxurious pool area (above) fronting the fine white sand and ultra-blue sea of Grace Bay it's easy to see why. You can of course stop in for a quick getaway but Seven Stars is perfectly equipped for longer stays as well thanks to its massive, luxuriously-equipped suites.

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