Beauty Briefs

Retinol, tretinoin, and vitamin A are three ingredients that are connected in some ways. However, they are not one and the same.

Retinol is a weaker over-the-counter version of tretinoin, which is a prescription vitamin A derivative. It is highly effective in reversing sun damage and signs of aging. Both retinol and prescription tretinoin have been shown to have an effect on the skin. It’s used in acne treatment, reversal of sun damage (photo-aging), and to improve skin smoothness, texture, and to decrease fine lines and inflammation from rosacea.

Do you wish your eyes were bigger and brighter and that you were born with thicker lashes? The following tips can help you achieve these glamorous looks with a few simple makeup tricks.

I recently came across the following story told by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton. A 70-year-old woman had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near-death experience and asked Hashem if her time was up. He told her directly that she had a bit over 23 years left to live. The woman figured she would take advantage of the situation and maximize her time in the hospital. She opted for a face lift, liposuction, changed her hairstyle, and decided to get colored lenses to complete her total makeover. She thought this would be worthwhile since she had many more years on earth. When she came home from the hospital she was crossing the street and got hit by a car. Arriving at Hashem’s doorstep, she demanded, “I thought you said I have another 23 years left; why didn’t you save me from the speeding car? Hashem answered her, “I would have, but I couldn’t recognize you.”

Rosh Hashanah, the first day of Tishrei, coincides with the sixth day of creation and marks the anniversary of mankind, the day Hashem created Adam and Chava. It’s also the beginning of the lunar calendar year, which will begin this Sunday evening at 6:23.

In the summer’s heat it’s hard to think about fall clothes and sweaters. The easiest transition is incorporating some fall makeup trends to update your look and usher in the new season. Get ready to try some fresh fall looks from runway to reality.

Here we go again! A new season, and a whole new set of Pantone colors. For those not familiar with Pantone, it’s the color reference system that predicts the most popular colors each season, and is located in Carlstadt, New Jersey. Their influence on the fashion, home goods, and cosmetic industries is global. This is because color is probably the single most powerful communication tool that influences consumer purchases. Pantone culls its inspiration from daily life, and graciously informs us of the resplendent array of new hues to tickle our fancy. The seasonal shades dominate from the runways to the retail stores, and eventually wind up in your closets. It’s as though a memo goes out to all the designers, fashion houses and the beauty industry directing them as to which colors should be featured in their collections.