Having been based in Scottsdale, Arizona as a make up artist, esthetician and spa owner for many years, I specialize in working with dry, dehydrated and sun-damaged skin. When I started out as a make up artist over 20 years ago, I struggled with the fact that no matter how great I could make someone look with make up, if they had serious crow’s feet, dark circles, and/or under-eye puffiness, it didn’t seem to matter. All you would notice was the eye area problem(s). Often, the concealer, powder and foundation would make these problems even worse. Noticing that almost every woman that walked in my spa had this issue, I set about creating a solution.

Is your concealer and powder too cakey?

These issues affect women everywhere. I have done make up for women in LA, New York, Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas and many cities in between, and I have heard (and seen) how powder and concealer cakes into fine lines and calls more attention to them, making the situation even worse. Even young girls in their late teens and early twenties seem to have crows feet and “feathering” under the eyes. Whether a woman has a small or more serious issue with dry skin and dark circles, she wants help. Our confidence is increased when we look in the mirror and like what we see.

Step I: Pump It Up, Leave It On!

My Beauty Ammo Kit started with the first step, the “Pump it up, Leave it on” Collagen Eye Mask. Most eye creams just absorb and then disappear into the skin. There is a dearth of rich enough, hydrating enough products available for this area. I created my eye mask to be richer than anything else on the market, using collagen and shea butter to create a buttery, primer-type look and feel. The trick is to apply the eye mask in a thick white layer that stays on all day. There is no other leave-on eye mask available. It not only makes the skin look instantly younger, but also gives the added benefit of continually hydrating skin. A lot of lines and wrinkles are dehydration lines, and these are virtually eliminated with my Collagen Eye Mask.

Step II: Line Putty

The next step is my Line Putty. For years, I tried to create the perfect line filler product, but had a hard time getting the product to adhere to the skin properly. When I finally created my Line Putty, then pressed it into the skin with a sponge over my Collagen Eye Mask, the result was instantly smooth and wrinkle-free skin. The chamomile I added to the Line Putty is very soothing, and the witch hazel helps relieve puffiness. Another benefit of steps 1 and 2: my clients say applying these products feels like a mini-spa treatment…very calming and soothing. Any concern they had of it feeling too heavy is replaced with surprise at how good it feels. Then they look in the mirror and are amazed with the results.

Step III: Camouflage Eye Disguise

Now that the skin is totally hydrated and prepped, I add step 3, my best selling concealer, Camouflage Eye Disguise. After steps 1 & 2, you can now use a lot more concealer than you normally would, sweeping it across under the eyes and on the lid as a base for eye shadow. You get far better, natural-looking coverage without worrying about accentuating fine lines. My Camouflage Eye Disguise concealer works on all skin types, colors, and tones. For best results, it is really important to use a sponge to blend it in.

Heather Mills & Kelly Ripa

Since launching the Beauty Ammo Kit, I have sold tens of thousands in spas and salons around the US. I’ve sold Beauty Ammo on HSN, Ideal Vitality TV in London and in Henri Bendel. While doing an event at Henri Bendel, I met Heather Mills, who was shopping with her make up artist. He was so impressed with my Beauty Ammo Kit that he immediately called Kelly Rippa’s make up artist to share the dramatic results.

Celebrities using M.B. York’s Beauty Ammo Kit

I often get called onto sets to apply Beauty Ammo on celebrities such as Jane Lynch, Jamie Lee Curtis, Martin Sheen, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Kevin Bacon before the make up team does their make up. I was also asked for Beauty Ammo for Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White, Jane Leeves and Wendy Malick on the set of Hot in Cleveland. Actors love Beauty Ammo because it makes them look great for hours and allows them to avoid the constant touching up of powder throughout the day, which usually leads to the accentuation of fine lines. After training the Dancing With the Stars make up team on how to use Beauty Ammo, they said it made Chloris Lechman look 30 years younger. The makeup team said it is “definitely one of our beauty secrets that the entire cast and crew loves.” Even the judges, Carrie Ann, Leni and Bruno love Beauty Ammo!

Beauty Ammo Kit is easy to use at home

Another great benefit of my Beauty Ammo Kit is that you can apply it by itself in less than one minute. Even if you don’t like to wear foundation or make up elsewhere on your face, your entire eye area will be hydrated, fresher and brighter all day long.

On Saturday, July 30th, over 2000 people attended the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance’s (OCRFA) 19th annual Super Saturday. The highly anticipated event took place in the heart of The Hamptons, on the lush grounds of Nova’s Ark Project in Water Mill, New York. It was hosted by Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan and Gabby Karan de Felice. I spotted loads of other celebrities too including Christy Turlington, Molly Sims, Ingrid Vandebosch, Kristen Taekman and Star Jones.

From humble beginnings

The first Super Saturday took place in 1998. It was held in the backyard of the late Liz Tilberis’ (former Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar) home in the Hamptons. She was the then-president of OCRF, and had been diagnosed with the disease herself. From these backyard beginnings, the event has evolved into a day-long, star-studded designer shopping extravaganza attended by over 2,000 people. In addition to 30 – 50% off premier designer brands, there is a children’s carnival and delicious catered lunch (and cocktails, of course). There are always fun “experience tents” as well – you can enjoy an Essie manicure, get a psychic reading and more!

This year’s selection was fantastic! Designers included Ralph Lauren, Vince, Theory, Alice + Olivia, Vilebrequin, Magaschoni and Michael Kors. Beauty brands such as B. Kamins Laboratories and Ahava were also in attendance among many others. All Super Saturday proceeds fund OCRFA’s research initiatives.

So what is behind all the glitz and fanfare?

A not too glamorous story, I’m afraid. For the past 15 years I have been involved with Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance in different capacities. OCRFA has led the way in research, advocacy and support for patients and their families for over 22 years. The organization’s mission is to fund critical research on ovarian cancer and its work has led to earlier detection of the disease and will ultimately lead to a cure.

I was introduced to the organization by a dear friend of my mother’s who ultimately lost her battle with this terrible disease after many years of perseverance. There are people we cross paths with that leave a distinct impression and Ina Feuerstein was one of them. She was such a lovely, warm, positive woman. I admired the joy and kindness that she exuded especially in the face of such a debilitating disease. She inspired me to learn more. I was shocked to learn that most women never presented with symptoms, and by the time the cancer was detected, it was so advanced that it usually amounted to a death sentence.

Moreover, for years, and unfortunately to this day, when women go to their physicians complaining of lower abdominal cramps or bloating, they are usually dismissed and told that they probably just have gas. If women report a change in their eating habits – either a sharp decrease in appetite or feeling full quickly, they are often told that they are probably just stressed or anxious. If they have an increase in the frequency or urgency of urination, women are again brushed off and told that this is what happens with age. Though the tide is beginning to turn, it seems that even amongst the healthcare community’s elite, lady parts and diseases associated with them, tend to be overlooked or dismissed. Many women feeling ashamed that they now fit the stereotypical emotional woman archetype, go home quietly not realizing that these are symptoms of ovarian cancer. Down the road when the disease is finally diagnosed, it’s too late.

Ovarian Cancer seemed to be an important women’s issue that does not receive nearly enough attention and I’m a woman! I wanted to help change that and joined the Jr. Board.

To learn more about Super Saturday and OCRFA, please visit OCRFA.

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter @AlyssaBarrie

Perhaps summer isn’t a busy shopping time for you…we get that. We like to spend our summer days swimming, sunning and sipping frozen cocktails (Strawberry Daiquiris with a Myer’s Rum Float is our particular summer treat). There is, however, one summer shopping event that we’re always happy to skip the beach for…and best of all, it’s for a good cause!

On Saturday, July 25th, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) is hosting its 18th annual Super Saturday. The event takes place in the heart of The Hamptons, on the lush grounds of Nova’s Ark Project in Water Mill, New York. Kelly Ripa and Donna Karan will co-host the event.

From Humble Beginnings

The first Super Saturday took place in 1998. It was held in the backyard of the late Liz Tilberis’ (former Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar) home in the Hamptons. She was the then-president of OCRF, and had been diagnosed with the disease herself. From these backyard beginnings, the event has evolved into a day-long, star-studded designer shopping extravaganza attended by over 2,000 people. In addition to 30 – 50% off premier designer brands, there is a kid’s carnival and a delicious catered lunch (and cocktails, of course). There are always fun “experience tents” as well – you can enjoy an Essie manicure, get a psychic reading and more!

Shop The Day Away

This is one of our favorite summer events. We come ready to stock up – the shopping is incredible! We’ve gotten the cutest back to school items for our kids and the chicest designer pieces for ourselves. Every year, the roster of designers changes, but past year’s sponsors included Ralph Lauren, Theory, Alice + Olivia, Helmut Lang, rag & bone, Vilebrequin, mBaby, Vince, Diane von Furstenberg and Versace…among many others.

As you can imagine, this late July all day event can feel more like Super Sticky Saturday. If you plan on attending, be sure to wear light, breathable clothing and plenty of sunblock. We also make sure to have a cooling skin mist, face/body wipes and a frizz-fighting hair product in our bag, to avoid the whole melting hairball look…there’s always a crowd of photographers snapping away.

Travel Beauty’s founding team has been involved with OCRF for the past 13 years. Ovarian Cancer is an important women’s issue that does not receive nearly enough attention. OCRF funds critical research on ovarian cancer which has led to earlier detection of the disease and will ultimately lead to a cure. All Super Saturday proceeds fund OCRF’s research initiatives.

We hope to see you there! To learn more about Super Saturday and to purchase tickets, visit OCRF’s website.