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Lumixyl Tropical Brightening System

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By Michael Hepworth

This product was launched in March 2010 at the prestigious 68th Annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting in Miami. It promises to reduce the effects of Hyperpigmentation, and is effective for all skin types especially colored skin which is more sensitive to skin lighteners and exfoliating agents.

The four part kit from Envy Medical, a group based in Westlake Village, California, costs $270 and consists of a cleanser, brightening crème, exfoliating lotion and sunscreen. A regular kit should last about six weeks. Developed by dermatological researchers at Stanford University, they are made exclusively for plastic surgeons, dermatologists and skin orientated aesthetic physicians. The products can of course be purchased separately, but in order to get maximum effect the kit is probably the way to go.

Breaking down each part of the kit, the cleanser ($35) consists of antioxidants like clover, rosemary, sage, barley and rosa canina fruit extracts that fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.

The brightening crème ($120) inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme thus inhibiting the overproduction of melanin. Melanin is the one thing that can cause uneven pigmentation and dark spots, and Lumixyl has proved effective in moderating melanin more efficaciously than hydroquinone. Tests resulted in a 40% melanin reduction in 8 weeks as opposed to the 7% of hydrquinone.

The GlycoPeel 20 Rapid Exfoliating Lotion ($60) has Glycolic Acid as a prime ingredient (20%) which exfoliates lackluster skin and also at the same time increases cellular turnover. Plant extracts provide an additional anti inflammatory and antioxidant benefit to sooth the skin. This product speeds up the normal ten week cycle of a full skin
“turnover.”

The MoistureLock Sunscreen SPF30 ($58) features a dual layer protection system known as “Lumiblock” technology and in many ways is the key to the whole process. That means the addition of micronized titanium dioxide reduces any residue after you put it on, although we still found that a small layer of your regular moisturizer put on first makes it even better.

The sunscreen also includes the exotic sounding SymHelios 1031, an ingredient effective in limiting the toxic effects of ultraviolet rays on skin tissue. This combination of sun blocking ingredients are unique to Lumixyl, and when the sunscreen is put on after the other three parts of the kit it helps drive the ingredients into the skin. It allows the Lumixyl system to do its work and prevent new damage from occurring.

Tests in house on one of our interns suffering from this condition has proved a virtual life saver and this is a product we can endorse most vociferously.

http://www.lumixyl.net/

By Michael Hepworth

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What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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