Product of the Week!

Aveda Green Science Firming Eye Cream



The under-eye area is one of the most delicate areas of skin on the body, so it is important to strengthen and nourish it with a heavier cream than you would use for the rest of the face. Aveda Green Science Firming Eye Cream is a unique formula that combines all natural ingredients and peptides to minimize the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. I personally like this one because it’s moisturizing enough without being too rich or heavy, which could cause milia. Also, with a lot of eye creams, they usually contain caffeine which has a stimulating effect that can cause stinging in the eyes. This one did not, which I particularly liked. Lightly tap it on with your ring finger on freshly cleansed skin after you have removed your makeup. A little goes a long way.

Do's and Don'ts of Waxing

So you’re thinking of getting a wax for the first time. What do you need to do to prepare? Whether its arms, legs, underarms, or bikini, there are a few tips you should keep in mind when getting ready for your first appointment.

Time of Month
Skin is usually more sensitive around the time of your period, and waxing can be more painful than usual. Try to avoid making your waxing appointment within 2-3 days either way (before or after) of your period to avoid unnecessary sensitivity.

Preparing the Skin
Take a shower and lightly exfoliate. Avoid harsh scrubs, as waxing itself will exfoliate the top layer of skin. Don’t use any lotion or other products, keeping the skin as dry as possible.

Hair Growth
For optimum results, you will need some hair growth. Too little hair and the wax doesn’t have anything to hold onto. Too long and it will hurt more than it needs to. 1/8th – 1/4th of an inch is best (think a grain of rice!)

Pain
Take an aspirin or Tylenol 30- 45 minutes before your appointment if you're concerned about pain. It does hurt, but I promise it’s worth it! I always say, “Once you wax, you’ll never go back!”

Post Waxing Care
* Avoid tight clothing in the area(s) you had waxed.
* Don’t touch! Although it can be tempting because it feels so soft and smooth, try to avoid touching freshly waxed skin, as this can encourage irritation or small pimples.
*Avoid the sun, saunas or steam rooms for the next two days.
*To prevent ingrown hairs, exfoliate daily using a washcloth or loofah in the shower, and a product such as Tend Skin.

Product of the Week!

Yes To Tomatoes Facial Mask

This clay mask is a setting mask, which means it will harden once its applied. It has little crystals in it that exfoliate the skin, which is perfect for this type of mask. It contains anti-oxidants which help fight free radicals. “Yes To Tomatoes” as part of the “Yes To Carrots” line, clears and purifies oily, acne-prone skin. (Note: if you have sensitive skin, this isn’t the right product for you, as it can be a little harsh.) It spreads easily and evenly with no lumps and dries pretty quickly. Unlike most other clay masks, this is easy to wash off with a little water and some gentle massaging. And it smells great too! (Not like tomatoes at ALL!) The ingredients are almost all natural (99.6% organic) and it is paraben free. This product is great for the price -- you can get it at Walgreens or CVS.

Winter Skin Care Tips

As temperatures fall, so do the leaves, and as weather conditions change, so should your skin care routine. Colder temperatures cause blood circulation to slow down, and as a result, your skin does not get enough nutrients & oxygen, so all the healthy, regenerative processes in your skin slow down as well.

Cleanse with mild soap
Switch to a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, and avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents. Use a hydrating mask rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face.

Choose an oil-based moisturizer
Find a moisturizer that's oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture. While looking for a moisturizer to use during the winter months, look for humectants in the ingredients, which help attract moisture to the skin. Hyaluronic acid, glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids are a few good ones. (Tip: Avoid shea butter, as it can clog pores!)

Use a humidifier
Investing in a humidifier is one of the best and easiest things you can do for your skin. Even if you don’t use a heating unit inside your home, there is less humidity in the air in the winter months. Using a humidifier can do wonders for dry skin and even ease the sinuses. (Tip: Distilled water works best to keep both the air and the unit clean!)

Limit Hot Baths
While a hot bath may feel comforting and relaxing, the heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. Limit hot showers, and use cooler water for cleansing the face.


Hands & Lips
Skin on the top of the hands is thinner than on the rest of the body. And since we tend to wash our hands frequently, it can become drier and chapped more easily. After washing, use a heavy cream, and wear gloves when you go outside.

For your lips, choose a petroleum-base, or one with shea butter, jojoba oil, or avocado oil.

Product of the Week!

This week's product is Dermalogica Barrier Repair.

This silicone-based moisturizer melts onto your skin to soothe, repair and protect skin from environmental aggressions. You can use under or over moisturizer/sunscreen help lock in moisture. It provides a smooth matte finish, which makes it great for use as a makeup base. Barrier Repair can also be used by men as an after-shave lotion to prevent irritation after shaving. Its unique anti-ozonate complex strengthens the skin's natural lipid barrier to prevent future free radical damage.

Suitable for all skin types and conditions, including hypersensitive skin and rosacea.

Available in retail and back bar sizes.

Why Are Facials So Important?

One of the best things I can recommend to keep your skin looking and feeling its best would be getting consistent professional facials by a licensed esthetician. So why are facials so important? Besides promoting relaxation, having regular facials have many benefits, including delivering noticeable improvements to your skin tone, texture and appearance. For most people, a regular skincare routine consists of cleansing and moisturizing. Treating yourself to a facial once every 4 to 6 weeks can benefit your skin in many ways.

Deep Pore Cleansing
The first part of a facial is a deep pore cleansing. A licensed esthetician has access to products and equipment to that can assist in deeper cleansing of the skin without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier function, which has a balanced pH and oils & lipids that are essential to skin’s health.

Skin Analysis
The second portion of a professional facial is a thorough skin analysis. This is an important part of the facial, as this step will determine not only your skin type and any skin conditions you may have, this will also help your esthetician decide what products and treatments she will use for the rest of the facial. An esthetician is trained to “see” the skin with their fingers, so she will touch the skin as she looks at it under a magnifying lamp. While the skin analysis is being conducted, she will be asking questions and discussing with you what she sees.

Exfoliation
In step three, the outer layer of the dead skin will be removed. This is called exfoliation. Exfoliation is important because skin is generating new cells all the time. However, these cells become old and die and need to be replaced with new healthy cells. The older we get, the slower this process becomes. When this process is slowed, it causes the old dead cells to build up on our skin. This is what gives our skin a dull, dry and rough appearance. Exfoliating removes the oldest built up cells and allows the new healthy cells to emerge, giving your skin a healthy, youthful, fresh look.

Extractions
The next step of the facial is extractions. Any congestion of the pores will be removed, such as blackheads or whiteheads. Having extractions done by a licensed professional is important because they have been trained on how to remove these impurities and how to handle the skin afterwards. Having extractions performed will help keep the skin looking smooth and your complexion clear.

Massage
Finally, its time to relax! Massage is a very necessary part of the facial as it stimulates circulation and helps bring oxygen to the skin and promotes relaxation. Having a facial massage on a regular basis can lead to firmer, more radiant skin by minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, moisturizing, and releasing tension.

Mask
After the massage, your esthetician will choose a mask appropriate for your skin type. Masks are important because they target specific skin conditions. They can be soothing, calming, moisturizing, purifying, or stimulating and can work in different ways. Clay masks, for example, are good for removing impurities and excess oil from oily or acneic skin. Masks with aloe or alpha hydroxy acids work by penetrating deep into the skin for hydrating and anti-aging benefits.

Tone and Hydrate
As part of the last step of the facial, your esthetician will use a toner to restore the skin’s natural pH, and to help prepare the skin for proper absorption of moisturizer. After the toner, she will apply a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Moisturizer is imperative to any skin care routine, regardless of skin type, as it is putting much needed water back into your skin. Remember, even if your skin is oily, your skin still needs water. If your skin is oily, usually an oil-free moisturizer works best. Moisturizers work by putting water into the skin and slowing the evaporation of the skin’s moisture.

Once your treatment is complete, your esthetician will discuss with you what she noticed during the skin analysis and future skin care goals. She can help you choose products to use at home and recommend home care treatments so you can maintain the results of your facial.

Your face is the first thing people see when you walk into a room. Healthy skin is our body’s first line of defense against illness, bacteria, and disease, so taking care of it is extremely important. Skin is our body’s largest organ and it is responsible for protecting everything inside our body! A good skin care routine is just as important as eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Call me to schedule a facial as soon as possible!

Product of the Week!

Each week I will feature one skin care or makeup product. Fellow skin care professionals and/or makeup artists, please feel free to chime in!

This week's product is Rhonda Allison Pumpkin Cleanser. This cleanser combines lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate, hydrate, and nourish the skin. And it smells good too! Perfect for fall since its exfoliating properties will help remove dead skin cells damaged from the sun during summer months!