Category — Skin Care

For many of us, dealing with unwanted facial hair seems like a never ending battle. Whether it?s unruly eyebrows, fuzz above your lips, or those stray whiskers on your chin and neck, facial hair is not a good look for any lady. Thankfully there are many, many options for removing that hair and creating a smooth, gorgeous look. Hair can be removed by waxing, threading, tweezing or chemical removers. It is never recommended to shave facial hair because it will come back in darker and thicker.

Having a professional take care of the hair is usually easier, but can get a little pricey for some. There are lots of at-home hair removal options. Nads facial wax strips are easy to use and come with an after-waxing serum to help clean and soothe skin. Not all of us are comfortable ripping wax strips off of our faces though, and more often than not, there is still tweezing to do for a complete job.

Chemical hair removers are easy to use and seem to do a thorough job. Both Nair and Sally Hansen have at-home options that are very inexpensive, but can irritate skin. Olay also now has an at-home hair removal system that doesn’t seem to cause the skin irritations that other products do, but costs a little more.

No matter which product you choose, be sure to do a skin test before applying to your face. Always follow the product instructions and listen to what your skin is telling you. When in doubt, stop using the product and remove with cool water. Good luck with whatever method you choose!

Whether you are packing for a tropical vacation or gearing up for another hot summer at home, be sure to avoid looking like a hot mess while enjoying the sun and summertime. Warm weather brings out excess oil in our hair and skin as a protection mechanism from the sun and environment. To help alleviate looking like you’ve spritzed with baby oil from head to toe, try some oil-absorbing products while applying less to your look.

Start with an oil-absorbing toner to clean your face and remove hidden oil from pores that the warm weather will draw out. Follow that with an oil-free foundation applied only to the nose area and then blend it out to the cheekbones and lower forehead. Always avoid any foundation or excess lotions along the hairline where you will perspire the most.

Finish the face with an oil-absorbing powder with a minimum SPF of 15. For the eyes, most make-up will melt as the day heats up, so less really is more. Waterproof mascara along the top lashes is usually plenty for an everyday look as is a tinted lip balm containing SPF. Protect your skin and keep the make-up simple to avoid looking like a hot mess whether you’re on the beach or in the backyard.

With all of the make-up available, there has to be a better way to remove all of that without irritating even the most sensitive of skins. Neutrogena may have finally provided just that. Their new Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser has modified polymers that are too big to get under the skin’s surface and actually attach themselves to dirt and make-up for a better clean.

Dermatologists are recommending the product because of the way it rinses completely from the skin without any sticky soap residue. Consumers like the extra lather that it creates, which always makes us feel more clean. Who doesn’t associate the amount of suds to the level of clean achieved?

The product claims to calm the skin and keep redness, tightness, and dryness at bay. Plus it will take off all of that eye make-up you applied before going out. Give it a scrub and see what you think!

Mineral makeup is not a new phenomenon, but it does seem to be gaining in popularity since it first hit the market in the 1970′s. Although some people have pooh-poohed the mineral makeup craze, it does have some benefits and should be considered by most of us as a great makeup alternative. Mineral makeup seems to be more natural looking on most of us as long as it is applied correctly. Any makeup will looked caked on if it has been.

The most popular application method is the tap, swirl, and buff approach. Dip your brush into the powder, tap off the excess, swirl brush onto skin, and then buff to smooth and remove any excess. For more coverage, try using a flat top brush instead of a round one. For many, mineral makeup wears better than liquid makeup and feels lighter on their skin. Don’t be confused into thinking that mineral makeup is some all natural product.  Along with all other makeup, it contains minerals like zinc oxide which is synthetic and not natural.

Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (another ingredient in most mineral makeups) block sun physically so mineral makeup does offer some sun protection for days when you’re just running around. Zinc oxide also can help to calm irritated skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The key to mineral makeup is actually what it doesn’t contain like oils, dyes, and fragrances. For this reason, it seems to be a better choice for those with sensitive skin and is often recommended by dermatologist.

These missing ingredients mean that is doesn’t normally irritate skin like some cosmetics. Thanks to the boom in popularity of mineral makeup, it now comes in more products than just face powder and foundation. It now also comes in bronzers, blush, eye shadows, and even lipsticks.

Mineral makeup is definitely worth a try the next time you restock your cosmetics drawer.

Some of the best and most cost-effective skin and hair products are natural ingredients that are also environmentally friendly. Instead of using a harsh astringent to clear out pores after you wash your face, try using witch hazel instead. It is much less abrasive but provides the same cleansing and antiseptic properties. Once pores have been thoroughly cleaned, whip up an egg white and chill it for 5 minutes. Then apply it evenly to skin for a few minutes and feel those pores tighten and shrink.

To keep hair looking bright, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to lukewarm water for an after-conditioning rinse. If it’s been a long day and the eyes are looking tired soak a couple green tea bags in cool water then apply to eyes while you relax for a few minutes. The naturally-occurring caffeine will tighten under-eye skin in no time.

A little baking soda on your toothbrush can whiten teeth as well as fingernails with a gentle scrub. Be sure to rinse well though. These quick and easy fixes already exist in most homes, we just forget to give them a chance in a new role sometimes. Give it a try!

Many of us spend a lot of time and money making sure that the skin on our faces is protected, clear, and beautiful. But what about the rest of your skin? Your skin is the largest organ you have and all of it deserves to be treated with great care. This is especially true in the summer when we are showing more skin than any other time of year. In order to keep yourself beautiful from head to toe, start by using an exfoliating sponge, loofah, or bath puff for your daily cleansing.

There are also some great exfoliating body washes on the market at very reasonable prices. Try the Suave exfoliating body wash with shea butter for deliciously smooth skin. Once you have removed the dead and dulling skin cells, be sure to moisturize after the bath or shower. There are several “healthy glow” type lines available now that provide quality moisture plus an added tint of color to the skin. Just make sure to apply these products evenly and air dry for a bit before dressing.

When it comes to ripping the hair out of your body, leave it to the professionals.  Although there are several decent products on the market that will allow you to “do it yourself,” waxing is something best done by the trained professionals. Some of us feel a little awkward about the experience, especially on the first visit to the spa, but the trip is well worth it. Please understand that the person providing this service is actually a trained professional and knows what he or she is doing. Be sure to ask questions and understand what you are asking for and what you are going to get.

There are different styles of waxing from eyebrows to legs to bikini to Brazilian. The most common are the Bikini wax and the Brazilian wax. You have choices when going in for either one, so be sure to discuss options and preferences with your waxer. In most spas, a Bikini wax removes the hair that would be visible if you were wearing a bikini. A Brazilian on the other hand comes in a few different styles. Most commonly, a waxing of this type will remove all of the hair from the small of your back to your belly button. No matter how much hair you would like removed or where, be sure to make your desires clear and allow your professional waxer to do his or her job.

I’m ready for war against those attacking UV rays!

I’ve got Sublime Sun from Loreal SPF 30 for my body, and Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 55 for my face.  Sunny days here I come!

I know I say it too much, but sunscreen is The number one way to preserve your beauty.  Sun and tan feels so good, but it’s soooo bad for your skin in the long run.  Keep looking good longer.

What’s your plan to preserve your youthful skin?

Posted from my Instagram @makeupbeautytips

Waxing is a great way to remove unwanted hair from anywhere on your body, but let’s face it, the idea of ripping hair out isn’t appealing to anyone. To make waxing easier and less painful, try starting with quality products, including some type of topical numbing agent. Waxing kits come in all shapes, sizes, and styles.

Some brands to consider are Nair wax kit (it’s not like it used to be), Surgi, GiGi, and Satin Smooth. When buying a kit, it will normally come with the wax, applicators, waxing strips, a numbing agent (a spray, wipe, or lotion) and an after-wax skin soother (aloe-based products will also reduce redness). Before you wax, make sure hair is at least ¼” long but not longer than about ½”. If hair is too long, trim first. Be sure to clean the area with the pre-was cleanser provided which usually contains the numbing agent, then use a very small amount of powder to dust the area using a cotton ball or cotton swab depending on the area you are waxing. Apply the wax in the same direction that the hair is growing.

Try to keep the application even…not too thin, not too thick. Cover the waxed area with the strip and rub in even strokes in the direction the hair is growing several times. Be sure to leave a little of the strip at the end to hold onto when removing the strip. Now grab the end of the strip, gently hold the skin taught, and quickly, in one pull, remove the strip in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Avoid the urge to pull up and keep the pulling hand as close to the skin as possible. Pressing a wax free hand or finger on the newly waxed area will help to alleviate some of the pain. Tweeze any leftover hairs; DO NOT rewax the same area. Use the wax remover from the kit to get rid of any leftover wax or residue once you are done waxing and finish with a skin soother. If you run out of wax remover, baby oil will also work. When you have finished, use an aloe-based lotion or the after-wax serum in your kit to soothe skin and remove redness.

Neutrogena Canada is giving away 100,000 personalized gifts of trial sized products and coupons to celebrate 60 years in Canada.  It looks like they have lots of samples, and then give out coupons for the ones which have run out.

You get to choose five.  This is a goodie!!  Details are here: http://promotion.neutrogena.ca/

This one is for residents of Canada only.  But you can always just go shop and buy it if  you can’t get it free. Here is my favorite sunscreen for my face: