Are YOU a LAZY SPF applier? (I am)

Confession:  I often forget to apply sunscreen.. eeeekkkkk!

I just walked my dog and remembered, I didn’t apply ANYTHING to my face today.  I think I just burned the back of my neck (smacking my head right now)!  It is my day off but NO EXCUSE!   I work on skin ALL day, I ask everyone if they are using SFP daily, I am starting to see spots on my face more & more from my teenage burns.. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM?  SUN is the quickest way to speed AGING up.. I KNOW THIS.. I preach this.. I believe this!

Let’s keep it simple.  I need to heed my own advice:

1.  Apply your moisturizer to clean skin in the morning.  Allow the product to absorb into your skin, this way your skin is less likely to want to absorb all the sunscreen into your pores, ultimately clogging them.

2. ApplySPF to your face (which I skip) and ALSO to your neck and chest (which I do).  Your neck and chest are the tell tale signs of your age.  They are always forgotten, but always exposed.  Apply to BOTH.

3. (Ladies) As a final step after you have finished doing your make-up, apply a mineral make-up with a fluffy round brush all over your face, neck & chest.  Mineral make-up contains ZINC & Titanium Dioxide which are both natural sunscreens (just like Baby sunscreens).   Applying “powdered” SPF (mineral powders) is a great re-application product throughout your day.  They lay on top of the skin and don’t have a tendency to clog pores from absorption (like some over the counter sunscreens can do).

4.  If you are outside all day, you should re-apply.  It doesn’t last all day long (even 100 SPF) especially after swimming, sweating or working.

That seems easy enough.. why can’t I remember to do it?

Baz Luhrmann said it BEST: “Always Wear Sunscreen!”

While you are spreading sunshine throughout your day, also remember to apply sunscreen. (I need to copy and paste that to my bathroom mirror ASAP).  It’s the easiest way to slow the “beauty” aging process.

Need another reason?  My aunt died because of skin cancer.. read her story here.

Power picks 4 Confidence (my SuperPowers)

What are you special accessories that make you feel extra special? That activate your Super Powers?

Bright Lip, Heels, & Polished Nails are my “go tos” whenever I have to present, make a speech or represent an organization (or have a “put my foot down” meeting).

I think it goes back to my dancing days.  I was tall and cast as a showgirl alot.. I always felt so elegant on stage with my sparkles, makeup & heels.

I taught ballroom for 8 hours (a day) in heels and dancing in NYC in the 1990s was all Broadway style heels (minimum 2 inches).  Plus you NEVER showed up at an audition without lipstick!

There is something about the way heels elongate my stride, posture & confidence.  But add a bright lip, especially on days where I’m feeling a bit tired and BAM!

Here’s my story from a few weeks ago.. (via Periscope: michellebouse)

 

I would love to hear your secret picks to activate your SuperPowers!  (don’t worry I won’t tell) 😉

 

New Year, Let’s get real!

There is nothing like browsing gorgeous pictures online or in magazines, especially during award season. I want. I wish. I wonder. Sigh..

Having a makeup artist, hairstylist, great lighting and photoshop editors makes EVERYONE look great – trust me, I KNOW. At the start or end of my day, I don’t even come close to seeing a semblance in my mirror. Do you?

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but those people in the photos aren’t recognizable in their mirror at home after the event – once everything is off.  Good news: They are just as normal as you and I – only they have a BEAUTY TRIBE.

So it’s a new year.. I want to help you with real beauty concerns, questions & frustrations.  I want to give you real solutions, hope and inspiration!  So let’s GET REAL! Who’s with me?

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Here is your first Beauty “TO DO” for 2016.. schedule in #MeTime this year & regularly!  Whatever you have to do; add it to your calendar, phone, schedule an alarm or  stratigically place sticky notes – DO IT & be consistent!  Here’s list to help start you off.

I will be back with more TO DOs for YOU and your perfectly, perfect (and annoying) imperfections!  Together we will GET REAL and feel more BEAUTIFUL by the end of 2016..  Cheers!!!  ~Michelle

Vitamin C is good 4 You

And your skin. Are you using it?

Anti-oxidants protect skin from future sun damage as well as repairing cells of past damage (those darn free radicals). Let me say that again, Vitamin C helps the skin repair itself!

It helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which slows down with age – hence the wrinkles.

Internal consumption is extremely good for skin as well. Buffered Vitamin C has always been recommended as a good choice for better body absorption.  Vitamin C is water soluble so you if it’s not absorbed by the body, it leaves.  We need to replenish daily because look at all the health benefits..

3 of my favorites are:

Dr. Spiller Vitamin C Line (serum, day & night cream)

Rodan + Fields Reverse Line (vitamin c & retinol combo) and the Sunscreen is the most hydrating I’ve ever used!

Avalon Organics Vitamin C renewal (lip balm)

So whether it’s finding a skincare line with Vitamin C, throwing an orange slice into your tea/water, munching on C based veggies (bell pepper, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, collard greens, tomatoes) or supplementing your diet with buffered C (especially during cold & flu season) – start rev-ing UP your anti-aging routine today.

Your skin & body will THANK YOU!

Fall M/U trend #2. Flushed cheeks

Flushed cheeks… what comes to your mind?

For me I think of a blushing bride, a chilly afternoon, a brisk, fall walk, a pilates class or a happy approachable person. Color “coming from within” that’s the goal of this look. Not that you’re embarrassed, doll-like or injured but when you’re flushed, good circulation, a beautiful glow & healthy.

Sometimes the benefit of a bright cheek allows for a quick swipe of mascara (I also like to swipe the blush along my brow bone for the illusion of a natural eyeshadow application) and that is all.  Natural beauty.  The flushed cheek is usually using a PINK/MAUVE or PEACH tone color.. not Bronzer. Watch my quick video on powder application tips:

Gels and tints/stains are also a great option but take a bit more practice.  Powder is easy to blend and wipe off.. a stain is not.  Cream blush and a tint are a great way to layer color.  I use my fingers to apply a swipe of a cream or a gel on the “apples” area of my cheeks and then follow with a light layer of powder color on top.  Blending is always the key!  Remember if you don’t like it, wipe it off and start again.

My Product Picks:

1. Tarte “Natural” cheek stain
2. Nars “Orgasm” Blush
3. Cinema Secrets “Natural” blush
4. NYX blush
5. Naked Illuminating Shimmer 
6. Smashbox soft lights shimmer

Application Tips: 

1. Tap off the end of your applicator before applying to eliminate any “splotches” of too much color at the first point of contact on skin.

2. Use the end of a sponge (“the butt”) to the blend edges of your blush application as well as to remove excess product.

3. Keep color within the triangle of your cheek and do not apply too far down under your cheekbone.  This is where it starts looking like you were punched in the cheek.

4. Take a selfie and see how it looks. Then add a swipe of a light shimmer powder across the top of both cheekbones to finish the look with a little glow. (Alittle goes a long way.)

5. Not working for you? Use the temporary tried and true methods: pinch your cheeks & exercise!

Stop by each week In September for tips on how to incorporate the 5 Fall Runway Trends into your every day look.

Always wash your face before bed?

That’s what my mother always told me.. So do you?

Confession: I feel asleep last night without washing me face!! Eeeeeeeek! I can hear my mom now! 

Yesterday was a “beauty day”. Hair, color, waxing, facial – so I didn’t wear any makeup. Good news. Bad news, I was so tired I fell asleep (yes, beauty is exhausting), without cleansing my face (which I do religiously every night) and woke up with three breakouts on my chin. Shoot! Point made.. clean the day off my face before falling asleep even if I didn’t put on makeup. (Love using the Norwex cloth for this & in the mornings – Just add water).

Here is a great article for why sleeping in your makeup is bad for your health in a 30 day experiment blog post. http://dermrf.com/2015/07/the-risks-of-sleeping-in-your-makeup-run-more-than-skin-deep/

We live in a dirty world (insert your favorite theme song). I’m in Los Angeles, known for smog and desert dirt!  Just a light wipe of a toner over your face at the end of the day is proof (try it after cleansing to freak yourself out). I wipe with toner, Hydrosols or astringent – And still can’t believe what still comes off.

My picks:

I love a toner that is a treatment as well: https://michellebouse.myrandf.com/Shop/Product/AATN125 (R+F “spankz for skin”

Great hydrosol: http://amzn.to/1IKjLyA (love the rose & lavender from EvanHealy)

If you like an astringent: http://amzn.to/1M7ZEQ4 (rose petal witch hazel w/aloe from Thayer)

So here is your friendly reminder.. Wash your face before hitting the pillow. Start the rejuvenation process with the cleanest skin possible. Nighttime is the most important time for your skin and body’s renewal process. Even if you fall asleep first, get up, clean your skin and go back to sleep!

A Mascara Fail & A Norwex Rescue

Every so often I try a new mascara and see what happens (although I keep going back to CoverGirl LashBlast). So I grabbed the Bombshell Curvaceous Lashes by CoverGirl. 

After I applied it, my lashes were stiff and uncomfortable immediately (1st reason for a mascara fail).  I love the brushes but the formula must be different than LashBlast.  At the end of the day when I took my oil cleanser and washed my face, I couldn’t get all of the mascara off.  I had raccoon eyes (and that is WITH oil remover). That is the 2nd reason for a mascara fail.

I never recommend waterproof mascara on a regular basis for this reason. Any mascara that cannot be fully removed at the end of your day, can damage your lashes. It can dry out your lashes, weight them down, coat them causing brittleness (is that a word?).  Leftover residue is never good for your face or skin either.  It can easily clog your pores. So after I had black circles under my eyes & flakes of mascara on my cheeks, I grabbed my toner (2nd cleanse). Even the toner wouldn’t take off the remnants of the mascara (final mascara fail).  Bummer.. tossed the mascara into trash and fell asleep..

So the next morning I grab my Norwex cloth that I found from a friend while traveling  (Thank you Kelly Paull).

Photo credit: Twitter @BeckyHammel

I love the antibacterial body cloth and I recommend it to all my clients as a morning wash without soap.  I slide it across my face, lashes and magic..  off came ALL of the remnants of my mascara fail! In one wipe!

Why didn’t I think of it the night before.. I guess I was just too tired. 🙂 #beautyfail

8 Reasons to use toner NOW

I didn’t use toner for years. Another product? Another step? No way.. I already have/do too many. I don’t need that (with laughter filling my head).  Sound familiar?

Then I did an experiment. I took a clean cotton pad after using my best cleanser, applied some hydrosol and I wiped. Hmmmm how can that be?  Then I applied all my skincare products and went to grab some much needed beauty sleep.

The next morning, knowing my face was as clean as a whistle I took a cotton pad, applied some more hydrosol and wiped.. YIKES!

How was it possible with a clean face and doing nothing but sleep, I still have sweat & dirt on my face. That was the day I started using toner.

Here’s a picture from this morning.. Guess my mascara wasn’t all off last night. Thank you toner.. I have to say I love you!

WHY Toner..

1. Tightens, refreshes & firms skin

2. Keep pores clean (minimized) & helps prevent breakouts

3. Help pulls moisturizer deeper into skin when applied AFTER toner

4. Combat & repair anti-aging and sun damage

5. Gently exfoliates, soothes & disinfects

6. Is it’s own skin treatment –  adds ingredients like vitamins & antioxidants 

7. Takes off excess dirt, sweat, mascara, misc. makeup & oil (is your 2nd cleanse)

8. It will be your secret weapon (proof is in the pad, see photo above)

WHAT Toner..

Oily skin: Love most of these, astringent & alcohol-free 

Dry skin: Love adding hydrasols & these are great options

Normal skin:  These are good for normal skin – neroli is my favorite

Did I change your mind? Or do you already use toner? Please share with me in the comments below.

Grown-up Girl’s “to do list”

 

 

Sometimes lists are good and worth sharing..

 

DIY: SuperBowl SPAday

It’s SuperBowl Sunday weekend. Is there anyone else not into watching it or is it just me?  Well here’s what I will be doing.. SuperBowl SPAday!  Self pampering beauty.. Way better than football (at least to me) but maybe I’ll peek at the half-time show.

Here’s how to enjoy yourself while everyone else is in front of the television. Or after the party if you want to catch the game. (Can also be used any day you choose, whenever you’re in the mood or need it!)

What you will need:
Music of choice
Book of choice
Coconut oil
Packet of sugar
Honey
Green tea bags (2)
Candles
Socks/slippers
Favorite beverage

Start by lighting some candles (watching a flame lowers blood pressure), choosing some music (can’t go wrong with Classical or George Winston), pull out your favorite read (I’m addicted to Outlander right now) and pour yourself a beverage.

Pull your hair back with a tie or headband and slip into comfy clothes and slippers.  Take out the packet of sugar and empty it into your hand.  Mix a drop of your favorite cleanser into the sugar and apply to your face in circular movements.  Use warm water to wash your face with the mixture and give extra attention to any dry spots (nose, chin, lips).  The sugar will exfoliate and dissolve within the water as you wash (brilliant).  Rinse your face with cold water to close your pores and pat dry.

Apply a thin layer of coconut oil all over your face and follow by spreading a teaspoon of honey to your entire face & neck.  Pat the honey with your fingertips all over your face for about 1-2 minutes.  This stimulates the cells and encourages product penetration.  Apply coconut oil to your cuticles and grab a book, sitting with your feet up in front of the candles.  If you want to relax instead of read, apply one wet green tea bag to each eye and close.

Allow yourself to sit for 15-20 minutes with the honey on your face.  Then massage remaining oil into cuticles, remove tea bags, rinse face and pat dry.  Follow with one more application of coconut oil to your face & neck, apply your favorite eye cream and top with your moisturizer.

The honey and coconut oil will hydrate your skin and leave it feeling baby bottom smooth (and won’t clog or breakout skin).  The green tea bags will help hydrate, eliminate puffiness and firm.

If you want to sneak a peek at the television, now would be the time or just put your feet back up and enjoy YOU.

Let me know if you’ll be enjoying the game or pampering yourself.

If you like this post please tweet it, pin it, re-pin it and share it with your friends! and of course comments are ALWAYS loved..