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!

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!

Super-charge ur moisturizer w/ this ingredient

Hellllllllo Hyaluronic Acid. 

I tell everyone this is like ‘little fingers’ that come off your skin, grab the moisturizer and pull it deep into the lower dermal layers.  It has also been referred to as “miracle/fountain of youth” ingredient.. but let’s not get crazy.

Here’s the scientific explanation and some drugstore picks.  I just recommend finding a serum with hyaluronic acid in it (I love Epicuren’s Moist Surge) and apply it to a clean face before moisturizer or mix with your moisturizer for application.  Any dry skin will see improvement and I love hydrating for anti-aging!

The other great hydration secret is to apply moisturizer to WET skin.  We all know the best time to moisturize our body is just after a shower.  Skin is still damp and the lotion locks in the moisture.

So mist your face,

grab ur hyaluronic acid serum,

apply to your face (and neck).

Then follow with your favorite moisturizer.  This will super-charge your product & your skin will glow with gratitude!

Beauty 2 beat Winter Blues

Paint Your Nails

WINTER BLUES got you down?

Here are some ideas to lift your spirits & make you feel Pretty! (Because YOU ARE!)

1.  Paint your nails:  A little color can make all the difference.  Purple is the “IT” color for SPRING 2014 so start testing out some of your favorites.  Adding a little SPARKLE on top always makes me smile.

Product Pick:  Love Zoya AWAKEN Spring 2014 line, especially Monet topper.

2.  Take a bath:  Warm water and some wonderful smells can take you to a whole new world. Play your favorite music, close your eyes and breathe deeply.

Product Pick:  Pandora’s peaceful stations never fail to lull my clients into beauty rest.

3.  Grab an aromatherapy based lotion:  Applying aromatherapy to your body will lift your spirits and help soften and smooth your skin from chapped, dry skin.

Product Pick:  I am addicted to Shea Butter based lotions with aromatic scents (KleanSpa does custom “scenting”).  I can’t get enough!

4.  Buy a new lip gloss:  This works for me every time.  Apply & Smile.

Product Pick: Urban Decay has a beautiful new line of lipsticks for spring 2014.

5.  Add bangs:  Whether they are feathered, side swiped or curly – change can be good.  It always grows back.

6.  Give yourself a mini-facial:  Clean your face and apply a mask, then take a shower.  (Steam helps the ingredients penetrate) after you’re done wipe it off & apply coconut oil.  Your skin will LOVE it!

Product Pick:  This hydrating mask from Boot’s look delish (love the ingredients).  You can also just apply Honey.  Works beautifully.

I would LOVE to hear what YOU do to “Beat the Blues..”

Exfoliation We all Need it…

Exfoliation

Anti-Aging, Teens, Acne, Pigmentation concerns?

What you need is regular EXFOLIATION!

A minimum of ONCE a week is suggested.. but not EVERY day.. Your skin will tell you, just listen.

Especially as the weather changes, so does our skin.

There are TWO main types of exfoliation..

Mechanical:
TOPICAL
Examples are any product with beads or a gritty texture that is manually wiped or buffed onto your face.
Microdermabrasion (alternative version  I recommend  is a “SILK PEEL” micro infused with hydration = less irritation) and facial brushes like are the mechanical versions.
These products and machines slough (“SLUFF”) off the dry dead skin on your face allowing the newer, fresher skin to appear.
Result: Smoother, polished skin

Chemical:
ENZYMES
These are found naturally in pumpkin (sensitive skin) and pineapple (normal to tougher skin). The enzyme ingredients are placed in a product that is wiped onto the face and allowed to sit for 5-15min depending on skin tolerance.  Adding steam professionally in a treatment or during a shower increased the intensity of treatment. The enzymes act as little PAC men munching and eating dead dry skin off the face and out of pores.
Result: Cleaner, brighter, softer skin

AHA & BHA
These are commonly referred to as “peels”. The come in varying degrees of severity and some can only be performed by a medical professional.
These exfoliators are stronger strengths and go deeper into the skin then a topical application.
Salicylic acid & glycollic acids are most common in milder peels and can be found in safe home care treatments.
Result: Smoother, less pigment, tighter skin

Whichever you choose, professional or home care the important choice is EXFOLIATE.  As you start doing this on a regular basis you will begin to see a change in your skin.  Scars may soften.. Pigment may lighten, or deepen (until the pigment is exfoliated to its base it may get bigger before it gets smaller).. Skin will soften.. Brighten, Tighten & Lighten.. SO wear SUNSCREEN to protect your newly found skin prevent aging & further damage!

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-butt red lipstick.”    Gwyneth Paltrow quotes