Archive for the ‘Skincare’ Category

Kiss and Tell

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

The skin on our lips is the thinnest on our face.  Cell turnover is rapid, so we see dead skin shedding or peeling if we don’t exfoliate and hydrate our lips often.  The lips have no sweat or oil glands to produce the protective layer that keeps skin smooth.  Here are some of my favorite products to hydrate and exfoliate so you’ll have the most kissable lips.

lorac-vitamin-e-stickLORAC Vitamin E Stick: This untinted ultra-rich lip product soothes and heals chapped lips while infusing them with hydration.  It is colorless, which makes it an ideal product for men.  It can also be used as an under-eye treatment.
Product Price: $16.00
Available at LORAC online, Sephora

z-bigatti-lips-at-largeZ.Bigatti Lips at Large Lip Treatment Balm: This lip balm delivers continuous moisture all day long.  Vitamin E provides protection from free radicals, and peppermint oil refreshes and soothes your lips.  If feathering and bleeding is your issue then fret no more.  While this product may seem a bit costly, it is worth every penny.  It is by far one of my favorite products, and I don’t leave home without it.
Product price: $55.00
Available at Z.Bigatti online

                                                  
bio-elements-lip-buffBioelements Lip Buff: Sugar cane crystals exfoliate peeling and flaky skin.  It promotes a natural-looking, healthy color while leaving the lips feeling supple and smooth.
Bioelements is a professional skincare line used by leading estheticians.
Product price: $26.00
Available at Bioelements online and Sonia Roselli Esthetique

Skin Quenchers

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

A makeup artist going on-location for weddings, or a commercial shoot gets to see her fair share of skin types and skin conditions.  I can’t tell you how many people miss the mark when it comes to properly hydrating their skin.  I’ve put together a list of my favorite moisturizers targeting specific skin types or skin conditions. 
In the summer or warm months your skin will tend to produce more oil, so you’ll want something with a lighter feel.  In the winter or colder months your skin is subjected to indoor heating systems and the cold outdoors, which can dehydrate the skin, so a richer texture is needed.   Keep in mind it is not unusual to have two different moisturizers to meet your skins needs all year round.

laura-mercier-tinted-moisturizer-oil-freeLaura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Oil Free:  Not only does this product provide a hint of color for minimal coverage, but it’s buildable in case you need more coverage.  It provides UV protection with an SPF 20.  It’s ideal for oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin, but it can be worn by all skin types and is available in seven shades.
Product price: $42.00
Available at Laura Mercier online, Nordstrom’s, Saks and Sephora

murad-redness-therapy-correcting-moisturizerMurad Redness Therapy Correcting Moisturizer SPF 15:  This is a great daytime moisturizer if you have sensitive skin.  Goji berry extract is a powerful antioxidant and licorice extract relieves surface redness. 
Product price: $37.00
Available at Murad online and Sephora

murad-acne-skin-perfecting-lotion1Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily Skin:  This is an oil-free moisturizer that’s extremely lightweight.  It delivers hydration (water) to your skin, so it’s left feeling smooth without any traces of residue.  It doesn’t clog the pores and will help alleviate redness and irritation.
Product price: $33.00
Available at Murad online and Sephora

philosophy-hope-in-a-jarPhilosophy Hope in a Jar:  This is a lightweight moisturizer for normal or normal-combination skin.  Hope in a Jar not only gives your skin a drink of water, but it also minimizes the appearance of fine lines and brings a rosy tone to an otherwise sallow skin.  It gently exfoliates to provide a smooth surface; antioxidants in this moisturizer protect the skin against free radicals.
Product price: $28.00 - $108.00
Available at Philosophy online, Sephora, Nordstrom’s and Macy’s

shiseido-bio-performance-advance-super-revitilizerShiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizer:  This quick-absorbing cream moisturizer is lightweight due to its gel emulsification, but don’t let that fool you.  This effective moisturizer contains the powerful humectant Super Bio-Hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and rough skin.  Bio-EPO fights the damaging effects of free radicals.  This moisturizer is a day and night treatment that’s good for all skin types.
Product price: $71.00 - $90.00
Available at Nordstrom’s, Sephora and Macy’s

shiseido-bio-performance-super-restoring-creamShiseido Bio-Performance Super Restoring Cream:  This rich moisturizer is ideal if wrinkles and a lack of firmness are your issues, or if you want to turn back the hands of time.  The Bio-Restoring Complex is a contour-recalling technology that helps to soften facial lines, retain moisture and restore elasticity back into the skin.  It’s ideal for dry-skin types, anyone who likes a dewy feel or wants to look more youthful.
Product price: $98.00
Available at Nordstrom’s, Sephora and Macy’s

caudalie-vinoperfect-night-correcting-creamCaudalie Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream: If you want to correct and improve dark spots or improve the radiance in your skin tone without having laser treatments, this product is the ideal solution.  The ingredient Viniferine is extracted from Sauvignon Blanc grapevines. It’s formulated to target tyrosinese, an enzyme that regulates the production of melanin.  Remember, a day cream with SPF will help prevent additional discoloration from occurring.
Product price: $68.00
Available at Caudalie online and Sephora

The skinny on oily skin

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

In an effort to control their oily skin, people sometimes create more problems for themselves by using harsh products. They end up stripping all of the oil from the skin.  Now the surface is dry and flaky, so they treat the dryness; then a breakout occurs because the products are too rich. Their skincare regime becomes a vicious cycle of addressing the immediate concern, and they’re never really satisfied with any of the products they use or the condition of their skin.

Characteristics of an oily skin: excessive oil and shine, a sticky and uneven surface, large visible pores give skin an appearance similar to an orange, frequent breakouts/blemishes and a reddish skin tone. 

blemishesoily-and-blemished-skin

 

Priorities of a person with oily skin:  Control excess oil secretion and breakouts

Basic skincare regime:
1. Cleanser
2. Facial moisturizer (oil-free moisturizer, use on face and neck a.m./p.m.)
3. Eye cream (moisturize eye area a.m./p.m.)
4. Facial mask (clay-based mask on face and neck 2-3 times a week)
5. Blemish treatment (when needed)
6. Foundation primer to eliminate the redness
7. Lip conditioner (when needed)

Oily skin with a dry surface is a condition that’s created when the skin is stripped due to overly drying products.  Often times, someone with oily skin doesn’t want to moisturize because they associate this with adding more oil to the skin.  An oil-free moisturizer is designed to add water - not oil - to the skin.  This is an important step that alleviates surface dehydration; this drink of water for your skin will help reduce the amount of oil production.  During the winter months, you might have to switch your clay mask to a gel mask or switch your oil-free moisturizer to a regular lotion.

The skinny on normal skin

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Given our current economy, some of us are trying to cut costs wherever we can - even our skincare regime. Of course, we still want to look good.  This bare-bones skincare regime for normal skin types is suggested as a means to keeping your skin looking healthy.

lines show the refined texture, the small indentations are the poresCharacteristics: Normal skin is neither oily nor dry. It has a
smooth surface, refined texture, less visible pore size as well as a radiant skin tone.

 Priorities of this skin type: To maintain the good balance

 
Basic skincare regime:
Cleanser (cleanse am/pm)
Facial Moisturizer (moisturize face and neck am/pm)
Eye Cream (moisturize eye area am/pm)
Facial Mask (mask for face and neck, 2-3 times a week)
Lip Conditioner (moisturize lips when needed)

young-flawless-skinIf you are a normal skin type and addressing the needs of your skin you can have flawless skin.

As the condition of your skin changes - i.e. skin type, occasional breakout or visible signs of aging - your skincare products should adjust to address those needs.

Follow this series on skin types to determine how well you know your skin type.

Taking it to the cleansers

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

caudalie-cleansing-foamCaudalie Gentle Cleanser: This cleanser is ideal for normal to combination skin. With one press of the pump, the liquid transforms into a mousse that leaves the skin feeling soft and clean. This product contains polyphenols, which are extracted and stabilized from grape seeds. This process was first introduced and patented into the cosmetic world by Caudalie. Research has shown that polyphenols are a powerful antioxidant. They help protect the skin from harmful environmental influences called free radicals, which contributes to 80 percent of our skin’s aging.

Product price: $10.00 - $26.00

Available at Sephora

 

philosophy-one-step-facial-cleanserPhilosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser: Here is an ideal cleanser that won’t strip your skin and is suitable for all skin types. This one-step cleanser will remove makeup and dirt from your skin; it’s formulated to unclog pores but gentle enough to use around the eye area. However, if you like a cleanser that foams, this crème cleanser is not for you. Philosophy focuses on the principles of health and wellness, and each product displays a personal belief.

Product price: $10.00 - $40.00

Available at Philosophy online, major department stores and Sephora

 

benefiance-cleansing-foamShiseido Benefiance Creamy Cleansing Foam: This product will cleanse and remove makeup for women with normal to very dry skin. The tiny granules contain a highly effective humectant called bio hyaluronic, which helps draw moisture from the atmosphere to the skin. The more moisture your skin can retain the better chance you have at keeping those fine lines at bay. Benefiance is a great cleanser to switch to during the winter months when your skin is experiencing surface dehydration.

Product price: $34.00

Available at Shiseido online, major department stores and Sephora

 

fresh-cucumber-cleansing-foamFresh Cucumber Cleansing Foam: This soap-free foaming cleanser is great for sensitive skin. It’s the gentlest cleanser on the market, and it’s designed to dissolve makeup and impurities. The cucumber extract helps to sooth and hydrate sensitive or dry skin. This cleanser also aids in improving the skin’s elasticity. Fresh combines beauty secrets of our ancient past with the ever-changing technology of the present.

Product price: $48.00

Available at Fresh online, major department stores and Sephora

 

ptr-beta-hydroxy-cleansing-washPeter Thomas Roth Beta Hydroxy 2% Acne Wash: This is a great deep-cleaning cleanser for oily skin. It doesn’t over-dry the skin but leaves it feeling refreshingly clean. Salicylic acid deep cleanses pores, clearing up whiteheads, blackheads and acne blemishes. Peter Thomas Roth is a clinical line devoted to bringing you skincare with effective ingredient levels.

Product price: $35.00

Available at PTR online, Sephora and Ulta