Skin Deep: Loving my skin
September 3rd, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I’ve noticed some great changes in my skin lately, and it’s not only noticeable to me. One of my coworkers commented on my skin the other day and wanted to know what I use. I have definitely stepped up my skin care regimen, and I’m glad it’s showing.
Montly facials have made a difference in how my skin looks and feels.
MONTHLY FACIALS are now routine. Once a month I go to Paris Alexandar Day Spa in downtown DC for one of her wonderful facials. I used to go to Paris years ago and have since returned because my skin had been looking and feeling dull and drab. The texture wasn’t smooth, my pores were clogged, and I had hyperpigmentation in some areas. The microdermabrasion, extraction and enriching clay mask was just what I needed to get my glow back. The entire service was very soothing, refreshing and my skin was so soft and radiant. This month, I’m trying her Pumpkin Peel facial!
TIME DEFIANCE ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE This system from ARTISTRY is the truth! I have noticed such a difference in my skin since I stepped up from the Essentials Balancing system to Time Defiance for combination/oily skin. The Cleansing Treatment gently cleanses and calms skin. The Conditioning Toner pampers, hydrates, and prepares the skin to receive the maximum anti-aging benefits from the Day Protect Lotion and Night Recovery Lotion. No matter how young you are, it’s never too soon to start thinking about and delaying the signs of aging.
LIFTING EYE CREAM I swear by eye cream. Many people question if it’s useful and why not just use your moisturizer. Well, my thoughts on that are this: You should use a separate product that is formulated for the sensitive skin around the eye area. Face moisturizers are not specifically formulated to work near the eyes and can cause irritation. Also, eye creams can help to target certain concerns you may have. If you need to depuff your eyes or reduce fine lines or dark circles, a regular face cream will not help you achieve this. I’ve switched from using Artistry’s Replenishing Eye Cream (which I still love) to the Lifting Eye Cream because this one cream does it all. It smooths and firms the skin around the eyes to give a virtual lift. It also reduces the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness.
I’m truly loving the way my skin looks and feels, and I’m going to keep it that way!
Check out Paris Alexander Day Spa at ParisAlexander.com or call 202-466-8827; to learn more about the products mentioned, visit ShopArtistryNow.com.
Think Pink: Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer
October 5th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
“Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer worldwide and is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women. The good news is that mortality rates are declining. This is believed to be the result of early detection.”
My mother is a breast cancer survivor and early detection was key in her beating the disease. I count my blessings every day because she is still here. In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Blended Beauté is going “Pink” to show our support for this worthy cause. Many of my favorite cosmetics companies are also showing their support by offering limited edition items.
The Pink Ribbon Collection ($40) from Bobbi Brown is a limited-edition lip set featuring an exclusive new shade, Blush Pink Creamy Lip Color and a limited-edition Pink Crystal Glitter Lip Balm, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Your purchase of this collection contributes to Bobbi Brown’s donation of $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). It ships for free all month as their thank you for your support.
Prescriptives mixed three best-selling shadows, two flattering blushes, and an exclusive eye color to get the Pink Ribbon Palette ($48.50). Purchases support the brand’s $20,000 donation to BCRF.
Clinique has created a limited-edition Great Lips, Great Cause Lipgloss Key Chain ($18.50) featuring a pink ribbon charm, Clinique “C” charm and three mini Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Air Kiss, Kissyfit and Whisper. $10 of each purchase of Great Lips, Great Cause will be donated to BCRF during October. The key chain is available exclusively at Sephora.com.
Blended Beauté is also supporting BCRF through the sale of the Artemis Woman Microdermabrasion system ($50). A portion of the profits already supports alternative treatments and screenings for women’s cancers. But in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Blended Beauté is going to donate $10 from the sale of each unit to BCRF. Read more about the system here. Simply complete the form below to place your order.
For more information on other companies going “Pink,” visit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
“Go Pink. Get Screened.”
Artemis Woman Microdermabrasion System
September 23rd, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Part of my mission as a makeup artist and skin care specialist is to ensure every woman realizes their beauty potential. Makeup only looks as good as the skin underneath so I’m big on great skin care first, then makeup to enhance. Clear up instead of cover up! I’m also a volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good Feel Better” program, teaching beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment. My mother is a breast cancer survivor so it has been a blessing to use my love of makeup artistry in this way. Combine all of that and what do you have?
Well, part of my skin care regimen includes at-home microdermabrasion treatments. My two faves are ARTISTRY Microdermabrasion system and Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel. I use them both. But I’ve recently added the Artemis Woman Microdermabrasion System ($50) to supplement my regimen, and not only do I LOVE it, but a portion of the profits supports alternative treatments and screenings for women’s cancers.
The system is a professional-quality set that uses finely ground natural gemstones and pure essential oils to give you an amazing glow, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and feel rejuvenated. Natural aromatherapy joins the gem therapy for a true spa experience. The scrubber set includes four attachments and the rich formula therapy blend.
Join me in supporting this worthy cause. Your skin will love you for it! Soothe your budget, keep your beauty and help women’s cancers. 
For more information, just complete the form below.
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Silky, Sexy, Smooth
August 28th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Since returning from vacation, my skin was in need of a little TLC. I didn’t get much rest because the three-hour time change was quite an adjustment for my 2-year-old. So I took some “me time” last night to get my sexy smooth back. Even my husband wanted me to divulge the secrets to my soft face and legs. I refused but he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Can’t a girl keep some things to herself? I actually like that he notices and is interested in my beauty regimen. I finally gave in and told him about my magic potions. Ha ha ha…
FACE TIME My face was in need of deep cleansing and exfoliating to restore its usually smooth texture. Enter, Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel and Artistry’s Skin Refinishing Lotion. The Microdelivery Peel Kit is a two-step exfoliating system. Think skin makeover or microdermabasion at home. The refinishing lotion is truly like velvet on your skin, only better! I always use after I exfoliate though it can be used daily. It has a combination of sugar derivatives and algae in addition to oat proteins, scientifically proven for their smoothing benefits. These were just what I needed to get my glow on.
A LEG UP Hair be gone! GiGi’s Organic Milk and Honey Wax is my go-to product for hair removal on my legs. I have a wax warmer at home, and in no time at all, this wax is ready to use. It’s a gentle creamy soft wax suitable for all skin types and formulated with natural honey and milk extract. Honey extract rejuvenates and hydrates while milk extract contains essential nutrients to soften and condition the skin. It’s all-natural and contains no mineral oil, artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals. After waxing, I always follow up with Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil Classic. That’s right. I use this cleansing oil not just on my face. I lather it on my legs and use a razor to remove any hair I might have missed. It’s a great cleanser that doubles as a shaving oil for me, and it leaves my skin extra soft. To seal the deal and lock in moisture, I turn to Nivea’s Essentially Enriched body lotion. Ah, at last…Silky. Sexy. Smooth.
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- Go for the Glow with at-home Microdermabrasion, click here.
- Tokyo Kamon Girls Cleansing Oils, click here.
- We all Scream for Eye Cream, click here.
Go for the Glow with At-home Microdermabrasion
May 24th, 2009 § 1 Comment
As a makeup artist, I enjoy helping my clients put their best face forward. I’m a stickler for good skin care and truly believe that your makeup only looks as good as the skin underneath. It’s not about covering it up, but clearing it up! My own skin care regimen includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing my face in the morning and evening. I supplement this with an eye cream twice a day, a night cream and an anti-blemish cream to prevent scarring when occasional pimples rear their ugly heads. I also exfoliate once a week with a pore refining mask for oily skin. I am religious with my regimen and my skin has never looked better or clearer. But ever so often, I need deeper cleansing to leave my skin with a fresher, more glowing look.
Hello microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion is mechanical exfoliation that uses aluminum crystals to remove the uppermost layer of dead skin cells from the face, chest and hands. Some benefits are it diminishes sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, and coarse textured skin. And it makes it easy for skin care products to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and help build collagen, which gives skin its youthful appearance. For best results, it is recommended to get a series of treatments and use high-tech anti-aging skin care products. The price for a single microdermabrasion treatment can range from $100 – $150. As much as I love the way my skin looks and feels after a microdermabrasion, it is pricey.
Luckily, I have discovered two gentle at-home microdermabrasion systems that my skin is glowing about.
The Microdelivery Peel Kit by Philosophy ($65) is a two-step exfoliating, skin makeover. It not only exfoliates the skin, it delivers vitamin C and peptides to the skin. This completely new approach to skin rejuvenation resurfaces and replenishes the skin at the same time. The Kit includes a 2 oz Lactic/Salicylic Activating Gel and a 2 oz Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals. There is a great warming sensation after applying the gel that makes you feel as if you are in the spa and leaves your skin ooh so smooth.
The Artistry Microdermabrasion System ($71.50) consists of Artistry Polishing Scrub, Skin Refinishing Lotion, and the MicroExfoliation Cloth at no cost. The Artistry system was developed because the jagged aluminum crystals microdermabrasion requires can cause microscopic tears in tender skin, if improperly performed. The beads in the Artistry Polishing scrub are spherical; the ultrafine fibers of the Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth are powerful and highly effective in removing the dead skin cells, layer by layer; and the acceleration of the skin’s natural exfoliation through Artistry Skin Refinishing Lotion provides professional-grade results without a visit to the dermatologist.
Both Philosopy and Artistry offer powerful, yet gentle systems. So how about giving your skin something to glow about!
