Posts Tagged ‘clear skin’

Behind Beauty: How To Get Glowing Skin in 5 Easy Steps!

One look that never goes out of style? Glowing Skin! After a long, drying winter, it can be a struggle to restore your natural glow. With these 5 Skincare Secrets from our esthetics team, you’ll soon have healthy glowing skin. Discover the best things to eat for your skin. As well as how to exfoliate, moisturize and nurture yourself. Plus, the best ways to add a touch of tan and our biggest secret to staying a glow…

What To Eat for Glowing Skin?

Carrots, with their abundance of beta carotene (the nutrient that gives them that yellow orange colour) are fantastic for giving your skin a healthy glow. While eating bags can cause your skin to turn orange due to a beta carotene overdoes, adding a handful to your lunch will help to brighten your overall skin tone.  Also rich in Vitamin A, Carrots work to protect against sun damage. They help to keep skin and hair strong and hydrated.

Cold Water Fish, especially Wild Salmon. Filled with Omega-3 fatty acids that work deep within to strengthen your cells. By improving your overall cellular structure, Omega-3s help prevent wrinkles, acne and lock in moisture. They’re also thought to help decrease the risks of disease, help fight inflammation and even increase lifespan. While the science may not be in on all of these claims, swapping grilled wild fish, such as trout, salmon, sardines, herring, or mackerel is a delicious way to shake up your week.

Berries, Green Tea, and anti-oxidant rich foods work to counter the cellular stress from Free Radicals. Adding anti-oxidants to your diet helps to keep your skin, body, and mind healthy.   For more information, check out our post on antioxidants here.

Make Sure To Exfoliate!

Another great way to rejuvenate your skin is to opt for an exfoliating masque. A slightly more intensive treatment, a masque offers additional benefits, such as deep cleansing, improved skin tone, and tighter skin. It’s key to follow the directions laid out as different masques require different lengths of time. Try applying a masque during a long bath once a week. The warmth of the water helps to open the pores allowing for better absorption. I love  choosing a masque with an exfoliating element as it accomplishes 2 things at once!

Exfoliation is very important, especially in the Spring. Winter, dries out your skin, causing an increase of dead skin cells on the surface. By actively removing them, you bring the younger, fresher skin to the surface. An accumulation of dead skin cells can also lead to break outs. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, you should be exfoliating between 2-3 times a week. Opt for a deep cleansing scrub for oily skin types and a lighter, sugar based one for sensitive types.

When it comes to facial exfoliation, a Clarisonic Mia can revolutionize your routine. With its gentle brushes, it easily removes makeup and leaves skin feeling refreshed.

Celazome Clinical Skin Care Enzyme Exfoliating Masque
Eminence Rosehip & Maize Exfoliating Masque
SpaRitual Look Inside Organic Scrub Masque
Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Mask

Moisturize & Nurture Your Skin

Canadian winters have been known to last through till June. Those spring snows and cold winds can dry out your skin just as badly in April as in December. Make sure to use a moisturizer that suited to the weather in your region. To keep your beauty routine from falling into a rut, choose a body butter with a light spring fragrance instead of the heavy winter spices. A shift in fragrance can help you feel like spring has sprung, even under 3 feet of snow. Skin feeling tired and dull after being cooped up all winter? Add a nutrient rich serum into your routine. Choose a serum that is rich in vitamin C, A, or E.  Serums work deep within the skin to improve the health of growing and newly formed skin cells. It takes around 28 days for a new skin cell to reach the surface. By treating those cells early, when they arrive on the surface they will be brighter and smoother. A skin cell will remain on the surface for about 12 days before sloughing off. This means a skin cell has a life of approximately 40 days. While turnover rate can slow as you age, if you continue to treat your skin through it’s entire life cycle, you can help delay the signs of aging.

VivierSkin C+E Repairing Antioxidant Serum with L-Ascorbic Acid USP & Vitamin E
Laboratoire Dr Renaud Omega-3 Lipid Replenishing Serum – Sérum relipidant Omega-3
Vivescence Nutri-Energy Revitalizing Vitamin Complex Yonka Hydralia – Hydrating Concentrate

Add A Touch of Tan

Spending most of winter indoors can leave yous skin rather pale making it such a challenge to resist that first sunny day… Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging. Recent research has found that tanning beds can be just as dangerous as direct exposure. The darkening of your skin occurs when your cells are stressed by UVA and UVB rays. In order to keep from getting burned, your cells attempt to darken your skin tone by producing melanin. However, the chemical process involved in producing Melanin damages the cells and creates free radicals. This can accelerate the growth of moles, freckles, and skin cancers. Instead, opt for a touch of glow by adding a self tanner to your routine.

There are a variety of products available to slightly darken skin tone over time without the cellular damage. Looking for less of a commitment? Try the St. Tropez “Wash Off” line. These products are more of a “Body Makeup” then a true self tanner. Perfect for adding just a hint of colour to refresh winter weary skin.

Claim Your JOY!

Ever notice how much a Bride seems to Glow? There’s something magical about being happy.  It transforms wallflower into prom queen and Plain Jane into Princess Grace. Take some time this Spring to recapture your JOY by spring cleaning your life.

Between work, family, and housekeeping- it often feels like there’s no time for YOU. And it’s true. Take a moment to list the priorities in your life. Where do YOU fit? Did you make it ahead of cleaning the oven or fall somewhere below making sure you have ice cubes? Over time, you’re own hobbies tend to take a back seat to getting the kids to soccer practice or the pile of dirty dishes on the counter and YOU keep falling lower and lower on the to-do list. Women especially tend to choose the activities that will “better the household” over those that better themselves. By neglecting to nurture ourselves, we end up struggling to nurture others.

If your kids are active in lessons and classes, try booking something for yourself at the same time. Most community centers offer classes for adults as well as kids. Or, find a nearby coffee shop and dive into a good book or take 20 minutes to journal. High school students looking for a few dollars are eager to pick up an hour or two of after school babysitting, even on a weeknight. Give yourself a permission to hit the mall, gym, museum, or even an early movie with the girls. Try adding a “Me” stop to your errands.  Feel like you never get to that certain store? Plan it into your running around. It may seem like an indulgence to make a special trip to the bookstore, but if it happens to be between the dentist and groceries? Treat yourself a quick peek. Leave the office and have lunch out once in a while. Sometimes, even the smallest break from your routine can lift your spirits.

Almost as important as maximizing what makes you happy, is identifying things that are making you miserable. Is there something that is bringing you down? Be proactive about improving or changing your situation. Can’t stand the chair at work? Ask HR for a new one or buy one yourself. Feel like you haven’t had an adventure in a while? Start planning your next vacation. Sure, it might be 6 months before you can go… but there’s a lot of fun to be had in the dreaming. Hate being single? Ask a friend to set you up on a blind date or try out a new dating service. By seeking solutions, you’ll start to find yourself seeing the situation in a more positive light.

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

BEHIND BEAUTY: The Truth About Adult Acne

Once I was out of my teen years, I thought I’d be acne free… No such luck. Adult acne can continue well into your 20s, 30s and beyond.

Unlike teenage acne, which is primarily triggered by hormonal fluctuations, Adult Acne can be triggered by a variety of causes. Clogged pores, Stress, hormones, inferior cosmetics, skincare and styling products, all contribute to adult acne.

Using inferior products is one of the largest Adult Acne causes. Some ingredients in non-professional makeup, hair and skin products can irritate skin, especially for sensitive skin. Oil based makeup and hair products can clog pores causing blackheads.  Once clogged, bacteria can grow inside the pore, causing it to erupt into a nasty red blemish. Instead, consult an esthetician to help you replace your acne-causing products with professional ones that help you achieve a clear complexion.

A regular exfoliation routine is a key component in preventing breakouts and keeping your skin glowing. By regularly removing the dead skin cells from the surface, you reduce the chance they will end up clogging your pores.

Some hormone fluctuations, especially the release of cortisol caused by stress, are another cause of adult acne. Additionally, Women are likely to see intermittent breakouts through till menopause a few days before their periods due to natural hormone fluctuations.

Whether your diet influences your breakouts is a hotly debated topic in the esthetics industry. Even science can’t seem to make a decision. The latest research out of Australia suggests that foods with a high sugar content may be more likely to cause breakouts. Additionally, some research suggests that dairy products may be the culprit. It can be confusing trying to sort through all the research out! However, most estheticians agree that the majority of food related breakouts are the result of an allergic sensitivity and can be caused by a variety of factors. By embracing foods with higher nutrient value, such as vegetables and fresh fruits, your diet can improve your overall skin health.

Contact with unclean surfaces, such as cell phones, pillow cases, and hands can increase the amount of bacteria on the skin leading to more frequent breakouts. Make sure to wipe down your cell phone thoroughly at least once a week. Launder your pillowcases on a regular basis. Some estheticians recommend changing them up to 3 times a week! Finally, try to keep your hands off your face. Our hands are in contact with some pretty dirty surfaces throughout the day, computer keyboards, public transit rails, doorknobs and more! Avoid spreading bacteria by washing your hands frequently.

• Invest in a cleanser that will completely remove makeup and regulate oil production.
• Exfoliate with a gentle mask or scrub. If you prefer a chemical exfoliant, try a gentle AHA/BHA peel.
• Apply a Benzoyl Peroxide product directly to healing blemishes
• Opt for a clay based or  soothing masque to prevent skin irritation from treatment

Adult Acne should not be treated the same as teenage acne. As you age, your skin ages with you. The products that were effective in your teens may actually worsen acne for mature skin. If you’re not seeing the results you’d like with your home care, consult your local esthetician. She will be able to recommend a routine specific to your skin.

We recommend the following kits:

VivierSkin Oily or Acne Prone Skin System (6 PC)
Obagi CLENZIderm Acne Therapeutic System Normal-Oily Skin
GM Collin 3 pc Travel Kits – Acne

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

BEHIND BEAUTY: Soft Day Make-Up with Jane Iredale

This week, we asked one of our estheticians, Rebekah, to demonstrate an easy, clean day look for spring. She was delighted to share some of her pro tips with all of our readers. For this demo, she decided to stay within the Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Family.

1. Start with a Primer, Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Primer. With a blending brush, use a smooth circular motion to work the cream across your face. Follow with a BB or Beauty Balm Cream. Rebekah likes Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream as it is hypoallergenic and effective!

2. Next, to complete your foundation, add Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Minerals Powder with SPF 20. This fantastic loose powder offers all day sun protection while matifying.

3. Smile slightly and gently blend your Jane Iredale’s PurePressed Blushes from the apple of your cheek towards your temple.

4.With the Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow Trio - Sweet Spot, take the medium colour in the trio and use as an all over base. Next, with the darkest tone, accent the contour of your eye and and highlight the lid with the light peach. Gently blend so the colours seamlessly transition from lid to brow.

5. Next, Rebekah takes the Jane Iredale Bitty Brow Kit and defines her brow with the dark brown brow colour and uses just a touch of wax to ensure they stay still.

6. Then, she applies her Jane Iredale’s Eye Pencil. While the trend this spring is nearly liner less eyes, Rebekah still wants a touch of liner to help open her eyes. She chooses a pencil instead of her usual liquid liner as it creates a softer line and is much more forgiving. Always sharpen your pencil before each use as this gives you the most control over the line. Struggling to get it straight? Try applying the liner in little dashes, connecting them together instead of trying for one swooping line. For a touch of vintage charm, Rebekah adds a slightly winged out tip.

7. To finish up her eye, she applies Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara. Rebekah always opts to do her mascara last, so that she doesn’t accidentally get powder stuck to her lashes. Plus, it’s a great finishing step as it really makes your eye pop! Open your mouth slightly to widen the eye, brush the mascara on the top and bottom lid. Then, relax your eyes and “fiddle” the brush back and forth.

8. With Jane Iredale Lip Liner Pencil Crayon in a colour that complements your lip gloss, outline and colour in your lip. This helps your lip colour last longer. The lip liner just around the edge of the lip has really fallen out of fashion and our clients are wearing a solid lip.

9. Rebekah adds Jane Iredale PureGloss Lip Gloss for a touch more colour and shine. If you notice you have fine lines forming around your lips, opt for Jane Iredale PureMoist LipColours With SPF 18 instead as some glosses can bleed into fine lines and leave your sharp lips looking blurry.

10. Finally, she finishes with the Jane Iredale’s D2O Hydration Spray. This product really sets the look and keeps you fresh and hydrated.

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

BEHIND BEAUTY: Eating For Better Skin – Spinach & Blueberry Salad

 

It’s often said that beauty is only skin deep, but also you are what you eat! Once you start researching all the things you should be eating, it quickly becomes overwhelming. One easy way is to have several skin-saving foods in one recipe. Here is my favourite salad recipe that offers up several servings of veggies, anti-oxidants, and omega-3s! With only 4 steps, it’s deliciously simple. Pair with a large glass of ice water with just a splash of lemon! Water, more than anything else, will dramatically improve you skin.

Spinach

Often hailed as a “Super Food”, the loads of anti-oxidants and iron in this green leafy vegetable make it a skin saver. One of the first recommendations most estheticians make when discussing diet and skin, is to include more leafy greens, such as spinach. For this Salad, lightly rinse approximately 2 cups of fresh baby spinach per person, usually about 2 handfuls. Be very gentle with the leaves, as they should still be crisp after rinsing. Shake to dry or lightly spin.

Blueberries

The richest source of antioxidants out of 40 common fruits and vegetables (according to the US Department of Agriculture).  Fortunately, blueberries are now available year-round in most supermarkets, making them accessible, though still rather pricey when not in season. For Each serving, lightly rinse a half cup of blueberries, approximately a loose handful.  Add to the spinach.

Note: A fun twist, is to swap out blueberries for fresh blackberries. This recipe can also be done with frozen whole berries.

Walnuts

Packed with natural fatty acids, 1/4 a cup of walnuts contains approximately 95% of your daily Omega3-s fatty acids. These are key to having healthy, young looking skin. Omega-3s help to keep your cells strong and combat wrinkles  lines, acne, and can sometimes help with dry skin.  Talk about a heavy hitter! Plus, the B-Vitamins help to relieve stress and regulate your mood. Chop or crush 1/4 a cup of walnuts per serving. Add to the Spinach and Blueberries. Personally, I plate as I go, adding each element to the plate as it`s ready. Once the Walnuts are sprinkled on top, all you need to do is dress it!

 Safflower or Flaxseed Oil

We hear a lot about the various oils that are supposed to be good for you, such as Safflower Oil and Flax Seed Oil. Instead of your standard Olive Oil, try adding a portion of Safflower oil to your Salad Dressing. To make the perfect Balsamic Vinaigrette, Add the oil and vinegar in a 3:1 Ratio, 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar.  Olive oil has recently been shown to help you feel fuller and is a great addition if you’re also looking to decrease your portion size. Add a dash of lemon, salt or pepper to taste and shake well! Lightly Drizzle on your greens!

Let Your Salad Go Naked!

One of the primary ways unnecessary calories are packed into salads is by overdressing or using cream-based dressings. Skip the extra fat by making your own and letting the natural flavours speak for themselves!

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

Best Exfoliants for your Skin Type Part II

Exfoliation: A Refresher Course

Last week, we took a look at the best body scrubs for your skin type. Today, we’re examining Facial Exfoliants.

What is a Facial Exfoliant?

A facial exfoliant or scrub is a gently coarse or acid wash or masque used to remove dry or dead skin cells and brighten the skin. Many masques also contain exfoliating agents.

Mechanical: Like body scrubs, the coarse part of the exfoliant is made from either salt or sugar, although there are a variety of other materials that can be used. Unlike body scrubs, the granules in a facial scrub should feel like rice flour, soft and grainy, instead of a beach. Since you’ll be applying this scrub directly to your soft facial skin, you want to ensure it’s not going to cut or tear. Avoid using body scrubs on your face as the strong formulations can hurt delicate facial skin.

Chemical: This is the second kind of facial exfoliant. Usually consisting of Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acid (AHA or BHA) these exfoliants  aim to dissolve dead skin cells instead of scrubbing them away. The added benefits of these exfoliants is they also dissolve oil and sebum, great on oily skin. Depending on their concentration, chemical exfoliant can be used by all skin types.

What is the BEST Method for applying a Facial Exfoliant?

First, Read the instructions. Many facial exfoliants contain active acids or other ingredients in addition to a physical exfoliant. Some need to be left on for a few minutes and others are washed off right away. Some are activated only when combined with water. The key is to thoroughly read the instructions that accompany the product before using it. How often depends on your skin type. The average is 1-2 a week. However, if you have oily skin, aim for 3 times a week. If you notice your skin developing red patches, decrease the number of times you exfoliate a week.

BEST Facial Exfoliant For Sensitive Skin:

Exfoliating is probably my favourite part of my beauty routine. I’m partial to Laboratoire Dr Renaud Satinage Gentle Scrub and Vivescence Perfect Glow Express Exfoliant The jojoba removes dead cells and stimulates the skin. I love the tingly feeling you get from active and physical exfoliants. Lauren, one of our Estheticians, also picks Vivescence Perfect Glow Express as her personal favourite.

BEST Facial Exfoliant For Oily Skin:

Our team picks Phytomer Gommage Marin: Purifying Gommage Exfoliant. If you’re looking for an acid exfoliant instead of a mechanical, make sure to pick one such as Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel that has BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) as it dissolves oil.

BEST Facial Exfoliant For Normal Skin:

With normal skin, you have the most options (Lucky!). Our most popular exfoliant is Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant with Lactic Acid A mild, organic exfoliant, it’s gentle enough for daily use, while still offering effective cleansing. Looking for something a little stonger? Opt for B.Kamins Glycolic – 10 (50ml) 

 

BEST Exfoliating Masque:

For the ultimate treat in exfoliation, opt for an exfoliating masque. Two of our favourite Masques are the Eminence Rosehip & Maize Exfoliating Masque (2 oz)  and Beauty Through Balance by Ancient Secrets: Acai Facial Exfoliating Mask (60 ml/2 oz.). A masque treatment is one of the quickest ways to see results and refresh your skin!

BEST Cleansing / Exfoliating Tool:

If you’re serious about skincare, the conversation always turns to the Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System. It’s one of the most innovative tools for cleansing and exfoliating. Primarily a cleansing tool, you can also use a gentle exfoliant (avoid manual scrubs especially ones with large grains) to achieve deep exfoliation. As the Clarisonic Mia amplifies the effect of the exfoliant, it’s best not to over exfoliate, and you’ll want to limit the number of times you use the combination to twice a week or less depending on your skin type.

 

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!