Posts Tagged ‘glowing skin’

Skin Care Secrets

Dry, Itchy, Flaky, Red Skin? Must be Winter.  Whether it’s the Cold or the Wind or the never ending Wet – by the time we get to February, my skin is in desperate need of a little TLC. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to prevent winter damage, and there are several fantastic products to help repair your skin too!

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

If you’re aiming to prevent the damage, the first good step is to moisturize, moisturize and moisturize! Ironically, washing your hands is one of the quickest ways to dry them out. Try finishing your hand washing routine with your favourite moisturizer.

We like Eminence Vanilla Mint Hand Cream (2oz).  For a fantastic all over body lotion, give Pangea Organics Body Lotion (8.5 fl oz) a try.  Chockfull of organic goodness, it leaves your skin feeling smooth and protected.

If your skin is extremely weather-damaged skin, our estheticians recommend GM Collin Bio Organique Treating Serum: Serum Traitant (30ml).  As the cold can cause all kinds of damage on the skin, they also recommend a visit to your local esthetician who can properly assess the damage.

Men, especially those working outside, experience winter damage and flaking on their hands.  Our team recommends Jack Black Intense Therapy Hand Cream with Vitamins A & E (88 ml). Jack Black tested this hand cream with golfers, carpenters, and chefs. It heals dry, chapped, cracked skin and works to repair tough, calloused skin and cuticles.

Don’t Stop Sunscreen-ing

Even on the greyest of days, sunscreen can make a HUGE difference to the health of your skin. UVA and UVB rays can still cause damage, especially if there’s light reflecting off clouds, snow, or buildings.

When choosing a sunscreen, even in winter, it needs to be at least 15 SPF in order to protect from UVB rays. It’s also important to make sure the product you choose protects from both UVB and UVA rays. If you have fairer skin, or tend to burn easily, choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF.

Try one of our favourite sunscreens:

Laboratoire Dr Renaud Moisturizing Anti-Wrinkle Suncare SPF 15 – Soin hydratant anti-rides FPS 15 (50 ml) Oil Free, this sunscreen is sweat resistant AND protects against sun damage, pre-mature aging, and other photo-induced aging issues.

Eminence Tropical Vanilla Body SPF 32 (5oz) Filled with organic ingredients, this sunscreen is safe for the entire family to use. A combination sunscreen, it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Plus, the hydrating shea butter and lovely vanilla scent are utterly indulgent.

Obagi C System SunGuard SPF 30 (90 ml) This ultra sheer sunscreen is fantastic to layer with the rest of your routine. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has the added anti-oxidant benefits of Vitamin C.

Create Kissable Lips

Finally, it’s really important (Especially with Valentine’s Day right around the corner) to keep your lips kissable! Lips are particularity vulnerable to chapping. It’s important to exfoliate and protect your lips to minimize weather damage.  My lips have a tendency to chap and split after about 2 minutes outside.  I’ve grilled our estheticians for the best ways to repair and prevent winter lip damage.

Start with Jane Iredale Sugar & Butter Lip Scrub & Plumper (3 g). This scrub has an exfoliant on one end and a plumper on the other. It’s a great double duty product for a woman on the go. We love pairing it with Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15 (5.2g). A fantastic colourless lip balm, its lemon scent is great for her or him (and perfect for your purse)!

Now, the gentleman in my life, (nameless for his own protection), is horrible at taking care of his lips. Preferring to be chapped over a lip balm as he finds too “Girly”. However, the guys on our staff have all been raving about Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with Natural Mint & Shea Butter (7 g).  So, I insisted he try it. Sure enough, it soothed and relieved his irritated lips in no time. With it’s masculine packaging, this is a balm he’ll actually use!

Don’t let the fierce elements damage your skin. Take the proper precautions, moisturize, keep using sunscreen, and make sure your lips are protected. Our esthetics team often gets asked how to heal and repair winter damage. As always, the answer is simple, it’s much easier to prevent damage than to repair it.

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!

Sensitive Skin Make-Up Q&A

Today, we’ve decided to tackle some of your questions about sensitive skin and make-up. Like nearly 62% of women, I suffer from sensitive skin. Some days, picking out a new product can feel a little like Russian Roulette – you never know if it’s going to help or make the problem worse. Everyday, our esthetics team receives a lot of questions about how to manage, treat or make up sensitive skin.

Dear Spa Girl: I have sensitive skin but want to try some of the crazy eye shadow trends. Is there a brand that won’t hurt my skin or make my eyes water?

This is a really common problem, especially with office workers. Staring at that computer all day? It’s a recipe for some serious eyestrain. As silly as it sounds, my first question is, are you blinking enough? Often we’re eager to blame the make-up when we really need to look at our life style.

Either way, it sounds you need the Lady Jane Iredale. Her wide array of natural mineral make-up goes on soft and doesn’t flake. I really like the Pure Pressed Eye shadows. There are 40 fun colours to create as many looks as you can imagine.

Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow: Choice of Colors
Jane Iredale PurePressed Trio/Triple Eye Shadow (2.8 g)
Jane Iredale Eye Gloss (10 Shades)

Dear Spa Girl: Recently, I’ve noticed my favorite lipstick is making my lips chapped and so sensitive I can barely wear it. What is the best lipstick for sensitive lips like mine?

Oh no! Lip chapping is one of the most frustrating skin issues. Before we jump into lipsticks, it’s important to ensure you’re treating and protecting you lips. Do you use a protectant as well as a lipstick? Our estheticians recommend adding a pre-treatment, such as Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15 (5.2g).  Your lips will recover faster and you’ll notice less irritation.

Also, you should try adding a proper exfoliating treatment, such as Jane Iredale Sugar & Butter Lip Scrub & Plumper (3 g),

to help prevent flaking. The scrub will leave your lips feeling refreshed and you can wear the plumper on its own, or layer with lipstick! Try it with one of our most popular lip products:

Jane Iredale PureMoist LipColours With SPF 18 (3.4g)
Glo Minerals Perfect Lip Duo (Available in 3 colours)

Dear Spa Girl: When I put on foundation, my skin starts to itch within the first 3 hours and I end up washing it all off by lunch! Is there a better product I should be using?

It really sounds like you may be using chemical heavy or expired product. If it’s a severe itch, you should get a proper consultation from a local esthetician. Your skin may have become sensitized to one of the chemicals in the foundation.  First, discontinue use immediately. Then, try introducing a product with some healing qualities, such as the Institut’ DERMed Licorice Serum (15ml) or Eminence Aloe Mint Hydrating Cream Gel – Face (2.0oz).

Also, try moving to a light foundation or tinted moisturizer and gradually introducing powders. The fewer products you have on, the easier it will be to sort out which is causing the irritation.

Here are a couple of Foundations that we really love:

Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15
Eminence Antioxidant Mineral Foundation (0.28 oz)
Skeyndor Aquatherm Tinted Defence Cream SPF 15 

Do you have a Beauty Question for our Spa Girls? We want to help! Send an email to info@spaboutique.ca . Our estheticians are here to help.

 

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!

Pre-Valentine’s Q&A @ Spa Boutique

It’s February, and that means there’s only one thing on the mind- Valentine’s Day. Now, I’ve been through a lot of Valentine’s Days. Good, Bad, Single, or Coupled- It’s a great day to make time for those you love. At Spa Boutique, we like to spread the love and here are some of the big V-Day questions we’ve been getting:

Q: This will be my first Valentine’s Day with my husband (we got married in June!) and I really want to make it special. We’re really not a “50 Shades” kind of couple what are some other ways to set the mood?

A: My Absolute favorite thing right now is the Massage Candle trend. It does double duty by setting the mood and as the wax melts, it turns into warm massage oil. Incorporating massage is a great way to show your partner how much they are appreciated. Can be used as a hot wax (Safe Word Required!) or blow out the candle and let it cool for a warm massage.

Booty Parlor Don’t Stop Massage Candle
Lelo Massage Candle (150 g)

Q: I’m single this year for the first time in ages and want to really pamper myself. Where is a good place to start?

A: Try a long bath. Lots of bubbles and candles. Plus! Half price chocolates the next day at the grocery store are always De-lish! There are some fantastic essential oils that can be added to the water to help regenerate you skin. Start with the Comfort Zone Tranquility Ritual Value Kit. It comes with bath & body oil as well as a Rosewood and Vanilla Candle. For a refreshing bubble bath? Opt for the Kama Sutra Treasures of the Sea Luxury Bathing Kit. Perfect for that mid-week relax.

Looking to add some sass? Try moisturizing with Booty Parlor Flirty Little Secret Body Butter (5 oz) This luminizing lotion offers tons of moisture, a natural glow and contains Pheromones. It’s confidence in a jar!

Q: I’m planning a surprise weekend away and want to make it special without lugging my entire bedroom along. What are some suggestions?

A: If you’re looking for romance in a box, no one does it better than Kama Sutra. They have a variety of boxes available with almost everything you need to enhance your evening. Personally, it’s my go-to brand when looking for a bachelorette gift or spicy evening!

Kama Sutra The Getaway Kit
A 6 piece set with massage oil, honey dust Body Powder, a scented Candle and more.

Kama Sutra Bedside Box (4 pc)
A great introduction to the Kama Sutra Line, especially if you’re looking to add a touch of spice without a lot of product.

Kama Sutra Chocolate Dreams Gift Set
Chocolate Body Powder, Chocolate Body Soufflé AND Massage oil in Chocolate Mint! This is a must for Valentines Day

 

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!

 

How to get glowing skin for your upcoming wedding: Skin Brightening Tips

Well, it’s almost August which means we are smack dab in the middle of wedding season! Whether it’s your own wedding or you’re just a guest, here’s a fool-proof guide to getting your skin beautified for the big day.

Glowing Skin

We already know there are going to be lots of photos so we want our skin looking its very best.  I recommend starting a brightening regime at least 1-4 weeks before you walk down the aisle.

Focus on exfoliation to remove dull-looking dead cells from the surface of your skin. For best results use an exfoliator with alpha-hydroxy acid.  If you have oily skin, clogged pores, and blackheads, look for products that contain oil-dissolving beta-hydroxy (salicylic) acid.

       

B.Kamins Lactic Acid 10%  B.Kamins AHA & BHA Daily Peel Pads   Priori Advanced AHA Scrub

(Alpha Hydroxy Acid)         (Alpha Hydroxy Acid + Salicylic Acid)        (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)

Use products with skin brightening ingredients like Vitamin C, licorice root, lemon, and pumpkin enzyme.

                       

Vivierskin C E Peptides              Obagi Professional-C Serum        Jurlique Purely Bright Serum

(Pharmaceutical grade Vit.C)   (Pharmaceutical Grade Vit.C)      (Natural/Organic with Vit.C)

We wouldn’t want to look like a spotted toad on our special day, would we? Stay away from indoor tanning at all costs and protect your fresh, bright skin with a daily SPF.  Remember that creams, lotions, and sprays need to be re-applied every 2 hours to be effective.  Dry mineral powders are not absorbed into the skin and therefore don’t need to be re-applied as frequently.  I like to use a combination of the two.

Jurlique Sun Lotion SPF30                              Eminence Organics Sun Defense Minerals SPF30

Get natural-looking bronzed skin with sunless tanning products.  Safe tan products have come a long way so there’s just no excuse to expose your skin to harmful UV rays (natural or artificial).  I admit that I have used tanning beds in the past and I can tell you that I have done some permanent damage to my skin as a result.  If I knew then what I know now I would have never stepped foot in a tanning salon.  I do, however, like to get a bit of color during the spring and summer.  Since I tried St.Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse a few years ago, I’ve been hooked!  I use it regularly and I’ve never looked back!

            

St.Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse           See all St.Tropez Self Tan Products

Use pure, natural makeup

 

 

Don’t undo all the good things you’ve been doing to care for your skin by using clogging, junk-filled makeup.  Stick to pure mineral bases (they have a natural SPF too!) and natural, synthetic-free eye, cheek, and lip makeup.  Natural makeup looks amazing on healthy skin!

 

 

 

Loose Ends

Now that your skin and makeup are in check, all you have to worry about is your nails! Check out these awesome wedding collections:

  

Essie ‘Love & Acceptance’    Essie ‘Borrowed & Blue’      Deborah Lippmann ‘The Princess Bride’

Your bridesmaids deserve a little something for (hopefully) being there for you through all of your bridezilla moments… How about gifting them with something unique – give them each their own Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System!

 

We would love to hear your thoughts on the content of this blog! 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!

 

 

Achieving an Even Skin Tone: how to prevent and treat hyperpigmentation

In the past, anti-aging skincare was all about combating wrinkles, texture issues, and sagging skin.  Nowadays, evening out skin tone (reducing dark spots) plays a huge role in achieving a more youthful looking skin.

The problem is that most of us didn’t realize the damage that was happening to our skin (by not using a daily SPF product) until it was too late.  Now we are all scrambling to find the best answer to lighten pigmentation spots without wasting our money on the latest ‘miracle in a jar’.  Is it really possible to lighten dark spots on your skin with a cream or a masque that we see on TV commercials and in magazine ads? Probably not.  Let’s face it, getting rid of dark spots on the skin takes a lot of time and effort and one simple product is just not going to do the job.  What we need is a skincare system designed for our skin’s needs and we need to use it properly and diligently.

Obagi Medical is a leader in complete skin rejuvenation using specific top-quality ingredients to prevent and correct all types of skin conditions including skin with hyper/hypo-pigmentation.  Obagi is most well-know for their Nu-Derm system  which effectively treats all signs of aging and evens out skin tone using products that contain proven pigmentation lighteners like arbutin or hydroquinone.  Another excellent system is the Obagi-C RX System which also has products which contain arbutin and hydroquinone, but the Obagi-C system also contains premium grade Vitamin C in the L-Ascorbic Acid form.  This form of Vitamin C penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate collagen synthesis as well as acts an an powerful antioxidant which protects your skin from harmful free radical damage.

Here is a brief breakdown of each Obagi System for lightening skin pigmentation:

The Obagi Nu-Derm FX System (with arbutin) is suitable for anyone with no to mild pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, texture issues, and/or adult acne.

The Obagi Nu-Derm System (with hydroquinone) is suited for anyone with mild to stubborn pigmentation (including melasma), fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, texture issues, and/or adult acne.

The Obagi C-FX System (with arbutin) is made for anyone with no to mild pigmentation, minimal signs of aging, and mild texture issues.

The Obagi-C RX System (with hydroquinone) is excellent for anyone with mild to moderate pigmentation, minimal signs of aging, and mild texture issues.

Each system comes in a starter set with full sized products and it is highly recommended to use all of the products in the set for best results.  Additionally, a prescription retinol (Vitamin A) may be added to the regime to greatly boost results.  The daily use of an SPF product is mandatory and if it is not properly used you should not expect to achieve good results.  A daily SPF is not only necessary during treatment, but continuously after treatment as well to prevent recurring pigmentation damage as well as skin aging.

Watch to learn more about each system>>

 

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog!  Feel free to post your comments or questions below.  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!