Posts Tagged ‘sensitive skin’

BEHIND BEAUTY: Hot Lips – Red Lipstick and the Modern Woman

One of the first cosmetics invented, lip stains were originally made from crushed gemstones, fungus, fish scales, beetles, berries, and scented oils. Solid lip colour first emerged during the 10^th century CE. However, Medieval Europeans found the product far to provocative and it was banned by the Church.

Why is it, as a modern culture, we’re still falling back on Medieval thinking? Turkish Airline recently banned their flight attendant from wearing Red Lipstick while on duty. While the decision was eventually reversed, the entire scandal really made me reflect on what Lipstick means to me.

It’s hard to believe that, over 500 years later, we’re still treating lipstick like it’s the cause of promiscuity. What is it about colouring your lips that can transform a regular girl into an object? Every time I see stories like this, I immediately feel like someone who’s never tried red hot lipstick made the decision.

For most women, Lipstick is their go-to cosmetic, the one item the wear if there’s no time for anything else. It’s part of your “armor”. Red lipstick in particular seems to have a kind of magic. There’s this confident, sexy, gorgous version of myself with red hot lips. Not that she isn’t there without the lipstick, but between work pressure and feeling insecure about the level of tidiness of my apartment, sometimes, it’s easy to forget that underneath the self-doubt is a talented, compassionate, confident woman.

It’s a trick I learned from Stephanie. We shared an office for a couple months and whenever things started to get stressful? Just put on a little lip gloss. Angry client? Just put on a little lip gloss? Having one of THOSE Days? Just put on a little lip gloss.

Lipstick instantly makes your feel beautiful, feminine, and boosts self-esteem. There are several groups that focus on handing our lipsticks to women in cancer wards, shelters, and women in need. It’s amazing how quickly just, putting on lipstick can turn around your mood.
Next time you’re browsing through lipstick shades, give a second thought to that hot red. It may be that extra piece of confidence you need!

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!

 

Top 5 Quick Tricks To Look Younger

Aging may be inevitable, but the Spa Boutique Team of Experts 5 Quick Tricks to Look Younger!

1. Show Some Skin

By your 20s or 30s, odds are, you’ve probably settled into a makeup/skincare routine that works for you. As you age, it’s important to update your routine with current colours and trends to avoid looking “dated”. Layering on foundation and powder to ‘recreate’ the look of your skin has fallen out of fashion.

Today’s look focuses on enhancing your skin rather than covering it up. Target wrinkles and loss off firmness through professional skin care. We love Guinot, Peter Thomas Roth, and Sothys! Opt for a tinted moisturizer, light  concealer for any discoluoration, and finish with a light dusting of loose powder to help matify.

Favoutite Tinted Moisturizers: Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15, Guinot Teint Hydratant: Tinted Moisturizer

Best Concelers: Jane Iredale Circle Delete Under Eye Concealer Base, Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Concealer & Brightener, Jane Iredale Active Light Under Eye Concealer

Lightest Powders:  Jane Iredale Loose Mineral Powder Starter Set, Youngblood Mineral Makeup LOOSE Mineral Rice Setting Powder

2. Love Your Lashes

Like skin, your lashes loose some of their firmness as you age and start to droop. Enter the infamous eyelash curler! Giving lashes that extra boost before adding mascara is a quick way to open up your eyes and really make them pop.

A recent study found that, as we age, brows and lashes thin and lighten. This causes a decrease in facial contrast, one of the reason why you can look older. Fill in your brows with a natural pencil and opt for black mascara.

Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
Talika Mini Eyelash Curler
Blinc Heated Lash Curler

3. Shimmer in Nude

Switch to a shimmery eye shadow. One of the best ways to keep your eyes looking bright, a soft powder can help refract light and make your eyes look brighter. Choose nudes and neutrals for everyday wear. Bold colours can draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles, especially in creams as they have a tendency to dry out, accentuate lines, and flake.

Skeyndor Makeup: Eye Shadow in Champagne, Bark, or Honey
Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow: Choice of Colors (2g)
Pure + Simple Face Colour – Eyes in Spice

4. Ditch the Red Lips

Hot Neon lips are fantastic for the occasional fancy dress event- but for everyday they can start to look forced. Same goes for those bright reds. Makeup that appears to be too artificial is an immediate cue that you’re trying “too hard”. Instead, opt for a more natural look. Choose a warm lip shade from the pink, berry, or bee-stung family.

Layer with a gloss, such as GM Collin Lip “Plumping” Complex: Clear, that has plumping ingredients to help restore fullness to your lips. Key plumping ingredients to look for are Cinnamon, Peppermint, and Cayenne Pepper, Menthol, collagen, hyaluronic acid or Capsaicin.

Make sure to exfoliate and massage your lips to help keep them plump and kissable! We love Jane Iredale Sugar & Butter Lip Scrub & Plumper.

Several of our results driven product lines offer lip serums. If your noticing fine lines, try out Guinot Longue Vie Levres: Longue Vie Vital Lip Care.

5. Rest and revitalize your soul!

Tired skin always ages you. Instead, make sure to tuck in for your 7 or 8 hours of dreamtime every night! If you’re really needing a perk, go for a mask or under eye patch to quickly restore nutrients and moisture to your skin. Personally, I love Vivescence Nutri-Energy Instant Vitality Mask for instant all over rejuvenation. Need an instant under the eye lift? GM Collin Instant Radiance Anti-Aging Eye Patch remove puffiness and fatigue in only 20 minutes!

 

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!

 

Guest Blog: Don’t Let Your Skin Slow You Down

Today’s Blog Post comes from Valerie Johnston, a health and fitness writer for Healthline.com.

Your skin is beautiful. It glows when you are happy, blushes when you flirt, and prickles when you shiver. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. That means all sorts of outside influences can have an impact on how it looks and feels. There are many different conditions that could affect the look of your complexion, especially on your face.

Two of the most common things you may deal with, even in adulthood, include Sensitive Skin and Acne. With a few simple steps, you can avoid the problems associated with these conditions and continue to enjoy your beautiful, clear, glowing skin.

What You Need to Know about Acne

Many people may think that acne is only for teenagers, but it’s time to think again. Anyone can deal with breakouts, even adults in their 30s and 40s. Acne certainly doesn’t have to rule your life, though. You just need to know a little more about it.

You have pores in your skin. They are small openings that basically let your skin breathe. If they become blocked, then fluid or infection can build up causing breakouts, zits, pimples, or whatever you would like to call them. With simple steps, though, you can keep that acne at bay:

- Keep your face clean. Wash thoroughly in the morning and at night. Avoid harsh cleansers that may be too abrasive to the skin and actually cause further breakouts. Instead opt for a product that suits your skin type and consult with an esthetician.

- Always, always make sure you remove all makeup at night. Makeup will clog pores and can be your downfall if you leave it on while you sleep.

- Use a moisturizer. That sounds kind of odd since oily skin often contributes to acne, but you need to replenish natural moisture to keep your face from producing too much oil. Make sure you choose a moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores (non-comedogenic).

- Avoid touching your face. You carry around all sorts of dirt, oil, and other things on your hands. There is so much bacteria there even if you wash your hands regularly. The more you touch your face, the more you are transferring that bacteria, and this will cause breakouts.

- Avoid too much sunlight. Sunshine may give you that warm glow, but it can actually make acne worse. Make sure to use at least a 30 SPF sunblock. Physical sunscreens are still the most effective protection. If you choose a chemical one, make sure you reapply every 2 hours to ensure maximum protection.

- Avoid foods like French fries, pizza, fried chicken, and chocolate, all of which may contribute to your acne.

Products for Adult Acne:

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

What You Need to Know about Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, then it can easily get irritated and this may make your complexion uneven. There are some things you can do to take care of that beautiful skin and avoid any irritation.

- Drink plenty of water and add a little lemon, which will help to detoxify.

- Always use sunscreen when you will be outside. Make sure you choose a sunblock that is fragrance free. A physical SPF is extremely beneficial to sensitive skin types. However, if you opt for a chemical one, make sure to reapply every 2 hours.

- Choose lotions and other skin products that are all fragrance free. Fragrances can be one of the biggest irritants to your skin.

- Never wash your face with hot water.

- Avoid cleansers and soaps that are too harsh.

Keep your skincare routine basic: A Sensitive Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer. If you would like to sure a serum, make sure to choose one designed for sensitive skin, such as GM Collin Vasco-Tonic Serum

Products for Sensitive Skin:

Eminence Red Rose Collection for Sensitive Skin
Murad Skin Care Sensitive/Dry Skin Acne Regimen
VivierSkin Dry, Sensitive Skin System

Your skin is beautiful all on its own, and you can do little things to keep it healthy and clear. You may suffer from acne or sensitive skin, but there are simple things you can do in your life to relieve those symptoms and keep your glow.

Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon, writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.

 

BEHIND BEAUTY: TOP 5 SKIN ERRORS

This week we polled our estheticians as to the most common skin errors people make. Some skin care mistakes are more obvious then others, such as a leaving a chemical peel on too long, over tanning, or popping pimples. However, a lot of mistakes stem from not knowing how to correctly use a product, or neglecting to follow a few basic rules.

1. Don’t Skip Steps in Your Beauty Routine

Some days, being beautiful can seem like a tot of work. There’s a reason why models and actresses have a team of people to get them down that red carpet. Most of us have a small bathroom, bad lighting and not enough counter space. But skipping that cleanser or your bi-weekly exfoliating treatment can take a toll on your skin. Oils build up and can cause break outs. Additionally, by skipping your exfoliating treatment, you leave dead skin cells on your face and don’t promote the younger ones to the surface. If you’re using a deep penetrating serum, exfoliation is key to seeing results. Serums work to nourish deep beneath the skins surface. By neglecting to exfoliate, you’re not allowing those nourished cells to rise to the surface. For a busy woman, spending five extra minutes on your skin can seem like a lot. Shift your thinking, it’s not an obligation, it’s a treat! This is pamper yourself time. Invest in a finishing product you love, such as amazing moisturizer (for night) or premium mascara for day.  By finishing with a product you love, you’re more likely to make it through the entire routine. It’s the dessert after a meal!

2. Make Sleep is Sacred

Most adults are not getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep is damaging to your body. You need to rest in order to recover and repair yourself. It also give the light-sensitive active ingredients in your moisturizer a chance to do their job. If your stuggling to get enough sleep, or you just can seem to get to bed before midnight, make sure you’re getting a quality sleep. Make your bed into a restful place. A place for sleep, relaxation and sex, not for work or television. What makes going to bed difficult? Identify The Issue. Then, Correct It. Are the sheets not quite right? Invest in quality sheets and satin pillowcases (they help reduce those pillow wrinkles).  The room too cold? Bump the thermostat or try a small space heater.   By Creating a comfortable space, you’ll relax and fall asleep faster resulting in a longer, better sleep.

Also, don’t sleep with your makeup on. It can ruin those new linens! Plus, your skin needs the break. You put on pajamas to climb into bed, and your skin needs the same. Makeup clogs the pores and inhibits the natural skin cycle. This can cause breakouts and long term damage.  Swap off that foundation for an effective nighttime moisturizer. Your skin will thank you.

3. Always Wear Sunscreen

Sun Damage is the biggest cause of pre-mature aging.  The over exposure to sunlight, especially tanning and burning, can cause the skin to develop wrinkles, brown spots, and a rough, leathery texture. Not to mention dramatically increase your risk for skin cancer.

Just because it’s overcast, is not excuse to skip the sun screen! The sun is the most powerful object in our solar system, the radiation still penetrates the clouds. Plus, the reflective surfaces of buildings and clouds can amplify the effects as the rays bounce against your skin.

Pick a sunscreen that is over SPF 15 with UVA and UVB protection for everyday and one at least SPF 30  for prolonged or direct exposure. The SPF is calculated by how long you can experience sun exposure before skin damage occurs. Usually, based on 10 minute intervals. So, an SPF of 15 would allow a person to spend 150 minutes in the sun before burning. This makes it perfect for everyday use.

Check out some great Sun Protection here.

4. Eat Every Colour!

Often, we get into a rut in terms of what we eat. I know I am a huge sucker for a medium pizza on a Friday Night. But, to keep your skin clear and healthy, you need to make sure what you’re putting into your body matches what your putting on it. When preparing a meal, it’s always good to try and include several skin friendly foods, such as spinach, blueberries, carrots, avocados  cold water fish (such as wild salmon), almonds, flax seeds  tomatoes, sweet potatoes, dark chocolate, mangoes  broccoli, citrus, lean meats, or red wine.  A good trick is to ensure that you have a variety of colours on your plate. Does the plate look a little monochrome? Try adding some chopped veggies to the side of a plate. Or, opt for a bowl of berries for dessert!

5.  Stay Hydrated

Drink water. Most research recommends 6-8 glasses a day. Which is more then a little intimidating. The goal of hydrating for skin health is to prevent dehydration and dryness, as they can exasperate fine lines and wrinkles. Start by adding an extra glass first thing in the morning, before you reach for that cup of coffee.  By keeping your skin hydrated from the inside, your moisturizer will be more effective as it can lock in more moisture. Lately, there’s been a lot of conflicting research when it comes to water. However, it does help remove toxins and keeps your body healthy.

These Simple techniques will radically improve the health of your skin, as well as keeping your body happy too!

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!