7 Bad Skin Habits and How to Break Them!

Everyone is guilty of at least a few minor skin faux pas in their pursuit of beauty from time to time.  Even those that seem to have the most perfect skin confess to occasionally picking at a blemish or falling asleep with makeup on.  Most of the time this is pretty harmless, but over the years these little transgressions start to take a toll.  If you don't treat your skin carefully it can cause serious problems.  Change your bad skin habits and you'll have gorgeous skin in no time!

Skin Sin #1
You don't wash your face before going to bed.
Letting skin marinate in makeup (not to mention a day's worth or oil and dirt) can lead to clogged pores and break outs.

When makeup stays on too long, it also blocks the natural exfoliative process of shedding skin, which can leave your skin looking dull.
It is really beneficial to take a couple minutes at night and cleanse your skin properly before going to bed.  Also your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep which can enhance absorption of whatever is on the surface.  You really want to make sure that only beneficial products are on your skin, not the days dirt and oil.


Skin Sin #2
You Exfoliate every day--sometimes twice a day.

Yes exfoliating is important for helping skin shed dead cells that can make it look dull, but it is easy to go overboard.  Many women use a body scrub in the shower, a lotion with chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) during the day, and at night a cream with exfoliators like retinoids.  That's three different exfoliators in one day!  That is just too much for the skin.  This type of regimen strips the skin's natural protective lipid oil barrier.  It can lead to easily irritated skin and broken capillaries on the face.  
Try to use just one exfoliating product at a time.  For instance don't use a cleanser that contains AHAs if your moisturizer also contains retinoids.  Or use a moisturizer that contains retinoids or AHAs only at night time.  For an extra boost use an exfoliating scrub once a week, otherwise you should be using a gentle creamy or milky cleanser to wash your face daily. 


Skin Sin #3
You rarely clean your makeup brushes.

I know what you are thinking....why bother if I am the only one using them?  Well brushes can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which gets picked up from the surface of your skin each time you swipe it across your face.  If you don't clean your brush that accumulation of bacteria gets transferred right back onto your skin each time you apply your make up.  That bacteria can get into pores which causes break outs.  Not to mention dirty makeup brushes don't pick up product as easily as they should since the bristles tend to clump together.  That means your makeup won't go on smoothly making the color, and your skin look splotchy.
To correct this dilemma it is suggested that you wash your brushes weekly with a clarifying shampoo.  For those that just don't have the time to wash their brushes they can also use a spray brush cleaner.  You just spritz it onto the brushes and tissue off the makeup and bacteria.

Skin Sin #4
You visit a tanning bed.

Even if you only go a few times to get a base tan before you go in vacation, the harm you're doing to your skin is equivalent to (and possibly worse than) any burn you'll get at the beach.  Tanning bed sunlamps can emit doses of UVA radiation 15 times greater than the sun's.  UVA rays penetrate deep into skin, injuring cells and tissue and raising the risk of skin cancer.  Studies have shown that regular tanning bed use was associated with increased risk of developing melanoma.  Not to mention that the number one cause of wrinkles is prolonged sun exposure and tanning!
Nowadays there are many options for getting a bronze glow other than baking in a tanning bed. 

Skin Sin #5
You pick at your blemishes.
We have all done it, squeezed a pimple in hopes it will go away sooner.  When you use your hands to squeeze some of what is clogging the pore (dirt, oil, bacteria) gets ejected but most stays put or just pushed further into the pore.  This can actually extend the life of the blemish longer than if you had just left it alone.  Your best bet to take care of a pimple is to dab on a spot treatment that contains no more than 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide at night, and if it's really major maybe a little more in the morning.  This method will get you better results that picking at breakouts and causing scarring and staining on your skin.

Skin Sin #6
You or your friends smoke.
Even if it's from someone else's cigarette, smoke can cause havoc to your skin.  When the toxins from smoke come in contact with your body's cells, they create free radicals, which break down the collagen and elastin and make your skin supple and resilient, triggering premature aging.   The best thing you can do for your skin (and of course your health) is to quit smoking.  Try to stay in smoke free environments.  If you do come in contact with a cloud of second hand smoke, when you get home hit the shower and wash off smoke residue from your skin and hair.  Once you're clean slather on a moisturizer rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E, these will help neutralize free radical damage.

Skin Sin #7
You don't wear sunscreen everyday. 

Most of us remember to apply sunscreen if we are going to the beach.  But what most people don't realize is that we should be using sunscreen everyday all year round.  The best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, SPF 30 at the minimum.  There are many moisturizers and makeups that contain sunscreen, which makes it easier for you to keep your skin protected.  It may be a pain but if you apply your sunscreen everyday you'll be getting the last laugh instead of the first laugh lines!

 

10 Foods That Keep You Looking Beautiful!

While a great haircut and beautiful makeup can make you look your best, true beauty comes from healthy, glowing skin.  Makeup can only do so much you have to have a solid pallet to apply it to.  Some of the most potent beauty weapons can be found in the supermarket!  Your food picks have an enormous effect on your appearance.  A nutritious diet can give your skin a glow that no cream or makeup can do alone.  It is true when they say "you are what you eat". Boost your beauty by adding more of the following items to your cart.

1.  Blueberries And Pomegranates

Both of these fruits are packed full of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which help protect you from fine lines and dry skin by neutralizing the free radicals that weather your skin.  Plus their high concentration of vitamin C boosts production of collagen, which keeps your skin nice and plump.

2.  Dark Chocolate

This sweet stuff contains high levels of flavonoids, potent antioxidants that can help protect your skin from sun damage and amp up blood flow to your tissues, which keeps skin nourished and glowing.  Look for chocolate that's at least 70 percent cacao (it contains more antioxidants) and use restraint.  Try to stick to just having about an ounce a day. 

3. Spinach
Spinach is another powerhouse of vital nutrients and antioxidants that help fight inflammation and free-radical damage, which are the precursors to fine lines and wrinkles.  It's also bursting with an antioxidant called lutein, which helps keep eyes healthy and bright.  Most important of all spinach is a huge source of vitamin A (beta-carotene), which speeds up cell turnover and keeps skin looking youthful.  And from this beta-carotene your body produces it's own retinol which makes skin firm and resilient.  
Spinach has all these great benefits and it's practically calorie free!  One cup of raw spinach has just seven calories and 55 percent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin A.  Pretty much all leafy greens a have similar stats so you can switch it up for a little variety and try collard greens, kale, bok choy, and Swiss chard.

4.  Walnuts

Walnuts have many perks including smoother skin, healthier hair, brighter eyes, and stronger bones.  Eating just one ounce of walnuts will give you your daily dose of omega -3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which are responsible for these radiant results.  Other top notch nuts include hazelnuts, pistachios, and almonds.  Nuts can be enjoyed by themselves as a snack or in a salad, pasta or dessert.

5.  Yogurt
Eating just one cup of plain low-fat yogurt gives you about half of your recommended daily allowance of calcium.  Calcium is the key to strong nails and teeth.  Plus yogurt is packed with zinc, which helps calm skin inflammation, and prompt regeneration of cells.

6.  Tomatoes
A tomato a day keeps the dermatologist away!  This red fruit helps protect skin from sun damage and other environmental factors thanks to its key ingredient, lycopene.  The antioxidant lycopene is actually highest in cooked tomatoes.  Healthy fats aid the body's absorption of lycopene, so eat one serving of tomatoes a day with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of vinaigrette, or a slice of avocado.

7.  Kiwis

Kiwis are jam packed with vitamin C, which can help stimulate collagen synthesis, repair damage to skin cell DNA, and keep blood vessels and hair follicles strong.  A single kiwi has practically all the vitamin C you need in a day and only 42 calories.  

8.  Edamame
If you're seeking smoother skin then reach for soy.  Research shows that the isoflavones in soy foods like tofu, soy milk, and edamame can ease inflammation and slow down collagen breakdown.  The results are more even skin tone and fewer wrinkles.

9.  Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, and Butternut Squash
These are orange wonder veggies!  They contain a bounty of beauty boosting beta-carotene, which your body converts into skin smoothing retinol, therefore helping to protect your skin from past and present sun damage.

10.  Green Tea

This soothing tea has antioxidants called catechins, which can help prevent certain skin cancers and stave off sunburns.  The variety of tea that has the highest concentration of catechins is called matcha.  For all the pretty perks, drink two cups a day.  If tea isn't your thing, try sprinkling green matcha powder (available in health food stores) into a yogurt or homemade smoothie.  Don't worry green tea has about half as much caffeine as black tea.  

Hottest New Trend for Nails: Gel Polish

A manicure that lasts for two weeks without chipping?  Sounds like a miracle but it is a reality!  Soak-off UV gel nail polish is becoming a huge trend in manicures.  Love to get manicures but tired of your polish chipping after just a couple of days?  This is the solution.  The gel polish has the long wear of an acrylic nail without damaging your natural nails.


So what exactly is soak-off gel polish?
If you're not familiar with the gel nail craze, it's much different than your run of the mill manicure.  Thin layers of colored gel are painted onto natural nails with a brush.  Some brands come in a bottle that looks very similar to regular nail polish, and have their own brush built into the top.  Others come in small pots and are applied with a separate brush.  Each layer of the gel (including a base coat and top coat) is cured under a UV light.  The great thing about the gel polish is that after just a couple minutes of curing the last layer under the UV light your nails are completely dry...I'm talking rummage around your purse looking for your keys and no smudges or chips! 
Another benefit you can't forget is the the gel polish truly lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping.  The only draw back to this is that with darker colors you can notice where the gels are growing out at the nail base, but a lighter shade makes this less obvious.
Unlike acrylic nails you don't have to drill or file down your natural nails.  This saves your nails from a lot of damage.
Also what's pretty genius about the gel nails is that you can paint right over them with regular nail polish if you want to change the color for a couple of days.  Amazingly, you can remove the nail polish with a non-acetone polish remover and the gel color is still in tact underneath!

Ok so I'm sure you've been wondering how expensive this type of manicure costs.  The price is a little steeper than the traditional manicure, it goes for anywhere from $28-$40.  But it also lasts two to three times longer than a regular manicure.  
The removal of the gel polish is a little more difficult than traditional polish.  There are a two removal methods.  You can soak your nails in acetone for about 10-20 minutes and then the gel dissolves and can be easily peeled off.  Or you can soak cotton in acetone and place it on your nails and then wrap each finger in foil.  After about 10-15 minutes the gel should easily peel off.


There are many brands that make gel nail polishes now.  It seems that the most popular gels are OPI Axxium soak-off gel lacquer, CND Shellac, Calgel, and Dashing Diva Gelife, but there are many more brands out there as well.  

OPI Axxium comes in 26 shades based on the existing OPI polish shades we all know and love.  Calgel is available in over 80 shades, including some glitters and nail art colors.   Right now both CND Shellac and  Gelife have limited shades but more are being released soon. The great thing about the gel colors is that they can be mixed and blended together to make new colors.  If you feel that a color is too dark, the nail tech can add a little bit of white gel to it to lighten the shade for you.  That is something that can't really be done with regular nail polish.
So next time you go for a manicure try a gel polish, you may be pleasantly surprised!
Lash L'Amour is currently offering gel manicures.  Come try it out while having luscious lash extensions applied!


Lash L'Amour
55 Langley Road
Newton Center, MA 02459
617-916-1209
www.lashlamour.com
contact@lashlamour.com

A Flawless Face Starts With A Strong Foundation

Even skilled makeup users can be stressed out by foundation, it's the easiest thing to screw up...and any mistake will be written all over your face!  Choosing the correct foundation can be a simple process if you know what to look for and how to test it properly.  Below are some tips to help you learn the art of flawless foundation selection and application.

Step 1  Find Your Perfect Match
Aim high!  Foundation may be the one makeup product you should spend a little more money on.  Department store and higher end brands often contain high-tech anti-aging ingredients.  Their formulas are perfectly blended which gives a smoother, more even finish.  The foundations you find in the drugstore most likely won't offer the same level of anti-aging ingredients.  Sometimes you do actually get what you pay for.  You pay more money for a high end brand foundation because you are paying for the active ingredients in the makeup.  There are more potent active ingredients which cause the makeup to adhere to the skin longer and give a smoother, more flawless appearance.

 
Watch Your Tone!  To find a hue that matches your complexion use your skin tone as a guide.  If you have a cooler undertone, meaning your skin has hints of red, pink or blue, look for for foundation shades that have cool in the name.  If your skin has warmer undertones, hints of yellow or orange, look for warm on the label.  To make things even easier some brands even make shades that are neutral tones, meaning they will work on both cool and warm tones.

Put it to the test.  A shade that appears perfectly blended on the back of your hand may not look so good when its on your face.  Your hand is usually a couple shades darker than your face, so instead of testing on your hand try swiping a bit on your collarbone or neck, which is a closer color match. 

Step 2  Choose the Correct Formula

For Oily Skin:  Women whose skin tends to get a little shiny  should avoid oil based foundations.  These oil based foundations tend to bond to the oil in the skin and then "melt" and slide down the face.  Instead try a wet/dry mattifying powder foundation.  A powder foundation will adhere to skin better and give a more matte, flawless finish to oily skins.

For Dry Skin:  Now if your skin is parched you should use an oil based liquid makeup that contains emollients like glycerin, lanolin or ceramides.  These ingredients will give dry or aging skin a dewy finish, and keep it looking soft and supple.

For Combination Skin:  Combination skin can be tricky because usually the face is oily in the t-zone and drier around the perimeter.  Your best bet is to use a mineral powder foundation.  Mineral foundations usually give the skin a nice dewy glow, but it is still a powder so it can absorb oil where necessary.  If powder foundation just isn't for you apply a creamy foundation along the outer part of your face and then blend it inward toward your nose.  Finish with a translucent powder concentrating heavier on the t-zone.


Step 3  Apply it Right
Before you smooth on your foundation prep your face with a primer.  This will create a base for the makeup and help hold it in place all day.  You want to look for a primer that is silicone based, which seals in your skin's imperfections, creating a smoother surface.

A foundation brush helps the product go on smoothly and covers imperfections with out looking too cakey.  Using your fingers can't always give as smooth a finish, also using your fingers can cause skin irritations because bacteria under your nails can be transferred to your face.  If you are using a cream or liquid foundation use a brush with synthetic fibers such as nylon.
Pour a quarter size amount of foundation onto the back of your clean hand, or into a small bowl.  Then dip the brush into the product (just enough to cover the bristles - you don't want to drown them), and smooth it onto your skin with even strokes.  Be sure to cover underneath your jawline and blend into your neck.  The key is to blend, blend, blend!  Take a look in the mirror after applying the first layer to be sure that you are covered evenly.  You can always add more if you need to.  Then set your entire face with a dusting of translucent powder.

 

Brows That Wow!

Your eyebrows can completely change the way your face looks.  So it's important to keep your brows tamed.  Try these 10 professional tips for achieving A-List arches at home.  Just keep in mind that fuller brows are in style now, so be sure not to go too thin. 


                                 1.  Choose the right tweezers. 
It's better to choose a sharp slanted style.  They are the best when you are tweezing your brows on your own at home.  They grab tiny hairs quickly and unlike the pointy versions, you'll be less likely to pinch your skin.



2.  Tweeze post shower.
Warm water opens the follicles and softens hairs, helping them slip out more easily.  The easier the hair slides out equals less pain for you.

3.  Ease the Ouch.
If tweezing is too painful or if it's right before your period (when your skin is most sensetive), dab on a numbing gel before you tweeze.  Try a tooth pain medicine that you can pick up at the drugstore for just a few bucks.

4. Ditch your Magnifying Mirror
A magnifying mirror can make it look like there is more hair to remove than there actually is, which can lead to over tweezing.  Use a regular mirror in a well lit room, if you can't see stray hairs under these conditions neither can anybody else.  Also after every few tweezes take a couple steps back to see the bigger picture.  This will really help prevent over tweezing.  It is very easy to get carried away.  

 
5.  Know your limits.
Hold a pencil for guidance, your brows should begin directly above your tear duct.  The highest peak of the arch should line up with the outer corner of your iris, and your brow should end at a point that falls 45 degrees from the outer corner of your eye.
Be sure not to arch your brows too high or they will look unnatural. 

                                                        6.  Create your shape.
Once you've determined how your brows should curve outline your ideal arch using a soft brow pencil.  Then remove the hairs that fall above or below your self made stencil.



7.  Reduce Redness.
Immediately after tweezing gently pat on a small amount of over the counter cortisone cream to minimize any resulting inflammation. 

                                        

 
8.  Brush Up.
Style your arches with a brow brush or a brow gel.  Coax the hairs upward at the start of your arch and brushing the rest toward the end of your eye.  You can use a clear gel or to add a little more oomph to your brows use a colored gel.  This acts like a hair gel for your brows, it keeps them in place and adds a little color to make  them stand out.  

9.  Fill in the blanks.

Color in sparse spots with an eyebrow pencil or powder.  Dark brunettes should choose a shade or two lighter than their hair color.  Lighter blondes can go for golden shades while darker blondes can use a taupey tone.  Redheads should reach for a warm, brown hue.

10.  Grow 'em in!
Over plucked?  Refrain from tweezing for at least three weeks so you can see the natural growth pattern and shape.  Remember now a days bigger brows are all the rage so fight the urge to over do it with the tweezers. 

Meet Us at Shecky's Girl Event - Spring 2011

Shecky’s Girls Night Out is coming to Boston, and you’re invited! Discover unique designers, sip our wicked good drinks, and cap your night with some pretty pampering and glorious Goodie Bags. Event Details  click here

Boston Center for the Arts - Cyclorama
539 Tremont St. Boston, 02116
Date: March 23rd 2011
Time: 5:00PM-10:00PM
Ticket: $30 Buy Ticket:

Get Your Skin Ready For Spring

Now that the weather is getting a little warmer and the snow is melting we are realizing that spring is right around the corner.  Here are some tips to get your skin ready for it's great spring unveiling.

 1.  Exfoliate your skin

 After a long harsh winter you need to slough off that dry, dead skin from both your face and body.  For your face try a glycolic or lactic acid peel.  It is a gentle, yet effective method of removing dead skin.  These peels even out skin tone, are healing to help clear up acne, lightens pigmentation, and leaves skin with an overall glow.
For your body use a salt or sugar scrub while in the shower.  This will scrub away the dry skin left by the dry winter air.  Follow up with a nice shea butter body moisturizer while your skin is still moist.  Your skin will be soft and smooth and ready to be seen in a little less clothing.

2.  Sunscreen
Sunscreen is so important!  The number one cause of wrinkles and skin aging is sun exposure.  It's crucial to be using a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher on your face.  Your face is the first thing that everyone sees first, you should be preserving it. Even if its purely for vanity reasons, wear a sunscreen everyday - your skin will thank you later.

 3.  Have a Facial
It's great to go to a professional and have a relaxing, deep cleansing facial.   An esthetician can analyze your skin and give you a treatment completely customized to your skin's needs.  They also have all sorts of professional products that will exceptionally improve your skin, like seaweed and vitamin enriched masks and enzymes.  It's really beneficial to have a professional facial at the very least at the end of each season.

4.  Eyebrow Sculpting
It may seem pretty simple but a good eyebrow shaping can honestly take years off your face.  Go to a professional.  An esthetician will take the time to consult with you and give you a perfect arch that suits your face.  Well shaped brows open up your entire eye area and even makes your eye makeup look more polished.

 5.  New Makeup
Nothing puts a little extra spring in your step than wearing a new lipstick or trying new shadow shades.  There are great new colorful palettes for spring.  They are fantastic for both day and night.  Go for a light wash of color for daytime then add another layer with some liner for evening.  Nothing says spring more than a little splash of color.

6.  Get A Spray Tan
Definitely don't bake yourself at the beach or fry your skin in a tanning booth.  There is nothing pretty about a sunburn or overly tanned, leather looking skin.  Have your tan applied by hand with an airbrush.  You will get a healthy, glowing look.  In just a few minutes you will have a beautiful, bronze tan without the risks of cancer or wrinkles.

7.  Get A Pedicure
There is nothing worse than dry, cracked heels and unpolished toes.  Pamper yourself with a massaging, hydrating pedicure.  It will definitely put you in a happier mood to look down at some pretty, brightly polished toes.  A little toe love goes a long way.  You want to make sure your feet are ready for sandal weather!