Bridal Beauty ~ Where To Begin

Looking Your Most Beautiful On Your Wedding Day – Where Do You Start?

 

image courtesy of Phoenix Bride and Groom Magaine

You just got engaged.

Congratulations!

Or maybe  your wedding is fast approaching - regardless of where you are on the road to holy matrimony, the time to start working on your skin is now.

image courtesy of Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine

On your wedding day you want to look fresh and beautiful and radiant, and the first step is to have your skin in the best condition possible. Whether you are going to be in makeup, or whether you are planning on being au naturel, gorgeous skin is essential. So where do you start?

 

image courtesy of www.darrinjamessalon.com

The first thing to do is go have a facial. If nothing else, while you are lying there being pampered you can come up with a plan!

If you don’t already have a facialist that you see on a regular basis, ask around and see if you can get some recommendations from friends, family and co workers. A referral from a happy client will seldom lead you astray.

If you don’t have a referral from anyone, check out day spas and medi-spas in your area.

If your budget doesn’t have wiggle room for facials look at the aesthetics schools in your area. Prior to graduating students have to clock in hundreds of hours of facials and beauty treatments, and as such you can get a fabulous facial very economically.

Once you have found your place for treatments, you and your facialist need to come up with a plan for getting your skin ready for the big day.

Sometimes that will only mean having a facial the week before the ceremony, other times it will be a more comprehensive plan that involves hydrating facials, deep cleansing facials, exfoliating treatments – whatever is necessary to give you that polished, beautiful look.

One of the most fabulous things you can do for your skin is to have a microdermabrasion treatment.

This is where a machine is used to remove the dead and dull skin on the surface leaving you with a smooth, fabulous, glowing complexion.  Dermasweep is a highly evolved form of  microdermabrasion that follows the intense exfoliation with infusion treatments. 

You walk out the door with the most exquisite skin, and feel like a million dollars!

While you are there, talk to your aesthetician about your eyebrows.  If you haven’t started grooming them, now is generally a good time to start.

Well maintained eyebrows are so very important  - they’re like punctuation marks on the face.  Eyebrows can make or break a great look. The most beautifully executed makeup can be made marginal by a furry, untamed brow.

Ideally your first brow wax shouldn’t be right before your wedding, just in case you don’t like it. You may also have some upper lip fluff that she can remove at the same time – we want that upper lip smooth!

You may find that you need to change up your skin care products too. Maybe you’re not using the right components for your skin’s particular needs, or perhaps the products you’re using need modifying.

Your aesthetician can guide you and help you create the ideal skin care regime for your lifestyle and for your budget.

No matter how talented your makeup artist is, your makeup will never look flawless and perfect if your skin is not in good condition, and especially not if your skin is dry, patchy or flaky. 

Investing time in preparing your skin can give you a gorgeous, glowing complexion on your big day!

New Year New You ~ 10 Habits Of Women With Beautiful Skin

Although some lucky girls are born with beautiful skin, most of us are not. For most of us beautiful skin is something we work to have. And for those of you born with it, it is something to work to maintain. (otherwise like your youth you will wake up one day to find it has gone.)

Katie Bunn by Eric Cassee

New Year, New You ~ here are 10 habits that women with beautiful skin already have, and that you need to develop this year to give you beautiful skin.

10 Habits Of Women With Beautiful Skin.

1. They never go to bed with their makeup on.

No matter how late they get home, no matter how tired they are, women with beautiful complexions cleanse their skin every single night before bed.

And don't believe the swirl-tap-buff crowd when they tell you their crushed mineral foundations are safe to sleep in. Never sleep in your makeup.

2. They never leave the house without sunscreen.

Nothing, and I mean nothing ages your skin as badly as sun damage.

Although a bad burn at the beach is detrimental, its the everyday exposure to the sun that causes the most damage. Walking from your car to the office, walking across the street, even driving your car - the daily exposure to sunlight that we think absolutely nothing of ages us more than anything.

Women with beautiful skin wear a free standing facial spf (not just one that's built into their moisturizer) every single day.

3. They drink plenty of water.

Skin cells, like any other cells in the body are made up of water. Without water they cannot function at their highest level. If your skin is not getting enough water, the lack of hydration presents itself by making the skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin is less resiliant and more prone to wrinkling. Drinking plenty of water helps the skin to look luminous and vibrant.

4. They get their beauty sleep.

Nighttime is when your skin repairs and restores itself. If you get enough sleep your skin cells can rest and refuel. 

Ideally you need 8 hours of sleep per night. Your body releases growth hormone during the last stage of sleep, so unless you are getting 8 to 8 1/2 hours of sleep you are missing out on that last burst of growth hormone. Growth hormone plays a role in bringing blood supply to the skin surface, oxygenating the skin and improving the overall luster and tone of the skin.

5. They use retinA or a retinol product regularly. (or every night)

Everyone over the age of 35 should be using a retinol or retinoid product. (RetinA is the stronger, prescription only product)

Starting in your 30's your skin begins to break down more collagen and to make less. Less collagen leas to more wrinkling, sagging and uneven skintone. RetinA helps to stimulate collgen synthesis at the same time slowing the activity of the enzymes that break down collagen.

The skin also appears smoother and firmer.

Your skin might feel irritated at first, so start by applying a very thin layer every 3rd or 4th night, and build your way up to every night.

6. They have regular facials.

There are many benefits to having regular facials. Starting with the fact that they are so relaxing! A little pampering can go a long way, plus there is so much benefit to the steaming, the deep cleansing, the massaging, the masks - all of it.

Your facialist is going to get to areas you miss with your daily skin care routines, and she is going to use professional grade products that are more high performance than those you use at home.

7. They make good use of their dermatologist.

From chemical peels to microdermabrasion, from microneedling to laser treatments - there are so many treatments available to take your skin to the next level of fabulous. Women with beautiful skin tend to avail themselves of many of them.

8. They make good use of injectables.
And not bad use of injectables.
When injectables are done well they look completely natural, and nothing like the fish lipped, over inflated, mask of horror, completely artificial look that you see everywhere (especially Scottsdale, where I live).
Injectables when done correctly can gently smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, add volume back into sagging facial features, and generally keep everything looking good.
The key is to go to someone really brilliant at injecting. Don't buy a deal on groupon, don't shop your a bargain - it quite literally will be written all over your face! Do your research and find the best people in your town or city and have a look at their work before you buy.

9. They don't overdo it.
Women with beautiful skin keep balance in their skin care, and all their ancillary treatments. They don't go overboard with injectables or laser treatments, or peels and microderm treatments. Everything in moderation.

10. They master flawless makeup application techniques.
Women with beautiful skin keep their skin well moisturized and then do their makeup flawlessly. (makeup grabs onto dry skin and looks cakey).
Beautiful skin covered in a thick layer of gunky makeup no longer looks like beautiful skin. It just looks awful. Choosing the right formulation and shade of foundation, applying it sparingly and evenly and understanding that the job of foundation is to make the skin look like flawless, beautiful skin are all key components.
Foundation needs to look luminous and sheer, not thick or opaque.

Learn about Dermasweep here
Learn about microneedling here
Learn about chemical peels here
Learn about Juvederm Tear Trough fills here
Learn about botox here and here
Learn about Radiesse Cheek and temple fills here

image credits:
Photographer Eric Cassee
Model Katie Bunn
Hair Will Zecco
Makeup Corinna Cooke

Bridal Beauty 101 ~ Where Do You Start?

Looking Your Most Beautiful On Your Wedding Day – Where Do You Start?

 

image courtesy of Phoenix Bride and Groom Magaine

You just got engaged.

Congratulations!

Or maybe  your wedding is fast approaching - regardless of where you are on the road to holy matrimony, the time to start working on your skin is now.

image courtesy of Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine

On your wedding day you want to look fresh and beautiful and radiant, and the first step is to have your skin in the best condition possible. Whether you are going to be in makeup, or whether you are planning on being au naturel, gorgeous skin is essential. So where do you start?

 

image courtesy of www.darrinjamessalon.com

The first thing to do is go have a facial. If nothing else, while you are lying there being pampered you can come up with a plan!

If you don’t already have a facialist that you see on a regular basis, ask around and see if you can get some recommendations from friends, family and co workers. A referral from a happy client will seldom lead you astray.

If you don’t have a referral from anyone, check out day spas and medi-spas in your area.

If your budget doesn’t have wiggle room for facials look at the aesthetics schools in your area. Prior to graduating students have to clock in hundreds of hours of facials and beauty treatments, and as such you can get a fabulous facial very economically.

Once you have found your place for treatments, you and your facialist need to come up with a plan for getting your skin ready for the big day.

Sometimes that will only mean having a facial the week before the ceremony, other times it will be a more comprehensive plan that involves hydrating facials, deep cleansing facials, exfoliating treatments – whatever is necessary to give you that polished, beautiful look.

One of the most fabulous things you can do for your skin is to have a microdermabrasion treatment.

This is where a machine is used to remove the dead and dull skin on the surface leaving you with a smooth, fabulous, glowing complexion.  Dermasweep is a highly evolved form of  microdermabrasion that follows the intense exfoliation with infusion treatments. 

You walk out the door with the most exquisite skin, and feel like a million dollars!

While you are there, talk to your aesthetician about your eyebrows.  If you haven’t started grooming them, now is generally a good time to start.

Well maintained eyebrows are so very important  - they’re like punctuation marks on the face.  Eyebrows can make or break a great look. The most beautifully executed makeup can be made marginal by a furry, untamed brow.

Ideally your first brow wax shouldn’t be right before your wedding, just in case you don’t like it. You may also have some upper lip fluff that she can remove at the same time – we want that upper lip smooth!

You may find that you need to change up your skin care products too. Maybe you’re not using the right components for your skin’s particular needs, or perhaps the products you’re using need modifying.

Your aesthetician can guide you and help you create the ideal skin care regime for your lifestyle and for your budget.

No matter how talented your makeup artist is, your makeup will never look flawless and perfect if your skin is not in good condition, and especially not if your skin is dry, patchy or flaky. 

Investing time in preparing your skin can give you a gorgeous, glowing complexion on your big day!

3 Quick Ways to Get Party Perfect Skin

So the festive season is here, and a girl's dance card is looking pretty full. Her party clothes are lined up, she's shopped for naughty undies, new lipstick and heels, now she has to make sure her skin is party-ready, glowing and gorgeous.

Here are  3 quick options to last minute party perfect skin.

1.) Glycolic Peel
Sounds scary! In fact I only started having them myself a few months ago, as I was sure I'd have red, crusty, chemically blasted skin. Not so! This is an amazing high speed skin rejuvenation. I recommend having it done at a reputable salon, with a facialist you know and trust, but thats just me.
The Glycolic Peel's job is to improve, renew and smooth the texture of facial skin by using a chemical solution that causes dead skin to slough off and peel off. The peeling is minimal and you are left with fresh glowing skin.
It also gets rid of blemishes, brightens, and is the fast track to gorgeous skin.

2.) Microdermabrasion

This is another high speed, instant result remedy for dull, lifeless looking skin. It falls under the category of mechanical exfoliation, and in 2010 has been one of the top 5 non surgical procedures.
This one is performed in a salon(spa/dermatologists/plastics office) by a trained specialist who uses a microdermabrasion machine to mechanically remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells, with adjusted vacuum pressure to lift away the debris.
This is a good one to have done 2 or 3 days before the party, as sometimes you may have a little residual flaking.
If your salon uses DermaSweep you can have the treatment same day, and your skin will look divine.

3.) Enzyme Mask
This one you can either have your facialist do in salon, or do yourself at home. An enzyme mask uses fruit enzymes to eat away the top icky layer of dead, lifeless looking skin, pac-man style,  leaving you with a fresh, healthy, glowing complexion.
Celebrity favorite Kate Sommerville's ExfoliKate is an excellent, high speed option.

Make sure you keep your newly polished, beautiful skin nourished and moisturized, and balance out all those party drinks with tons of water throughout the day.

Spring Cleaning

Its spring. Time to ease back a little on the makeup, and get that skin absolutely glowing.
You see, nothing says gorgeous quite like radiant, lovely skin.

So, in pursuit of such skinI decided we should chat about exfoliation
and look at a few of a girls options.

Now we all know about facial scrubs. They typically use rough, sharp edged particles
to scrape off the dead skin sitting on the surface of your lovely face.
I love the concept, but am not a fan.
I always think they scratch the baby skin underneath.

Here's what I do love:
Daily

I'm addicted to my Clarisonic.

Face, throat, decollete, every single day.

Weekly

I'm all about in home treatments. Two of my absolute favorites are

Kate Sommerville (facialist to the stars) amazing ExfoliKate.
This is an enzyme treatment - my absolute favorite type of exfoliation.
The enzymes literally digest all the dead skin, and leave your visage smooth, firm and beautiful.


This next one has been around for a long time,
and has stayed around because it is so incredibly effective.
Especially brilliant on troubled skin, Philosophy's Oxygen Peel is a two step process that
clears out and relieves congested pores, then smooths and hydrates,
leaving you absolutely radiant.
Unlike salon or medical peels, you don't really see peeling skin, and you have no downtime.


Monthly

In the day spa there are all kinds of fabulous treatments.
I get enzyme treatments at the facialist all the time,
there's a big range of peels you can choose from
in fact that's an entire blog post of its own.
I find them a little scary...
But here is an oldie but a goodie
Gommage.



Gommage uses a cream that dries to a paste on the skin.
The facialist then uses her fingers to rub away the dead skin.
Its a tad messy, but if you want seriously firmed skin, pores that look tighter and smaller,
and smooth, smooth, youthful skin,
you'll absolutely love it.

Another fabulous option at the salon/spa
is microdermabrasion.


A machine is used to spray high grade micro-crystals onto the skin, then vacuum suck them, and the accompanying dead skin back up.
Super effective, you'll get amazingly smooth skin.
Those with super sensitive skin don't always love microdermabrasion,
and you leave with a ring of grit in the hair line, nostrils and ears.
Sometimes you get a residual peeling or redness, but its so worth it!

My personal favorite is DermaSweep.
This is in the same family as microdermabrasion, but this one uses a special brush head instead of crystals, and is fabulous for even the most sensitive of skins.
The treatment is in two parts. First the exfoliation, then an infusion of a skin care solution specific to your skins needs is pumped into your skin.
The treatment is quick, and you walk out the door looking amazing.
I did a post on DermaSweep a few months ago.
Click Here.

10 Beauty Mistakes That Add Years To Your Face

Allure did an article like this online.

Many of their items I agreed with whole heartedly,
but some I felt although worthy of mention,
weren't top 10.

So here are my personal top 10,
liberally borrowed from Allure,
and amended and added to by me.

Many of these pictures are from the original article.
They were way too beautiful to pass up!


Top 10 Beauty Mistakes That Add Years To Your Face

1. Not Exfoliating
Though shalt exfoliate regularly!
The older we get, the longer it takes dead skin cells to slough off.
If you're not helping the process along, your skin will look dull, and fine lines & wrinkles will look worse.
I am a huge fan of DermaSweep, Microdermabrasion and enzyme treatments.
Clarisonic? Every single night.
Facial scrubs? Not so much. I always think they scratch the new skin underneath.
image by Regan Cameron

2. Not Hydrating

Right behind keeping skin exfoliated is keeping it well hydrated.
The fast track to aging skin is letting it dry out.
Want gorgeous, vibrant, radiant skin?
Keep it hydrated.
Make sure you use a daily moisturizer that is strong enough to hydrate your skin type,
a nightly more intense moisturizer,
and back them up with hydrating serums and hydrating masks.
A high powered eye cream is crucial too.
3. Not Using Sunscreen EVERY Day

I am all for moisturizers that have a little SPF in them,
but that is nowhere near enough.No matter where you live
you need to apply a free standing facial SPF of 30 or above
over your moisturizer
Every. Single. Day.
No ifs.
No buts.
No maybes.Let your moisturizer soak in, then liberally apply SPF 30 or above
all over your face, throat and decolletage.


4. Not taking Care Of Hands, Throat, Chest

Like a neon sign above your head,
pointing out your age and adding 15 years to it
not taking care of your hands, throat and chestwill make you look drastically older than you really are.

When using your Clarisonic each night,
make sure you also get your throat, chest and the backs of your hands.
Use a strong handcream with SPF all day long.
If you have brown spots on the backs of your hands use 2% hydroquinone.
And I'm a big advocate of Retinol for the backs of hands, throat and upper chest.

image by Patrick Demarchelier
5. Foundation Choice and Application.

This is a biggie.
Too many women of all ages are using the wrong foundation.
Don't get caught up in the "oil free" drama - that normally translates to "dried out & aged"
Instead look for a silicone based product.
Silicone based foundations reflect light beautifully, which minimizes the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also makes skin look alive.
The particles are larger than a human pore, so sit on top of, rather than inside of them.
That means no pore clogging.
When applying your foundation, blend, blend, blend it in.Don't leave mounds of product on the surface of your skin.
Blend it into a sheer veil of beauty.
I adore Face Atelier's Ultra Foundation.
As their motto so truthfully says:
"because looking good is the best revenge!"


6. Frosty Eyeshadow

Frosted eyeshadows are too harsh and tend to highlight fine lines and wrinkles.
Opt instead for a shadow with a subtle sheen to it.
image by Roger Cabello


7. Not Wearing Eyeliner

As we age our eyes start drooping at the outer corners.
Liner and mascara can open and lift the eye, making you look more awake, alert, and ultimately youthful!
Trace liner along the lashline, slightly lifting it at the outer corner. Smudge the line a little with either a taklon liner brush or a smudger brush, then curl the lashes, and add liberal coats of mascara, paying extra attention to the outer corners.


8. Choosing The Wrong Lipstick

Metallics and iridescents tend to not look so flattering on anyone over 40.
Deep dark colors make an already thinning lip look cold and hard.
Choose a soft textured lipstick with a slight sheen to it, not a shimmer.
Or go for a colored gloss.
Keep your lips looking soft, and keep your teeth looking white.



9. Too Much Bronzer/Way Too Tanned

A face that is too tanned or too bronzed looks so much older!
Firstly, there is so much damage and so many health risks associated with tanning,
that we shouldn't even be thinking about getting a tan.
If you feel you need warmth and color added to your look,
and I love warm color,
use a bronzer lightly and sparingly.
It's job is not to color your face in,
but instead to give it a sun kissed look.
Don't brush it all over your face.
Just dust it lightly where the sun would hit -
forehead, cheekbones and bridge of nose, and across the chin.
Lightly.
The yellows and browns in bronzer can make your skin look dull if not applied correctly.

image by Michael Thompson

10. Avoid Blunt Haircuts

Most celebrities over 40 have layered haircuts.
And that's not by fluke.
Soft layers framing the face enhance cheekbones,
soften the appearance of lines, and draw the eye away from the drooping skin that
starts appearing as you age.
Blunt cuts, and hair that is all the same length draw the eye down
making the face look like its sagging, and making the eyes looked more downturned.
Any lines and wrinkles that are forming look bolder,
and lips look harsher and thinner.

Avoid harsh colors too, especially flat black or dark tones.
While charming in your youth, these shades now soak the life out of your skin,
leaving you looking tired and, well, old.



image by Regan Cameron

Sweep This Sisters!!!

Sooo. I've been dying to tell you about this skin treatment I had a few weeks ago. Too fab!

You've all probably heard of microdermabrasion, the process where you get a maximo exfoliation via a cool machine that uses crushed up crystals or diamond point to take the top coat off your skin & suck it up a little hose. Something along the lines of taking a sandblaster to your face.
I have long been a major fan of it. In fact, I have had a microderm before every big event or special occasion, so that my skin looks smooth.

Well, there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Derma Sweep. And I have to say this is one of the most innovative, exciting things I've seen in a very long time!



Its a similar principal - kind of - but that's where the similarities end.

Dermasweep uses specially bevelled bristles to lift away dead skin. Unlike the particulate systems this doesn't scratch the new skin beneath it. Traditional microderm uses a pushing motion, Dermasweep utilizes a lifting motion, which actually promotes circulation leaving your skin more robust and glowing.

This lifting motion not only takes away the skin debris, but cleans out all the pores at the same time.



There is a selection of bristle heads for the operator to choose from, so that even those with the finest, most delicate and sensitive skin can have this treatment and love it. Ladies with very fine skin have typically been exempt from traditional microderm treatments, but now they have an option too.
The entire process is fully customizeable and can be personalized to provide the most inclusive skin care system in the world.

Traditional microderm leaves you with grit all through your hairline, inside your nose and in your ears, and frequently there is a peeling occuring a couple of days later, as well as day of treatment redness. So if you have an event you have to schedule a microderm several days out.

With Dermasweep there is no grit on the skin, in the hairline etc, so you can have a treatment on the same day as your event. Which is exactly what actresses & musicians & celebs do on the day of award shows (think Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, Music awards) and major events. And if its good enough for them, its good enough for us!
There is also no peeling and no redness. I can't even tell you how fabulous the skin looks after a treatment! I had mine three weeks ago now, and it is still absolutely glowing. (and I am soooo loving that!!!)

Dermasweep is a 2 part process. The second part of the process is an infusion. Depending on what your skin's needs are, the technician/aesthetician will create a cocktail of fabulous solutions (which are paraben free) to infuse deep into the skin with the machine. By reversing the vacuum they can send product significantly deeper into the skin than you can with a manual application.

The infusions deal with everything from hydration (me!) to acne, to sundamage to hyperpigmentation, to photo damage, to surgical scars(!!!) to uneven skin texture and many more skin conditions.

This is not me on the table, however, I was all zenned out like this lady is...

After the infusion your skin looks beyond amazing. Make up glides on smoothly and perfectly. No wonder celebs are so on top of this thing!

Depending on your skin needs you can have a course of treatments (for conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines & wrinkles, overall skin tone and texture, chronic dehydration etc) or you can have single treatments for special events.
Check out this before and after shot for fine lines and wrinkles. (Again its not me) Her skin tone and texture have evened out, and the hyperpigmentation looks like its disappearing.
Can you see how the skin looks lifted and firmed as well as smoothed?




For me the bottom line with any skin care product or skin treatment is, do I see an immediate difference in my skin? I want to see it, feel it, know it, right away.
And I'm not interested in any 5 minute miracles - I want to see continued benefit over time.

I have to say with Dermasweep I saw a drastic difference in my skin as soon as she had completed the treatment. And it is still looking that way.
People are constantly commenting on my skin too, which is always a good sign.

Dermasweep treatments are performed in dayspas and medi spas, as well as in doctors offices.

To find a Dermasweep location near you check out the website at Dermasweep.com

I honestly can't recommend strongly enough that you try this out. I love, love, love it!!!