How To Calm Sensitive Skin

Very few people have truly sensitive skin - the kind that frequently itches, goes red and mildly burns, but many people suffer from occasional irritation, or build up an increased sensitivity over time caused by an overload of ingredients that compromise the skin's barrier.

In order to treat ingredient sensitivity, you first have to figure out which ingredients you are actually sensitive to.

Start by temporarily abandoning anti aging and acne products with high concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid), retinol, vitamin C or benzoyl peroxide. You may be having a reaction to that specific ingredient, or it may just be that the concentration of it in the product you are using is too intense for your skin type.
Removing these products from your daily skin care regimen, and then slowly adding them back in once your skin has completely cleared up should give you an indication of what it is that you are reacting to.

Another key area that is the frequent culprit when it comes to irritated skin is the choice of cleanser.
Don't ever use regular bar soap on your face, especially if you are experiencing irritation or sensitivity.
Change out your current cleanser for a mild cleanser with dimethicone or glycerin that is labeled "fragrance free". Products marked "unscented" frequently have a masking fragrance in them, and fragrances are frequently the cause of the irritation.

Re-analyze your skin type, or have a professional do it for you. Often you'll find that your skin care needs have changed, or that you are using the wrong product for your skin type. Most commonly women will have a shiny nose, or have a small area that is prone to blackheads or mini breakouts, and they will assume they have oily skin and start using a cleanser that is too severe for them, and starts stripping their skin, thus making it irritable and sensitive.




Stop using exfoliants for a while, especially abrasive scrubs. These can really irritate the skin, and keep it feeling sensitive. 

Be super gentle with your complexion! Dont use hot water - use tepid/luke warm water when washing your face.
Don't scrub with a rough washcloth, instead rinse with water.

Look at the makeup products you are using. Have they past their best by date?  Sometimes it can be the foundation or the powder you are using that is setting your skin off.
Are you keeping your makeup brushes and sponges clean? Using dirty tools, or storing your makeup products in an unclean area can also lead to skin issues.

image courtesy of blogs.smarter.com

Are you using a daily moisturizer? Skin needs hydration and protection every day. Use a moisturizer that is fragrance free, has a broad spectrum SPF 30 and is designed for sensitive skin.
If you are prone to redness use one that contains fever few, bisabolol (derived from chamomile) or licochalcone (derived from licorice) to calm skin.
If your moisturizer doesn't contain a good sunscreen, apply a facial sunscreen that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (less likely to irritate skin) over your moisturizer.

image courtesy of skincareihub.com

At night time apply a moisturizer to clean skin. Look for a lotion with ceramides, which help repair the skin's barrier.
If you are fighting breakouts apply a topical solution that contains no more than 2% salicylic acid to the affected area only.
 

MAC Prep + Prime and Quite Cute

Here are some new releases from makeup power house MAC.

M∙A∙C owns the primers category. Now they’re taking Prep + Prime further than ever. Use it under, over, during, after makeup application, and marvel at the ease with which it can accept concealer, cooperate with color.

And now, with NEW PREP + PRIME VIBRANCY EYE, P + P advances eyes, focuses potential. A lightweight, quick fix AND long-term solution for puffy, tired-looking creases and bags that targets the three main causes for dark under eye circles – pigmentation, visibly weakened capillaries and shadowing – while illuminating the eye area with optical effects for instant luminosity. Vibrancy Eye provides pick-me-up power and hydration. One step and you’re prepped for makeup magic. A wonderful NEW shaded highlighter debuts with this collection – PREP + PRIME HIGHLIGHTER is lush and cushioney, yet lightweight – in wonderful hues that provide a sheer wash of color to highlight, brighten and perfect. The click “pen” allows for exact application.

MAC Quite Cute. Available April 7, 2011 through May 2011.

I bet  this shoot was crazy fun!

QUITE CUTE via MAC Cosmetics:
“CUTE!” The most fanciful, fun and flattering compliment a young, modern trendsetter could ever want! Their version is the girliest kind of international glam possible, a style ride that combines postage-stamp-sized puppies with pixie swizzle-stick fashion and butterfly kisses for cute boys and even cuter shoes!

Cupcake icing colors, vintage romance, an ATM card with Hello Kitty on it – and a way of life that says “yes!” to everything adorable! Come on, get happy, with the multi-culti cutie, from Tokyo to Toronto to Paris with love! Pastel shades for Eye Quads, Lipstick, Plushglass and Nail Lacquer…And, due to popular demand, we’re completely cute-ifying three favorite Lip Pencil shades from last season that will join the fun and frolic. Flash! You’ll ♥ the Mineralize Blush with the sweet heart baked right into it. If it shines, shimmers and pops it’s completely, contagiously, cute!

Selah Marley Teen Vogue

You could say that Selah Marley was destined for something special.
Daughter of Lauren Hill and granddaughter of Bob Marley (father is Marley's son Rohan), Selah is finding her way to the spotlight, at only 12 years old.

A straight A student who plays violin, piano, basketball and does gymnastics and ballet, Selah is now adding modeling to her youthful resume, with her Teen Vogue debut.

 Read her Teen Vogue interview and story here

Remember the gorgeousness that was Lauren Hill?

 No wonder Selah has modeling in her future - look at her mother!

Her Album The Miseducation Of Lauren Hill is still one of my all time favorites

Kiera Knightley 2011 Coco Chanel Mademoiselle Campaign.

This week Chanel released its new Coco Chanel Mademoiselle fragrance campaign starring Keira Knightley.

The iconic images were photographed by Mario Testino.

The campaign features a highly anticipated mini movie shot by Joe Wright, who directed Knightley both in Pride and Prejudice and in Atonement.



In the movie, Knightley reprises her role as Coco Chanel, this time dressed in a beige motorcycle suit designed by Karl Lagerfeld, and takes us through the streets of Paris from the Place Vendome to the Place de la Concorde.



The soundtrack to the mini movie is James Brown's "Its A Man's Man's World" soulfully performed by Joss Stone

Here's a little behind the scenes video



For more images and videos check out The Chanelphile HERE

Selena Gomez in Emilio Pucci

How gorgeous does Selena Gomez look here???

This was actually from last week before her appearance on Late Night With David Letterman. Wearing a leather and lace Emilio Pucci mini, Gomez looks elegant, chic and very self assured.
While other starlets are perpetually flashing what they've got, pushing the teen boundaries of raunch and risque, Selena always seems to look pulled together and camera ready.
Do you just love her makeup??

She also looks gorgeous here with the ever brilliant Ellen DeGeneres, who calls her out on the whole Justin Bieber thing...
Love you Ellen!!

Too Fabulous To Hide!!

Look at these fabulous new cosmetic bags from Stephanie Johnson!!

Do you just LOVE???

This is the Madrid Collection, now available in nude. I am obsessed.

Stephanie has made a playful nod to the romance and drama of Spanish Flamenco with nylon rosettes in a delicate buff. A gold zipper with a metallic gold tab zipper pull, and a charmingly romantic coral nylon liner make these bags super luxe as well as super gorgeous.

Far too lovely to be kept indoors, I am actually using mine as evening bags!

The smaller Ava bag is just big enough to fit your cell phone, money, breath mints and hot fuchsia lipstick. It will fit in your handbag, but for a night out why bother? It looks so delicious on its own!!

The larger Greta bag is the perfect size to fit everything a girl needs to get super glam.

Either use it to hold all your makeup items, or, use it as a super sexy clutch for evening!
Both bags are a simple zip around clutch style, without compartments.

Stephanie Johnson Madrid Collection in Glamour Magazine

Also available in super hot pink (also obsessed!) the Madrid bags have caught the eye of beauty editors all over.

Stephanie Johnson Madrid Collection in Teen Vogue

Find these bags (and many more) at www.StephanieJohnson.com

Rihanna Covers Vogue's Shape Issue

Annie Liebovitz shot the fabulously hot Rihanna for Vogue Magazine's 10th Shape issue.

Can you even believe that body???

With a face that is perfection and a gazelle like body that just doesn't quit, Rihanna freely expresses herself via an assortment of bold and fun wigs, and a fashion sense that is bold and, well, forward to say the least!

The accompanying article with this pictorial is both engaging and interesting, covering everything from her upcoming role in the $200 million movie Battleship, (which is her first foray into acting), diet and exercise, and a funny insight to her people watching skills.
Read the article, Rihanna Living Out Loud HERE

There is also a behind the scenes video
Don't you just love her accent???