UNDERSTANDING is the Key To Delaying the Process of AGING

Taking care of one's self is a matter of attending SCHOOL, and my institution is called the school of PERPETUAL MAINTENANCE. What classes do I recommend? ALL OF THEM. Here are the facts: aging, fine lines, loss of elasticity, loss of collagen, loss of volume, arm hair, sparse eyebrows, yada yada yada.... are INEVITABLE. The key to slowing down the inescapable evolution of self-image is education. It's about understanding what it is that one needs to do to become the best version of one's self...within your means AND within the realm of realistic expectations. Botox, fillers, retinoids, antioxidants, glycolics, cleansing, toning, teeth whitening, arm-hair removal, laser hair removal, exercise, anal bleaching....(the list goes on & on)....is ALL part of the school. The question is, do you wish to attend or not? 

SPARSE Eyebrows can mean Hypothyroidism

If you're convinced that the beauty Gods have cursed you with sparse brows, think again. If your eyebrows have always been (or have suddenly become) very sparse, PARTICULARLY the hair on the tail-end of the brows, then you may want to call an ENDOCRINOLOGIST rather than your eyebrow specialist. I see clients in my Electrology practice EVERY DAY with hair-growth-symptoms that are red flags pertaining to hormonal changes. It seems random, however, thinning eyebrows is a sign of Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Disease. And if you think that visiting your General Practioner will do, I'm telling you that it will NOT. He will most likely order a "TSH" test ("thyroid stimulating hormone", which is a standard protocol), however, there are at least 4 other hormone tests that need to be administered and can only be done so by a Physician specializing in Hormonal Imbalance.

Use a TISSUE to keep the face bacteria free

BEAUTY TIP: ...so you're soaking in the tub after a long exhausting day and you take extra special care of your face and  apply a hydrating mask; your invigorated face loves you right now because it feels oh-so-delicious! So what happens next? When you drain the water and step out of the sudsy tub? Well, you probably grab a towel to dry off...right? What about your face? Most women I speak to on a daily basis use the SAME bath or hand towel, used on their body, to dry their faces. THIS IS A FACIAL CRIME LADIES!! Don't...do not ever use a towel to dry your wet face, especially one that has been used for other parts of your body. A towel will quickly harbor bacteria which, if used on the face, will compromise the health of the skin. The solution? That's easy... use a TISSUE. A store-brand no-frills tissue will not leave fibrous specs on the face. Using a tissue to BLOT your wet face after you've cleansed it will ENSURE that your skin remains clean & bacteria free. 

UNDEREYE CIRCLES

UNDER EYE CIRCLES are yet another curse brought to us by those wicked beauty Gods. If you have them, it most likely means that another family member does as well; it's a genetic disposition. "Lightening Creams" don't actually fade the pigmentation; for the most part they contain light reflectors to create the illusion of brighter under eye skin. There are medical-aesthetic treatments, like Thermage, that can significantly reduce the appearance of under eye discoloration by stimulating the dermal layers of the skin, resulting in new collagen production. However, I would first give Retinoids a try. If used consistently, Retinoids will thicken the skin surrounding the eyes (the thinnest skin on the body) and stimulate collagen production as well. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin on the body. At .5mm, it acts like a window, reflecting all the under lying surface fluids and bone beneath the surface; those with allergies may find their under-eye area even darker, as a result of fluid build-up and nasal congestion. A great beauty tip that I often give to clients is to temporarily conceal their under eye discoloration with basic color theory. Using an orange based corrector cream or concealer will cancel-out purple/red discoloration, preparing the eye skin for your regular makeup routine (foundation and a skin-toned under-eye concealer). If you do not negate the discoloration with an orange corrector prior to applying makeup,  the resulting under eye skin tone will appear gray and ashy. There is no "cure" for under eye circles and it certainly has nothing to do with lack of sleep. A good consistent eye care routine which includes lots of moisture-rich hydration and drinking plenty of water will definitely help keep the eye skin plump and hydrated which can ultimately reduce the appearance of those unsightly shadows. 

The EYEBROW EXTENSIONS Trend

EYEBROW EXTENSIONS like these are comprised of 3D textured pigment, as well as "mink quality" hair which is meticulously placed to create a CUSTOM eyebrow. They're a fun, non-invasive, durable way to FLEEK up those sparse arches without a permanent commitment.

If you are not sure about committing to Permanant Makeup (aka: Cosmetic Tattooing) and would like to lean into it, eyebrow extensions are a great option. On average, the extensions will last up to a month without any damage to the underlying skin or hair follicle. Some other great reasons to try brow extensions are: If you're going on vacation and you don't want to fuss with your brow regime for a few weeks, if you're attending a special event and you want your brow game to be red-carpet-ready or if years of over tweezing have rendered your brows sparse and lifeless. Eyebrow extensions are an easy, relatively inexpensive way to get your brows back on track. 

For more information on eyebrow extensions, visit my website and send me a message. I'll be happy to find a brow extension stylist in your area. www.BeautyandBrowLounge.com

--CIAO for now xo

For daily beauty and skin care tips, follow me:  @Beauty and Brow Girl

FEED your Eyebrow Garden

BROW & LASH TIP: 

I've been feeding my eyebrows and lashes since I was a young Jersey girl. A nightly regime is the key to perfection and  should not be reserved for the face and  décolleté alone. 

The EYEBROWS and LASHES should be nourished and fed as thoughtfully as your skin, each night. Hair follicles are like flowers in a garden. Yes, water and sunlight will make your garden grow, but what happens when you add fertilizer to the soil? The same theory applies with hair. Stimulating the underlying skin with a spoolie brush will encourage circulation to the follicle (a good thing). After the skin is stimulated, apply a nourishing serum like my custom blended castor oil based BLACK OIL , which FEEDS the hair follicle & encourages hair growth with an infusion of rich Omega 7's & 9's. Consistency is the key to BEAUTY ON FLEEK, however. It's all about a perpetual nightly maintenance. 

The Anatomy of the EYEBROW

BROW ANATOMY: everyday I see clients in 911 mode with regard to their eyebrows. What does that mean? It means that the integrity of their "true brow" has been compromised by someone inexperienced. Eyebrows are NOT "one size fits all"; they are born with a unique and specific anatomy which belongs to the bearer.

There are four quadrants of the eyebrow (labeled in the photo). Each independent and responsible for the end result, which is ultimately a cohesive shape which balances the face, like Corinthian pillars. As you can see, the eyebrows in the photo are not balanced and are extremely sparse, particularly the front of the brow that stops short. 

Brow hair takes on average 3-6 months to grow back, however, it may take longer. There are ways to encourage hair growth, both systemically and topically. There is also a permanent fix to those inactive hair follicles, by way of permanent makeup. Bottom line, do not allow any random brow stylist to shape those precious pillars. Very few professionals are well versed in brow anatomy and most do not understand the complexity of each quadrant or the precise method to mapping-out one's true shape. Do your your homework and  get to know your eyebrow's anatomy so that you can be in  control of your eyebrow's true form.

For daily beauty tips, follow me: 

@Beauty and Brow Girl

--CIAO for now xoxo