Perfect Skin, Easily Achieved

Do you want perfect skin like this?  Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize morning & night. Exfoliate 2-3 times per week (alternating between granular & AHA exfoliators) and get a professional facial every 30-90 days, depending on the severity of follicle congestion. Hair follicles MUST be perpetually cleansed to avoid debris and bacteria from setting-up camp. The "T" in tone keeps your skin's pH in check (should be a 5.5 on the acid scale.....1 being most acidic, 9 being alkaline). You do NOT need fancy gimmicks or a magic wand....all you need to know, as a foundation for healthy, beautiful skin, is CTM. Tip: don't spend your money on fancy cleansers. As a rule of thumb, whatever gets washed down the drain, should be what you spend the LEAST amount of money on (I swear by Cetaphil, found in your local market). Invest your money in quality serums, eye creams and facial creams. Whatever STAYS on your face (particularly the products closest to your skin) should be the highest quality products. For example, purchase a high quality Retinol serum, but don't be as picky about your contour powder....the serum sits directly on the skin, the powder sits on top of the serum, face cream and foundation. Oh, and DON'T forget the sunscreen folks. I recommend a 30 broad spectrum for DAILY use (yes even in winter). 

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#CleanseToneMoisturize #CTM #FlawlessSkin #PerfectSkin #SkinCare #HowToCareForYourSkin #Sunscreen #Facials #KeepSkinClean #Cetaphil #FaceCreams #FacialSerums #CareForTheSkinYouveGot

Chin Acne & Facial Hair = Hormonal Imbalance

Clients often come to me to address the acne on their CHIN. Hormonal disorders, in women, often manifest themselves in the form of acne, as well as facial-hair growth (usually on the chin as well). Elevated levels of testosterone (yes the MALE hormone) may be to blame. In many cases, adult women usually visit their Dermatologists for treatment. It sounds logical right? If you have a skin condition, visit the skin doctor.  Well, if you have a hormonal imbalance, treating the underlying hormonal condition rather than the acne bacteria, will usually treat the acne. In other words, treat the ROOT of the problem first. In most cases, treating hormonal acne with "acne medication" is typically in-affective.  Therefore, if you suspect a hormonal imbalance based on what your CHIN is telling you, then visit an Endocrinologist (or at least have your doctor check your blood for elevated levels of androgen hormones). If your acne is concentrated on your chin and lower facial region, that tells me it may be hormonal. If you add chin-hair growth to that, then the probability that it's hormone related, is even higher. Conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common endocrine disorders, will cause hormonal changes resulting in breakouts and facial hair-growth (usually within the lower facial and even the CHEST region....yes, chest). In many cases, doctors usually prescribe birth control pills (to regulate the androgen hormones) or Spironolactone. Understanding the signs that your body is communicating to you (via your FACE & CHIN) and dressing the UNDERLYING issue, will usually clear up the problem without an "acne" protocol treatment. 

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#ChinAcne #HairGrowthOnTheChin #Hormones #HowHormonesAffectSkin #HormoneRelatedAcne #Acne #TreatingAcne #AdultAcne #PolycysticOvarianSyndrome #PCOS #Endocrinologist #FacialHairGrowthOnWomen #ChestHairOnWomen

DIY Body Scrubs

I often talk about the importance of EXFOLIATION. Granular scrubs should be a staple in every shower and tub! Whether using salt or sugar, make sure the granules aren't too abrasive (I prefer the "superfine" varieties) and AVOID using body scrubs on the face. Facial skin is unique & requires less aggressive exfoliation. Body scrubs are easy and fun to make. With some simple store bought ingredients and a decorative plastic container, you can make your own (do I hear last minute gift idea?!!). Here are a few to get you started:

Olive, Coconut, Almond or Jojoba Oils can be used interchangeably in any of these scrubs...

1. "Citrus Lime Scrub"

1 cup coconut oil, 

2 cups superfine "caster" sugar or fine sea salt. If you can't find the superfine variety, simply pulse some granulated sugar in a food processor. Add the zest of one lime (or lemon) and 1 tsp of grapefruit or orange essential oil. Mix all together & store in a 12 oz container.  (for legs, heels, décolleté & arms).

2. "Lemon Sugar Scrub"

2 cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of whole oats (ground in a food processor), 1/2 cup of almond oil, the zest of one lemon & 2 TBSP of lemon juice. (for legs, heels, décolleté & arms) 

3. "Peppermint LIP Scrub"

2 TBSP jojoba oil, 4-4 TBSP superfine sugar & a few drops of peppermint extract. Massage into lips for 15 seconds & rinse off.

4. "Lavender Sea Salt Scrub" (for legs, heels, décolleté & arms)

1/2 cup fine Sea Salt, 1/3 cup of almond oil, 1 TBSP dried lavender, 1 tsp lavender essential oil. 

5. "Honey-Lime Sea Salt Scrub"

1/2 cup of coconut oil, 

1/2 cup of organic honey, 

2 cups of fine sea salt, 

the zest of one lime, 1 tsp of rosemary (finely pulsed in a food processor, 1 tsp citrus essential oil. Happy Exfoliating!

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#BodyScrubs #DIYBodyScrubs #exfoliate #Exfoliation #LipScrub #SkinCare #TakeCareOfYourSkin #SloughAwayDeadSkin #KeratosisPolaris

Keep Follicles Clean by EXFOLIATING!

Think of your skin as a SCREEN or a sieve. If the tiny holes are blocked, nothing can pass through, right? The same theory applies to skin. Your pores are the gateway for hair, sebum, sweat & oxygen. If these hair follicles are clogged, it's a recipe for epidermal disaster. In addition, serums & creams will have zero affect if your pores are not maintained, because they will NOT be able to penetrate into the skin! Think about it...if the screen is crusty & clogged, nothing can pass through. What can you do to prevent this from happening? EXFOLIATE 2-3 times per week. Whether you use a granular scrub or an AHA or BHA acid wash, exfoliation is the key to healthy vibrant skin. Treatments like 

micro-dermabrasion and professional peels are fantastic (for most --not all--skin types), however, you MUST maintain an at-home regimen and not depend on your quarterly treatments. Exfoliation sloughs the dead skin cells away, it incorporates oxygen into the hair follicles and, most importantly, it will allow your skin to drink-up those fancy serums of yours. For more on the proper way to exfoliate skin, visit my blog post "Exfoliate".

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#Exfoliate #SloughAwayDeadSkin #Scrubs #GranularScrubs #GlycolicAcidWash #SalicylicAcidWash #AHA's #BHA's #KeepSkinAcidicAndOxygenated 

Treat Acne & Rosacea GENTLY

LISTEN UP! If you have a chronic inflammatory skin condition such as type 3-4 acne, or Rosacea, you need to kindly follow these instructions:  Reserve the granular scrub for your FEET, cancel that Micro-Derm and Chemical Peel session with your Esthetician and make an appointment with your Dermatologist STAT! The last thing you want to do is aggravate the situation with abrasives or acids. Acne occurs when bacteria invades the hair follicle and causes an infection.  It is NOT caused directly from oil. A prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide cream, or an oral anti-biotic may me needed. You never want to attempt to treat conditions like this yourself, unless you've consulted with a doctor. Not following-up with a recommended doctor may lead to scarring and you do NOT want that. As an Esthetician myself, I am emphatic about the need for a deep-cleansing facial, at least every 2-3 months, for optimum skin maintenance. However, do NOT expect the Esthetician to provide you with a treatment protocol for your type 2-3 acne or Rosacea, unless SPECIFICALLY ordered by a Dermatologist. If she does? I recommend finding another Facialist for the sake of your skin's health. For more on how to care for actinic skin (including type 1-2 acne), visit my beauty blog post "Acne: Be Proactive"

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#Acne #TreatingAcne #NeverUseGranularScrubsOnAcne #Dermatologist #BenzoylPeroxide #keepskinbacteriafree #KeepSkinAcidic #KeepSkinOxygenated #Rosacea

Chic Side Braid

What makes this loose side-braid look so chic? The key is the THICKNESS.  Unless you have über-thick hair , you'll need to add some clip-in extensions to avoid channeling Pippy Longstocking. Clip-ins are super easy to use and can be purchased at any beauty supply. I recommend the human-hair versions....yes, more expensive, but they'll blend in seamlessly and look natural. Clip-in extensions are what Martha would call a "good thing" 😉 

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#ClipInExtensions #HairExtensions #TemporaryHairExtensions #Braid #SideBraid #ChicHairStyle #MarthaStewart

Contouring Facial Angles

Beauty Tip: For defined facial angles, you must CONTOUR. Wherever you place a shadow, you must place a highlight next to it. So if you're defining your cheekbones, make sure that you place a highlight just below, in the hollow of your cheeks. Contour is easily achieved, does not take much time & will make all the difference. 

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#Contour #Cheekbones #Highlight #HighlightTheCheekbones #DefineCheekbones #HillsAndValleysOfTheFace #ContourPowderToDefinesFacialAngles #ContouringDefinesTheFace