Product Knowledge 101

Product Knowledge 101:

Don't get "sold" by a cosmetic salesperson.
Who doesn't have drawers or boxes full of makeup and skincare you hardly touch?
Why is this?
Because you were told it would do something for you, yet failed to meet your expectations.

Two top requested recommendations in cosmetics:

Foundation & Mascara

Foundation:

Mineral makeup: Number One Myth...
Because it says "mineral" doesn't make it a miracle. Commonly used in much of today's powders and foundations, the minerals are mainly derived from mica, and zinc oxides. Finely ground to create a temporary "glow" to the skin. It's what happens in an hour that makes all the difference. What happens when our face introduces sebum to the mix? Separation, clogging, and discoloration in skin tone. None of these powders provide a nutrient to your skin so why mask your face with it?

From soy to sea, there's nothing better for me!

Finding a foundation created from soy(T.Le Clerc), or seaweed botanics(Sue Devitt Studio, Vincent Longo water canvas) are a whole other story. These prime ingredients synthesize with our skins natural, daily, needs and functions instead of conflicting. Creating a more smooth and flawless coverage as well as a "healthy" finish!

Mascara:

Mascara madness: From CG to D&G:
Mascara packaging, (like the toothbrush), shape shifts almost daily. What's inside has hardly changed since it was invented(via 1913; Maybelline). Our makeup pros have experienced dozens of mascaras from Serge Lutens $65 mascara to Cover Girls $8 LashBlast. The only big difference is scent and the shape of the comb. Fragrances are an issue for many in light of allergies, and since mascara is practically in the eye most companies are savvy to this concern. Search for conditioning ingredients such as vitamin E(tocopherol), bees wax, soy, or Argan which provide at least some nutrients to the lashes. Otherwise, all mascaras contain preservatives to kill bacteria and prolong the life of the product.(note: throw it away after 3 months or experience flaking, itchy eyes, or even worse an eye infection). As for the shape of the lash comb; they cater to the varied shapes and lengths of our lashes. If one needs length they may want a sleek, slim-toothed comb, and if one desires fullness, look for a thick bristled comb. Last but not least an essential tool all mascara wearers should possess, a needle-toothed lash separator(Chanel). To comb out any clumps as well as shape the direction of the lash. Here's to a more enlightened cosmetic experience!

Beauty Tip Tuesday - Foundation Facts From Behind the Counter

Finding the right foundation can be one of the most challenging experiences for women. The majority of women who approach the cosmetic counter are not necessarily makeup connoisseurs. They are the uncertain and curious souls who are looking to be properly guided in finding that special item that will enhance, conceal, or remove, whatever it is about their face. Today, in the year 2010, women from the ages 16 to say 32, have grown up in a time where foundation has personality. It can be sheer, medium to full coverage. Powder, cream, wet-dry, even a mousse. Built in SPF, hydrating, or matte finish. Now, if we are women who experienced foundation for the first time before 1995, our options were quite limited to the "cakey" pink to orange ranges of pore clogging face cracking, bottled foundations. No more of that thank goodness! I continue to be approached by the nervous and base-scorned woman who still fears her foundation yet she yearns to smooth, cover, and protect her face without the appeal of a mask. Ladies I've been there and back! My first experience with foundation was 1985, I was 12 and in 7th grade. So gobbing on a bottle of Cover Girl beige/ tan foundation(when I'm white, freckly, and fuzzy), probably wasn't the best first experience. Once I hit puberty, hormones and all, still wearing Cover Girl, I experienced clogging of the pores and couldn't figure out what was causing it! I thought, "It couldn't be my foundation, I've been wearing it for years now." Cover Girl came out with an acne control foundation, so I switched formulas. Still clogged my skin and was even more cakey and had a lovely medicinal scent! It wasn't until the age of 20,(1993), that I was first introduced to another form of foundation. MAC. Suffice it to say, not a better choice. I chose Studio Fix, at the time I was promised I was investing in a quality foundation, I would never have known this product was going to asphyxiate my pores. Tiny little bumps formed all over my forehead from the mineral oils and mica in the product. Yikes! Again, I sought "professional" help with my skin care. Ehem, I believed by going to a cosmetic counter where the ladies wore white lab coats would know how to save my skin. (Little did I know that was a just a costume). A girl not much older than me sold me an astringent that practically burned my skin right off, and told me to exfoliate the bumps! I spread the acne down my face by this mistake! I suffered a good year or so with adult acne when it was simply caused by the products I was sold by an uneducated cosmetic sales girl. By some miracle I met an honest and well informed esthetician working for Shiseido. She explained to me the benefits of soap-free anti microbial cleanser and a balancing, alcohol free toner. In less than two weeks my skin was finally clear. From that day forward, no one can believe that I was ever a sufferer of acne, I vowed no longer will I be a victim of misinformation and I have found myself devoting my interests in sharing this with any and all who are interested in the truths behind the products. As an esthetician and makeup artist for almost sixteen years now, I see the importance behind knowing what's in that which we apply on our face and body, from active ingredients, where it was made, to it's expiration date. Asking questions about products before you make the investment and knowing how it will affect your skin are your best safeguards to avoiding adverse reactions and simply being happy with your purchase.

Beauty Tip Tuesday - Feb 16, 2010

Product Knowledge 101:

Don't get "sold" by a cosmetic salesperson.
Who doesn't have drawers or boxes full of makeup and skincare you hardly touch?
Why is this?
Because you were told it would do something for you, yet failed to meet your expectations.

Two top requested recommendations in cosmetics:

Foundation & Mascara

Foundation:

Mineral makeup: Number One Myth...
Because it says "mineral" doesn't make it a miracle. Commonly used in much of today's powders and foundations, the minerals are mainly derived from mica, and zinc oxides. Finely ground to create a temporary "glow" to the skin. It's what happens in an hour that makes all the difference. What happens when our face introduces sebum to the mix? Separation, clogging, and discoloration in skin tone. None of these powders provide a nutrient to your skin so why mask your face with it?

From soy to sea, there's nothing better for me!

Finding a foundation created from soy(T.Le Clerc), or seaweed botanics(Sue Devitt Studio, Vincent Longo water canvas) are a whole other story. These prime ingredients synthesize with our skins natural, daily, needs and functions instead of conflicting. Creating a more smooth and flawless coverage as well as a "healthy" finish!

Mascara:

Mascara madness: From CG to D&G:
Mascara packaging, (like the toothbrush), shape shifts almost daily. What's inside has hardly changed since it was invented(via 1913; Maybelline). Our makeup pros have experienced dozens of mascaras from Serge Lutens $65 mascara to Cover Girls $8 LashBlast. The only big difference is scent and the shape of the comb. Fragrances are an issue for many in light of allergies, and since mascara is practically in the eye most companies are savvy to this concern. Search for conditioning ingredients such as vitamin E(tocopherol), bees wax, soy, or Argan which provide at least some nutrients to the lashes. Otherwise, all mascaras contain preservatives to kill bacteria and prolong the life of the product.(note: throw it away after 3 months or experience flaking, itchy eyes, or even worse an eye infection). As for the shape of the lash comb; they cater to the varied shapes and lengths of our lashes. If one needs length they may want a sleek, slim-toothed comb, and if one desires fullness, look for a thick bristled comb. Last but not least an essential tool all mascara wearers should possess, a needle-toothed lash separator(Chanel). To comb out any clumps as well as shape the direction of the lash. Here's to a more enlightened cosmetic experience!