Category Archives: Skincare

Your skin remembers everything. Take care of it!

Sunscreen Tips

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sunscreen tips
 

What to Look for in Sunscreen

By Shelley Levitt for The Style Glossy

The one essential beauty rule for your most beautiful skin: Apply sunscreen every day. You already know this, of course! But if you’ve strayed from this rule all fall and winter, now is the time to renew your pledge to protect your skin daily.

When you’re shopping for a new tube of sunscreen, you’ll notice that labels look a little different. That’s because new FDA regulations have gone into effect, making it easier to choose the right sunscreen from the scores of products on your drugstore shelf. “Not all sunscreens are created equal,” says FDA scientist Lydia Velazquez, PharmD. “Our scientific understanding has grown -- this new information will help consumers know which products offer the best protection from the harmful rays of the sun.”

Here’s what the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises you look for when shopping for sunscreen:

1. Broad spectrum:
This means a sunscreen protects the skin from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, both of which can cause cancer and premature aging.

2. SPF 30 or higher:
This lets you know the sunscreen will block 97 percent of the sun’s rays. Sunscreens with higher-number SPF block slightly more of the sun’s rays, the AAD says, “but no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the rays.” Some experts think the extra protection is worthwhile. Jessica J. Krant, a New York dermatologist and clinical professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, is among them. In the summer, she switches from an SPF 30 to an SPF 50 for daily use on her face. “Even though there is less and less of a difference with the higher SPF you get, I still want that difference,” she says. “If SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV rays and SPF 55 blocks 98%, that's over a 33 % increase in my protection from ultraviolet damage. That difference is valuable to me.”

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11 tips to help prevent wrinkles!

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11 Things you can do RIGHT NOW to prevent Wrinkles

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Bees Naturals

Press Sample
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Beautysets - Bee Naturals
 

Bee Naturals by Sian Bitner-Kearney

I was very excited when I received my samples of the Bee Naturals products in the mail last week. One because there are few things that fill me with child like excitement the way trying new samples does, and two because I’d already done my homework on the company and loved what I read. Bee Naturals not only creates and sells products derived from natural ingredients, they are also a “green chemistry” company meaning everything used to create the products and everything in the products is pure and of the highest quality. For a girl like me with sensitive skin, this little fact eased me right into the products without that, “what if it breaks me out” hesitation. The company sent me five different products to try; Facial Polish, Peeper Keeper Eye Balm, Ultimate Eye Serum, Facial Nectar, and two lipsticks in the shades “Fig” and “Chaste”.

  • FACIAL POLISH: Let’s begin with the Facial Polish. Initially I was a bit apprehensive to try this. The texture was odd and the directions claimed that you just mix a teaspoon of the polish with a facial cleanser and exfoliate daily. Because I did not have a Bee Naturals cleanser to try, I mixed the facial polish with my Oil of Olay cleanser. The results? LOVED IT! Not only did this concoction allow me to skip the 2-step process of exfoliated then cleansing, but the polish immediately rid my complexion of dull skin, blackheads, and left it looking, well… polished. This one is definitely on my list to purchase again.
  • EYE BALM: Next came the Peeper Keeper Eye Balm. The texture again was a bit odd, much like adding a lip balm to your eyes. However, it seemed to smooth out the fine lines I have under my eyes (you know, the ones that appear about 10 times larger once you add your eye concealer). Overall, I’d say even if I used my own eye cream, adding this extra step to the process gave me the eyes I had five years ago (and have been searching for ever since). Following Peeper Keeper was the Ultimate Eye Serum. The texture was light but very concentrated. In fact, one pump covered both eyes completely. This left my eyes very smooth with lines seemingly plumped without leaving behind residue, so my eye makeup stayed in place all day.
  • FACE NECTAR: Next was the Facial Nectar. Much like the eye serum, the texture was very light but concentrated. I needed only three pumps to cover my chest, neck, and face, and my skin felt moisturized all day without giving me that dreaded mid-day shine. My only complaint is that I wish it did more for my fine lines. Luckily, the company has an entire line of anti-aging products that I’m just betting would give wrinkles a run for their money!
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The Beauty Rules of Order

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The Beauty Rules of Order

By Laurie Drake for The Style Glossy

The Beauty Rules of Order

The sequence in which you apply serums, creams and cosmetics can be as important as the products themselves, so we asked a celebrity dermatologist and a makeup artist for their advice on what goes on when and why.

The Basics of Skin Care
Apply products with active ingredients that are designed to repair before you apply heavier products that protect. These “actives” include antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, peptides, vitamins and pigment lighteners. They contain molecules small enough to penetrate the outer layer of skin in order to get down to the deeper layers where they work to hydrate, brighten, smooth and firm the skin.

  • Heavier products, such as moisturizers and sunscreens, go on next because they function as shields, keeping UV rays out and moisture in, says Ava Shamban, M.D., who is the featured dermatologist on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover.”
  • “If you make the mistake of topping a sunscreen with an antioxidant serum, the serum won’t be able to sink in since the cells are already sealed,” says Shamban. In other words, access denied, no matter how pricey or terrific the product may be.

The Basics of Cosmetics

Applying cosmetics in the right order results in a natural-looking finish and streamlines the process by preventing mistakes.

  • “It has a lot to do with texture, such as not putting cream formulations on top of powdered ones,” says makeup artist Tonya Crooks, whose regular clients include Megan Fox and Fergie.
  • Using a mineral powder foundation before cream blush will look blotchy because it will be hard to blend the blush.
  • Lipstick should always go under lip gloss, so you can still achieve the shine you’re after.

Top Ten Beauty Rules of Order

Only a beauty-pageant contender would use all of the products that follow, but for purposes of illustration, here they are in their optimal order of application, after your morning cleansing routine.

1. If you use hydrating mists to plump up the skin, or gels for acne or rosacea, apply now. The mists soften the top layer of dead skin cells (the stratum corneum) and help conduct water-soluble products down to the deeper layers of skin.

2. Active ingredients in water-soluble gels and serums go on now. Examples are antioxidant serums, AHAs, peptides, vitamins C and E, ferulic acid, growth factors and pigment lighteners.

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Antiaging Makeup Tips

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By Shelley Levitt for The Style Glossy

Antiaging Makeup Tips

Antiaging Makeup Tips

With a few smart makeup techniques, you can turn back the clock. Tonya Crooks, a celebrity makeup artist and eyebrow expert, who has made the likes of Eva Mendes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Fergie and Megan Fox even more beautiful than they naturally are, shares her top five antiaging makeup tips.

1. Start with well-hydrated skin.
Makeup will go on smoother and last longer if your skin is supple and moisturized. I recommend to all my clients that they use a daily moisturizer and one at night as well. For a quick fix, applying a makeup primer under your foundation will add instant luster to your skin.

2. Don’t over-tweeze.

Look at a girl of 14 or 15 who hasn’t started tweezing her eyebrows and you’ll see brows that are healthy and full with no exaggerated arches or bald spots.  The takeaway: Less is more when it comes to achieving youthful-looking brows. Pluck stray hairs below your brow line, but don’t thin out the brows themselves. If you’re thinking about reshaping your brows, see a pro.

3. Choose creamy cheek colors.

Skip the powders and opt instead for blush and bronzer in a cream, liquid or mousse formula. Powders tend to sit on top of the skin, making your complexion look parched, while creamy textures give you a lit-from-within glow.

4. Keep eye makeup light and clean.

Dark and heavy shadows can make your eyes look sunken while lighter shades help them “pop.” You can still do a dramatic look; just focus the liner and deeper shades on the outer corners of your eyes.

5. Opt for glossy lipstick over matte. 

As we get older, our lips tend to shrink a bit. A dark matte lip color and liner will make them look even smaller. Instead, create the illusion of a plumper pout with a gloss in a light hue. And with paler colors you can go outside the borders of your lip a little. I call it cheating the edge.

Shelley Levitt, managing editor of The Style Glossy, is a former West Coast editor of Self and senior writer at People.

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Origins Earth Day Post

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To celebrate Earth Month 2013, Origins is debuting four limited edition products that provide the essential skincare prep needed for a fresh outlook. In partnership with American Forests’ Global ReLeaf; an education and action program that helps individuals, agencies and corporations improve the local and global environment by planting and caring for trees, Origins will plant a tree for each limited edition product purchased from April 21-28, 2013.

Some of my favorite Origins products:

  • GinZing – the latest addition to the collection is the Energy-boosting moisturizer which revitalizes lackluster skin and jumpstart hydration levels
  • Clear Improvement – unclog pores with this cult favorite mask, containing activated charcoal to clear skin.

6 Eco Beauty Brands for Earth Day | Shecky's

Formerly known as “Sprout,” SW is a Brooklyn-based cosmetics brand making bath and beauty products you might actually eat by mistake (and um, love, either way). From a ... Origins Ginzing Natural Deodorant from Origins ...

ReLeaf by the Numbers | American Forests

American Forests announces 25 Global ReLeaf projects for 2013 that will plant 1.8 million trees across 5000 acres in the U.S. and around the world.

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Revamp Your Skincare Routine

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winter skin care tips
 

During the ridiculously cold winter months, I always tell my clients that revamping your skincare routine is the key to fantastic looking skin that glows. Even a few minor changes can make a huge difference in your skin, and help protect it from the drying winds, and harsh weather. You can easily maximize the time you spend on your beauty habits by adding these extra products into your daily practice. I am a huge proponent of using products that give you the biggest bang for your buck, and help to keep your skin moisturized, even when you are short on time.1) Try a dry oil that works on your skin, face, and hair! Argan Oil is the newest beauty craze that has taken the industry by storm, because of its healing qualities, and superb nourishing benefits. This all-in-one elixir does wonders to replenish lost moisture, due to its extremely high levels of Vitamin E . This makes it perfect for healing many skin ailments, such as weather burn, cracked cuticles, rosacea, and more. I even use this oil on my split ends to help restore the luster in my hair. My current product of choice is the fantastic Josie Maran Argan Oil line.

2) Most people forget about taking the time in the shower to pamper yourself and care for your skin. My number-one tip is to maximize the time you spend in the shower by using a deeply nourishing body wash (that can also double as a shaving cream!). The heat and steam of the shower make it the perfect time to relax and hydrate those dry areas on our bodies that go neglected. Utilize a loofah, or sponge, and lather up with a skin softening body cleanser. My product choice is Dove Nutrium Deep Moisture Body Wash.

This post was sponsored and originally posted on www.bellasugar.com

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