Tips and Tricks for Clear Skin After the Holiday Season

After all the holidays, between the drinking, diet out the window, staying up late, etc., my skin begins to ... well lets just say it sometimes looks less than appealing. So what to do when you end up getting those breakouts? Here are my top tips to get you back to lovely.

1. Make sure to wash your face twice a day. As basic as this sounds, we are all guilty of doing it. The more that you can make it part or you daily routine, the better off you will be.

2. Skin tends to go through some major changes during the Winter months. Aka, it gets drier. I cannot stress this enough, but exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. I personally find that because the amountof sunlight is far less here in Michigan, that my skin tend to be a little bit more delicate. A liquid exfoliant, applied at night does wonders. Remember to apply 2/3 times a week, roughly everyother day, and watch your skin transform.

3. Drink plenty of water. This will help your body to naturally flushout the toxins, and help to also bring back a healthy look to your skin.

4. Change your pillowcase nightly. People try to tell me all the time that they know how they sleep. Um...okay ... Unless you have a video of you sleeping. When we have blemishes on our face, bacteria cnan get released onto your pillowcase, pr fitted sheet. Though this trink will not get rid of a blemish overnight, it will lessen how long they last, and put an end to migrating blemishes across your face.

 5. Get a clay masque. Clay masques are a great way to spot check your skin. They will help to dry the blemish up, with out over drying. And they are safe enough to leave on oner night. Apply a thing layer over blemish (you should almost beable to see the skin through it) and wah la!!! Try Bioelements Restorative Clay Masque.

6. The power of salicylic acid. This powerful ingredient is an antimicrobial. What does that mean? It is an antiseptic ingredient, fungicide and skin-sloughing ingredient. All-in-all it exfoliates pore-clogging dead skin cells, and does wonders for treating acneic skin. Looking for cleansers, toners and spot treatments with the ingredient will help to get your skin quickly back under control. Try Bioelements Acne Line. I have never seen anything work so quickly for my clients. I have had clients come in for a 60 minute facial, with horrible acne breakouts, and by the end of the facial you can actually watch them clear up. AH MAZ ING!!! I always keep this at my house in case of emergencies!!!

7. Never ever pick at a blemish. Leave it to the professionals. The amount of damage that you can do to your skin by popping one zit in phenomenal. Not only for the present time, but also later on down the road. If the pore itself ruptures, bacteria can spread deeper into the dermis and cause even more issues...eww. If this doesn't scare you enough yet, at least avoid the eye area. The skin is far to delicate. I have seen people that have applied so much pressure to a blemish, that they have given themselves black eyes. No bueno!!!

I could go on forever, but these are my key tips and tricks to get you started. Please comment and subscribe. I would love to hear any questions that you might have for me. Cheers!

Sitting at the computer all day is not only bad for you, but also for your skin.

Did you know that sitting inside all day at a computer screen is almost as bad for your aging skin, as tanning in the sun. FACT: Indoor lighting and computer screens are all unknown age accelerators. If it isn't one thing it is something else. So now what is a girl to do???

An ingredient call Lutein is an excellent way to help to slow down the over all process.

Where does Lutein come from? Luein is extracted from Marigold petals and leafy green vegetables.

What does it do? Lutein has the ability to hydrate, improve elasticity, protects against light induced damage and smoothes the skin. All-in-all it protects our skin against indoor environmental assaults. Lutein filters out the blue rays from artificial lighting, provides high impact hydration and restores skin's protective barrier.

Who is Lutein recommended for? People suffering from dehydration, surface wrinkles and dullness in their complexion.

Bioelements makes an superb product called Lutein Indoor Prodective Day Creme. In fact, it was recently awarded the New Beauty Best Choice Award for best innovation.

What else is included in this treatment moisturizer? Beta Glucan, derived from yeast cells, increases skin's resistanc e to oxidative stress. Sweet Almond and Jojoba Oils, natural oils that smooth and soften skin, while locking in your skins natural moisture.

Check out Bioelements.com for more details. Available online and at finer Esthetic Spas.

69th Golden Globes

In my eyes the Golden Globes tends to be one of the most understated awards show of the season. By that I mean ... Yes, it is still a Hollywood based awards show. Everyone is very glammed up. The dresses are amazing, the hair fabulous, the makeup ... Understated !!!! Must to my dismay, the makeup this year was a little less than pleasing. As always, the celebrites skin looked flawless. But under all of the lights and and the pale coloring of clothes, to me the makeup choices needed to be amped up just a little bit to really show off their features. Now don't get me wrong, the few that did make my list looked amazing from head to toe. Charlize Therone, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Beckensale, Natalie Portman and Madonna. Forgive me if I forgot a few names, but what did you think? What would you have changed about their looks? Who did you like the best?

If there are any specific makeup looks that you like in particular let me know, and I will show you how to recreate them. Don't FORGET to comment and subscribe. I love feedback and questions.

Spring is in the Air ?!??!!

Okay, so as I look outside and watch the snow slowly fall to the ground, it suddenly dawns on my that Spring is only a few months away. (This totally gives you a little bit of an insight to my personality, HAHA!!!) And with the onset of Spring/Summer, comes slinky outfits, sunshine and weddings.

I have to say that as a Makeup Artist, Wedding Season is my favorite season of them all.  There is nothing quite like making someone feel like they are totally the most beautiful person on the planet. But the first step in guaranteeing that beautiful outcome is caring for your skin first and foremost. Nothing is more difficult than having to hide a magnitude of sins on someones big day. As an Esthetician, I came up with my Bridal Bootcamp, which is a series of facials designed with the perfect timing to get my Brides totally prepped for their big day.

But, what I wanted to share with you today is a simple way for you to make a huge change in your every appearance. One of the first places that our bodies age, is the neck and decollete area. Freckles, deeper neck lines and rough texture all add a few years to our magic number each year. You can try lightening creams, thicker lotions and exfoliating, or you can just try Bioelements V-Neck Smoothing Creme.

What it is: A non-greasy formula designed to repair deep neck creases, freckles on your chest, and rough, weathered skin- cleavage-to-chin. Fueled with potent anti-wrinkle peptides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and powerful pigment lightener.

What it does: Instant results include smoother skin with improved texture and tone. When used faithfully, you'll experience a fading of freckles, less depth to neck creases and younger-looking v-area skin.

Here are the key ingredients and what they each do:  
ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE:  Line depth-reducing 
ALPHA ARBUTIN: Pigment Lightening 
SODIUM HYALURONATE: Moisture-binding

Try it out for sure. I have been using it religiously for a year and have noticed a HUGE difference!!!

Boyne Highlands or Bust NYE !!!

So as a giant surprise, Mike decided to surprise me for Christmas with a weekend filled with wonder, mystery, and busting my ass down the hill learning to snowboard for the first time. Boyne Highlands here we come. My nerves are kicking me with anticipation before we head out.

As a first timer to any ski resort I have obviously began by over packing. Snowboarding wear that is. That stuff takes up so much room I cannot believe it! What I have decided to share is how I have chosen to get all of my belongings, including my gear, into a carry-on luggage bag and a small gym duffel bag. Trust, I even really impressed myself.

Cardigans and belts are key. They are the easiest way to look chic. I only packed 1 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of leggings. Obviously for day and nighttime looks. My two cadigans/open sweaters will easily transition me from day to evening looks. By belting them, it instantly dresses up the outfit. Add heels and you are ready to go to the bar. Add my cool railroad looking boots, and you have an amazing daytime look. It reminds me of traveling to Sundance.

Leggings and jeggings are always a lifesaver. They condense down and are far less bulky than jeans and just as warm.

1 pair of statement boots. My Ugg Fuzzy Momma boots are a must! Not only do they bring out some weird carnal desire in most men, but when are fuzzy boots on a ski slope not appropriate. I plan on wearing these out with sweater tights and a super cute swing dress for new years.

As far as makeup goes, I have to make sure not to bring everything. As whenever I have done this I have lost items. So my MAC pick four palate is amazing. And no one in Northern Michigan wears a crazy smokey eye. So flawless beauty is a must. I picked 3 shades of golds and peaches and one brown (cork, my go to MAC color). These will make creating a "I just wake up looking flawless" look really easy. My Mirabella quick ink liquid liner and mascara. I hate waterproof mascara so I tinted my lashes black for daytime on the snow. A light pink blush, in a rosy gold color, to give me a glow. Laura Mercier tinited moisturizer, the buildable coverage allows you to leave the concealer at home.

And Mirabella Illumintaing dusting powder, the shimmer will be great to give me a dewy glow in frigid weather.

So outside of telling you about all the rest of my snowgear and pj's, that's all folks. Hot outfits and cool weather. I am hoping for lots of snow, warm laughs and a kiss that will make my melt. Cheers to everyone in the new year and I will post pictures soon.

Save your skin this season ... Easy steps for perfect skin during the Winter months

The Winter months are hard on everyone. Lack of sunlight, cold weather and exceptionally dry air are just a few things that can add to a less than perfect look. Add in the Holidays (aka major changes in our diet and lifestyles) and many of us begin to become less than pleased with our appearance. Here are a few steps to ensure a pleasant glow all year long.

1. Exfoliate your skin ! This is key... There is no point in trying to hydrate dry dead skin cells on your face. You want to treat the fresh skin underneath. Exfoliating 2-3 times a week (try every other day) religiously, will improve the overall appearance. It refines the texture, takes years off, and allows you to treat problem areas at a quicker rate. If you tend to get a reddness after exfoliating, try either a liquid exfoliant or doing it before bed. ALWAYS REMEMBER to tone afterwards !!!!

2. How to deal with dry skin ! First understand what dry skin is. Dry skin has EVERYTHING to do with a lack in oil and NOTHING to do with water. Oil is the key to keeping your skin looking young. It is a minconception that oil will cause your skin to breakout...so change the way you think. Heavier lotions or nighttime lotions are all worth the investment this time of year. A good lotion will include an ingredient called Jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is the closest thing to your skins natural oil (sebum). Thus it will actually treat you dry skin.

3. Read the ingredients ! Stay away from product that contain anything petroleum based. (Vaseline, Petroleum Jelly, Baby Oil, Mileral Oil) Though your skin will feel like it is silky smooth, it does the opposite. Petroleum oil creates a barrier so that oxygen cannot hit your skin, thus it will dry it out even more. I could get on a soap box and state how horrible these ingredients are, but for now I will save my breath.

4. Stop taking super hot showers ! Though they feel good as they warm you up, steam will actually dry your skin out after about 7 minutes. Turn the water temperature down. It is better for your budget anyway.

5. Stay away from self-tanners ! Don't get me wrong, I too love a healthy glow. But, talk about being able to tell you are using something. If you cannot give up the self tanner, mix it with moisturizer. It will cut down how dark you get. Better yet, get a really light bronzer. Dusty is appropritely to contour your face and body. A light golden color is more than enough.

6. Last, but not least...What to do with chapped lips ! Exfoliate then treat. How simple is that. Make up a sugar paste at home and exfoliate away. Jojoba oil and sugar is awesome. And super gentle to the skin. In fact, you can use it over your whole body. The jojoba oil will treate the skin and the sugar will exfoliate the dry dead skin cells aways. I will post a youtube video of awesome lip balms you can make at home. Yummy yum yum!!!

Hope this helped. And enjoy the season.

Ageless Skin at any Age

Okay, so I know that it has been awhile, but I have finally found time and regrouped. I guess that just shows you how busy my life has become. It's all about priorities. (At least that is what my mother says. Haha).