New Products and You

Do you ever want to start a new skin care routine and you are too afraid to because you think that you may "breakout" or have a "reaction"?

What about reading all the articles on the internet that you're researching because you are unsure which line to go with and you hear all the bad reviews and it puts bad ideas in your head?

Well to be perfectly honest, once you start a new product, your layers of your skin go through what is call "Cell Turnover". Cell turnover is a regeneration process that happens every 28-30 days and it results in the old dead and damaged skin cells being pushed to the surface of your skin so the new skin cells can now start to build from the inside out. Once the old dead and damaged cells have surfaced to the top layer of your skin, it could result in a minor breakout, rough skin texture, redness, and even just a lack of radiance or dull complexion.

We have all started something new and once you see a "reaction" or something that didn't seem "normal" you instantly think it isn't for you or you are allergic to it. Which in the end, most times, is the wrong solution. It's just your skin pushing out the bad and accepting and repairing the new developing skin cells and replenishing your moisture barrier.

Next time you are trying something new you need to give it at least 35-50 days to get the full value and the full result of your product. Open mind and patience is a huge part of introducing anything new to your skin. If you aren't confident in the new product, research it beforehand, visit the consumers website, company's website and even call the consumer line and talk to a highly accredited dermatologist. They are there for a reason.

Just continue your normal skin care routine of cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturizing and radiance will begin to show through as the healthy skin cells of your epidermis pull through.

The Simple Daily Routine

The most important things that will have you feeling amazing and healthier in your daily life!

* Keep your hydration up! Drink lots of water and if you don't like plan water, try Coconut Water! Great replacement and full of healthy nutrients and benefits!

* Eat natural sugars, so load up on fruits and vegetables in replace of artificial sugars! When cravings hit, grab a piece of fruit or a few vegetables.

* Cleanse your skin daily 2x a day minimum

* Moisturize accordingly to your skin type.

* Make it a routine to exfoliate 2x a week to get rid of dead skin cells and introduce a fresh, healthy layer of skin to the surface and have a beautiful glow to your skin.

The biggest mistake the average person makes when it comes to their Skincare routine is consistency!  For a balanced and fresh look you should make sure to cleanse 2x a day, moisturize 2x a day and exfoliate 2-3x a week depending on your skin's condition.

Natural Nail Strengthening Treatment

Are you finding that your natural nail is brittle and soft? 

Do they break real easy when doing your daily tasks?

Well I have a natural remedy to help with those issues!

All you need is:

20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
15 drops of Carrot Essential Oil
13 drops of Grapeseed Essential Oil
13 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
13 drops of Avocado Essential Oil
2 ounces of Jojoba Essential Oil

Blend all oils together and keep in a light-sensitive container or bottle (dark colour works great) with a dropper. Use it on the nail after you polish the nail or after you moisturize your hands. Give it time to settle into the nail bed and the cuticle before washing hands and doing your daily tasks. For best results, do it before you fall asleep at night. You are giving your hands a rest so the oils have more of a chance to absorb into the nail bed.

Enjoy!!

Skin Consulting 101

I would like to take a moment to discuss something that is very important to myself as well as the clients I work with everyday.

It is called a Skin Consultation. One of the MOST IMPORTANT steps in finding a solution for clients who need direction on their skin care routine.

I cannot stress this enough in my everyday life especially when I have clients approaching me, asking me things like;

* "This cream is making me breakout"
* "I am finding that this product is burning my skin"
* "I don't know how to use this"
* "What is this suppose to do for my skin again?"

The question I ask them is, " Did someone sit down with you and do a skin care consultation?" And 8/10 times they say no and have no idea what a skin care consultation is.

As a professional, you have to recommend products for clients everyday. Also, you have to make sure it is going to work for them before they walk away from you. It is so important to learn about their skin as well as educating them on procedures, techniques and solutions to help them get back to a state of mind that they feel comfortable with themselves.

I see too may Consultants that just spend 2-5 minutes with a client and then a week later that client comes back with one of the questions quoted above. You are only taking credit off of yourself as well as losing the confidence that the client saw in you.

If I was to walk into a place that sold products and someone took the time out of their day to understand my needs and wants then I would forever remember that experience, oppose to walking in, being recommended to use a certain item, take it home and have a reaction right away. And don't forget I would then have to take time again out of my day to deal with the issue, that could've been avoided.

Treat others how you would like to be treated in situations because it gives you a true appreciation of the industry and of the person.

Find out what the needs, wants and outcomes your clients have laid out and educate them on how they can reach those goals. They are putting their trust in you so you need to show them.

Create a relationship with your clients, it is #1.

To Streak or Not To Streak?

The headline caught your attention didn't it? I thought so!

We all know that summer is here and we need to touch up our wonderful non-tans from the winter sun so what better way, then to do it yourself at home where no UV lights or artificial lighting are involved?

A great sunless tanning lotion and it can be used by both women and men! So men, let your guard down!!

But the question I always get asked is, "How do you apply it so flawlessly without getting the horrible streaks going every which way on your body?"

Well some would say just go and get a base tan at a tanning salon which is not the answer. But a great way to ensure you get a well balanced sunless tan is to exfoliate really well with a full body exfoliant and a dry brush. By working the exfoliant into the skin with the dry brush you are only increasing your chances of removing dead skin cells and debris and enhancing your skin's radiance and balance.

Here is an analogy for you to envision:

"When you used to sit in a classroom and your teacher used to write on the chalkboard for almost 2 hours and all you did all class was take notes. The teacher started with a bare, clean slate which you were able to see the words clearly and looked nice right? Well once the teacher used the chalk brush to remove the first part of the note and left behind the old chalk and yet, wrote over top of it, you had a hard time reading what they wrote because you have the excess debris left behind." 

So what I am trying to say is, exfoliate your skin regularly so that your new skin cells can breathe properly and when you remove the dead debris and cells you will have a easy application of the sunless tanning lotion. I am not guaranteeing that you will not have streaks because unfortunately sometimes you cannot get away from that because the colour takes time to develop but you will know the areas that are streaky and you can tackle those within 6 hours to a day.

 There is no specific exfoliant that I recommend because everyone is different so you need to find one that works well for your skin type! As well as sunless tanning lotion, you want to go with the lightest shade to your skin colour because then you will gradually gain colour as you use the product. But you just have to use your own discretion.

Always apply sunscreen before stepping foot outside as well. It is very safe to apply it over top of your colour so dont think that it isn't. Your sunless lotion is NOT going to save you from the UV Rays or the potential of skin cancer. Be aware of the elements and be smart!

Here is to an amazing Summer, Beautiful Skin, Smiling Faces and Warm Sun!

The How To Deal With Blocked Pores In Everyday Life Resulting in Milia

Now a lot of you are probably thinking what is that five letter word? I have never heard of that word before! And you probably have that confused look on your face. But wait, I will explain it is a language we all can understand! :)

Do you ever wonder what those tiny white bumps on your face are? They show up under your eyes, beside your nose, chin, cheeks, and even along your hair line? Well that is what we call milia. (pronounced Meal-lee-ah). Now I know some of you are saying, "oh yeah i know what that is now!" or "i am still not following what that is!"

Milia- milia is a superficial cyst filled with dead skin cells and debris. Which is sometimes called a small calcium deposit under the skins layers. 

Also, if you have developed them along the hairline then it is from excess amount of hair products either not washed out enough or it has made contact with your skin and throughout the day you perspire which can cause a blocked pore. The only way to safely remove them is to use a lancet. (Lancet is an instrument that has a sharp end, but is not a needle and is only to be used by a Certified/ Licenced Skin Therapist.)

If you have no time to see a professional then you are able to exfoliate the areas of concern by yourself at home, just it may take a bit longer to get rid of them. Next time you schedule a facial ask your therapist what they would recommend and if they can look at any milia you may have.

To keep your pores and skin hydrated make sure you are drinking lots of water!

Enjoy!!

Always Cleanse Before Exfoliating

Cleansing your face before you exfoliate it it a big must!

Why you ask?

Think for a minute here, you start your morning off by washing your face, applying your moisturizer and makeup, go on with your day. Once you step outside you are exposing yourself to all the elements in the air (pollution, exhaust fumes in the air, cold air, warm air, etc.). So keeping that in mind, when your day is complete and you are ready to do your nightly skin care routine, and you go to exfoliate first before cleansing.

You still have your makeup on, the elements of the day, and any other dirt and debris that is on your face that you cannot see with the naked eye. When you go to exfoliate first, your not cleaning away the dirt, debris, elements, and makeup, you are basically pushing everything into your pores more. So eventually you are going to have a bad reaction and breakout.

The purpose of cleansing your face is to remove the elements, dirt, debris, and makeup and to cleanse the pores along with it. Your exfoliant is suppose to help the cleansing of dead skin cells and pores. So you want to use it after you give your face a good cleanse.

Enjoy!