The Power of Powders

Face powders serve two purposes: ONE: To help control oil or shine and TWO: to set foundations and concealers. Whenever you wear foundation or a concealer you always want to set it with a powder.  This will keep your foundation in place, keep it from sliding and falling into fine lines, and wearing off.

The kind of powder you choose will depend on the type of look you want.  There are many different types and shades of face powders:

Translucent: Colorless and great for all skin tones.  Mostly used when setting concealer under your eyes or around your nose.  It works better than pigmented powder because those can make the area appear darker and remember, the purpose of concealer is to highlight and illuminate dark areas.

Pigmented: This can be used alone and if you're in a hurry and just want a fresh, clean look then a pigmented powder would be perfect for a 5min face. If you're using it to set your foundation make sure it is one shade lighter than your skin otherwise it will darken and make your skin look patchy.

Foundation Powder: Talk about having the best of both worlds.  You can get full coverage and keep shine under control.

• loose- sheer and light used to control oil and shine.
• pressed- heavier coverage to even out skin tone

Mineral: Fragrance free, chemical free, and hypoallergenic.  It doesn't clogs pores and gives the same even coverage and foundation powder.

Illuminating: Light reflecting sheer powders that have a slight shimmer to give skin a luminous effect.  Can be used over foundation or alone.  Be careful, because using an illuminating powder will enhance wherever they are applied.  So if you have a flat nose, add dimension by swiping the powder down the bridge of your nose. 

Pink History

Pink- is any of the colors between bluish red (purple) and red, of medium to high brightness and of low to moderate saturation. Commonly used for Valentine's Day and Easter, pink is sometimes referred to as "the color of love." The use of the word for the color known today as pink was first recorded in the late 17th century.
(this definition was taken directly from wikipedia) 

Common Skin Care Ingredients

Okay so when shopping for skin care products it's a good idea to know what your looking for.  Like I have stated before, first you need to know your skin type.  Once you know your skin type then you need to know what ingredients will help with your skin type, which in the end will result in finding a perfect product(s) for  your skin.

For Oily or Acne Prone skin:

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR

• Salicylic Acid
• Benzoyl Peroxide 

CLEANSER INGREDIENTS

• Sodium laureth sulfate
• Sodium cocyl isethionate
• Cocomidopropyl betaine
• Disodium cocamphodiacetate 

You want to AVOID any moisturizing products like:

Shea butter, mineral oil, perolatum, paraffin, beeswax, etc.

For Dry skin:

CLEANSER AND MOISTURIZER INGREDIENTS

• Shea or cocoa butter
• Lanolin
• Paraffin 
• Beeswax
• Almond, Coconut, Jojoba, Sesame, and other plant oils
• Olive oil

You want to AVOID any drying product like: Isopropyl alcohol, sodium chloride, AHA acids, Salicylic acid, sodium laureth sulfate, etc. 

For Sensitive Skin: 

CLEANSER

Polysosrbate 85 or 60

MOISTURIZER

• Shea or cocoa butter
• paraffin
• beeswax
• olive oil
• Triethylhexanoin
• Squalene
• Almond, Coconut, Jojoba, Sesame, and other plant oils

HUMECTANTS 

• Glycerin
• Sorbitol
• Urea
• Allantoin
• Sodium PCA

You want to AVOID irritating or harsh products like: sodium chloride, AHA acids, Chemical sunscreens, salicylic acids or willow bark, isoproyl alcohol 

Five Skin Tips for Healthy Skin

I know sometimes it can be hard to maintain skin.  You don't always have time for an intensive skin care regimen or you can't go to the spa as often as you like for a facial.  Did you know that there are simple ways to help maintain healthy skin care on your own?  Try these five skin care tips and see if your skin improves.

1. Eating a Healthy Diet: Have you heard the saying, " You are what you eat?"  Well, that saying is very true.  What we put into our bodies also affects our skin.  If you are prone to eating a lot of junk foods then you may be prone to more acne or breakouts.  Eat more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.  There is still not an exact association between a poor diet and acne skin, but research has shown that a diet high in Vitamin C can help promote youthful skin.

2. Protect your skin: Don't be afraid to wear sunscreen.  Sunscreen should be apart of your daily skin care regimen.  I know they say that the sun is good for the skin and that it provides natural Vitamin D, and that's true, but too much sun exposure over a lifetime can cause: wrinkles, aging skin, lentigines (sun spots), hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer.  Also, for my women of color, don't think that you don't need to wear sunscreen because your skin is darker.  Although, your chances of being sunburned or getting skin cancer are lesser, you are still at risk and need to protect you skin just the same.  Again a lifetime of over exposed sun damage can cause many skin care/health problems.

3.  Do not smoke: Smoking is not only bad for the skin, but bad for your over all health.  Smoking can cause your skin to become dry, aging, sagging, and cause wrinkles.  It also weakens the strength of your skin and it's elasticity.  Smoking decreases blood flow which depletes the skin oxygen and nutrients which are vital for healthy skin.

4. Don't Stress: Uncontrolled stress can trigger the skin into a sensitive state, and cause your skin to have an acne breakout.  In order to prevent this you want to have a healthy and clear mindset.

5. Be Gentle:  Take care of your skin. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and a protectant to internal body parts.  Try to avoid really hot showers or bath, strong soaps and detergents, always use a lubricant when shaving, and add moisture to the skin.  When you take those hot showers or baths or use those strong soaps and detergents, your stripping your skin of oils.  Your body secretes it's own natural oils, but sometimes it is also necessary to add extra oil, especially for people with dry skin.

Learn when it's time to let your makeup go!

• Foundation      

6-12 months for powder

6 months for liquid and cream foundatioin

You can extend your foundation's life by using a cotton swab, sponge, or brush to apply it.  If you use your fingers to apply your makeup, wash your hands with an antibacterial cleanser before hand.  Stick foundations can be kept a bit longer than the others because they usually contain wax.  Shave off the top layer every so often to avoid contamination.  However, if you notice a change in color, smell or consistency, you should TOSS IT IMMEDIATELY!

• Powder

8 months for compact

8-12 monts for loose powder

Using applicators like brushes and powser puffs pose the greatest risk of contamination because they can harbor oily buildup from your skin and airborne bacteria if left uncovered.  Toss spponges after each use, and replace poweder puffs every 2-3wks. Wash makeup brushes wkly with a brush cleaner or baby shampoo and warm water.  Don't forget to let them dry overnight...damp brushes will cause makeup to streak and can lead to bacteria.

• Concealer

4-8 months

Concealer is in a lipstick form, clean it occasionally by shaving off the top layer.  Cover-up used in the eye area should be discarded after six months and if your trying to mask breakouts, your at a higher risk of contaminating the product even faster.

•  Eye Shadow

3-6 months for liquid

6-12 months for powder and cream

Eye shadow needs to be tossed if it gets wet, unless it is formulated for wet applications. Moisture can lead to ruining the product and contamination.  Creams will sweat or soften with esxessive expsosure to heat, so store in a cool/dry place.

• Mascara

3months

Using mascara introduces it to air when you "pump" the wand into the tube  and it dries out the product, which results in a stellar application.  If you have to pump to hard or add water to get some product out...it's time to let it go...and if you contract pink eye while using masacra throw it away immediately!

•  Lipstick

3Years

Now, unlike other makeup products...lipstick is one that last a pretty long time...to keep clean just shave a little bit off the top or dip into alcohol weekly.  For lip colors in pots/tubes just swipe the tops across tissue to keep clean.  If you contract or come in contact with a fever blister or cold sore while using that lipstick, throw it away!

Sleeping Beauty

Are you one of those sleeping beauties, who sleeps with their makeup on?  Well if you are, let me just tell you that you are committing a beauty crime! One of the biggest beauty crimes actually.  Now, whether we want to admit it or not I know we all have slept in our makeup at some point in our lives. Maybe you were too tired to take it off, forgot you had it on, or just fell asleep in it.  I mean hey it happens, but the important thing is to not get into a happen of sleeping in your makeup.  Makeup is meant to help make you feel more pretty and help bring your inner beauty onto your outer canvas. However, if you get in the habit of sleeping in makeup, it will do the exact opposite.

Although makeup makes us look and feel pretty, it also clogs the pores.  Our skin is covered in pores and these pores are what allow us to sweat and produce sebum.  [ Sebum- is a natural moisturizer and waxy lubricant that our body produces in order to help protect and rid the skin of dead skin cells and other unwanted irritants.] When we fall asleep in makeup it blocks the sebum production and causes a buildup, which in turn causes skin to breakout.  Have you ever went to sleep in makeup and then woke up with a pimple on your face? If so, that's because of clogged pores.

If you won't to prevent waking up with unwanted pimples then I suggest you remove your makeup before going to bed.  There are a number of ways to remove makeup before bed.  The best is cleansing your skin, using a toner, and then moisturizing, BUT if you just don't feel like taking all those steps then choose one of the following:

• facial wipe
• make-up remover
• cold cream 
• cleanser 
• toner 

Remember sleeping in makeup can cause: irritation to skin, an allergic reaction, and infection (if eye makeup is left on.) 

      

To be or not to be ashy? That is the question?

It's goodbye summer, hello fall.  Now, that the weather is changing and the temperature is starting to drop it's important to know that your skin is going to be more dry than it has been.  You don't want to get caught walking around ashy.  Take a look at some of my favorite "ash be gone" products.

Good moisturizing products:

GIRL TALK

This Thursday, October 4th Join Ms. Jennah & Ms. Cassie on Ladies Tell All. They will be starting off the fall season bringing in a house of "HOT BEAUTY" with owner/operator of Consumed by Beauty Ms. Tiffany Latrice, Atlanta's new up and coming MUA/Esthetician. She will be chatting it up with the ladies dishing out all the do's and don't's on make-up and skin care.

To tune in go to www.blogtalkradio.com/ladiestellall or call in to 805-727-7101

Breast Cancer Awareness

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! 

Check out your local Ulta for amazing deals on makeup, skin care, and other cosmetic products. Show your support and give for the cause by shopping pink or donate with a kiss! For more information on how to do so go to: www.ulta.com/donatewithakiss

Get Crazy for Halloween

None of these Images are mine...I just thought it would be great inspiration for Halloween :)