In all the years I’ve been doing makeup professionally, I’ve never liked eye primer. Is my prejudice outdated? It’s time to re-evaluate Eye Primer. Watch for my opinion and drop yours in the comments below. Any tips you love that I need to try out?

Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal & Wedding Hair and Makeup Artists Since 2004

Hey everyone, great makeup starts with great skin. And for me great skin starts hydration. Skin requires lots of hydration, internally and externally. This means drinking lots and lots of water. On average a person needs to consume a minimum of 64 oz. of water, though ideally half your body weight in ounces is best. Of course the downside is many trips to the restroom, but the benefits outweigh those trips. Staying well hydrated flushes toxins out of our system which will leave our skin clearer, it will add more elasticity to our skin and reduce the appearance of the fine lines caused by dehydration. In addition to drinking enough fluids, a healthy diet is key to good skin. When we are eating things that truly nourish our body we will also find our skin reflects our overall health.

While your health plays a huge part towards having good skin, a good daily skin care regimen is recommended. For me that consists of the following (do keep in mind I have very dry skin and make those adjustments to your skin care routine as needed).

For a visual of my skin regimen check out this video! CLICK HERE

My weekly maintenance includes deep exfoliation with a Japanese Wash Cloth by Salux at least twice a week. I really like to use this with a gentle face cleanser as it will buff away dead skin, pull fresh blood flow to the surface and works very well to clean out blocked pores. The Japanese Wash Cloth is also effective in treating milea, those hard white beads that form under the skin that are almost impossible to remove without going to your dermatologist to have them surgically removed.

In additional to exfoliating with the Japanese Wash Cloth I use one to two times a week the Truffle Therapy Face Gommage by Skin & Co. I buff this lightly into my skin for two minutes before wiping away. It leaves my skin gently exfoliated and nicely hydrated.

My daily routine consists of the following:

Morning:

Light rinse with cold water followed by QMS Medicosmetics Intensive Eye Cream gently blended into the skin around my eyes.  For this I use my PMD Clean facial cleansing device. It gently massages the product into my skin, helping firm and plump the skin around my eyes. After this I apply my Saturday Skin Glacier Water Cream (or when I have it my absolute FAVORITE by Touch In Sol Pretty Fitter Glassy Skin Balm) using the PMD Clean device as well.  I will then apply a light sunscreen before apply any cosmetics I plan to use that day.

Evening:

Using my Makeup Remover cleansing cloth I remove all of my cosmetics with hot water and this cloth. I love this thing, it’s gently and cuts through even the toughest, waterproof products like butter. After I have removed the last remnants of cosmetics I will sometimes follow up with a light cleanser such as Cetapil while using my PMD Clean device to gentle exfoliate while cleansings. After rinsing with warm water and drying my skin I again use the QMS Medicosmetics Intensive Eye Cream followed by the moisturizer of my choice.

And there you have it. My skincare routine. It’s not too complicated, doesn’t take more than ten minutes in the morning, maybe a touch longer at night. It starts with a healthy diet, lots of water and protecting myself from the sun. It works for me and hopefully it works for you.

Whatever skin care regimen you choose, make sure you start taking care of your skin now. You’ll thank yourself later, I guarantee that!

Until next time!

Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal & Wedding Hair and Makeup Artists Since 2004

The winter months give our skin a beating. The endless dehydration of heaters, the bad food and alcohol throughout the holidays. November through January we neglect our skin. With holiday stress and heater dryness our skin gets abused. Its time to counter this damage.

Step one: water. Drink lots of water. It will re-hydrate your body from the inside out. It will also push out those toxins left in your system by Christmas cookies and New Year’s champagne.

Step Two: add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. The nutrients in these items will revitalize the skin, again starting from the inside out.

Step Three: A good cleanser is essential. You need to be careful not to get a cleanser with alcohol in it, as this will only further add to the dryness of your skin. Even if you are prone to acne, cleansers that dry you should be avoided.

White heads or pimples are caused by bacteria building up inside the pores. For a gentle cleanser that won’t break the budget I recommend Cetapil.

Step Four: Exfoliate. The Japanese Wash Cloth is the best and safest form of manual exfoliation and is essential to proper skin care.

This specially woven nylon cloth stimulates the blood flow into the surface of the skin. It gently removes dead skin, black heads, reduces roughness and dryness and gives you healthier, younger looking skin.

And last but not least of its wonderful attributes, also by stimulating blood flow helps to diminish the cellulite in problem areas… not only does this magical cloth exfoliate you like no other and give you buttery smooth skin, it helps rid you of cellulite.

For Acneic skin, aged skin, dry skin, oily skin, cellulite, all become vastly improved with this simple, essential item. The Japanese Wash Cloth should be in every woman’s shower.

Step Five: hydrate. For those of you with dry skin, coconut oil is the way to go. It’s a rich all natural moisturizer.

We all have beautiful skin, sometimes we just need help uncovering it.

Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal & Wedding Hair and Makeup Artists Since 2004

OK, if you’re like me you somehow purchased a Kabuki brush.  Either with a mineral makeup purchase, or just because someone told you it was the next best thing.  You may or may not use it.  If you’re like me you never have and don’t think you ever will.  However before you decide to chuck it or donate it, here’s a fantastic new use for it.  It actually makes owning the damn thing worth it!

It makes one hell of an exfoliant for your face.  It’s true.  It’s almost as good as a Japanese Wash Cloth.  Yes, I said Almost.  Japanese Wash Cloth is still the best, but the Kabuki brush is a good substitute if you haven’t yet purchased your Japanese Wash Cloth.

The Kabuki Brush works as an exfoliant because it’s silky bristles buff away the dead skin without damaging your pores.  It also works as a stimulant, bringing the blood to the surface which will help your skin stay smooth and clear for days.

So, if you have a Kabuki brush just lying there on your vanity, don’t toss it away, use it to give yourself that clean, clear skin you’ve been dying for!

Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal & Wedding Hair and Makeup Artists Since 2004