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Eye Primer: Do you really need it?
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 Is my prejudice outdated?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
My Skincare Regimen
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
Product Review: Dr. Brandt’s 24/7 Retinol Eye Cream
Hi Everyone,
For the last month I’ve been using Dr. Brandt’s 24/7 Retinol Eye Cream morning and night. Now, to start I will admit my eyes aren’t in desperate need of an eye cream, however, as I am now in my 4th decade there are some fine lines developing. While I’m embracing my aging it doesn’t mean I want to neglect my skin and speed up the process. So I was really happy to try out this eye cream. Made with Retinol and their Ruby Crystal Complex (Whatever that is supposed to mean….I mean really, crushed rubies? How are rubies supposed to make my eyes look younger???) This is a lightweight eye cream that is to be applies along your eye socket each night. I’ve been doing it morning and night because, why not? A small amount is all you need, patted in gently with the pad of your finger so you don’t bruise or stretch the skin. It feels nice, is very gentle for those with sensitive skin like myself, however I haven’t noticed any change to my eyes. No plumping, no smoothing, nothing.
I was hoping I would notice something in almost 30 days of consistent use, however there has been no improvement. True it hasn’t made my skin worse, but it’s really hard for me to recommend you buy a $55 product when there’s nothing to show for it.
My opinion? Not worth the price tag. Yes it smells nice, yes it’s gentle, but so are many, MANY eye creams and lotions out there. Don’t waste your dimes on this one folks. Sorry Dr. Brandt, it’s time for you to try again.
Until next time,
Arrvada
Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal Hair & Makeup Specialists
Winter Skin Care Tips
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
KABUKI BRUSH USES
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
How to Prevent Bubbles in Your Nail Polish
Recently our Facebook fan Kimela had a very good question: Why does my nail polish bubble when I put it on??? I don’t shake it up, so what’s causing it?
Here’s the answer:
Nail Polish can develop bubbles in the coat for several reasons, age, product, residue on actual nail, etc., here are a few tips to keep your nails bubble free:
1. Use fresh polish. Any nail polish over a year old is more prone to produce bubbles.
2. Don’t shake the bottle. Shaking it produces bubbles, instead roll the bottle between your palms to mix it.
3. Avoid thick coats. Instead apply multiple thin layers of polish to achieve the desired coverage. Thick layers can be hiding small air pockets and some brands have additional drying agents added to them to help speed up the drying process. These can create bubbles in thick layers of polish as they are trying to dry it fast.
4. Clean the applicator. Sometimes the bristles in the applicator can trap air bubbles and thus pass them into the polish on your nail. Try cleaning your applicator on occasion. Use Acetone or Nail Polish Remover to clean it. That should reduce bubbles.
5. Clean Nails. Make sure your nails are clean. Sometimes applying polish directly after you have buffed or filed them can cause that debris to stick to your nail and contaminate your polish.
Well we hope this helps your nails stay bubble free. Thanks Kimela for your excellent question!
Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal Hair and Makeup Specialists since 2004
Sacramento Makeup Artist
Sleep: The Best Beauty Secret
I think we tend to down play the importance of a good night’s sleep. At least until we stop sleeping!
It’s true, in our lives sleep becomes a nuisance or a luxury. We’ve got jobs, school or both. We have kids and careers and our own personal goals. Sleep is even shoved out of the way so we can catch up on our favorite TV shows. Personally, having to sleep feels like a complete waste of time. I could be using that time to work, or write, or a million other useful things. At least it felt that way to me until I started spending long nights in a hospital waiting room with no bed in sight!
Not only does sleep feel great after a long and busy day, it’s the time in which are body repairs all the damage stress and life deals out on us. It is during sleep that our body heals and part of that is smoothing out all those fine lines that have us disturbed when we look into the mirror and it keeps those dark circles far, far away.
Sleep is what keeps us mentally and emotionally grounded. During sleep we dream, working out the issues and worries of the day, refreshing us so we can face life fresh and raring to go. It also keeps us looking a helluva lot younger!
Seriously, if all you have to do is get a good night’s rest to knock a few years off your face why would you argue? It’s a scientifically proven fact that while the body sleeps it regenerates cells and tissue. It’s something we’ve noticed in ourselves and others through the years. Forget the science; you know it’s true when you see yourself after a sleepless night. You look about as old as your body feels. A well rested face is a happy face. Fine lines sometimes are simply a matter of fatigue or dehydration. So drink some water, get some rest and perhaps you can avoid that little trip to the plastic surgeon.
Life is busy and we tend to focus on everything else, on everyone else but ourselves. It’s time to change that. Be kind to yourself and add rest to your regimen of beauty needs. Every body works on a different level, some require no more than five hours a night to be fully rested, others, like myself, need a good eight hours to feel human again. If your body isn’t getting those solid hours of sleep, either because you’re going to bed too late or because you’re tossing and turning, your body builds a sleep deficit. No need to stress about that, it’s like a bank account. You don’t get enough sleep and your account gets over drafted. The good part of this? You can always pay back the bank!
So if during the week you can’t get the sleep your body and beauty crave, snuggle in on the weekend and catch up on your zzzz’s!
Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal Hair & Makeup Specialists since 2004
Sacramento Makeup Artist
DIY Skin Care Tips
DIY Skin Care
1. Honey
Raw, organic honey is naturally anti-bacterial, so it’s an effective acne treatment, helps unclog pores and is a great cleanser. It’s also full of antioxidants, making it a potent fighter of wrinkles, aging skin, irritation and blemishes, all while leaving a lovely afterglow.
To use: Mix two tablespoons of honey with eight tablespoons of water until a paste forms. Apply to skin and allow it to dry, then gently wash off with warm water.
3. Olive oil
Olive oil has been used for centuries as a moisturizer. Its antioxidants and natural acids help strengthen the skin to create a natural barrier against the harmful effects of the sun.
To use: Add a few tablespoons of olive oil and two drops of lavender essential oil to a bath for a moisturizing and refreshing effect.
8. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are an excellent source of water for your body, both inside and out. Packed with nutrients like magnesium, potassium, vitamins A and E, cucumbers promote blood circulation and healing, both of which benefit skin, bones and nails. The vegetable also helps to reduce wrinkles and promotes a glowing complexion, and can treat puffiness around the eyes because of their high water content.
To use: Start small and simply place slices of cucumber over your eyes for an easy de-puffer. You can also puree a cucumber and add a few drops of honey to make a soothing, hydrating mask.
4. Oatmeal. Eat it for breakfast because it’s good for you and then use it on your face as a scrub to gently remove dead skin. It’s one of a number of products on your kitchen shelf that can act as an exfoliant—sugar, ground nuts and coffee are three more—but it’s one of the best because of its hydrating qualities. You’ll want to mix those others with some type of oil to soften their harshness
6. Lemon juice. Need a skin toner? Don’t buy a fancy product with fragrance and possibly even drying alcohol. Just dab on some lemon juice for 10 or 15 minutes and rinse. It will not only tighten your skin but subtly lighten blemishes, scars, freckles and other discolored spots. Its antibacterial and astringent properties can help stave off breakouts
Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal Hair & Makeup Specialists since 2004
Sacramento Makeup Artist
The Modern Mod
Long live the modern Mod, her of the smoky eye and thick lash.
The Modern Mod, the Diva rules the night and by day the Sweet Romantic is the queen.
Her sexy skin glows, flawless, her cheeks flushed, her lips rosy like they’ve just been kissed. This flawless romantic look starts with smooth foundation, pressed powder and light, rosy blush on cheeks. Her eyes are contoured softly with a neutral golden brown in the crease, blended out to give depth and warmth. A soft shimmer of white gold on the lid and brow bone give a warm glow to her eyes. A little ELF Highlighting Gel along the top of the cheek bone and down the bridge of the nose will add a nice sparkle to your skin and is a wonderful highlight for the contour process as well. Lashes are natural, enhanced with a double coat of mascara, or a nice fan of lashes, brows nicely arched to frame the eyes. The lips are a brighter shade of your own natural lip tone, a color that inspires that full lipped, just kissed look, and for added plumping a dab of highlight in the very center of the bottom lip will do nicely.
By day a glowing, soft romantic, by night a Modern Diva. You can be all these things with the right makeup.
Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal Hair and Makeup Specialists since 2004
Sacramento Makeup Artist
Top 10 Must Dos for Sultry Summer Beauty
- Use sunscreen on your face.
- Stay-proof your eye makeup. For long lasting shadow, don’t use eye cream. Use an eye primer. This helps keep the shadows from creasing. The primer helps the shadow to cling so it lasts longer.
- Drink 64 ounces of water daily. (At least!)
- Always clean your face daily. Cleanse, tone and moisturize.
- Clean your makeup brushes weekly. They carry bacteria as well as muddying up your finished look.
- Stop shine, add glow. Use blotting papers to get rid of that unsightly “I’m hot” oily look. If you need to perk up your makeup too, blot first, and then follow up with a dusting of pressed powder. This takes away that shine but leaves the summer glow.
- Switch out thick lipsticks. Try using a different color of gloss or tinted lip balm for that natural lip.
- Use waterproof mascara. It will cut down on the under eye smearing most mascara give us during these hot and sticky months.
- Go sheer on the face. Switch to sheer versions of your go-to lip and eye hues.
- Lighten up on your face makeup. Swap foundations for tinted moisturizer. These sheer formulas look and feel airier on skin and are less likely to turn cakey on steamy days.
Personify Bridal, Sacramento’s On Location Bridal Hair & Makeup Specialists since 2004
Sacramento Makeup Artist
