Curious about BB and CC creams?

Are they a moisturizer, tinted cream or foundation? Actually it's a little bit of everything with  some fabulous skincare benefits too, but you need to find the right formula for your particular skin type. 

Are BB creams the same as CC creams? The answer is no. BB stands for Beauty Balms and they are usually a silicone based product that is a non-brightening primer, foundation, moisturizer and anti-aging cream (some with SPF). They leave a dewy complexion and not the best for acne-prone skin but great for dry to normal skin.

CC creams are an improved refined beauty balm, known as Complexion Correction cream (or Color Correction) that is oil free and a brightening primer, foundation, moisturizer, SPF and anti-aging cream. They are designed to not only cover sun damage, but also to help treat and prevent future damage with continued use. 

BB and CC creams are best applied with a foundation brush and in layers. Blending is the key to having a perfect application and coverage. Sometimes concealer still may be needed for under eye circles or blemishes since these creams only have a light to medium coverage. There are many brands out there now promoting their line of creams, so be sure to read the labels to see which is best for your skin. 

Foundations alone are a thing of the past. Skin care is important and using products that work with your skin to improve its condition are available and should be explored. You can find the best product for you with a little exploring and patience. 

Seeing Spots?

With summer coming to an end, do you see some unfamiliar signs of sun damage on your face? Kind of looks like freckles, but they're not? Splotchy skin? Dark patches? Sun damage can be instant or take years of build up before appearing as hyper-pigmentation, but once it's damaged, it's damaged. Luckily there is something you can do to minimize the appearance.

For starters there are over the counter treatments you can get in a cream to help lighten the skin. Applied nightly, typically non-irritating, and all of them will either say "lighteners" or "reducers" or "eliminators" for spots on the labels. Clinque makes a really nice one, but drug store brands (Olay, Revlon, etc..) also make decent ones too. Concealer is another step to use in the meantime while the creams do their thing because it does take months for creams to work though, so don't expect overnight resolution.

Another solution would be to see your dermatologist who can prescribe you a more potent skin lightener. Mostly referred to as 'bleaching cream', and make your skin sensitive, so use sparingly. Best time to start these regiments are fall/winter when you are not parading around in the sunshine, but will still need sunscreen on your face while using the creams since the sun is still out, whether your trying to get it or not.

It's almost unavoidable since anywhere the sun shines and touches your skin is where sun damage can occur. So slathering on the sunscreen year round and doing post-damage control with the creams is the best way to keep your face in tip top shape. More extreme cases of damage definitely need a dermatologists assistance, so take care, take precautions and learn to love your skin.

(P.S. - Sorry for the hiatus in posting; I was enjoying my summer in Greece..now I'm using said creams to combat early signs of pigmentation I detect!)

Is 'Au Natural' The Way to Go?

My definite answer will always be "no". All women can benefit from the aid of cosmetics and beauty regiments. It sometimes makes me cringe when I see women out and about without a speck of makeup on, who need it, and wonder were they really that busy they didn't have a moment to apply some, or is it that they just really don't care? Especially when they make the effort to do their hair or put together an outfit...why stop there? Makeup isn't meant to be a mask but a tool to enhance.

Regardless of your agenda for the day, touching up your face before you step out to hide your imperfections, or highlight your assets, should be a step all women embrace, willingly. All the details are important. It doesn't make you (or me) high maintenance to care about how we look. Summer seems to bring out the bohemian girls more and more, and while they dress the part, they lack the finishing touch that can make casual look pretty (and effortless). The tend to look messy, sloppy and dirty.

Lack of a pedicure with open toe shoes is a big pet peeve for me. Either maintain your toes or don't make the rest of us look at your less than appealing feet. You spent money on rocking those sandals, wedges, heels; but yet can't be bothered to paint your toes or apply lotion? Really?? Not that feet are attractive in general anyway, but anything to make them look better is always a plus. Dry, scaly, knarly feet aren't pretty.

Dirty hair that doesn't look like beach or bed head, but more like a weeks worth of grit needs to be washed. I personally can go 3 days without washing my hair as I don't use products and my hair isn't oily but I never get to the point where it looks like it needs to be washed, and you shouldn't either. Dirty stringy hair is just not attractive.

Overgrown eye brows that missed their wax/tweeze appointment by 2 weeks are noticeable. Trust me...we can see the stray hairs sprouting up everywhere. Shaving your legs, under your arms too....seriously. Same goes for your upper lip...it's obvious, so take care of it.

A pimple that needs concealer. Under eye bags/darkness that need attention, dry lips that need sloughing, yellow/stained teeth that could use brightening...they are all things noticeable and economically fixable so don't be lazy and just do it. Au natural doesn't mean sloppy. You don't need to spend a lot to maintain the feminine details. Missing one, two or more all add up and look terrible overall. Don't be that girl.

Mono-chromo-what?

Monochromatic means only having one color. What does this have to do with makeup? A lot if you want to try the trend of wearing monochromatic makeup and pull it off. Wearing one particular shade of color all over can look good when done right if you stay within a shade or two of the color (lighter or darker, and that share the same undertone).

For example; a violet eye with a sheer lilac lip are both purple, but in different shades. Combine that with a light, well blended, purple hue blush, and it's monochromatic done right. Nude is another monochromatic look that is gorgeous when you incorporate a little shimmer, sheer and matte together. Nude is the color of skin, and skin comes in all shades, so stay within that shade range and you will be rockin JLo's effortless go-to look.

Makeup is meant to bring out your features, hide your imperfections, boost your confidence, be colorful, fun, dress up your outfit, and even alter your persona. No other product can do that for you so embrace the tools you have at your fingertips.

Time's a Wasting!

In a lifetime of "one day I will....." (insert proactive habit here) I have come to realize that too many of us (myself included) never actually do everything that we should that's good for us, until it's too late, too difficult (or irreversible).

I have always been fairly obsessed with my skin/face and always took care of it, but neglected my neck for some reason, and as I get older now I notice lines on my neck that weren't there before. So what do I do? I'm slathering on every over-night cream I can find and rushing to the dermatologist to get prescription strength potions to ensure my skin stays as youthful and tight as possible. Flawless is impossible, but I will try my best to get close.

So why do we ignore the signs to take better care of ourselves? From diet and exercise to skin care, we all slip a little from time to time, but it's time to get smart and get in the habit of healthy rituals that will allow us to live better, stronger, healthier and more beautiful lives. 

I never used sunscreen as a kid and only started using it in my mid-20's. Luckily I never had a serious burn that left sun spots, but I know they are there, creeping under the surface of my skin (because the sun damage WAS done) and will eventually show up where I will have to deal with it, and I will be ready.

I will be 37 this year and although chronologically I am this age, my heart and mind don't feel a day over 26. Where did the years go?  I pretty much do everything I can to make my skin (mind and body) healthy, and look its best because growing old gracefully is not a lifestyle I will ever embrace. If I have the tools and technology available to fight it, you bet I will use it.

So what are you neglecting that you need to change? No better time than today to start a healthy habit.

You're so Vain...You Probably Think This Post is About You...

 vainity van·i·ty/ˈvanətē/Noun

1. Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.

pride [prid] Noun

1. Satisfaction with self
2. Proper sense of own value
 
There is a fine line between vainity and pride, but caring about how you look shouldn't be an issue. I pride myself on always looking my best, and you should too. The efforts we take to ensure we look (and smell) good are not to be shrugged off or wasted. In a world where we are judged even before we open our mouth and speak, it should interest everyone to always put their appearance as a priority.

Making sure your hair, nails, face, teeth, clothes, shoes and scent are presentable is a must. This does not make you high maintenance, just conscientious, and attention to details will always score you big 'points' professionally and personally. Always.

A great investment that will last a lifetime would be to hire an image consultant. Sounds pricey, but it's actually not. They can customize their service(s) to suit your needs and do everything from style assessment, wardrobe/closet audit, hair/makeup consultation and personal shopping (among a few other things) to create your new look. They even go through your clothes and create new outfits for you.

Think of it like the show "What Not to Wear" with stylists making you over, but without the television cameras. This is the perfect way to get a legitimate unbiased opinion on what looks good to portray the image you want. Being delusional about thinking you look good when in fact you look like a hot mess is the worst thing you could do. Whether you start with a makeup make-over, or book an image consultant, you will not go wrong when applying the efforts to look your best.

Banish Those Puffy Eyes!

Do you often wake up with puffy under eyes regardless of how much sleep you got? Although hereditary, age and diet are the usual suspects, you can combat those dreaded bags. 

First things first; wash your face with warm water and lightly massage/tap the puffy area to circulate the fluid that has accumulated there. Next, get an ice cube, wrap it in a paper napkin and apply to puffy area (off/on for about 10 minutes). In between icing, continue to massage/tap the area gently while keeping your head upright (no laying down). Wait another 10 minutes before starting to do your makeup and you will see the remaining puffiness dissipate on its own. 

What can you do to prevent the puffiness in the first place? Drink more water, less sodas, and try eliminating salt/high sodium (junk) foods from your diet, and cut back on alcohol, because these are the beauty destroyers. If you don't believe me, just try skipping it for a week and you'll see how much more refreshed you'll look in the morning without the under eye baggage.

There are de-puffing eye products you can buy (caffenine is the main ingredient) that might be able to help speed up the process, but ultimately your diet is the bottom line and those "toxins" will resurface and show on your face. Plenty of rest with your head slightly elevated also helps avoid puffy eyes too.