September Favorites 2014

Drugstore Haul! Milani, NYX, Rimmel, Maybelline...

Mini High End Haul *NARS, Buxom, Smashbox...

Cinnamon & Honey DIY Masque

DIY Yougurt, Honey, & Flax Seed Masque

Weekly Favorites! Lush, Lorac, Mally, It Cosmetics, Victoria Secret, Ste...

Secret Diary of a YouTuber Tag

City Lips Review

City Lips

City Lips

 

 

Do you want fuller, plumper, younger and healthier lips? If so, I have found the product to do just that!

City Lips claims to plump lips within 3 to 5 minutes. It uses natural lip enhancers like Hyaluronic Acid, which draws in moisture; Celadrin, which helps slow down the breakdown of new collagen; and Oligopeptides, which stimulates new collagen and elasticity. All of these diminish as we age; such a fun fact!

I was as skeptical as anyone when I purchased City Lips. I didn't want just another lipgloss that plumped while it was on. This lipgloss, however,  actually gives you long lasting results by stimulating your own collagen. It's not just fluff and puff; they actually swell from the inside out.

With all of the ingredients combined, it not only plumps and hydrates, it also works on fine lines and wrinkles. This is great b/c as our lips get thinner, deep wrinkles set in. This happens through the natural aging process and the repeated pursing of the lips.

I use this product in the morning while I get ready to prep my lips; then I apply lipstick. And I only use the gloss occasionally again throughout the day for added moisture.

Every so often, I use it right before bedtime to work overnight, b/c with continued use it will create a noticeable difference to the lips.

Along with all of the above mentioned benefits/elements, this product has a slight tingle, I hardly notice it at all, as it is smooth, hydrating, and not sticky (which is key for me, b/c I hate sticky anything on my lips!). A lot of times, we associate plumping with burn; this product does not do that. It is not a product that only works through superficial irritation.

And it comes in 8 gorgeous colors! 

 
Losangelips - soft pink
Nudeyork - nude coral
Orchid - light purple
Sangria - burgundy red
Sundiego - coral
Tinseltown-  light, sheer nude
Holly - red
Clear - clear (nude)
I have purchased the shades Losangelips & Nudeyork; however, my next one will be clear. I will one day have the entire line, as they are all so beautiful! 

 

http://citycosmetics.com/p/lips/city-lips.php

Wednesday Wears

Know Your Skin Type

Know Your Skin Type

Ever wonder what your skin type is? What skin care products should you use? Should you switch your products?

 

Knowledge is power, and when you know your skin type, you are able to treat your skin with the right products and ingredients. For the most part, our skin type is based on genetics. However, climate, diet, aging, medication, and hormones play a huge role.

There are 5 basic skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. When trying to distinguish which one you have, try and ask yourself, how is my skin throughout the day? Do I have to blot or powder consistently? Does it feel oily/greasy in the morning? dry/flaky? irritated/sensitive? dry in some areas (usually around cheeks) or oily in the T-zone? We are much more in tune with our skin than we think.

A simple yet affective way to determine your skin type is to wash your skin with a gentle cleanser and then use a thin tissue or blotting paper an hour later. You can also cleanse your skin at night, apply nothing afterwards, and then blot your skin in the morning. If the paper has no traces of oil, it is usually dry. Oily, it has oil residue. Sensitive can go either way. But a lot of times it is dry or combination, and the paper will have some dry spots and oily spots in others.

How to visually tell your skin type: Normal Skin: The most enjoyable skin type; average pore size; normal amounts of sebum (oil); no flaking/dryness; healthy/radiant skin; does not breakout often; not too sensitive to products; natural aging.


Dry Skin: small pores; crepe skin; dryness; flaking; dehydrated; milias (small white bumps); very little breakouts; can show increased signs of aging.

Oily Skin: Large pores; oily all over; thick texture; breakout prone; clogged pores (blackheads/congestion); and ages better.

Combination Skin: Oily in some areas (usually T-Zone); dry patches in others; harder to keep hydrated/oiliness at bay.

Sensitive Skin: Stings with certain products; flakes; redness; and inflammation.

Normal: Look for water based products; light-weight moisturizer; and keep skin well-balanced.

Dry: Oil-based products; heavier creams; lock-in-moisture.

Oily: Oil-free products; lightweight; water-based; non-comedogenic.

Combination: Mixture of dry skin care products/oily skin products. Treat each area separately (can be a pain to treat).

Sensitive: Look for soothing/calming ingredients; natural products; no fragrances; watch for harsh acids.

Normal Skin Ingredients:
Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, AHA, Avocado Oil, Panthenol, Algae Extract.

Dry Skin Ingredients:
Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Avocado Oil, Squalene, Lanolin.

Oily Skin Ingredients:
Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Beads, Jojoba Oil, Benzoyl Peroxide, Sodium PCA.

Combination Skin Ingredients: Treatment depends on area. Revert to dry/oily skin type ingredients.

Sensitive Skin Ingredients:
Beta Glucans, White Tea Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin.

 

 

 

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Corresponding Video

 

 

 

Covergirl Foundation Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation

Egyptian Magic

Last Shopping Haul/Review for Awhile

New Orleans Vlog

Lipstick Addict Tag

Melasma Causes and Treatments

Melasma

What are those dark spots on my face? Why did it happen during my pregnancy and afterwards? Was it too much sun? Not the right skincare? My genetics?

These are all questions that we ask ourselves when we have Melasma. I have honestly had more patients concerned with Melasma than even acne, surprisingly! Now, there isn't 100% evidence on how/why women get it (fact: women are 90% more likely to get Melasma and only 10% men...cruel world).

Women who are premenopausal, young women in child bearing ages, pregnant (pregnancy mask), and women who have more pigment in their skin are prone to acquiring Melasma. This condition is due to hormonal changes, i.e., sex hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, which produces melanin in the skin.

Some intersecting things I have concluded through the years is that Melasma seems to be caused by hormones and exacerbated by the sun. It is usually located on the cheeks, nose, forehead, chin, and upper lip. It is also known to show up on the upper body, although this occurs rarely.

As it is definitely set off by sun exposure, sun screen protection will be your key product to help diminish it. I know that we always preach sun protection, but it is KEY with everything including anti-aging, protection from skin cancer, etc., but also for Melasma. Sometimes it will be treated by prescription creams, lasers, medical treatments, over the counter products, SPF, or on it's own (if it is triggered by something, like hormones, it may go away after changing birth control, stopping birth control, or after pregnancy). This is not always the case, however. Sometimes prescription 4% hydroquionine, Tretinoin Cream & glycolic acid ( best treated in high level chemical peels), azalic acid and kojic acid are recommended, but are not my favorite treatments. I tend to go for hydroquionine and prescription Retin-A, along with a high SPF. *You can always try over the counter 2% Hydroquionine and Retinol
(Not as beneficial as Prescription)
Also, topical Vitamin C is wonderful to naturally lighten the skin.

Some in-office treatments that doctors and medical aestheticians administer are microdermabrasion (my least favorite due to abrasive results that can cause broken capillaries and can actually irritate Melasma), chemical peels, dermaplanning, and lasers.

*The Fraxel Laser has shown much better results than IPL (Intense Pulse Light) in my personal opinion!

Make sure to look for a Broad-Spectrum SPF, (Titanium and Zinc Oxide, both physical blockers), a broad rimmed hat, large sunglasses, apply SPF 20-30 minutes before you go outside, use a makeup powder with an SPF to apply throughout the day, and avoid sun from 10-3, the peak hours!

I hope that this blog will help at least one of you out there or maybe someone that you know. If you have products or treatments that you have used in the past that have worked, please share them in the comments below. It is always so motivating to get others' opinions on skincare treatments and concerns.

 

 

Watch my video on Melasma

 

 

 

 

Have a beautiful day,
Schuylar

It Cosmetics Luxe High Performance Eyeshadow Palette Review

Shopping Haul and Review

10 Products That Make Me Feel Pretty Tag

Vacay Vlog Part 2

May Favorites 2014

NYX BB Cream Review

Ulta, Charming Charlie, and Frock Candy

Ulta, Charming Charlie, and Frock Candy

P.M. Skincare Routine

Shopping Haul

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid!

One of my favorite skin care ingredients. I get giddy just writing about it. The benefits are bountiful when it comes to our skin. As we age, we lose our natural hyaluronic acid, so adding it topically is beneficial for plump, healthy skin. Now, you're probably, like, what is it....? It's a naturally occurring substance that binds water and moisture to our skin. They say that it can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. It's beneficial not only for our skin, but also for our joints, muscles, and eyes! It's used in eye surgery to protect the retina, and one of the most popular ways it is used is through restalyn, a gel form of hyaluronic acid, which is used to fill in fine lines and plump skin and lips! A more inexpensive and beneficial way to use it is through a serum form that you apply topically to the skin; this is the way that I use it!

 

 

As we age, sadly, we start to lose our natural hyaluronic acid! It decreases the most at age 40; and they say that by age 50, we have lost 50%. If you notice when a baby is born, they have extremely soft skin, that is when we have an abundance and it decreases over time. This is why applying some form of hyaluronic acid to the skin is key.


It is a larger molecule, so it actually sits on top of the skin drawing in moisture from the air to plump it topically. It helps soften and hydrate fine lines, wrinkles and skins collagen production! Research states that you can also take hyaluronic acid orally, but I find with skincare it is best to apply it directly to the skin! 

 

One of my favorite brands of hyaluronic acid is by the brand Neocutis called Hyallis! The whole line by Neocutis is incredible! Most of their skincare contains hyaluronic acid, growth factors, and caffeine! I do highly recommend checking them out! 

 

*Great for all skin types! Even my oily peeps!
Light weight/gel form 

 

Check out my YouTube video on Hyaluronic Acid

http://www.neocutis.com/product/detail/12

Link below to a reputable online seller:
http://www.premierlook.com/neocutis-hyalis-1-hyaluronate-refining-serum-15ml/

Revision Intellishade SPF 45 Review & Demo

Revision Intellishade SPF 45 Review & Demo

April Favorites

The Beauty Fairy Tag

Rimmel London Liquid Mousse Foundation Review

A.M. Skincare Routine

10 Reasons That You Could Be Breaking Out

Hyaluronic Acid

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Review and Demo

Top 10 Drugstore Collaboration

Ulta, Sephora, Whole Foods, CVS, and Online Haul

Splurge and Save- Antioxidants and SPF

Aesthetician Product Raves on Anti-Aging

   Aesthetician Product Raves on Anti-Aging                                                     

 As an Aesthetician, our main goal is to keep you looking beautiful. Everyone seems to focus on makeup to achieve this, but the main beauty staple is healthy, glowing skin. If the skin is not perfectly exfoliated and hydrated, the makeup will settle into the pores and fine lines. As an artist by heart, I realize that the canvas has to be in its prime condition for a masterpiece to be achieved. My top three anti-aging ingredients/products are the following: Retin-A, antioxidants, and a potent eye cream. My favorite is Retin-A which is by prescription only from your dermatologist (I use Tretinoin 0.05%). They come in different strengths depending on your skin care needs. My belief is that we should all be eating our antioxidants but also applying them topically! My favorite is SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF gel! Using a potent antioxidant topically on the skin is crucial to having glowing, healthy, and protected skin! I think that using a separate anti-aging eye cream around the eye area and any other areas of concern on the face is beneficial in slowing down the aging process. Now, I don't mean just a simple moisturizing eye cream; I mean one that contains potent ingredients.

Let's focus on why I love these three products. As we age, most of our aging is shown due to sun exposure. Sun causes the main pigmentation issues that we complain about i.e., crepiness, sagging, and our deep settled fine lines and wrinkles. My HOLY GRAIL product to help slow down this process is Retin-A! This product is amazing to slough off our unwanted dead skin cells, along with producing collagen production. Sadly, over time our skin cells stop sloughing off as quickly as they did in our early 20's and younger. If you want to help with dull, aging, large pores, acne, scarring, fine lines, and pigmentation talk with your dermatologist about prescription Retin-A. (There are a few contraindications with using Retin-A/Retinol so contact your dermatologist).

Topical antioxidants are another skin care fave! It's a natural melanin suppressor (pigmentation in your skin), natural SPF, and collagen producer. Antioxidants help fight free radicals that cause complete havoc on your skin. We naturally have them but with sun-exposure, smoking, pollution, alcohol, and diet it causes them to completely destroy our healthy skin cells.

With an eye cream, I recommend finding one that contains anti-aging properties. Some examples are retinol, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C & E, peptides, caffeine, ceramides, & coenzyme Q10 ( this is just a few). If you are still young, and do not need to use anti-aging skin care products just yet, take your moisturizer up to your eye area for added hydration. Our eye area tends to age quicker due to thinner skin, so taking that added step in our skin care is key to looking younger.       

Product Use:

Retin-A  (p.m. only) pea size on dry/clean skin.

Topical Antioxidant (a.m.) on clean skin. Keep your antioxidant in a dark cabinet away from the sun and tightly closed. You will know that your antioxidant has oxidized once it darkens and has a strange odor. (Best used within 3 to 4 months)

Eye creams (a.m. p.m.) right after cleansed skin (after anti-oxidant and Retin-A, but before moisturizer).

******My skin care rule of thumb when applying product is whatever you want to penetrate more, apply first, and thinnest to thickest when it come to product.

Social Media:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AestheticianBeauty

Couples 123 Tag & Giveaway (+playlist)

Mascara Trick

TMI Tag, AGAIN ;) (+playlist)

Avocado Oil Benefits (+playlist)

My experiences with Retin-A

Let's Talk Friday!

Let's Talk Friday!

I'm going to ask you to do something weird. Can you go to your kitchen and see if you have avocado oil? If you do, grab it! If you don't, go out to Whole Foods and buy some! Avocado oil is my all time favorite skin moisturizer, hair nourisher, and body oil! It is RICH in vitamin E, which is an amazing and beneficial antioxidant.  Antioxidants fight free radicals that cause extreme signs of aging and "wreak havoc"  on our skin. Avocado oil contains sterolin which penetrates deep into the skin to moisturize it (research states that sterolin is great at naturally treating age spots)! My favorite way to use avocado oil is at night. I gently cleanse/exfoliate skin then apply my Retin-A and my wonderful avocado oil! Now, I would like to state that I have extremely oily skin. I live in the south, and the humidity is intense. It's funny because we are told when we are younger to get rid of our oil, but we actually need to just "even" it out. Avocado oil adds hydration and moisture without breaking the skin out. I've used coconut oil (which I love for a hair treatment) but that sadly broke me out and olive oil severely broke me out! Both of these oils are great for dry skin, but terrible for oily/acne prone skin.

I'll have a future blog on different skin oils for different skin types soon! I will, however, suggest everyone try avocado oil!
***It is my miracle skin secret! :) And it's inexpensive!***

• I apply my avocado oil to my face, neck, and decollate

Look for REFINED Avocado Oil! I purchased mine at Whole Foods for under $15.00! (I couldn't find it at Wal-Mart)

Check out my ART on etsy!
http://instagram.com/aestheticianbeauty
http://www.pinterest.com/schuylarl/
http://youtu.be/DQQdStPXy9s

My First Video

Tree Hut Shea Butter

Product Rave Monday!

So, let me start out by saying that I am not a body moisturizing type. I live in "humid" Southern Louisiana where we generally have naturally moisturized skin and not by choice. As I've gotten older, I have taken great pride in taking care of my skin, especially with my background in skin care. Just like other states, this year Louisiana has suffered through a harsh winter. This led me on a hunt for a moisturizing body cream to use right after the shower (it's best to moisturize your skin while it is still damp) so, after trial and error with either too heavy of a moisturizer or not enough, I came across Tree Hut Shea Body Butter! I instantly thought "well if it's a shea butter it has to be too heavy!" Nope, it was perfect! The scent is amazing! My favorite is the Brazilian Nut! It has a coffee/ice cream scent, but it's not overwhelming. I love the fact that I am able to put clothes on right away without having to wait 30 minutes to soak in, but it is still very nourishing. It is so nice to wake up the next morning with silky, smooth skin. I purchased mine at Ulta for $7.49 for .7 OZ. If I have to recommend one thing it is to RUN out and get this!                                                                           

Do you have a favorite body moisturizer?

Scents:                                   
Original
Coconut Lime (one of my favorites)
Brazillian Nut (favorite)
Almond Honey
Hawaiian Kukui
Tropical Mango

Tree Hut Shea Butter
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DIY Hair Masque for Dry/Damaged Hair

DIY Hair Masque for Dry/Damaged Hair

Sometimes we all just don't want to spend a ton of money on expensive hair masques, and why should we? Yes, sometimes it is fun to treat yourself; however, we all know that we should be deep conditioning our hair at least once a week. And an expensive weekly treatment can add up! Here's one of my favorite at-home masques that I do regularly without breaking the bank!

• Banana is rich in natural oils, potassium, and vitamins which help soften and protect our hair. It is also amazing for split ends and hair breakage! It helps with shine, dandruff, and hair growth, as well as manageability.
• Honey is a natural moisturizer and humectant that draws in moisture. Just like for your skin, it is super moisturizing for your hair! (I always keep honey in the house for my skin, to eat, and for my hair).
• Coconut oil (which is my favorite hair moisturizer!) stimulates hair growth, moisturizes dry/damaged hair, adds shine, prevents breakage/split ends, and slows down hair loss!
• Egg yolk is rich in proteins and fats, which is super nourishing for dry, damaged hair.
• Argon oil is another favorite hair treatment (and is also a great moisturizer for all skin types). Argon oil helps hydrate dry/brittle hair; it adds beautiful shine without weighing down the hair. It is chocked full of minerals, fatty acids, vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Blend:
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon of honey 
1/4 cup of coconut oil
1 egg yolk
1tablespoon of argon oil (you can always add less for finer hair)

*I tend to leave the hair masque on for a few hours, but you can cater the masque to your time schedule*
-Now, the masque will get hard-

Rinse with cold water
Shampoo and condition

DIY Facial Scrub/Masque

DIY Facial Scrub/Masque

So, I was rummaging through my kitchen the other day, and I thought to myself, "hm... I really want to try an all natural facial masque" so, I looked around and came across plain yogurt, honey, & grounded flaxseed.

• Honey has antioxidant/antimicrobial properties, which is great for dry, aging, and acne prone skin. It's an anti-irritant, so it can be used on even the most sensitive skin.
• Yogurt has been used since ancient times as a natural moisturizer/exfoliator! It contains zinc (anti-inflammatory properties), lactic acid (helps exfoliate and smooth the skin), calcium (anti-oxidant power), and B-vitamins (necessary for cell growth)
• Flaxseed applied to skin has a soothing and moisturizing effect. The flaxseed also acts as a gentle facial scrub.

Mix:
2 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoon yogurt
1 tablespoon flaxseed
(mix altogether to create a paste-like masque)
Leave on for 10-15 minutes *I always scrub my skin as I'm putting on my masque for extra exfoliation*               
 Remove with warm water/damp towel
 VOILA! Smooth and radiant skin! :)

Added FUN:
Can also be used as a body scrub

I will have a ton more "at home" skin care recipes soon

Substitute for flaxseed--Oatmeal