We all want to look our best. The key is healthy, gorgeous and flawless skin. To keep it looking its best, use a skin care regimen that works for you. It also take a bit of trial and error. This article contains a number of skin care tips.

One way to keep your skin smooth and youthful looking is to regularly exfoliate it. This helps to remove the excess dead skin which can give your appearance a lackluster look. It also allows the next layer of skin to emerge. Exfoliating also works hard to unclog pores, preventing the build-up of dirt and oil that often leads to break-outs.

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you have blemishes, try applying a little apple cider vinegar to the affected area. This treatment can aid in restoring the moisture to skin, reducing dryness caused by acne. Do this during the daytime, because the smell of apple cider vinegar is very strong, as you do not want to get this on your sheets.

Don’t use your socks or gloves if they’re damp or wet. These wet items can cause irritation, itching and cracking of the skin which could make eczema flare-up.

Improve the appearance of your skin by avoiding alcohol. Having one drink a day can be okay, but you need to remember that alcohol can make your skin more oily. Pores will then clog up and you’ll end up with blemishes.

Even if your skin is oily, you should still use moisturizer. After cleansing your face, apply a moisturizing product. After allowing the product to absorb into the skin, you can then apply your cosmetics. While you may be unsure of its benefits, a good moisturizer will help with oil production. If you suffer from oily skin and use a stronger cleanser, your skin actually produces even more oil as a means of compensation.

Be proactive in sheltering your skin on a daily basis. If you plan on going out in the sun, you should put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside. You will need the highest SPF sunscreen for maximum protection. This will prevent dreadful sunburns and advanced skin aging.

Anyone with sensitive skin ought to seek products that are formulated to offer gentler cleaning. Read the product labels. Ones that don’t have irritating chemical additives will cause less irritation to your skin. A rash on your face is both irritating and disfiguring.

A lip balm that contains Shea butter can work wonders for dry, cracked lips. Avoid long-lasting lipsticks, as they can dry out your lips even more. Sugary ingredients should be avoided as well, as they promote stickiness.

Take care of your hands and feet. Lots of folks pay attention to the arms, face and legs at the expense of hands and feet. To combat dry foot skin, put moisturizer on them on a regular basis. Also, prior to going to bed, put on cotton socks to lock the moisturizer in. If your hands are dry, use a strong moisturizer and cover them with gloves or socks made from cotton for around two hours. It should only take one treatment before you notice an improvement.

Pamper your hands to be rewarded with beautiful nails, smooth skin and less wrinkles. Start your routine by scrubbing with exfoliation cream and letting it sit for a few minutes. After rinsing off in warm water, apply a thick moisturizing cream. Let it absorb thoroughly into your skin, then proceed to filing nails and managing cuticles, creating hands that you can be proud of.

Protein Cells

In order to minimize aging, reduce the amount of sugar you eat. Many people are unaware that excess sugar increase glucose which can stick to protein cells. Collagen, cartilage, and ligaments are all the result of protein cells. An abundance of sugar can cause the skin to sag and wrinkle.

Make sure to get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect your skin. Not getting enough sleep will cause your skin to appear dull and washed-out, and you may have dark circles around your eyes. You might even break out more often. You will find that your skin color and tone look much better, and the dark circles under your eyes will vanish.

During extreme weather your skin may become dehydrated. A great way to prevent essential oil loss from your skin is ensuring you aren’t bathing too much. Try to shower every other day, at most.

Now after reading the above article, you should be aware of different methods on how to best care for your skin. When you are healthy and happy, your skin shows it. Putting the tips in this article into practice can put you on the way to achieving the healthy, flawless skin you have dreamed of.

Step#1: FORMULATION! This is finding the right consistency to fit your skin type.

Top Foundations for Oily Skin:

High End- Makeup Forever Mat Velvet {Finish-matte obviously; Coverage-Medium-full}

Drugstore- Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation {Finish-Satin; Coverage-Medium but buildable}

Top Foundations for Combo Skin:

High End-Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua {Finish-Satin; Coverage-Light but buildable}; Makeup Forever HD {Finish-Dewy/satin; Coverage-Medium-full}

Drugstore-Revlon PhotoReady {Finish-A little shimmery; Coverage-Medium}

Top Foundations for Dry Skin:

High End- Clinique Moisture Surge SPF {Finish-Dewy; Coverage-Medium}; Laura Mercier Silk Creme {Finish-Dewy; Coverage-Full}

Drugstore- Neutrogena Healthy Skin {Finish-Dewy; Coverage-Full}

Step#2: COLOR! Honestly, I just eyeball the foundation to get my color, I don’t test it on my skin or anything which is probably really bad. Anyways, a lot of the higher end foundations have an array of colors spanning from ones with yellow undertones to ones with red undertones. This depends on if you are cooler (blue veins in wrist) or warmer toned (green veins in wrist) or neutral (combination of both). Cooler skin colors tend to have red undertones while warmer skin colors tend to have yellow undertones. This can help picking out the color, or you can ask someone to help you which is probably a good idea.

Step#3: APPLICATION! For me, I use the damp beauty blender to smooth the foundation across my face for a lighter and less cakey coverage. I pump the foundation onto the beauty blender, dot it across my face, and blend in. Other foundations, such as Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation and Laura Mercier Silk Creme, are better applied with your hands. Creme, or thick consistency foundations such as Revlon colorstay whipped, I apply with my real techniques stippling brush. Use of stippling brushes are better for oily skinned girls than dryer skinned girls.

Step#4: SET! To set foundation, and for more coverage, I usually apply powder. A good powder for oily skinned is Rimmel Stay Matte. For combo skin, Neutrogena mineral sheer pressed powder. For dry skin, Mac MSF natural. Sometimes after applying powder, your face can look all unnatural and unyouthful. To fix this I like to spray on Mac Fix +, so I look all dewy and fresh. It makes your face look more natural by taking away that powdery look.

OPTIONAL: For concealer, my absolute FAVORITE is Garnier Fructis concealer rollerball. I have tried many high and low end concealers for underneath my eyes but this one does not crease up after applying powder over it and brightens up my undereye. Another good option is the benefit concealer.

Puffy Eyes
Dehydration may be a cause, so make sure you are drinking at least one litre of water a day. Sleeping on an extra pillow can also reduce puffiness, as this will help to drain excess fluids away from your face while you sleep. You can also use an eye gel this will reduce the puffiness dramatically.

Dark Circles
There are all sorts of theories about why we get those panda eyes but there is one thing that I know works to cover up and thats concealer. Make sure to easily blend around the eye area. Get plenty of sleep and also again keep hydrated.

Dryness
As water hydrates you from the inside out, it’s also important to eat foods that are water dense (salads and vegetables) and full of essential fatty acids ( like oily fish and avocado). To ensure healthy skin long term, exfoliate to get rid of flakiness, and Moisturise so your skin feels hydrated and strong.

Pimples
Big, red zits form when there is too much oil and bacteria in on the act. Using a scrub to get rid of the clogging oils is the way to go.

Acne vulgaris (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

12 Different Kinds of Home Remedies For Acne Scars

For those of us who had severe acne at any one time, the damage sometimes left is more lasting than the actual acne itself. In cases where facial marks are deep and extreme, our confidence and worries can take over. These acne scars can haunt us for the rest of our lives and be a continuous tip of our teenage acne breakouts.

Luckily there are some home remedies for acne scars that are really outstanding when it comes repairing harmed skin. These treatments with consistent use can reverse the effects of having severe acne in the past and can make a remarkable difference to the skin. And right here are some of the most effective home remedies for acne scars:.

1. Stay hydrated with lots of water. Water is required to eliminate all the unsafe contaminants that can attribute to the scarring and the soreness of the scarring.

Use lime juice on the marks – lime juice acts like a “mild acid representative” and will help make marks vanish over time. Use a little cotton ball and use over the scarring.

Using lemon juice on the scars. It will have a comparable impact as the lime juice.

4. Applying tomato juice on the face will help lighten the scarring and tighten up the pores. This is suggested to be done at night.

5. Cucumber juice can be made use of but remember to wash it off after fifteen to twenty minutes.

6. Making a mask out of cucumber and tomato and use straight on the marked location can help decrease the presence of marking and also minimize pore size.

7. Egg whites are a low-cost effective measure to not only minimize scarring however to avoid acne. Apply the egg whites at evening and sleep while the process of healing is taking place.

8. Exfoliating helps get rid of the dead skin along with the scar tissue. This can be finished with a Loofah sponge and/or special soaps for exfoliation.

9. A potent mix of natural components makes a powerful face mask. Mix sour cream, oatmeal, yogurt and just a bit of lemon juice. Put the mixture on the acne scars and wash off after fifteen minutes.

Products that rise moisture are extremely effective for softening the mark tissue and reducing the appearance of the scars. Olive oil is an efficient means of doing this and a safe natural option.

11. Rose hip and seed oil have natural occurring vitamin C and A which numerous dermatologists recommend to use for acne scarring. Lots of time the prescription variation is too harmful to put these vitamins on the scarring. Rose hip and seed oil is a much safer and milder option.

Sandalwood powder paste is an exceptional way for your acne mark treatments. Sandalwood has rejuvenation quality for skin that will dwindle away the acne mark worries.

These are all exceptional home solutions you can attempt prior to having to ask a physician for a recommended acne mark removal cream. Then your next step is to go to a skin specialist for a solution, if the house solutions do not work.

These acne scars can spook us for the rest of our lives and be a constant tip of our teen acne breakouts.

Fortunately there are some home remedies for acne scars that are really fantastic when it comes repairing harmed skin. And right here are some of the most efficient home remedies for acne scars:.

Use lime juice on the marks – lime juice acts like a “light acid representative” and will help make marks disappear over time. Products that increase wetness are extremely efficient for softening the mark tissue and decreasing the look of the marks.

Read more Best way to get rid of acne

So, like…. I had this plan of focusing on the present with Spencer, and not thinking about the potential, and not questioning what things are and not worry so much about giving things a title.

WELL I DON’T OPERATE LIKE THAT APPARENTLY.

The problem with this is that I don’t know how to act around him. I don’t know if I’m supposed to act like his friend, or his fuck buddy minus the fuck, or like the leading lady of a chick flick who you know is going to end up with the guy at the end of the movie. It’s really confusing, and I just don’t get it. It confuses me so much that I generally just end up ignoring him, which come to think of it, is some incredibly mixed signals. Oops. But I just don’t want to be all over him. I can’t do that, it’s not my style. If we were together together, then it would be different. If we were dating, I’d know to flirt all the damn time because who doesn’t like that. But as it stands, we’re just friends. And we have never been just friends. So where the fuck does that leave me?

It leaves me wanting in to his head is where it leaves me. And I don’t even care what’s up there, I just want to know WHY ME. Why am I the one you sleep next to, but don’t make any moves on? Why do you literally hit on everyone else at the party, and then STILL sleep next to me? WHY?! I literally have no idea. The other girls are such better options than me for literally a billion reasons. I’m not very pretty, I’m a feminist, I ain’t no size 10, I give super mixed and confusing signals all the damn time, I’m Dyllon’s sister, I don’t like to always party, I’m actually kind of rude to him all the time (because that’s how you pick up dudes, obviously), I have literally no sex appeal, I make everything way too easy, my face looks like a pepperoni pizza most of the time, I’m a sweaty greasy mess, my life is chaotic and out of control most of the time, I never do my laundry, I am terrible at calling people back, I like to be alone too much, I want to do too many things, I’m super lazy but also a huge control freak, and about 49583494856334068450978684389 other reasons. I get that. But at the same time, we have kind of messed around a teensy bit, so I don’t repulse him THAT much. But I also practically jumped him once and he wouldn’t fuck me. He wouldn’t even tell me why he wouldn’t fuck me.

But why does he always end up sleeping next to me every time?

I have always told myself that it’s because I’m convenient. And that would be fine, except that we don’t actually DO anything. People that are convenient are those that are around for sexual type things, so it’s gotta be something different. It’s too consistent for it to have happened by accident, and that’s the part that screws with my head every time. He even told me once that the guys ask if we mess around. I didn’t wait for him to answer, I didn’t want to have that conversation. And while I am trying not to see potential here, I can’t help but think that he has to feel something. Even if it is shallow and stupid, there has to be something there, otherwise this pattern wouldn’t have emerged. I have had many text conversations with my favorite person, the ever wise Hannah. And she said that she thinks he is in his partying phase, but deep down knows he wants to settle down with someone like me who is mature and all of that crap, and that’s why he is drawn to me. And I know she meant it in the absolute best way possible, bless her. She is like my little cheerleader. But at the same time, it also kind of makes me feel like shit.

If deep down you know that someone like me is what you want, then why the fuck do you need to mess around with other people? It makes me feel like I’m not enough, like I need to be more for him. It makes me want to never eat and lose 39434 pounds, get cuter clothes, show my boobs, whore around a bit, I don’t know, something. I don’t know what would make me more complete to him. What do I need to change? I don’t even know because I literally have no idea what he is thinking! I just want to know why. I want to know why I’m not good enough right this minute, why he continues to fuck with my head every goddamn weekend, and why he wouldn’t have sex with me (that’s not the biggest issue, but it still bugs me because it makes me feel like I’m not good enough, and makes me think he has the herp or something and that’s kind of something I need to know just in case). It gets me so fucked up in the head. It really does motivate me to change though. And then I get mad about that too, because I don’t ever want to be the person who changed for her man. That’s terrible. I’m too much of a feminist for that.

I also don’t want to continue this fucking bullshit pattern we’ve got going on right now. It really does hurt my heart. And my vagina, to be honest. It gets all worked up and excited for literally nothing. Oh, I’m Spencer, and I’m just gonna hit on literally every girl right in front of Raelene, and then sleep next to her like normal. Fuck that shit. I don’t want to wait around until he’s over that, because even if I did wait around, who’s to say that Hannah is right and he would want to settle down with me? I ain’t no Disney princess who’s going to brush her hair and sing to birds until some guy realizes she’s the one he was looking for all along and they get married and live happily ever after. Fuck that. Well, at least I say I won’t wait, but if someone else doesn’t come along in the meantime, yeah, imma wait. Because I’m a pushover. And I know that while he might have all the fish in the sea to fuck, I don’t. I literally have nobody else to be with, and I am not ashamed to admit it, I get fucking lonely. Physically and emotionally. There’s only so much a vibrator can do, let me tell you. Though I don’t know if his sausage hands would be any better, so there’s that to contend with. And being in a couple is just adorable. I have never had that kind of relationship before, and Spencer makes me kind of want one. But I digress.

And yet, at the same time, does it really matter? This is the exact person I am attracted to. Someone who is emotionally inaccessible, is cocky as hell, has fucking amazing arms, is an asshole and always thinks he’s right, wears flannel and drinks beer, is a bit “dangerous” yet makes me feel safe, and sometimes smells like an auto part store/garage. That is exactly what I want, and that is what I will always go for. No matter what. Even in TV shows. As a kid, my favorite Chipmunk was Alvin, the troublemaker. That 70s Show? I’d go for Hyde. Supernatural? Dean. It’s the same damn character, just in different settings. KK is always trying to find me a hippie/hipster liberal type, but I’m just not into them at all. It doesn’t get my sexual juices flowing, as it were, which is really unfortunate. I am attracted to my exact opposite: loads of testosterone. But the point is, even if I force myself to move on from Spencer, what the fuck is the point? I’m just gonna find him in someone else anyway, I always have. Every single guy I have ever been into fits this description, more or less. Except Phil. Phil was actually a very nice man.

Part of me sometimes thinks he is just a sadistic fuck who likes to screw with people’s heads. I don’t actually believe that, but it would make me feel better if he was just crazy and mean instead of too dumb to realize what the fuck he’s doing. I hope to god he doesn’t realize what he’s doing. Jesus christ.

So instead of whine about all of this to Hannah, who I feel super bad for because she has to listen to me every Monday after a weekend of partying, I need a plan. And I’m not going to stick to it, I never do. I always change it, or give it up because Spencer said something wonderful, or whatever. And I know I’ll forget this literally the second I see him next because let’s face it: he’s my only hope right now, and I gotta run with it. But I’m going to make a plan.

1. No more texting. Jesus christ. I wish I could just disable the texting function to him. That would be useful. I’d want it back the instant I disabled it though, so I don’t know.

2. No more trying so hard to be interested in what he is interested in. Don’t watch South Park like you said you would. It’s a stupid fucking show, and watching it isn’t going to make him swoop you up into his arms like you want it to. In reality it’s probably just going to piss you off. Watch Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey like you want to. You have different interests, stop making him your only interest. Stop catering to him. He literally just found out you live in Roseville like two weeks ago, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know what you do for work. Actually I can almost guarantee that. He knows jack shit about you, don’t try to learn everything about him.

3. STOP GOING TO DYLLON’S. I know it’s a fucking blast, I know it’s super fun and you love hanging out with all of the guys because they are actually starting to feel like friends, but this is just stupid. You’re like the rat in the laboratory, who pushes a button non-stop. Every 100 times you push the button, you get a cookie. The other 99 times you either get nothing, or get electrocuted. Oh fuck, because he’s an electrician. Goddammit, look how I did that. Whatever. But stop being that lab rat and going for the poison. Also, stop going out on the boat That’s probably the biggest bummer. Boats are fun.

4. Stop whining. Put on your damn big girl panties and shut the fuck up. People have bigger problems than Spencer. Focus on making yourself better, but only for yourself. And kind of to make him jealous, just because he kind of deserves to have his feelings hurt a little. Though I’m not sure he has feelings, so I don’t know, maybe changing for me is enough.

5. Always refer to the chart or ask for a slap in the face when needed.

Like I said. I know that I’m not going to follow that plan the minute Spencer touches me with his hand, sends me a text, or even exists in the same place I’m at. But I’m gonna try.

And with that, I must bid you adieu.

Are you on a quest to get gorgeous, healthy skin? Skinstitut products containing these wonder ingredients are the best way to go!

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’S) are acids that remove dry, dead skin cells to reveal smoother, softer and glowing skin.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%, L-Lactic Cleanser 9%, Glycolic Cleanser 12%, Even Blend Serum, Vitamin C

Aloe is soothing and calming which makes it the perfect ingredient if you have sensitive skin – or are prone to breakouts.
Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser, L-Lactic Cleanser 9%, Rejuvenate 15, Hand and Body Lotion

Glycolic Acid is an exfoliant used in a wide range of exfoliating lotions and chemical peels. It helps to reveal newer, clearer skin.
Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12%, Glycolic Scrub 14%, Even Blend Serum,

Olive Oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and its moisturizing powers are great for your skin.
Skinstitut Retinol,

Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic and is perfect to treat blemishes and oily skin. Not only will it clear up the blemishes you have now, but if you keep using products that contain tea tree oil, you will start seeing less of them.
Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12%, Glycolic Scrub 14%

Vitamin C stimulates collagen in your skin to keep it looking healthy. It also helps tighten and brighten your skin.
Skinstitut Vitamin C

Vitamin E is very healing. It helps heal sunburn, scars and dry skin conditions.
Skinstitut Hand and body Lotion

Witch Hazel has refreshing properties that help control oily skin.
Skinstitut Laser Aid (when used as a antibacterial mask)

I am going to start this blog by sharing with you a supplement I have been taking for a little over four months. It cleanses the kidneys, purifies the blood. Heals the digestive tract. 

Skin begins to GLOW! Triphala. Just amazing. It is an ancient ayurvedic remedy. I know it works wonders because when I stopped taking it for a week or my skin looked a little less radiant. 

Triphala is a tridoshic digestive darling.  That means its good for all body types.  Triphala is a gentle laxative and powerful detoxifier made of three fruits with really weird names from India.  Just think about taking apples, pears, and blueberries and putting them in a capsule form.  You will find that a nightly dose keeps you regular, clears the skin, and keeps the hair and nails more luscious.  You probably won’t notice that you are gently cleansing every time you take a dose.

Much love

I used an iPad with my picture and a drawing app (I get a bit app-crazy with my iPad, this one actually had a measuring feature). I did this a while ago, for a radio segment… my face is off-centre I know, but I compensated for that in my measurements. Best to have a face shot that is facing directly forward. Write all the measurements down and calculate at the end…

Step 1, top of head down to bottom of chin, and across widest part of face

Step 2,  Top of the head to the pupil / the pupil to the lip

Step 3,  Tip of the nose to the chin / the centre of the lips to the chin

Step 4, The tip of the nose to the chin / the pupils to the tip of the nose

Step 5, Width of the nose / the nose tip to the lips

Step 6, Distance between the outside of the eyes / the hairline to the pupil

Step 7, Length of the lips / the width of the nose

Now, for each step, take the bigger number, and divide it by the smaller one. There should be 7 numbers somewhere around 1.5 – 1.6. Add all 7 of them together and divide by 7 (this gives an average). The closer you are to 1.618, the more “beautiful” ie. aesthetic, your face is!

Shae’s average – 1.57 (woo hoo!)

Here’s another interesting face about the golden ratio, the proportion of distance between Mecca and North Pole to the distance between Mecca and South Pole is exactly 1.618.

There are some more freakishly uncanny examples here

These past two days, I biked through miles of Chicago streets for the first time and did so during busy hours. Not a good idea. Not because of the possibility that I’ll get hit by a car, but I’m afraid the air pollution’s possible offense to my skin! Of course whenever I’m biking in the city, I’m almost always aware of my life. However, I started to simultaneously think about my skin. The worst moments for me have not been the impeding traffic lights or the bumps and holes in the road, it’s been biking behind a bus or around all these cars that are emitting gas by-products in my face.

Maybe I’m particularly sensitive because I care quite a bit about my skin. It’s not in perfect condition, but I want to prevent blemishes and delay my wrinkling as much as possible. I know, I’m only 21, but I’ve seen some lines on my peers heads from who knows why. Well, they seem to like the look of the wrinkled forehead in their pictures, or the eyes they have when they wrinkle their forehead, but I don’t understand why. Sometimes they’re just unaware of the wrinkling altogether. They can form their face as they please, but no premature wrinkles for me, please.

California State-Licensed Esthetician
Bioelements ‘Student of the Year’

Today I will be writing some product reviews for the professional skin care line, Bioelements. After working with this line for the past six months, I have come to find a great affinity for many of the products and their particular ingredients. Below, I will note a few of my personal favorites. Some of them are for professional use only, which I will indicate. The reason I am writing these product reviews is because there are so many skin care lines out there, and so many products to choose from, one could get pretty overwhelmed trying to stay up to date with all of them! I feel that it is up to us, the estheticians of the world, to bring light to the best products in each skin care line we familiarize ourselves with. And it is up to us to educate others about our discoveries! You will find that I have highlighted all of my personal favorites, so that they can be easily located and you can do your own research on them, should you feel so inclined. My hope is that these reviews will aid in the discovery of new product favorites of your own!

First, let’s talk about my favorite cleansers. I really like the Bioelements Decongestant Cleanser. I use it when I want deep penetrating action. Its ingredients, like most of the Bioelements products, include Ginseng, Gotu Koju, Dong Quai, and Watercress Chinese Herbs, for balancing and strengthening the skin. With essential oils like Lavender and Sage, you are guaranteed and invigorating olfactory experience! Although it is specially formulated to act best with oilier skin types, I like to use it to facilitate in the removal of makeup, dirt, and debris for a first cleanse. I will then follow with a milder cleanser for my second. For example, I like the Bioelements Flash Foam Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser for all skin types. Its all-star ingredients include pineapple, papaya, and pumpkin extracts to speed up the skin sloughing process, which leads to a speedier cell turnover rate (CTR) and stimulated collagen production, so you can say goodbye to dull, lifeless-looking skin! Hello GLOW!

Now, as far as toners are concerned, I’m really not too picky, to be honest! But I will say that I am a fan of the Bioelements Equalizer toner. It is a hydrating, refreshing, mist that regulates the skin’s pH balance after cleansing and/ or masking. You can even use it after applying your makeup to avoid looking too matte (a beauty trick I picked up from a friend). I also really like the Bioelements Calmitude Hydrating Solution, for an ultra-calming mist, and the Bioelements Power Peptide toner, for younger-looking, revitalized skin. Toning is a step that many tend to dismiss, which is an unfortunate mishap, seeing as how rebalancing the skin’s pH is vital to increased product penetration! Not to mention the countless benefits of hydration!

But, speaking of product penetration, no nourishing, rejuvenating, ingredients are going to be able to get very far down in the pores if they have to work through layers, upon layers, of dead skin cells sitting on the surface, like a blockade!!! This brings me to our next product topic…exfoliators. I HAVE to talk about the Bioelements Enzyme Therapy treatment. It is a powdered mask, mixed with Bioelements Softening Gel, and activated with steam for a professional enzymatic peel. Papaya fruit enzymes work to digest dead skin cells and prepare the skin for desincrustation (extractions). This treatment will offer a beautiful spa-like afterglow! For more resilient skin types, you can use the Bioelements Extra-Strength Enzyme Therapy which has the added effects of Cinnamon and Clove to increase blood circulation and stimulation.

Now, I feel a little inclined to throw a miniature celebratory party here for the Bioelements Pumice Peel exfoliating scrub! Because I am considered a sensitive skin type, having the skin condition couperose, I cannot do machine microdermabrasion because of the suction involved. Suction may worsen capillary dilation, or even cause more telangecstacias (ruptured capillary walls)! I use the Pumice Peel (microdermabrasion in a jar) instead, and get the same baby soft look and feel afterwards! The way it works is by gently messaging the product into the skin for one to three minutes and then you can opt to leave it on as a mask for 5-10 minutes for added benefits. The ingredients in Pumice Peel offer a hydrating, calming effect as well as containing antioxidant-rich ingredients and reparative vitamin C. The pumice crystals are perfectly rounded, if looked at under a microscope, which is great for preventing micro-scratches like, say, an apricot scrub would. Although this is probably one of my favorite products by Bioelements, it is recommended for more resilient skin types. This is not a product that I can personally use 3-4 times a week, but it’s definitely in my regimen for once or twice a month. I should also mention real quick, how PHENOMENAL the results are when coupled with the Bioelements Lactic-Plus Peel (professional use only). This treatment gets a big thumbs-up from me!

One of my favorite masks by Bioelements is the anti-aging Flaxx-C mask. It is for professional use only, and it must be coupled with the Enzyme Therapy treatment with steam first. Formulated with flaxseed, Omega-3 fatty acids, and powerful antioxidants, the Bioelements Flaxx-C mask intends to strengthen and brighten tired skin, while protecting from free-radical damage. I like the Bioelements Flaxx-C treatment because it comes with a special anti-aging massage that is so incredibly relaxing, and it feels superb! You can find these special message techniques on the Bioelements Learning Module on YouTube.com. This mask comes in powdered form and is mixed with water. It is applied with a treatment fan brush in upward strokes and left on for 10-15 minutes, depending on how long it takes the mask to set. While wearing the mask you can literally feel your skin tightening! The end results are diminished fine lines and wrinkles, and a tight feel. The client will experience a little flushing of the skin because this is an invigorating treatment, but they won’t be upset. Should I mention the results again!? You can choose to follow this mask with the Bioelements Recovery Serum for more sensitive skin types to relieve ruddiness, or use Bioelements Moisture x10 for drier, more dehydrated looking skin.

When considering my favorite moisturizers from this line, Bioelements Beyond Hydration comes to mind for sure. It is non-comedogenic and a great choice for oilier skin types, as it is an oil-free product. All skin types are deserving of a moisturizer, and it seems like the more oily-prone people of the world do not necessarily see this fact! They do not always understand the benefits of protecting the skin from trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Educating our clients is priority here, and if they would at least sample this moisturizer they would see that it is so easy to wear…no greasy feel! I am personally a combination skin type, and I will opt to wear this product in the summertime, when hot and sweaty days are not my friend!

I recommend wearing sun protection factor, SPF, of at least 30 every day on top of your chosen moisturizer, and some moisturizers actually have the added bonus of SPF already in them, like Bioelements SPF50 FaceScreen. If you are the said oily-prone person, however, I would try the Bioelements Sun Diffusing Protector SPF15, as it is an oil-free product. It should be noted that all of Bioelements sunscreens are broad spectrum, offering maximum protection from the sun’s harmful rays, and the Sun Diffusing Protector SPF15 contains Titatinium Dioxide and Zinc, which are mineral ingredients that will actually reflect UV rays away from the skin.

The best thing about Bioelements Professional Skin Care products is that most of the treatments are fully customizable. As an esthetician, you are given a full line of products and additives to feel confident in addressing pressing skin concerns and conditions. I love how Bioelements gives us, the estheticians, a chance to use intelligence and creativity to serve our clients and to ensure their quality treatments and confidently offer product recommendations for at-home care.

Speaking of at-home care, I have to mention one last product. Although there are many more Bioelements products I have come to love, this last review belongs to the Bioelements Sleepwear night cream. It is an anti-aging cream formulated for dry to combination skin with calcium, retinol, peptides and cranberry seed oil. I received a small sample of it a few months ago and used every last bit of it! It is worn on the face, neck, and decollate after your cleanser, toner, and serum applications. While I have not yet tried the Bioelements Sleepwear for Hands, I can say that I have heard rave reviews, and it is definitely on my list of products to try. Especially since I already trust the night cream and know it works!!!

My review conclusion: There is an instant connection with clientele and estheticians when a product can be represented with great enthusiasm. And Bioelements is a skin care line that offers this opportunity! These products and treatments are the perfect blend of relaxation and, more importantly, results. The fact that this skin care line does not test on animals and contains no artificial scents or colorings are added bonuses. So, thank you Bioelements scientists and chemists for your spectacular creations. Thank you, fellow estheticians and aestheticians, for sharing your thoughts and reviews as well. I appreciate my subscribers and internet surfers for taking the time to read my Bioelements reviews. I wouldn’t have done this entry if I didn’t feel so strongly for these products. I sincerely hope that I have at least perked some curiosity to try them. I hope you find this Bioelements skin care line as fun and exciting as I have! Good luck with all of your skin care endeavors and remember to SUBSCRIBE!

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG FOR MORE PRODUCT REVIEWS, EDUCATIONAL ENTRIES, PICTURES, AND VIDEOS AND LET ME, EstiLuSkinGuru, HELP YOU PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD! Comments welcomed…

Notes about my skin type: I have combination to dry skin. My forehead gets oily during the day, but the rest of my face is dry as the desert. I’m prone to peeling on my nose and the corners of the mouth if I don’t take care to moisturize.

Dermablend Professional Smooth Indulgence Concealer ($22 USD)

Dermablend’s (http://www.dermablend.com/) is known for their products related to tattoo cover, and the stuff actually really works. Don’t believe me? Watch the video below? So if their products can cover ink, imagine what their concealer is like?

 

This product is for medium coverage (minor to moderate localized blemishes). It’s perfect for rosacea, redness, minor acne scars, acne, dark under-eye circles and other isolated skin flaws. The brand advertises the product as a concealer that “evens complexion and won’t enhance fine lines or surface imperfections. Provides all day hydration with SPF 20 Sunscreen.”

• Pros
  • A little goes a long way. It better after spending $22 on it! Don’t be scared off by the 0.3 fl oz. I’ve been using the same tube almost everyday for at least 2-3 months and it’s just starting to wind down. While it’s a large upfront price, you can milk this product for all it’s worth.
  • Do you see this cover? As you can see from the pictures, I have a birthmark on my left hand. I’ve included a before and after picture so that you can judge for yourself!

• Large number of shades. There are 8 different shades of this product so there’s more precision when matching it to skin tone.
• Long lasting. This concealer lasts until I take my makeup off at night. I will be honest, I use their Setting Powder which they claim lengthens the time that the concealer stays put. Of course, it’s still concealer. If you rub your face throughout the day, it will come off.
• Formula is moisturizing so my skin doesn’t flake. Like I said, my nose tends to peel especially when the weather is dry. This hasn’t been a problem with this concealer. The consistency is like foundation rather than a paste. I have been flake free since I started using it.
• SPF 20 Sunscreen!! The best anti-aging is sunscreen! Prevent wrinkles before they start. While I would still suggest using a facial SPF moisturizer or sunscreen specifically designed for your face, this product adds a little more protection.

• Cons
  • Price. While for some, this is acceptable, it is a little costly for others. I decided to go and stick with this brand because I think the results are worth the price. Also, the tube has lasted me a lot longer than I thought it would when I first got it. So it’s really up to your discretion.
• Update about Retailers

Too Long; Didn’t Read (TL;DR): 

 

It might be a little pricey for some, but, in my opinion, it’s totally worth it. The coverage is great, and it lasts a lot longer during the day than other brands that I’ve tried. While the tube itself might seem like it’s not that much, a little bit of this product goes a long way so it’ll last you at least a few months. This product comes in 8 shades for better precision and contains SPF 20 sunscreen. The consistency is like that of a foundation and doesn’t dry out your skin if you’re prone to peeling. Finding the product is a bit of an obstacle, but you can order from offline to get it delivered if there isn’t an outlet near you that carries the brand.

xoxo Sarah

Styling Below!

Sharing some awesome outfits with you today from, Ducknipple..
I will put the name of each set under the photos..

Also, Truth Hawks released 3 new hairstyles this past week..
Colbie, Siobhan and Jon..
I am sharing Colbie and, Siobhan with you in these photos… Jon, is a new MALE hair!! So guys, make sure you stop by!

DN Mesh: Anita Uni

SLX Outfit Drape

The skin worn through out is, Glam Affair – Amberly – America 05 BL and the eyes are, IKON Ascension Eyes – Evening… EEP! I think that is it.. but, if I forgot something, please leave a comment and, I will fill it in! xoxo

So I’ll tell you really quickly how I fixed my situation.

I started off like this;

I know the lighting is a bit bad but trust me, I was the most red I think I’ve ever been !!

I took three tea bags of black tea (I just used the Safeway brand) and put them in a pitcher of warm water. I let them “marinate” until the water was about room temperature. I cut up an old t-shirt to use as a rag; you definitely don’t want to use something you expect to use again because you won’t be able to.
Hop in the tub because it will be dripping off of you.
From here you just dip the rag into the pitcher and rub it onto your burnt areas. Some spots I would leave the rag on for a minute or two just to soak it in even more. Also, rubbing the tea bags directly on your skin seems to be very effective. The more you apply the tea to your skin the better results you will see. I spent about twenty minutes or so in my bathtub practically bathing myself in tea. Sexy, I know.
Do not rinse the tea off once you let it dry. You can rinse it off when you shower the following morning but it is best to let it soak over night if possible. No it did not stain my sheets. I also did not reek of tea which was a rather nice surprise.

Here is what I woke up to this morning;

I am very pleased with the results this treatment gave me. Hopefully this gives you some faith that some of these easy home remedies really do work!! I know I’ll be more inclined to try new things at home now!

Xoxo
AJ

You can enhance your beauty with a lovely smile. When your lips are pink, your smile also becomes charming. But there are many people who do not have pink lips and color of their lips have become dark and pale which are not appealing at all. Pink lips are also a sign of youthfulness, rather than pale, unfriendly lips. There are many reasons behind dark lips, such as hectic lifestyle, ignorance towards health, change in weather, some kind of illness, chewing tobacco, chemotherapy, excessive use of fluoride, excessive smoking, regular use of low quality cosmetics, not removing lipsticks from your lips at night, less blood circulation in the lips, too much stress, exposing lips to direct sun rays, humid temperature and so on. Nevertheless, these lips can be transformed into soft, inviting pink lips with a few steps. Let’s begin!

The first step is to avoid direct contact of dark liquids to your lips. That includes coffee, dark tea, red wine, and certain juices. Instead of never drinking these again, simply use a straw. This may sound silly drinking coffee or wine from a straw, but there are also certain cups with small holes that won’t stain the lips. Not only do these affect your lips, but also they stain your teeth.

The next step is very important: exfoliation! Exfoliating your lips once a week will get rid of the built-up dead skin cells and make them softer and brighter. This can be done by taking a toothbrush and gently scrubbing in circles on your top and bottom lips. Be careful not to scrub so hard that your skin starts to bleed. If you don’t want to do this, then mixing either honey or extra virgin olive oil with sugar will work just the same. Mix small and proportional amounts of honey or extra virgin olive oil with sugar and scrub this across lips with your finger. You can either lick the remaining mixture off or with a wipe. Apply a soothing lip balm to the lips for moisturization after exfoliating.  Both of these processes will help get the blood circulation back and bring the natural color in.

This step is probably one of the easiest and most practical. Staying hydrated not only helps your skin, hair, and overall health, but also the color of your lips. Each day you should drink at least half of your body weight in fluid oz. For example, if you weight 120 lbs then you should be drinking about 60 fl oz. If water isn’t your favorite, then adding a drink enhancer, like Crystal Lite, can get you the same low calorie hydration but with more flavor. Adding fresh lemon juice to water can also help speed up the metabolism.

The final step is to make sure when you apply deep lip products, you fully remove all of the product. This includes lipsticks, lip-stains, and thick lip glosses. The chemicals within these products can permanently stain your lips and demolish their natural luster. To fully remove these products, sweep a makeup wipe across your lips until you see nothing coming off onto the wipe.

Following these simple steps can ensure that your lips stay plump, pink, and perfect!

I could remind 6480 people of their epidermis by giving them skin cell plush dolls

[via Amazon: Giant Microbes]

Water J You just can’t live without it. If you don’t already know, women (on average) should drink around 2.2 litres of water, and men should drink about 3 litres of water a day. That’s 9 and 13 cups, respectively. To those who aren’t crazy about water, it can sound like mission impossible to stay hydrated, and I do admit that sometimes even I have a hard time meeting my quota for daily water intake. All in all though, it doesn’t have to be hard. In no particular order, the following is a list of my favourite ways to stay hydrated. Enjoy J

Melons!

Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, etc. Melons are great sources of water (as if you didn’t already know?), but they’re also amazing choices because they contain fiber to help you feel full. I love eating melons through the summer because they double up as a snack AND a drink.

Tea!

 Tea is probably my favourite way to stay hydrated. I love tea because if you prepare it with no extra sugar or milk, it’s a flavourful and healthy way to add extra H₂O to your diet. When I met my boyfriend, he told me that he hated tea. Upon hearing that, all I could think was that he just hadn’t found the right tea. Fortunately for me (and him?), my brother has a very similar taste in food to him, so I just grabbed my brother’s favourite teas, and let him try a different one at each meal. The second one was an immediate success. Why tell you this? Because I want to stress that there is a tea for everyone. If you are looking to drink tea as a form of hydration, though, I encourage everyone to drink herbal tisanes or decaffeinated tea because caffeine can be hard on the system (and the skin).

Rooibos tea- rooibos tea is actually a tisane, and is thus naturally caffeine free. It originated in South Africa but is quite popular everywhere now. It’s got a potent flavour that is fairly easy to compliment with nearly anything! It also has antioxidants, making it a good choice for a health drink.

My favourite rooibos tea: Tazo Vanilla Rooibos Tea (available at starbucks, it’s sweet so it doesn’t need much sweetener).

Peppermint or Mint tea- these tisanes are perfect for people who have stomach issues because it helps to relax the digestive tract. I love drinking them because I tend to have a really sensitive stomach. They’re also great because they help keep my breath fresh without gum Most people tend to prefer mint over peppermint because it has a milder flavour, but still packs the benefits.

My favourite peppermint tea: Traditional Medicinals Peppermint (it’s organic!)

For mint, I usually prefer the actual leaves from a mint plant, which you can buy pretty much anywhere.

Licorice Spice tea- Licorice spice teas are also tisanes. What I love about these teas is that licorice is naturally sweeter than sugar, so I’ve never met anyone who feels inclined to sweeten these teas. If you’re new to tea, or you just can’t seem to kick the sugar, this is the tea for you. It’s definitely my favourite caffeine free tea.

My favourite licorice spice tea: Stash Licorice Spice, or Yogi Egyptian Licorice (organic)

(psst! I love to double steep licorice spice teas and then serve them on ice. They are a sweet alternative to juice on a hot summer day!)

Other teas I like: chamomile, decaf oolong (my other favourite), lemon citrus, decaf green tea, and decaf earl grey.

Homemade Flavoured Waters!

Sometimes (especially in the summer) I can get tired of drinking plain water. Rather than buy those gross prepackaged crystal light mixes or mio water enhancers, I like to make my own flavoured water. It’s easy, healthy, and cheap. The best part is that you know exactly what’s you’re putting into it (points if you buy organic). No aspartame or sucralose to mess with your tummy, just good old water and some basic flavouring.

 The best way to store these is either in a pitcher (with a strainer lid) in the fridge, or in a water bottle with a built in infuser. I have an infuser water bottle. They’re handy because you can bring them on the go and reuse the ingredients throughout the day, wherever you refill your bottle. All you do is put the ingredients into the infuser portion and then fill the water bottle! So easy!

Cucumber Mint (per 1 litre)

This drink is nice and cooling in the summer, and soothing for the stomach too!

Half a medium cucumber, sliced into coins

4-8 mint leaves, depending on desired strength

(Ice if desired)

Add all ingredients to pitcher and fill with water.

If you use an infusing water bottle, just fill the infuser about 2/3 full with cucumber coins, and then the rest of the space can be devoted to mint leaves.

Raspberry Orange (per 2 litre)

I love this drink when I want something with a bit more zing.

The juice of one naval orange

1 cup of raspberries that have been slightly smushed

(Ice if desired)

*Sometimes I add a little mint to this one as well*

Add all ingredients to pitcher and fill with water.

If you use an infusing water bottle, fill the infuser about half full of the raspberries.

Master Cleanse INSPIRED Lemonade (per 1 litre)

Sometimes I just love drinking this, even when I’m not cleansing. This method is not a recipe that works during the master cleanse because the enzymes in the lemon juice are killed if exposed to cayenne for too long, but if you’re like me and you just want the drink, go for it.

The juice of 1-2 lemons (depending on the strength you want)

1/2 a cup of real maple syrup

Cayenne pepper (whatever strength you can manage, but remember it gets hotter the longer it steeps)

Strawberry Lime (per 1 litre)

This drink is amazing! It’s just the right amount of sweet and tart, perfect for summer.

The juice of 1-1 ½ limes

One cup of mushed strawberries

(Ice is optional)

(To switch it up, I usually add 4-5 crushed mint leaves or the juice of half a naval orange.)

Add everything to the pitcher and fill with water.

If you’re using an infusing water bottle, fill the infuser 2/3 full of strawberries.

 Real Iced Teas

I’m not talking Brisk or Nestle. I’m talking about REAL steeped tea that’s been iced. I love drinking tea, but in the summertime a hot drink is the last thing I want. Making iced tea is as easy as making hot tea, but with one extra step: pouring over ice. Depending on the tea, some don’t even need a sweetener. All you need to remember is if it’s being iced, you have to double up the regular amount of tea bags you like in your hot tea. This accounts for any flavour lost with the addition of water (from the ice).

Original Lemon Iced Tea (per 1 litre)

4 black teabags (keep it simple, no chai)

The juice of one large lemon

Prepare tea as you normally would with boiled water. Steep tea bags for between 2-4 min (if you leave it too long it might become to tannin-y). Transfer brewed tea into a tempered glass pitcher and add the lemon juice. You can either pour this into cups filled with ice, or chill it in the fridge.

Iced Green Tea with Honey (per 1 litre)

4 green teabags

2-3 tablespoons of honey

Prepare tea in the same manner as above (remember not to bring water to a full boil for white or green teas). Stir in honey, and chill in a tempered glass pitcher, or pour over ice.

Iced Vanilla Chai Tea with Milk (Simple Recipe) (Per 2 litre)

3-4 chai teabags

3-4 tablespoons of honey

2-3 tablespoons of real vanilla extract

1 litre of unsweetened milk (I prefer almond milk)

Steep chai teabags in one litre of boiled water for 2-4 min (don’t steep too long or the tea will be very acidic), and mix in honey. In a tempered glass pitcher, mix vanilla extract and milk. Combine the two mixtures slowly and thoroughly. This drink is best served immediately over ice.

So there you have it! My favourite ways to stay hydrated when I’m bored of water. I hope this list encourages everyone to consume more H₂O and/or to make the jump from “diabetes in a can” (AKA pop or “juice”) to one of the more healthy options.

greetings! ((^~^)) i am very pleased to announce a new sponsor for my blogs…..Baubles! by Phe & today i am featuring these bracelets called Strapped…i love these!!! oh and i know i haven’t gotten a chance to do many hunts lately but *RoTten DeFiAnCe* & //elephante poses// are both in a new one called the Sexy Nerd Hunt where each gift is only L$5….and it’s all about us nerdy people! i am a huge fan of Star Wars of course….i remember first watching them on my dad’s LaserDisc …YES!….LOL!

wearing~

• Dress~*RoTten DeFiAnCe*-Artoo Dress (L$5 from Sexy Nerd Hunt…includes Lolas appliers….tysm rogue!)
• Bracelets~Baubles! by Phe-Strapped (tysm phedre!)
• Glasses~//elephante poses//-You Won’t See Me-Nerd Glasses Prop (L$5 from Sexy Nerd Hunt…includes 6 poses…tysm melissajeanne!)
• Hair~Magika-Bliss-01
• Skin~[Hush]-June-Tease-Sugar-db (free group gift)
• Eyes~Beautiful Freak Cosmetics-Chloral-promo/demo-azure (free)
• Shape~made by me (not for sale)

poses~

• Juxtapose-Motivation Pose Set-2 (tysm rain!)

tune~

• MC Chris~Nrrrd Grrrl