Who doesn’t like receiving a relaxing facial? There are many reasons why it is enjoyable to melt into the esthitician chair, however, facials are also an essential part to having radiant skin. We have three reasons why everyone should come in to experience this one-of-a-kind treatment.

Cleansing
For starters, a facial gives your skin a deep cleaning. Think of all the things your skin comes into contact with in a day. From outdoor pollutants to makeup, it can all build up. A facial gets rid of toxins and dead skin and brings out your natural skin tone. Plus, it keeps your pores from making too much oil. By decreasing the amount of oil on your face, you decrease breakouts. The exfoliation process helps your skin stay firm and tight, keeping those wrinkles at bay.
Stress relieving
It’s not a coincidence that you feel refreshed after a facial. Not only do facials exfoliate and moisturize your skin, the treatments also increase blood flow and promote circulation. For many women, taking a few minutes to get a facial is “me time,” a time to relax and forget about work, car pools and dinner recipes. The whole treatment is a stress reliever.
Age-fighting
Routine facials can help fight wrinkles, but there are certain additions you can tack on to help your skin stay wrinkle free. Intense pulsed light and some laser treatments are known to stimulate and promote collagen growth, which keeps your skin from sagging.

There are many different kinds of facials. I would be happy to suggest the best one for you.

After a facial, your skin feels amazing, right? So how do you keep that fresh, radiant look in between visits? The same way you look gorgeous 365 days a year.

Use sunscreen all the time
Sunscreen is for every day! The sun’s rays damage skin, so it’s best to apply sunscreen anytime you plan on stepping outside your home. If you don’t want to add another step to your morning routine, try a mineral makeup like Jane Iredale that heals, protects, conceals, AND is your daily SPF.

Watch what you eat
Skin care products can only do so much, your body does the rest. That’s why it’s important to watch what you eat. You should be consuming foods that are high in vitamins. Fruits and fish are two easy sources of age fighting vitamins.
Break out the shampoo and conditioner
You might not think about it, but washing your hair is a major step towards clear skin. Think about it, your hair hangs along side your face. The dirt and oils from your hair can easily clog pores, so be sure to keep those locks clean. Find a shampoo and conditioner that is sulfate free, wax free, and uses good for your skin ingredients. Aren’t sure what those are? Ask me! I sell shampoo and conditioner and can also give you the down low on what you are currently using.
Wipe the slate clean
Every night, take off your makeup. That’s right, wash your face morning and night! Your pillow doesn’t care if you have foundation and eyeliner on, so remove the day’s polished look and go o’natural at night. By wiping off your makeup, you allow your skin to heal and detox while you sleep.
Hit the gym
Yes, sweating can clog your pores, but the act of exercising itself keeps blood flowing and promotes overall health. Just 20 to 30 minutes a day is enough to get your heart pumping and your skin looking radiant. Be sure to rinse off as soon as possible since your sweat has an alkaline pH that makes your skin more prone to breakout. Even just a splash of water and a paper towel can help avert post workout breakout. If you need to wear makeup to the gym make sure it’s a good-for-you makeup like Jane Iredale so you don’t add to pore clogging. And use a new, clean towel every visit!

Finally
Remember that facials are vital to wellness and long term healthy skin, but proper home care is even more vital. Skin care professionals have products and tools that feed, exercise, and nurture your largest organ of the body (your skin) every 2-4 weeks, but you maintain it 2x a day with your skin care routine. With the proper exercise and nutrition your skin will look more toned and youthful. By getting a facial once a month and following the tips above, your skin will stay in tip-top shape.

Spring represents the promise of renewal, both in nature and in fashion. Your makeup palate should also reflect this spirit of renewal. Embrace the warmth of spring with the right colors for your facial features and your complexion.
Spring Make-Up Tips for Everyone

Shimmery, light, pastels with a pop of bright bold color on the eye, lip, or cheek, is what Spring makeup is all about. I’m seeing one solid bold color swiped across the lid, shimmery glosses, and bright cheeks all over the runways for this season. Blues, yellows, greens, corals, and pinks are everywhere. Pantone (the arbiter of all fashion color) has announced emerald green is the color of the season so stay tuned. Colored lashes and bright colored eye liners with bold brows are on everyone.

The skin needs to look lightweight and dewy fresh. Blue and black are popular for Spring if you live in a place where you’re just shedding your winter coats. Not a dark navy but what’s called “maritime blue”. Then there’s black and white poke a dots and stripes as well as exotic tribal patterns trending. Lace is big, especially when paired with leather.

Here in Los Angeles where it’s already summer-like, head right for soft and subtle with pops of color. Yellow is a popular shadow ringed with blue liner. I see nude lips with a light gloss and lots and lots of colored eye liners with neon shadows, or the reverse with a monochrome eye and hot pink or cherry red lips. Hair is braided with fringe, or a riot of look ombre curls.

Spring Make-Up Tips for Women of Color

As a woman of color, you can go bold with makeup shades – but make sure your complexion looks flawless and fresh. Then go bright, bold, and bronzed. .

Don’t be afraid to play up great cheekbones or sensuous full lips, especially for evening looks. Try rich coral cheek colors, bold fuchsia lip colors and deep violet eye shades, especially if you have a darker complexion.

It is a race for time in the morning as you get ready for the day. The morning routine seems like another chore and bleary eyed we try to cut corners. Because of this that bar of soap in the shower may call to you instead of using your facial cleanser, but STOP! It’s important to wash your face with the appropriate cleanser and avoid the bar soap all together. In fact, ditch the bar soap all together and give your body the same tender care as your facial skin with a sulfate free shower gel.

Our skin has an exact pH level that keeps the moisture content and acidity in balance. Using the correct cleanser will keep your skin moisturized without overdoing the moisture and causing break-outs. It is important to keep the face clean and prevent bacteria build up, but you don’t want to strip the skin of its natural moisture content. This will cause premature aging and irritation.

Bar soaps are made for getting rid of the grease and grime of the day and contain ingredients to strip then coat the skin in a layer of fat. They mangle the natural pH of the skin and leave a waxy build up (hello soap scum!) that clogs pored and stops good for you products from penetrating.

There are as many facial cleansers in the world as skin types and I’m here to help you find the right one. Like a match maker I’ll hook you up with that perfect cleanser and you can ride off into the sunset happily ever after.

being greeted by a pimp,e sucks. Pimples tend to arrive at the worst times and when we are least expecting them. But don’t fear, I have some helpful advice to get you well on your way to clearer skin.

At Home Treatments

The main strategy for keeping your skin clear is keeping it clean and hydrated. For daily care, wash morning and night with a cleanser suited for your type of skin, and use warm not hot water. Gently apply cleanser with your fingers rubbing for 30 seconds in circles, rinse, and then finish with a balancing mist and moisturizer. If your removing makeup be sure to wash your face twice or use a specialized makeup remover.

Exfoliate once or twice per week with an enzyme mask that will gently digest dead skin like Pac Man eats glowing orbs. Unless you are very sensitive, you can also use a Clairsonic face brush a few times a week.

Resist the temptation to squeeze pimples or blackheads. You can permanently scar your skin or cause blocked pores to become infected if you aren’t careful. Home extraction tools aren’t recommended either – leave pimple extraction to me. Trying to conquer your face with your fingers just leaves you scarred and bleeding. Also, improper extraction will lead to spreading of the breakout in something I call “constellations.” This is when you pick a zit and then the next day a new one forms so you pick it again, and then another appears, and the next thing you know you have a set of red spots that look like star constellations.

Professional Spa Treatments

As a skin care specialist I have treatments that may not be available to you, so be sure to contact me if you have a nasty zit. Many times I can make it go away and heal faster.

Masks are the secret weapon of any good esthetician and skin care routine. Depending on the mask it can exfoliate, clean, purify, detox, minimize pores, increase hydration or…well the things that it can do for the skin are limitless!

A mask one to three times a week is one of the best ways to keep that “I just had a facial!” look longer. So next time you’re in to see me let’s chat about what mask would work best for you and your skin care needs.