Summer time - How to stay young and look great!

The kids are out of school, next week is Fourth of July and I feel like last week was a glorious Memorial Day weekend...

So lets talk summer beauty.

I just turned 37 this year and I have received some interesting compliments in the past few months. People that just meet me, find out how old I am and want to know my secret! LOL

So besides having the experience of being a studio makeup artist for almost ten years (using lots of tips on myself that I found valuable from set,) and working in esthetics and the beauty field every day... I do have a few secrets up my sleeve. One of my first makeup mentors told me - NEVER keep your tricks to yourself - always share with others... you're never that good! And when you share, it will always come back to you.

So here you go... very simple "Keeping your Youth" tips for the summer and every day.

1. SUN Limit your sun exposure (especially during peak hours). I have wholeheartedly embraced the porcelain skin is beautiful concept. I am Irish & Swedish - say no more... Because I have limited my sun exposure for at least the past ten years and wear sunscreen on my chest, neck and face every day without fail - I think I have postponed some spotting and wrinkles.
- Using a sunscreen with ZINC and TITIANIUM DIOXIDE is best - they are the strongest.


2. SKINCARE At a minimum after you turn 30 years old, you need to re-evaluate your skincare. You need something more active for your skin than you did in your 20s. In your 40s & 50s you need something more active than in your 30s. I love the peptides and enzymes. Natural is great but you do need to check for an active ingredient. Vitamin C is quickly becoming a favorite of mine for clients as well as a minimally active Retinol. Exfoliation is the key and treatment for renewal at NIGHT (this is when your skin replenishes itself and rejuvenates).

3. A good ATTITUDE. I have always tried to be a positive person. We are in trying times... Your attitude does make a difference on your appearance and your wrinkles.
SMILE at one person a day... Always try to make lemonade from lemons and see the glass half full... try counting one blessing a day - and you will be surprised at how many days it takes for you to run out of things to be thankful for.

4. Nutrition and HEALTH. Simple I know, but very easily overlooked in our busy every day stresses and schedules. I recently lost 15 pounds since the beginning of the year. I started eating! My schedule is so busy sometimes, I was not making time to eat. My metabolism slowed down and I started adding weight. By adding something each day for breakfast, vitamins and oil capsule supplements - small meals and snacks throughout the day, I noticed a difference in my skin, hair and body. I also started hula hooping for a 1/2 hour in front of the TV every other night. I do not enjoy the gym and am usually tired after a long day, so this was manageable. Start with small goals - but make a CHANGE - YOU are worth it.
Your skin reflects what is happening inside.

5. MAKEUP For the summer I like to keep it simple. I LOVE tinted moisturizer over my normal skincare. If I have a special event, I use a light foundation or mineral foundation. My skin tends to be dry so I mist the minerals with toner or water after application to elevate the matte/pasty look. I use Cover Girl LASH BLAST, which I swear by for mascara - waterproof only if I am planning on swimming or crying (not everyday). I use like sparkly tones all over my lids with a nice neutral brown or fun plum or green to accentuate my eyes. For night or special events I will pop some deep plum or charcoal in the corner of my lower lid and slightly in the crease for drama. I use STYLI STYLE - line and seal eyeliner or wet a mineral eye shadow that will stay on all day long! Blush is light and blended and bronzer works well for some glow or color over my porcelain skin. I love to finish with tinted/toned chapstick or a lipgloss.
In the summer, I feel less is more and I love to see my skin through the makeup... another reason to take care of your skin.

So I hope I have inspired you to "stay young and look young" - although it really is all in how we feel - age is only a number... my goal is to grow wiser, gracefully. But trust me some days are easier than others. But have fun with it - try new products and ENJOY your summer.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you... and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments!

Remember, YOU are perfectly im-perfect... exactly as you were meant to be!!! And that is what makes YOU beautiful!

It's JULY - Get yourself SUMMER ready!!!

Sun safety is most important! Anyone over 30 knows one day you wake up and there are spots on your face that have NEVER been there before. SUN DAMAGE.

Best defense is all natural or organic sunblock - the basic ingredients no reactions = ZINC and or TITANIUM DIOXIDE.

Green is in and this summer is HOT! Here in Los Angeles, we are having a scorcher and it is only JULY! Yikes...
Make sure you stay Hydrated so your skin will glow... regular facials and at home exfoliation is the key to beautiful smooth skin. Also make sure to wash your face before working out = less BREAKOUTS.

With GREEN comes ORGANIC. Try natural lipsticks and lipgloss for the summer... light and no worries about how much of it we eat... yuck!

If you have a big event coming up - instead of hitting the tanning booth - try an airbrushed full body tan. When my husband and I go to Hawaii we tan each other before leaving. We start with the color we leave with. The tan fades within 5-10 days and the natural color replaces it and before we come home we are still the same color! And all our photos look great because we are TAN! Much healthier alternative!

Bottom line = great skin means good skincare, sunscreen protection and good habits. Have a BLAST this summer and don't worry about SEPT yet... ENJOY!

DAY 8: LOVE your LASHES

PROBLEM: My lashes are ... too short, too light, not thick, non-existent, etc.!

SOLUTION: Now there are sooooo many options to help your lashes.

The emphasis on Lashes has only sky rocketed since last summer.
There are great products on the market now to help even the wimpy-ist of lashes.

Lash growers and stimulators are amazing! Within 3 weeks you can see amazing results, longer, fuller, stronger lashes. Just remember, more isn't necessarily better when it comes to applying the product. Just once before bed and you are good. Also, once you see the result you want, you need to continue to use the product in order to maintain growth.

Lash tinting is a great option for light lashes. A tint can turn your lashes the blackest black (no more mascara) and will last up to a month!

Lash primers are a good option for those just wanting fuller, thicker lashes. Coat your lashes with the primer and allow to dry before following with your favorite mascara. The primer coats your lashes and builds a bigger, fuller base for your mascara to coat - great quick fix!

Those for you who want to feel like the queen of the ball every day should look into lash extensions. When done be the right, licensed and certified professional they look so natural you do not need mascara. They are similar to acryllic nails, you will be addicted to the longer, fuller lashes you will want to fill them every month. But if you just allow them to grow out with your natural lashes they can last for 2-3 months.

But you have a special night and you just want a fun look - false lashes are all the rage. Whether you slide in a few false individuals or apply a strip over your entire lid - you will love the dramatic effect it gives for the occasion.

So don't be afraid to explore and check out the lash options. You DON'T have to settle for wimpy lashes anymore! Have fun and you'll be surprised at what a difference your lashes make!

The eyes are the windows to the soul! So bat your lashes and have fun with it!

DAY 1 - Beauty Tip (DRY CRACKED SKIN)

PROBLEM: DRY, Cracking Skin

This is the time of year no matter where you live in the country we all get chapped! YUCK!
Itching, cracking, flaking and sometimes bleeding...don't worry now there is some help.
These are some suggestions I give to my clients and follow myself this time of year.

SOLUTION: MOISTURIZE, MASK & HYDRATE.

OK, first EVERY night before bed you must put on MOISTURIZER (on face), lip balm/chapstick (lips) and lotion (hands).

I LOVE a few products... COW UTTER CREAM is great for this time of year. Most drug stores carry this creme. Yes, it is used to lubricate cows, but it works great on human hands too! I usually will layer a heavy creme from BATH & BODY on top too. For extra silky treatment place on a pair of cotton gloves and go to sleep - your hands will LOVE you when you wake up!
Everytime you wash your hands, follow with hand lotion.

Whenever possible I always have something on my lips this time of year. Remember, we need to remain kissable for the new year! BLISTEX and CHAPSTICK are favorites but CAROTITE (not sure if I spelled correctly) with Shea Butter is amazing - you have to find that in beauty supply stores. Or check the local health food store... shea butter is moisturizing and silky. (Nice holiday stocking stuffers!)

Depending on your skin, an appropriate moisturizer will help this time of year. Even oily skin can benefit from moisture hydration. I love the line from DR. GRANDEL. It puts in water not oil. Make sure to place on your face before bed, this is the most important time to treat your skin... your skin REPAIRS itself at night. The best time to moisturize is right after a shower or face cleansing... the lotion locks in the moisture you just had on your skin.

Even I make time to get a facial ONCE A MONTH this time of year. In addition, I also use a MASK once a week on the weekends at home. A facial is great, but the follow-up homecare will make it wonderful! The combination will eliminate the flaking and itchy skin. Instead you will glow!

Hydrating on the inside is just as important as our lotions on the outside. Drinking alot of ALCOHOL and SODA this time of year = DEHYDRATION. Do you for every 1 can of soda you drink you need to replace your body's hydration with a MINIMUM of 2 glasses of water. So have a water chaser with your drinks this season and when in doubt... grab a bottle of water!
YOUR SKIN WILL THANK YOU!

All My Best!
Michelle

15 DAYS of Hollywood Beauty Secrets!!!

Just in time for the new year! Each day I will address a common problem we all encounter on a daily basis and finally give you some tips for solutions! yeah...

Stay tuned and check daily - don't want to miss the road to the new YOU!

I look forward to sharing with you...

Michelle