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 10: Love is in the air... why not love your Face & Body too

Problem: My skin is soooo dry I can't get enough moisture to stay. I feel like an itchy, dried out prune.

Solution: Stress and environmental elements are harsh on our skin and bodies - you need to nourish so it can re-vive itself.

I was just reading an article today about nutri-ceutials. They are extremely hot in Europe and Japan right now. They inject nutrients for the body and skin into the food we eat. Brilliant! There was an example of collagen infused health drink, a snack bar with skin firming elements and soup with vitamins infused. Such an interesting topic - I sure hope we get introduced to some of these products soon in the states.
I will be in Holland in two weeks and I plan on doing some searching.

Replenish your skin and body with what it is lacking and you will see immediate results. More moisture rich (not necessarily thicker) products on the skin and hair. Products that help hold in the moisture and allow the cells to maintain and replenish lost moistures. Drink lots of water - and a great multivitamin (even a pre-natal) is amazing. Your body and skin LOVE when you replenish and allow them to recharge (especially overnight!) So try it - using products regularly for a month you will see results!

Good Luck - and give yourself some LOVE!

DAY 9: New Year, New Look, New YOU!

So much change! But it's a New Year and you should look at change as GOOD! You have probably noticed the new site and new name - but it's still me - fun changes for 2008!

Problem: The most common question I receive from clients and people in passing is... "How do I get out of my beauty rut?
I feel stuck in my old makeup and skincare routine. Every time I try something new, I fall back into my comfort zone and do not give the new treatments a chance. What do you suggest?"

Solution: Try it! You might REALLY like it! I am in the process of looking at new product lines for the new year and I have found some GREAT products. But if I didn't take the time to try some new products and just stuck with my old stuff, I would never have found some great new products!!! My lash clients agree...

This year I will launch a line called BLEND essentials. The line will consist only of items you can add to your current skincare regimen and makeup bags to help you achieve what I refer to as "the flawless face." That is why I call it BLEND. These items can just "blend" into what you are already using and add some pizazzz! The most important technique when it comes to doing makeup on tv, film, special events or just everyday is BLENDING... again, see the connection.

So try a new eyeshadow color. Instead of using it alone... add it on top of what you currently wear. Try to smoke out the corners of your eyes or line the inside rim of your eyes with a kohl pencil. Try a new scrub for your face and actually use it 2-3 times a week. Try a new sunscreen (powdered sunscreen, aka - mineral m/u brushes are all the rage!). Take that wonderful smelling essential oil and wear it on your pulse points for a day or two - see who notices. And grab a great red lipstick and add it on top of your current neutral color. There are so many little touches you can add to spice up your look.

It is a great time to try new things. Sometimes we like them, sometimes we don't - but as my father always says, "You don't know until you try it, and then you just might like it!"

Feel free to email with any questions... I can help give you some suggestions of products to try and help you liven up your beauty rut!

I will have some great treasures to share with you soon... so stay tuned!

And 2008 will be a great year for us all!

Happy Holidays!

I am just starting this blog. I would love to answer any makeup, skincare or beauty questions you may have.
Let me start by letting you know what I do. I live in Los Angeles and work in the entertainment business.
I am a licensed esthetician and celebrity makeup artist. I love what I do and working with all the people I meet.
I specialize in natural beauty, eyelash extensions, airbrush tanning, stone/reiki facials and brow design.
I truly believe, " LIFE IS LIKE A DANCE, THERE WILL BE DIPS, TURNS, & KICKS ALONG THE WAY. BUT IF YOU TRULY LOVE WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO, YOU CAN BRING JOY TO ALL THOSE YOU DANCE WITH!"

I look forward to speaking with you!

Michelle