Ahh SUMMER - remember like a child, then act as adult Natural, Beautiful & YOU!

The summer was always my favorite time of the year growing up on the East Coast. Memorial Day Weekend was the start of freedom, sun and friends! I also knew school was almost out and the pool was finally unveiled for the summer...

Living in Southern California, I am spoiled... the pleasures of summer fun are enjoyable almost year round. But I always refer back to my childhood attitude. As an adult, I now see Summer as a time to PLAY, SLOW DOWN and TAKE time for ME! I can still have a mini-summer vacation.

At the shop, we try to turn our services into treats for the over-worked, over-stressed client that needs to slow down and treat themselves to SUMMER LOVE. The kids are at home and the weather really starts heating up. We make sure we have LOTS of sunscreen available as well as all natural choices (skincare with SPF and mineral foundations with zinc).

We always have the chocolate bowl filled, an iced cappuccino or herbal tea instead of hot treats. Alkaline water is a great re-generator and detox option - and always on hand at the spa. Of course we have our favorite coconut based lotions from FIJI with yummy smelling scents that compliment our all natural soy candles along with glittering accessories.

So we make sure all the ingredients to a mini-staycation or "me" time are all available for the summer months. We all work more than we should, but we need to balance that with playtime (especially during the summer!) But as Memorial Day approaches lets take a moment and remember what the idea of summer meant to us as kids...

Even though we aren't on summer vacation, we can't spend every waking hour in the pool and our friends aren't available - try to do something for YOU this summer.

Grab a book you want to read - take 15 min. and sit in the sunshine - take a nap

rent a movie - light a candle and take a bath - plan a long weekend

enjoy the outdoors & weather - buy a new outfit - try a new haircut
learn something or try something you have on your list

paint your toes a fun BLUE (try a reverse french manicure)

buy a new lipgloss - visit an old friend..
create a LASTING summer memory this year,
just like when you were a kid.

Whatever you do, enjoy the coming of SUMMER.

Summer is the time to slow down, have fun, relax and do something just for YOU!
Just because you are grown up.. doesn't mean you can't enjoy the summer like a kid.

I'm taking up GOLF!

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!

MAY is Skin Cancer AWARENESS Month

Sunscreen & Protective clothing is the KEY to preventing skin cancer.

After my Aunt passed away from a small mole on the top of her scalp that started as skin cancer and turned into bone and brain cancer, I decided I needed to spread the word on this silent but deadly disease.

My aunt was Irish through and through, very light skin. She loved golf and played whenever she got the chance. She always wore sunscreen and a visor but not a full hat. My aunt passed away four years after her hairstylist discovered a raised mole that suddenly appearance in her hair on her scalp.

Awareness and education is key to prevention. For the month of MAY we are advocating Skin Cancer Prevention at the spa. All clients will receive a samples of EPICUREN's sunscreen & a lip balm as well as a thought of the day card with reminders on checking for skin cancer.

Even though, we all love a great tan... remember the environment is changing and that tan could be dangerous. For more information go to www.skincancer.org.

Have a great month and help me spread the word...

GREAT FINDS for SPRING & SUMMER!

I have been searching for new products to compliment my new location and in my journeys I have come across some great MUST HAVES for your makeup bags!

Mascara - COVER GIRL - Lash Blast (best new mascara by far! and it keeps popping up in the celebrity m/u bags I am working with too!)

Lip gloss: LOREAL 6 hour infallible gloss - this really lasts until lunch! YOU will be amazed!

Longer Lashes: Extensions or lash primer! This works great by coating the natural lashes so when followed with mascara you are thicker and longer. Lash fibers are great also. Just remember to apply a coat of mascara FIRST and follow with fibers not at base but from 1/2 up last to tip. Then coat with second wipe of mascara and MAGIC!

SUNSCREEN: Go Green and Go organic! All natural sunscreen works better than chemicals and no reaction or clogged pores. Try mineral makeup as a final set and sunscreen protection in your makeup routine. Before finishing grab a mineral makeup with SPF and lightly brush all over your face and chest to protect and set!

BREAKOUTS: Best best for last minute breakouts is sulfur lotion... try my favorite BYE, BYE BLEMISH. As soon as you feel or see the red lump, place on 2-3 nights and it will go away! No woman should be without this product!

TEA for BEAUTY: Drink your way to great skin, rest and beauty! This tea is great!
Yummy ingredients, all natural and made to make you beautiful from the inside out. Great hot or cold! Try Sipping Beauty, if you love tea - you'll love this!