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...

THE ULTIMATE Pampering... Tandem Services!

Whether it is a facial and a pedicure, hair color and waxing or lash fill and a manicure - THE BEAUTY BOUTIQUE is your one-stop shopping.

Check out our Spring Combo specials and experience true BEAUTY SLEEP!

Great For Brides... Check out Los Angeles Area

Wedding Happy Hour...
Held once a month at various venues.
The hip and relaxed way to meet vendors and find some last minute needs for your wedding day.

Check it out... tons of fun!

http://vimeo.com/3276587

INFORMATION for MARCH:

POPS Champagne and Dessert Bar

Pasadena

Wednesday March 25, 2009

7:00pm - 9:00pm

$7.00 cover charge

A MUST ATTEND EVENT for all BRIDES - Bring a Friend and Have a Blast!

NEWS for the NEW YEAR - 2009!

Some great ideas to jump start your own beauty for the new year = New YOU!

Lets GO GREEN and get NATURAL!

Great new find: You have heard of REVITALASH... now the new ALL NATURAL Version.
LASH FOOD! I have used it myself and I'm addicted! Give it 3 weeks and you can use this day and night! Your lashes will curl and lengthen.

One piece of DARK cocoa... a day, it's good for YOU!

Try a regular massage - you don't realize how much tension and stress your body holds.

Instead of surgery, try an acupressure & oxygen facial first. The combo of these two treatments leaves your skin toned, tight and glowing. Turns the clock back for a while. With regular treatments, your skin can see a lasting change.

Use a hydrating night treatment for your skin. At night is when your skin regenerates itself so at least moisturize at night. It will keep you looking young.

Replace soda for water and hydrate!!! Your skin will notice the difference.

Try natural nails and a super shine buff instead of polish. Good for your nails and lasts even longer than polish.

Try YOGA... Saturday, January 24th is National Yoga Day. Alot of places are doing free classes - great time to try!

Smile everyday!

Labor Day ALREADY?!?

So the kids are back at school, no more vacations for awhile.

You are happy, sad, disappointed or exhausted. Now it's time to make time for YOU!

Start taking 15 minutes a day for you... minimum!
Watch a great show (if you tivo a 30 minute show you can watch it in 15 min).
Start a great book.
Water and weed your garden.
Close your eyes and power nap.

Whatever it is, you need to connect with yourself. The fall is the time to get back into a comfortable routine and recharge.

Start your ANTI-AGING routine:

1. Book regular facials every 4-8 weeks. Not only for the cleansing but for the relaxation.
2. Start cleaning your face at night - WITHOUT FAIL and follow with products. The night is when your skin regenerates and replenishes. It is most important to get into a routine to treat your skin before bed.
3. Find a hobby, something just for you. Stimulation and Fulfillment are the BEST anti-agers.
4. Eat breakfast every morning and small meals throughout the day.
5. Exercise at something each day.
6. Smile at as many people as you can a day!

Remember, no matter how bad you think you look or feel - you are USUALLY wrong.
Cut yourself some slack and ENJOY! We are ALL BEAUTY-FULL!

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!