IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING LASER HAIR REMOVAL PLEASE READ!

If you or someone you know is considering Laser Hair Removal then it is imperative you have all the facts before you go in. Don't believe everything a Laser Hair Removal technician might tell you!

Laser Hair Removal was approved for permanent hair reduction in 1997. Key point being REDUCTION! It uses an Intense Pulsed light to remove hair through selective photothermolysis. This means that the light is melanin (pigment) seeking. The light scans the skin and targets areas of darker pigment ( hair) and then selectively heats the dark area to damage the hair follicle.

Since laser hair removal uses this method to distinguish hair from skin it is very important to find out if you are a desirable candidate for this procedure. A desirable candidate would be someone who is light skinned with darker coarse hair. If there is little variation between hair color and skin color then the laser has a difficult time differentiating between the two and can cause scaring.

Laser hair removal is a profit industry. These technicians are not doctors

(they my look like it) and unfortunately some will try to deceive you or leave out important facts in order to get more clients. Some of the most common mistakes they make is taking a client with the wrong hair/skin contrast or telling clients that the procedure will rid them of their hair. Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method! laser hair removal is hair reducing and temporary!

For something with such serious consequences it is vital to have all of your facts before going to see a Laser Hair removal Specialist. If this treatment is not for you then there are other forms of hair removal, which I will be giving information on in the following blogs to come!

Rain Rain Go Away, Don't Make Me Look Like Tammy Faye

This is a look I think very appropriate for the rainy weather! It's best to have simple eye make-up in case you get caught in the rain. I know we have all had the misfortune of looking like Tammy Faye Baker when our mascara gets wet. Instead try to downplay the eyes and pump up the lips. This red will create and nice splash of color on a dark and cloudy day.

Tammy Faye Baker

Make-Up Look of the Week

I love this look because it is natural and glamorous at the same time. Try letting go of the dark eyeliner and opt for soft shadows all around the eye instead. Use soft warm browns and keep colors subtle. Finish with a very black volumizing mascara and pale pink lip color topped of with a bit of gloss.

Beware of Glitter

One more reason to stay clear of glitter....

Not only does glitter rarely stay put where you place it and end up all over your face and body, but it can change the quality of the eyeshadow or powder you use. Even high end products run into this problem. Eyeshadow that is matte is usually made with a Iron Oxide powder or matte Mica and extra fillers to create more slip to the feel of the powder. Eyeshadow with a satin finish or slight shimmer is usually made with opalescent or sparkling Mica powder and fillers to create more staying power. The ingredients are all ground into very fine powder which mixes everything together and create a consistent feel to the whole product. These formulations can be changed to increase the price of the product. For example you will hear people saying that a more expensive product has more pigmentation. This is because they have more of the Iron Oxide or Mica (color) and less cheap space fillers such as talc or rice powder. However even if you have a very pigmented product adding glitter to it can completely undo the properties you are looking for. Glitter doesn't stick to the skin as well as the finely ground pigment and breaks up the product. Try to imagine what it would be like to add sand to a finely ground dirt and the way that it would stick to your skin as apposed to just the dirt itself. You can sometimes get your first clue about how finely an eyeshadow is ground before you even use it on your eyes. When running a brush over a pressed eyeshadow, Does the rest of the shadow that's not on your brush stay pressed or does a lot of loose powder lift off as well? If it does then chances are the mixture isn't as finely ground or pressed. Hope this helps in your hunts at the make-up store. Its nice to know what to look for before you buy.

Glossary of Ingredients
These are some natural ingredients found in cosmetics. When they talk about mineral make-up this is what they mean.

Mica- Natural Mineral that has 3 textures of matte, opalescent, or sparkling.

Titanium Dioxide- Depending on amount this can change the color of mica. It coats the Mica and reflects different colors from it. It also has the properties of sun coverage, adhesion, and is an anti inflammatory.

Iron Oxide- Very strong pigment. Doesn't bleed easily and can be weather resistant. In a natural state and in large quantities it can contain harmful lead, arsenic, mercury, antimony and selenium. Don't worry the FDA regulates the amount in cosmetics to make it perfectly safe for skin. It is also refined from its natural state when used in make-up.

Zing Oxide- Adds Adhesion, Coverage and a sunscreen

Magnesium Stearate- Will add slip and lots of Adhesion to your powder. It is also translucent

Sericite- Gives a medium amount of adhesion, also adds slip and shine to product

Kaolin Clay- Pretty good coverage, translucent, Adds slip and adhesion

Talc- Translucent, high amounts of adhesion, silky feel, absorbency

Rice Powder- Translucent, absorbency, matte finish, silky feel, can be used in place of talc

Silica powder- Translucent, adds slip, used for oily skin because of its absorbing power.

Bismuth Oxychloride- Adhesion, translucent, adds sparkle and shine. WARNING- Often found in foundation and many people are allergic to this product it causes breakouts and allergic reactions.

Summer Time= Waterproof!

If you are one of those women that won't let herself be dunked in the pool for fear that you will emerge with runny mascara and a face full of smeared products then worry no more! I know I know beach and pool make-up can be a bit of a faux pas for our more natural friends, but who cares! There is no reason you can't look fabulous while taking a dip in the water. Here are some tips for staying gorgeous while still enjoying all the fun water sports summer has to offer.

Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof Mascara is a must! Nothing is a bigger give away that those dramatic lashes aren't natural than black smudges running down your face. As I have mentioned earlier, I really like L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara. Chances are though that any mascara you love will have a waterproof sister in a similar formula.

Waterproof Pencil
This can actually be used in more ways than you think. Of course there is the most obvious use which is to line eyes for a more dramatic effect, but try using it for other enhancers like filling in eyebrows and highlighting the brow bone.
For eyebrows, use a color close to your natural hair color and fill in eyebrows with light strokes that mimic small hairs. Then use a toothbrush (not the one you brush your teeth with) to blend the strokes and make it more natural. Kid's toothbrushes are best for this since they are smaller and more precise.
For a highlight, use a white or light pink pencil to draw a line on the brow bone. Then smudge with your finger to blend it into skin.

Eyeshadow
For a more natural look you may want to skip this but if you still want the drama then try these tips. You can also use your waterproof pencil for this, but make sure its not fully sharpened. Take your pencil and run it over the flame of a lighter. Test it on your hand to make sure its not too hot and then draw on your eyeshadow, starting at the lash line and blending upwards with your finger.
You can also use a cream eyeshadow but keep in mind that lighter colors are better. If you rub your eyes while emerging from the pool, then cream eyeshadow can smear. Lighter colors make it less noticeable when this happens.

Cheek Stain
Cheeks stain is your best bet for a soft flush. Creams can smear just like with the eyeshadow. Try a stain instead which lasts much longer and won't rub off. Be careful though since stains dry very fast and can take expert timing and application to make sure they are blended in correctly before they set.

Lips
Here is a secret. Cheek stain and lip stain are often similar if not the same formula. Try your cheek stain on your lips. It may just become your new favorite lipstick color.

Foundation
I suggest going without foundation. It will come off in the water anyway and if it doesn't then your product is way to oily and probably clogging your pores. If you have acne and need a little extra coverage then try to spot conceal them. Concealer is usually thicker and more likely to stay put if you aren't rubbing your face a whole bunch.

Now go take a dip in the pool and enjoy all the wonders of summer!

Fun Facts In The History Of Make-Up

#1 In ancient Egypt hair dye was made out of cows blood and tortoiseshell. They also wore face masks made out of crocodile excrement.

#2. The ancient Romans used wine to stain their cheeks and sheep fat and blood for nail polish.

#3. In the Middle Ages, women were so desperate to be pale that they would have someone bleed them.

#4. In The 14th century, people would use egg whites to glaze the skin.

#5. In the 15th and 16th century, many cases of muscle paralysis and other physical problems were a result of arsenic face powders.

#6. In the 17th and 18th century women started using liquid arsenic on their faces instead of powder. This would cause shedding and women would lose their skin.

#7. In the early 1900's Helena Rubinstein created the first mascara.

#8. In the 1920's women would have their skin bleached to create the look of the perfect English rose.

#9. Revlon was one of the first companies to really put cosmetics on the fashion map. Instead of launching new colors every year, they launched them every six months. This gave women more options than they ever had before.

#10. In the 1990's women expected more out of their make-up and the demand started to move away from drug store brands like Revlon and started to move towards make-up artist brands like M.A.C and Bobbi Brown.

Pre-Teen Beauty

I dedicate this to my wonderful nieces Chloe' and Sofia. They are beautiful inside and out and will make amazing women some day.
-Love Aunt Rachel-

This is a blog for girls who are transitioning into their teen years or who are in their early teens. I will share some make-up tips and products that are great for this wonderful time of growth.

Skin Care
The most important thing to start with is skin care. Young skin can be very sensitive and as hormones enter into the picture acne and oily skin can start to become a problem. Here are some hypoallergenic products that a great for sensitive skin.

Face Wash
Cetaphil face wash is perfect for young skin. Its very mild and leaves skin soft and smooth.





Moisturizer
Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 45 Face moisturizer. Its fragrance free and will provide coverage needed to protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Its never too early to start taking care of our skin. Mothers please be sure to teach your daughters about the importance of sun protection.







Body Wash
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash is great for teens who are prone to back and body breakouts. As conditioner is washed out of the hair it runs down the body and creates acne. To prevent this, keep at hair clip in the shower and after conditioning clip hair up so its off of your neck, then wash all over with Neutrogena Body Clear Bodywash.







Make-Up Remover
Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Pads are safe for sensitive eye areas and remove waterproof mascara. They are also very gentle and don't leave a sticky residue so theres no need to rinse with water.









Oil Blotters
Keep these in a backpack and use to absorb extra oil that acumulates durring the day.







Make-Up
Its important for young teens to still maintain a natural look while experimenting with application and tecniques. Remember that most of the make-up tips your daugter will learn she picks up by watching you.

Starter Packs
This is a palette by sonia kashuk called How to Create the Freshness of Spring. Its great for pre teens because the colors are very light and youthful. It comes with 3 eyeshadows, 3 lipgloss and a light colored blush. Plus is comes with makeup instructions for how to apply these colors!












This is a really great kit from Bonne Bell cosmetics. Bonne Bell is the perfect brand for pre-teens and teens, offering cosmetics that are deisnged around their needs and looks. This kit comes with two flavored lip gloss and a palette of eyeshadows. I like the Pretty Pinks collection the best since the eyeshadow colors are light and simple.













Eyeshadow
When buying your pre-teen eyeshadow colors, try to keep it simple. Light pastel shimmer colors are best because they are subtle and can be applied from lid to brow bone, so its hard to make a mistake with these.
You also don't have to spend a fortune since you aren't looking for anything too pigmented. Try brands like NYC, Wet n Wild, Bonne Bell, Jane, E.L.F, Almay and covergirl.











Mascara
Make sure that when you buy your pre-teen mascara its waterproof and hypoallergenic. When we first start to wear makeup we haven't learned not to touch and rub our eyes. Try Almay One coat tripple effect waterproof mascara in brown, it's natural looking, only takes on coat and it won't irritate eyes.











Eyebrows
To keep eyebrows tame and in place after brushing and shaping try a clear mascara or eyebrow gel like Ulta Eyebrow Gel.









Concealer
Use Almay Nearly Naked Cover Up Stick for under eyes and Almay Clear Complexion for acne. The Nearly Naked won't cake and apears natural. The Clear Complextion includes acne fighting ingredients to help clear zits while it covers.














Lips
Anything Bonne Bell is great. They come in wonderufl flavors like Vanilla, Strawberry Gelato And Watermelon Sorbet. Try Bonne Bell Lip Lites in Strawberry Gelato for a pretty pink tint.









Tools
Its Important to start learning the basics about makeup application with the propper tools. Eyeshadow Applicators that come with the product are hard to use for blending eyeshadow and can leave a messy effect. To start your brush collection try any make-up brush travel kit from Sonia Kasuk. This line caries many different sets and the quality can't be beat for the price.











Make-Up Storage
It is important to keep make-up organized and together in one place to make it easier to locate products. This also helps keep make-up sanitary and safe from cracking. There are many cosmetic cases from target that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. I like cosmetic bags by Soap and Glory. They are cute, functional and kinda retro.








All of these products are a great starter kit for learning the fundamentals of make-up.
Remember that Beauty is on the inside and that Looks aren't everything.