Posts Tagged ‘skin’

THE ONLY WAY TO POP!

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post + photos by amy nadine, graphic design by eunice chun

I tell my clients this so much, I feel like a broken record. If you squeeze a whitehead:

  • you inflame it and the tissue around it
  • it bleeds and scabs over, making it harder to cover up
  • it ends up lasting a week instead of a few days
  • you might even damage the skin, leaving you with a scar.

But I get it. You wake up and there’s an unsightly whitehead on your chin. You can’t go to work or class and subject your peers to it. They’ll lose their appetites! But that doesn’t mean you should annihilate your face either and walk in with a scab. Here’s what you can do instead: (more…)

LET ME JUST TELL YOU…

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photos/post: Kristin Ess

A couple of weeks ago I took off on a beauty field trip to Olso + Bergen, Norway. I was asked to join the trip by the founder of Restørsea, Patti Pao. I had been hearing all about Restørsea Day Cream in the beauty and skin care world and I must admit, I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. The more I got to know Patti, the more I knew we were all in for something really special on this trip. Patti has an incredible history in the industry and has launched more than 400 beauty products for major brands. She knows a thing or two about the market and literally radiates ideas and innovation. Bonus: she spends tons of time in Norway and we got to have her there with us to show us around.

We spent a little time in Oslo before flying to Bergen. Both are so rich in their history, but very different. Oslo is a wonderful, ultra-clean city, with a fast-paced night life and Bergen is all nature. I would even describe Bergen as feeling “pure” with mountains and rivers that appear untouched. Nearly all of my photos above taken in Bergen and you can see just how picture-esque it really is. Bergen was the place we wanted to be on this adventure because that’s where the salmon hatchery is, and that’s where the main ingredient in Restørsea comes from.

Restørsea is made with an enzyme that is produced during the salmon hatching process. Worry not– it’s extracted without harming the fish as they’re born. The whole salmon egg thing sounded interesting when I first heard about it, but with an open mind I started to think about how natural that seems compared to other things we tend to put on our face and neck. Patti discovered this enzyme when she went on a tour of the hatchery. She noticed that the workers hands looked much younger than their faces. We got to take a tour of that same hatchery and were then invited to sit down and talk to the scientists that Patti worked with to create Restørsea. I don’t remember the last time a brand invited us in to talk to their scientists and see where the main ingredients come from. IT. WAS. FASCINATING.

I learned that Restørsea works by dissolving everything that sits on top of the “new skin” like pollution and dead skin cells. Best thing is, this is great everyone, no matter your age. It’s not just about wrinkles or dry skin or oil. It’s about clearing away anything that sits on top to reveal the new skin. Best part about Restørsea is that it stops when it gets to your new skin. That was actually what caught my attention. I’m used to using certain AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) to clear away the dry skin and debris, which don’t always stop at the new skin. You have to neutralize most AHAs when they get through the topical stuff. That means you have to know right when to shut it off. With Restørsea you don’t have to worry about that. You apply it in the morning and in the evening and that’s it. Pretty amazing.

I love hearing about new things in beauty and I LOVE when brands try new things and don’t just re-formulate something just because that’s the way it’s always been done. If you want more info on Restørsea and the science behind it, check out their site. Just for the record, I’m not being paid to say any of this, I’m just really excited about seeing something new brought to the skin care market and I’m overly excited about how my skin looks and feels since I’ve been using it.

Stay tuned for our tutorial on how to properly moisturize your face!

DON’T CAKE UP YOUR MAKEUP!

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post + photos by amy nadine, graphic design by eunice chun

Makeup has come a long way since our mothers’ era! And powder might become a thing of the past with this genius invention. I’ve tried it on my clients in every situation (the red carpet, talk shows, photo shoots) and it hasn’t failed me yet! I used to be a fan of blotting papers when I didn’t want to the makeup to get cakey from powder, but tapping a little anti-shine mattifier works so-o much better. No need to thank me; just enjoy! Here’s what you’ll need: (more…)

TBD LINER TRICK: INSTANT INTENSITY

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photos + post by amy nadine, graphic design by eunice chun

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book and how makeup artists made gel liners back in Old Hollywood. It really fills in the holes in between your lashes and gives you an intense smudge like a kajal liner or grease paint. It’s super simple and easy, but if you’re a minor please get adult supervision.

TOOLS

  • A kohl eye liner pencil from your local drug store. Our favorites {that you probably already have in your makeup drawer} that work especially well using this technique are this Maybelline one and this one from Covergirl.
  • An open flame {a lighter is nice because it’s portable, but you can also use a candle or a gas stove top}.

STEPS

  1. To slightly liquefy it, hold the tip of the pencil in the flame for one quick second. Don’t even say one Mississippi!
  2. Wait 15 seconds for the pencil to cool down. It gets really hot so you have to let it cool down then always test it out on the back of your hand before you go anywhere near your eye!!
  3. Roll it a little on the back of your hand to mold and keep the tip pointed while it’s becoming a solid again.
  4. Sweep the liner along your upper + lower lashlines as well as your inner waterline if you want to make your eyes even more piercing.