RETAIL IS NOT REAL

The "REAL BEAUTY INDUSTRY" is found in a salon or spa near you, not in the isles of department or drug store isles. I aimlessly wandered around my local department store last night, just observing how sales associates were selling their counters line. As a professional I find this a tad bit disturbing.

Granted everyone has the right to be gainfully employed, but be mindful of underlying intentions. Find a source that you trust and cross check your references with them before making purchases. Remember the whole world is a hustle, just make sure you are not hustled.

KISSABLE LIPS

"trumpuda" i met a lady once that used to call me that. being that my spanish was some what broken i was like why on earth is she calling me trumpet mouth. she said it was a complement, that i had a perfect pout. you see i had the angelina long before she bought hers, and her compliment of my pout being perfect, went in one ear and right out of the other.

until that day when my husband and i went on our first date and he was staring at my mouth and i started to get all weirded out like this guy is really strange until he told me that i had the most amazing pout he'd ever seen. ah the pout again, "it's all coming back to me now."


to some it comes naturally, and others pay a little something something for theirs, but who cares how ya get kissable lips. just pucker up and ¡¡MUAH!! to you too.

so cover girl has this amazing lip gloss wet slicks crystals. it is a must grab. i have several colors but my fav is the candy bon bon, because it goes quite well with the chocolate. the chocolate being my complexion. every time if put it on i get complements even my three year old says she likes my lip gloss.

MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE

A girl can't tell repeat her self enough. moisturizing is as important as the air we breathe. our skin needs moisture. grab that bottle of lotion and slather it on. your skin will thank you.

side bar- proper moisturizing also helps to keep your sexy, sexy. the proverb "black don't crack" is true, because out of fear of being labeled as ashy we have been trained to lotion our skin from the time we are toddler, and the pay off is a 80 year old looking 50ish.

8 STEPS TO THE PERFECT SHAVE

1. CLEANSE YOUR CANVAS
After a good old fashioned hand washing; start thoroughly cleansing your face and neck with tepid water and a cleanser specifically for your skin type (ex. hydrating cleanser for dry skin). In my opinion you should not use bar soaps, because they have a tendency to strip your skin of its essential oils. Cleansing is the first step in any good skin care routine. Steaming or shaving before you cleanse your face is never an option, you can trap dirty harmful little microorganisms in your freshly opened pores, and this can lead to breakouts. "I am well aware of the fact that i am challenging a tradition as old as the hills, but they (the hills) are wrong the first step in shaving is cleansing the skin this is esthetics 101". You are now ready for step two.

2. STEAM YOUR FACE
You can do this by using a hot towel or while taking a hot shower. When you shower make sure the water is hot enough to cause vapor in the bathroom and on the mirror. Steaming the face causes the pores to open up releasing what lies beneath, a whisker or two. With your whiskers now in position you can move on to step three.


3. USE A PRE-SHAVE OIL
Pre-shave oil helps to lubricate your skin and it prevents nicking, cutting, and irritation. When choosing an oil make sure that is non-comedogenic (doesn't block pores). A dime-sized amount in the palm of your hand is all that is needed, dime sized not enough, silver dollar sized amount should do the trick on a slightly larger face. You will want to massage it thoroughly into your beard, this helps to soften your whiskers and it also keeps the razor gliding across your skin, remember we love it when a razor glides. Please don't overly concern your self with the fact that your face now has a sudden semi-gloss, you are now ready for step four.

4. SHAVING CREAM
Using a wet badger brush whip your shaving cream into a lather. Brushing encourages the hairs on your face to stand at attention, and that is what we want. Spread the whipped shaving cream using your badger brush over your well oiled face. F.Y.I. I do not like it when you use super foamy things like canned shaving creams and soaps, they make it nearly impossible for the razor to get close enough to your skin. I prefer it when you use the good stuff, a shaving cream that produces just enough lather for your razor and skin to get up close and p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l, you can proceed to step five.

5. THE TRIAL RUN
Your razor should always without exception or hesitation be used in the direction that your hair grows. This is called shaving with the grain. Shaving in this direction helps prevent ingrown hairs by lifting the whiskers from your pores. You can start shaving at the sideburn of your choice and work your way downward paying careful attention to the direction in which your hair grows. Be sure to save your neck for last, this gives the shaving cream and oil a little extra time to soften the cuticle of the whiskers on your neck, since the skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face. Make sure you always use long even strokes, shaving with the grain,and be sure to rinse your razor blade often. Proceed to step six.

6. THE SECOND TIME AROUND

repeat steps four and five. Proceed to step seven


7. RINSE CYCLE
After you have finished shaving, you want wash away any left over shave oil or cream, and close your pores, you can do this by repeatedly splashing your face with cold water. Then you want to pat dry (not wipe) your face using a towel. Remember you wipe your nose, and pat dry your face. Proceed to step eight

8. AFTER-SHAVE CARE
Now it is time to show your skin some love after you just traumatized (shaving is skin trauma) it by using a soothing balm, after shave moisturizer, or a toner depending on your skin type, and lightly pat on the product until it is absorbed into your skin. Finish by properly cleaning and storing your shaving utensils. You are now ready to proceed to your nearest talent agency, with a shave this close you are bound to be cast as the next Gillette model.

image credit: dhammza

WAXING WHILE MEDICATED...

Waxing should never be done on a client that is taking accutane, and it is not recommended for those using Retin A, Differin, Renova, or any other types of acne medications (topical or indigestible), as these medications are known to thin the skin and cause irritation. Your skin can literally be torn during waxing, and the rate at which your skin repairs itself is retarded while on certain acne medications. The wisest course would be to refrain from waxing at all until you are no longer on these medications.

image credit: google

LIFE AFTER WAXING

Epilar® System is a simple way to reduce unwanted hair semi-permanently (no method of hair removal is permanent). It is less expensive than electrolysis and laser. The Epilar® System works quickly and painlessly and can be used on all skin types and hair of any color.

The system contains two patent pending gels that are massaged into the skin immediately after waxing by your esthetician. It works on the hair follicles that are left empty after the waxing, specifically on hairs that are active and in the anagen phase (the growth phase). The two gels are applied one after the other to the skin by a licensed esthetician in a spa.

Most users of the Epilar® System notice that the re-growth time has doubled, and the number of hairs has been reduced at least 20% by each treatment. For the best results, 8-12 treatments are recommended depending on the area of the body treated.

The procedure will also reduce pain in connection with waxing, increasing the intervals for depilation and leaves skin smooth and soft in between wax sessions.

image credit: epilar systems

EXFOLIATION IS THE CORE OF GREAT SKIN...

Exfoliation:
is the sloughing off of dead cells on the skin's surface. Our skin naturally recycles itself every 28 days, encouraging fresh skin to the surface. Exfoliation is remarkable in that is gives every skin type exactly what it needs: maximizing moisture in dry skin, and helping to prevent breakouts in oily skin. After a good exfoliation your skin has a more even tone and appears smoother.

image credit: GUINOT

SOME GUYS BARE IT ALL

The male brazilian has gone mainstream. Men from all over the world are enjoying the liberation that has been enjoyed by "hairfree" women for so long.

Look before you leap: Here are a few things to consider when choosing an esthetician to do your waxing.

1. Do they practice the no double dipping method?
2. Do they reuse (recycle) their wax?
3. Do they wear gloves?
4. Do they care for your skin before and after waxing?
5. Do they educate you on proper care of your newly waxed skin?

These are a few of many things to think about when it comes to waxing. If the person you are considering does not meet "all" of these very basic guidelines then please reconsider. An educated client is a healthy client. ¡Happy Waxing!

image credit: google

EVERYONE IS DESERVING OF GREAT SKIN

Great skin isn't something that many of us are just born with, but with a good skin care routine and some persistence you can have the skin you've always dreamed of.

Cleanse. Tone. Exfoliate. Mask. Moisturize.
Five simple steps, morning and night. When custom-fit to your needs, this routine can help to reveal your skin's very best version of itself: clean, smooth, and glowing. Exfoliation is the core to great skin, clearing away dull, and flaky skin.

image credit: SKIN MEDICA

MINIMIZED PORES COMING RIGHT UP...

You can't shrink your pores, but refining their appearance is possible. Products such as Clinique contain silicone and optical diffusers, prevent shine by absorbing the sebum produced by the skin, and using optical diffusers to reflect light softening the appearance of flaws and blemishes.

image credit: CLINIQUE

CUSTOMIZED WAXING...

Satin Smooth has taken the waxing game to the next level, with the others still scrambling from the blow that was dealt them a little over six years ago by this wax powerhouse. They have wax for every skin type and hair texture allowing estheticians to customize your wax session. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!



SATIN SMOOTHIERS are evangelists when it comes to sanitation in the world of waxing. They preach and most importantly practice the "No Double Dipping Gospel". NO OTHER WAX COMPANY DOES THIS, THEY ALL DOUBLE DIP AND THAT'S THE KINDA DIRTY THAT DON'T COME CLEAN. According to SATIN SMOOTH an excellent wax session is the result of two things: clean contaminate free can of wax, and proper technique.



Ms. Esthetician double crushes on this product, and lives and breathes the N.D.D. Gospel, and would not wax any other way. Seeing is definitely believing



image credit: SATIN SMOOTH