What ingredients should we look for when…
November 23rd, 2011…choosing our skin care products?
Our skin is constantly changing throughout our life. Those changes varies with our lifestyle, the environment, the genes inherited from the family. Some of us are lucky to have that peachy look soft skin and they keep it all their life, others are less lucky and have to provide more care to their skin.
We always try to slow down the signs of ageing or in other cases keep our beautiful skin hydrated and moist. Having a adapted skin care can help to maintain a healthy skin and help to protect it from different exterior damages.
So how do we do it? What ingredients to look for when we read the packaging? What would help? Below are a few ingredients that you should find in your skin care:
Vitamins
- Ascorbyl acetate or Vitamin C : is an antioxidant and is said to be able to reduce the effects of sun damage.
- Tocopheryl acetate or Vitamin E : is a strong antioxidant and moisturiser
- Retinil palmitate or Vitamin A : encourages cell renewal and improve water barrier properties
Extracts
- Chamomile extract : is a natural antiseptic and anti inflamatory
- Green tea extract : is an anti oxidant, anti-inflammatory, helps repair photo damage
Others
- Allantoin : helps stimulate tissues growth, anti irritant
- Glycolic acid : increases cells turnover, anti bacterial, improve hydration
- Hyaluronic acid : protectant, prevent dehydration, plumps up the skin, helps prevent scarring, helps with repair time to wounds
- Witch Hazel : anti inflammatory, astringent, soothing.
To help your skin looking and being good, remember to drink at least 1.5l of water everyday, get 8 hours of sleep, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol and use a good homecare. A regular visit to your favorite beauty therapist for a facial will also cover 10% of the work every month.
Foundations Reviews
November 14th, 2011We all like to look good and have our best face forward. The foundation is what would make a facial make-up looking at its best or not.
Foundation enhances the complexion, covers flaws and can also change the skin tones.
Definition from Wikipedia : Foundation is a skin coloured cosmetic applied to the face to create an even, uniform colour to the complexion, to cover flaws, and, sometimes, to change the natural skintone. Foundation applied to the body is generally referred to as “body painting”.
Many types of foundations can be found on the market. Depending on the occasion, your skin type and condition, there will definitely be something for you out there.
- tinted moisturiser : for those who just want the benefit of a moisturiser with a hint of olour. Tinted moisturisers are usually light in texture, have an SPF and soften the skin. There is close to no coverage. For all skin types
- liquid foundation : the coverage can be controlled with the quantity applied on the face. Liquid foundations can be applied with a synthetic brush or a damp sponge. Apply a bit more under the eyes to cover dark circles.
- powder foundation : coverage is usually light. Powder foundations are applied with a kabuki brush or round brush. For a uniform application, apply with circular movements. Powder foundations can be mineral foundations, more often than not have an SPF 10 to 15. They are great for all skin types. The powder will also absorb the oil on the skin.
- cream foundation : usually thicker in texture. For medium to full coverage. Creams are perfect for night makeup. Powder after application for a better hold. For oily skin types.
- pancake foundations : full coverage. Pancake foundations are very popular in the entertainment industry such as theatre and spectacles. It is usually applied with a wet sponge
Foundations must give you a good coverage but also some transluscency to avoid the “mask effect” on the face. Apply some clear powder on top of it to set it and spray some toner to set it for longer.
Collection Chanel Autumn-Winter 2011/2012
August 3rd, 2011The Fall-Winter make-up range by Chanel is all about playing with lights, shadows and contrasts.
“Illusion d’Ombres” is inspired by precious and metallic reflects. The eyeshadows texture is subtle, the lips natural and full.
Just an amazing collection to wear and love full of colours and illusions…
Massage oils – Part 1
July 13th, 2011Ever wanted to know what oils we use for our massages? What are their properties? Why is it so good for the body and mind?
Sesame oil:
Sesame oil is a vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. Ancient Indian medical system perceives sesame oil to pacify stress related symptoms and on-going research indicates that the rich presence of anti-oxidants and poly-unsaturated fats in sesame oil could help in controlling blood pressure. It penetrates into the skin quickly and enter the blood stream through the capillaries.Uses:
- Helps with psoriasis and dry skin ailments.
- Useful natural UV protector.
- Used after exposure to wind or sun it will calm the burns.
- Nourishes and feeds the scalp to control dry scalp dandruff and to kill dandruff causing bacteria.
- It keeps the skin supple and soft.
- It helps tighten facial skin, particularly around the nose, controlling the usual enlargement of pores as skin ages chronologically.
Avocado oil:
It is a high quality oil with outstanding regenerative properties. Avocado oil is full of vitamin A,B,D,E, protein and lecithin. Highly emollient with anti wrinkle, anti bacterial and anti oxidant properties.Uses:
- Strong UV absorption properties
- Regenerates connective skin tissue and inhibits bacteria growth
- Nourishes and repairs dehydrated, scarred or mature skin
- Stimulates production of collagen to retard visible signs of aging
- Accelerates the healing process to wounds and skin burns
- High levels of fatty acids to keep skin moisturized
Almond kernel oil:
Almonds contain approximately 49% oils. Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernel of sweet almonds.The oil is good for application to the skin as an emollient, and has been used by massage therapists to lubricate the skin during a massage session. It is a mild, lightweight oil that can be used as a substitute for olive oil.
Almonds are a rich source of vitamin E and B vitamins.
Uses:
- Improves complexion and retains glow
- Moisturises and nourishes better and deeper
- Delays ageing process
- Lightens dark circles
- Relieves dry and itching skin
- Nourishes hair and smoothes hair cuticles
- Makes hair long, strong, shiny and thick
The secret of healthy, younger looking hands
June 22nd, 2011I haven’t been writing much lately…but today is a good time to give some more tips about beauty and health.
I had a client yesterday who came for a manicure. She had the Deluxe manicure and couldn’t believe the results… after the treatment not only her weak nails look good but her hands felt nice and smelt fabulous too. Like our neck, our hands are the witness of our age. They are always exposed to the elements and we don’t realise the damage until it is well read on our skin. Below are some factors, among others:
- Sun: when we drive or walk, and it can happen more often than not! our hands are exposed to UV rays.
- Detergents, harsh products, wind: all those factors are damaging, making them feeling dry and peeling
- Lifestyle (gardening, housekeeping…) : can make them rough and dry too…
To remedy to skin ageing on skin, like the face, there are only a few steps to follow:
Hand care:
- exfoliate once a week
- revitalise
- renew
- protect everyday
That’s why we bring “facial quality products to your hands” with our treatments:
Hands are first exfoliated with a sugar scrub to stimulate cells renewal, then washed off in an effervescent mineral soak. Part of the treatment is the application of the serum. Containing some grape seed extracts and licorice, the rejuvenating serum will help to fade away age spots. Some people even use it on their face for sunspots and scars. Apparently the results are great! That serum should be used everyday if possible. The skin is also nourished with a moisturiser adapted to the mood 
To complete the protection, we should all wear sunscreen on our hands everyday…
Nail care:
- always file your nails in the same direction
- buffing will make them look shinier, and healthier and can stimulate the nail growth (too much buffing will make the polish to slide!)
- massage each cuticle with some cuticle oil once or twice a week
- apply a nail treatment or just leave your nails natural
- avoid biting your nails
- nails are not tools don’t use them as such, they are on our fingers to protect their tips!
