I have a lot of clients that ask me how to get their makeup to last until lunchtime, let alone all day. Here’s my advice: prepare and prime. Lasting makeup starts with the condition of your skin. Cleanse and exfoliate, then apply your toner. Toner? You might ask, What’s toner? Why do I need it? Toner is what keeps the Ph of your skin balanced. Just the act of washing your face with water can throw your Ph off, which will keep your makeup from staying where it’s supposed to. So you MUST, MUST apply toner if you don’t want a melty face by noon. After you apply toner, you apply any of your specialty products that treat and nourish, i.e. serums, anti-aging treatments, etc. Finish up with a good moisturizure and you’re ready to prime. Using a primer keeps the foundation (liquid or powder) from settling into your fine lines and pores. It’s what lets the foundation glide across the skin and gives you a flawless finish. For anyone with larger pores or less-than-fine-lines, I recommend applying a product like Invisiline over the primer. It turns an orange textured skin into an apple textured skin. Now that you’ve prepared and primed, you’re ready to apply your foundation. Don’t forget to set a liquid or cream foundation with a powder to keep everything in place. And of course, a finishing spray will give you extra staying power.

Here are a few products I use to prepare and prime:
1. Skintelligence Cleanser, Toner, and Moisturizer (Skintelligence Value Kit $39.95)

2. Motives Perfecting Face Primer ($19.95)

3. Motives Invisiline ($14.00)

Sorry Notherners dealing with snow and sleet, but it’s a beautiful day today here in the South. I’m not going to lie though, yesterday was chilly, and tomorrow will bring another cool front (which is probably like summer to those of you in Idaho, but downright cold in my opinion). Regardless of where you’re spending your winter, there’s probably enough cool or frigid days to wreak havoc on your skin and maintenance and protection against future damage is important this time of year. Cellular Labs has an amazing Revitalizing Kit that includes a cleanser, toner, masque, day creme with SPF, and a rebirth serum. For anyone who prefers the botanical route, Skintelligence is perfect for sensitive skin with a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer that’s not heavy or greasy feeling, and a toner with a scent so calming it will relieve a headache. (I’m not even exaggerating, the lavender,chamomile, lemongrass ingredients will take the edge off any migraine). Exfoliating will allow the healthy skin to glow, just make sure you don’t overdo it and use an exfoliant with a gentle grit. Fixx Microdermabrasion is the softest I’ve tried and your skin feels amazing afterwards. What are your go to winter rescue skin care products?

It has come to my attention recently that more than just a few cosmetic lovers out there have trouble finding makeup, particularly eyeshadows, that won’t cause them to swell up or break out. Never having experienced the problem myself, I was surprised how common having a reaction to makeup actually is. After some training and research I found that many makeup lines contain bismuth oxychloride, which can cause allergic reactions in more than 75% of makeup users. It is most commonly found in eyeshadows, it’s what gives the makeup a shimmery or pearlescent effect. Some women tough through it for a few hours or just as long as needed, and then wash it off as soon as they can. Others try product after product, hoping to find the one that doesn’t burn their sensitive skin. And there are women who have simply given up, abandoning the idea of eye makeup completely. My best advice is to check the ingredients if you’ve had any past reactions to your makeup, and be weary of products that contain bismuth oxychloride. If you can’t find the ingredients listed, stick to matte shadows. Creme Shadows and Loose Mineral Shadows are usually safe bets as well and can even contain nourishing ingredients for that delicate skin. Here are a few of my faves: Motives Pressed Eye Shadows in Vino, Foxy Brown, and Twilight, Motives Luxe Creme Eye Shadow in Gold Dust, and Motives Paint Pot Mineral Eye Shadow in Cosmopolitan.

Are you one of the many out there that react to certain makeup?

The Daily Buzz recently shared a few beauty products that are sure to make you look and feel your best, whether you’re walking the red carpet or just going out for date night or ladies night, without spending a fortune! Kat Burki’s organic bath and body line come in amazing scents and are perfect for a little pre-party pampering, Motives Shape and Sculpt Duo highlights and contours your best features, while the Collagen Core Lipsticks keep those lips soft and lucious, and Tom’s of Maine Simply White Toothpaste is a natural whitening toothpaste that actually works, giving your teeth a little extra shine. Check out these budget friendly products that pamper:

As summer slowly draws to a close, it’s time we stepped in front of the mirror and survey the damage. Our skin can take a beating during the hot summer months: sun, heat, humidity, dry oven-like temps, climate changes from summer travel, and endless amounts of sunscreen and sweat that goes with it all. I’m no aesthetician, but I do know that we should reevaluate our skin care routine as the seasons change to repair any damage and prepare for the coming climate change. So, how do we go about updating our skin care regimen? Outside of asking your dermatologist (everyone should at least be getting an annual exam, skin cancer is no joke folks!), I recommend taking a skin care analysis. You can take a free online analysis HERE. It evaluates responses about your skin health and concerns and will customize a skin care regimen that matches your specific needs for healthy skin care. It literally takes 5 minutes, and produces product recommendations for you to consider. It beats putting your skin through the trial and error process to find a product that finally works. At the very least, you should be using a cleanser and moisturizer (even if you have oily skin…oil and moisture are NOT the same thing!). I’m a huge fan of Skintelligence Hydra Derm Deep Cleansing Emulsion, pH Skin Normalizer, and Daily Moisture Enhancer. How often do you change your skin care regimen and what skin care products can’t you live without?

Today we’re going to talk about health. Skin health, specifically. Skin is the body’s largest (and sometimes overlooked) organ, and is often the most obvious indicator of one’s health and age. Beautiful skin begins on the inside, and good skin begins with good nutrition. Now everyone knows all the superfoods are good for you: blueberries, acai berries, dark chocolate, red wine, etc Packed with free-radical busting antioxidants, they’re a good place to start but healthy skin doesn’t stop there. Vitamin A helps minimize those pesky wrinkles, gives your skin a more youthful and vibrant look, and protects against sun damage. Good sources are carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, beets, kale, milk, yogurt, and cheeses. Omega-3 fatty acids keep cell membranes (responsible for keeping out the bad stuff and keeping in the good, such as moisture) healthy which also contributes to a youthful appearance (think salmon, walnuts, and olive oils). Vitamin E from whole grains give you extra protection against UV rays, and of course, staying hydrated is the best way to flush toxins and help keep a clear complexion.

I know not everyone, including myself, is able to resist the occasional side of french fries or stick to salads and salmon for every meal, and for that reason I’m a big proponent of vitamins and supplements to fill in the gaps. I take an antioxidant daily with my vitamins and Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend is my favorite. A powerful isotonic antioxidant with a few extra helpers for great skin, it helps to keep many skin ailments at bay, from fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and sun damage, and promotes smoother and more vibrant skin.

What’s your favorite skin health secret??

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