The Air is Hurting Your Skin!

Icky Goop In the Air Is Giving You Acne and Wrinkles. 4 Key Steps to Stop It.

By Liesa Goins

You don’t have to be Gwyneth Paltrow or an owner of a Vitamix to have heard the hype about detoxing. The obsession with clearing your internal organs of pollutants for a generally healthier life has made juice cleanses essential popular rituals among even those who don’t think negativity ruins water.

But according to emerging research, we should all be focusing more attention to pollution’s effects on the outside of our bodies—namely, what it does to our skin. “Pollution is one of the main sources of skin damage because toxins in the air cause the skin to age prematurely, especially on the face, neck and hands,” says Debra Luftman, M.D., a dermatologist in Beverly Hills and member of the Simple Advisory Board.
“Skin is designed to work as a barrier against any irritants including pollution; however, it is not completely impenetrable,” she explains.

French researchers also found a link between skin rashes and pollution. They saw a rise in doctor visits for rashes and irritation following days when particulate matter was the highest.

What’s more troubling is that pollution is affecting almost everyone: Air quality in most cities worldwide that monitor outdoor air pollution fails to meet World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for safe levels. About half of these urban populations are exposed to air pollution that's at least two-and-a-half times higher than recommended. Air pollution is now the "single largest environmental health risk," says the health agency.
How the Air Can Attack Your Skin“Skin is our first line of defense against increasing free radicals in our atmosphere,” says New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross. “Our skin absorbs these harmful impurities on a daily basis which leads to diminished health and beauty of our skin.”

Pollution in the air comes in two forms: ozone and particulate matter, explains Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., a dermatologist in Washington, D.C. Ground-level ozone (as opposed to that which makes up the ozone layer) is a gas created when toxic emissions from cars and factories combine with sunlight. The resulting molecule is highly reactive and causes free radicals to form that can damage the lipids and proteins of the skin, she says.

The other main pollution source is solid dirt particles. “Particulate matter sits on the surface of the skin and increases inflammation, which also breaks down the skin’s proteins and may accelerate the aging process,” Dr. Tanzi says.

In addition, environmental impurities such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and ozone destroy the skin’s natural oils, which act as a protective barrier, Dr. Gross says. “Once this protective barrier breaks down, skin is exposed to free radicals which lead to collagen breakdown, cell damage, redness, and irritation.”

While looking older offers legitimate concerns, there are more immediate consequences as well. Gross explains that particulate matter clogs pores, which can make them appear larger. Airborne pollutants cause a chemical reaction with your natural oils, changing them to a waxier consistency that can clog pores. And those suffering from rosacea can experience flare-ups due to irritants in the air.

And we’re not just talking about the air outside your home.

What You Need to Know About Cooking, Cleaning, and CandlesEven the air in your own home can contain some toxins that threaten the health of your skin.
“Volatile organic compounds are released from burning fuel, some paints, and glues,” Gross explains. Cooking over natural gas and the fumes from cooking oils or using a wood-burning stove can release particulate matter, as well as free radicals that weaken the skin barrier and damage healthy cells.
Paint, glue and cleaning products also emit VOCs. Gross suggests using these products outside or making sure the area is well ventilated—especially when cooking with natural gas or using caustic cleaning agents.

Paraffin wax candles also release airborne toxins. Byproducts of the wax, synthetic fragrances and dyes, and soot from the wick can emit harmful pollution particles. Dutch researchers studied the air particles in churches, where candles are burned for hours at a time, and found up to 10 times as many damaging free radicals in the air inside churches as they did in the air next to a busy highway.
Burning candles in a well ventilated room will help minimize the dangers. And replace your paraffin versions with healthier beeswax candles.

Your Four-Step Pollution Protection Plan
1. Power CleanYou’re already doing the most important pollution defense: washing your face. The particulate matter in the atmosphere is up to 20 times smaller than your pores, Dr. Tadlock explains. Daily deep cleaning will remove these microscopic particles before they can cause inflammation and irritation.
“In most cases, our hands alone cannot effectively remove pollution matter this size,” Dr. Tadlock says. That’s why a cleansing brush could be a powerful anti-aging tool. Clarisonic applied a tinted solution that mimics pollutants found in the air. After 60 seconds of cleansing, Clarisonic removed 30 times the pollution than manual washing.

2. Spike Your Skincare With AntioxidantsAdd an antioxidant serum to your routine. These concentrated treatments deliver high levels of agents that have been shown to neutralize free radicals to help decrease inflammation and lipid breakdown, Dr. Tanzi says. (Try: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, $118.) Eating your antioxidants will also fight pollution, Dr. Luftman says. So make sure you’re eating colorful fruits and vegetables with every meal.

3. Stay Sun SafeYou already know wearing sunscreen every damn day, no matter what, is the number one commandment in skincare. UV protection is even more crucial in light of the new knowledge about the effects of pollution.

For additional defense against pollution, make sure your daily SPF includes extra skincare ingredients. Antioxidants will help fight damage from pollution.

4. Keep Your Skin HydratedMoisture is crucial in pollution protection because hydrating agents help strengthen the barrier function of the skin. A healthy barrier can protect against pollution and irritation.
For those with dry or easily irritated skin, add a boost of omega-3 fatty acids to your moisturizer.

If you suffer from irritation, soothe your skin with calming agents, Gross suggests. The anti-inflammatory benefits will help short circuit the damaging effect of irritation and pollution.

Don’t forget your skin needs the same TLC as the rest of your body. “Treat it holistically—eat healthy, exercise and drink lots of water,” Dr. Luftman says.

And if juicing works for you, be our guest.

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You're Doing it Wrong!

The Makeup Trick You're Doing Wrong Every Day

By Abby Gardner

For years and years now, anytime you asked a makeup artist for a how-to about highlighting and contouring they’d usually give you the same old tip about adding highlighter from the outer part of your brow all the way around the outside of your eye. But the times they are a-changin’.

Celebrity makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo recently clued us in to the updated technique she’s been using on clients, including Alicia Keys at the "The Amazing Spiderman 2" premiere. “The new highlighting technique is to add the highlighter shade to the inside corner of the eye (the area in between the bridge of the nose and the tear duct) helping to brighten the eye and give a well rested look,” she says. “This is the modern, fresh way to highlight. I like it better because it makes the eye brighter and softens the look of the eye while still enhancing definition and pop.” One of her favorite products to use for this is Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Define and Highlight Eyeliner Duo.

"It tends to make your eyes appear slightly farther apart, which a lot of people with close set eyes enjoy," explains YouBeauty Makeup Expert Emily Kate Warren. She says to use a fluffy-but-small blender brush to dust onto your tear duct area and toward the direction of the middle of your lid.

Warren also thinks there's still an eye-lifting benefit for using light color under the brow bone as long as it's matte—the white shimmer is so bad-90s. She likes the Benefit High Brow pencil and offers this tip: "Scribble on the back of your hand and then use an eyeshadow brush to feather it under your brow."

And if you haven’t been into highlighting in the past, Restrepo thinks this is the perfect time to start. “Highlighting is important because it brings structure and balance to the face. When done correctly it sculpts the face while giving the skin a luminous look. I created the Elizabeth Arden Summer Escape Pure Finish Cool Radiance Highlighter for that purpose. In the summer, we are out more and showing more skin. A glow is beautiful all year round, but the summer is the perfect time to show off radiant skin.”

Needless to say, we’re definitely game for any trick this easy that makes us look younger and more radiant.

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article source: youbeauty.com

Keep Makeup Minimal in Extreme Heat

The Only Makeup You Need During Extreme Heat

By Emily Kate Warren

Living in California has many benefits: rare rain showers, a temperate climate, amazing produce! But that beautiful ball of fire in the sky that makes all this possible is constantly beaming down.

Trying to keep my makeup from sliding down my face is not easy friends. Here is what I discovered to be the best, bare-bones makeup routine for extreme heat. Keep your makeup light and simple.

1. Skip foundation. Use sunscreen or SPF tinted primer (see my pick below) all over and only conceal spots that are worthy with a non-oily concealer. Good ol' Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage will do the trick! Since it's so concentrated, you only need a tiny bit to cover redness. Leave the rest of your skin bare. Use blotting papers or one-ply tissues to mattify your T-zone. If you are desperate for added coverage, try mineral powder.

2. Liquid cheek stain is your friend. Dot a cheek stain with real staying power on your cheeks. Liquid formulas won't slide down your face the way cream and powder formulas will. Benefit Benetint is always my go-to.

3. Apply mascara sparingly. Avoid applying it on your lower lashlines—you don't need hungover raccoon eyes all day! I recommend Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash because it's waterproof.

4. Forget goopy gloss. Sheer tinted balm won't suffocate your lips. I like Cover Girl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balm.

And while I think we all like to look a little sun-kissed, those smooches aren’t invisible. They come in the form of sunspots, freckles—even cancer. I don’t like the idea of slathering sunscreen on every body part, but I love being outside in my garden, at the beach and on location for shoots. So I have found a few ways to sneak sunscreen on that aren't greasy, smelly or globby. I hope you’ll adopt them too!

Makeup artist sunscreen picks:
Neova DNA Damage Control SPF 40 is a lightly tinted primer that protects and corrects your skin. It’s not greasy and it’s super lightweight so you can layer anything over it.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder SPF 50 is a great way to mattify and cover redness since it comes in three shades. Layer over your SPF primer for extra coverage.
A long-time favorite of mine, Shiseido Refreshing Sun Protection Spray for Body & Hair Broad Spectrum SPF 16 is lightweight, smells great and while protecting your scalp, it incidentally smoothes frizzies.
And though this is a tad off-topic, I have to throw in that my favorite line of defense is my big-brimmed UPF 50+ hat from Coolibar. If I forgot any of the above, this covers well enough!

What are your favorite ways to sneak on some sun protection?

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13 Beauty Tricks Every Woman Must Know

It is a fact that being a woman is not at all easy and that they always must pay more attention to their appearance. But if they follow the suitable beauty tricks, their life could be much more easier. That is why we are here to help you with some advises. Below you will find 13 Beauty Tricks That Every Woman Must Know.

Take a look at them and see if you have already known them. If not, now is the time to start using them, to make your life easier. Enjoy!

Use Baby Powder For Thick Lashes

There is no need for you to wear false lashes anymore in order to achieve the full look. You can achieve the desired look by applying  a baby powder with a Q-tip on your lashes, after you have applied a coat of mascara. After that, apply another coat of mascara and your lashes are ready to go.

Photo via: ladylifehacks.com

Run Your Mascara Wand Under Hot Water For Better Application

If you want to get the most of your mascara, the best way is to run your mascara wand under hot water until the wand is clean. After that simply dip the wet mascara wand in the tube and rub it against the inside walls of the tube. You can then easily apply your mascara.

Photo via: missnattysbeautydiary.com

Keep Lipstick Off Your Teeth

Nobody wants to smile and have a lipstick on their teeth. So the best way to keep your lipstick of your teeth is to stick your finger in your mouth and just pull it out.

Photo via: wikihow.com

Heat Your Eyelash Curler with a Hair Dryer

In order to curl your lashes easier, heat your eyelash curler with a hair dryer just before you curl them.

Photo via: cosmopolitan.com

Cupid’s Bow Lip Trick

If you want to define your Cupid’s bow, than you should follow this super easy trick.

Photo via: thebeautydepartment.com

Make Your Lipstick Last Longer

All women want their lipstick to last longer and not to disappear as soon as they enter the party. So after you have applied your favorite lipstick, press a tissue over your lips and tap a brush with a powder a few times onto the tissue.

Photo via: thebeautydepartment.com

Fuller Lip Effect

If you want to achieve the fuller lip effect follow the following tutorial.

Photo via: thebeautydepartment.com

Follow This Pattern for Perfect Contouring

If you want to apply your makeup on the right way this pattern is what you need to follow so that you can contour properly.

Photo via: uptowngirlfashionmagazine.com

Make Your Eyes Appear Bigger

If you want to make your eyes appear bigger, then instead of a black liner you should try to use a white liner.

Photo via: thebeautydepartment.com

Use a Scotch Tape For Perfect Cat Eye

Every woman tends to achieve the precise eye makeup look. The scotch tape is the right tool for that purpose.

Photo via: beautylish.com

Use a Spoon When Applying Blush

Applying blush properly can be a little bit tricky. You can use a spoon to make it easier. Simply cover the apples of your cheeks and apply a contour powder below the spoon.

Photo via: m.vietgiaitri.com

Lash Curling With A Spoon

When you can’t find your eyelash curler, the spoon is the best tool to curl your lashes. Below you can see how easily you can do it.

Photo via: thebeautydepartment.com

Perfect Winged Eyeliner Tutorial

Another beauty trick with  a spoon that you will find useful is to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner.










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Skincare should start early

Skincare should start early

All your skincare and beauty problems answered.

My daughter is nine years old and is required to attend school activities most of the time. I’ve noticed recently that her face is getting drier and darker. May I know, at her age now, is it advisable for her to apply moisturizer or sunblock everyday? If not, when is the best time for her to start? – Teresa

Product trainer Regenn Lee says that external aggressors such as pollution and the harshness of the sun do not recognize age. These will harm and damage the skin, regardless whether you are a child or an adult. Outdoor activities and excessive exposure to the sun are bound to cause UV damage, which appears initially as merely a darker skin tone and dehydration.

The darker skin tone is due to the overproduction of melanin. In between the epidermis and dermis, there are cells called melanocytes which, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, will produce melanin.

This is absorbed by keratinocytes, which use it to protect themselves from the UV rays as a form of “sunshade”. This melanin response to UV becomes a natural sunscreen, providing protection to the keratinocyte cells by absorbing UV radiation, resulting in a visible tan.

This explains why your daughter’s skin gets darker after her outdoor activities. In the long run, overexposure to the sun will lead to hyperpigmentation which will be more prominent later when she becomes an adult. Prolonged exposure also causes water to evaporate from the surface, reducing the water and natural oil content in the skin.

Children may be too young for more intensive or targeted skincare. But a proper skincare regimen is recommended as soon as the child is able to be take ownership of taking care of her own skin. At different stages of our lives, our skin requires very specific needs that evolve over time.
At the tender age of nine, a child’s skin is still healthy and able to exfoliate naturally. The key is giving them the correct products to use, and this should be basic, water-based, light textured, non-comedogenic, gentle on the skin, yet able to meet her skin’s needs.

So, do use a moisturizer and sunblock every day for your daughter. She also needs to clean and tone her skin properly to keep a healthy skin.

A very mild and gentle cleanser helps to remove impurities and dirt, without drying the skin, and soften skin’s texture.

For help in choosing products that are right for your child, call Monterey Day Spa, to seek advice from our Estheticians - 831-373-2273

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How to Treat & Prevent Stretch Marks

What Works & Doesn’t to Minimize Stretch Marks

It’s hard to find a woman who doesn’t have any stretch marks: those unsightly lines that may first appear bright pink, purple, reddish or brownish and later fade to a lighter pigmented white or grey/silvery color. While it can be difficult to prevent and treat these little buggers, and there are so many ineffective products on the market, read on for the things you can do to minimize stretch marks.

The Cause
“Stretch marks, also called ‘striae,’ appear on skin that is subjected to continuous and progressive stretching,” explains internist Andrea Ruman. When your skin can’t keep up with your body’s rate of growth it can cause the skin to thin and leave stretch marks.  

“Weight gain, particularly rapid weight gain, is the most common cause of stretch marks,” explains Dr. Ruman. On the other hand, she adds that rapid weight loss can also make stretch marks appear more prominent on your body (these freaking marks just won’t give us a break).  

Stretch marks also often appear on pregnant women, adolescents who are going through growth spurts and even on health-conscious bodybuilders. Dermatologic surgeon Dr. Joseph Sobanko adds, “Other known causes of these marks include endocrine disorders and the use of topical or oral steroid medications,” he explains.   And of course, genetics also likely play a role in determining the likelihood that you’ll get stretch marks and to what extent.  

Stretch marks can most commonly be found on the areas of your body where weight gain manifests the quickest—think abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, breasts and upper arms.      


Catch Them Early
Just how it’s important to treat a scar early, it’s best to treat stretch marks while they’re still fresh. “Stretch marks are most likely to respond to treatment in their earliest stages, when they are purplish in color,” explains Dr. Ruman. “Once stretch marks become white, a process that may take several months, they are quite difficult to treat.” If you did not catch them early, the good news is that most stretch will fade to a very pale color over time and do not require medical treatment. You can wear them proudly, or if you’re having trouble doing that and find the marks to be unsightly, there are treatments available that may help. There is, however (sadly), no magic cure-all.    


Topical Treatments
Again, treatments are likely to only be partially effective (at best), but knowing that, the most common treatments for stretch marks are vitamin C, retinoids and fruit acids.   “Topical application of tretinoin cream (Retin-A), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac) may be useful for stretch marks that are under six weeks old,” Dr. Ruman explains. These are all examples of retinoids, which can be effective at increasing collagen and elastin production in early stretch marks. Note that these should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing.  

Ob/Gyn and fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Dr. Charles Bollmann explains that a study has shown that when people applied 0.1 percent tretinoin cream (Retin-A) daily for six months to their stretch marks it led to a significant improvement in the severity of the marks after two months, as compared to people who applied other types of products.  

While Retin A may be a great product on the horizon for treatment, keep in mind that this is only one study and further research is needed to develop groundbreaking products. As Dr. Sobanko urges, “It is important to note that topical treatments are very unlikely to work because the underlying cause is deeper in the skin: the loss of collagen and thinning of the epidermis.”    


Laser Treatments
Whether you’re plagued with fresh stretch marks or old, faded ones, laser treatments may be your best option for beautifying your skin. They can be expensive and time consuming, though, and there are no guarantees you’ll be satisfied with your results.  

For fresh stretch marks, Dr. Sobanko explains that vascular lasers can help to improve the appearance of the marks by targeting the pigment to improve overall color. More specifically, Dr. Ruman adds, “Laser treatments at four to six week intervals (with a 585-nm flashlamp pulsed dye laser, a 1064-nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser or intense pulsed light) have shown to improve the appearance of stretch marks in their earliest purplish color stage,” says Dr. Ruman.  

If your marks are older or simply manifesting as white textural changes, they are more difficult to treat, but may be treated by a different type of laser to better blend them into your skin. “Laser treatments using the 308-nm excimer laser have been shown to repigment the skin,” explains Dr. Ruman. “These lasers stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, helping purple and white stretch marks to take on a similar appearance to the rest of the skin.”  

If you’re looking into laser therapy, remember to evaluate your physician’s skills and qualifications. “I would encourage you to see a board-certified physician who is skilled with laser treatments,” recommends Dr. Sobanko. “You should inquire if they are a member of the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) or the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).”  

It’s worth doing your homework on your doctor before laser treatment, as “seeking treatment with a professional who is not skilled with laser treatment can potentially lead to scarring and a worsened appearance,” explains Dr. Sobanko.    


Microdermabrasion No longer just a treatment to polish away wrinkles and blemishes on the skin, microdermabrasion may also be used to treat stretch marks. Microdermabrasion works by gently removing the top layer of the skin to promote the growth of healthier, most elastic skin.  

If you are looking for a non-laser treatment for older stretch marks that just won’t fade as fast as you would like, this might be an option.    


Prevention
“Home therapy options such as lotions or ointments containing cocoa butter, vitamin E or glycolic acid, while not hurtful, have not been shown by research to help with prevention,” says Dr. Ruman. “These products do not seem to protect skin from the stresses caused by stretching.”  

While moisturizing your skin may not make a difference in preventing stretch marks, it’s worth a shot. It’s a good idea to keep your skin moisturized for a variety of reasons, and since moisture helps your skin stay more pliant, perhaps it might have a slight impact on helping your skin cope with stretching. Just try to avoid dropping cash on expensive lotions and other products promising to prevent stretch marks from forming—pregnant women beware!  

Ultimately, to truly prevent stretch marks you should place your bets on avoiding rapid fluctuations in your weight. If you’re pregnant, your best bet is to try to avoid gaining excess weight—work with your doctor to establish a healthy target body weight and monitor your growth.  

Since certain conditions and medications can also cause stretch marks, also ask your doctor if you’re on any medications or have any health problems that may put you at a predisposition for developing stretch marks and, if so, see if there’s that anything can be done to minimize your risk.  

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aricle source-youbeauty.com  

DIY Don't: 2 Beauty Products You Should Never Make Yourself

When it comes to mixing up your own creams, scrubs and cleansers, there are a few that—for your skin's sake—should be left to the professionals.

The DIY movement is amazing for many reasons. Making something with your own hands feels good and gives you an appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in making other products. In the best cases, when you create a genius product that all your friends want (we’ve mixed up a few great DIY skin recipes here) it’s a path to financial freedom.

But in the worst cases, it’s a path to cystic acne. There are a couple of misguided (though well-meaning) DIY tips being shared on social media sites that, for the sake of our skin, should not follow us into 2014, and here they are:

1. Do Not Make Your Own Cleansing OilI had a very enlightening conversation with a dermatologist friend who brought this topic to my attention. She was mortified by the number of patients with deep cystic acne from using DIY Cleansing Oils. Even people with no history of acne have experienced eruptions from this DIY project. I admit that there are many DIYers who swear by homemade cleansing oils and are probably up in arms right now, but this is not a method that works for everyone.

DIY cleansing oils don’t clean the skin: Nine out of 10 commercial cleansing oils contain surfactants to help whisk the dirt away during rinsing. DIY cleansing oils don’t. From the chemical perspective, this keeps the oil from cleaning pore-clogging debris off the skin. Here’s why: A surfactant has an oil-loving tail connected to a water-loving head (hydrophilic). The tails of the surfactants are instantly attracted to dirt, dead skin and sebum, surrounding it and creating a “micelle” (picture a beach ball with peach fuzz). The tails form a circle around the dirt, dead skin and sebum, leaving the water-loving heads on the outside. Being true to their hydrophilic nature, the heads connect with the water during rinsing (that’s when the cleansing oil turns white) and are swept away down the drain dragging the tails and pore-clogging materials along with them.

DIY cleansing oils cannot simply be rinsed away: As most of us learned in elementary school, oil and water don’t mix. Wiping your face with a warm towel is more effective than rinsing alone, but only the surface oil is being removed—nothing is binding with the dirt and debris in the pores to get them clean. The proper method involves placing a very hot towel on the face until it cools down, gently wiping the face with the towel, and then repeating (several times if necessary). Though many people can tolerate this treatment, there are many with problem skin that cannot.  Do yourself a favor and consult with your dermatologist before delving into this DIY trend.

2. Do Not Make Your Own Sunscreen This is a big no-no! There is more to creating a natural sunscreen than simply mixing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide with oil. What’s wrong with this method? Let me break it down for you.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are particles that stick together: The only way to break them apart is to use very high shear mixing (sorry, your blender won’t cut it). This makes the sizes uniform and helps with an even application, which is very important for these sunscreens since they work by scattering the UV rays. We are dealing with microscopic sizes so merely looking at it (even with a magnifying glass) or rubbing it on your skin to check for evenness is not going to tell you if you have small, uniform particles. When you mix these without the high shear, you are leaving gaps for the UV rays to get through and have access to your skin.

Necessary suspension: Another key element in creating effective zinc oxide and titanium dioxide based sunscreens are using oils that help the particles stay uniform. Some ingredients are compatible with the sunscreens and help the particles stay apart, while some are not and actually force the particles together. Yes, some natural oils have been tested in-vitro (with a machine, not on human skin) and have calculated SPF values but:

1. The SPF of materials change when mixed with other ingredients.
2. The final SPF does not add up to the sum of its parts, meaning an oil with an SPF of 4 mixed with a sunscreen with an SPF of 16 does not make the final SPF 20.
3. How the sunscreen is made influences the SPF just as much as the ingredients.

Now that it’s on your skin, who says that it’s going to stay there? Not only is it important for the particles to stay separated before applying the sunscreen, it’s just as important for them to stay put once you apply them. Without a proper film former, the particles will move around, leaving your skin vulnerable. A thick product does not mean that it will stay put—heat melts waxes so they are not the best ingredients to rely on for keeping the sunscreen in place.

I can appreciate a desire to use nothing but the purest ingredients straight from nature to create a sunscreen, but unfortunately, certain ingredients are necessary to make an effective sunscreen that feels good enough for people to want to use it.

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10 Easy & DIY Methods to Tame Frizzy Hair

Simple, Effective Ways to Control Frizz

Few things are more frustrating than watching your coiffed hair gradually blur out into a frizzy, poofy mess. Frizz can be brought on by damage caused by heat or protein-stripping products, the natural texture of your hair, and our personal favorite and equal opportunity frizz-producer: humidity. In the continued war against frizzy, unruly hair, we’ve put together a list of the best simple and DIY methods worth trying before the next humid day gets the best of your locks and looks.


Avoid Alcohol You can still have your cocktail, but as far as your hair goes, keep it sober. Products that contain alcohol tend to dry out your hair leading to breakage, a lackluster appearance and yes, frizz. So check your hair product labels and chuck ones with alcohol.


Use Products with Polymers & Silicone
Tons of hair products promise to tame frizz, but focus on looking for conditioners, leave-in treatments, styling products, etc. that say they contain polymers or silicone on the label (often listed in the forms of PVP Copolymer and dimethicone, respectively, on the label).

Polymers and silicone coat your hair to help keep your style in place and also act as barriers between your hair strands and the outside moisture that causes frizzy, poofy, unkempt hair. While they aren’t perfect, polymers and silicone will help to reduce frizz caused by humidity.


Condition the Ends 
Make sure that the ends of your hair (the driest and frizziest part of your mane) get conditioned well to help them lay smooth rather than pop out.

When you’re in the shower, apply your conditioner starting at the ends of your hair and then work the product up toward your scalp. Or, you can instead use a leave-in conditioner for an added barrier—after showering, apply the conditioner starting at the ends and working your way up.


Cool Wash
Frizz happens when the cuticle of your hair is open or raised. The flatter the cuticle lays, the healthier and shinier your hair looks. One way you can keep the cuticle flat is to blast your hair with cold water right after you condition, just before you get out of the shower.


T-Shirt Dry
It’s best to let your hair air-dry—the heat from blow-drying damages your hair, causing it to get even frizzier.

But don’t be tempted to reach for a towel to speed up the air-drying process: Too much friction can aggravate the cuticle of the hair, ruining that cold wash you just endured for frizz-free, shiny hair.

Instead of using a thick, rough towel, dry hair with a clean, soft t-shirt by twisting the hair within the shirt. Do not rub up and down at the scalp or the ends as this can damage the cuticle and lead to even more frizz.

If you’re air-drying your hair over night, you can also wrap your hair in the t-shirt while you sleep.


Tie-It Back
If your hair gets poofy after you’ve just blow-dried it, loosely tie it back in a low bun and let it out when you get to your destination or right before you leave your home. This will help smooth out and tame down frizz. And pulling your hair back low and loosely won’t indent it like a ponytail will.


Avoid Brushing
If your hair tends to be frizzy, the best thing you can do is to not brush it. Brushing dry hair can stretch out the hair cuticle, while brushing wet hair can damage the hair shaft leading to hair loss. It’s best to just gently comb your fingers through your hair or use a wide-tooth comb to distribute conditioner if you need to.


Skip Shampoos
Washing your hair everyday can strip your hair of the natural oils it needs to maintain a healthy, frizz-free appearance. Instead, rinse hair with water, rub your scalp and roots to stimulate the area (this will help prevent it from clogging with oils), and apply conditioner (starting at the ends), then rinse.

Or, skip the water entirely and use a dry shampoo at the roots to give your hair body and soak up unwanted oil.


Re-Condition
Frizz often shows first at the ends of your hair, leaving hair looking dry and unhealthy, even when it’s not. So mix up a little re-conditioner to keep it in-check. (Note: These tricks are also great for controlling those pesky fly-aways.)

In your palm, squeeze a dime size amount of conditioner and add water until it is a thin consistency. Apply the mix to the ends of your dry hair (make sure to be really careful if you're applying it near your scalp, as you don’t want your hair to look oily or unwashed!). This should not make your hair soaking wet, but just wet enough to help the ends lay down. Now let your hair dry fully.

Another option: simply apply some coconut oil to your dry hair. Dab just a small bit on your fingers, and run it into your hair, applying first to the tips and then working your way midway up (go easy near your scalp—you don’t want to look oily, plus coconut oil can be pore clogging and cause breakouts in some).


Deep Condition: Avocado + Olive Oil Hair Mask
Frizzy hair tends to need more moisture than regular hair, so a weekly moisturizing mask can be exceptionally beneficial. There are several hair masks you can apply to frizzy hair, but this one with avocado and olive oil is particularly helpful. Avocado and olive oil add moisture to help smooth frizziness, and olive oil also helps act as an emollient to keep your hair moisturized.

Directions: 
Mash up one avocado and mix in a splash of olive oil. Shampoo your hair first, then apply the mask, starting at the tips of your hair and working it generously up to your scalp. Slip on a shower cap and let your hair absorb all the nutrients for 30 minutes to an hour. Afterwards, rinse and condition as normal.

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Article source: chixrx.com

Beauty's Next Big Ingredient: Your Toilet Cleaner??

Researchers find surprising anti-aging powers in a popular household disinfectant.

By Grace Gold 

From sanitizing bathrooms to revitalizing dingy whites, most of us have relied on the potency of bleach at some point. But a November 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation suggests that the next place you may consider applying the DIY hero is on your face.

Dilute bleach baths have actually been used for decades to treat aggressive cases of eczema and recurrent abscesses. And the keyword is dilute—the prescription is typically a quarter to half cup of bleach in a full bathtub of water for a weekly 10-minute soak.

“Eczema patients commonly develop skin infections, and bleach baths can help reduce bacteria on the skin to minimize infection risk, as well as reduce itch,” explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s department of dermatology.

Scientists have previously attributed the medicinal effect to antimicrobial activity in bleach, but study senior author Seung Kim, M.D., Ph.D., and professor of developmental biology at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, had an intuition that bleach did more than just sterilize skin cells.

In the experiment, the researchers exposed both human and mouse skin cells to dilute concentrations of bleach, then evaluated the response of inflammatory pathways controlled by a molecule known as NF-kB. The bleach was shown to reduce NF-kB-related inflammation, which is associated with UV light exposure and can have premature aging implications.

Next, researchers tested the effect of a bleach solution on mice that had radiation dermatitis—a common sunburn-like side effect that cancer radiation patients can experience during treatment. These burns can be so painfully raw that therapy may be interrupted for skin to recover, which can impact the efficacy of treatment. Incredibly, mice that received daily 30-minute dilute bleach baths had less severe radiation dermatitis and better healing and hair regrowth than those bathed in just water.

Finally, the group tried the science on elderly mice. When bathed in the dilute bleach solution, the animals’ skin began to look younger, “from old and fragile to thicker, with increased cell proliferation,” describes Thomas Leung, the study's lead author. The effect wore off when the baths were stopped, implying that regular treatment is likely required to maintain the youthful results.

If shown to work similarly in humans, this cheap and widely available household chemical could provide a new way to treat skin damage, but until further study, all we ask is that you refrain from any sort of DIY bleach baths.

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Article source: youbeauty.com

Lemon Salt Scrub Recipe

Want to brighten up your face? Break out the lemons. This zesty fruit combined with sea salts can bring a healthy glow to otherwise dull, dry skin. “The natural vitamin C in this highly acidic acid actually rivals any professional lactic acid treatment in a spa,” says Borba. Not only does this recipe hydrate, it also evens out skintone and minimizes enlarged pores and blotchiness.

Ingredients:
½ cup of sea salt
3 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Rub the mixture vigorously over your skin on whatever areas have that irritating dryness. Rinse and pat dry.

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A Brow Study

Love this brow how-to I found at thebeautydepartment.com!  Check it out.



POST + PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY NADINE, GRAPHIC DESIGN: EUNICE CHUN


There’s only one thing that I love more than a side-by-side diagram. A side-by-side-by-side diagram! This way we can really single out one feature and study the difference between three different application techniques. Yes, I left out a brow pencil, one of the most popular brow products, but only because I’m saving it for my next brow study. Today we’re focusing on bare, brow shadow and wet brow shadow.

• BARE: This look is for those of us who like a soft and effortless look. Use a spooly brush or disposable mascara wand to follow the natural brow direction: 1. brush the base hairs upward and 2. brush the “tail” diagonally downward.
• BROW SHADOW: This look is for those of us who like to frame the eyes and define the brow. With a stiff, angled brow brush (my favorite is MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Angled Eyebrow Brush #270) and a brow powder (I love Laura Mercier’s Brow Powder Duo because you can dip the brush back and forth into both shades), draw individual brow hairs in upward motions as you work your way from the inside of the brow to the tail. 
• WET BROW SHADOW: This look is for those of us who like a really bold brow to make a statement. It’s also a great way to change the shape of the brow (see how I made Lacy’s more angular and pointed above). To do this, simply wet the same brow brush (revisit my Retro Brow Tutorial for more details), dip it into the brow shadow, draw the outline of the brow you want, then fill it in. You can also do this technique with a Brow Stencil.

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   Article source: thebeautydepartment.com

The Benefits of Facial Chemical Peels

Many factors contribute to the health and appearance of your skin. Diet, genetics, age, the environment, and your daily skin care routine determine how well your skin looks. Facial chemical peels are a great way to rejuvenate your skin and give it a boost. People with both normal and problem skin can benefit from regular facial peels.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is an acid-based solution that is applied to the skin to remove the damaged upper layer of skin. Chemical peels help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, acne scarring, sun damage, uneven pigmentation, freckles, and rough patches. Chemical peels are generally used on the face, although they can be used on other areas of the body, such as your hands and neck.
Facial chemical peels are generally performed in a dermatologist's office or by a licensed cosmetologist, but there are many types of chemical peels you can purchase for at-home use. One of the most common types of chemical peels is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel. The active agent in an AHA peel is glycolic acid, which is a naturally occurring enzyme found in milk, sugar cane, and tomato juice.

Procedure for Facial Chemical Peels

Your esthetician will determine the correct formulation of the chemical peel most suitable to your needs. He or she will cleanse your skin with a gentle facial wash and then apply the chemical peel solution to your skin. The peel is left to work on your skin for the prescribed amount of time, generally anywhere from 10-30 minutes. You may feel some warmth and tingling from the solution as it works its way into your skin, but it is a generally painless procedure. After the appropriate amount of time, your practitioner will rinse the solution off your face and apply a light lotion to sooth your skin and promote healing. You may experience slight reddening and sensitivity over the next day or two, so treat your skin gently. Always apply a moisturizer after cleansing, and avoid direct sunlight.

Several treatments are generally recommended for optimal results, spaced at least a week or two apart.

We offer two types of facial peels -

Jan Marini Refine Peel

The Refine Peel is designed for individuals of all skin types seeking significant skin rejuvenation from a minimum number of peels. For best results we recommended receiving peels in a series of three.         

Glycolic Resurfacing 40%

Recommended as an enhancement to any facial. Glycolic Acid is an exfoliator. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells on the surface your skin, bringing fresh new skin to the surface. For best results we recommend a series of 4 treatments.

To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 831-373-2273.  You can also book online at www.montereydayspa.com

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article source: thebeautydepartment.com