Real Beauty 101

Extracting Blackheads The RIGHT Way!

As an esthetician, I see the after-effects of many clients who have picked, plucked, and scrubbed their faces to death, trying to "pop" their zits.  Usually, by the time they get to me, they have done so much damage that at times, its irreparable.

So, I was a bit skeptical about this video from TotalBeauty.com - which shows how to extract your own blackheads - before I saw it.  But I have to say, this video outlines exactly how I perform extractions, even down to the "finger knits" used to cover the fingertips during the process.  Its a very effective procedure utilizing stretching and rolling.  The video features an instructor from the International Dermal Institute, which is an organization that provides post-license training for estheticians.  I encourage you to ask your esthetician whether they have taken post-graduate/post-license classes at IDI, which may shed some light on their skills.

The only problem I have is the angle at which extractions should be performed.  One of the reasons why estheticians are so successful at extractions (besides proper lighting, proper procedure, and product selection), is because we are able to perform the extraction at the right angle.  We view the face straight down and apply the proper pressure which will result in a much easier extraction.  It's a lot harder to perform the procedure on yourself due to the angles involved.  Its like trying to do your hair at home one week after a salon visit. For some reason, that blow-out just doesn't look the same!!

So, I encourage you to NOT attempt to "pop" your own pimples, but if you must, this video is a great tutorial.

Quick Tip - Moisturizing Foods

A study published in the October 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate more foods containing vitamin C and alpha linoleic acid (Omega 3) were less likely to suffer from dry skin later in life. 

If you are finding that you skin is constantly dehydrated and dry and you're drinking more water than you can stand, then try to incorporate some of these natural hydrators into your diet.  These 10 foods will actually aid to moisturize your skin from the inside-out. 

1. Olive oil
2. Avocado
3. Watermelon
4. Kelp
5. Pumpkin
6. Zucchini
7. Lentils
8. Coconut oil
9. Stevia
10. Kelp

Remember to also keep your soda, caffeine, and alcohol levels in check!  These drinks are hydration robbers and will exacerbate your skin conditions.

Summer Soup - Melon Melange

Saw this recipe in Redbook and it looked so yummy, I had to pass this along.  Ever try a cold summer soup?  They can be sooo refreshing.  I'm dying to give this one a try.

This recipe is from  Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico.

1 medium cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/4 cup lime juice
1 (14-oz) can light coconut milk
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 medium seedless cucumber, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 cup additional melon (honeydew or cantaloupe), cut into small cubes
2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
1 Tbsp agave syrup or honey, to taste

1. In a blender, puree chopped cantaloupe, lime juice, and coconut milk. Pour into a large bowl through a sieve. Discard pulp.

2. Whisk chili powder and cinnamon into cantaloupe puree. Stir in cucumber, melon cubes, and mint. Season to taste with syrup; chill for one hour.

Makes 6 (1-cup) servings.

Let me know how it tastes!

Beauty Buzz with Jennifer Walsh

Great video featuring Jennifer Walsh, noted beauty expert, speaking about some of the hottest new skin care products.  Featured products include:

• Best of Skintentions by Bliss - super vitamin enriched moisturizer
• Freeze and Go by Freeze 247- Botox-like topical moisturizer for face
• Brazilian Peel - first medical strength glycolic peel (30%) available OTC
• Morpho Slim by Lorac - topical slimming solution

The skinny: Topical solutions have temporary effects so if you choose to purchase these products, expect to keep using them to achieve and maintain desired results. But I have to say that I am VERY curious about the Brazilian peel.  It appears to contain a neutralizer that "shuts it off" so that home users will not get burned.  However, users should expect the same recovery conditions associated with glycolic peels such as the potential for redness, flakiness/shedding of skin, and increased sensitivity until skin has fully healed.  Also, if you choose to use this product, remember to slather on the sunscreen!!  As is the case with all peels, your skin will especially susceptible and vulnerable to penetration of UVA/UVB rays which will increase chances of sun damage.

Tweet with Jennifer! - @behindthebrand

Drink your beauty!

Recently, I was told that I have been ingesting the wrong type of protein to recover from my workouts.  I bought an e-book from Jennifer Nicole Lee (if only I could look like her after 3 kids) and in it she recommends that women back away from soy protein and switch to whey protein instead.  She also recommends all kinds of great things to add to your protein shakes like organic coconut oil, flax seeds (for essential omega 3s), and egg whites (actually makes the shake super frothy and adds extra protein).

So when I heard that there was shake mix on the market that is supposed to boost hair, skin and nails, it really piqued my interest.  I have to say, I'm completed fascinated by the growing number of beautyceuticals hitting the market these days (BeutyScoop, Borba, Glowelle, etc).


Developed by a duo of plastic surgeons, BeautyScoop billed as the "edible beauty accessory".  Its been featured in DailyCandy and the Today Show and has received endorsements from Ricki Lake (really?) and Marcia Gay Harden.  It's key ingredients are safflower oil, canola oil (which contains omega-3s), assorted peptides and proteins for anti-aging (both soy AND whey), and biotin (known for strengthening hair and nails).  And it apparently tastes like vanilla and you can mix it with water, juice, or milk. This may be the newest addition to my daily shake regimen!


Another beauty drink making news these days is Glowelle.  Developed by a team of women over at Nestle, Glowelle is an all natural drink that is packed with anti-oxidants (green and white tea extract, pomegranate extract, and goji berry extract) meant to restore the skin's radiance.    Its only sold at Neiman Marcus and comes in two flavors - Raspberry Jasmine and Pomegranant Lychee.  The formulation comes in packets that can be added to water (complete with their own satchel that fits in your purse, although it looks like a tampon holder), or in pre-mixed bottles (that are quite chic).

So what's the scoop? Its undeniable that a diet rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins leads to luscious, beautiful, skin and hair - just look at people who live in the Mediterranean!  It also helps us to feel better which in turn allows us to view ourselves more positively, more radiant.  However, I am also a firm believer that genetics also plays a huge role  in determining how our skin, hair, and nails will glow and grow.  Ultimately, it will never be a bad thing to add more vitamins and anti-oxidants to our diets, but there are no magic pills (or shakes) out there.  Some people will require more aggressive treatments depending on their individual conditions.

You're a Peach!

In honor of my new home in Atlanta, GA, this week, I'm celebrating sweet, juicy peaches. 

Did you know*:

Peaches originated in China and date as far back in recorded history as 10th century BC.  They got their name in 300 BC from the Greek philosopher Theophrastus, who named the peach for the country from which he thought it originated—Persia.

The saying “You’re a peach” originates from the tradition of giving peaches to loved friends

Peaches are a rich source of alpha hydroxy fruit acids, which help slough off dead cells. Their vitamin A and C content also helps nourish new cells. Peach juice can aid in unclogging pores, reducing blemishes, lightening age spots and reducing wrinkles!

Peach Mask Treatment

Try this delicious mask when you skin is looking dull and tired.

First steam your face - fill your basin or a large bowl with hot water and add a few drops of essential oils (lemon or sweet orange) or lemon juice, drape a towel over your head and steam your face for up to five minutes.

Next, cleanse your face with a gently cleanser.

Then, cook a peach until it’s soft, remove skin and mash pulp with a fork. Add a tablespoon of honey and oatmeal until it is thick.  Apply to clean skin and let sit for ten minutes before rinsing off with warm water.   Natural antioxidants contained in the pulp help to exfoliate and revitalize your skin.

As you're relaxing, try a great Peach Smoothie!

Ingredients

1 medium banana

1 medium peach, peeled, pitted

1 (6 ounce) container low-fat peach yogurt

2/3 cup vanilla-flavored soy milk

1/2 cup ice cube

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

*Courtesy of Skininc.com

Beauty(ful) Sleep

OK, I thought I had heard of everything related to skin care.  Magic creams and potions, injections, and even skin care drinks.  Now, linen manufacturers are introducing....beauty bedding??

That's right several bedding manufacturers have developed pillows, sheets, blankets, and mattresses infused with skin care ingredients such as aloe, seaweed, and even copper.  Mattress manufacturers are infusing the ingredients into the mattress ticking (the material that covers the mattress).  Some others are enclosing the ingredients into small micro-capsules (woven into the fabric) which break open when pressure is applied. 

There are proponents and opponents on both sides.  One dermatologist stated that copper bedding may be beneficial for those with acne and others are more cautious since not many in-depth studies have been conducted. 

The products are priced anywhere from $70 for pillow cases to $1499 for mattress sets.

Copper bedding by Cupron Copper Technology is sold exclusively by Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Prices range from $20-$150, depending on the item.

Here's the skinny - its unlikely that these items will produce lasting results on the skin due to the delivery method.  In order for ingredients to be most effective, they must be able to penetrate the dermis.  As with  most products, topical treatments often produce only temporary results. Further, the ingredients being delivered - aloe, copper, and seaweed - can be found in many products that have undergone in-depth testing. 

Bottom line - save your money.  If you want to buy great sheets, invest in high thread-counts!

Green Tea Facial Mist

 The benefits of green tea are numerous.  The dark green leaves are touted to ward off everything from cancer to high cholesterol. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant and is known to act as a sun protectant by combatting free radicals and reducing inflammation.

This month's home recipe is for a soothing facial mist made from green tea leaves.  When outside, use it after prolonged exposure to the sun's rays.  When inside, use it as a mid-day pick me up!

Ingredients:
4 ounces disilled water, boiled
2  green tea bags
2 drops rosewood essential oil
1 drop lavendar oil

Blending Procedure:

1. Infuse the tea bags in the boiling water for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool down to room temperature.
2. Pour the tea into a 4 ounce spray bottle, preferably amber or cobalt blue to protect the essential oils from light. Add the essential oils last and shake well.
   
3. Store it at the bottom of your fridge and shake well before each use.

Candy Cane Scrub...Yum!

Ok, I stole this post from Marr (www.smellychicksonline) because I thought it was the cutest idea!

Natural Body Workshop shared a great gift idea for all of you DIYers out there - Candy Cane Scrub.  The stripes are achieved from using a piping bag.  The recipe is pretty easy to follow.  Ingredients are pretty inexpensive (especially if you're making more than one) and can be purchased at http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com.

Let me know how your scrubs turn out!

Laser Hair Removal...at Home? Yikes!

The sites states "Discover the first FDA-cleared laser that delivers laser hair removal in the privacy, comfort and convenience of your own home" and all I can think is "Ouch...!"  As an esthetician, I have first-hand experience correcting many of the mistakes of "at home hair removal" made by my clients - home wax kits, Epilady, depilatory creams, and the list goes on. 

Now, TRIA Beauty introduces the TRIA Personal Laser Hair Removal System - the first hand-held laser for at-home hair removal cleared by the FDA and available for sale directly to consumers in the US market.  As with most lasers, those with dark skin should proceed with caution.  Lasers typically seek dark hair on light skin and often emit too much light on dark skin which can result in burning and/or scarring.

Well the folks over at Allure have named this gadget as a Beauty Breakthrough for 2008.  The TRIA Laser is currently sold in the US at Bergdorf Goodman, STUDIO at Fred Segal, Bliss Spas, select physician offices and at www.triabeauty.com.

If anyone, tries it - leave a comment.  I'm curious about the results.  No word on how this at-home treatment compares to costly in-spa treatments.