Makeup Artist Promo

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Homemade Masks for Every Skin Type

I was on twitter the other day and saw someone tweet about a mask they made at home. I wish I could remember who it was so I could give them credit for putting this thought in my head. In any event, the post sent me digging through my papers from esthetics school to locate some recipes for masks we made while in class. I thought they were perfect, especially during these tough economic times. Most of the ingredients you can find in your fridge or your cupboard.
Be sure to apply all masks to clean skin.

Oily Skin

Strawberries have great stringent properties and will help cleanse oily skin without irritation. For an easy face mask, blend the following ingredients:

½ tsp lemon juice
1 egg white
1 tsp honey
½ cup strawberries

Leave on cleansed face for 10 minutes and rinse


Dry Skin

Honey and avocados are particularly rich in moisturizing properties. Combine the following:

½ avocado
¼ cup of honey

Apply and leave on for 5 minutes, removing with washcloth and lukewarm water.


Combination Skin

A rose-based mask is a superb balancing treatment for combo skin


1 tbsp
1 tbsp of rosewater
1 tbsp of natural yogurt
1 tbsp honey


Wash rose petals in water. Soak for a few minutes and crush them in a bowl. Add others ingredients and mix well. Apply to skin and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.



Sensitive Skin

This mask helps reduce irritation and is also great for sun-damaged skin

1 cup natural yogurt
½ cup oatmeal


Blend yogurt and oatmeal together. Mix well and apply to skin for ten minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Maturing Skin

Sugar is a great exfoliant as it removes dead skin cells without drying skin.

2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp warm water

Mix sugar in warm water (in undissolved form, the granules can tear the skin which allow moisture to leak out). Apply to the face and leave on for 5 minutes, then very gently massage around skin. Rinse well.

What It All Means...

Ever wonder what all of those technical terms on your products mean?

Lately, I've had many of my clients come to me confused about beauty product terminology, so I decided to create a list of the most commonly used terms to help you all break through the lingo.

Here's a list of some of the most common terms to help you determine how a particular product is benefiting you and your skin:

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Products containing AHAs, slough off dead skin cells to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin underneath.

Antioxidants: Help the skin by neutralizing molecules called free radicals that destroy the skin. Ingredients like Vitamins C, A and E, green tea, copper, grapeseed and kinetin are antioxidants.

Aqua: It's plain water. Normally the number-one product on ingredient listings and is vital for healthy skin.

Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): BHAs work in the same way as AHAs but are less irritating. The most commonly used BHA is salycilic acid, which is also good for fighting bacteria on the skin.

Botanicals: Ingredients from a natural source (usually plants) believed to have healing or regenerating powers on the skin--like aloe vera, gingko and ginseng.

Coenzyme Q10: a nutrient found in every cell in our body. Used as a wrinkle-buster in products.

Emollients: Found in moisturizers, emollients help to protect the skin by reinforcing the moisture barrier in the lower layer of the skin.

Essential Oils: Plant oils most commonly used in aromatherapy and to scent products. Lavendar is one of the most commonly used in products as it soothes irritation.

Humectants: Attract moisture to the skin from the air.

Hypoallergenics: Ingredients shown to be least likely to cause allergic reactions.

Liposomes: Liposomes aren't ingredients, but are ways to deliver ingredients deeper into the skin.

Mattifyers: Ingredients like witch hazel or corn starch which soak up oil on the skin.

Non-Comedogenics: Ingredients shown to be less likely to clog pores.

Retinols: Another word for products made from Vitamin A. Retinols are powerful antioxidants and some (prescriptions: Retin A and Retinova) have been shown to dramatically reduce skin damage from ultraviolet rays.

Sun Protection Factors (SPF): Most important ingredient in any skin care product. SPF blocks harmful and aging ultra violet rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection you get from the sun.

Top 5 Tips for Dry Skin

These tips are especially useful during the winter months.

Cleanse your skin only once at the end of the day. This will remove dirt and grime but prevent further drying. In the morning, use water and a facial moisturizer.

2) Exfoliation is ESSENTIAL. When choosing your facial scrub, avoid those made with seeds or salt as they have sharp edges which may tear dry skin.

3) Limit exposure to really hot water. It dries out parched skin.

4) Never dry your skin completely. One of the best ways to hydrate your skin is to pat it with a towel after washing and apply moisturizer to seal in the extra moisture.

5) A telltale sign of deficiency of essential fatty acids is dry skin. Increase your intake of oily fish or take a supplement.

Winter Weather Skin Care

This winter has got to be the "Coldest Winter Ever"! I'm convinced. The cold, frigid air and brisk winds usually require a heightened level of skin care.

The other day, I lotioned up as I normally do, got dressed for work and headed to the car. By the time I got in the car, my hands were ashy! Ugh. So unlady-like. My normal application of Jergens Cherry Almond Scent or Warm Vanilla Sugar Bath & Body Works Body Butter didnt seem to be standing up to Jack Frost. There are other products I use in times like these (like good old fashioned, Palmer's Coco Butter), but I decided to ask my followers on twitter to see what works best for them.
Around noon, I asked my followers to do an ash check :) by lifting up a pants leg or sleeve to check for dry skin. Those who weren't covered in scales, I asked to submit their favorite/most effective skin care and lip products for combating winter weather.

Here are Twitter's top submissions:
For Skin and Body
* Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash and Moisturizing Lotion
* creamy petroleum jelly
* Dove's cocoa butter lotion
* old faithful...vaseline
* 100% coco butter
* creamy baby oil or baby oil gel
* Eucerin
* Shea essentials or natural raw Shea butter
* Vaseline coco butter gel
* Aquaphor
* Dove face moisturizer w/spf 15
* Aveda moisturizer/hand relief


For Lips:
* Burts Bees Chapstick
* CO Bigelow for lips
* medicated Chapstick
* medicated Blistex






My recommendations:
* Treat yourself to a paraffin hand dip along with your manicure
* Keep it cute and try Kissable Couture's Shea butter infused lip gloss
* Sleep in moisture gloves and socks (either infused with moisturizing agents or apply Vaseline or coco butter and use)
* Bathe using a loofah to get rid of dry skin


I hope these products and tips have helped someone.

Feel free to comment and share your winter weather skin care tips and products. We want to hear from you.