Facial Scrubs

 

I know we all have had moments of desperation and grab any facial scrubs at the drugstore hoping that it would do the job it says it's going to without hurting our skin too badly. I know I religiously used the St. Ives apricot scrub for many years without even questioning what it's really doing to the skin. After learning more about skin and earning my license as an Esthetician, I'm here to tell you, STOP USING ST. IVES! As the granules of the scrub are too large it ends up just scratching and tearing the skin as opposed to exfoliating. Thus, it allows bacteria to grow in the surface of the tiny scratches/tears. It can even end up causing inflammation and if used over a period of time, it can cause premature aging (fine lines and wrinkles).

 

Picking out a good exfoliator can be a tough task and sometimes leaves your brain in a massive jumbled mess. I know it's taken awhile for me to finally find scrubs that do the job they are intended to do and are gentle on the skin. The key to exfoliating is to not over do it. Start out by exfoliating just 2-3x a week, if you eventually want to do it more, work your skin up to it. Over exfoliating is just as bad on your skin as using harmful products on it. Try these products out, they might cost more, but ingredients is always critical, especially when you're putting it on your face.

 

 

 



• Lush - Let the Good Times Roll - Probably my favorite exfoliator/cleanser ever. It smells amazing like a delicious cookie. Not to mention the ingredients consist of popcorn, corn meal and cinnamon. It cleans the skin gently and leaves it oh so soft!
• Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion - Made with Aluminum-oxide crystals, the same as dermatologists that smooth, refine and renew the skin. A great at home micro dermabrasion scrub that gives you results and leaves the skin smooth and improves the texture.
• Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant -  Great for all skin types, this finely milled rice based powder is incredibly gentle on the skin. Makes it so soft and smooth. Just add water and exfoliate away!
• Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Facial Polish - Another one of my favorite scrubs. It smells like heaven and it works so amazingly on the skin. Made with enzymes that eat away dead skin cells leaving the skin soft and smooth. Great for all skin types!

Highlighting 101

 

 

 

Gorgeous glowy skin is in! Highlighting your face is the perfect way to make your best features more pronounced and will add and reflect light that will give you that healthy, fresh faced dewy look.

 

Some common areas to highlight in which the sun naturally hit your face are as followed:

• The top of the cheek bones
• Bridge of the nose
• Under the brow bone
• Cupids bow

Some less common areas to highlight include: the center of the forehead to bring dimension, the center of the chin to make your lips look bigger and the inner corner of your eyes to make your eyes appear larger and more open. Make sure to stay away from highlighting any problem areas you may have like pimples, wrinkles or large pores.

 

What to highlight with:

 

Highlighting can be done with various products, not just an illuminator or a product containing some shimmer; highlighting can also generally be done with a foundation or concealer that is 2-3x times lighter than your actual foundation. Like every other makeup product there are various formulas to which you can highlight your skin:

 

• Liquids: The most common of the illuminators. They blend into the skin very easily and look the most natural. They don't cake up and are very light, almost creating a second skin finish. They don't oxidize like some foundations can do on you and are commonly blended in using the fingertips. Try Benefit High Beam

• Creams: Creams are also very popular, and like liquids are best blended in with the fingertips. Although they don't give you that second skin finish. They do however create a very natural look and finish. Try Benefit Watt's Up!

• Powders: Powder illuminators are perfect for oilier skin and although powder is the less common of the illuminators, it's what I prefer. Not only do powders come in an array of colors you can also try using a loose pigment or a powder shadow. Powders are best applied with a small powder brush, or a fan brush. Try BECCA shimmering skin perfector in opal