40 Before 40 – One Crossed Off The List

Ever since I started this list of 40 before 40, I’ve been really thinking about how I can accomplish all these things. As I’m sharing these experiences and intentions with my friends and family, I have truly been feeling so much love and so much support for this side project that I’m working on. I’ve had my family suggest different things that I can do in order to accomplish these tasks; I’ve also had a lot of recommendations and I even have some of my family members wanting to join me on these things and it’s just so heartwarming and I’m so appreciative.

I’m so grateful and I’m so blessed, so this post will be a bit of a short one because it’s only one task that’s been finished or cross off the list I should say, and that one is attending a concert. A bit of the backstory for context, my birthday was back in June and as a birthday gift, my brother and sister-in-law gifted me with a ticket to see the Jonas Brothers! Now, I know you might be thinking the Jonas Brothers? Are you not a little bit too old for that? The quick answer would be yes, but, since I do have a younger sister and my sister-in-law, I have been introduced to the new generation of music and entertainment. I have grown an appreciation and a love for the Jonas Brothers for their musical talents and as entertainers. I always said that I would love to see them live because I believe that they’re so talented and it would be a fun show to attend live. Fast forward, it’s now August 19, the date of the concert and I am in the car with my sister-in-law her best friend and her sister-in-law whom I know very well and we headed to downtown Toronto.

We had some dinner some drinks and made our way to the Skydome, we were greeted at the door by security and handed wristbands by a couple of lovely ladies, I wasn’t sure what is was for as it wasn’t your typical rubber wristband. As it turns out, the wristbands would light up with different colours depending on what was happening on the stage.That was very impressive and so cool! We all get to our seats and the view is awesome! I felt the energy in the room and it was amazing, the atmosphere was great and I just knew everyone there was here to have a great time. I had the absolute best time! The Jonas brothers were absolutely amazing, they were on point the entire time and there wasn’t a dull moment in the three hours we were there. It was a lot fun, we were all dancing and singing, reliving some of the best times of our lives.

I really really really enjoyed it and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to go so thank you so much to my brother and my sister-in-law and thank you for allowing me to join in with all the ladies and take part in this experience. I’ll be posting a video compilation on my social media platforms very soon, so until next time, keep hustling and have an awesome day!

40 Before 40 Continues… All About Food

Now continuing on with the rest of my list for the 40 experiences and different things that I’m going to do before I turn 40. This post is going to concentrate on all things food related. For myself I am a foodie, I love food, I love experiencing food, and I love cooking food. Food brings people together, it’s something that we can all enjoy. There’s something meaningful about it, it’s a way to show love to each other. Food is just amazing and I’ve been very fortunate to be able to experience all types of different foods and cuisines and actually try my hand at making them at home, but there are a few things that I definitely want to accomplish, experience and taste within the next two years.

One experience I want to cross off my list is that I would love to go to a Michelin star rated restaurant. This is something that I’ve always wanted to experience and I’m not sure if there are any Michelin star rated restaurants in Toronto or around the GTA, but it is something that I am looking into. Ideally, if I could, I would love to go to a Gordon Ramsay Michelin star restaurant (I am a huge Gordan Ramsey fan!), but I might be overreaching on that point! Another style restaurant I would like to go to is a proper French restaurant, from my knowledge and understanding, cooking has its roots in French cuisine. Now this is knowledge that I’ve obtained from watching so many cooking shows, and as far as I know, I have never had true authentic French cuisine meal so this is definitely something I want to experience. I want to be able to try something that I’ve never had before; maybe something that’s far out there that I would never maybe order but would love to just for the sake of trying it and saying that ‘oh my gosh I had foie gras’ or ‘I’ve had rabbit or venison with fingerling potatoes’ or whatever other fancy things in different cuisines that can be made so I’m really excited for that one.

Now, one thing, I definitely want to do which I have experienced in the past, but I wasn’t the forefront of doing it is actually making sushi from scratch. I have prepared sushi with my amazing sister-in-law, but she definitely took the reins on that one because it was just so overwhelming for me, and she definitely made it absolutely delicious so props to my sister-in-law. This time I would love to be able to make it myself from beginning to end and be able to share it with my family. I’ll probably call on my sister-in-law to supervise!

One more thing I want to do is to actually cook from scratch, a full three-course dinner, so an appetizer, a main course and a dessert. It’s something that I haven’t done, at least not to its full capacity, but something that I definitely want to do because I really do enjoy cooking. I do get a lot of pleasure and satisfaction out preparing, slicing and dicing, seasoning and cooking food. I feel it’s a different way that I can express myself and I really enjoy just being in my own zone and just concentrating on the one thing that I’m doing. I love sharing my food with family and friends and it brings me so much joy when my family and friends enjoy my food. I am grateful that I have the means to be able to cook so this will be a fun one to put together and accomplish.

One more thing on my list is that I want to be able to master is grilling on the barbecue. This is something that I have yet to do or experience because someone else always manages to get to the grill before I do. I am very particular about how I like my meat cooked and unfortunately (for me) most members in my family prefer their meat more on the well-done side than not and that’s just not my preference. I would love to one day be able to ‘man the grill’ and be able to say that I can grill just as well as any guy in my family. I would say in the last couple of years I have been introduced to different types of seafood and different types of preparation of seafood. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to different restaurants and be able to experience new ways of having seafood. One experience that will always stick with me is having oysters for the first time, and although I took me a while to get the hang of actually eating them, I really did enjoy them. One thing I’ve always seen on television, cooking shows and have seen on social media is the all mighty seafood tower. I don’t believe I’ve ever actually seen one in person but I would love to go to a restaurant and be able to order a seafood tower. They look so incredible; they look so delicious and every time I see one I just want to devour it. I hope that I do get to have this experience and enjoy some amazing seafood but I also hope I will get to enjoy it multiple times (I have a strong feeling that I will really enjoy it)

These are my things that go along with food for my 40 before 40 list. I’ll let you know what other things I have in store for myself and again if you have any suggestions, this list is not set in stone. I would love to hear from you, also any time that I will be doing these experiences I will definitely be documenting that on my social media as well as on my blog and will always share my honest reviews and to see if I actually go through with all of them because some of them are kind of scary, but I’m still excited. Until next time, have a good one!

A New Project – 40 Before 40

My birthday was a month ago and I realize that I am closer to 40 then I am to 30. I’ve never been one to really focus on age because I believe it’s how you feel that really matters. I have decided to make the last two years of my 30s, the most fun and the most memorable years of my life thus far. I have compiled a list of 40 things I want to do or accomplish before I turn 40 years old. I already have a few things in mind that I’ve been saying for months, even years that I’ve wanted to do but now that I have these intentions set, I really want to make them happen. I really hope that I can achieve all of these 40 intentions and I’m very excited to be able to document them as I go along.

As of right now, I actually don’t have 40 things to do before I turn 40 years old. I believe I am somewhere close to maybe 30 things so I’m just putting it out there. If you have any suggestions for me or any ideas, I’m completely open to them and adding them to my list. I am really excited for this journey. It gives me something to look forward to; something to get excited for; something to work towards and accomplish. This is very exciting for me, I’ve actually seen other people doing this and sharing their experiences on social media and I just thought ‘hey why can’t I do that?’

My 40 Before 40 list so far really ranges from very different things that I’ve always wanted to do and things that I’ve always wanted to experience. Some of you who know me may be shocked by some of the things that I have put on this list, but you know it’s something that I do want to achieve and as cheesy as this sounds you only live once, so I am going to take advantage and run with this list. I am fortunate enough that I am able to do these things, or hopefully be able to do these things, my intentions are to do it and not look back.

The first thing that I wrote down was skydiving, now I do have a fear of heights most definitely, it has developed for me in the last few years. I wasn’t always afraid of heights so skydiving is going to be a big one. I wrote down skydiving indoor or outdoor, because I am not sure what the rules, regulations and qualifications are for skydiving outside. Ideally, the scenario I picture in my head would be me strapped to a skydiving professional instructor, and just go along for the ride, without having to be panicked to pull a string to let out a parachute. The second thing I wrote down was ziplining. Now ziplining has been something that I’ve always wanted to do for the last five or six years and haven’t had the opportunity to do so. I would love to do ziplining in a forest of some sort, possibly in a different country, so this is something that I am really excited to do and hopefully I can.

The next two are going to be kind of embarrassing for me because as a 38-year-old woman, I should know how to do these two but I don’t; and those two are learning how to swim and learning how to ride a bike. However, in my defense, I do know how to ice skate and roller blade so hopefully that counts for something. These two are particularly close for me to achieve because I want to be able to do things with my friends and family and not feel like I have to be left behind or have to modify the things that I do, so by knowing how to swim and knowing how to ride a bike, I think would be very beneficial for me. Another bonus for me learning these two skills will be the positive impact that it will have for my physical and mental health. I think it’ll just be absolutely amazing for me, so I’m really excited to learn those two things.

Another thing I wrote down that I would love to do is drive a fast car on a track, I know this is something that will probably come out of left field for people who know me very well, but it is something that I do find intriguing and something that I really want to experience. I personally have never driven like a fancy sports car or a race car, except in Mario kart so I think something like this will be really exciting and that hopefully I’ll actually be able to drive it, but if I get to sit as a passenger, I’ll allow that too. Another thing I want to do before I turn 40 is to actually get a tattoo. I currently have four and I would like to get another one. I’ve been through quite a bit in the last four years and I have gone through a personal journey though I’m still going through it, but I would love to have a tattoo to represent courage and strength. I’m not sure exactly what I want to get, thankfully, I have a little bit of time to think about it.

This next one might be a surprise, but I haven’t finished reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy books, though I’ve seen the movies many times. So that is going on the list for sure. Another activity I do want to do is take a class, I want to take a class that’s not having anything to do with aesthetics or the beauty industry. I want to do something completely different and completely out of my field of work. I was thinking maybe a cooking class or a photography class. I’m not sure what else is really out there so if you have any suggestions, please let me know. I am intending to look into that and hopefully find a class that will call to me and say this is it.

There are a few destinations that I would love to visit, one of them being Tobermory, it’s definitely a place that’s been on my radar for years but I’ve never actually went to visit. I’ve heard many great things about this place. I’ve heard how beautiful it is. I’ve heard how peaceful it is and I just need to see this place and experience it for myself. On a personal note, one thing that I do want to achieve is actually posting a get ready with me video. I have been active on social media for quite some time. I do have moments where I am completely camera shy, and then I have moments that I am not. Lately, I have been extremely self-conscious and extremely shy to actually show myself in front of the camera and talk or do anything. It’s something I need to overcome, it’s something that will be beneficial for me both personally and professionally, and it’s something that I need to do. My intention is to do it and I will do it before I’m 40 years old.

I’m not going to go into every single thing that I have written down so far in depth. I can definitely share the list that I have so far, but I would love to hear from you and hear your suggestions and if you’ve gone through anything like this. Have you set these kinds of intentions for yourself? I would love to hear about your experiences. I would love to hear what you’ve done and how it went because I think this is exciting. This is going to be quite the journey so I hope you’ll join me on this fun path that I’ve put myself on.

Starting Something New

This is what dreams are made of … 

Now admit it, you heard the Hilary Duff song in your head.

For those of you know me and/or followed me for the past few years, you know that passion lies in skin care and beauty. It is a passion of mine because of what it can do for someone’s self confidence and the journey is such a pleasure to witness. The beauty industry is an exciting one for me, there’s always a new treatment, a new product and a new technique to learn; being a life long learner myself this makes the industry a lot of fun. 

There are many services that I am fortunate to offer to my clients, from Laser Hair Removal, Facials, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Microneedling, Lash Lift & Tint, Brow Lamination and Spray Tanning. The training I have access to is something I am very grateful for, I love learning new things and getting trained on monthly sometimes yearly basis keeps me up to date and allows me to hone my skills and learn new ones as the industry is ever changing. 

With that said, it has always been a dream of mine to work for myself. To be my own boss and be in control of my career is something I have been working towards for a long time. Now, it’s actually happening… 

I am thrilled to announce that I have opened my own business! That’s right your girl has been hustling and working hard to finally have the means to open my own medspa. Welcome to Royalty Aesthetics! This has been a labour of love, hard work, manifesting, learning, patience, more patience and loads of support from clients, friends and family. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I cannot wait to share more with you. 

I have been blessed with the support of my family and friends, they have helped me build a spa from nothing to this beautiful space. A dream starts somewhere and mine starts in my parents basement, we transformed a finished basement to the medspa of my dreams. What is so great is that we created a safe space for everyone to feel welcomed, relax and achieve their own personal goals. 

As of this moment, these are the services I am offering: 

  • Laser Hair Removal 
  • Microneedling 
  • Chemical Peels 
  • Microdermabrasion
  • Electrolysis 
  • Spray Tanning
  • Facials 
  • Body Treatments

If you would like to book an appointment and get the #RoyalTreatment feel free to reach out to me via Instagram or by email info@royaltyaesthetics.ca

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon! 

Treatment Review – Microdermabrasion

If there is one skin treatment that does not get enough credit is Microdermabrasion. It’s one of the most effective skin treatments to offer healthy glowing skin, it is non-invasive and client’s skin are left cleaner and brighter. It is one of my favourite treatments because of its simplicity, customizable ways and effectiveness of the treatments.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Simply put, Microdermabrasion is a treatment that gently exfoliates the skin, stimulate cell renewal and reduces hyperpigmentation and fine lines wrinkles. There are two types of Microdermabrasion, mechanical and manual; manual Microdermabrasion is using microbeads and massaging it into the skin for a deep exfoliation, mechanical Microdermabrasion is using a machine using a Diamond hand piece or a Crystal hand piece to mechanically exfoliate and treat the skin. 

What’s The Difference Between Diamond & Crystal Microdermabrasion? 

In Diamond Microdermabrasion skin treatments, the diamond-tip hand piece makes direct contact with the face and exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and other impurities like blackheads. While this is happening, the exfoliated particles are suctioned into the Microdermabrasion device. Diamond Microdermabrasion is extremely effective for body treatments such as back and booty facials. 

Crystal Microdermabrasion works in a similar way, but instead of a diamond-tip hand piece, tiny crystals are sprayed onto the surface of the skin at a relatively high velocity. The impact of these crystals on the skin produces the exfoliation effect and like Diamond Microdermabrasion skin treatments, the dead skin cells are then suctioned away. 

What Are The Benefits Of Microdermabrasion … Let Me Count The Ways

(IYKYK) (Sorry I just had to, and those who know me well will know I had to)

Microdermabrasion procedures can provide several important benefits, including:

  • Reduces fine lines & wrinkles
  • Reduces the appearance of scarring
  • Smoothens out uneven skin 
  • Stimulates cell renewal 
  • Reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation
  • Enhances the absorption of skincare products
  • Promotes collagen production
  • Helps to reduce acne by clearing away dead skin cells and impurities that can clog pores 

Does Microdermabrasion Hurt? 

Absolutely not! Microdermabrasion is non-invasive and can be quite comfortable considering all its benefits. Microdermabrasion is considered the ‘lunch time’ treatment because there is little to no downtime. The skin after a Microdermabrasion treatment is left feeling clean, bright, tight and glowing. Microdermabrasion is also suited for all skin types and can treat all skin concerns except for acne as the motion of suction with Microdermabrasion can break pustules and spread those impurities and make the skin worse; otherwise Microdermabrasion is for everyone. 

Why I Love Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an old favourite of mine, it does so much with so little. Microdermabrasion treatments are great because they can be customizable from cleansers, to enzymes to masks, the boost of the deep exfoliation from Microdermabrasion leaves the skin looking and feeling so good. I always offer my clients a Microdermabrasion as an introduction into the skin treatment world, in its simplicity, Microdermabrasion offers amazing results and clients leave happy and refreshed. I love seeing the immediate results from Microdermabrasion, though I must admit that Microdermabrasion can ruin my fun with extractions as the power of the suction can actually take out blackheads effectively and smoothly; while it eliminates my favourite part of the treatment, I’m okay with it as long as we get the results. I will never give up my love for Microdermabrasion, it’s an all-around beneficial treatment that spans from face to body, to all skin types and can treat most skin concerns; I mean, what’s not to love?
Want more information or want to book your Microdermabrasion treatment with me, feel free to reach out! 

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Body Care – Spray Tanning

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many of us have not had the opportunity to soak up the sun on the beach and reap the benefits of having sun kissed skin. Thankfully, there is a fun alternative that gives you beautiful bronzed skin without burning your skin under the harmful rays of the sun; that is spray tanning. Spray tanning is the best form of self-tanning where a fine mist is sprayed on the body. Let’s dive into the world of spray tanning together. 

The main ingredient in quality spray tanners is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), it’s an ingredient that interacts with the skin to allow it to gradually tan over time. I have been spray tanning as a customer for about four years and have been providing it as a service for three years. As a service provider, it’s so great for me to see the immediate result for my clients and honestly, it’s so much fun to spray tan; I always have a blast with my people. 

The first couple of questions I always get when talking about spray tanning is: is it safe? How do I prepare for spray tanning? First question: yes, spray tanning is safe, there are no harmful ingredients in the products I use for spray tanning. Second question, there are several things to do in preparation for a spray tanning session: first, shave and/or wax at least one to two days before your appointment (shaving and waxing is a form of exfoliation, when you exfoliate after a spray tan, you can fade the tan quickly) second, exfoliate the day before your appointment, the less dead skin cells the better (trust me, the results will be amazing) third, come to your appointment with no moisturizers or deodorant on, these products can act like a barrier on the skin and will not allow the spray tan to blend into the skin, fourth, wear loose clothing, the longer you can wait to rinse it off, the better the result. 

Spray tanning is a great way to have that sun kissed glow without having to spend hours baking in the sun. the great thing about That’s So tanning products is that they have a variety of shades to suit all skin types. It can be customized and it’s a lot of fun seeing the difference almost immediately on my clients. Another thing my clients can do is home care with their spray tanning, there are products that can be used to maintain the tanning colour and keep the skin hydrated and glowing; these products are a self-tanning mouse and self-tanning spray, with different shades to choose from, we can always find the perfect shade for everyone. 

If you want to get more information or want to book an appointment please feel free to reach out to me via email or through any of my social media platforms. Can’t wait to hear from you! 

Skin Concern – Eyes

We have all heard the saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul (or something to that effect) so it’s natural to want to take care of them, but how? 

As a licensed and certified medical aesthetician, I am here to help you take better care of your eye area with simple tips and tricks and also provide some recommendations for professional treatments. 

One thing that I have to make very clear right away is always make sure which ever product, tool or treatment you use (receive) please make sure that it is specifically for the eye area and not for the face and/or body. This is extremely important and I will explain why below. Just remember this tip in the future! 

Why Eyes Matter 

Our eyes do so much for us, they allow us to see beauty in everyday life, they show our emotion and capture memories for us on the daily. Eye care is essential for overall health (obviously seeing a doctor and optometrist is extremely vital, I’m speaking to skin care) It is important for us to nourish and spoil our eye area like we do the rest of our face and body. 

Eye Concerns 

In my personal experience, I have always been self-conscience about my eye area. I always feel like I have racoon eyes (though many people have told me I don’t but we are our own worse critics) dark circles have always been my enemy. I have come across many eye creams, tools and tricks to help reduce dark circles, puffiness and fine lines; and truthfully, with consistency, they do work. 

Professional Treatments 

One thing to remember is the skin around the eyes is very different that the skin around your face and body; the skin is thinner therefore it needs specific care and products. While there are not a lot of treatments specifically for the eyes, the ones that are approved for the eyes are effective. Please note that I am not a medical doctor so I cannot speak to treatments performed by doctors and nurses such as Botox and fillers; I can only speak to treatments that I can provide and perform. One of my favourite treatments (as some of my clients know) is the Green Peel from Dr. Schrammek, it is the only peel that is approved for treatment on the eye lids and around the eyes safely and effectively. The Green Peel assists with reducing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing pigmentation and dark circles. The unique combination of herbs and proprietary mixtures, the Green Peel allows blood flow to the area to smoothen out and exfoliate the skin. The results are healthy glowing skin, I absolutely love this treatment. 

Skin Care For The Eyes

One of the most important things in skin care is hydration, this is true of the skin around the eyes. Personally, I believe the use of eye cream cannot start soon enough, the earlier you start, the better. Finding a suitable eye cream can be a challenge but it all depends on what the concern is, what the skin needs and what the desired result is. If your concern is dark circles, you need a hydrating and brightening eye cream and you will need to apply it twice a day to achieve the desired results of reducing dark circles. If your concern is puffy eyes, you will need a hydrating eye cream preferably one that is gel based and lightweight. This allows for the skin to stay hydrated and circulate blood flow to the area to reduce puffiness, it’s also best to apply twice a day to get the results faster. If your concern is antiaging, the best solution is two things, one a brightening eye cream for the day and a retinol-based eye cream for the night. Retinol is number one for antiaging, pigmentation and exfoliation but make sure that any retinol that is used is specific for the eye area, anything for the face will be too potent for the eye area. 

Tools For The Eyes

There are a number of tools that can be used for the eyes, the three big ones that I am fans of are our fingers, facial roller and a gua sha. Using our fingers to apply eye cream is essential, the proper way to apply eye cream is to gently tap it into the skin, this allows the product to penetrate into the skin instead of swiping it off in a sliding motion. Facial rollers and gua shas are great tools for product penetration as well as massaging the skin around the eye area. One pro tip that I will share with you is to keep your facial rollers and gua shas in the fridge, by having the tools cool/cold it helps with lymphatic massage, reduce puffiness, reduce dark circles and improves the texture of the skin. Another at home treatment that is great is eye mask. Generally eye masks are for hydrating and brightening the eye area but can also be very calming and relaxing not just for the skin, but for the mind as well.

Now that you know a bit more about eye care in skin care, I hope that you can put these into practice and see how much your skin will improve.

Want more information?

Want product recommendations?

Want a video tutorial?

Drop a comment or send an email, I’d love to get your feedback! 

Skin Concern – Pigmentation

When it comes to skin concerns, what I am seeing a lot of these days at work is the concern of pigmentation. Pigmentation is an issue for many people and for many skin types. Not all pigmentation is the same which means that not all pigmentation is treated the same. In order to treat pigmentation, we have to know how it developed on the skin, the biggest source of pigmentation is sun exposure, but there are other ways pigmentation can develop on the skin, they include, acne scarring, hormonal issues, and over exfoliating the skin. 

Pigmentation can occur to anyone at any age and every to every skin type. Thankfully there are several treatments and at home products that safely and effectively treat all different types of pigmentation. Now depending on your skin type will determine what professional skin treatments are best suited to reduce pigmentation. Here are the most effective treatments in my opinion as a licensed aesthetician and skin care specialist. 

Professional Treatments For Pigmentation

Laser Treatments – yes, it’s true, laser technology can be used to treat and reduce pigmentation in the skin. Specifically, the Alexandrite laser, it is the one laser technology that targets pigment in the skin. The Alex laser looks for colour, so when there is a darker spot in the skin it picks it up first without damaging the surrounding area. The intention is to break down the pigment in the skin, bring it to the surface, it scabs and then falls off. Depending on how old and deep the pigmentation is will determine how many treatments are needed to get maximum results. Because the Alex laser is the most superficial laser, it is not suited for all skin types. The Alex laser is ideal for skin types one to three border line four, because the laser looks for colour it’s not suited for the darker skin types. But not to worry, there are other treatments that are effective for all skin types. 

Microneedling – Microneedling has become a very popular and in demand treatment in the last few years; its popularity derives from the fact that it is effective in its results and there is little to no down time with this treatment. The best way I can describe how microneedling works is like this: when an injury happens to the skin, the body’s natural response is to heal itself. How does it heal itself? By creating new skin. What does new skin look like? Smooth, bright, healthy and fit. This is where Microneedling comes in, what we are doing is causing microdamage to the skin and forcing the body to do what it does naturally and produce new healthy skin. How it reduces pigmentation is by breaking down the pigment in the skin and allowing the skin to renew itself. What’s great about Microneedling is that it is one of the treatments that is suited for all skin types. When done properly, the results are amazing and long lasting.

 

Chemical Peels – Chemical Peels are one of the most effective ways to reduce pigmentation, it exfoliates on deeper levels of the skin to bring out the pigmentation and eventually exfoliates it off completely. There are various chemical peels that have different acids such as mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and retinol. All of these ingredients can assist with the reduction of pigmentation in the skin. There are various strengths and types of chemical peels, though most chemical peels are suited for all skin types, skin types five and six need to be treated more conservatively as their skin can create more pigment if not treated correctly. Always go to a licensed professional to get the best advice for your skin. Chemical peels work on the outside going in and a treatment like Microneedling works on the inside going out. A combination of these treatments will provide the most effective way to reduce pigmentation in the skin. These are the most popular and effective treatments to reduce pigmentation but another huge factor is taking care of your skin at home. 

Home Care 

Taking care of your skin at home is essential for maintaining healthy and fit skin. Professional treatments can take you so far but if you’re not taking proper care of your skin, it will all be for nothing. Below are the essentials in skin care, specifically in treating pigmentation. 

Vitamin C – Vitamin C can help fade pigmentation and smooth the skin’s surface to reduce dullness. This gives skin a youthful glow. Consistent vitamin C application has been shown to impede melanin production, the pigment responsible for skin color; this can help fade dark spots. Hyperpigmentation — including sunspots, age spots, and melasma — occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain areas of the skin. It can also happen in areas where acne has healed. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and Antioxidants protect healthy skin cells. Vitamin c is also a brightening agent and boosts cell turnover to reveal bright and healthy skin. 

Retinol – retinol is pure vitamin a, it is one of my personal favourite products in my skin care routine. Retinol can have a number of positive effects on the skin, as it encourages skin cell turnover. When new skin cells are formed, they will be more evenly pigmented. For me personally, retinol is the holy grail of serums in skin care, it helps with the reduction of pigmentation, exfoliate the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles and smoothens out the skin. To me, that’s a winning combination. Remember, retinol is only to be applied at night time; always apply retinol on clean skin and apply moisturizer right after. 

SPF – if you remember only one thing in this post; please remember this: SPF in skin care is non-negotiable. I always hear that clients don’t like the feel of sunscreen or they don’t need it every day because they’re inside or there’s no sun. that’s simply not true, the sun rises every day and our skin is exposed to light (natural and artificial) all the time. Think of sunscreen as your skin insurance for your treatments. It’s like a protective barrier on your skin and keeping your other products intact. I can understand some people’s apprehension in wearing sunscreen on the daily, some sunscreens are too thick, it feels heavy or leaves a white cast on the skin. Not to fret, there are sunscreens on the market that do not have a high zinc level (the ingredient that gives off that white cast) and blends really well. 

I have had my fair share of pigmentation issues and still do to this day. I work to reduce by getting professional treatments (peels and microneedling are my go to) and keeping up with my skin care routine which relies heavily on my daily vitamin c, retinol and sunscreen use. If you have any skin concerns or have any questions about professional treatments and/or products, call on your aestie bestie anytime!   

Treatment Review – Green Peel

It’s always hard deciding what treatment is best for you. There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming. Understanding different treatments, ingredients and listening to experts is crucial especially when it comes to putting acids, chemicals and enzymes on your face. When it comes to treatments there are a few questions to consider: 1) what do I want to treat? (acne, scars, pigmentation, antiaging) 2) what will this treatment do for me? 3) is this treatment suited for my skin type and concern? Having these questions at the back of our minds helps in determining what treatments are best for you and your skin. 

I’ve been in the beauty/skin care industry for five plus years. I have come across many different skin treatments from chemical peels to facials to needling and skin resurfacing. Anyone who knows me on a professional level will probably know that the Green Peel is one of my absolute favourite treatments to provide for my clients. It is one of the most unique and really effective treatments on the market. Unlike traditional chemical peels, the Green Peel consists of an organic mixture that is massaged on the skin. The Green Peel is plant based so the first thing I always ask clients is if they have a plant allergy as it is a contraindication. 

Another thing that makes the Green Peel unique is that there are three different treatments/levels of the Green Peel. The first is the Fresh Up, the lightest of the three treatments. The Green Peel Fresh Up – The Freshness Kick, Without Peeling Effect: With this treatment, the skin is stimulated and refreshed with natural herbs. Blood circulation is stimulated, pores open and the skin is now able to optimally absorb the ingredients and products in the treatment. The complexion appears brighter and fresher. The Green Peel Fresh Up vitalizes the cells and your skin glows with a new freshness. The second is Green Peel Energy – The Vitality And Regeneration Kick Without Peeling Effect: This treatment with natural herbs noticeably provides energy. It stimulates blood circulation and metabolism and then leads to a natural improvement of the skin texture with little to no peeling effect. Green Peel Energy provides your skin with the natural energy it needs to renew the cells. It helps to reduce age-related skin appearances as well as impurities, scarring and pigment disorders. The treatment visibly improves the skin’s appearance and harmonizes its surface. The third and most aggressive of the three is the Green Peel Classic – Regeneration And Renewal With Peeling Effect: for this treatment the Herbal Peeling mixture is intensively massaged into the skin. Blood circulation is increased, the supply of oxygen and nutrition is improved and skin renewal is stimulated. This effect is stopped after two to five days depending on the skin texture with a more or less strong peeling process of the skin. During this time, the skin needs to be treated at home with special Dr. Schrammek skin care products. 

Now that we know a little bit more about the Green Peel, let’s talk about them from an aesthetician’s point of view. What I love about the Green Peel is its unique formula, it works differently than a chemical peel; the Green Peel works from the inside going out, meaning it works at a cellular level in the skin. Chemical peels work on the outside going in. Of the three, the Green Peel Classic is my favourite, though a commitment because you cannot wash your face for five to seven days, the results are absolutely amazing. The Green Peel Classic tagline is “New Skin In Five Days” and it’s really true. After a Green Peel Classic treatment, you cannot use any water on your skin and only use the home care provided. This is why this treatment is a commitment, to not wash your face for days can be challenging (believe me I know!) Because the Green Peel works on a deeper level, it is great for reducing scars and fine lines and wrinkles. It smoothens out the skin while also lifting and brightening too. Green Peel is also a great treatment for pigmentation as the exfoliation with this treatment is intense and reduces pigmentation effectively. What I have seen in my clients is improvement in skin texture, brighter, tighter and healthier skin. My clients are always happy after the Green Peel treatment, though not many have not yet been brave enough to hit up the Classic but all have been very satisfied with the results of the Green Peel Energy. As a side note, the Green Peel is also an effective treatment for the body as well. Clients who suffer from acne scarring and breakouts on the back can have those significantly reduced with the Green Peel. It’s also an effective treatment for the neck and upper chest for pigmentation and antiaging. I’ve been fortunate to see the difference in my client’s skin before and after Green Peel treatments and it’s such a joy to see the progression and journey to healthier skin. 

Though it has been a while since I have had a Green Peel Classic treatment (I am going to get one later in the fall) I have given myself the Green Peel Energy during the lockdown and it did wonders for my skin. It definitely gave my skin a much-needed boost and I’m grateful that I was able to get the products to do this for myself. I love the Green Peel treatment and it will always be in my top five favourite treatments ever. 

Makeup Tool & Application Debate

There are many debates when it comes to makeup; debates about makeup products, makeup applications and makeup tools. Today, let’s dive into the debate of makeup application. Now I have seen different makeup artists use different tools for makeup application; the three big ones are fingers, brushes and sponges. All three tools provide different finishes and different looks, but all have their place in the makeup world. Let’s talk about each of them. 

Sponges (Beauty Blenders) 

I only noticed the Beauty Blenders a few years ago and then started using them when they became super popular in the makeup world. Similar to brushes, Beauty Blenders come in all different shapes, sizes and densities; all meant for different applications and finishes. Like with most tools and products there are pros and cons to Beauty Blenders. 

Here are a few: 

Pros:

  • You have more control with a sponge than your fingers.
  • Foundation will go on sheer and lightweight.
  • You can dampen the sponge giving a fuller-coverage foundation a more natural effect, which is perfect for a dewy, natural glow.
  • They are inexpensive.
  • They can get into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

Cons of Sponges:

  • Sponges absorb a lot of product, so you’ll go through your foundation faster (they are “sponges” after all!)
  • If skin isn’t prepped properly (moisturized and primed) they can catch and lift dry skin.
  • They need to be replaced often, so they’re not very environmentally-friendly.

While I am on the fence about Beauty Blenders, I could go either way on the debate. I don’t use them often for full face application, but I do like them for concealer application and finishing touches. I personally don’t like cleaning them (they are a pain in the butt to clean/sanitize) and because I do have combination skin, it’s not pleasant to see dead skin on my Beauty Blender (it’s gross!) plus having to buy new ones every three months is tedious for me. 

Fingers 

Before the hype of Beauty Blenders and fancy makeup brushes, we used our fingers to apply makeup. Now there can be a huge divide between makeup enthusiasts on using our hands to apply makeup; the biggest one being hygiene and a close second would be that it can be messy. For my own application, I use my fingers to apply a primer and/or moisturizer to my face and eyes. But now thinking about it, I have used my fingers to dab on product and to tap into my skin for a finishing touch. Admittedly, using my fingers can be messy and I usually find myself scrambling for a clean towel to wipe my hands clean of makeup product (but I also do the same with my makeup brushes because I want to keep my brushes as clean as possible) Let’s go through some pros and cons of using our fingers: 

Pros: 

  • They’re free! You don’t have to buy and carry around an extra tool.
  • You won’t waste as much product as using a sponge, so you’ll save money.
  • Your hands will warm up the foundation helping it blend nicely.

Cons:

  • Using your fingers can get pretty messy.
  • You don’t have as much control as with a sponge or brush, which can result in streaks or uneven application.
  • Your fingers and hands have to be freshly washed before application otherwise you will spread bacteria and cause breakouts.
  • Sometimes, oily complexions get even oilier with finger application.

Now I will never shy away from using my fingers when applying my makeup, it does give my makeup a personal touch (literally!) It’s easy and fast to use my fingers so I will always vouch for this method of application. 

Now on to my personal favourite – Makeup Brushes

I have to admit that I have my fair share of makeup brush collections, yes I said collections, more than one. I have tried different brushes from different brands and different styles. I have narrowed it down to a few favourites; though I am not exclusive with any brand/company, I do have preferences based on my own experiences. What’s important about brushes is the density of the brush, the handle, and what the brush is actually made of. My personal favourite makeup brushes come from Chanel, Mac Cosmetics, Fifteen Twenty and Seint; each brand is unique and when combined together I have the perfect tools for my makeup application. (If you need some recommendations, send me an email! I’d love to help) 

 Pros:

  • When used properly, a brush is one of the fastest ways to apply foundation.
  • They blend foundation seamlessly giving skin an even, airbrushed finish.
  • They provide great coverage.
  • Hygienic
  • You can layer easily, giving you more control over coverage.
  • They are good for getting into hard to reach nooks and crannies
  • They buff foundation into the skin for natural-looking results.

Cons:

  • Many brushes are expensive.
  • They don’t travel as well as sponges or fingers–if you don’t store them properly the bristles can bend and break.
  • Poorly made brushes can leave streaks and stray hairs on the skin.

Makeup brushes are an investment just like makeup, the tools are just as important as the product itself. When you invest in the proper brushes and clean them regularly, they will last you a very long time. I suggest cleaning your makeup after every use (for hygenic purposes) there’s a spray you can purchase or you can simply spray 70% alcohol and wait for it to dry; when cleaning your brushes, I suggest using a mat specifically for brushes and using a gentle soap like Dawn dish soap. 

While tools for makeup is a personal choice and preference, what matters is the final product which is how you look and feel when your makeup is done. 

What tools do you like to use? 

What tools do you stay away from? 

What is your favourite tool? 

Let me know in the comments!