Sheet Masks … Worth It?

Since this pandemic hit, we’ve had to adapt to different things and that includes skin care. Having limitations with going to a medical spa for a facial or chemical peel, at home skin care products and routines have been at the forefront. One of the things that has grown in popularity is sheet masks. With so many options out there, how does one choose? I can help with that. 

First; what are sheet masks? Simply put, sheet masks are face-shaped sheet fabrics soaked in a serum. The sheet is made up of variety of materials including papers, fibers or gel types. These sheet masks are different from facial masks that are only applied with face mask brush, then to be taken off with water and a clean towel. A sheet mask is used once and it is individually packaged, making them fast, convenient, and easy to use. 

How do I use a sheet mask? It’s very easy! To get the most out of your sheet mask, I would suggest the following steps: 1) Double Cleanse (especially if you’re doing this at the end of the day) 2) Exfoliate (use a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, this allows for the product in the sheet mask to absorb into the skin better) 3) On Clean, Dry Face, Apply Sheet Mask (have it sit on your face for a good amount of time, anywhere from fifteen to twenty minutes) 4) Remove Sheet Mask (gently massage any excess product from the mask into the skin) 5) Apply Moisturizer and You’re Done! 

Now this is a great at home facial, so if you are feeling fancy, pamper yourself! If you’re looking for a quick relaxing thirty-minute Netflix session, make sure your skin is clean and dry before applying a sheet mask.  Sadly, most sheet masks are one-size-fits-all, but since every face is not the same size or shape, the best way to apply a sheet mask is to start from the forehead and gently apply it downwards on the face; match the holes for your eyes, nose and mouth for safety and comfort. 

Are sheet masks effective? Absolutely! Sheet masks bring fast effects in regards to enhancing the skin. The fabric sheets are filled with various vitamins and minerals, and other goodness for your skin to absorb. Most sheet masks are intended to brighten and hydrate the skin, ingredients like gold, vitamin c and hyaluronic acid are the most popular and can be used for most skin types. Where it gets more specific is when you see charcoal sheet masks for oily skin (intended to clarify the skin) and aloe sheet masks for sensitive skin (intended to calm the skin) 

Though sheet masks are not professional grade and not intended to replace professional treatments, it is a great way to maintain healthy skin (especially in our current situation when personal care services are still closed) 

Sheet masks are inexpensive (average between five to twenty dollars per mask) they are a great way to pamper yourself and give your skin a nice boost from the usual skin care routine. Now I am not saying that you should run out and collect every single sheet mask out there; you can pick a couple up and try them out. Sheet masks are fun and beneficial for your skin’s health. Remember to always be cautious of what you put on your skin – have fun with them but only for the health of your skin. 

Some of my personal favorites are from Hadaka and Dear Derma. Very briefly, the sheet masks from Dear Derma range from brightening, calming, clarifying and anti-aging. With a wide range of masks for different skin types, anyone can use one of the many options from Dear Derma. 

What I really want to dive into is my go-to masks for home use. 

The 24K Gold Masks from Hadaka is by far my all-time favourite sheet mask; The serum in this mask is filled with various vitamins and minerals, and won’t dry out the skin. The sheet on your face helps the serum to soak in your skin a little longer. This particular mask has a gel like feel and texture to it, it’s cooling and soft feeling that hydrates, brightens and tightens the skin. Another added bonus, Hadaka also offers this specific mask for under eyes and lips! 

Another favourite of mine which is a new drop from Hadaka is the Lucent Veil Mask; this new facial mask will help skin anti-oxidization, dullness, and immune effects to give you radiant and luminous skin. A combination of nature and technology, the ingredients offer high moisturization, improvement of fine lines, and promotion of collagen synthesis to reveal younger-looking skin. This ultra-fine bio cellulose mask comprises microscopic fibers derived from a natural fermentation process, then saturated with unique and precious beta-glucan extracts of the Sparassis Crispa. This magnificent natural ingredient, known for its medicinal qualities, only grows in a clean and optimal environment. The infusion of beta-glucan and several botanical extracts delivers incomparable hydration with immune functions to improve skin barrier, soothe, and restore moisture. Unveiling, noticeably more, radiant and supple skin. I know what you’re thinking … You want these masks as soon as possible! 

Believe it or not, there are ways to enhance your sheet mask experience. The best way is by using a facial roller; lymphatic massage is always a good thing for your skin. When using a facial roller, the serum in penetrated deeper into the skin – always a bonus! 

Still have questions? Feel free to send me a message or email me, I’d be happy to help! 

Until we can see each other in person again, stick to your skin care routine (remember your sunscreen!) and stay safe!!

Dehydrated Skin VS Dry Skin

It’s hard to believe we are almost at the one-year mark since this pandemic has changed our lives forever. To say that it’s been a challenge for everyone is an understatement whether you were forced to stay home to work or out of a job completely. 

For me personally it’s been challenging, being in the beauty and self-care industry, this pandemic has made us change the way we operate and adapt to different situations. As always, client’s safety is always number one priority but with not knowing 100% what we are dealing with makes everyone on edge; not just our clients but myself as an aesthetician. I always want to ensure that my clients feel safe and comfortable while getting treatments. 

Since being home, I’ve noticed that my skin has definitely had its ups and downs. Especially in the winter months my skin gets on the drier side, but this time around it’s much drier than I have ever experienced before.

Before I dive any deeper into this, let me break down the difference between having dry skin and having dehydrated skin. 

Dry skin is a skin type – Dehydrated skin is a skin concern 

Dry skin is a skin type where your skin does not produce enough oils to keep itself balanced. Dry skin can be developed over time and can be treated effectively. Some indications that you may have dry skin on your face specifically (dry skin can also occur on the body) is tightness on your cheeks, flaky skin and sometimes redness. Dry skin can also occur by environmental factors, weather and air quality. Remember even if you have oily skin, you can still have dry skin. 

Dehydrated skin is a skin concern where your skin is lacking water; it can feel itchy; your skin can appear dull and unfortunately fine lines and wrinkles appear more prominent. Though dehydrated skin is annoying it can be managed. One of the most important things is to drink enough water, water intake is so essential not just for skin health but overall body health. The second thing is to ensure you are using the proper moisturizer; having the proper moisturizer for your skin type helps to maintain the health of your skin.

My personal experience with my skin care is determined by the season. In the summer months, my skin is more on the oily side. In the winter months my skin is more on the drier side. There are two things that change for me in the seasons and that is my moisturizer and morning serum. In the summer months, I use a moisturizer for oily skin because I do have combination oily skin; my serum is light and exfoliating as I do tend to break out more in the summer. In the winter months, I use a heavier moisturizer (one that is for sensitive skin as I do not have dry skin all year round and using a moisturizer for dry skin will cause more issues for my skin than doing good) and my morning serum is a hydrating one (hyaluronic acid is a great hydration ingredient despite it being an ‘acid’) and that helps my skin out tremendously. 

This winter, this past year actually, my skin has been throwing me curve balls that I can barely keep up. I have been struggling with it if I’m going to be completely transparent, it’s been hard. I know part of the issues I’ve been experiencing is because of my digestion problems which is normal (anything happening within our bodies will show up on our skin, face and body) I’ve been using my products consistently but there are some days where my products will give me that burning sensation (which is normal for me when I use a new product and only lasts seconds) to say that I was getting frustrated is putting it lightly. I’ve experienced days where my skin has been so dry that my skin has started flaking and in places where I’ve never flaked before (around my nose, my under eyes and my jawline) so I’m upping my skin care game and my water intake. 

Now you may think, why not do an at home treatment or masks? It’s definitely an option but I have to be careful what I use because using the right products but at the wrong time can cause more problems than provide optimum solutions. If I’m going to do anything at this time it’ll be hydrating masks, lymphatic massage, moisturizing and drinking water. If you’re going through what I’m going through, take my advice into consideration. A few things I will not recommend is doing any deep peels of any kind (it’ll dry your skin out more) don’t change your moisturizer without consulting your skin care specialist, don’t add new products to your skin care routine without knowing what the benefits are and if it’s actually suited for you. 

Remember – rule number one of intentional skin care: every product in your routine should have a purpose. 

Do you struggle with dryness and overall health of your skin? Need some professional advice? 

Drop a comment, find me on social, or send me an email – I’d be happy to help. I’m always here.

My Struggles With My Skin

Being in the beauty industry, there is a certain standard that has to be met. I should have almost perfect skin, no blemishes and no imperfections. Now, I do have a pretty solid skin care routine and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But sometimes, life has different plans. 

As some of my close friends and family know, I have had digestion issues in recent months. I couldn’t figure out with the issue was but I was coping the best way I could (due to covid restrictions, I wasn’t able to see my family doctor in person so I had monitored my progress over the phone) Now I thought since I have had issues in the past that this time around it would just settle itself as it usually does. Sadly, this time it wasn’t the case. What prompted me to really take this seriously is when I started to notice changes in my skin. 

When I say to my clients that what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your skin, I have lived through this and currently living through this. 

To start off, I made an appointment to see my doctor that did my gastric bypass; because he knows my history he would be the best person to help me. When I spoke to the administrator over the phone after telling her my concerns and her speaking with the doctor, she sent me requisitions for x-rays and ultrasounds. After completing the tests and finally seeing my doctor in person, he was able to tell me that I do have an issue but in order to confirm I have to do a Gastroscopy to which I was hesitant but I knew I had to do it in order to figure out what is wrong with me. 

Side Note – What Is A Gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy is a test where a doctor passes a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope through your mouth and into your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (which is the first portion of your small intestine). This procedure allows the doctor to: examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, take pictures of what is seen, use a small brush to collect cells for analysis. Gastroscopy can be used to diagnose: persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing, the cause of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (your esophagus, stomach and duodenum), inflammation, ulcers and tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. 

After completing the Gastroscopy, my doctor told me that I have an ulcer and that I would have to be medication for the next few months until at least a follow up in the near future. So now I know what is going with my body, now I have to work at it to become and feel better. 

Working on my internal health became my first priority. I knew that in order to get my body and my skin in order, I had to focus on my health. I pulled out all my Arbonne supplies and started putting things in order of consumption, I realized that I had some gaps and things missing. It was then that I had reached out to my dear friend and fellow Arbonne sister, Stephanie and asked for her advice. I talked to her about my diagnosis and what products I had and what products I may need because I wanted to get my life back on track; together we put a plan into action and I purchased my products. 

Now that I had a solid plan in place to have my gut health going on a better path, it was time to focus on my skin again. I haven’t changed much in my skin care routine but I could tell that my skin was feeling tired, dehydrated and dull. I decided to make some small changes and add some things to jump start my skin again. I started using my facial roller again to get the blood flow rolling, I am using an enzymatic peel once a week and switching up my moisturizer to something a little heavier because of the cold weather. 

It’s been about a month since I have started on this new path and I have to say I am feeling a lot better. The products from Arbonne have been helping me out a lot and the small changes in my skin care are definitely and slowly improving. I’m happy. 

I will keep you posted on my progress. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I’d be happy to answer. 

New Stop On The Journey – Seint Makeup

Being in the beauty industry I’ve come across so many different things from skin care to machines to tools to technology to techniques. But the one thing that I have grown to love over time is makeup. I’ve always been into makeup because of my love of colour, I always found that makeup for me was a way that I could express myself. Even when I was overweight and depressed I still had makeup as a way to bring me up even when I was down. 

Now as you can plainly see my skin complexion I am as pale as they come, I decided to use that to my advantage when it came to makeup. My complexion allows me to play with different colours and textures of makeup. I love colour and I love sparkle, you can see in the collection I have. Anytime I saw something new, I was quick to pick it up and try it myself. Now that I’m a bit older I have quite the selection of makeup and makeup tools. I have to admit that I have dialed down in my makeup shopping only because I want to utilize and use what I have. It hasn’t been easy but it’s still fun. 

My personal favourite things are mascara, eye shadows, lipsticks and highlighters. I take pride in my lashes (thanks to lash growing serum EyEnvy) and when I have the right mascara on … Boom! My lashes are on point. I love using colour on my eyes, I love mixing colours and techniques to bring out my natural eye beauty. I love that there is no one way to do eye makeup; a true way to express myself. Highlighters – I love highlighters! I love shimmery and sparkly highlighters, it gives a subtle boost to the overall look. Lipstick, I love bold colours for the lips. I can admit that I have shades upon shades of various colours for my lips, everything from glosses, lip stains, matte finish and actual lipsticks. My absolute favourite colour is red, it’s so powerful and so sexy. 

I have been fortunate to have taken a makeup certification course and many training sessions in my time within the beauty industry. I love learning new things, new products and new techniques within makeup. I have to admit that it can be overwhelming with all the products and techniques. I never actively went out looking for work as a makeup artist because my main focus is skin care. Makeup has always been a passion and something fun for me to do on myself and for others. I love playing with colours and trying out new things. Now with this lockdown happening on and off as it seems, I have had some time to play around with my toys and it’s been fun. 

Enter Seint makeup. I’m all for individuality and I believe makeup is a great way to express that. I was scrolling through Instagram and saw one of my friends posting about this new makeup and I paid close attention to her videos. I was impressed on how she was able to create stunning looks with minimal products and simply techniques. To say I was intrigued is an understatement, so I reached out to her and told her I wanted more information. She broke it down for me, gave me a colour match and suggested some colours for me. Though at the time I did not purchase the products, I always kept watch on Instagram and put it on the back burner. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when it was the Seint Artist Birthday Celebration and that’s when I was introduced to the artist program. 

Here’s an excerpt from the Seint’s website: “In 2013, Maskcara Beauty was born. Founded on the principle that “helping others look beautiful is nice, but helping them believe they are beautiful is life-changing,” our IIID products were created to redefine, simplify, and streamline the beauty routine. Armed with determination in heart and customizable palette in hand, the makeup revolution had begun. This uniquely intuitive and personalized approach has inspired thousands of women to recognize and celebrate their own beautiful, gain confidence, and radiate positivity. We introduced the Artist program in 2017, bringing the opportunity to “have your cake and eat it, too” to those who caught the vision and felt inspired to share Maskcara’s products and vision with the world.

As the Maskcara brand has grown, we have seen the way that beauty truly connects all of us to each other. Recognizing and enhancing the beauty that already exists in every face has always been our inspiration, so we are thrilled to announce that in 2020 Maskcara Beauty is changing its name to Seint to better reflect its purpose. This change is inspired by our belief that seeking, experiencing, and cultivating beauty is a sacred work; the work of saints. Saints aren’t made or created; they are simply recognized for the good they bring to the world. In a similar way, we believe that we don’t just make or create beauty; we recognize, nurture, and preserve it. Like all good things, beauty matters. Spelled in the traditional old French to honor the intrinsic value of the word, Seint represents our dedication to helping others look beautiful and believe they are beautiful. Because beauty is not our creation; it is our passion.” 

After reading about all of this I was really impressed with the brand and what it stands for. I reached out to my friend and asked her that instead of me simply buying the products that I join the team as a makeup artist. I was a little nervous because l wasn’t sure what she would say but thankfully she was totally onboard and we decided that we would work together to succeed together. I am so thrilled to be a part of a community of women who support one another and bring women up. Makeup can be so empowering and this is a great way to share that with the world. I now have signed up with Seint and I am excited to go on this journey. Keep watch on my social media platforms to see what comes next.

Why Understanding Ingredients In Skin Care Is Important

One of the biggest debates in the aesthetics world is the one about medical grade products versus over the counter products. Now coming from a point of view as a certified medical aesthetician I do have some thoughts on this. What prompted me to write about this was a post I made a couple of weeks ago when I implied that medical grade products were superior to over the counter products and the comment section and my DM’s were filled with negative commentary about how I was being inconsiderate of people’s money and time. That is definitely not the case and not what I was trying to convey in that particular post. The point I wanted to make was that it is important to know what you are putting on your skin. 

Over The Counter (OTC) Products 

Now I have spoken to many people about different products and ingredients that are intended for certain skin types and skin concerns. What it all boils down to is the ingredient list and how much of said ingredients are in the products. When it comes to standard OTC products at the drug store or grocery store, it is not that they are ‘bad’ products but most of the time these products don’t have sufficient percentages of the right ingredients to make them the most beneficial for one’s skin. An example I can share with you is that a night moisturizer that has retinol in it may not have a sufficient amount to actually cause a significant change in the skin; ten bottles of an OTC retinol moisturizer would equal one bottle of a retinol serum at the medical grade level. The true test is by looking at the ingredient list and historically the first five ingredients listed are the most heavily ingredients in the products. A lot of the OTC products have a lot of ingredients that are harmful for the skin; some products also have ingredients that cause allergic reactions to some people. If you are looking for more cleaner products, it’s best to steer clear of some OTC products. Most OTC products are heavily alcohol or water based and have very little of the good ingredients like lactic acid and retinol; ingredients that are beneficial for healthy skin.

 

Medical Grade Products

With medical grade products the biggest difference is that the most beneficial ingredients are the most potent which is shown on the ingredients list. Medical grade products are formulated specifically to treat, correct and maintain healthy skin. It’s important to understand that certain ingredients can heal the skin simply by having the right amount of the ingredient in a product. medical grade products will use highly stabilized ingredients that last longer, a lot of them also use more involved mechanisms of absorption to enhance delivery to deeper areas of skin. The higher cost of medical grade products results from the inclusion of more effective active ingredients at higher concentrations and may make them seem unaffordable. However, less product is typically needed to deliver superior results, so the cost/benefit calculation actually makes medical-grade products a better bargain in the long run. There are great medical grade skin care lines only available through medical spas, but there are other great skin care lines that are readily available to everyone. It’s just a matter of being educated and understanding different ingredients and what they are used for. 

Pro Tip – When it comes to achieving healthier skin (and other aspects in life) one thing to remember … Trust The Process; the results will come. 

What Ingredients Are Important In Skin Care 

Niacinamide 

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient. There’s much more to this nutrient, especially when it comes to general skin health; topical niacinamide may help treat certain skin conditions, including acne and eczema. Overall, niacinamide can help build proteins in the skin and lock in moisture to prevent environmental damage. Continue reading to see what benefits niacinamide has for the skin. Niacinamide minimizes redness and blotchiness. Niacinamide reduces inflammation, which may help ease redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Niacinamide can also help regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce and prevent your glands from going into overdrive. Niacinamide can concurrently rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules; you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture. It’s a fantastic ingredient that will aide and assist in healthier glowing skin. 

Vitamin C 

As far as your skin is concerned, vitamin c is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals, vitamin c assists in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells. Did you know, vitamin C’s skin-saving benefits aren’t limited to its antioxidant status; it has plenty of other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in your skin care routine. One of vitamin c’s main benefits is how it can accelerate the production of collagen and elastin. Remember: Collagen and elastin are both naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. Therefore, in helping to promote collagen production, vitamin c can help prevent premature aging of the skin. When introducing vitamin c into your routine the best skin care product to use is serum, because serums are more effective than creams or toners. 

Retinol

What I would consider the holy grail of skin care ingredients. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, an ingredient that promotes skin renewal and enhances collagen production, it also lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, retinol can also reverse some of the side effects of sun damage. Retinol has multiple benefits. It is able to improve the production of collagen and stop it from being broken down; this leads to firmer, plumper skin with diminished fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol can also speed up the skin cell regeneration cycle, which encourages a smoother, more even complexion. Finally, retinol can help in reducing hyperpigmentation for a bright and even skin tone. All skin types can benefit from adding retinol into their nighttime routine. Even blemish prone skins can benefit from the power of vitamin A. By speeding up the skin cell renewal process, retinol clears out clogged pores which could cause blemishes to promote a clear complexion.

There are other ingredients that are important in skin care like salicylic acid and lactic acid, but I could be here for another two thousand words explaining them all! The above is the most important and the most effective in skin care. It’s important to consult with a skin care specialist to guide you through what’s best for your skin and skin’s health.

Why I Love Facial Rollers

Skin care is extremely important for the health and longevity of our skin. Now more than ever it’s important to take extra care of our skin when (I, as an aesthetician) can’t see my clients on the regular. During the winter months especially, the primary focus is hydration by moisturizing and drinking water. In order to give your skin an extra boost and to treat yourself, we can incorporate a facial roller to enhance your skin care routine. 

What Are Facial Rollers? 

Facial rollers have been a staple in skin care for many years and have recently been all over social media as a must have in your skin care routine. 

The simple act of massaging your face with a face roller has number of benefits for the skin. Here are some of the key benefits: Facial rollers improves blood circulation in the face. Using a face roller can stimulate blood flow to the face, which can make your skin look brighter and feel firmer. Facial rollers help to Decrease puffiness; rolling may also decrease puffiness under the eyes by stimulating lymphatic drainage. Facial rollers cool and soothes your skin. If you store your roller in the refrigerator or use a naturally cold stone like jade, it’ll cool the skin on contact. This can quickly de-puff your skin and tighten pores. (this is great for sensitive and redness prone skin) Facial rollers can be used to penetrate skincare products into the skin. 

Pro Tip – When using a facial roller, do not put a lot of pressure. Putting a lot of pressure can have an adverse reaction, it can cause irritation and possible bruising. Please be careful!

Fact Verses Myth 

There is a lot of information about facial rollers – let’s talk about a few points. 

A facial massage can improve your mood: This is actually true. It may seem odd, but facial massage can help reduce anxiety.

Using a facial roller can slim the face: This is false. The only way to truly slim down or lose weight from any part of your body, the face included, is through nutrition and exercise. But, the de-puffing potential of the facial roller may make your face look slimmer in the short term.

Using a facial roller can contour the face: This is true. The roller can be used to drain fluid from the face, which can help to contour your face temporarily. 

Toxins can be flushed from the body by using a facial roller: This is true. Any activity that stimulates lymphatic drainage, including massage or facial rolling, can be detoxifying for the body.

How To Use A Facial Roller 

The steps below are the basics, when you get more comfortable with it, you can incorporate more advanced techniques. (but the basics are usually the best) 

Apply a facial oil, serum, or moisturizer with lots of slip. If you don’t have that, the facial roller can pull or tug the skin, which may actually contribute to wrinkles.

Start at the neck and roll upward. For best results, roll up, not back and forth.

Roll from the jawline to the ear on both sides using gentle pressure. You can continue this motion all the way from the jaw to the cheekbone.

Roll from the forehead up toward the temples, only in the upward direction. It’s the same gentle pull that you would use if you were using your hands to pull the skin taut and wrinkle-free.

Roll flat over your eyebrows horizontally, which may feel especially relieving if you have a headache.

Pro Tip – Incorporate the facial roller in your skin care routine when applying your serum. It’s the best feeling and added benefits. 

How often should you use a face roller? Face rollers are safe to use every day. 

How long do you roll for? Even if you only have a few minutes, you may still be able to get some of the de-stressing and de-puffing benefits. Remember, a few minutes is better than no minutes. 

Types of facial rollers

There are so many facial rollers on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Jade is one of the more common stones you’ll find in rollers. It’s been used for centuries in China. Jade and metal are naturally cold materials and will not need to be stored in the refrigerator to give a cooling sensation to the skin.

Rose quartz can hold its temperature (hot or cold) for a long period of time. So, if you want a colder roll and are planning to use it for more than a minute or two, quartz that’s been cooled in the fridge is your best option.

Jade is a softer stone than rose quartz, so a quartz roller may last longer and not break as easily if dropped. However, jade may not be as smooth as some of the other stones, but this added friction may be especially helpful for contouring.

My Favourite Facial Rollers

O B S I D I A N: The Powerful and Protective Stone

Experience the benefits of our W A N D L U X E Obsidian Lifting Roller. It helps to sculpt your face, rejuvenate and lift the skin. Black Obsidian Stone is a powerful cleanser of psychic smog created within your aura, and is a strong psychic protection stone. This stone has powerful metaphysical properties that will help to shield you against negativity. The energy of these stones may stimulate the gift of prophesy and may boost precognition. Each sphere roll is designed with 170 cuts to help visibly contour your jawline and cheekbones. At the same time, it helps with lymphatic drainage and increase blood circulation to reveal a brighter, younger skin.

T I G E R’ S E Y E: The Good Energy Stone

W A N D L O V E. A magic wand that promotes blood flow stimulation, lymph drainage, reduces puffiness and dark circles, calms and brightens while lifting your skin.

The Tiger’s Eye crystal gets its healing properties from a combination of the sun and Earth elements. This is what gives it both grounding and inspiring vibrations. Similar to a tiger’s stripes, Tiger’s Eye crystal has an appearance to match its powerful energy. Its bold coloration is just as bold as its healing properties, which work to balance toxic emotions and create positive mental shifts. This facial roller eliminates toxins through lymph drainage, reduce puffiness and dark circles, soothe and brighten the skin, improve elasticity, deepen penetration of skincare products, increase blood circulation and release tension in the face.

A M E T H Y S T: The Healing Stone

W A N D L O V E. A magic wand that promotes blood flow stimulation, lymph drainage, reduces puffiness and dark circles, calms and brightens while lifting your skin.

Amethyst has been highly esteemed throughout the ages for its stunning beauty and legendary powers to stimulate, and soothe, the mind and emotions. This facial roller eliminates toxins through lymph drainage, reduce puffiness and dark circles, soothe and brighten the skin, improve elasticity, deepen penetration of skincare products, increase blood circulation and release tension in the face. Amethyst is still a remarkable stone of spirituality and contentment, known for its metaphysical abilities to still the mind and inspire an enhanced meditative state. Its inherent high frequency purifies the aura of any negative energy or attachments, and creates a protective shield of Light around the body. This facial roller eliminates toxins through lymph drainage, reduce puffiness and dark circles, soothe and brighten the skin, improve elasticity, deepen penetration of skincare products, increase blood circulation and release tension in the face.

R O S E Q U A R T Z: The Love Stone

W A N D L O V E. A magic wand that promotes blood flow stimulation, lymph drainage, reduces puffiness and dark circles, calms and brightens while lifting your skin.

Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love.  It restores trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love.  Rose Quartz purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace.  Calming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of grief.  Rose Quartz dispels negativity and protects against environmental pollution, replacing it with loving vibes.  It encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance invoking self-trust and self-worth. Rose Quartz strengthens and balances the physical heart and circulatory system, and releases impurities from body fluids.  It hastens recovery, reduces high blood pressure, aids chest and lung problems, heals the kidneys and adrenals, and alleviates vertigo. This facial roller eliminates toxins through lymph drainage, reduce puffiness and dark circles, soothe and brighten the skin, improve elasticity, deepen penetration of skincare products, increase blood circulation and release tension in the face.

Now all of this is based on information from people who write and believe in the healing properties of different stones. Now I am not saying one has to believe in the properties of the stones to achieve the benefits, this is purely for education purposes. I am personally a believer, it makes me feel good and I enjoy all the benefits of all the stones in facial rollers. 

Full Disclosure – I own all of these rollers and use them based on my personal needs and how I am feeling. 

I am all for facial rollers (when used properly) and the benefits are amazing. Do you have one? Tell me about your experience.

Hope this post answers any questions you may have about facial rollers and skin care. Got any more questions? Send me a message, I’d be happy to help!

Why We Shouldn’t Use Makeup Wipes

I’ll be the first to admit that makeup wipes were always in my bathroom and on my dresser as a way to ‘clean’ my skin from a full face of makeup. From scented makeup wipes, to sensitive makeup wipes to makeup wipes with microbeads; I didn’t realize at the time that I was destroying my skin and not even cleaning my face. If you think about it, when we use a makeup wipes, we put a lot of pressure on our skin. Wiping so aggressively, rubbing a rough wipe on the skin can tear up the skin without us realizing it. Even after using a makeup wipe, our skin is still not clean. To me, that is the most frustrating part. 

Let’s Break It Down

Fact: Makeup wipes don’t really clean your skin, they smear around whatever makeup, dirt, and dead skin is on top off your skin, leaving behind irritated skin; which is no fun and not healthy for your skin. Then there’s the mechanics of scrubbing your face with makeup wipes, which can also leave you with red, angry skin. Did you know that rubbing your skin can cause inflammation that, over time, can cause skin pigmentation and/or pre-mature aging? It’s true. 

If you need more convincing – Makeup wipes are full of harsh and harmful chemicals that disrupt the pH balance of your skin and its acid mantle. The acid mantle is a protective layer of your skin that keeps out the dirt and impurities, and seals in the moisture and natural oils. The layer is extremely important for the health of your skin, and is removed when you use makeup wipes, it also strips the skin off its natural oils.

Important Fact: Makeup wipes are not formulated to actually clean your skin. They are formulated to break down makeup. Your face might look makeup free when you’re done, but these wipes don’t actually cleanse your skin and tend to leave behind a residue that isn’t doing your skin any favours. It’s always best to cleanse your skin at the end of the day. So if you’re wiping your face with a makeup wipe, the chances are that a considerable amount of residue from makeup and pollutants will still remain in your pores and clog them.

Side Note :  Makeup wipes is absolutely terrible for the environment! The global climate crisis is at a point where we’re way past the stage of recycling everything, and have reached where we should all be trying to reduce our waste as much as possible. Unfortunately, single-use products cause much more harm than we can imagine. It can take at least one hundred years for a single makeup wipe to decompose.

Don’t believe everything you hear about the efficacy of makeup wipes. Though they’re not all made the same, at the end of the day they’re still not the best for your skin. Many makeup wipes have harmful ingredients like alcohol which can cause long term damage to the face such as destroying that protective barrier on the surface of the skin. 

Using a makeup wipe is like a mechanical exfoliant, most people have an exfoliator in their skin care which means there’s a strong chance of over exfoliating your skin. Though exfoliating is good for the skin, over exfoliating is not. It’s best to use proper skin care products for safe exfoliation. 

So No To Makeup Wipes, What Can We Use?

In order to achieve a fresh clean face, always cleanse your skin with an appropriate cleanser for your skin type. Double cleansing is infinitely more gentle. Using a cleansing oil rather than a makeup remover or a makeup wipe has its benefits, it is a way to cleanse your face without exfoliating, which is extremely important for those of us who use exfoliants on a weekly or daily basis. Alternatively, you can you your regular cleanser as a ‘makeup remover’ and double cleanse. When double cleansing you can use a cleansing oil, a bamboo based facial sponge and always, always use a clean face towel to pat dry your skin. 

I personally have ditched the makeup wipes. I’d rather spend the extra five minutes to double cleanse for the longterm health of my skin. If you have any questions or need some advice, drop a comment or email me. 

The Importance of Exfoliation

We all should know the basics of skin care – Cleanse, Moisturize and SPF. That in of itself can greatly improve the health of the skin. But what can we do to boost cell renewal and really clean the skin? One word: Exfoliate. 

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells approximately every thirty days. Sometimes, dead cells don’t shed completely. This can result in dry, flaky patches and clogged pores. Exfoliating can help prevent this.

Exfoliation doesn’t have to be complicated. There are two ways of exfoliation – physical and chemical. Any exfoliating product or method that requires manual scrubbing or rubbing falls is known as a physical exfoliant.A chemical exfoliant is the method that uses different chemicals, including hydroxy acids and retinol, with enzymes to renew your skin.

It is important to be selective when it comes to exfoliants. It’s so easy to grab multiple things on the shelf and bring them home, use them once and never touch them again. Don’t let this happen. Let me guide you through the world of exfoliating. 

Common Questions in Exfoliation 

When Should I Exfoliate? When you are introducing an exfoliating product into your routine whether it is in the morning or evening, it is always after cleansing. Exfoliation works best on clean fresh skin. 

How Often Should I Exfoliate? This answer really depends on the type of exfoliator you use. A mild exfoliant can be done daily, a more aggressive exfoliant (one with microbeads) can be once or twice a week. For example, when using a retinol serum, that can be used nightly. When getting a professional treatment, that can be once a month. 

Are Exfoliators With Microbeads Better? For me personally, this is based on personal preference. Though microbeads are great, not all skins can handle it on the face, it can cause irritation. I would suggest ‘scrubs’ for the body and a gentler exfoliator for the face. 

What’s The Difference Between An At-Home Exfoliator & A Professional Treatment? Some home care products do have low levels of acids (lactic being a popular one) and over time can have huge benefits to the skin. Getting professional treatments can allow for deeper exfoliation that can only be achieved with higher levels of acids and enzymes. Professional treatments can be done once a month and can improve the texture, tone and health of the skin. 

Tips From An Expert – Now if you are going to use an exfoliant with microbeads, do not use a lot of pressure; pressure can irritate the skin and trigger breakouts (we don’t want that) I would suggest if using an exfoliant with microbeads only use it once a week. Remember not all exfoliants are good for all skin types; so always consult a skin care specialist for proper recommendations. When using retinol in your skin care routine, introduce it slowly when using it for the first time; it is common for the skin to react but the results are amazing.

My Recommendations 

Professional Treatments 

Green Peel (Classic, Energy, Fresh Up)

The only organic peel on the market, it combines the power of herbs to exfoliate, brighten and tighten the skin. Depending on the strength of the Green Peel will determine the levels and depths of the exfoliation. It is one of my favourite treatments for the results I see for my clients. The results – brighter, tighter, even and healthier skin. 

Glow Peel 

This peel is unique in its combination of three powerful acids – lactic, salicylic and resorcinol. This allows an overall exfoliation that treats everything from breakouts, uneven texture and pigmentation. Of the chemical peels, the Glow Peel is my go to for my clients as it is one of the most veristile peels that can be used for almost all skin types. 

Microdermabrasion 

This is a classic treatment, one that is so much fun for me to provide (I mean who doesn’t love seeing dead skin being vaccumed off the face?) Microdermabrasion is a great starting point for clients who are starting off their professional treatments journey, it can be customized to specific skin types and concerns and provide beautiful results. 

Home Care 

Bright & Clear Solution

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love love love this product! It is a great daily exfoliant that is great for almost every skin type and skin condition. When do you use it in your routine? In the morning (can be used in the evening if not using retinol or other exfoliant) it is used after cleansing. The Bright & Clear Solution has Lactic acid and caviar lime gently exfoliate cellular debris to brighten and improve skin texture. Kakadu plum extract offers a boost of vitamin C and arnica with soothing properties, contributes to the look of healthy skin all while this expertly crafted formula works! Trust me, this really works. 

Retinol 

If there is one product that is considered the holy grail of skin care (aside from sunscreen) it is definitely retinol. Retinol is a powerhouse of a serum, only to be used at night time and right after cleansing. Retinol Resurfacing Serum 0.25 is a pure potent retinol serum that dramatically improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and skin texture, while evening skin tone. Cutting-edge microencapsulated retinol allows for gradual timed release overnight. By encapsulating the retinol and adding soothing and hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, honey, and sodium hyaluronate, maximal results can be achieved in comfort. 

FacEnvy Exfoliate Me 

FacEnvy is a unique formula that requires no water to mix and little mess. It is foam that is gently massaged into the skin and watch as the dead skin literally falls of your face. An exfoliant will remove the corneum layer of your skin, by doing so, it will increase the potency up to 30% of creams and serums to penetrate better into the skin. The refined white foam exfoliates and restores the epidermis’s growth cycle, effectively increasing the absorbability of other skin care products while smoothing out the skin’s surface. With its rich enzymes and powerful antioxidants (green tea), a brightening agent (bearberry extract), and a calming soothing agent (aloe extract), your skin will be renewed and it will bring out the glow of your skin.

Now there are more exfoliators out there, always consult a skin care specialist for advice and to choose the right exfoliant for you. I’m a passionate skin care specialist, if you need any advice or recommendations,

I am here for you!

Why I Am Learning The Art of Lash Extensions

Lash Extensions definitely have their place in the beauty industry. It is a saturated market with many people offering this service; it is important to take into consideration who is providing the service and what products are being used. 

Though I have not had Lash Extensions myself, I have had an experience with a Lash Extension application which sadly was not a positive one. A few years ago, a lash technician came in to apply for a job as a lash tech and I was to be the model for the hands-on interview. I mentioned to her that because I wear glasses for work that I did not want the Lash Extensions to be too long as they would be uncomfortable for me. I told her that I wanted it to look as natural as possible and she nodded then began to work. When the application was complete, I was not happy about what I saw. The lashes were too long and it did not look natural at all. A couple of days later, I reached out to the lash tech and asked her if I could come and see her to have her remove the Lash Extensions. Her response – go to shopper’s and get the lash glue remover and do it yourself. I was shocked. I am not an expert or knowing how to remove extensions safely. I was frustrated and it was because of this experience that I decided to learn how to apply Lash Extensions properly. 

Anyone who knows me well, know that I am all for learning new things or re-learning things. Lash Extensions being one of them. I took my first class at a private school; it was a three-day course, one day of theory and two days of hands on training. I am a visual learner, I learn best when I can see how things are done while being explained to me. This course was not like that, it was here is the theory, here are the rules and tools, now go and apply Lash Extensions. Though the kit and theory were good, it was the training that I was not the biggest fan of. I got the feeling that the trainer was not passionate about Lash Extensions and that bothered me. I wanted to learn from someone who loves what they do. 

I have to admit that I felt discouraged when it came to Lash Extensions. I left it alone for a couple of years and continued to work on other aspects of my career. While working towards advancing my career in skin care, there was always the pull towards lashes and lash extensions. 

Enter Pretty Little Secrets. 

I actually met the owner of Pretty Little Secrets, Dianne, at work, she is a client of mine. During our sessions we would discuss work and she shared her experiences as a business owner and beauty expert. Her passion and knowledge are very inspiring and I knew she is someone who knew what she was doing and very successful at it. I began following the business on social media, I was impressed with the work being done and how well put together everything is. It is clear that all the ladies that work at Pretty Little Secrets are fully trained, very knowledgeable and have high standards in their work. Even though I never experienced first-hand the services at Pretty Little Secrets, I would tell all my clients who were looking for a place for Brows and Lash services to go to them. I was confident in their skills and knew they would be in good hands. 

Then 2020 rolls around. Covid-19 hits the world hard and we have to adapt. Since I had some extra time on my hands, I decided that I would explore more learning opportunities. That is when I was browsing social media and saw that Pretty Little Secrets are doing online training classes for Lash Extensions. I believe it was the right place and the right time for me to go back to the world of Lash Extensions. I signed up and within a few days I had connected with Dianne and a plan was set to begin my Lash journey. 

Along with the amazing training that I am getting with Pretty Little Secrets, I also have the best quality tools to ensure the success of my Lash training and Lash future. Having the proper tools is essential to the success of any goals to be achieved. I truly believe that I am armed with the best quality lashes and tools to achieve my lash goals. I am so excited to start this journey and cannot wait to share more with all of you. 

Check Out Pretty Little Secrets And See For Yourself Why They Are Voted The Best Brow & Lash Bar In The City http://www.prettylittlesecrets.ca

Laser Hair Removal – The Basics

I know that I pride myself in being all about skin and skin care, but I do love Laser Hair Removal. Believe it or not, Laser Hair Removal has its place in skin care and skin health. The clearer the skin of hair the better it is long term. Follicles in the skin can appear as blackheads which shows as pigmentation on the skin; and no one wants that. 

I have been very fortunate that I have had many clients coming in for Laser Hair Removal. The one thing that always seems to come up is how to prepare for a consultation and first appointment for Laser Hair Removal. So, that got me thinking, why not write about it? Here I am writing about it. 

It’s important to understand the basics of Laser and how it works. The theory of laser hair removal is a simple one. Laser is attracted to colour, if there is colour in the follicle, the laser will capture it. To be more specific – Laser can only kill the hair follicle when it is in the growing stage (there are three stages of hair growth, growing, resting and shedding); because not all hair is in the same stage at the same time multiple sessions are required to capture the hair at the right stage. An ideal candidate for Laser Hair Removal is someone who’s hair is darker than their skin. To dive into it deeper, there are three types of Laser for Hair Removal; the Diode, the Alexandrite and the ND:Yag Laser. All three lasers do the same things (remove hair) but they all do them differently. Depending on the hair and skin type will determine what Laser is best suited at any given time. 

Both men and women are good candidates for Laser Hair Removal; there are some important points to consider when considering Laser Hair Removal. 

For Men – if you are under the age of 30, you will not see complete hair removal but a significant reduction. Hair still grows for men into their late 20s and slows down when they turn 30 (it’s not to say that Laser Hair Removal can’t be done, but it may take longer and more maintenance to get the desired results) Results will be seen, but it is possible that little growth may occur in their 30s. 

For Women – hormone imbalance plays a huge role in hair growth. If you do have a hormone imbalance this will affect the results of your Laser Hair Removal treatments (it’s always best to see a physician to address the imbalance) Some women who do have hormone imbalances do see significant reduction but it does take longer and more sessions to achieve desired results. Remember, hormone imbalance can cause new hair growth not regrowth; that is the difference.

Alma’s Soprano Ice Laser Hair Removal System – This is a Diode Laser

Candela’s GentleMax Pro Laser System – This is a Dual Alexandrite & ND:Yag Laser

Questions You Should Ask at Your Consultation (I have conducted many consultations as an aesthetician, this is all based on my experiences and my knowledge.)

There are many places that offer Laser Hair Removal, it has become an over-saturated market and picking the right place can be an overwhelming process. There are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping around.

Know What Kind of Machine is Being Used – There are different laser systems out there, some of them are good some of them are not. It is so important to know which system is being used. A prime example is when a business offers Laser Hair Removal services but the system is actually an IPL. IPL is the acronym Intense Pulsed Light, IPL is NOT a laser and is not an efficient method for Hair Removal. It is not to say that an IPL is not a good system, it works very well for skin treatments but not for hair removal.

Remember – It is important that whoever is using the system actually knows how to manipulate the machine to suite your specific hair and skin type. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen clients who said they had ten sessions of laser and saw little to no results using the same machines we use; this truly breaks my heart because I know frustrating it can be to keep doing treatments and seeing no results. 

It’s okay to ask questions during your consultation. You are spending your time, your energy and your money for a service that is to boost your confidence; you deserve to have all the confidence in your technician and laser system. I always like to hear out my clients, hear about their experiences, their frustrations and what they want to accomplish in the future. I love being able to provide the service to bring confidence to my clients, it’s an incredible feeling. 

Side Note – I am that technician who will fist pump and high five when I hear my clients are happy with the services and results. 

Be honest during your consultation, for me as a technician, I want my clients to be completely transparent with me. Honesty and having open communication are a huge factor in the success of Laser Hair Removal results. I want my clients to feel that they can express their feelings, concerns and thoughts and we can work together to achieve the common goal – Less Hair! 

We know that Laser Hair Removal can be costly – just keep in mind that although it may be a lot now, you’re actually saving money long term.

We have all heard the phrase – You Get What You Pay For. This is certainly true with Laser Hair Removal. When you see low prices, chances are that it is good to be true, then it probably isn’t; in certain cases, the following can be a factor: the machine being used is second hand, old technology, not a laser (IPL), or being misused.

There is also the other side of the spectrum, where places are too highly priced. You see this more with higher end and brand name places. It is really important to know what machine is being used so you know what you are paying for. It’s best to be paying for the service versus paying for the brand name.

When you spend your money on Laser Hair Removal you want to make sure that you’re getting value for your money. You want a place that will provide safety, results and comfort. Always choose quality of service over price, you should be happy after every single session (feel a sense of accomplishment) than having to continuously keep going back and forth and seeing no result. 

For some people, Laser Hair Removal can be an uncomfortable experience simply because they are shy. It is so important to be confident with the people you choose to provide this service for you. You start to build a relationship with your technician and it’s critical that one, you are comfortable with them and two that they provide you with the best and safe treatment.

Now you have decided that you are taking the plunge and starting Laser Hair Removal, what’s next? Once you start Laser Hair Removal treatments, there is no more waxing, tweezing, plucking or threading; you can only shave. There is an important reason for this: in order for the Laser to kill the hair follicle, it needs to be in the skin. The Laser has to focus its energy to destroy the follicle, when there is hair on top of the skin, the Laser will hit the top hair first and have little to no energy to kill the follicle in the skin. Remember to always shave before treatments, it makes life for you and your aesthetician much easier and the treatments much more comfortable. 

Pro Tip – do not shave the day of your treatment, your skin will be super sensitive and then Laser on top of that will irritate the skin more. Try as best you can to shave the day/night before. 

To maximize your results, I always suggest to my clients to exfoliate about two weeks after a Laser Hair Removal session. It is at this time in the hair growth cycle that the hair will emerge from the skin and begin to fall out. Exfoliating will allow the hair to fall out easily as well as hinder any ingrown hairs from forming in the skin. When my clients see the results, they often put in a reminder on their calendars to exfoliate so they reap the benefits of their treatments. 

Scheduling is crucial in the success of your Hair Removal journey. It is always important to keep your scheduled appointments as much as possible as per your technician’s recommendation. This is to ensure that all your Laser Hair Removal sessions are the most beneficial to you. Remember; the laser can only kill the hair follicles at the growing stage. As the follicles get treated, the cycle is then controlled and treatments are set to maximize results. 

I have had positive experiences with Laser Hair Removal myself, I know the confidence it gave me, especially with my facial hair; I understand what it can do for people (women especially) I enjoyed the journey myself and I am always honoured when I can be part of someone else’s journey. It’s a joy to see it on the daily. 

Laser Hair Removal is meant to give you confidence and make your life easier and better. Trust the process, enjoy the treatments and follow the guidelines; and watch the results happen right before your eyes. You will not regret it. 

Got any more questions? Or want to know more information? Drop a comment or send me an email. I’d be happy to help! 

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