Steam Your Face This Winter…It’s Good For Ya!

As you all know I am a big advocate on showing you on how to take care of your skin first before you apply your makeup. We all know Winter is sneaking up on us and it is still very important that we take care of our face year round!

You may ask “Why should I steam my face?”, or “How do I even do that at home?” Well here are a few good reasons why you should steam your face.

1. Steaming your face is the best way to loosen debris from your skin, and deep clean your pores. The clogged pores will open and your skin will soften, making the impurites and dead skin cells easier to remove.

Here are a few tips on how to steam your face this up coming season as this is how I also steam mine!

1. Get a pot of water and boil on the stove until a soft boil (you don’t want to get so hot that you won’t be able to bare the heat).

2. Get two towels, (one to put under the pot while you sit on a table and another to put over your head).

3. Depending on your skin type have essential oils that go with your skin type (oily, dry, acne prone) are excellent for the skin. They have so many healing properties and you can get at your local organic or herbal stores/markets.

Here are a few that will help you. If you have oily skin, put about 5 drops of either Lemon, or Peppermint essential oil in your pot. If you have dry skin, put about 5 drops of either Rose or Lavender. Lastly, if you suffer from acne then use Tea Tree oil. Then lower your face in the pot with the towel over your head draped over the pot for about 10/15 minutes.

4. When done, wash face with lukewarm water and gently pat your face dry. Its that simple! If you do not have the oils the steam alone will help you out tremendously until you want to try the oils!

 So make sure you take care of your face wherever you are this coming Winter season!

Good Luck and let me know how it goes!

MakeupByLaVelle

Are You Fighting Acne?

Did you know that probiotics balance out the “bad” bacteria” with “good” bacteria? Probiotics are in foods such as yogurt, milk, and certain cheeses. Probiotics can clear up acne by reducing the amount of bacteria that live on the surface, and also reducing inflammation. Acne comes from within, so trying some of these foods might just be able to help you out! MakeupByLaVelle

How to protect your face and body when the weather changes…

As we know the weather is starting to change, but don’t let that stop your skin from glowing! Here are some great tips for you in those hibernating months.

Take hot showers, this will open your pores and help release the toxins in your body. It is good to at least exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Avoid drying soaps, and make sure as soon as you dry off to moisturize with natural body butters, (Shea, real Cocoa Butter)

 It is so important to take care of your lips!!! It is very easy for the lips to become chapped and it is one of the first things you see when you talk to someone. If your lips peel, as they are easy to do in the winter make sure you find a lip balm that has AHA in it. AHA is simply Alpha Hydroxy Acid, the words don’t sound simple but…it has been used for centuries for skin rejuvenation and exfoliation.

It is also important to use a humidifier. You would be surprised on how quickly when seasons change how your skin also changes. Some people get extremely dry, and you don’t drink as much water as you do in the summer. So make sure you also drink plenty of water and keep your humidifier going!

The skin is the largest organ, so it is important that you detoxify. Drink hot water with lemon, or another option with a kick is hot water with ginger once or twice a week. You will be surprised how this will keep irritants away and cleanse out your body and will help relax you in the evenings or those cold days.

Last but not least, SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP! This is one of my favorite things to do! Our bodies are on the go, we are twittering, keeping up with our families, and dealing with all types of stress including dealing with the economy. Even if you think you don’t need as much, it is best to get at least eight hours of sleep. If you are not able to get that, try to get a nap in sometime in the day or the weekend. Trust me the older you get, you will see the difference especially under the eyes!

Stay tuned for more tips!

MakeupByLaVelle

Top Makeup Trends for Fall/Winter 2009

Eye makeup trends for fall 2009, is all about rich earth tones. For example, moss greens, luxurious golds, and smoky browns and greys and even deep purples. Look for the dark colors to be matte and velvety in texture, with a touch of shimmer coming from those golds.

Smoky eyes look is here again stronger than ever before. So black eyeliner is a must have for fall and winter 2008/2009. I recommend Smolder eye khol by MAC.

 Natural eyebrows are the trend for the fall/winter. Don’t tweeze so much and find a clear brow gel instead to tame the brows. Remember, a heavier brow can also make you appear younger. For the lips, red lipstick is back along with rich berry lips, even neutral lips will be a great choice for the fall, (gives an innocent girly look). The cheeks will be a contoured, chiseled look. Not too harsh but just enough for the look! Yes everyone the 80’s are back…. I hope you love these tips! Fall is my favorite season, so enjoy the rest of the summer and get ready to try some of these looks! Good luck!! ;)

 MakeupByLaVelle

Tips on Wearing Mascara!

Are you frustrated on how to apply mascara, or you don’t use because you do not want it to smudge or run! Well here are a few tips for you to look fabulous!
Always apply mascara to the top lashes, but only put mascara on the bottom lashes for a heavier, more dramatic look. If you apply mascara to the bottom lashes, you will be more prone to getting smudges underneath your eyes and that will make you look not so good.
Always hold the mascara with the wand parallel to your lashes as this will separate your lashes and make them look fuller. This will help to make sure the mascara gets applied in just the right place.
 Put on one coat of mascara if you want a subtle look or put on two or three coats for a more dramatic look. If you want a classic look apply black or brown mascara, but if you are feeling more daring apply blue or another bright colored mascara such as eggplant purple!
 Mascara is designed to make women feel more confident and attractive. So if you have been hesitant on using it, give it a try and let me know how it goes! Men…pass this on to any women in your life!

New M.A.C. Products You Should Checkout!

I was in the M.A.C. store on Monday, and you definitely need to check out the new Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm. Its a new tinted lip balm with SPF 20 to keep lips hydrated, protected, while still looking brilliantly chic. Provides balm-style conditioning, and everyday sun-shield protection in combination with sheer colour. Nourishing, helps improve the look and condition of lips immediately and with continued use. Features a light vanilla flavour. The shades are Just a Smidge, Pink Tinge, Full of Grace, and Moist Plum. Let me know what you think, it’s important to protect your lips at all times! Pucker Up! :)

International Esthestics Cosmetics and Spa Conference-Las Vegas

It has been a while since I have had a post, but I wanted to share my experiences at the show! As a freelance artist I am always looking at where the trends are going. I am big on skincare because if you don’t have good skin, you might as well pass on the makeup! For those of you that know I used to have my own skincare line in 2000 for a few years and I was into natural organic skincare then, its really exploding now. What you put in, is really going to show when it comes out. If you eat delicious fruit, you will be delicious and sweet on the outside! Well…you get the picture.

This post I will be recommending some skincare products I feel is a must have for your skin!

If you have have dry/normal skin you really need to check out:

Sanitas Lemon Cream Cleanser- I am currently using this myself, American Spa Magazine sent me some and it is so very refreshing! It has Vitamin C (stimulates collagen) and E (antioxidant) to help protect and gently clean.

If you have oily skin please check out:

Carol’s Daughter’s brand new Wash Away the Oil Gentle Face Wash- it dissolves build-up and oil while providing clean-feeling moisture.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
This skin-loving formula is free of petroleum and mineral oils.

How to get these products:

 

www.sanitas-skincare.com

Carol’s Daughter’s locations or your local Sephora stores

Enjoy!!!

MakeupByLaVelle

Best Shadows for Green/Hazel and Grey Eyes! Part II

This is part II for those that have green/hazel and grey eyes! This week I will tell you the best eyeshadows to compliment your skin and the color of your eyes.

If you have green or hazel eyes I suggest  definitely sticking to warm tones such as brown, purple, and golds. Hazel eyes are a combination of green, brown, golden and even sometimes blue. If you pick one of those shadows above it will pop your eye. Another color you would be surprised about is green! Yes certain shades of green will go with green and hazel eyes. If you do decide to use shades of green be very careful and to make sure to pay attention to your undertones. Make sure you stay away from blues or greys as it will drown out your eyes!

If you have grey eyes one of the best matches will be violet or shades of purple. You want to make sure you don’t over do these colors use them subtly. You don’t want to look dated like you were a present day Diahann Carroll or Linda Evans from Dynasty!

Once again, when you use shades that will compliment it will make you look younger, fresher, and exciting!

So good luck! Let me know how it goes and if you see a difference.

MakeupByLaVelle

Best Shadows for Brown and Blue Eyes! Part I

Have you ever wanted your eyes to pop and sparkle, and wanted to look fresh? Well, if you have brown or blue eyes today is your day! I will tell you the best shades to compliment your skin and the color of your eyes!

Depending on the tone and shade of your skin is how to determine the best colors.

If you have dark brown eyes and you have a fair complexion I would suggest  to stay away from dark shadows. The fortunate thing and exception is if you do have dark brown eyes you can basically wear any color! You just have to balance shades against your skin tone . So if you are medium to dark, you should wear medium to dark shadows.  A great color that compliments dark brown would be shades purple and green. Just some of my favorites!

If you have bright beautiful blue eyes then the best colors for you would be rich warm browns, warm taupes and soft peaches again this would depend on your skin tone. Remember just a rule of thumb, never match your eye color with the same shadow as it will drown and fade out your wonderful assets and make you look tired! When you use shades that will compliment it will make you look younger, fresher, and exciting!

So good luck! Let me know how it goes and if you see a difference. Next week I will give you tips on those beautiful green/hazel and also if you have those one of a kind grey eyes! ;)

MakeupByLaVelle