DEPILITORIES

Most of us have unwanted hair somewhere that we would like to have removed. There are several choices available, including shaving, creams, waxes and laser treatments. All these choices come with their own set of pros and cons.

If you’re tired of the costs and results above, there is another approach that offers a unique option with no razors, no chemicals, no wax or sugar, no pain, no mess. Velvet Touch is an economical and gentle product to suit any need.

TIP – Before you begin any type of hair removal, start with a gentle body scrub. This will help prepare the area and improve your results.

HAIR CARE TIPS

“How often should I wash my hair?”
There are various opinions on how often you should wash your hair. Some people feel once a day is too frequent, while others feel as often as twice a day is fine. What it really comes down to is knowing your own hair and finding the right product for your hair type. Normal, Dry or Oily all have their own unique needs. And for those days when you are simply running late, try a dry shampoo like Batiste Dry Shampoo in between washes to keep your hair looking fresh and clean.

If your hair happens to be dry or damaged, hair products like Inecto Pure Coconut Oil have a range of products that will leave you with beautiful soft hair.

Hair Health Tips

• When shampooing try not to scrub the scalp. This can literally tear hair strands out of wet follicles. Always massage gently.
• The tip of each hair can be 10% weaker than the root, so get your hair trimmed regularly.
• Excessive heat dries the cuticle and makes hair vulnerable to breakage. When using a blow dryer, hold it about 12” from your hair. Dry until damp and let it air dry. Try not to blow dry hair every day. Let your hair rest.
• Hair loses moisture to heat and sun. Chemically processed hair is more porous making it more vulnerable
• Sun rays are as damaging to your hair as it is to your skin. The best defence is to wear a hat.
• Everyday pollutants cling to hair and leave a thin coat of grime that dulls and weighs down the hair. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove residue from dirt and hair products.

MAKEUP TIPS

Two important things to remember with makeup application are: less is more; and blend, blend, blend.

One of best tools I have found is the cosmetic wedge, made by Studio Basics. The varying sides allow for several different uses. The wider sides can be used for applying foundation or blending your blush, while the smaller sides are ideal for blending eye makeup. Another ‘must have’ is the Kabuki brush. This large brush is great for blending face powder. Remember to always brush down.

Always ensure you use clean tools. Wash your sponges or brushes in warm soapy water and let air dry.

SHAVING TIPS

Razor Bumps are also known as “Barber’s itch”, and are virtually an infection at the base of the hair follicle. The short, thick hair follicles bend backwards on themselves and grow back into the skin, adding risk for further infection. Market statistics indicate that 1 in 6 men suffer from razor bumps on their face.

One treatment option to help reduce this problem is to apply a lotion to the area to soften the hair. Products like Bump Eraser assist in drawing fluid to the skin, which in turn helps the pores remain open. It acts as a moisturizer to help straighten curly facial hair, while helping cool the painful areas of the skin affected.

SKIN CARE TIPS

Your Beauty Commitment Equally as important as the quality of product you use is your commitment to it. If you were to go on a diet but only follow it a couple of times a week, you are not going to achieve optimum results. If you purchase a skin care product and don’t follow the directions you will not achieve optimum results.

Beauty Don’ts Two factors which will cause your skin to age are the sun and smoking. The sun can cause age spots, dryness, and wrinkles. Smoking also accelerates the aging process. It decreases blood flow, which depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, like Vitamin A. This will increase damage to the elastin and collagen.

“Use Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.” Products containing Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide don’t break down and will protect your skin throughout the day.

“Do I have to continue to use this product forever?” If you eat healthy and exercise you will feel and look good. If you stop you will go back to where you were. If you stop taking care of your skin it too will return to the condition it was in before you started.

“Makeup is something you use to enhance your looks, not cover it up.” For best results eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water and exercise. Your skin reflects your health habits. Poor diet, smoking and neglect show on your face … your skin may appear dull, dry and tired.

Tips for soft skin all over Start with a body scrub in the shower, and follow up with a moisturizing body wash. Finally pat your skin almost dry - leaving your skin slightly damp allows body lotion to penetrate better. You will not only feel great but smell great too.

Careful Around the Eyes Here’s a little tip for using products around the eye area. Always apply any creams or concealors with your ring finger. This is the gentlest touch. Pat gently from your inner eye area outward. You want to pat lightly rather than rub as the skin around the eye area is incredibly delicate.

Fine Fragrances To get the most out of your fragrance, try layering. Wash with your fragrance-of-choice body wash, follow with the body lotion or talc, and finish with the eau de toilette. For a more subtle scent just wear the body lotion or talc.

Cleansing Regimes

• Cleanse gently morning and night using a cleanser appropriate for your skin type.
• Exfoliation is one of the nicest things you can do for your skin. Skin begins to look dull, because our dead skin cells do not slough off as quickly as they did when we were young. You shouldn’t exfoliate more than 3 times a week. Use an exfoliate that has gentle smooth round beads. The rougher granules can tear at the skin and cause spider veins to appear.
• After cleansing always pat dry and follow with a moisturizer. Moisturizer is important for every skin type. It acts as a protective barrier. It helps seal in moisture and in some cases slowly releases water into your skin.

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) Skin has a slightly acidic PH level of 5.5. Levels can range from 0 (highly acidic) to 7 (neutral) up to 14 (alkaline). Most cleansers are alkaline which can destroy our natural protective barrier. Toners are used to bring our skin back to its natural PH level. Using an acidic cleanser with a Ph level around 4 will work best, especially when using an AHA product.

Three important facts necessary to have an effective AHA product, regardless of cost:

• TYPE – Glycolic is best as it is the smallest molecule, most effective for penetration
• PERCENTAGE – To be effective it should be 8% or higher
• PH LEVEL – Optimum is 4.0%. Higher would be irritating, lower would be ineffective

SKIN TYPING

• NORMAL – Appears smooth, fresh and slightly matte
• DRY – Appears matte all over, and dry or taut
• OILY – Noticeably shiny all over
• COMBINATION – Some shiny areas some matte
• PROBLEM SKIN – Occasional break outs

Maintaining Youthful Looking Skin

Youthful, vibrant and fresh skin is something most mature women want. We see those flawless faces staring back at us from the magazines, and wish it was our own. We can’t all be airbrushed, but there are things we can do to make the most of our skin.

Regular cleansing and moisturizing is essential in our fight against aging. The sun, free radicals and smoking all take their toll on our skin.

In addition to our daily skin regime, a weekly deep treatment gives a great boost.

Products like Montagne Jeunesse offer a variety of facial treatments in convenient one-time use packs. Whatever your skin type or need - from facial scrubs to exfoliate, to deep cleansing, moisturizing or anti-aging masks – there is a pack to suit your needs.

Why not invite some friends over for a ‘Girls’ Night In’ and get that spa experience in the comfort of your own home. You’ll not only be treating your skin, but pampering yourself as well.