Is this Skin Care Goop Worth It?

“The first thing I look at is the ingredient list. Certain websites offer the ingredients right away while others have to be hunted down. These hard-to-find lists always make me suspect from the start. My focus goes straight to the first 5 ingredients, and I compare my findings to what the product is touting.”

How to Get Rid of Pimples Fast

Let’s discuss how to get rid of pimples fast, so you can get back to living the dream! We’ll start with a description of pimple types.

Using CBD in Skin Care

What is CBD and is it something you should consider putting into your skin care routine? Read more to find out!

Dealing with Hyperpigmentation and Scarring

“In most cases, when dealing hyperpigmentation and scarring, I prefer using chemical exfoliants (alpha hydroxy acids) rather than physical, scrub-based exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants are often easier to control and have a more uniform effect. For optimal results, visit a trusted skin care professional who has in experience with treating hyperpigmentation.”

Is Aluminum in Antiperspirant Safe?

In our last article, we discussed how antiperspirants and deodorants work to keep you fresh. Antiperspirants go one step further by physically preventing the release of sweat from your underarms. Although these products are considered safe by major health authorities, not everyone is convinced.

Are Parabens Dangerous or Not?

Parabens: the ubiquitous chemical preservative that we’ve been all told to avoid.  Parabens are everywhere, from lotions and cosmetics to tortillas and muffins. Are they safe for our bodies? Or are they dangerous and toxic.

Breaking Down Sunscreen

The key is to understand why manufacturers choose to include certain ingredients in combination with others.

What Are the Benefits to Using a Facial Serum?

Facial serums are quite different from creams and lotions. They are lightweight, water-based moisturizers that are designed to be quickly absorbed by the skin and attack specific problems. Serums are used to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin. Regular usage of various serums can help to improve skin health by repairing damage, improving collagen…

How to Hydrate Your Skin Chicago Style

People suffering from skin conditions, such as acne, should actively avoid using petroleum jelly products. Vaseline and other similar compounds essentially seal in dirt, exacerbating breakouts.

The Buzz on Charcoal in Skin Care Products

Activated charcoal is a is highly porous type of carbon. This specially processed charcoal has the ability to adhere to a multitude of different chemicals and other impurities. Some of you may be familiar with activated charcoal’s medical usage; it has been used for hundreds of years to treat acute poisonings. It is also used…

Pimples and Bacteria Trilogy: Pt. 2 – External Bacteria

In our previous post, we discussed the cause of oily skin and pimples. We would be remiss if we didn’t also discuss bacteria. Let’s Dive In At any given moment there are hundreds of types of bacteria living on your skin. Are these microscopic critters helpful or problematic? The skin’s microbiome (environment), also known as…

Which Therapies Work Best to Reduce Stretch Marks

Clients are typically self-conscious when it comes to their stretch marks. They want to know “why me” and how can they get rid of them ASAP! Here are my findings… Stretch marks, also known as striae, appear when there is a rapid change in growth, such as during puberty, pregnancy or weight gain. When skin is…

Bronzed Beauties, Spray Tanning and Self-Tanners

During the summer, a lot of us want to be bikini-ready, bronzed beauties, with spray tanning and self-tanners. Tanning sprays and lotions are great for people who don’t want to lie in a tanning bed or the direct sun. Below, we’re going to uncover the ingredient that is the star of the show when it…

How to Care for Your Skin During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Keeping it simple is the best approach for maintaining healthy, beautiful skin during your pregnancy. If you’re one of the lucky ones, all that’s necessary is regular cleansing, moisturizing and avoiding excess sun exposure. Everyone else, read on!

A Tell-all From a Bikini Waxer…(Part II)

My previous post offered the information needed before a bikini wax, and now we can focus on what you should know during the service. Types of Wax There are two main types of wax; soft and hard. Both are applied warm but soft wax is removed with a muslin or pellon strip. Hard wax shrink wraps…

A Tell-all From a Bikini Waxer…(Part I)

Catchy title, right? A girl’s gotta do what girls gotta do, including bikini maintenance. As painful as it might sound or be, you will be happy you did it. Finding the Right Waxer This is the most important decision. The skill, personality, and attention to detail are essential factors. It doesn’t matter where you go…

What Are Those Pesky Bumps on My Arms and Legs?

Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin condition that affects over 3 million people. KP causes small, hard bumps on the skin, typically on the back, upper arms, thighs, face, and buttocks. Although these bumps may look similar to pimples, they have a different texture and composition (like chicken skin). Acne papules and pustules contain a fluid…

Get the Hottest and Healthiest Makeup Trends

Every day we are inundated with the “latest and greatest” makeup looks and techniques. What’s often not mentioned often is the quality of the makeup. The colorful palettes and rich textures are either healthy… or not so much. After years of washing, squeezing and buffing my clients’ skin to perfection, I opt for healthy, natural…

A Deeper Look into Tap, Thermal, Toner and Micellar Water

Frequently, clients ask me about the various types of hydrating and cleansing waters. Here’s my take: Tap Ahh, good ole tap water. The first thing we learn in Esthetics school is how to cleanse the skin with warm soapy water. To me, nothing feels better than water or gets the job done quicker. Depending on…

Why Do I Get Acne Around My Mouth?

Through the years many clients have asked why they develop pimples around their mouth. Acne around the mouth, also known as periorbital dermatitis, is a frustrating, yet common skin problem. While the exact cause of this issue is unknown, I will attempt to explain some of the theories and potential causes of breakouts, ranging from…

How to Care for Dry Chapped Lips in the Winter

Are your lips smacking or cracking? Let’s dive into how to care for dry chapped lips in the winter. There’s nothing better than smooth, soft lips to put a smile on your face. During this time of year, lip upkeep can be challenging.  Lips need to be treated differently from the rest of our skin. The…

Open Your Eyes to the World of Puffiness and Other Irritations

“Eyes are the windows to the soul” — Peng Liyuan The eyes are also a snapshot of your overall health and well-being. Fatigue, anemia, aging, medications, genetics, and other factors can cause various eye irritations. The skin around the eye area is the thinnest and most delicate region of your face. Lack of sleep, high…

Brighten Up Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Essentially, dark circles are caused by having excess blood pools under the eye. Fatigue, anemia, aging, medications, genetics and other factors affect the appearance of periorbital (eye area) dark circles. The skin under your eye is thin and delicate. Because of this, increased blood flow can be easily seen in this area. The fragile capillaries under…

Smile, We’ve Got Pimple Solutions

The word “pimple” is a broad term for whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples, plus a variety of acne types. Pimple: A pimple is simply a clogged pore. When a pore is clogged, swelling and redness occur because your body sends out white blood cells to eat the bacteria and debris. The force of having extra blood in…

Pimples Are A Pain!

Whether you get one or twenty at a time, pimples are a pain! Let’s dive into some of the reason why we get breakouts. Oily skin: Having oily skin means that your body produces more oil than your skin can manage. Bacteria feed on oil. Dirt, dead skin and oil can combine to block pores…