Tag Archive for: beauty

Get it Right

With so many products in our regimens it is easy to feel overwhelmed on the correct order. Yes we have grown very ingredient savvy but one serum doesn’t cut it anymore. How do you decide which treatment gets applied first and is there a correct way to apply? We asked Dr. G to weigh in on this and here are his thoughts and suggestions.

Screen Shot 2015-03-18 at 9.44.47 AMPhoto via MargoandMe

What is the correct regimen order?

Serums should always be applied first to clean skin. When we talk about clean skin we mean either exfoliated, peeled or cleansed. Wiping off the face with a makeup pad doesn’t count for clean.  The reason serums go on first is that they contain the treatment ingredients. They are formulated to go deeper than moisturizers to attack the problem or issue at hand. Next step should be the eye product, whether a gel or cream, the eyes should be treated during an individual step. Moisturizers go on next as they hydrate the skin and seal the serum. If you’re using a separate SPF, which I recommend, it should be the last step.

Where do Oils fit in?

Oils are not solely for hydration anymore as they target anti-aging, dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles and overall skin dullness. Oils are one of those products that can be used in a plethora of ways. If you are incorporating an oil for hydration it should be used after the serum and before the moisturizer. The oil could also be mixed in with the moisturizer or patted on after for extreme hydration and glow. If you tend to have oily skin you can try mixing the oil into your foundation and applying it as your very last step. If you are incorporating the oil for anti aging benefits, try using it as a treatment serum. Dry oils are the best option for this as they won’t sit on the surface of the skin and penetrate deep to deliver treatment ingredients.

What is the best way to apply products?

There are a few schools of thought on how to best apply skincare products. People either rub in product or press/pat on product. Made popular by the French, pressing is said to be less aggressive and more soothing when done correctly. I believe there is room for both methods in a daily regimen.

Rubbing

Pros: Fast and effective, overall coverage, stimulates circulation and blood flow

Cons: Rubbing and tugging could breakdown collagen and perhaps break blood vessels over time

Pressing

Pros: No aggression to the skin, follows the lymphatic flow our our faces which is good for circulation.

Cons: Time consuming, not effective in coverage

What is the best advice about product order and application?

Choose effective treatment based products and be diligent about using them. The truth is getting them on the skin is the most important part.

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How to eliminate dark circles and keep it that way, Dr. G reports

The skin around the eyes is naturally thin and is constantly exposed to oxidative stress from environmental stressors such as sunlight, smoking, and air pollution. This constant assault gradually breaks down the fibrous network composed of proteins, elastin, and collagen, resulting in thinner skin in the eye region as you age. Facial expressions like laughing and frowning further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet), dark circles, and bags under the eyes. We sat down with Dr. G to find out what we can do to banish those unwanted dark circles for good. 

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Retinoid’s: “Using an eye product that contains Vitamin A (Retinol) is so beneficial for many anti-aging purposes (brightening, fine lines), but because Vitamin A increases collagen production, it creates an increased plump appearance to the eye area which helps to fade the visual appearance of dark circles.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD 

Brightening Ingredients: “Skin brightening ingredients are so important to use when working to eliminate dark circles. The most powerful naturally-based brightening ingredients include skin brightening Vitamin K, Arnica and Soy and Rice Bran Peptides. These heavy treatment oriented ingredients work together to break up the dried blood trapped within the bags underneath the eye area while simultaneously working to increase circulation to move the excess colored fluid out. Using treatment-based products are most beneficial for long-term benefits vs. using a concealer and calling it a day.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD 

Cool Water and compress: “Always rinse off with cool water as warm water will add to increased inflammation and darkness. Keep a tea bag in the freezer, add cool water, and apply onto the eye area for a quick spa treatment – you’ll be amazed how fast-acting this trick is for reducing puffiness and darkness and brightening the overall eye area.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

Makeup Remover: “Aggressive rubbing of the eye area can lead to inflammation and even broken capillaries that will only add to the issues underneath the eye area. Selecting a gentle non-toxic makeup remover is key (try Tatcha’s Camellia Oil Cleanser) and work to pat the eye area free of any and all makeup vs. rubbing.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

Sunscreen: “The thin skin just underneath the eye area is especially prone to increased hyper pigmentation as a result of over sun exposure, so be sure to extend your sun blocking agent underneath the eye area too. Using a lightweight, oil-free and fragrance-free formula is highly recommended so that it won’t cause heightened irritation to the eye are. Look for SPF based products that contain Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as a safe option.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD 

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Love Day Beauty Prep

We’re all about flowers and chocolate, but we certainly don’t think that we need to limit ourselves to receiving them just one day throughout the year, right? Valentines Day for us is all about showing the people around you that you love them, including yourself, so why not be a little indulgent this Love Day and treat yourself to a little beauty makeover. 

We were so inspired by Chanel’s Paris Spring Show (floral galore with fresh faces and a red lip) so we wanted to emulate the fresh look of the new season with our favorite beauty essentials this Valentines Day. 

Screen Shot 2015-01-27 at 9.05.52 AM[1][2]Photo via Vogue

— The Night Before —

Skin Prep: We call this the one-two punch! Anytime that we have a big night out we immediately turn to Goldfaden MD’s Fresh A Peel. It packs a punch when it comes to the amount of things that it delivers. For starters, it works like a serum, but you only leave it on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing off (perfect for when we’re in a rush) and it exfoliates, brightens and increases radiance immediately. Our skin is left glowing, vibrate, smooth and ready for our makeup the next day.

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Hydrate, Plump and Brighten: YES…Everything you want in a product within one jar is what Fleuressence is to us. This magical oil does everything that is promises – hydrates, repairs and creates this incredible glow. Rich in powerful Omega fatty acids and Vitamins A, C & E, the botanical actives work to diminish the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, inflammation, and reduce pore size. Added powerful oils – Kalahari Oil, Mongongo Oil and Baobab Oil – protect and shield the skin against environmental stresses, support the rejuvenation and renewing of skin cells, improve skin elasticity and promote accelerated skin cell turnover. The best part is that the oils are all non-comeogenic so they don’t clog pores and the formula penetrates deep within the skin so there’s not a thick layer of product that sits on the surface. Perfect for oily/combination and dry skin. 

— The Day Of — 

Flawless Complexion: Looking for the ultimate flawless complexion? Giorgio Armani makes the most incredible silky-smooth, weightless and almost airbrushed look with their Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s a favorite among industries top makeup artists and we have to agree that it’s our favorite foundation on the market at the moment. 

Makeup Artist Insider Trick: Add a drop of the Fleuressence “Native Botanical Cell Oil” to your foundation for the most gorgeous luminescent glow and hydrated complexion without it being greasy, slimy or sticky.

Lashes to die for: We recently picked up Cover Girl’s new mascara, Lash Bloom, and WOW, this one does wonders to our thin and short lashes. 

Go RED: Our favorite and goto red lipstick is from Lip Stick Queen; she’s the lip whisperer of the lip stick world and the Medieval color literally looks good on ALL skin types, we promise. Plus, the super soft and hydrating texture keeps our lips plump and hydrated all day and night.

The Finale: We love RMS’s living luminizer. This naturally-based color line is one of our goto’s and their highlighting products are our favorite. They offer that dewey and youthful-glow without the sticky and shiny residue. Add it to your cheekbones, eye lids and underneath your brows to accentuate your best facial features! Glow on.

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