How to: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

You should clean your makeup brushes every three months to avoid excess oils, bacteria, and residual bits of makeup from transferring onto your skin. Debris from dirty brushes can cause acne, clogged pores, or rashes.

Follow these quick and easy steps to clean and preserve your brushes:

1.  Swirl makeup brush in a shallow bowl filled with warm water and any shampoo

2. Swirl the brush on a towel to remove excess makeup

3. Rinse under warm water until all lather is gone

4. Reshape the bristles and lay your brush to dry on a towel

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Introducing, Lizette, our new line of under eye concealers, conditioning mascaras, and 

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Come by the office this week for a true color match.

Tools to Tame your Locks

We have come a long way from hot rollers and velcro-based curlers. In todays hair care isles you will find items that sound like they were NASA’s brainchild. The terminology is confusing, but what’s worse is finding the right tool for you – that is where we can help! This is your go-to guide to take the turmoil out of the terminology and turn your mane into a head of hair any girl would envy.

First, lets start with the terms:

Ceramic – the heat source in your tool is made with ceramic instead of metal. Ceramic will regulate itself and will prevent over-heating (decrease in heat = decrease in damage). Ceramic will also make your hair smoother, shinier, and seal in the moisture.

Ionic – negative ions are used to shrink water droplets and neutralize static-causing positive ions. This cuts the drying time and prevents frizz.

Nano – water molecules are broken down into tiny particles. This allows more moisture to seep into your hair and decreases frizz.

Tourmaline – this is a stone that releases negative ions and far-infrared (aka long wavelength) heat. It knocks out static producing positive ions, reduces drying time, and closes hair cuticles leaving your hair silky smooth.

So what are the best tools for your hair?

Curly Girls – go for tools that say ceramic, ionic, or nano. These properties will smooth the hair and drop the drying time. Ionic dryers will save you time and ceramic or tourmaline curling irons can give your hair a more defined look.

-                Dryer: Chi Rocket Professional

-                Curling iron: Amika Curler

Stick Straight – tools with any of the properties are great for your hair. Try tourmaline to reduce drying time lessening the damage done by heat.

-                Dryer: Revlon Tourmaline Ionic 1875 Watt Dryer

-                Straightening iron: Sedu Icon Prive

Limp/Fine Hair – try using a round ceramic brush to give your hair volume and dryers with different heat settings are important for your thin delicate strands.  Preventing your hair from overheating will help deter breakage and maximize its growing potential. Using a dryer with multiple properties will help prevent static.

-                Dryer: Conair Infinity Tourmaline Ceramic Ionic Hair Styler 223X

-                Brush: Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Mega

Girl-on-the-go –No need to subject yourself to damaging effects of a hotel wall-mounted dryer. Different ceramic dryers and flat irons now come travel-size!

-                Dryer: Andis 1875 Ceramic Folding Dryer with retractable cord.

-                Straightening Iron: Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium

Bonus: To dry hair in even less time try a brush with synthetic and bore bristle combo. Bore bristles are gentle on the hair and synthetic bristles will dry hair faster!

Under Eye Concealer vs. Blemish Concealer

Conceal (kuh n – seel): to hide or remove from observation; cover from sight; keep secret.

We are well aware of what a concealer can do for our unwelcome facial flaws.  It’s no secret that we utilize makeup to cover up unwanted blemishes from the public eye.  There is a difference though between under eye concealer and blemish concealer. Do NOT use one product for both problems because they are not the same.

The trick to getting the perfect concealer is based on color, not product. The redness caused by a blemish is best concealed with a green or yellow-toned concealer. Choose one that is the same color of your skin tone. 

For those persistent under eye circles that are a blue/brown hue, choose a pink-toned concealer.  For the region under your eyes, the concealer should be several shades lighter than your skin color. This highlights your eyes giving them a fresh, bright look.

Each problem area has a different cause and a different regimen for proper coverage.

What comes first, foundation or concealer? Always put foundation on first and then highlight with the concealer.  Using a makeup brush will provide the best coverage for both foundation and concealer. Choosing the right color to fit the problem will give you the best results. 

Remember makeup not only conceals but also contours your face so choose wisely!

End of the Year Product Clean Out!

Out with the old, in with the new! We all have those products that we love and cling onto for years because it’s that perfect shade of red, or have that drawer full of half used mascara, blush, or eye shadows because we think we will need it in the future. But it is time to come to terms with the fact that these products eventually become breeding grounds for bacteria. The New Year is a good time to clean out your make up and facial products you’ve had for years. 

Here are some guidelines for your End of the Year Product Clean Out:

• Facial Moisturizers: These have a shelf life of two to three years unopened, however once opened they are good for 6 to 12 months. Keep in mind, facial moisturizers that include added ingredients such as antioxidants or vitamins (A, C, or E) can expire quicker due to their sensitivity to light. In contrast, ones that contain acids (such as glycolic or salicylic acid) may have a longer shelf life. 

• Liquid Foundation: Unopened, foundation can last up to two years, but once opened it has a shelf life of 12 months. Most formulas are water based, which means bacteria loves them, so storing them in a cool, dry area will prolong the life of your foundation.   

• Mascaras: To prevent bacteria from forming it should be replaced every three months because every time the applicator is taken out it can pick up bacteria. Do not share your mascara! 

• Eyeliner/Eye Shadow: Due to contact with the eye’s mucous membrane, the possibility of transferring bacteria to the product and back to the eye is higher, which increases the risk for infection. Powder eye shadows and eyeliner should be replaced every three months.

• Lipstick: For most formulas lipstick can last for about two years, but since it is exposed to the mouth often it’s recommended to replace them if used while sick. Storing them in a cool, dry area helps their shelf life. 

• Nail Polish: It can last up to two years. Nail polish will not go bad from bacteria, but it can dry up and get clumpy. Keeping the top on tightly helps. 

• Powders and Blush: Have a shelf life of about two years, although cream blush should be replaced after one year. To prolong the life of your powders and blush clean your brush regularly.  

• Tools: Makeup brushes should be cleaned once a month with a gentle shampoo or cleanser. Quick Tip: Wash them at night, lay them flat to dry overnight and they will be ready to use in the morning!
• Can’t invest in makeup brushes? Use paintbrushes! They are a fraction of the cost of top of the line makeup brushes, are made of the same hairs, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For acne prone skin, try washing your makeup brushes with one of our Glytone face washes.

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Problem Solved : Makeup Brushes

One of my patients brought up a very good question in my office this week. Why do makeup brushes shed? 

No matter the price of the brush, there are 2 main components when it comes to having your brushes work for you. 

The first main difference in brushes are bristle colors : most brushes are bristles that are dyed black or white, sometimes a very light tan color. The black dye they apply to brushes makes the bristle weak and causes it to break even if your brush is still "new". When you are applying makeup and you see small black bristles all over your face, it can be frustrating. You start picking them off your face and your makeup is no longer perfect. Stick with using white, tan or undyed bristle brushes. These  bristles are stronger and shed less. One of my favorites is the Sephora Pro Bronzer Brush #48 (http://www.sephora.com/pro-bronzer-brush-48-P183723?skuId=1005032). 

The 2nd half of having your brushes become the best items in your cosmetic bag is taking proper care of them, this is very important!  Wash 1-2 times per week by running lukewarm water over the brush and rinsing the brush before any soap is applied. Then apply a dime sized drop of a mild facial cleanser to the palm of your hand and work the brush in a circular motion to create a rich lather.  Finally rinse numerous times until no "suds" are rinsing from the brush.  Lay clean brushes flat on a towel and let dry overnight. Do not put the brushes back in your make-up bag until they are finished drying, bacteria can form if a moist brush sits in your cosmetic bag all day. 

Cosmetic brushes can be pricey, remember : the more you maintain your beauty tools, the longer you'll be able to use them!