Holiday Glam: Face Bling

Great skin is your best accessory. Why not consider inviting your best features out with some face bling? And unlike the season’s latest fashion trends, you can repeat wear.

These looks are neither for the meek nor are they for the club wallflowers. These are for the Divas who can bring it like they own it, as wearing them will signal to all that you just landed from another planet to chill with us lesser mortals. Needless to say these looks should be worn at night. Choose ONE of the following:

1. Bejeweled eyeliner

Used as a single eye statement, gel eye colour (in pots), eyeliner pencils as well as liquid liners in bejeweled (shine and updated glitter) jewel tones look absolutely stunning on darker skin tones.

Pair with a complimentary eyeshadow in your skin colour and flawless skin/ foundation and concealer application.

Thickly line both upper and lower lids and allow them to meet at outer corner of eyes in a point. The final look will look something short of a cat woman eye mask, only more majorly so.

Finish with ultra black, thickening mascara. Consider also pairing with eyelash extensions, oui papa.

Minimalista glam:

Thinly line upper and lower lids with jewel toned eye liners, or with black shimmery eyeliner. To up the ante, consider lining upper lid with jewel toned liquid liner… yeaaah, wild side here you come.

2. Smokey shimmery jewel-toned eyes

Another awesome look on darker skins as well, it is your usual smokey eye, just on steroids. Consider substituting your usual matte dark grey/ black eyeshadow for jewel tones
- Emerald/ Dark Green
- Sapphire
- Navy/ Midnight blue
- Purple/ plum

Fairer skin tones can try jewel tones in lighter, brighter colours such as aquamarine, amethyst, or jade for example.

It is important to choose rich, deep shades, think of the colours that you would find on a King’s crown, at least the ones in Disney flicks, and not ashy ones. Yes, there are dark ashy shades as well.

Black shimmery eyeshadow can also be used.

Pair with jet back mascara, or consider using eyelash extensions.

Minimalista chic:

Use the same smokey eye application technique, only in neutral jewel-type skin tones. This way eye gets the definition through understated glam.

3. Bejeweled juicy lips

Apply the season’s richly pigmented dazzly lipglosses over bold lip colour in matching or complimentary shade. 

For bold lip colour application click here -> Lady in Bold

Pair with understated glam eye makeup and eyeliner in dark brown for lighter skin tones or jet black for medium to darker skin tones. Add jet black mascara, or consider using eyelash extensions.

Minimalista chic:

Rock the season’s richly pigmented dazzly lipglosses alone or over lip balm. Applying over lip balm tends to dilute application as it allows the gloss to spread easier.

*** Caution***
These looks are very high maintenance and should be worn only if and when you are in the position to act like a lady. If you plan to get ‘wasted’ and ‘party like it’s 1999′ all over again, stick to a minimalista chic look. This way even though you may look the fool falling off the table top or topping down the stairs when you are being escorted out the dance, at least your makeup wouldn’t look a hot mess. The paparazzi is everywhere these days man. 

For more makeup application tips click here -> Frump to Fab in 10 steps

Go Glam! 

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Supernova
Related GC posts 
Holiday Glam: Hair Bling 
Holiday Glam: Nail Bling
Trend Spotlight: Embellishment
Trend Spotlight: Animal Print 

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Nail it

The natural nail is a living organism.  It is composed mainly of keratin, which is the same protein that is found in the hair and skin, only the keratin that is found in natural nails is harder. 

Healthy nails should be whitish and translucent in colour with a pinkish colour showing through the nail bed. 

The nail plate, the most visible part of the nail which you cut and file, is relatively porous to water. It allows water to past through it much easier than water would pass though normal skin of equal thickness.

The water content of the nail varies according to the humidity of it’s surrounding environment, i.e. if you are in an area with high humidity your nails will contain more water than if you are in a drier, less humid atmosphere.

Although it may look dry, a healthy nail has a water content of about 15 to 25 percent. Any less and nails become dry hard and brittle, any more, for example when soaked, and nails become water-logged, overly flexible and susceptible to damage. 

To maintain optimal hydration of the nail, an oil based nail conditioner, rubbing the nail plate with oils such as:
- Vitamin E 
- Jojoba oil
- Olive oil or
- Almond oil for example.

As nail-polishes coat the nail plate, they too reduce water loss and allows the nail to maintain flexibility. 

The natural nail unit consists of many parts.

Probably the most important part is called the matrix, which is located at the base of the nail plate. It is a non-visible portion of the nail, just where the nail plate grows from the finger tip. 

The matrix is where the natural nail is formed, and where the nerves and blood vessels that nourish the matrix cells are located. It is important that the matrix is well nourished and kept in a healthy condition as this is the only way that it can continue to create new nail cells.

If an individual is in poor health, has a nail disorder or disease, or has damaged the matrix through aggressive nail treatments, or injury for example, the growth of the nail can be affected. In some cases this damage can be permanent 

The shape of a normal healthy nail plate, (its thickness, width, and curvature)  depends on the length, width and curvature of the matrix. For example, a longer matrix produces a thicker nail plate and a highly curved matrix creates a highly curved free edge.

Nail growth varies, but in the average adult, it is about 1/10″ or 3.7 mm per month. Nails grow faster in warmer months, like summer, than they do in cooler months, like winter. Children’s nails grow more rapidly than those of an elderly persons.

Due to changing hormones, nail growth decreases rapidly during the last trimester of pregnancy. As do hormone levels in the body, the nail growth rate decreases even more dramatically after delivery, and then returns to normal.

It is a myth that prenatal vitamins accelerate nail growth; Nail growth rate will accelerate whether or not a woman takes these vitamins.

And finally of course, toenails grow slower than fingernails, but they are thicker and harder.

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Interesting tidbits.

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Works consulted: 
Milady’s Standard Nail Technology 

Related GC Post -> Nail Salons: Infection control    

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Random music quote: Bobby Brown

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“I don’t need permission, [I] make my own decisions. That’s my prerogative “

- My Prerogative, Bobby Brown

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Damn skippy. Tell em’ all that you can be as hot a piping mess as you wish.

Have a great Monday y’alls!

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Healing: Gilles Marin

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” There is no intelligence required for healing. To heal, we don’t need to be intelligent, we don’t need to be good and we don’t need to deserve it. 

Healing is pure grace. To heal, we do need honesty. We need to be true to ourselves. We need to be able to admit that we have feelings we wish we didn’t have. We need to own these feelings so we can outgrow them, and so we can mature as human beings.”

Gilles Marin

Author of Healing from Within with Chi Nei Tsang

What would you do?: Cosmetic Surgery

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Fact Sheet: Microdermabrasion

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a safe, non-surgical, exfoliating treatment that leaves skin feeling soft, and silky with a healthy glow. It speeds up the cellular turnover process, which is slowed down by:
- Poor health and nutrition
- Diet
- Aging
- Stress and
- Nature’s elements
and brings you closer to having healthier, younger looking skin. 

It can be used aggressively to achieve dramatic results, but does not take the place of surgical or laser procedures. 

It improves the skin without the risks, side effects, and downtime that is typically associated with some of the more aggressive alternatives, and can efficiently produce satisfying results in as little as 20 minutes. Further improvements in the appearence and texture of the skin’s texture will occur with each treatment, and may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, like Light Therapy or Chemical Peels, in a maintenance program, recommended by your skin therapist. 

Who can perform microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion can be performed at a Medical Spa by certified Estheticians, as well by Dermatologists and other qualified Medical Physicians in their practice.

Microdermabrasion treatments may be customized for mild to aggressive treatments that remove more superficial layers of the skin’s surface. Care must be taken by the skin therapist not to go into deeper layers of the skin as here there is the possibility of imparting permanent damage to the skin.

What does it treat?

Microdermabrasion is not a miracle procedure. It cannot totally eliminate, but, after just one treatment it can visibly reduce the appearance:
- Acne scarring
- Sun-damaged skin
- Sun-induced pigmentation like melasma and age spots
- Freckles
- Fresh stretch marks
- Fine lines and minor wrinkles
- Scars
- Rough, patchy skin
- Whiteheads and blackheads
- Acne and blemishes
- Excessive oiliness
- Scar and callus reduction

It can also be used as:
- A pretreatment for cosmetic surgery
- To blend lasered and non-lasered areas after laser skin resurfacing. 

Treatment is not limited to the face; it can be performed just about anywhere – on the face, neck, chest, hands, back, elbows, feet. 

How does it work?

Microdermabrasion is performed using a jet of fine crystals, which are propelled unto and then vacuumed across the skin’s surface. This removes dead skin cells in an exfoliating motion, to reveal fresh, invigorated skin. Skin is restored to a more youthful appearence while you relax in the treatment room.

Treatment recommendations

 To achieve a good result, several treatments are recommended.

Treatment is usually scheduled one to two weeks apart and would depend on:
- Skin type and condition and
- Lifestyle – e.g. drinking and smoking habits, outdoor activities spent in the sun.

Progressive improvements in skin are attained through a treatment program. Your skin care specialist will be able to recommend the number of treatments required to achieve your desired results.

Pre-treatment recommendations

- No sun baking
- No waxing for 7 days prior to treatment 

Post treatment recommendations:

After treatment you will be required to adhere to the following:

- No sun baking and must wear high sun protection, SPF 30+ to prevent against hyper-pigmentation or darkening of skin, especially for medium to dark skin types.

- No swimming in chlorinated pools for 24 hours

- No waxing for 7 days

- No exercise for 24 hours as perspiration may cause a stinging sensation

- Preferably avoid wearing makeup for 24 hours

- No exfoliation for 7 days

- Proper hydration. Skin my feel drier than usual and must be thoroughly cleansed and moisturized daily, also increase water intake.

What are the side effects of microdermabrasion?

The vast majority of clients do not receive any side effects from microdermabrasion. Clients with sensitive skin are at a higher risk of developing any side effects, which are usually mild and temporary, and appear only on facial skin. They include:

- Redness
- Flaking
- Dry skin
- Itching

These side effects are similar to sun-burn. There is no need to seek medical attention when experiencing any of the above, as they usually subside within a day or two.

Skin flaking may take between 2-4 days to appear and is just a part of the skin healing itself. 

Who should NOT receive microdermabrasion treatments?

Microdermabrasion provides minor trauma to the skin. Still it may aggravate the following conditions:

- Active, uncontrolled or brittle diabetes
- Viral lesions, herpes simplex or shingles
- Eczema or seborrheic dermatitis 
- Rosasea
- Skin cancer and auto immune disorders such as AIDS or HIV
- Vitiliago
- Telangectasis or visible broken blood vessels
- Sunburned skin

Also not recommended for people taking oral blood thinners. 

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So now you know.
If you believe that Microdermabrasion may work for you, contact your skin care therapist to set up a consultation.

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Supernova

Related GC post 10 Top Skin-Care Faux Pas