Stephie Estie

Pumpkin: Skin Treat or Trick?

pumpkin

With the commence of fall in full gear and Halloween coming closer, pretty much everywhere we turn we are inundated with the sight of pumpkins and alluring scents of pumpkins laced with cinnamon and clove.  Similarly, around this time, spas often start to offer pumpkin peels.   Although yummy in pies and lattes, what makes pumpkins in skincare so special?

Enzymes!

Pumpkins contain enzymes that “eat” old, dry skin cells-think of them like a Pac-Man- revealing healthy, glowing skin. Pumpkins are rich in antioxidants vitamin C and notably vitamin A- the anti-aging superstar that minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Pumpkins are also high in beta carotene, infusing skin with vital nutrients, and zinc which purportedly reduces the appearance of inflammation associated with breakouts.

A few brands that include pumpkin in their products are Eminence, Ayurmedic, June Jacobs and Murad.

Pumpkin Peels 

Most skincare facilities offer pumpkin peels which are often formulated with glycolic, lactic and/or salicylic acid that provide the following benefits:

  • Improves skin texture
  • Targets hyper-pigmentation and acne
  • Stimulates collagen and elastin production.
  • Helps with the cell renewal process.
  • Reduces signs of aging by softening fine lines and wrinkles
  • Hydrates the skin

Pumpkin peels are a great way to refresh your complexion right before the holidays not to mention they smell amazing!

Love pumpkin peels or have a favorite pumpkin product?  Do share your experience!  

Stephanie

I'll Be Back Soon!

time off

Hi readers, just a quick little update that I will be taking this week off since I need a little time to regroup after my weekend cruise.  I still feel like I’m out at sea, swaying with the waves!  Anyone else feel like this after being on a ship?  It’s normal but feels pretty weird.

In the meantime, I will be testing the Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip Collection so stay tuned for a review this one. 🙂

 

Sephora FaveSee you next week,

Stephanie 

 

 

Shop Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness

BCA

October, sometimes referred to as ‘Pinktober’, is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  With a 1 in 8 probability of women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, early detection is key.  This can be achieved through:

  • Monthly breast self-exams
  • Routine clinical exams and mammograms
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Staying physically active
  • Eating fruits and vegetables
  • Not smoking
  • Limiting alcohol consumption

For more information, consult with your physician and you can visit nationalbreastcancer.org for additional information.

Shop For A Cause 

You can help support and fund different organizations by shopping for limited edition ‘pink’ products.  These are just a few I found.  Click on the link(s) I provided at the bottom of each product to learn more.

Aveda ‘hand relief’ Breast Cancer Research Foundation Moisturizer $26

Bumble and bumble Pret-a-Powder (pink cap edition) $26

EOS Limited Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection- Lip Balm and Hand Lotion Set $7.99

Essie 2014 BCA Collection $8.50 each

Estee Lauder, Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink Collection $29.50 

Murad Hydrate For Hope $49.50

Nest Passion Candle $28

Sonia Kashuk Proudly Pink Five-Piece Purse Brush Set $15.99

Tocca Sapone de Viaggio in Cleopatra (Daisy Soap Set) $24

Other Ways to Help

You can donate, fundraise, volunteer or become a sponsor with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen or Look Good Feel Better.

Remember, sometimes no symptoms will manifest which makes routine check-ups imperative. “When breast cancer is detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98%. (National Cancer Institute) 

Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition. 

 

Berry Autumn Look!

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Over the weekend I decided to create a makeup look inspired by fall colors/trends.  I think all skin tones can try this with room for modification.

Key Products Needed

Basically, you’ll need an orange eyeshadow, any shade(s) of brown, your favorite eyeliner/mascara and a berry lip color.

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Complete Product List

Face

Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation SPF 15 in 2

Nars Concealer in Vanilla

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer

Eyes

Highlight/Brow: MAC Shroom

Lid: MAC Orange

Crease: MAC Texture

Outer Corner: MAC Bronze

Eyeliner (top): Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink

Eyeliner (bottom): Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12 HR Wear Waterproof in Cappuccino

Mascara: Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant

Lips

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Moody

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And there you have it.  You can also just  wear the orange eyeshadow with a brown on the crease and finish with eyeliner if you want a more basic look. Hope you enjoyed this look and make sure to visit and ‘like’ my Facebook page for additional tips and information!  

First Look: Renee Rouleau Pro Remedy Oil!

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Renee and I at Sofitel in Beverly Hills

Hi readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend!

I was given the unique (and awesome!) opportunity to assist celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau during one of her quarterly visits here in L.A. This is the second time I have helped her during her stay and words cannot express how blessed I feel to be able to participate in this event. Renee is one of the go-to skin care gurus with celebrity clients like Demi Lovato and Lisa Rina and generates rave reviews from beauty editors with good reason.  Aside from being extremely knowledgeable and formulating her own skin care line, she is also genuinely sweet, caring and humble.   When I first met her, she greeted me with a hug and smile that felt like I had known her forever.  Such a lovely person inside and out.

Renee Rouleau Pro Remedy Oil

I was one of the lucky ones that received a bottle of her soon to be released newly released Pro Remedy Oil!  Pro Remedy Oil is a blend of 12 natural oils including sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil, rosehip oil and cranberry oil that “helps repair dry skin from airplane travel, eczema, sunburn, dry climate and pregnancy.”  Since many of us receive chemical peels during the fall and winter months, this oil can also be used post-chemical peel to soothe skin.

Pro Remedy Oil is a clear light-weight, citrus scented oil that absorbs quickly into the skin.  Since I have combination skin, I mix about 2-3 drops with my moisturizer and apply to my face-a little goes a long way.  So far, I like how my skin has felt hydrated with no heavy after feel and I haven’t broken out.  We’ll see if that changes in the next couple of weeks.

If you have dry skin or eczema and haven’t found products that work, definitely look into this oil, especially during these next few months when we’re prone to losing more moisture.    Those with acne or oily skin types should tread lightly since you already produce enough oil and probably don’t need anymore.

RR 3

Other goodies I received: Bio Calm Repair Masque, Aloe Cleansing Milk and Bio Radiance Night Serum- can’t wait to try them out.

I’ve tried a couple of products from Renee’s line and although there were some I didn’t like or didn’t work for me, some items worth checking out that I love include Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, BHA Clarifying Serum, and Triple Berry Smoothing Peel.

If you’re interested in Renee’s skin care line, visit her website www.reneerouleau.com

Hope you enjoyed this post and sneak peek! 

 

 

 

Hand Cream Favorites!

As colder weather starts to set in (except maybe here in California), were bound to be bombarded by excessive handwashing and hand sanitzer use in an attempt to prevent colds.  The disadvantage? Dry hands.  Here’s a couple of staple products I like to keep on hand. 🙂

Bath and Body  Works Pocket Bac Hand Sanitizing Gel, $1.75 and The Honest Company Hand Sanitizer Spray, $2.99

Small and portable, the Pocket Bac Hand Sanitizers come in different scents and the Hand Sanitizer Spray makes disinfecting surfaces easy.

Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream in Rosewater, $8-$20

Was gifted a hand cream from this brand a few years back and I love how it contains ceramides and vitamin E to help moisturize the skin, yet feels light.  Found this one at TJ Maxx for about $7.

Caudalie Nail and Hand Cream, $9-$15

Used this citrus scented hand cream back in esthetic school and loved how quickly it absorbed into skin.  It contains grapeseed oil and vitamin E to provide antioxidant properties as well as shea butter.  Leaves nails with a nice sheen.

True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere and Silk Hand Cream, $12.95

Have used and repurchased this one for a long time and love the vanilla and sandalwood scent.  Leaves hands feeling super soft.  I have noticed this leaves behind a bit of shimmer but I don’t mind as it’s subtle.

Lush New Charity Pot, $6.95-$25.95

New to my collection, I use this hand and body lotion at night or after I shower since it has a heavier and thicker consistency.  Albeit ylang ylang and cocoa butter are dominant scents in this one, I find it’s the least scented one out of the bunch.  Also, every dollar except the taxes goes towards a charity

 

L’Occitane Hand Cream, $12

Another staple product as it’s creamy but non-greasy.  Shea butter is blended with honey, almond, grapeseed and coconut oils for a nice, hydrating formula that lasts.

Hope you enjoyed the post. What’s your favorite product? 

 

 

Reader Question: Is It Good To Let Skin Breathe?

Q: There are days I like to let my skin breathe so I don’t apply anything on my face. Is this bad?

A: Great question! First of all, skin doesn’t ‘breathe’. It can absorb topical ingredients but it can’t breathe. If there are days you don’t feel like wearing makeup, don’t. I do this from time to time. However, it’s important to at least put on moisturizer and sunscreen every day. SPF protects from the sun’s harmful UV rays and also helps protect from skin cancer. Also, every skin type benefits from a moisturizer because throughout the day and night we tend to lose moisture and even if you hydrate your body from the inside by drinking water, our skin only receives a tiny portion; this is where topical products are beneficial. If, however, you find yourself wanting to let your skin ‘breathe’ because certain products/makeup clogs your pores, you may be using the wrong ingredients for your skin type. Look for products that are non-comedogenic if you have oily or acne prone skin.

Hope this answers your question and if you are interested in how your skin functions, check out this post I wrote 🙂

http://stephieestie.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/what-your-skin-does-for-you/

Thanks for the question and don’t forget to submit one here if you have one! 🙂

Needles For Aging Skin?

microneedle

One of my readers asked me about micro needling so here’s the breakdown on this popular anti-aging process.

About Skin Needling

Skin needling, also referred to as microneedling or collagen induction therapy, is the use of multiple needles at one time on a set gauge or length that is either rolled or stamped onto the skin.  Originally recognized as a method to repair scars in 1995 by Norman Orentreich, MD, and David S. Orentreich, MD, it was Des Fernandes, MD, who introduced skin needling as a skin rejuvenation method.

Different needle lengths will yield different results.  For example, shorter needles will increase product penetration and stimulate collagen production while longer needles may be used to treat deeper wrinkles and scarring.

How it Works

Skin needling is based on the premise of a controlled wound response than in turn stimulates collagen production.   Basically, anytime your skin is injured, it begins a process of wound healing that is followed by the production of new collagen and elastin.  In skin needling, the needles create tiny ‘injuries’ that prompt this wound healing process.

Skin needling treatments will also be followed by applications of, but not limited to vitamin C, retinoids, peptides and/or hydroxy based exfoliants.  Whereas microdermabrasion or chemical peels drive ingredients further into the skin by removing a layer(s) of skin, skin needling does the same without removing the top layer of skin.

Who’s A Good Candidate?

Most skin types and conditions can benefit from this treatment but may not be suited for skin that is sensitive or inflamed.  Skin needling is used for fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and stretch marks.  Treatments can be tailored according to skin types and conditions by changing the device, needle depth and frequency of treatments.

 Things to Consider

A series of treatments are needed to achieve optimum results.

Treatments can range from $200-$500 per treatment.

The longer the needle is, this risk for infection increases; therefore follow your physicians instructions.

Procedures like these are usually performed in a medical office or medical spa- make sure the person performing the treatment is qualified and that he/she wears gloves at all times.

Although a topical numbing cream will be used prior to treatment, expect some discomfort.

Bottom Line: Skin needling is just one of many anti-aging options available that can generate great results. However, always do your research and consult with a professional to determine what works best for you.

I hope this article is helpful and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

*Note: Although I love DIY treatments, this treatment is best left to professionals.  Doing this yourself can cause damage and lead to severe infections.   

 

 

 

 

Skin Tip: Ice for Blemishes

ice

If you wake up with a blemish the day of an event, wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and place it on the blemish to for a couple of minutes to reduce redness and inflammation.

See you next week,

Stephanie

Can We Reach Pore-fection?

Aside from anti-aging, pore size seems to be a huge complaint from customers.

A study conducted by L’Oreal Paris revealed that roughly “45% of women wish they could change the size of their pores and            almost one in three women  (28%) are more concerned about  their pore size than wrinkles.”

With so many products out there that claim to shrink or eliminate your pores, how do we know what works?  Let’s take a closer look at what a pore really is.

What is a pore?

A pore is a small opening in the skin that allows oil to reach the surface.  On average, an adult has five million pores on their body with approximately 20,000 on their face alone.   Without pores, our skin would be dry and cracked since oil produced in the sebaceous glands travel up the pore to the skin’s surface and naturally moisturize the skin.

How is pore size determined?

For the most part, pore size is determined by genetics and generally speaking, is most prevalent in men.  However, oil, dirt, dead skin cells and our lifestyle can impact pore size.  For example, avid sun worshipers often see an increase in pore size because the sun’s UV rays breakdown and weaken the skin’s elasticity; the same can apply to aging skin.  Oily skin types typically have an excessive accumulation of dirt, oil and dead skin cells, leading to large, visible pores and in some cases acne.

How to minimize pore appearance

Since you can’t get ‘rid’ of pores (and really, you don’t want to as they flush out toxins and help regulate temperature) here’s a couple of suggestions to help reduce their appearance.   

  • Thoroughly cleanse skin daily
  • Regular exfoliation with either enzymes or hydroxy acids (i.e. glycolic, lactic, or salicylic)
  • Those with oily skin types can benefit from using clay-based masks (look for kaolin or bentonite) about 2x/week
  • Limit excessive sun exposure and always wear SPF
  • Make sure you are using the correct skincare products/makeup for your skin type- makeup primers can help reduce pore appearance
  • Consult with a dermatologist and/or esthetician for other options such as chemical peels
  • Avoid pore strips as in the long run can stretch out skin even more

Questions? Comments? Have a pore-minimizing product you love? Do share!