Blemish busters

In humid weather, sweat and bacteria are more likely to get trapped in your pores, creating the perfect breeding ground for whiteheads and blackheads. Step up your skin-care regimen and clear up your complexion with these latest zit zappers.

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This gel-like lotion is a triple threat: it treats acne, controls excess oil and soothes irritation.

CLINIQUE ACNE SOLUTIONS CLEARING MOISTURIZER, $22

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CLINIQUE ACNE SOLUTIONS CLEARING MOISTURIZER, $22

Try this roll-on stick – infused with white nettle, zinc and vitamin B6 – to gently dry out spots while reducing redness and irritation.

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A film-forming polymer creates an invisible seal over bumps, allowing for smoother makeup application, while a dose of salicylic acid works to clear up your skin.

CLEAN & CLEAR ADVANTAGE INVISIBLE ACNE PATCH, $9

Glow.ca for more info.

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Stay hydrated for Summer

Think you’re dehydrated?

Some signs of dehydration include: feeling dizzy or headachy, having a dry or sticky mouth, feeling lethargic and producing less and/or darker coloured urine.

Keep cool and healthy this summer by ensuring that you’re taking in enough fluids to counteract the effects of the rising temperatures. Here are the top four ways to stay hydrated:


1. Eat more fruits and veggies. Most fruits and vegetables have a high water content, making them a great option for helping you meet your hydration needs. In the summertime there are so many fresh options and really wet fruits in season like watermelon and berries.

2. Have a drink every time you eat. If you’re outdoors a lot, or physically active and sweating excessively, you may need to make a habit of drinking more fluids. Do this by drinking a glass of water with every meal and snack throughout the day, even if you don’t feel overly thirsty. As a rule, if you wait until your body’s screaming for a beverage, you’re already dehydrated.

3. Choose drinks that you enjoy. Several studies show that people consume about 45 to 50 percent more water when it's flavored. To pack in the most fluids, pick drinks you enjoy, but beware of overly sweetened juices. Many contain as much sugar as a soda pop. Instead dilute sweet drinks with water to cut back on unnecessary calories. You can also add a wedge of lemon or orange to your water for some natural flavour.

4. Skip the ice. If you’re playing sports or need instant hydration, skip the ice. Drinks served at moderate temperatures – not too hot, or cold - are more quickly absorbed by the body.

Tips: Start a steamy summer day off right with a breakfast that’s loaded with liquids. Cereal with milk, topped with a cup of juicy berries is a great option. Or, try oatmeal. “Grains, like oats, soak up water when you cook them, so they contribute to your liquid needs.


Glow.ca for more information

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Helen Mirren in a bikini at 65!

WoW! At the age of 65, Helen Mirren looks so good in her red bikini! Her body is toned and looks very confident. I hope I will look just as good and toned as Helen Mirren when I turned 65 years old! OMG, I just pray that I don't turned out to be all wrinkly and saggy skin! EEEKKK

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Helen looks amazing!!

DIY Facemask: Facemasks, made fresh

"Be it the anti-inflammatory nature of chamomile or the antiseptic ability of sage, fresh herbs can help to renew and rejuvenate your skin" says Susan Vuyanovich of Sattva Biodynamics, an expert on naturally therapeutic skincare products.

Check out Vuyanovich's recipes and select the one that suits your skin type.

oily or combination skin:

1Tbsp French green clay
1Tbsp fresh lemon balm
1Tbsp fresh sage leaves
1Tbsp fresh thyme
1-2 Tbsp aloe vera juice
1Tsp honey

dry skin:

1 Tbsp calendula flowers
1 Tbsp chamomile flowers
1 Tbsp plain organic yogurt
1 Tsp wheatgerm or flax oil

Crush herbs, mix in remaining ingredients and apply to clean skin, avoiding the eye and mouth areas. Let sit for 10-20 minutes and rinse with tepid water.

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Tip Each recipe makes enough for one application. Best if used immediately.

Check out glow.ca for more details.

Celeb complexion secrets

New York-based skincare guru Ling Chan has perfected the complexions of some of Hollywood's most famous faces, including Uma Thurman, Madonna and Naomi Watts. Check out a few of her secrets for getting picture-perfect skin.Tip 1: For brilliant skin, exfoliate. Try an at-home microdermabrasion treatment once a week, or use a fruit-acid-based product with ingredients like papaya. "The fruit enzymes will help digest dead skin cells," says Chan. Try DERMAGLOW RADIANCE RX MICRODERMABRASION TREATMENT, $60

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Tip 2: Apply daytime protection from environmental exposure. Opt for a moisturizer with sun protection, particularly during the warm-weather months when you spend more time outdoors. Try OLAY DEFINITY REFINING LOTION WITH SPF 15, $35

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Tip 3: Use a gel-based mask once a week and leave it on for about 15 minutes to reveal smooth and hydrated skin. Try GUERLAIN PARIS SUPER AQUA-MASK REVITALIZER, $68

Au revoir

Check out glow.ca for more details.

Expiration Date for your products!!

Using the right skin regimen for your skin type is important because this will target all the issues you are concerned with. Such as rosacea, acne, wrinkles, skin discoloration, etc. Expiration date is also an important factor to check before buying your favorate moisturizer or eye cream. When a product is decomposed this may cause your skin to break out. All products have an expiration date! It is either displayed under or at the back of the product, and it is printed on the packaging as well.

Products slowly lose their efficacy once being opened or being exposed to sunlight. Those that include an SPF have a specific shelf-life. If the product has a funky smell, changed color or watery THROW IT AWAY!! Many products become ineffective after the expiration date, and some can be harmful.

• Eye cream- 1 year
  
• Face lotion- 3 years/SPF- see date on the box


• Lip balm-1-5 years


• Lipstick-2 years


• Mascara-3 to 4 months


• Perfume-1 to 2 years. To keep them lasting longer, store them in the fridge or away from direct sunlight.


• Wash'n Dri moist wipes -Good until dried out
  
• Anti-aging and acne treatment-3 months to 1 year


• Body lotion-2-3 years


• Sunscreen-Check the package for an expiration date


• Eye and lip pencils-3-5 years


• Lipgloss-18 months to 2 years


• Foundation-one year


• Powder-2 years. It can last longer, but it tends to dry out.


• Concealer-1 year


• Eyeshadows-3 years/Cream shadows-1 year
  

I was on Lara Hill website and was able to learn "MAC production codes are a handy way of working out how old your more perishable cosmetics are, as well as being useful for working out the 'safe' qualities of various pigments (certain pigments made after a particular date are listed as being safe for eyes, lips and face, whereas previous production lots of these same pigments may have been unsuitable for eyes or lips) and being a good indicator of whether a product is fake or not.

The first letter signifies the production run that month - A was the first run, B the second run and so forth.

The second letter or number signifies the month of production:

1=January

2=February

3=March

4=April

5=May

6=June

7=July

8=August

9=September

A=October

B=November

C=December


The final number indicates the year of production.





Using these numbers tells me that this Bombshell lipstick was made in the first production run of April, 2005."

Courtesy of Lara Hill

Clear Skin 101

1) The problem: oil
You’re constantly fighting shine, your skin is greasy to the touch and your makeup never lasts past noon.

Quick fix: Avoid heavy, oil-based makeup. “It can stimulate the sebaceous glands,” says Joanna Schlip, a celebrity makeup artist for Physicians Formula who has worked with Jessica Simpson and Ellen Pompeo. Instead, choose a light, water-based foundation—a skin-friendly formula made for oily skin. After spreading foundation evenly over your face with a synthetic brush, dab on pressed powder with talc using a sponge or puff to help absorb excess oil. Rather skip powders and foundations? Try a powder-free blotting papers.

Skin tip: Avoid a high-sugar diet, which is believed to increase oiliness and encourage acne flare-ups.


2) The problem: acne
You know the signs: small, red pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and, in more severe cases, nodules, cysts and scarring.

Quick fix: Cover up each pimple with Cream Concealer in Soft Green to neutralize redness, then blend it in with a clean concealer brush. Next, grab a natural-bristled foundation brush and dust on a micro-fine layer of loose mineral powder to even out your skin tone. “Mineral-based formulas are fragrance-, preservative-, dye- and talc-free,” says Schlip, “so they’re less likely to irritate acne-prone skin.” Studies have shown that minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can actually speed up skin’s healing time.

Skin tip: Breaking out? Avoid hydrating masques and facials until your complexion calms down.


3) The problem: big pores
Enlarged pores can be caused by whiteheads, blackheads or past acne scars, and they’re tough to hide.

Quick fix: “Primers are the best way to fill in uneven skin,” says Schlip. “Warm up a dot between your fingers and spread it over areas that need it most.” Apply primer in the morning with clean hands across the top of your cheeks, around your nose and on your chin. Finish with a dusting of loose mineral powder for a natural look.

Skin tip: Avoid ultra-shimmery cosmetics; they magnify pitted skin.


4) The problem: dull skin
Grey, pasty, sallow—call it what you will, but dull skin is instantly aging. Here’s what it takes to coax back a youthful glow.

Quick fix: Begin with an illuminating mineral powder. “These sheer finishing powders are even more lightweight than loose mineral foundations,” says Schlip, “and they give you a healthy luminous finish.” Tap your foundation brush for one application and apply in a circular motion over your entire face. Follow up with a soft sweep of your favourite blush. “To me, blush is the quickest route to younger, fresher-looking skin,” says Schlip.

Skin tip: Don’t forget to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. The more sun damage you acquire, the duller your skin will look.



Find more tips and tricks in FLARE’s July issue.

Essential acne-fighting products

Gentle cleanser that removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. Dry and irritated skin is prone to breakouts.
Toner to remove impurities and balance the skin.
Oil-free or acne-fighting moisturizer to leave skin soft and supple.
Spot-treatment to clear existing blemishes.
Top active ingredients
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that comes from white willow bark. This mild acid breaks down blackheads and whiteheads by peeling the top layer of skin and clearing blocked pores. It's also a keratolytic agent, which means that it has both exfoliating and antiseptic properties and can assist in shedding dead skin cells that can cause acne when they mix with dirt and sebum.
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most powerful anti-acne medications, designed to treat multiple acne-causing factors. Naturally antibacterial and antiseptic, benzoyl peroxide helps to reduce the P. acnes bacteria on the skin that's responsible for causing acne in many people. It also contains exfoliating properties that slough off the top layer of dead skin cells, encouraging normal production of cells. Additionally, benzoyl peroxide has an oxidizing property that dries excess oil and sebum on the skin’s surface.

Au revoir

Asian skin care

Asian skin tends to be smooth and poreless with yellow undertones. The skin is more prone to irritation. Commonly used preservatives, fragrances and alcohol suitable for Caucasian skin can actually cause irritation when used on Asian skin. The skin has larger pores than Caucasian skin. Asian skin has a greater need for daily exfoliation to minimize the appearance of pores and even out skin tone and texture. It is more prone to acne. Certain cosmetic grade oils and esters are not suitable for Asian skins because they are easily trapped in pores causing a blockage of cellular debris and acne.

Generally, hyperpigmentation (dark spots) has an earlier onset than wrinkles and laxity (loss of firmness) on Asian skin. Pre-mature aging is less common. This explains why Asians are more concerned about skin lightening than they are about age spot treatment, which in turn is the concern of Caucasians. Skin color becomes darker with age—a function of both melanin content and hemoglobin (red blood cells) level on the skin. The Japanese have the lightest skin tone, and therefore have low melanin content and skin redness. Indians have the darkest skin tone, and therefore high melanin content and skin redness. Filipino (Malay) skin is somewhere in between. More women consider their skin acne-prone and sensitive in the summer. But while acne-prone and sensitive skin go together, the younger ones skew to the former and the older to the latter. Skin moisture decreases with age, and is exacerbated in less humid months. While it is associated with less skin moisture and more irritation, Asian skin is generally in good condition during cooler months. This is perceived to be the result of reduced sun exposure, making skin color lighter or less yellow, and improving biomechanical properties (i.e. elasticity) and structures (i.e. collagen). There is a slight increase in skin oil at this time since oil glands are working harder to compensate for lower skin moisture. As a result, fewer wrinkles are observed. Skin turns yellowish with age. This is more pronounced in Chinese and Korean skin than other racial groups. However, Filipino (Malay) skin is most sallow to begin with. Asian skin oiliness is associated with humid environment as well as high usage of foundation/powder.

The essential issue for Asian skins is finding a base that is predominantly yellow based, without being too warm and orange. Asian skin basically has yellow undertones. To get that perfectly flawless, natural look, you must wear a foundation with a yellow base. When Asian women wear foundations that are too pink or orange they often end up looking ashy and two-toned. Foundation should have yellow tones in it. Try mixing a yellow tint foundation with a shade to get the color that works best with your skin. Blues, reds and purples look beautiful on Asian skin.
Technically, not all Asians need yellow-based foundation because Asian skin has the widest pigment range. Some are even paler than most Whites. Generally speaking, however, most Asians look more natural in yellow-based foundation, as do women of all race. While most companies claim to have yellow based foundation formulas, some are more natural looking than others. Some err on being too yellow while others are still too pink.

Right shade of foundation tends to look darker in its bottle than its true color upon application. Trial-and-error is the only way to find the right shade for you. But for everyday use, tinted moisturizer may be all that you need. The color of tinted moisturizer need not be exact because their spread is so sheer, and it's good for your skin too.

Asians in general are no more oily than non-Asians but acording to dermatologists, Asian American women tend to have oilier skin than recent Asian immigrants. Some dermatologists blame this on higher fat content in our diet. It is common knowledge that diet does not directly affect skin condition, except when it is poor enough to affect one's overall health. Unexpected pimples may signal stress, hormonal imbalance, or internal health problems.

For more info, visit the http://www.health-cares.net/ website.