Tag: moisturize

DIY Facials with Greek Yogurt Face Masks

I love finding natural beauty treatments and remedies that work just as well (if not better!) than store bought cosmetics. Earlier this year I experimented with the effects of Raw Honey Face Masks and was blown away by the results! It made me think about other simple, natural products and I remembered my experience with Greek Yogurt.

I learned about the skin healing and beauty benefits of yogurt years ago in Greece. Back then, a local brand called Korres was being sold in pharmacies and specializing in natural and holistic remedies, creams and cosmetics.

The first Korres product I tried was their Yogurt Face Cream. It was supposed to soothe the skin, help minimize breakouts, and have anti-aging effects. Lucky for me, the cream delivered on everything it promised.

(More than a decade later, Korres is now available all over the world and they are still using unique ingredients and plants in their lines. Check them out on Amazon.)

Korres was definitely on to something, but you do not need to visit a cosmetics counter to benefit from the effects of yogurt – instead, shop your refrigerator for some plain Greek yogurt.

Yogurt is full of proteins and enzymes that help soothe, heal and treat your skin.

Gently apply a thin layer of plain Greek yogurt to clean skin for 10 to 30 minutes 2 to 3 times per week. On its own, it will moisturize, exfoliate, minimize acne, soothe sunburns and brighten your skin. For more intense all natural masks, try the following:

  1. Intense Moisture
  2. Exfoliator and Acne Healer
    • 2 tsp Greek Yogurt + 1 tsp Organic Raw Honey + 1/2 tsp Organic Coconut Oil
      • Yogurt is Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal which helps destroy acne-causing bacteria.
      • The Alpha-Hydroxy Acid gently exfoliates by dissolving dead skin cells to give you a youthful, glowing appearance.
  3. Sunburn Soother
    • 1 tbsp Greek Yogurt + 1 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
      • The Zinc in Yogurt helps heal the skin and removes the sting.
  4. Skin Brightener
    • 1 tbsp Greek Yogurt + 1/2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Which is your favourite Greek Yogurt Mask? Do you have any special concoctions of your own for other skin concerns?

Bold for the Holidays

Keep your holiday makeup simple with big brows and bold lips.

Keep your holiday makeup simple with big brows and bold lips.

My favourite Holiday makeup style is simple and fuss-free, but makes a bold statement. Focus on Bold Brows and Lips for a simple Holiday look that will take you from morning to night.

Get the Look:

  • Bold brows
  • Bright lipstick
  • Natural Face: Concealer, Powder, Mascara, Blush
  1. FACE The focal points are larger than life brows and bright, bold lips. The look is quite dramatic, so keep the rest of your face neutral. Hide dark circles and blemishes with an easily blendable concealer, setting with translucent powder for extra staying power. Apply black mascara and a nude blush to for a “no makeup makeup look.”
    • My all-time favourite concealer is NARS Creamy Radiant Concealer. A small dab goes a long way with this product.
    • PRO TIP: pat the colour onto your skin using your fourth finger. The warmth will help distribute the product and your finger can cover hard to reach spots.
    • Try using a matte blush without shimmer. Matted out skin looks very modern, especially when paired with a matte lip. Try Lancome Blush Subtil for a natural, sheer wash of matte colour.
    •  

      Lancome Blush Subtil provides sheer, buildable, natural looking colour.

      Lancome Blush Subtil provides sheer, buildable, natural looking colour.

  2. BROWS When building your makeup colour collection, start with products with multiple uses. Use neutral, matte eyeshadows that can be used for eye brows, crease shadow, eye liner, and even contouring.
    • I prefer to use shadows instead of pencils to fill in brows. It gives a more natural feathered look that mimics hair more than pencil, which can sometimes look harsh. Use an angled brush for precise application.
    • Similar to “overdrawing” lips for a more full effect, follow along with the natural size and shape of your brows. Again, this is to maintain a more natural look. If you are in the process of growing out your brows, lightly filling in sparse areas with shadow can ease the transition.
    • Choosing a colour for your brows depends on the type of look you prefer, and how much space you are trying to fill in. I use a charcoal brown shade that lightly fills spaces which, for my already dense brows, looks more natural. If I use a chestnut shade that is closer to my hair colour, I find my brows look too dark and dramatic.
    • I typically use a slightly darker shade for blondes and fair haired clients to help define their brows, and a slightly lighter shade for people with dark brown or chestnut brows. If I am building out their brows, however, the colour should more closely match their brows. It is important to play with your brows to find a look that suits you. The colour and shape of your eyebrows will frame your face, so practice and take your time.
    • One of the best palette’s for experimenting is Becca’s Ombre Nudes Eye Palette. There is also a separate palette with red undertones. These shadows allow you to play with different looks and stay in place all day.
    • PRO TIP: after filling in brows with shadow, pencil, or wax, always brush hair in the direction of hair growth (up, and to the side). This will give brows a more natural appearance. If you do not have an eyebrow comb, use a clean, dry toothbrush.
    • Becca's Ombre Nudes Eye Palette is the perfect start to any colour collection.

      Becca’s Ombre Nudes Eye Palette is the perfect start to any colour collection.

       

       

  3. LIPS Preparing your lips is the most important part of bold lip colours. Always remember to exfoliate + moisturize, and prime for the perfect pout.
    • Exfoliating + moisturizing should be done regularly – at least 3 to 4 times per week – especially in cooler temperatures. Incorporate lip care into something you already do for grooming or personal hygiene. For instance, every time I brush my teeth, I take a few seconds at the end to lightly brush my lips with my toothbrush. Afterwards, I apply a thick coat of Rosebud Salve. By caring for my lips a little bit everyday, I no longer have problems with extremely dry lips from the changing seasons.
    •  Priming your lips is important for the longevity of the lipstick and will keep colour in place.
      • A lip pencil is one way to prime lips: Using a nude colour, or for more vivid colours, a lip pencil that closely matches your lipstick, carefully line and fill lips before applying a coat of lipstick.

        Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner is a clear pencil applied outside the lips. It creates a barrier that keeps lipstick in place without feathering or migrating.

        Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner is a clear pencil applied outside the lips. It creates a barrier that keeps lipstick in place without feathering or migrating.

      • My preferred lip liner is a multipurpose clear liner that can be worn with any colour of lipstick. The Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner is applied just outside the natural contour of the lips and prevents the colour from migrating. It maintain a sharp line around lips, even with the darkest shades of lipstick.
    • Be precise when applying bright lipstick colours. Use a lip brush to achieve clean, sharp lines with your bold lip colours. Apply thin coats of lipstick until the colour becomes just opaque.
    • PRO TIP: use your finger nail or a cotton swab to clean lipstick smudges. A clean lip brush with concealer can help clean up messy edges.
    • PRO TIP: bright, matte lips is a great modern look. Skip the gloss, and find a matte or satin finished lipstick. Using less product will also help keep lipstick in place, without smudging.

Keep your makeup simple this holiday. Bold Brows and Lips can take you from morning to night with nothing more than powder and lipstick touch ups in between.

What look will you be sporting this Holiday season?