Carmen, 32 sales and marketing.
Carmen had an objective: “I wanted to go through summer without having to wear foundation or bronzer or anything. And that’s what IPL did for me. I had a lot of pigmentation from sun damage and I had two or three [IPL rejuvenation] treatments and it’s gone. It really feels like it does rejuvenate the skin. IPL met all of my expectations.”
Carmen first started to coming to neoSKiN when her sister bought her a microdermabrasion treatment. In addition to microdermabrasion and IPL rejuvenation Carmen has been pleased with the results of laser hair reduction on her legs, underarm and bikini line. “For the longevity of it, absolutely”, she says. “If you have [laser hair reduction] done at the right place, with the right laser [neoSKiN is a certified Candela laser practitioner], it works. My hair diminished in a very quick period. I used to shave my legs every second day and, now, I haven’t had my laser done in more than 12 months. Shaving is just not part of my routine anymore; I don’t have to worry about it.”
Have-to-have product: SkinCeuticals serum. “If I don’t put that on I can feel the difference on my face. It just adds another layer of hydration because I tend to have quite dry skin.”
Beauty tip: “Growing up my mum was very strong on not over-plucking my eyebrows and to try and keep as much of the natural shape as possible.”
A perfectly shaped brow is the holy grail of beauty.
An ideal way to bring symmetry, lift and form to your face without the need for botox or surgery, a strong powerful brow instantly gives a ‘frame’ to your face and most importantly, your eyes. So put down the tweezers, step away from the mirror and leave your precious eyebrows in the hands of the professionals.
If it is beautiful brows you seek, then we suggest an appointment with a qualified “brow stylist”. A professional brow expert who is trained to get it right. And by right, we mean the right shape, the right angle, the right amount of arch, the right amount of colour…the list goes on. An eyebrow specialist can give you the appropriate advice when it comes to which shape is best suited to your face and your features.
Celebrity brow stylist Tonya Crooks says, “My advice is to always stick to your natural shape. What I found is that there are two different types of brow shapes. There’s an arch (goes up to a point and down like a hill) and there’s an arc (more rounded, like the shape of a rainbow). While the current trend for eyebrows is “full and clean”, this type of brow doesn’t suit everyone. A thicker brow definitely brings ease to the face but if you want brows to look like they belong on someone’s face, you’ve got to enhance the natural shape the person was born with.”
We agree. At neoSKiN, our clinicians are trained professionals in eyebrow shaping and styling. It is important to have a consultation and understand what shape is best suited to you. We can also advise you on brow maintenance and at home tricks to keep your brows in shape.
Need some more inspiration? Check out our favourite celebrity brows. These are power brows to perfection…
Everybody says not to do it. Your girlfriends, your husband, your mum, even the cute barista who makes your coffee, they all utter those two almost insurmountable words – “Don’t stress”. On top of the havoc it wreaks emotionally, stress isn’t kind to your pretty face. It jacks up your cortisol levels and it accelerates ageing so, as 2012 kicks in for real, how can we not … stress?
Eat. “One of the biggest stressors is not eating”, nutritionist Shawn Talbott says. “People who skip breakfast, skip lunch, are always having this overactive stress response.” Balance carbs with protein and fat. Talbott recommends having a small handful peanuts or cashews in your bag “so if you’re stuck with only a carb, you can balance it out”.
Breathe. You do that anyway, like, obviously … but most of us breathe very shallowly when we’re feeling stressed. Susan Lord, an integrative physician who lectures about stress, counsels that “simply becoming aware of breathing and doing diaphragmatic breathing from the belly will reset your stress hormones and bring you back to normal. Just three minutes can reset your entire body chemistry.”
Meds. That’s meditation … not medication.
Do that and maybe you can talk to your cute barista about something else.
Ever wondered which products a makeup maestro couldn’t go without? What items would be smuggled into her beauty bag if she could only choose ten?
We asked Melbourne Makeup Artist, Claire Vyverberg, to share her TOP 10 makeup essentials to create the ultimate “makeup staple survival kit”. The ten products that will have you covered (and looking like a pro) from home to work and everywhere in between…
1. A makeup primer- “use this over your moisturiser and underneath your foundation. It will prevent breakouts, minimise oil & shine and give your foundation more staying power”.
2. A no-show foundation- “in other words, less is more. Gone are the days of masque-like coverage and heavy powders. The aim is to even out the skin tone and illuminate the complexion. Think tinted moisturisers and mineral powders”.
3. A super concealer- “this is a girls best friend when it comes to hiding a pimple and faking a good nights sleep. Used correctly this can hide a multitude of sins”.
4. A natural blush- “a subtle hint of colour on the apples of your cheeks is a youthful look and gives the illusion of good health and happiness…pretty and natural is best”
5. A good mascara- “there is no excuse for clumpy lashes. It’s that simple.”
6. A soft eyeliner pencil- “transform your day look into a sexy smoky night look with minimal fuss. Apply, smudge and have va va voom eyes in 30 seconds”
7. A basic, flattering everyday eyeshadow- “a taupe brown without the shimmer is a no brainer for every eye colour, every outfit and every makeup bag”.
8. The perfect nude lipstick- “a creamy beige for everyday that doesn’t compete with your eyes or look like you tried too hard yet still suggests you made a little effort. A colour that you can wear to an interview or on a first date”.
9. A few good tools- “this includes a killer eyelash curler, a few good brushes suitable for eyes and face and a great pair of tweezers!”
10. Finishing Spray
“This is my never fail, secret weapon for every client who sits in my makeup chair. Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray has super powers like no other. A spritz (or two) of this miracle spray when your “face” is complete, will give you 16 hours of sweat, tear, smudge and budge proof flawless makeup perfection. You will never head to the bathroom to retouch again.”
After all the celebrations and overindulgence of the festive season, its time to get back into our healthy eating and skin care routines! It’s all too easy to fall into bed with your makeup on after a night out or to have that sneaky burger on the way home – but these bad habits need to stop now!
Fast track your health regime with some super foods to get you back into a routine that you can stick to and one that will set you up for the rest of 2012.
Super foods are of particular importance in the nutrition world at the moment. Wthe number of diseases and dietary requirements of individuals increasing at an alarming rate, now more than ever we need to ensure that we are consuming foods and vitamins that contain the highest nutritional value and ones that offer the best protection against ageing and combating toxins as well as regulating the metabolism and burning body fat.
The old saying that “the darker the colour, the healthier the vegetable” is being attested as new research suggests there are specific foods in these groups that contain the highest concentration of vitamins and antioxidants, fuelling our bodies with the most nutritious foods we can get our hands on.
To make it easy for you, we have developed a list of the top foods for you to add to your diet to ensure you have beautiful, glowing skin for the new year..
Coconut water sourced from green coconuts (not the milk from mature ones) have a high mineral content meaning they contain more electrolytes than typical sports drinks and more potassium than bananas.
Kale contains high amounts of beta-carotene, iron and folate. This aids digestion and helps you to feel fuller due to the high fiber level. A small cupful of cooked kale provides more than half the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Kale is also a source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical that boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.
Quinoa (pronounced keen-waa) is a 4000 year old grain from South America. Much like amaranth, it is easily digestible, gluten-free and contains high amounts of fiber and protein –unlike wheat or rice it is high in lysine and essential amino acids. It can be used as a substitute for rice or couscous, and it is cooked and eaten much the same way. It can be added to salads or as an alternative to breakfast cereal accompanied with honey, almonds and berries. Quinoa flour can be used in wheat-based and gluten-free baking.
Atlantic salmon is one of the richest natural sources of omega-3 fats, the health benefits of which include reduced triglycerides and blood pressure. Aim for at least two serves every week.
Eggs are a good source of protein and contain up to 18 other nutrients, including vitamins B12 and D.
Brazil Nuts One Brazil nut a day is enough to raise a persons selenium levels - This is an antioxidant that prevents cellular damage from free radicals and regulates thyroid function.
Wakame seaweed, the main ingredient in seaweed salads at your local Japanese takeaway store. Wakame seaweed is packed with vitamins, including: A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, E and K! Tasting salty, this seaweed is a bit of an acquired taste but a great, healthy option if you’re looking for an alternative to the usual salad greens.
Black rice is said to contain more antioxidants than our beloved blueberries, as well as vitamin E and fibre - black rice is being hailed a preventative for diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers. It used to be hard to come by but luckily it is readily available these days to protect our bodies from those pesky free radicals.
Avocado Containing 13mgs of vitamin C, which is 32% of an adult’s RDI. Avocados are great for our cell reproduction and free radical damage, skin elasticity and blood formation. Avocados are great because they are extremely versatile, making them a great addition to salads or crisp breads, as well as making a great substitute for creamy dishes when you want that creamy texture without the saturated fat of cream.
Happy shopping & enjoy!
Source: http://www.powersuperfoods.com.au/
Need some “skinspirational” summer reading to pack into your beach bag?
The neoSKiN top reads are a must for everyone wanting to know how to make the most of their skin in 2012….
“Write Your Skin A Prescription For Change” – Dr. Katie Rodan & Dr. Kathy Fields
“This book has it all. Just about anything you’d ever want to know about skin care is in this book, from skin care basics to advice and instruction, all the way up to dermatological procedures. A complete skin care manual. It will take you from days of acne, through pregnancy and past menopause. This book breaks down skin care myths and facts and gives you real honest commentary by both doctors.”
“Feed You Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles”- Allison Tannis
A book that tells all about the connection between diet and health and the look of your skin. Including 50 delicious recipes specially formulated to improve your complexion, making it easier to get your skin-healthy lifestyle started.
“Secrets of Great Skin”- David J. Goldberg
A practical guide with the latest information on the cause, prevention and improvement of ageing skin. A highly readable book that make it clear that beautiful youthful skin is possible for all ages and all types of skin.”
“Skin Revolution”- Leslie Kenton
“Learn the no-nonsense tools and techniques to transform your skin’s health and slow down the ageing process. Learn how to maximize your positive genes and minimize your weaknesses so your skin will realise its full potential.”
“Dr. Joshi’s Holistic Detox”- Dr. Nish Joshi
“Dr. Joshi’s unique, craving free detox diet has been the secret of celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to Cate Blanchett, Ralph Fiennes to Kate Moss. Share his metabolic detox dieting plan and learn how to shake off the strain of a
high-pressure life and get the body and energy levels you’ve always dreamed of”.
“The Wrinkle Cure”- Dr.Nicholas Perricone
“The Wrinkle Cure is the ultimate skin care companion and your guide to a lifetime of flawless, wrinkle-free skin. Combining cosmeceuticals with healthy nutrition, Dr. Perricone’s approach can produce a flawless complexion.”
Let us know if you have any must-read “skinspirational” books that we need to add to our list…
Welcome to January 2012! It’s a new year with new possibilities, new beginnings and its time to make your New Years SKIN resolutions…Time to break those bad habits, start fresh and start over!
Even the most beauty savvy, skin conscious, maintenance maniacs can slip up.
So this year, neoSKiN wants you to follow through on your skin-tentions for 2012 and make a pact with your skin to keep it happy and healthy- all year long.
We asked our clinicians what their Top 10 neoSKiN resolutions would be:
Now ask yourself what is the one thing you would change about your skin? Then set yourself a goal and start believing in your skin’s potential.
Most importantly, experts say you are infinitely more likely to stick to your resolution and make it happen by sharing your goal with family and friends. So spread the word, let everyone know what you want out of 2012- for you and for your skin.
Good luck! xx
We have packed our bags and are heading off on a little summer holiday…stay tuned for fresh neoSKiN news in 2012.
We want to wish all of our neoSKiN clients and loyal blog readers, a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with happy days, healthy ways and of course- beautiful skin…
Think you might need a post-new year’s eve skin pick me up??
Book now because…
All neoSKiN clinics will be closed from 1pm on Christmas Eve and will
re-open on Monday 3rd January.
Best wishes to you and yours…
neoSKiN xx
Dina, 46 - leadership development consultant
The music and movies of the eighties, really, can’t be beaten. St Elmo’s Fire, Dirty Dancing, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Like a Virgin these are sounds and sights to mark a life by. But for beauty, the eighties were brutal.
Dina blames the decade for her biggest beauty disaster. “I had short, spiky orange hair”, she grimaced. “My inspiration was that I love red heads, I think they’re beautiful … And my favourite outfit at the time was a long, straight pencil skirt, it was very high waisted, and I would wear it with a little bolero jacket.”
But such beauty blunders are now as distant as a BOY TOY belt. Instead, Dina enjoys and employs neoSKiN facials. “I actually started with the laser hair removal, it’s been amazing, and I’ve progressed to the facials. A big reason I do them is because it’s nice just to be pampered and, secondly, they make my skin feel nice.”
“I try to get one every four to six weeks. I just get here and say, ‘What do you think I need to do?’ And my regime at home is what neoSKiN tells me to do too”, she laughs. “I cleanse, I exfoliate every other day, and I use a serum and moisturiser and eye cream. I’m very religious with all of it in the morning but perhaps not all of them at night.”
Beauty role models: Dame Judi Dench and Helen Mirren - “If I look like them at their age, I’ll be happy. Actually, if I looked like them at this age, I’d be happy.”
And the incomparable Audrey Hepburn, “who was beautiful to look at and had a beautiful heart”.
… toys in every store | But the prettiest sight to see | Is the holly that will be | On your own front door.
Holly is lovely, but holy hell breaking out on your face as Christmas approaches … not so much. The festive season is a wonderful time of year, spent with family and friends, but it can be, well, stressful, and when emotions run high your skin can behave like a child who expected a bike and got books instead.
Neuropeptides, which make the skin feel sensitive and reactive, are partly to blame. Studies have shown that stress increases trans-epidermal water loss in the skin and the gaps that form between cells invite irritants.
SOLUTION:
But if all else fails just enjoy yourself and remember Rudolph wasn’t perfect either.
