Beauty Blunders That Cause Premature Aging

Premature aging is the unnatural acceleration of the normal aging process or, in short, when your skin makes you appear a lot older than you really are. It can be in the form of fine lines and wrinkles and dry or sagging skin due to a decrease in elasticity.

Premature aging or extrinsic aging can be caused by various factors such as:

  1. Going to bed without removing makeup
    Throughout the day, environmental dirt and toxins build up on the skin and can seep into the pores causing breakouts and skin problems. The more you fail to remove these toxins, the more damage they do as they prevent normal skin shedding and contribute to the breakdown of Collagen and Elastin which is responsible for youthful skin.
    To prevent these problems, cleanse and moisturize twice daily and exfoliate skin two to three times per week.
  2. Lack of Sleep
    Skimping on sleep can show up in the form of dark circles and a dull complexion. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases Cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol unfortunately, can break down skin collage which keeps your skin smooth and elastic. Sleep is extremely vital as it allows stress hormones to drop to normal levels to give cells time to repair and rejuvenate – patching the day’s wear and tear.
  3. Rubbing your eyes
    The skin in the eye area is very delicate and has little fatty tissue that becomes less plump as we age. It is very sensitive to stress from facial movement, tugging, pulling and rubbing which can all contribute to darkness and wrinkle development.
    Also, when applying moisturizer and makeup, gently use your ring finger (the one before your pinky) to pat the product into the skin.
  4. Sleeping on your side or stomach
    Pressing your face into a pillow eight hours a night for years can break down skin and cause wrinkles. To prevent this, train yourself to sleep on your back.
  5. Drinking from a straw
    Pursing lips on a daily basis to drink from a straw can create wrinkles from the repetitive muscle movement. The damage occurs over time so it’s never too late to stop.
  6. Not wearing sunscreen
    Sunlight that reaches us is made up of long wave Ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA penetrates deep into the dermis and ages the skin while UVB causes sunburns to the superficial layers of your skin. Overexposure to either can damage the skin and in some cases lead to skin cancer. To prevent sun damage, it is best to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both types of UV rays with at least an SPF of 15 or greater.

Skincare Remedies From Your Kitchen Part 2

Sometimes achieving fabulous skin is as easy as opening your refrigerator or pantry and whipping up a quick concoction for your face or body. There are tons of recipes out there, sample a few and you’ll be sure to find some you’ll love. Try them once or twice a week and over time you will notice results.
Note: It is always best to test any new products on a small area of skin to check for sensitivity and allergies.

Papaya Facial For Acne
In a small bowl mash a few chunks of fresh papaya until spreadable and apply to clean skin. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Pat dry and moisturize skin.

Banana Peel Acne Treatment
Eat 1 banana (wasting is bad) and rub the inside of the peel in small circular motions all over the face. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes, rinse off, pat dry and moisturize.

Olive Oil + Egg Yolk Hydrating Face Mask
Blend or beat one teaspoon of Olive oil with 2 egg yolks until completely combined. Apply to skin and cover with a warm towel, leave on for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with warm water. This mask is best done before bedtime. The egg yolks have Vitamin A that controls the shedding of the skin and makes it soft and smooth.

Coconut Oil Dry Skin Remedy
Coconut oil is a great moisturizer for the face and skin. It has sufficient amounts of fatty acid that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. It works best if applied at bedtime and left on overnight. Massage it gently onto all dry areas and wash it off in the morning; repeat nightly.

Refreshing Green Tea Toner
This amazing toner is full of antioxidants which are very helpful to the skin. It works wonders on weary skin making it feel rejuvenated and refreshed. To make it you will need 1 cup of boiling water, 1 Green Tea teabag and a clean spray bottle.
Directions – brew the tea and when cool, add it to your spray bottle. Mist directly onto skin 1 to 2 times per day after cleansing. If the mixture feels too strong on the skin, you can dilute it to your liking.

Lemon Toner
This affordable and easy to make toner is perfect for oily and acne prone skin. Lemon is a natural astringent which can kill acne causing bacteria, strip skin of excess oils and even tighten large pores.
Directions – Use the ratio of 1:2 of fresh squeezed lemon juice to water. Add it to a clean spray bottle and spritz onto face 1 to 2 times per day after cleansing.

Skincare Remedies From Your Kitchen Part 1

Sometimes achieving fabulous skin is as easy as opening your refrigerator or pantry and whipping up a quick concoction for your face or body. Many of your everyday grocery staples pack serious natural anti-aging power. Put a few together and you’ve made yourself a little DIY skincare magic.

The great thing about this whole process is that you know exactly what ingredients you are putting in, sans preservatives and harsh chemicals which can cause a not-so-fabulous allergic reaction.

Here are a few simple, effective and helpful Do It Yourself beauty recipes using ingredients that you may already have on hand or that are easily accessible. Study them, fall in love, and use them as a base for your own natural beauty concoction.

 Honey + Plain Yogurt = De-Stress Face Mask

In a small bowl combine one part honey and two parts plain yogurt (Greek or Regular, the fattier the better!). Spread it all over your face and neck leaving it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and reveal a brighter, calmer you.

Pumpkin + Honey + Milk = Glowing Facial

Scrape out and discard pumpkin seeds and brain (the stringy stuff), cut off several pieces of the pulp and boil until tender. Puree in blender or food processor until smooth.

Mix 2 teaspoons of the pumpkin puree, ½ teaspoon of honey and ½ teaspoon of milk in a bowl to make a paste. Apply to clean face and neck and let it dry for 15-20 minutes; rinse with warm water and reveal smooth glowing skin.

Brown Sugar + Milk Face & Body Scrub

Combine one part brown sugar and two parts milk in a bowl. In the shower, gently massage the mixture onto skin in tiny circles from head to toe. Rinse it off and continue with your normal bath.
Note – For an extra boost of moisture, add 1 egg yolk.

Oil + Honey + Brown Sugar Face & Body Scrub

In a bowl combine a ½ cup each of brown sugar and honey with 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil (your choice). Apply to face, neck and/or lips. Massage gently in small circular motions to remove dead skin. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Apply moisturizer to cleansed skin.
Note – you can also add 1 drop of your favorite essential oil to the mix to invigorate your senses.

Aim to indulge your skin often and you will surely notice a difference. Exfoliate two to three times per week to remove and avoid the buildup of dead skin cells.

Facials and Masks can be done one to two times per week; it’s a great way to relax and let it do all the work for you.

Prepping Skin For A Flawless Makeup Application

Hi Guys! I’ve been asked to contribute fortnightly to one of our local newspapers called the Turks & Caicos Weekly News.

Below is my first article, I hope you enjoy it.

Wearing makeup can brighten up the face and add ‘Oomph’ to your overall look. Prepping skin beforehand is just as important as the makeup application itself; failure to do so can highlight and reveal dry/rough patches on the lips or face wherever product has been applied.

Following the tips below to treat and prevent such problems will make for beautiful glowing skin and a flawless makeup application every time:

1)    Drink water to hydrate the skin from within; if you are dehydrated it will be evident in your skin.

2)    Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids which have tons of benefits for your skin and body. These are found in fish, fish oil, avocados, seeds and nuts.

3)    Limit alcohol and smoking as it can dry out the skin and cause premature aging.

4)    Cleanse skin to remove excess dirt, oil, environmental bacteria, residue and makeup. If you have Sensitive skin, avoid cleansers with scents and strong ingredients like Hydroxyl, Glycolic Acids and Witch Hazel which can induce redness and irritation.

5)    Gently exfoliate face, neck and lips 2 to 3 times per week to remove the build-up of dead skin cells and reveal the new skin underneath. It is best to use an exfoliator with small circular granules as irregular, rough ingredients may cause more harm than good by tearing and damaging the skin.

6)    Tone skin after cleansing/exfoliating to remove any residue, minimize pores and balance the skin’s PH level – Persons with Sensitive skin should avoid this step.

7)    Use a Serum before applying a moisturizer to infuse a rich concentration of anti-aging ingredients into the skin. Serums are made of very small molecules, so it absorbs quickly and deeply into skin.

8)    Moisturize face using the appropriate formula for your skin type:

a) Normal Skin – Non-comedogenic, oil free moisturizer
b) Dry Skin – Moisture rich creams containing humectants or occlusive agents to attract and seal water into the skin
c) Oily Skin – Oil free moisturizer
d) Combination Skin – Apply a moisturizer formulated specifically for combination skin, or you can treat dry areas separately
e) Sensitive Skin – Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance free moisturizers have less possibility of causing irritation and allergy.

9)    Apply under-eye cream (using ring finger)

10) Apply a lip balm to moisturize, soothe and soften lips – blot off excess before applying lip color.

11) Apply a silicone primer to face before foundation as it creates a smooth base for foundation. Primer acts as a protective barrier preventing your moisturizer and skin’s oils from mixing with your makeup.

12) Wear sunscreen daily to prevent sunburn and signs of premature aging. You can wear a foundation containing broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher.

To book your appointment, please email info@theamakeupartistry.com

Makeup Artists – International Joint Venture

Hi guys!

Here’s a quick post about a job I did with Trinidadian makeup artist Marisa Gangasingh AKA my sister-in-law on May 31st, 2014. The funny thing is that both of my sister-in-laws are makeup artists and business owners so we get to talk makeup, swap opinions, suggest products and share experiences when we like.

Here is a peak at the gorgeous Mothers House in Providenciales [Turks & Caicos Islands] where the wedding and reception took place just below on the beach. You can also see our lovely bridal party as they were getting ready.

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A special thank you to my bride Christy for choosing Thea Makeup Artistry and to her family who was such fun to work with. I can’t wait for the professional photos! 🙂