posted November 14, 2005 01:37 AM         

YES!!!
Focus on skin care above cosmetics for sure, Nepthys!
No matter what you put on your face, if it is in good condition, it will look better!
Moisture moisture moisture! Not oil.. moisture!
Hyaluronic acid is a good ingredient to look for, for winter hydration, as well as some olive oil derivitaves that are found in many products nowadays....
AS they hold moisture in the skin, keeping it hydrated.
I prefer using clean hands to put on foundation, but I recently read that it will last longer ( ie; no oil slick) if you use a sponge.. which I would reccomend changing/washing frequently. And follow up with a loose powder if you require....
But go for a consultation for specialized skin care .. seasonal/skin type driven.. not product selling as objective..... keep your needs in mind and you will find someone to help you. REALLY help you, not make a commission.

Foundations with a silicone base as opposed to oil work well for filling in fine lines and staying matte.. def. mention to your beauty advisor what your needs are in tewrms of performance.. tell her specifically, and what you've enjoyed/not enjoyed in the past, for the most customized treatment/beauty ritual.

posted November 14, 2005 03:09 PM         

I do use Alba's Sea Plus Renewal Cream. I also use Llama's Pumpkin Spice Polish and Radiant C Face Wash.

I do drink a lot of H20, take vitamins, and eat very healthy.

Unfortuneately, I do need some type of foundation or pressed powder because I am very fair, light blond hair and pale complexion, some freckles, uneven red tones, so I need to even it all out. I do apply make-up sparingly.

posted November 14, 2005 04:26 PM         

Citrus and grapefruit mask for oily skin type:

Ingredients:
grapefruit
lemon's juice
cored apple
1-2 egg whites
30-40 seedless grapes

Mix ingredients together in a blender. Apply on your face and leave for fifteen minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

Grapefruit unclogs pores and lemon is an excellent astringent and clarifier, while egg whites tighten the skin. Expect a tingle with this mask-that means its working but if your skin is dry it could start to burn. If this occurs, wash it off immediately.

Fruit Masque for dehydrated skin:

Ingredients:
1 cup of mixed mashed fruit (try melon, peaches, strawberries, and bananas)
2-3 Tbsp. Double cream
3 tsp. cottage cheese
1 tsp. brown sugar
4 tsp. oatmeal powder

Blend all the ingredients together and apply on your face. Relax for ten minutes, and rinse off with warm water.

The luscious combination of cream and juicy fruits works wonders after a hot day in the sun and helps refresh the skin.

Honey Mask

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. honey
1 egg white
2 tsp. glycerin
1/3 cup flour

Whisk the honey, egg white and glycerin, and then add the flour. The result should be a thick paste. Apply to face and rinse after 15 minutes This mask effectively moisturizes and tightens the skin, making it smooth and soft.

Egg Mask

Ingredients:
1 egg white

Separate the egg white from the yolk. Put the egg white on your face and relax for about 15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

This mask leaves your skin smooth, refreshed and tightens your skin.

Ingredients:
Egg yolk

Separate the yolk from the egg white. Mix the yolk and apply over clean skin. Let it set for about 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

The egg yolk acts as an ant-oxidant and does wonders for your complexion as it pulls impurities out of your skin, leaving it soft and healthy.

Yoghurt Moisturizing Mask

Ingredients:
Plain yoghurt

Smooth yoghurt over your face and let it set for about 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

This mask is super-simple and will add lots of moisture to your skin. Especially a treat to people having dry skin. Plus, it's great for those of us who hate spending time in the kitchen and want something that's quick to prepare and easy to make.

Egg and Honey Facial

Ingredients:
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. vitamin E oil
1 tsp. almond oil

Mix all ingredients together, stirring until smooth. To use, apply to face and rinse with warm water after 15 minutes.

This easy mask is suitable for all skin types. It clarifies and moisturizes the skin, leaving it cleansed and silken. Egg yolks contain anti-oxidants, which are very beneficial to our skin.

Vegetable Mask

Ingredients:
1/2 tomato, mashed (remove seeds and skin)
2 tsp. curd
1 tsp. mashed cucumber
3-4 tsp. oatmeal powder
3 crushed mint leaves.

Mix ingredients together and apply on your face. Wait for ten minutes, and then wash off with warm water.

This mask works well for oily skin, since it absorbs the surplus oils. Tomatoes are excellent anti-oxidants, and the curd prevents excessive drying.

Fruity Facials

Ingredients:
Strawberry

Crush strawberry and apply on face and leave it on for 2/3 minutes and then rinse with plenty of water.

Strawberry is rich in vitamin c and is very refreshing for your skin. However some people are allergic to strawberry so before applyinh test it on your skin and if there is any irritation then do not apply.

Ingredients:
Papaya

Crush papaya and apply on face and leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse off with plenty of water.

Papayas contain an enzyme 'papain', which is useful in exfoliating the skin.

Ingredients:
Watermelon

Crush watermelon and apply on the face for 5 minutes and then rinse. Watermelon cleanses the skin.

Additional Homemade Facials

posted November 14, 2005 04:31 PM         

Are the red uneven tones in wide patches or smaller ones?

I have red tones too (albeit in small patches) and will sometimes use a green concealer stick for just those spots and it does the trick. Then I brush all over with a powder and finish with powder blush.

The foundation you are currently using may actually be drying your skin out and your body is reacting by overcompensating on the moisture . . . Just a thought. If you are happy with the foundation color you already have, may be you could mix just a dab of it with your moisturizer and blend.

Good luck!

posted November 16, 2005 09:30 AM         

Goldilox... indeed! Those oil blotting papers are amazing! As in.. it amazes me what I am left with when I use them..
Remember Oprah, years ago, had that show where the translucency of the napkin when she blotted her greasy food, indicated the amount of oil therein?

I'd be like KFC amplified.. not so finger licking good....

Alas, I am blessed with few lines. No one pegs me for twenty nine ( now)

The Covergirl primer outlast foundation is also useful for smoothing the skin, filling out lines.. based upon silicone is why!
If you put the primer/foundation on an elastic, it binds to it, even when you stretch it. Most formulas would flake off.
I don't find it has lasting power though.
Most products float on my skin at the end of the day.
I don't like caking on powder, though I will if need be.. but I like the way my skin looks fresh and clean.

Tink~ You should know. you know those home 10% glycolic acid peels from NeoStrata? Also Microdermabrasion.....
They've just come out with tres affordable sample packs.. to try.. instead of the expensive ( but worth it, and affordable when you break it down) kits.
To encourage people to try it if they even consider it.. then once you know what it does for your skin, you're generally hooked!

posted November 16, 2005 06:14 PM         

right now I'm using the Neo Strata 15% Alpha Hydroxy lotion at night and MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peels in the morning. I keep toying with the idea of Micro at the Derm's office but I waver. I'm a bit of a chicken (not about any initial pain. I'm worried about the after-effects). Instead, I bought that Neutrogena Micro kit. The one with the battery-powered hand held thingy. You know which one I mean? (Yeah I know what you're thinking lol)I like it a lot so maybe I'll try something stronger.

My skin went mano a mano with the new Clarins facial self-tanner recently, so I'm playing catch up. Got any good self-tanner for the face recs? I've tried Bobbie Brown -nice but too light - and The Body Shop's which I really liked but strangely didn't give my skin any color at all and I'm very pale.

I'm trying to talk myself out of Dr Hauschka's Rose day cream because it's probably too heavy for my skin but I'll cave. It just sounds so nice. lol

posted December 06, 2005 10:09 AM         

But the finest thing for your skin is water. Drink at least 8 glasses a day, this plumps up the skin, and erases fine lines.

posted December 23, 2005 12:02 AM         

This is a terrific book! I really enjoyed reading it and it has a wonderful Resource section at the end of the book with recommended product listings and where to find them.

Kat is a makeup artist who transformed her own life through a heatlhy diet and a natural approach to health and beauty. She turned me on to green tea. I always knew that it was good for one's health, but I never knew that it was good for beauty as well. It also makes you feel good to drink it, if you drink it without sugar.

She also says that it is important to maintain the phospholipid barrier of the skin, even if the skin is oily. To do this, she says not to use products which destroy this outer layer. Even if they do improve the appearance of the skin momentarily, they leave it vulnerable and lead to damage over time. Alpha-hydroxy acids and microdermabrasion are warned against because they do disturb this barrier.

If you can, Nephthys, I would definitely check out this book from your local library. It is definitely worth a read, since all Ms. James recommends are natural products. I hope it helps you as it has helped me. Thank you for the recommendation above, artlovesdawn.

------------------
Sincerely,
divinia