A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

If you’re anything like me then you are a bit of a procrastinator and still have lots of Christmas gifts to check off your list. I know I do! 

Every year I promise myself that I am going to do my shopping early and every year I wait until the last minute. So mid December I am often on the hunt for that perfect gift for my loved ones. Here are a few gifts ideas that can help you check out items on your list while sipping your favorite coffee from the comfort of your own home.

The Practical Gift- If you have a friend or family member that suffers from anxious emotions or physical discomfort then CBD Oil may be the perfect gift for them. Studies have shown that CBD products may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitter. 

Style Maven – Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite trendsetter? What’s better than cute clothes that are affordable. AsherKate has beautiful styles to compliment any style lover and at every budget. 

The Accessory Queen –  Do you have someone on your list who is always in pursuit of the perfect earrings, hat, handbags and more? Then an engraveable necklace or bracelet is a beautiful way to show them how much you care. It’s a personalized piece of jewelry that they can wear and it shows that you took the time to find them something special.

The Skincare Diva – You know her well, she has a medicine cabinet filled with all of the newest skincare products and loves a great moisturizer. Or perhaps your friend is on the market for something new and fabulous for her skin since winter is here. Try EVER Skin , botanically based skincare and makeup that’s cruelty free and has received RAVE reviews in the press.

Mani Pedi Obsessed – Look no more. Nail strips are super hot right now. So easy to apply, last for weeks and you have the perfect nail design for pennies on the dollar. I discovered Rarity Nails which gives your the perfect mani for $7, buy 3 and get one free. There is no deal better than that! 

I hope this gives you a few ideas for all the friends and family on your list. Which is your favorite?

Review: SaltFacial at the SKINNEY Medspa!

Skinney Medspa Manhattan

I was recently invited to experience a SaltFacial at the SKINNEY Medspa and since I’ve never had one I decided to take them up on their offer! The three step facial promises to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and discoloration. And unlike other treatments that require some downtime this treatment is safe and effective for all skin types and results are immediate.

So how does this SaltFacial work?

“A patent-pending, 3-step procedure, the SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy restores, replenishes and revitalizes the skin naturally. Three medical-grade technologies are used, including natural sea salt exfoliation, aesthetic ultrasound that delivers nourishing and hydrating formulas deep into the skin, and high-intensity LED Phototherapy that helps to rejuvenate the skin.”

My experience

When I stepped in the Medspa in NYC’s Flatiron district I was immediately taken by lovely neutral aesthetic, the medspa is brightly lit with minimal, clean decor. After checking in at the reception area and filling out my paperwork I was taken to a treatment room with my esthetician. The treatment began with steam extractions and cleansing which was so gentle that I almost fell asleep twice! Normally extractions hurt a bit but my esthetician was a real pro and it didn’t hurt a bit.

Once my face my nice and clean, the natural sea salt exfoliation was the next step. As the treatment began I remember thinking that this was much more gentle that I expected. I’ve had a microdermabrasion treatment in the past and this is similar however this time was face my not red or inflamed. The final steps included an anaesthetic ultrasound and the LED Phototherapy which were both equally relaxing. Once the treatment was over and I touched my face, it felt firm and smooth. I looked in the mirror and my skin already looked noticeable brighter!

Skinney Medspa Manahttan

Overall I had a wonderful experience at the SKINNEY Medspa, the SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy is a must have treatment, especially if are seeking a more natural way to look refreshed or if you have skincare concerns like fine lines, sun damage, uneven skin tone, stretch marks, acne etc. I must say that this is a treatment that I would get again; with noticeable immediate results and an uber relaxing environment, how can I go wrong?

Have you been to SKINNEY Medspa in NYC?

The NEW Makeup Line You’ll Be Obsessed With!

EVER Skin has created a makeup line, that is designed to get you out the door in minutes (while being cruelty free and using non-toxic ingredients).

“The goal of Ever Skin was to marry luxury and efficacy with affordability and accessibility, with clean skin care that delivered transformative results. It was only natural to expand beyond skin care, and apply these same principles to makeup,” ~Ever General Manager, Ani Hadjinian

First we have the Out the Door makeup palette which featured numbered eye and cheek shades infused with

  • Antioxidant-rich Magnolia Oil extract, Vitamin E, and Shea Butter to condition skin and help protect against environmental stressors.
  • Diamond Powder, was added to give a brilliant dimension on the cheeks and eyes
  • Mineral Radiance Boosters help to smooth and highlight for a naturally soft glow. The shades were designed to be universally flattering shades for all skin tones and you have two palette options.

BOLD & BRAVE: Modern neutrals for deep skin tones or worn as dramatic shades for a night on the town.

ELEGANT & EMPOWERED: Modern neutrals for fair to medium skin tones. Flattering tones to complement any day look

Next we have Whiplash Mascara, a rich black, volumizing mascara that dramatically separates and lengthens your lashes quickly. CLINICAL STUDY RESULTS: With just 3 coats, Whiplash™ Mascara increases lash volume more than 8 times! Wow factor!

FLASH™ Power Plumping Lip Gloss is quite the multitasker with semi-sheen finish and luscious lip-plumping power. Available in 6 luxe nude tones for a pretty hint of color. Available in: If you use: Try: Sugar Nude, Blush Nude, Rosé Nude, Cameo Nude and Mocha Nude

And last but not least, no makeup collection would be complete without a fabulous brush set. EVER Color introduces a collection of 3 custom makeup brushes designed to make your makeup application as easy as 1,2,3. These brushes take the guess work out of looking fabulous – match the brush number to the corresponding eye or cheek shade and follow The Order of Beauty™!

Order yours here at EVER Skin!

Why Your Skin Needs an Exfoliator

Cleansing and moisturizing are two of the most important things that should be part of your daily skincare routine. Exfoliation is equally important, but this should not be done daily. Rather, once or twice a week will be more than enough. For such to be effective use only organic beauty products, such as those that you can buy at https://www.wellwithinbeauty.com/.

Why is exfoliation necessary? If you are not convinced that this should be a part of your skincare regimen, keep on reading and we’ll share with you some of its notable benefits.

Benefits of Exfoliation

To fully maximize the benefits that will be mentioned below, you need to be thorough in your search for an exfoliator. See to it that it’s made using beneficial ingredients and without harsh chemicals. Limit your choices only to organic skin care products. Provided that you make the right choice, here are some of the benefits that can be realized:

·         Minimizes Pores: Genetics, age, sun damage, clogging, and blackheads are some of the reasons why you have large and unsightly pores. Pores may start out small, but through time, they can accommodate more dirt and pollution, making them grow larger. Exfoliating will solve the problem with pores.

·         Smoothens Skin: Another reason to exfoliate is to improve the texture of the skin, making it soft to the touch. If your face often feels rough and dry, exfoliating is one of the quickest solutions that will work.

·         Prevents Blemishes: Using an exfoliator will also be greatly beneficial for people who have blemished skin. It removes the dead skin cells on the surface, including those that can be causing the appearance of blemishes.

·         Hides Wrinkles: When you age, the natural exfoliation process of the skin also slows down. This makes you more prone to wrinkles. There are exfoliants that can penetrate deeply into the skin, which is why they can be effective in hiding your wrinkles.

·         Heals Dryness: Especially when it’s cold, dryness is one of the most common skin problems. Exfoliation effectively heals dryness. It helps to prevent the buildup of the dry skin cells on the face, making it look supple.

·         Treating Hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation causes the appearance of brown spots that can be caused by age, genetics, and hormones, among others. They become darker and more visible as you age. Exfoliating can be effective in breaking up the pigmented cells. Over time, it makes the pigments fade.

·         Improves Absorption: A comprehensive skincare routine involves the use of several products. Using an exfoliator gets rid of the dirt on the surface of the skin, allowing other products to cling. It removes blockage from the pores, and hence, making absorption quicker.

With all of the things that have been mentioned above, there should be no doubt that an exfoliator is a must. It’s one of the essential skincare products that you must have, but make sure to not do it daily as it can strip the natural oils on your face.

3 Splurge-Worthy Beauty Products to Recommend

What is the latest and greatest in beauty? As an esthetician you probably get this question a lot — from friends, family and clients. What do you tell them? The beauty industry is constantly introducing new products, from luxury lashes to designer brushes, here are three splurge-worthy products totally worth recommending to everyone in your little black book.

Silk Lash Extensions

When you are in a rush, your morning makeup routine might entail grabbing your favorite mascara off of the vanity and applying in the car. Mascara is often a must for women, no matter the a.m. beauty routine. Now, women can take their lashes to the next level with silk lash extensions. Soft and silky, these beauties can create a bold yet natural look that can be worn all day, without messy application. Extensions are created to look like real lashes and are applied professionally with three different lengths to give the appearance of a real eyelashes’ natural growth cycle. And while we may have a serious love affair with mascara, we can tuck our trusted wands and tubes into our makeup pouches. They require no additional makeup application to look fabulous.

Luxury Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be an essential part of every woman’s daily beauty routine. No, not the white goopy varieties we slather on when we are at the beach, a sophisticated sunscreen. Today’s sun-protecting products often do more than just protect our skin against the sun’s harmful and damaging ultra-violet rays. In addition to protecting from sun damage, luxe products like Cle de Peau Beaute’s gel oil foundation tout further beauty benefits like moisturizing and blurring capabilities. With just five dabs of the foundation, applied to areas including the chin, forehead and cheeks, women can achieve medium coverage with a soft focus finish. Housed in an eye-catching chiseled glass container and infused with natural rose essence, this foundation provides SPF 21 and is available in 12 different skin tone shades. Cle de Peau Beaute Foundation is available for $250 and would no-doubt make a fabulous addition to your own retail area.

Designer Brushes

As an esthetician you already know the importance of cleaning your beauty brushes regularly. But do your clients? Bacteria could be lurking in those dirty makeup brushes. Regularly cleaning brushes is highly advised to keep skin looking its best and there are a variety of luxury brush cleaning products available today, ranging from designers like Dior to beauty brands like Trish McEvoy, MAC and Clinique. The right type of brush can also keep skin at its best. Forget bristly brushes, soft, smooth types are key. Designer brush sets provide an array of brushes for each area of the face and the beauty products used, so there’s no double-duty required. Check out Marc Jacobs brushes —a must for the stylish woman.

Now, when you are faced with the question “What’s the latest and greatest in beauty?” you can answer confidently with three answers: silk lashes, luxe sunscreen and designer brushes. So, which will you recommend first?