Skincare and make up Hostess Style ~ in response to a reader

One of the many things that I enjoy about blogging
is receiving private emails from readers.

Once in awhile, a question is posed or a specific request slips into the mail.
Often that prompts or inspires me to write a blog post.

This past weekend I was asked my opinion and recommendations on "green" skincare products. This is an area that I cannot address without a significant amount of time and research...so I will leave that to those who are much more qualified.

I bow to the experts at The Environmental Working Group.

This site is user friendly and one can look up many of the products currently on the market and read about the pros and cons of the ingredients.

If you are interested in what I have discovered that works for me
I am happy to share...keep reading.

My skin is mature, sensitive and I have rosacea.

I have discovered that skin is a reflection of genetics and general health.
Our skin says much about our lifestyle and what we eat.

Cosmetics can augment and enhance beautiful skin,
or they can cover up a problematic complexion.

I indulged in a professional Hydra Facial at the Spa and it was amazing...
a specialized machine was used to cleanse my skin,
a gentle peel was applied that unclogged pores,
emollient serums followed and when the facial was finished
my skin felt soft, supple and it glowed.
I plan to go back for another facial in a few months...
perhaps after the summer season.

Hostess Skin care Tips...

Start by choosing fresh fruits and vegetables,
drinking lots of water and eating small portions of protein.
Exercise (for me that means walking and also practising Yoga),
Aim for 8 hours of sleep
Reduce stress as much as possible
Wear sunscreen and or avoid the sun altogether.
Embrace joy and beauty everyday
Adopt the attitude of gratitude and give thanks...
Smile!

For things that you can buy pop into your local pharmacy
or the beauty counter in your department store.

I opt for a mix of high and low priced potions.

For those that do no "stay on the skin" I use a less expensive but a quality line...
there are many good ones out there you just need to experiment to see which ones work for your skin type.

My skin is prone to rosacea so I need to treat it kindly...

Gentle Avene products work for me.

Anti redness cleansing milk and mask are two in my skincare arsenal.

I avoid hot water.

The more expensive Spa line by Methode Physiodermie...

for the products that stay on and those that need to perform. 

I love the Bio-Gommage 

which exfoliates efficiently with a minimum of irritation.

I use it once a week.

My skin gets slightly pink but it doesn't stay that way for long.

The anti redness emulsion I use sparingly each morning

 followed by the Emulsion for Sensitive Skin.

Then I wait a few minutes before applying my make up.

Make up is light and takes 5 minutes.

5 products for daytime = 5 minutes

Mineral make up

Eye brow tint

eye shadow

mascara

Lipstick

SPF 20 mineral make up

use with a light hand or for more coverage it can be built up

used with a big brush it is easy to apply.

Amethyst eye shadow by La Bella Donna

an everyday colour for my hazel coloured eyes.

For evening

I simply add blush and eye liner for a bit more of a dramatic effect

and apply a darker shade of lipstick.

I have posted before about skincare and make up...

to read previous posts please scroll down on the right hand side bar to the "labels section"

click on the titles "skincare" and "make up"

I love the following quote...

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years. 

~ Audrey Hepburn ~

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

Hostess

XO

Chin Up!

Flaky dry skin often rears its ugly head at this time of year despite a dedicated skincare regime.
It signals to me that I need to book a Spa facial.

As I am watching my expenses a $200 facial is not currently in my budget.
So it's off to the Pharmacy to chat with the lovely gals at the cosmetic counter...
they know that I use Avene and asked if I exfoliate, and I do.
I use a Bio-Gommage by Physiodermie from the dermatologist once or twice a week.
The area that is flaky is one small patch on my chin which I find quite annoying as it is so noticeable.

My skin gets TLC and I am diligent when it comes to maintenance and swear by the Avene line from France.

The Avene serum has intensive hydrating properties and is designed for really dry skin.

It was suggested that I use the serum at bedtime and slather a layer of the moisture mask over top,

sleep with it on all night and wash it off in the morning.

The gals told me to wear these two products on the airplane when I fly off to Paris...

9 hours of moisturizing sounds like a Spa pampering treatment.

It's day 2 of using these two together and the flakiness has greatly reduced...almost gone.

I suppose that just goes to show that it's good to be open to new ways of doing things.

I had a $5 coupon, as well as the seniors discount and received a gift with purchase.

Win ~ Win 

 at a fraction of the cost of a professional facial.

I'm increasing my water consumption in hopes that I will counteract this drying trend in the future.

The aging process brings many new challenges.

Counteracting dryness ~ one of the first of many!

                                          "Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.
                                                        We grow old by deserting our ideals.
                               Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."

                                                                      ~ Samuel Ullman ~

The Great Cover Up...

Today I'm sharing some things I have learned...and think are worth sharing...
skincare maintenance is way up on my list of personal priorities.
I want to put my "best face forward."
Mother told me early on when I was in my teens..."make the best of what you've been given."

Establishing a daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing and never going to bed with make up on should go a long way to help your skin look and feel great. 

I learned this lesson in charm school at The Hudson's Bay when I was 13 years old. Our instructor Irene Warren, took it very seriously and passed on her knowledge to a room full of impressionable young women.

(we also learned how to walk, sit properly, and get in and out of a car wearing a mini skirt!)

It felt like we were "ladies-in-training" ....my BFF and I went for several sessions and we did have fun!

Establishing a daily routine of cleansing, moisturizing and never going to bed with make up on should go a long way to help your skin look and feel great.
Gentle weekly exfoliation and the occasional facial mask will help keep your skin look healthy.
(don't forget to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water...nature's moisturizer)
Keep it simple...
it's my mantra, keep it simple.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you may remember that I have a skin condition called rosacea...
facial flushing with red patches on the cheeks indicate a flare up.
Many factors can affect the skin and cause a reaction.

I avoid the sun whenever possible by wearing sunglasses and a hat.
Rosacea can affect the eyes and they become quite irritated and bloodshot.

Red wine and spicy foods may also exacerbate the skin..
products with harsh chemicals like alcohol are too strong.
I use gentle products from the Avene line and wear sunscreen everyday.

Let me introduce you to a fabulous mineral make up by La Bella Donna which offers great coverage.
I've been using this daily and it has an SPF of 20, it offers great coverage without looking too powdery.
I use the shade Crema as I am quite fair...it comes in a variety of shades so you should find one that suits your colouring.

You don't need a lot of powder as it blends effortlessly and it can be layered on several times if you need extra coverage. You will need to invest in a good quality brush and wash the brush every so often to keep it clean.

I love this pur mineral eye make up.

It goes on smoothly and stays on from morning until I take it off at night.

This shade is Lavender Mourite.

I use an eyelash curler and Maybelline mascara and if I go out in the evening I'll line my eyes with kohl.

Lipstick for daytime is a quick sweep with Revlon's Lip Butter in Pink Truffle 

and for evening Red Velvet.

L'Occitane's Almond Milk is a light emollient body lotion.

Soft scent and super moisturizing after my morning shower.

I love to wear scent and wear a slightly musky fragrance in the winter...

Mitsouko.

In the spring and summer I wear Voyage d' Hermes.

Speaking of Spring...

"Springtime in Paris"

three little words.

Wishing, Hoping, Dreaming...

Spring feels like it is just around the corner...

Are you loyal to a product?

Care to share or rave about it's performance?

Do you have any skincare tips to share?

I'm off to meet with the travel agent tomorrow...

!!!!!

Rosacea...a post in repsonse to a reader's question.

Please forgive me as I have been remiss in not posting a timely response from a reader.
Her question asked me to discuss in a blog post how I manage my rosacea.
Other than the crucial habits of eating healthy food, drinking lots of Perrier, avoiding red wine, reducing stress I rely on a line of gentle products by Avene that are specifically created for sensitive skin.

My skincare regime is simple.

Morning and evening cleansing with a foaming cleanser

 sunscreen

moisturizer

followed by a moisturizing tinted cream

(my mature skin is dry and the extra moisture is absorbed like a sponge!)

In the evening I remove all my make up spritz with thermal water and gently pat on serum.

Weekly or bi-weekly I'll have a spa morning treatment.

I use Bio-Gommage an exfoliating product by Methode Physiodermie

and then slather on L'Occitane Divine Cream and go about my domestics.

My favourite sunscreen by La Roche Posay

 Sea Buckthorn Salve which I use if I have a flare up of redness.

I use this at night as it is rather greasy and not suitable for wearing under tinted moisturizer or make up.

I am not a dermatologist and would never suggest that I am an expert on rosacea so if you do have this condition I would strongly advise you to seek medical attention.

I saw a specialist years ago and have learned that my skin reacts to strong chemicals in skin care products so I avoid using them on my face.

Changing my diet made a big difference in how my skin looks.

When I worked I would have a facial every few months at The Willowstream Spa in the Victoria Fairmont Empress and they customize a facial after consulting with you about your skin.

I loved how my skin felt after having a spa facial.

 Now that I am on a pension, and saving for my trip to Paris I do my own facials...

My favourite tinted moisturizing cream by Sweet Lei Lani

created by a woman in Langley BC

for a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy 

and still wanted to look lovely during her treatment.

It is gentle and light and adds a dewy finish and comes in a variety of colours.

In addition to these skincare thoughts...

 I try to get lots of fresh air by walking outdoors by the ocean everyday.

Rest and relaxation is vital, as is sleep.

It is high on my list of healthy priorities but can often be a challenge at my age

it seems to be broken up

 not as long

and as a result is not as restful as I would like.

If I have a restless night I will try to take a longer walk.

The sights and sounds out and about in nature are so soothing.

So with those thoughts in mind I am off for my walk and will be back soon.

Enjoy your week!

Hostess