Beauty Challenge 1:  Eyes appear small

We aren’t all born with doe-eyed look like the Disney Movie characters, so some artful makeup tricks may be just the thing to make our eyes get noticed.  Larger eyes tend to make us look more alert, engaged, innocent and friendly.  These traits can be used strategically or just when we want to feel refreshed.

1.  Define your brows to get your eyes noticed.  When you define the area around your eyes, it creates a framework to bring attention and of course compliment the natural eye shape.  Brow shaping is our specialty.  Consider a brow tint.  Did you pluck too much and have thin brows?  Try Microblading your brows (see description under Medical Treatments tab.
2. Apply a soft taupe or soft muted brow shade in your crease.  This will add depth or dimension to make your eyes pop.
3. Put a light color on your lid and a shimmery one in your inner corner and brow bone.
4. Use a flesh tone in the inner rim when lining your eyes.  This neutralizes redness and add a wide-eyed appearance.
5. Curl you lashes.  If needed consider a lash lift, which will last up to eight weeks.  Finish with a coat of mascara, double -coating the top lashes and lightly dusting the bottom lashes.  Voila!  Eyes look larger, more defined and noticeable from across the room.

Beauty Challenge 2: Lashes are Shrinking

Nothing beats the look of long, lush lashes but many mature women or those with health challenges experience the loss or thinning of lashes.  Lash Extensions will enhance the length and definition of each lash for gorgeous look!

Beauty Challenge 3:  Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes are very common as it is a common first sign of aging.  The texture change under the eyes can be challenging when it comes to makeup sitting well and the concealer doing its main job of hiding discoloration.  Also, when eyes are dehydrated, they can absorb water from the concealer resulting in the concealer “disappearing” before the end of the day.

So what’s the solution?  Properly hydrating the face with a hyaluronic acid and lipid based moisturizing eye cream is an important first to plump the surface and resolve dehydration.  Allow the eye cream to settle for a few minutes then smooth on an eye primer before you put on your concealer.

 

Reference:  Skin Inc Magazine

There are 2 types of Hyperpigmentation

1.  Environmental:  Hyperpigmentation can be caused by sun Damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries along with excess production of melanin.  Melanin is produced by melanocytes at eh lower layer of the epidermis and is responsible for producing color in the body in places such as the eyes, skin, and hair.  As the body ages, melanocyte distribution becomes less diffuse and its regulation less controlled by the body.  UV light stimulates melanocyte activity, and where the concentration of the cells is greater, hyperpigmentation occurs.
2. Melasma:  also known as the mask of pregnancy (when present in pregnant women), is a tan or dark akin discoloration.  melisma is thought to be caused by sun exposure, genetic predisposition, hormone changes, and ski irritation.  Although it can affect anyone, it is particularly common in women, especially when pregnant.

Treating Hyperpigmentation

Using an SPF that contain antioxidants like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide that will repair the skin due to our exposure to toxins, hormone disturbances and inflammation.

Vitamin E is a great antioxidant for treating hyperpigmentation: It is a fat soluble essential nutrient containing anti-inflammatory properties.  It helps support the immune system, cell function,  and skin health.   This combined with using Vitamin C will increase collagen protein synthesis for repair of damaged skin.  It can aide in brightening the skin and overall help with inflammation and aging of the skin.

Scientific Research has shown key benefits of Vitamin A.  It is known as the skin normalizing vitamin, it promotes a healthy-looking dermis & epidermis, promotes the effects of collagen & elastin for firmer looking skin.  Its natural moisturizing factors promote a healthy barrier function leaving the skin looking hydrated and refreshed.  It also stabilizes pigmentation distribution, leaving a more even-toned appearance.

Now we know how to protect and feed our skin cells, but how to treat hyperpigmentation, how do we rid the discoloration without causing more inflammation . We have found ways to inhibit the melanin production in a non-aggressive way.

Chemical Peels:  Layering different acids: lactic acids, fruit acids, glycolic and mandelic acids are great to lighten and brighten the skin.  Diminishing hyperpigmentation.

Microneedling combined with Environ Skin Care products:  Environ pioneered the use of effective doses of Vitamin A and antioxidants which allows their use without retinoid reaction and/or aggravated, problematic skin.   Environ uses a patented stabilized, gentle and highly efficacious, fat soluble form on Vitamin C, along with peptides and growth factors to assist with the look of lax skin, pigmentation and fine lines.

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If you have products over a year old in your beauty cabinet, you need to do some spring cleaning.  It’s so easy to hoard beauty products.  However, it’s important to toss products before they become an irritant, or no longer perform correctly.  We’ve created a few tips for spring cleaning your beauty cabinet.

1.  For Every Season, New Products:  the moisturizer and lotion you use in winter are not necessary for spring.  Weather changes mean the products you put on your body and face should change as well,.  Spring welcomes lighter, water-based creams.
2. Product Expire: When switching from your winter to spring products, don’t make the mistake of reaching for last year’s product.  Go buy new ones! Beauty products expire.
3. Product Shelf Life:  Anything you squeeze out of a tube or bottle into your hands (i.e., face wash, lotion, etc) should be tossed after 6-12 months.  If you’re using your finger to take the product out of a jar (this is usually the case with eye cream), then it should be tossed after 3 months.  Your fingers carry a lot of bacteria, so continually dipping into a container provides a breeding ground for bacteria.  And you don’t want that near your eye.

  If you want to revitalize your beauty cabinet, come in and we will recommend expert    advice!  You only need a few great products to replace a cabinet full of mediocre ones.

 

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I have always loved science and anatomy, so at a young age I knew I was going to go into a field that complimented these loves.  My aunt opened my eyes to the esthetic world while I was still in elementary school.  She was in this field for 35+ years, teaching at Catherine Hinds School of Esthetics for most of them.  I knew I wanted to become an Esthetician after seeing her love and true passion for what she did.  Learning the business side of the industry was important to me as well-so I graduated from Framingham State University with a B.S. in Business with a Concentration in Management.  As soon as I graduated I enrolled in Esthetics at Catherine Hinds.

There I truly found myself.  I loved every second of esthetics schooling, I wanted it to last forever.  It was there that I was introduced to the science of skin and learned how we can fix so many condition of the skin through the proper treatments, products and nutrition.  I continue to learn new techniques and products that make a difference.  You never stop educating yourself in this career.  As a child, I had acne and it was so tough to go to school with blemishes on my face, so I relate to how my clients value improving their skin and cherish nothing more than helping them LOVE their skin.

There is no better feeling when my clients come in and tell me that for the first time in years they feel confident in their skin.  I just recently had a client, who I’m currently treating for acne scaring, pigment and breakouts which used to frustrate her to the point of tears while getting ready each day.  She told me she and her husband have noticed how much her skin has improved in the last 5 months.  Not only has the crying stopped, she also hasn’t had to conceal her skin in months!  This is why I love being an Esthetician!  It is so fulfilling.  My clients have become my friends and family.  We have been through so much together.  The have been there for me in some of my toughest time as well as the happiest, and I for them. They tell me on a regular basis that their appointment is like their therapy and look forward to every visit.  How can you not love being an Esthetician?

Genna Valeri

Lead and Master Esthetician

Flawless skin takes work. While it’s true there are a few lucky people that don’t need to put effort into their perfect, clear skin, the majority of us do. As we age, this becomes even truer, because we try to fight off wrinkles and a host of other skin concerns that arise with aging (and by aging, we mean anyone over 30). Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most common skin problems we see at the spa, and the easy solutions to combat them!

1. Acne
It doesn’t just affect young people. Acne is a frustrating problem for adults as well. Humidity, stress, diet, sweating and bad hygiene can cause acne. A lot of treatments are out there but we recommend beginning with a healthy diet, good hygiene habits (wash your face daily), and coming in for regular facials to deep clean your pores as you remove the impurities from your skin. If you’re lost when it comes to the best products for your face, we will recommend what will work for your skin type. Just ask! Our spa team is well versed on the products we offer.

2. Rosacea
Rosacea’s trademark is redness. Red cheeks, red nose and red chin. This inflammatory skin disease is frustrating and worsens if left untreated. It’s important to address factors that might trigger flares such as the sun, certain foods, and products with skin-disagreeable ingredients.

3. Wrinkles
This is the evidence of aging that none of us will escape: wrinkles! And what’s the number one cause of wrinkles? Cigarettes! Put an end to smoking today, for your skin and for innumerable other reasons. You can prevent wrinkles by using a moisturizer daily, wearing sunscreen and taking care of your skin to keep it healthy. To find out more about revitalizing skin and reducing wrinkles, let’s discuss the treatments tailored specifically to wipe out your pesky wrinkles.
Give yourself some love and self-care by addressing these skin concerns. Visit the spa and we will help you! Or if you want to chat about anything mentioned above, give a call 978-777-7278.