May 2009

What’s the 411? : Moisturizers

May 28, 2009 · 0 comments

Ever wonder what makes one moisturizer different from the next? When I first started really taking care of my skin, I had absolutely no idea where to start. There was just way too much selection that it made my head spin. Naturally, I gravitated towards Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizer, after reading and hearing so many good things about it. Besides, it’s been around for so long, it HAS to be good, right?

So try it, I did, and it really is quite effective in moisturizing. I have tried many other moisturizers, but this one is a definite staple. I will always run back to this yellow beauty when all else fails! There are different types of moisturizers which do different things based on its formulation. Below, I will discuss four of the most common types of moisturizers.

clinique

Occlusive Moisturizers

What it is: Waterproof agents that act as a barrier for the skin. Includes Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, etc.
How it works: Occlusive moisturizers “trap” water and prevents it from evaporating from the stratum corneum (the top layer of our skin which is comprised of dead skin cells). These moisturizers are oil based, so if your skin is dehydrated they might not help.
Mineral Oil, a by-product of petroleum-to-gasoline distillation (sounds gross!), is perhaps the most common ingredient found in many moisturizers. It is cheap, yet is extremely effective in trapping moisture to the skin.
One major drawback with occlusive moisturizers is that they are considered to be comedogenic, or pore-clogging. If you are prone to acne or oily skin, then do stay away. I don’t mind it, personally. It works great on my skin and leaves it very soft. Don’t look for anti-aging here, though. It’s just for basic moisturizing.
Occlusive Moisturizer Products: Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Lotion.

nivea

Water in Oil Emulsions

What it is: Moisturizers that contain water droplets surrounded by oil. As the oil is on the outside, you will certainly feel the oil first when you apply it on to your skin.
How it works: As these moisturizers are oil-rich, they also effectively trap water.
I would say that the greasy consistency of water in oil moisturizers is the major drawback. However, if you have dry skin, then this is the type of moisturizer to look for. Other than that, they are also excellent in moisturizing, a key to supple, dewey, healthy-looking skin.
Water in Oil Products: Nivea Creme (also excellent for moisturizing my poor, dry hands.

Oil in Water Emulsions:

What it is: The exact opposite of Water in Oil Emulsions. Oil droplets are surrounded by water emulsions and are characterized by their “runny” texture, unlike water in oil which is quite heavy. This is perfect for those with oily skin as it is very light.
As moisturizers with Oil in Water are not greasy, you must make sure that your skin is still moist when you apply it to ensure proper hydration.

peter

Oil Free

What it is: Moisturizers that do not contain oil, obviously. Oil free moisturizer ingredients contain Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, etc.
How it works: Works like oil to seal in moisture. This is great for those with really oily skin and who are especially prone to acne or breaking out.
Oil-free Products: Peter Thomas Roth Oil Free Moisturizer, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel…

- Mary

Dewey Skin in a Snap

May 26, 2009 · 0 comments

in Beauty Hacks

Hi Ladies,

I’ve been poring over photos from Cannes 2009 and am absolutely loving (almost) everyone’s makeup! So fresh, dewey, and definitely NOT cake-y.

Dewey skin is very easy to achieve, all you need is a luminizer or a highlighting powder.

I am loving MAC’s Mineralized Skinfinish in Refined (from their Sugarsweet release.) I use it almost everyday!

It is basically a luminizer with some peach and bronze veining to give your look more depth. It gives your skin a soft, warm and very natural looking highlight. Très Bien!

I use my MAC 129 Brush or ECOTOOLS Blush Brush and apply it to the tops of my cheeks, the small C’s (the area around your temples), and the bridge of my nose. However, you can use any blush brush for this, so long as you apply with light hands — there is still a possibility of putting too much shine!

Another great luminizer, which comes as a close second to Refined is Benefit’s High Beam. I love how kitschy Benefit’s products are. They’re quite imaginative! High Beam comes in a bottle with applicator and looks like nailpolish, basically, and has got a pink hue to it.
Application is a breeze. You just place small dots on areas you want to be accentuated and blend it with a small brush (concealer brush can be used), or your fingers which I prefer. The consistency of this product is great — very easy to spread over your skin.

Between the two, I’d say that Refined is a lot more natural looking.

Tips:

Try to avoid using too much silver or gold during the daytime as it can be a little too much, unless that is the look you are aiming for.
For an all over glow, try to mix a little of your favourite luminizer with your moisturizer. Just don’t get too carried away with the luminizer unless you want that neon sign effect.
Apply some on the groove directly above your cupid’s bow (the arches of your upper lip) to make your lips look fuller.

I will do a look using both, so visit back

Makeup Sins

May 24, 2009 · 0 comments

in Makeup

mimi_d

I’m a firm believer less is more when it comes to makeup. Don’t get me wrong, I love to wear colour on my eyelids, but if I do, then I definitely will downplay the rest of my makeup so as not to look too “harsh” — something very easily achieved with heavy hands and getting carried away.

I look back on photos of myself in highschool and cringe. Photo after photo of black liner rimmed eyes which was really too harsh for my eyes, and just made them appear smaller — the total opposite of the look I was aiming for at the time, ironically, and over-plucked eyebrows.

Well, it goes without saying that my makeup expertise was very limited back then so what I lacked in many areas, I overcompensated for in what little I had more knowledge. Also, it didn’t help that the mindset when it came to makeup during my teens was that the more makeup, the better.

More black eyeliner on the waterline! Not enough eyeshadow on the lids! Darker eyeshadow, too, please! Don’t you dare walk out that door before you put on more lip liner!

Worse yet, I had no idea bacteria could be transferred from sharing makeup (Yikes!) and that makeup even had an expiry date. Expiry date was something I mostly attributed to food. So, hopelessly clueless, I would hold on to my beloved tube of mascara way longer than I should have. I would share makeup with my girlfriends, completely oblivious to the pool of germs I was diving into.

GROSS!

I’m cringing as I’m typing this because I have become somewhat of a germophobe (SP?) as of late. I also never took care of my makeup tools. Brushes were rarely washed or sanitized, and eyelash curlers rarer still. What a slob I was, right?

Anyone else out there with makeup sins?

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