5 Easy Steps to Keeping Blemishes at Bay

CLEANSE
Your skin is most likely oily, but avoid washing your face several time a day to keep an oil-slick complexion at bay, this can over-dry your skin and trigger more grease production. Stick to cleansing just morning and night with a gentle, soap-free wash like Bioderma Sébium Purifying Foaming Gel, $26. Available at select drugstores across Canada.
DE-CLOG
Grainy scrubs used gently 2 times a week usually work but can irritate active breakouts, so try a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid for tougher, more stubborn cases of acne. The high concentration in NeoStrata Toning Solution Level 2 Daily Treatment, $29, quickly abolishes dead skin cells and unblocks pores. At drugstores.
TREAT
Skin cells do their repair work best while you sleep, so add a spot treatment or serum to your evening routine. Made with proven acnes fighters like salicylic acid, Clearasil Ultra Overnight Serum, $10, will penetrate deep down into your pores, visibly shrinking pimples. At drug and grocery stores.
MOISTURIZE
Be sure to moisturize! Catching sun can make your acne worse, and just because you see excess oil on your skin doesn’t mean it’s well hydrated. Protect your face with a moisturizer that boasts UV filters and leaves a shine-free finish, like Dermalogica Clean Start Welcome Matte SPF 15, $32. At Sephora.
CAMOUFLAGE
To disguise redness and breakouts, use a spot concealer. With foundation look for lightweight textures designed for blemish-prone skin . Test Bare Minerals, a mineralized powder that covers, and heals at the same time. But the correct application brush is key, and don't use too much!

Sephora, the candy store of makeup

For those of you makeup lovers, you know Sephora is now in greater Vancouver. This is the candy store of makeup - they have anything and everything, makeup, hair accessories, and talented makeup artists on staff who love to assist.

So next time you are in one of our local shopping malls, check them out. But choose your time carefully - early moring is usually the best as they are not as busy, and can spend time with you.

Items to look for: Christin Dior Airflash foundation, and the companion brush, Sephora cheek and lip stain, braided hair headbands, ponytail elastics with decorative clips, dry shampoo for days when you just don't have the time to wash your hair.

Vancouver Wedding and Honeymoon Show October 17th, 2010

Come and see me! I will be working this show with my"Destination Wedding Planner Hat" on. So if you are considering a destination Wedding to maybe Mexico, or Jamaica, or anywhere sunny, come by our booth, "All about Honeymoons and Destination Weddings, starting at 10 am.

On October 17th, 2010, the Vancouver Trade & Exhibition Center will be transformed into everything bridal as top wedding and honeymoon professionals showcase the very best in Vancouver's Wedding Industry. In celebration of Vancouver's multicultural flair, the

Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Show has also invited some of the best Wedding specialists to lend their expertise and inspire your creative spirit. Fabulous grand prizes, luxurious dresses, culinary creations, delicious décor, and inspiration a plenty. There is truly something for everyone at the Vancouver Wedding & Honeymoon Show

Featured exhibitors include everything from invitation vendors, gown shops, cake-makers, favors, lingerie, shoes, chocolate fountains, jewelry designers, photographers, decorators, musicians, wedding planners, honeymoon destinations and representatives from some of Vancouvers finest venues.

Hair Extension Sale!

My previous blog was all about hair extentions. Well, one of my upcoming brides just emailed me to tell me she went to Abantu and there is a sale. So to any bride wanting longer hair or added fullness on her Wedding Day, go have a look! Sale is on till August 29th.

My thanks to Christine for advising me.

Hair extensions - yes or no?

shorter hair, and viola, long hair!

click on image for larger view

Do you want long, luxurious tresses on your Wedding Day? Or added fullness?
But you know it will never happen naturally - your hair just refuses to grow that long by the wedding day. So what to do you do? Buy hair extensions! Extensions are so common now, about 50% of the brides I work with incorporate into their wedding hairstyle. Cost, or as I call it, investment, ranges from $150 to $200. The hair comes in 14", 16",18 " and 22" lengths, is human hair in all colors and streaks. When snapped into place, can be curled with a hot iron, and used for years, with proper care.

So if you are wanting those long sexy locks go for it!

Say YES to professional Makeup and Hair for your Wedding!

before and after: click on image for larger view

Every bride and bridesmaid wonders - is it worthwhile to invest in a professional makeup artist for the wedding day?

Well the answer is a resounding YES! As a bride you have invested time, effort and money to create your picture perfect day. Why scrimp on the outcome of images?

As a professional, I understand the importance of camera ready makeup, that will last all day and into the night. And as a hairstylist, I can create styles that last, not overdone, but a reflection of you. So go ahead, invest!

A Makeup Lesson with dramatic changes

Working with women and teaching makeup skills is very rewarding. You have maybe been in a rut with your daily makeup routine, or have decided that now is the time to start wearing makeup daily. But not an overwhelming application - just something to liven things up, and maybe present a more polished version of your self.
I recently worked with a great woman, Virginia, who wanted to brush up on her techniques and know what kinds of products to invest in. She emailed me as soon as she got home;

" Thanks so much for my lesson today. I feel like a new woman! I went and bought some of the makeup you suggested. I also bought the face primer. Sephora was out of the Bare Minerals, but they are expecting a shipment on Wednesday, so I’ll pick that up then. I’ve had rave reviews from co-workers and friends on the makeup. Larry, my husband was also very impressed, and that says a lot! "

We also agreed that a new hair style was in order, so she got a hair cut later that week.