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Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Thursday, 24 March 2016

DIY • These Are My Real Nails




I've been trying to grow out my real nails out for the last couple years. At some point they get so long that they start to chip, so I need to go for in a couple coats of shellac if I don't want them to start breaking off.




If you're growing out your nails, Shellac is a great option!

Shellac is a manicure with a really solid polish that makes your nails really strong. When applied with 3 coats, they are as durable and comparable to acrylic or gel nails in both strength and appearance.




However, there are a couple problems that I have encountered with Shellac and Shellac Procedures in Nail Salons, that actually contradict the ability to grow your own long nails.. Thank fully I also have the solutions!

You may not like to have to do this..

It's called, putting your foot down.




 

PROBLEM & SOLUTION # 1



I go and get them Shellac'd, they buff them, and a couple shellacs later, they are so thin that they break any ways.

Not only that, but the lady doing my nails will always make the claim that buffing them is the only way that the Shellac will stay on.

What buffing actually means is,

It's going to take you 3 hours to get it off! And they are getting thinner! They are going to break off within your next 2 visits.

But you don't have 3 hours to sit there as the pick and destroy your nails taking this crazyness off. And your growing your nails because you want them long, other wise your basic manicure will do just fine.

In about 4 weeks you want to peel it off the night before you come in to the salon.. When you're ready too, and on your own time, which is actually possible as long as you do not buff them.

This actually shortens those dreaded 3 hours visits drastically, and your costs in half. Your Shellac will now cost you $20, instead of $40. However, if you can't peel them off, you will still have to scrub and soak them. The Shellac will not prematurely come off, as the lady doing your nails will so heatedly & repeatedly insist upon.

So it's simple right?

Just don't buff them.

Asking for it should also be easy..

You - "Please don't buff my nails"

Reply - "Ok"

You - Relax

And out comes the buffer!.. Or even worse!!!.. The dremel!

We do not use the dremel on our real nails!!! (If only I could have shown you my horror stories!)

Until you are able to put your foot down upon the introduction of both these tools to your nails, your nails will never truly be this long.

The dreadful part is.. getting what your asking for.. this is  the challenging part.

Because here comes the argument.

And...

I just want what I want.. And now your sitting here in the same chair, and so do you. We want nails.a

So as the conversation moves on, and I don't win, and the buffer gets picked up, I've had to say " If you try and touch my hands with this buffer, I'm going to have to leave." 

Do you see these nails? 
How do you think I get them? 
I do not buff them!


When this happens .. Be Strong, Be Firm, Be Gentle.. Calm Down, Breathe.

..And don't forget to tip well when you leave.. Because for some reason, not allowing her to buff your nails has really stressed her out.



PROBLEM AND SOLUTION # 2



Filing!

We are about to stress her out again.

If you aren't ready and watching, suddenly just a little ch, ch, ch, turns into ch, ch, ch, ch, ch, ch, ch, ch ,ch, ch.

And now you have no nails, after you just asked her to keep them long.

You're starting to wonder if you are speaking the same language..

No, You are absolutely not.. I'm sorry.

Here is where you either have to explain: " No More Than 2 File Strokes. "  " Ch & Ch. "

But remember, you still do not speak the same language... So keep a close eyeball on your hand and pull away when necessary.

Or.. Like me,

You just save time, money, and nail length, by filing them yourself before you go in to the salon. You can also use your nail to push back your cuticles and make your nail beds appear larger. If you know how to do your own manicure, do it.

SO:

NO BUFFING, NO FILING, JUST PAINT THEM.


When your Nail Tech finally understands this, continue to see this lady always! It saves a whole lot of time on re-explanation, and now she will be more comfortable with your requests.

If you'd like to save time on explaining yourself, I'll send you to Tracy Nails, where I go. These ladies have already been broken in.




I also like the staff at Tracy Nails, because each of them are quite good at painting your finger nails right down to cuticle so they have room to grow, still look freshly painted, and they last longer.






CUTEST NAIL SALON TIP EVER






Do you ever wonder about the fruit in the bowl placed in front of the Buddha?

I saw a bowl full of Avocado's this time, highlighted with the sweet smell of incense.. I just had to ask.

And here's the story...

The fruit is actually put in the bowls in the morning, and at night they pray over it and eat the fruit.

The next morning, and every day after they will do the same.

... And that's what happens to the fruit.








ANGELA JOHNSON NAIL SALON • FUNNY CLIP










Tuesday, 12 January 2016

The Misdiagnosis Of Acne Prone Skin



Often, when we see a lot of ACNE on our faces, we tend to self diagnose it as ACNE PRONE SKIN TYPE, when it is in fact, usually a DEHYDRATION problem causing the skin to act up and break out.

The problem with self diagnosing our skin, is that we are often very very wrong. What appears to be to the untrained eye, rarely ever is.

It was in Esthetics Class where I finally learned how to tackle my own acne creating skin issues.

As we go ahead and treat this self diagnosed Acne Prone Skin Type, the first thing we do is go for the Acne Medicated Face washes, Creams, and other Acne related products.

This can actually make the skin's complexion worse.

If you don't actually have an Acne Skin Type, then all of these harsh chemicals really aren't made for your skin type at all. You could, very well be neglecting your skin's cry for hydration, and doing a whole lot of harm instead.

As an Esthetician, we are trained to lightly pinch the skin to check for either Dehydration or Dry skin. This helps us diagnose and treat the skin.

Depending on how the skin wrinkles when pinched, and in the way it bounces back, we can tell a lot about what kind of condition your skin is in.

Your skin can be diagnosed as Dry, Dehydrated, or possibly as BOTH.

Almost everyone suffers from DEHYDRATED SKIN, so if your going to self medicate, your best bet would be to start here at HYDRATION, rather than products targeted to combat ACNE.



BASIC CHEMISTRY



DEHYDRATED is that that lacks water.

DRY is that that lacks oil.

DEHYDRATED skin lacks water content.

DRY skin does not produce enough oil.

To HYDRATE DEHYDRATED SKIN is to increase the water content held within the skin cells.

To add MOISTURISE or add OIL to DRY SKIN is to nourish, protect & lubricate the skins Natural Barrier Function.

DEHYDRATED SKIN is treated with HUMECTANTS like HYALURONIC ACID, that help bind & retain moisture in the skin. DEHYDRATED SKIN has a NO EXFOLIATE contraindication. This type will want to keep exfoliation at a minimal.

DRY SKIN is treated with EMOLLIENTS that provide a protective layer to prevent moisture loss. DRY skin does require REGULAR  EXFLOIATION.

So if your going to treat a Dehydration problem with a hard chemical all your going to do is cause the skin that is already dehydrated to dehydrate itself even more. This irritation going on is often the whole reason behind the acne proning in the first place.

It's not just acne either! Acne is only a sign of DEHYDRATED or DRY SKIN. Both DEHYDRATED & DRY SKIN will have an effect on your over all Skin Health. Complexion, Texture, Firmness & Appearance will all be affected by this.

Lets not forget to mention wrinkles, both DEHYDRATED & DRY skin for long periods of time will also cause wrinkles and signs of ageing.  




HOW TO TREAT THE PROBLEM



So let's do 2 things here! Were going to both Treat your skin, and Prevent for over all SKIN HEALTH, not just the ACNE.

Once you do this, you should then start to see your skin becoming clearer and healthier.

Once you have initiated your skin care routine, over time, you should forget ever having had Acne Prone Skin at all.

You can leave the past behind and enjoy your new face, as long as you keep up with you routine.



STEP 1


• CHOOSE A HYDRATING CLEANSER


I'm suposed to say that.. but honestly I just like to find something that gets the make up off my face, and sometimes I Like a little Extra clean..

The gentle cleansers don't always do this. 

Other times, especially when  I'm not wearing a lot of make up, I will just straight wash my face with just GREEN TEA, because honestly, the least chemicals the better.

You may be surprised to hear that my All Time Favorite FACIAL CLEANSER is actually COCONUT OIL though. 

TRY IT! You'll really be surprised at how good this actually works!!! 

Even when wearing HEAVY MAKE UP, you can get an immaculate clean.






STEP 2


• SWITCH TO A NATURAL TONER


Try using Green Tea, or even... any other tea, as an astringent or toner.

To check out more on TEA TONERS, Check out my article on TEA FOR HEALTH BEAUTY & WELLNESS 
http://keepingupwithkitvon.blogspot.ca/2015/09/tea-time-face-time-me-time.html?m=1







STEP 3


• TO SERUM OR NOT TO SERUM


Ditch the department store serums. 

Again, too many chemicals will actually harm your skin and do the opposite of what all these products were intended to do. You really want to cut these extra chemicals out.


Try a nice light oil found in your kitchen cabinet or local grocery store, like EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL or EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL. 

I also tend to like the highly affordable noncomedonegenic, hypoallergenic GRAPESEED OIL. The woman I have seen swear by this are all well aged and all have gorgeous skin.

Grapeseed oil is not something you wont want to wear every day, as you do not want to smother the skin, as this is one of the thicker suggestions.

I like to blot the oils after application to remove any access un absorbed moisture.

Despite their names, these oils actually have Hydrating, Antibacterial & Antioxidating qualities so they actually aid in cleaning up your complexion as well as HYDRATING it. 



STEP 4


• TOP YOUR DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTINE WITH A HYDRATING MOISTURISER 


Lately I have been using this SEE BUCKTHORN MOISTURISER from SIBU BEAUTY. You can find SIBU BEAUTY at your local Superstore in the Naturals Isle for about 15$.

It does claim to be a nourishing moisturiser, This means it contains oil. It does, It contains SEA BUCKTHORN OIL.

At the same time I have found it to be quite hydrating. 

Personally, my own skin tends to lack hydration, and this product, combined with the rest of my routine tends to work for me.







STEP 5


• SCHEDULE ROUTINE FACIALS 


There are many great Facials out there, and the trick to them is to developing a good routine.


I like to use as many of the Kitchen Cupboard Skin Care Remedies I can think of. The best thing you can do to your face is give it real ingredients!

These Kitchen Skin Care Facials can ussually be done weekly.

Like my DIY 2 IN 1 INSTANT COFFEE FACIAL & SCRUB. This mask is great for HYDRATION!
You can find this mask here,
http://keepingupwithkitvon.blogspot.ca/2016/01/instant-coffee-facial-mask-scrub.html?m=1



Of course...

I also like my over the counter type products! 

However, only the products that work.. aaand I still like to make sure the products don't have a lot of chemicals & are animal cruelty free...

Not to long ago I wrote an article called The 4 Must Haves In My Fountain Of Youth . In that article you will see me make reference to my all time favorite facial from It Works, and I'm going to do it again...







This IT WORKS HYDRATING FACIAL is a real quality treat for your face! It's as close to a face lift as your going to get from any basic hydrating facial. I simply love it.

I love it so much I'm going to provide you with a link as to where you can go about ordering it, Here,
www.healthybeachbodies.com

This particular product is to be used every 3 weeks, and every 3 weeks the results keep getting better and better after each application.

If you'd like to read my 4 Must Haves In My 
Fountain OF Youth rant, talking about just how much I love these masks, Click Here,
http://keepingupwithkitvon.blogspot.ca/2015/09/vibrant-skin-my-4-must-haves-it-was.html?m=1



PERSISTENT ACNE



Should the ACNE PROBLEM persist, you may infact have an Ane Skin Type. It is perhaps time to consult with your local reputable Esthetician.

I tend to like Medi- Esthetics Offices rather than regular Spas, in the case you are actually concerned about your skin's actual health and are concerned with getting the best results, the qualifications of your local Medi - Esthetician are just one step above that of a regular esthetician. 

At least by this point your skin is off to the right start, and you have at least began correcting most of the problem, and correcting your over all skin health.

If you do indeed have an Acne Prone Skin Type, it will now be easier to diagnose, and easier to treat as your skin will be at it's optimal health, and already on it's way to looking better!




DEFINITIONS



HUMECTANT 


HYALURONIC ACID

EMOLLIENT



DRY SKIN



DEHYDRATION 




SO WHAT IGSACTLY IS INVOLVED IN MAKING A GOOD FACE CREAM? FIND THE ANSWER HERE:





KIT VON




Saturday, 9 January 2016

DIY 2 In 1 Instant Coffee Facial & Scrub



For today's Facial & Scrub, you are only going to need 2 Ingredients!




Ingredient # 1 Instant Coffee:



Coffee is loaded with Antioxidants and is great for acheiving a nice freshly tightened effect for the face.


Ingredient # 2 Sugar:



Sugar has Glycolic Acid. 

Glycolic Acid assists in softening up the skin. It helps slepth off those dead skin cells while uncovering a soft smoothe youthful glow. 

Sugar is also a great ingredient for your skin!



Combined, the 2 ingredients  happen to make up one my Skin Care Favorites, a 2 in 1 Facial & Scrub!




BENEFITS OF COFFEE


• EXFOLIATES SKIN
• ANTI INFLAMMATORY
• ANTIOXIDANT
• TIGHTENS SKIN
• BRIGHTENS DULL COMPLEXION
• REDUCES UNDER EYES CIRCLES
• FIGHTS FREE RADICALS/ SUN DAMAGE
• SUN SPOTS
• REDUCES FINE LINES
• ANTIAGING
• CALMS REDNESS 
• CLEARS UP ACNE
• CLEANS PORES
• HYDRATES
• PROVIDES A HINT OF BROZANT





BENEFITS OF SUGAR


• GLYCOLIC ACID 
• ALPHA HYDROXY ACID
• GREAT TOPICAL EXFOLIANT
• STEPS OFF DEAD SKIN CELLS
• NATURAL HUMECTANT & HYDRATOR
• LOCKS MOISTURE INSIDE 
• PROTECTS SKIN'S NATURAL BARRIER FUNCTION
• ANTI-AGING 
• PROTECTS SKIN FROM OUTSIDE ELEMENTS & TOXINS 




YOU WILL NEED



• INSTANT COFFEE 

• SUGAR ~ White sugar, Raw Sugar, Brown Sugar, Organic Sugar, Coconut Sugar, Vegan Sugar, Any Sugar

• MIXING BOWL & SPOON

• COSMETIC HEADBAND (OR) HAIRBAND  (OR) ELASTIC.









STEPS


1 • IN BOWL, COMBINE 2 TABLESPOONS INSTANT COFFEE WITH 2 TABLESPOONS OF SUGAR.










2 • ADD ONLY A COUPLE DROPS OF WATER & STIR THE INGREDIENTS INTO PASTE. ONLY A COUPLE DROPS OF WATER WILL DO










3 • SCRUB THE MIXTURE ONTO FACE IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS. THE SUGAR WILL ACT AS A SCRUB AND DO A GENTLE EXFOLIATION.

AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OF SCRUBBING, PACK THE REST OF THE CONTENTS IN THE BOWL, ONTO YOUR FACE.

THE MASK IS ACTUALLY GOING TO ADAPT ITSELF QUITE NICELY TO THE SKIN. IT INFACT DRIES INTO A THICK WONDERFUL TEXTURE, REALLY CALMING & REALLY SOOTHING.

DESPITE THE PERHAPS NOT SO APPEALING LOOK OF IT ALL, THIS MASK IS REALLY COMFORTABLE.











4 • AMUSE YOURSELF FOR 10 MINUTES. LET THE MASK PENETRATE AND WORK IT'S MAGIC. 

BTW, THIS MASK GIVES YOU A LOT MORE FREEDOM OF MOTION THAN A LOT OF OTHER MASKS! SO DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO GET DONE, NOTHINGS STOPPING YOU.













5 • ADD A SPLASH OF WATER TO THE MASK AND SOFTEN THE PASTE BACK UP SO YOU ARE ABLE TO WASH IT OFF. DO THIS WHILE DOING JUST ONE MORE SOFT SCRUB DOWN. 

WITHOUT PRESSURE, KEEP MOVING YOUR FINGERS IN A CIRCULAR MOTION WHILE WASHING THE MASK OFF YOUR FACE. 

IMMEDIATELY YOU WILL FEEL A CLEAN & IMMACULATE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR SKIN!

SQUEAKY CLEAN WITH A TOUCH OF SILKY HYDRATION. YOUR JUST GOING TO LOVE THE WAY IT FEELS.







6 • APPLY YOUR FAVORITE MOISTURISER TO YOUR BRAND NEW, SQUEAKY CLEAN FACE.






AFTERWARDS I LIKE TO APPLY A NICE UNSCENTED, NONCOMEDONEGENIC, ANTIOXIDATING & ANTIAGING GRAPESEED OIL TO MOISTURISE.






GRAPESEED OIL IS ANOTHER GREAT TREAT, GREAT FOR BOTH FACE & BODY MOISTURISER. I DEFFINATELY RECOMMEND YOU GRAB YOURSELF A BOTTLE OR 2 AND LATHER UP!

SUPRISINGLY YOU CAN FIND THIS LIL GEM FOR UNDER 5$ AT YOUR LOCAL SUPER STORE IN THE NATURAL/ ORGANIC SECTION. IT REALLY IS ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PRODUCTS!




EFFECTS


The mask leaves your skin feeling Soft, Smoothe & Hydrated.

Your skin is immediately Tightened, Brightened and Glowing, while Fine Lines are often hydrated and Softened. 

Redness and Circles will fade making for a wonderful, freshened appearance.

The mask also provides a great topical exfoliation. I just love how it gives me a smooth silky shine after slephing off all those dead skin cells.

This Coffee and Sugar Combo really leaves your pores feeling extra clean, yet not stripped, not tight, and not dry...

It sure is a pleasure for your skin!










Over time, this mask will continue to Hydrate and soften those fine lines, it will help fade sunspots, discolorations and even help smooth out rough patches. 

Through the exfoliation process, this Mask helps remove dead skin cells and encourages new cell growth, and those results equal Fresher Newer Skin. 

There are also many other benefits ( as listed ) within the 2 ingredients of this Mask, Coffee & Sugar, that help speed up and perfect this cell growth and turnover process.

If you have never thought of doing a Coffee Scrub before, now is definitely the time to try one!

Expecially now that I have managed to find away around those sharp & messy grinds by switching to instant rather than regular coffee.

Now this wonderful treatment is just so much more conveinient!!!!

The day I found this out I just had to share!

This Instant Coffee and Sugar Facial & Scrub is always a great fix for dull drab skin on any day.

The texture of this mask is also really great. It does dry but it stays really fresh on the skin, and won't irritate it at all. It washes off soft and smoothe 

Some of these masks just get way to hard and you have to scrape them off.. No Thank You.

So definitely try this Combo Skin Care Recipe out, see why I love it so much!

Adopt this Mask into your routine once or twice a week for the best results. This Kitchen Counter combination won't effect any of your other masks so you can still go ahead with your regular skin care routine Facials and all.

That's what's nice about using your Kitchen Counter Products! You don't have to worry about messing with chemical compounds and enduring any chemical burns.

Aaa-and you will still get 10 times the results by using real ingredients, not harmful chemicals!




5 Best Instant Coffee's 







ORGANIC IS ALWAYS YOUR BEST OPTION, SO I FOUND THIS LINK TO A POPULAR ORGANIC INSTANT COFFEE.  YOU CAN ALWAYS ORDER THIS IF YOU ARE HAVING A HARD TIME LOCATING A GOOD ORGANIC BRAND. 

http://www.internaturalfoods.com/brands/mounthagen.html

YOU CAN ALSO FIND INSTANT ORGANIC COFFEE'S AT YOUR LOCAL NATURAL HEALTH FOOD MARKET, PROVIDING YOUR CITY HAS ONE.

AND HERE IS A LINK OF 5 RECOMMENDED INSTANT COFFEE BRANDS, FROM BEST OF THE BEST TO THE WORST OF THE BEST... According to someone else... ..

http://gearpatrol.com/2013/02/20/high-and-dry-5-best-instant-coffees/ 






For more information on Kitchen Skin Care and Healing With Naturals Products and Plants, check out any of my articles on



The Healing Powers Of Potatoes 

http://keepingupwithkitvon.blogspot.ca/2015/12/the-healing-powers-of-potatos.html?m=1



My 4 Must Haves In My Skin Care Collection





Tea for Health and Beauty





Wheatgrass For Collagen  




17 Ways I Personally Use Coconut Oil 





DEFINITIONS


GLYCOLIC ACID




ALPHA HYDROXY ACID

 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_hydroxy_acid










KIT VON 






Monday, 14 December 2015

Best Kept Secret • Hair Line Chatter




Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Vanessa Williams...

Have you ever asked yourself, what's the difference between us and them.

What igsactly are those tiny extras that make them look so all the time stunning?

To start: A good Foundation, a great Concealer, blendable Blush & Shadows, Long black Lashes, and perfect Eyebrows.. Hair Line....

Hair Line??

Yes, Hair Line.

So why can I not find anything on the Internet about this?

Yet,

These Hair Lines are not only perfectly groomed, but I have noticed, they are subject to change often.

Sometimes they appear more squared off, sometimes a little more roundish, or sometimes, at the least, cleaned up - like this picture on Jennifer Aniston.





Yet...

There is still nothing online about Hair Lines.

Nor did I learn anything about this in my Esthetics Classes.

I'm thinking this should have come up somewhere along with Facial Waxing and Eyebrows.

However it did not.

So please view exhibit A, as I point my finger at the proof..

Go ahead and use these well groomed Hairlines as references, as well. #CopyAndPaste






And now you've seen it... as did I.

Thus I began doing my own Hair Line.

Aand loved it!

I promptly encouraged others to follow suit..

Or I just went ahead and fixed their Hair Lines for them, welcoming them to view their new face.

And of course,

They were also in love.






The trick is just to clean up the extra bushiness that may not have grown in the most flattering.






• Widows peeks can be evened out as to be not so peaky. It can also be straightened out entirely.

• That little fuzzy area by your ear can always go.

• Sideburns can be thinned out, but not entirely removed.

• Corners of the forehead can be nicely squared off or rounded out. No need for extra patchyness.

• This is a good time to Wax or even better, Shave your face,  this will smooth it out, Exfoliate/ shleph off Dead Skin Cells, and remove any Peach Fuzz.

☆ Yes, I said shave your face. It actually is good for a woman to shave her face once a month. This is great for exfoliating, and works great on smoothing acne or fading acne scars.

Shaven hair does not grow back in thicker, this is a common misconception that actually gets debunked in Esthetics Class. 

Shaving your face also removes any peach fuzz, which is also great, especially in these winter months when hair tends to stand up straight when confronted by those chilly winter goose bumps.  ☆

• Remember to check your face often enough to to clean up any regrowth. Once a month is generally all it takes.

☆ Be careful not to go to far! I have done this. It does take a long time to grow back in and you will begin to take on the appearance of an Alien.

This is not a fun mistake. It will cost you 6 - 8 months. ☆






You Can


1. Tweeze or Wax your own Hair Line - Carefully.

Or

2. Visit your nearest salon or spa where waxing is available.







References  


Don't forget to copy these great examples to your phone for Your Own References or for your Waxing Technician's reference. This way he or she knows igsactly what you are looking to accomplish!

This isn't really a well known topic, in fact it's more like a best kept secret...

So I wouldn't just expect some one to know what you want without some sort of reference first.











And Today's accessories Are... 


Today's Polar Bear Jammies  were again from Walmart. $19 For the Jammy Set. 3.50$ For the White Tee.

I refuse to care that they are from Walmart. They are freaking cute, cozy and really well priced.

In fact I really love the tiny tees. The straps don't twist like they do on many similar style shirts. Twisting straps is definitely one of my pet peeves.

And you could say, that with the money I saved, I stopped at the nail salon and matched up my polish..






Baby Blue Manicure to match the extra cute Scarfs on these super cute polar bears - $15.

It's actually my first Manicure since the lady from the Rainbow Center in Sudbury mashed up my precious nails.

So welcome back pretty nails.

Well...

Short and sweet I guess...  .. Ugh.. For now anyways.








 Still trying to finish that darn Hot Cocoa shoot!! Time and convenience are not my best friends right now!

However, I hope you enjoyed my Hair Line tips along with more of my Sidetracked Selfies in the meantime!!!  ♡








KIT VON