Thursday, June 2, 2011

Protect Your Skin 365 Days a Year

One of the first things I ask a new client is " Do you wear sunscreen daily?" Usually the answer is " Only if I know I will be in sun" or " I work in doors so I don't need it". But did you know that it only takes about 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen to damage the skin!!! Sun damage leads to unwanted pigmentation, freckles and in worst case scenarios skin cancer. So when you think about it, you are getting more than 15 minutes of sun a day just by driving, eating lunch outside or even by seating near a window at work. Even certain medications make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Thats why I recommend to all my clients to buy a moisturizer that has a SPF in it to use every morning after washing your face. My favorite is Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer SPF 15. It works for all skin types, even oily.  It feels non-greasy and light weight on the skin. It protects you from UVA and UVB rays, its non-comedogenic, fragrance free, paba free and does not clog poresI personally use this moisturizer everyday and have been since I was 15 years old. I have tried other through out the years but this is the only sunscreen that does not break me out. You can find it at any major grocery store, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid or CVS. The price ranges from $8-12 and last about 3 months.  












Sunday, May 29, 2011

Choosing a Facial Cleanser for your Skin Type

One of the first things I learned as an Esthetician is how to determine a clients skin type. There are 5 Skin Types: Dry, Oily, Normal, Combination and Sensitive. Since I turned 13 years old my skin has experienced each of these skin types at some point. Out of all the cleansers I have tried Neutrogena, Cetaphil and Purpose have worked the best.

Dry or Sensitive Skin :
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser removes all dirt, impurities, and make up without stripping your skin of its natural oils. It has a creamy feeling that instantly rehydrates your skin.  Its great for those who are on very strong acne medications such as Accutane. You can find Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser at your local super market, Target, Wal-Mart, CVS or Rite Aid...basically anywhere! The price ranges between $4 - $9 depending on the size of the bottle. The largest size last about 3 months!!! Now that's a deal!

Normal , Oily, or  Combination Skin:
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash not only removes all dirt, impurities and make up but it also removes eye make up including water proof mascara without stinging your eyes. It is gel based and suds up really easily so you only need a dime size of the product. You can find Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash at Wal-Mart, Target or CVS. The price ranges between $7 - $9 depending on where you buy it. I personally feel Target has it for the best price.  This will also last about 3 months or more, a little goes a long way.

Another great product for these skin types is Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser. It removes all dirt, impurities and make up. It is a creamy cleanser but cleans your skin like a gel cleanser. I love how much the product foams up once water hits it. It also leaves your skin feeling super clean! I do feel that you need to double cleanse in order to make sure all your make up is removed though. It comes in a blue bottle and you can find it at your local super market, Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and CVS. You can even find it at ULTA!!! I also like that you can find it in a travel size. Perfect for vacations! The price is around $6 and will also last about 3 months.

Oily, Combination, Acne prone Skin:
My absolute new favorite product is Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser. I decided to try out this facial cleanser because I have been under stress due to my wedding that is a few months away and started getting lovely random break outs. Acne medications were too strong for my skin and was making it more irritated but my normal skin care routine wasn't enough. When I saw that this product had willowbark in it (a natural form a salicylic acid) I just had to try it. I fell instantly in love with it! It smells soooooo good, doesn't dry out my skin and removes all my make up without having to do a double cleanse. Within a few days my small break outs were gone. So far I have only seen it at Target for about $7. I have been using it for two months and I am barely half way through it. I highly recommend trying it out.

MY NEW FAVORITE CLEANSER!

Welcome!!!!!


Hello! Welcome to my blog. I have never been a blogger so bare with me as I embark on this new adventure. My name is Carmella and I am an Esthetician in Southern California. I have been trained by the best of the best in the Esthetic world. Growing up in the salon industry gave me the motivation to become a professional Esthetician and my dedication and passion to all phases of skincare have helped me gain popularity with women of all ages. I work at Papaleo Art and Soul in San Pedro , CA and I also offer in home waxing and brow/lash tinting for clients wanting a more private atmosphere. All of my clients ask me the same question over and over, "Where can I find great beauty products that fit in my budget?" After many years of trying every beauty product out there ranging from Obagi to Target brand, I decided to start this blog to help others achieve beautiful skin and still be able to pay their rent!