Category: skincare

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September Beauty Challenge!

Hello all my favorite MYD Beauties!  I hope you’re enjoying these back-to-school days and settling in to your new routines as we transition in to fall.

It’s well known with family and friends that summer time is definitely my favorite time. Being super cold-natured, I actually despise the winter.  That all being said, I do have very fond feelings about autumn simply because it’s the best time of year to express yourself through fashion and beauty.  I mean, hello, the 2 inch thick fashion Bible (Vogue) launches all of the fall “must-haves” and “oooh I wish had the money to splurge on” goodies!

kendall-wearing-gucci

This year, I’ve challenged our MYD team (and subsequently YOU!) to choose 3-4 products in  your cupboards, vanity, shelves, showers, etc to finish off during the month of September. Why?  Well, to make room for all the new fall arrivals, of course!  We’re calling this our #septempties challenge.

empties-spring-2016

We’re going to upload videos and posts throughout the month from our team finishing off some of their products from home and we’d love to hear about yours!  Upload a video of yourself with your challenge products or your finished off #septempties and let us know your thoughts: did you love it, hate it, would you buy it again? We’re all beauty junkies here so we can’t wait to hear your reviews! Most of all…we want to know what you’re finishing things off FOR. What are you replacing your empties with?!

Stay tuned for my own video update later this week.  I’ll be polishing off these gems this month:
loreal-shampoo

Hair Product Category: L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

jergens

Body Product Category: Jergens Natural Glow +Firming Daily Moisturizer

ysl-baby-doll

Makeup Product Category: Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascara

eminence

Skincare Category: Eminence Organic Skin Care Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

I can’t wait to see your videos and hear all about your progress with emptying out your current products! Please use the hashtags: #mydbeauty and #septempties so we can easily keep up with all your videos to respond.  Of course, we’d love you to tag us, too @makeupforyourday on Instagram and @makeup4yourday on twitter. Good luck!

XOXO,

Jen B.

**Jen B is an MYD Beauty Co-owner, Artist, and Stylist in our Raleigh, NC studio. She is available for airbrush makeup applications, beauty lessons, temporary lash applications and semi-permanent lash extensions by appointment. To schedule a session with Jen B (or any of our MYD Beauty Team experts) please contact us HERE and leave a note requesting her in your comments! Jen B, as is all our MYD Beauty Team, is available for travel to destinations outside our Raleigh, NC studio for special events and weddings worldwide.**

 

 

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10 Things to do for Your Skin Before Your Wedding

We get a lot of questions about what sort of preparation brides can do for their skin before the wedding. This infographic {courtesy of Simply Bridal} points out 10 important things that you should do to get, and keep, your skin in tiptop shape for the wedding.

Number 9 is especially important. At Makeup for Your Day our team of talented artists are equipped with high quality makeup with quality ingredients that will look and feel great on your skin. We think it is very important to have hair and makeup trials in case there is anything you want changed before the big day. This ensures that you look and feel your best on your special day!
To see photos of our brides after their hair and makeup trials with different members of our talented team, check out our Facebook page!
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The Pros and Cons of Different Self Tanner Formulas


People love that “glow” and the way their skin looks in the summer, and there is a healthy way to get that look without exposing yourself to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Self tanners can seem scary if you have never tried them before – there are so many to choose from! Here is a breakdown of a few formulas on the market and their pros and cons.

Creams and Gels

Creams and gels generally take longer to dry than other formulas. This can be a plus for anyone trying self tanning for the first time because it allows for more time to rub in the product. The key to applying creams and gels is to exfoliate well beforehand. If you are inexperienced with applying self tanner pick a cream or a gel that gives a gradual tan. Once you get more experience you can buy a quicker developing formula.

Sprays

Sprays can give a great, even tan – but the spray formulas tend to dry really quickly. Another drawback is that it is really difficult to spray your own body evenly (and to get everywhere.) If you have someone to help you out, you can try a spray – but we still suggest to start with a cream until you feel comfortable.

Foams

Foams are a sort of cream and spray hybrid with a very unique texture. Many people are drawn to this formula because the foam is visual, which makes it easier to apply. Foams dry quicker than creams and gels, but because it is easier to apply, for people with a little more experience this isn’t a problem.

Towlettes

Towlettes are a great products for touch-ups. Due to the fact they tend to have less product per towlette and can dry out quickly they are hard to apply your whole tan with a towlette. Also, if it is a clear formula, sometimes it is hard to tell where you have already applied which could lead to over-application in certain areas and would prevent an even, natural-looking tan.

What products or formulas do you love – let us know via Facebook, Twitter or the comments box below!

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Keep Your Feet Looking Good All Summer Long!

We’re well into sandal season – are your feet starting to feel the beating? Sun, sand, grass, water and bare feet can cause your feet to get dry and flaky. Here are some great foot soaks that will keep your feet looking good all summer long!

To start, you will want to get a bowl, a towel, a foot file, a moisturizer and socks. Take a seat and soak your feet in one of these three concoctions for 10-15 minutes. 

1. Mix 1 Cup of Baking Soda with 1 Cup of Epsom Salts and then steep 2-4 Peppermint Tea Bags and add the warm peppermint water to the mix.

2. Mix 1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice with 1/4 Cup of Milk. Then add a 3/4 of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and mix well.

3. Mix a 1/2 Cup of Mouthwash with 1/2 Cup of White Vinegar and 1/2 Cup of Warm Water.

Once you’re done soaking, take your feet out and pat them dry. Then use a foot file or pumice stone to get rid of any flakey patches. Slather on a moisturizer and then put on socks. 

If you do this once a week then your feet will be moisturized and look good all summer long!

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5 Lesser-Known Essential Oils and What they can do for You!

It is great to have some knowledge of essential oils and what they can do in your health and beauty routine. In the post we list some interesting properties and uses for 5 lesser-known essential oils.

Cedarwood Atlas is an oil that is extracted from cedarwood shavings and has a sweet and woody aroma. This oil is a antiseptic, astringent and a natural sedative. This is a great oil to treat fungal infections, dandruff, insect bites and stings. (This oil should not be used if you are pregnant.)

Clary Sage has a fruity and flowery aroma and is a natural antidepressant, sedative and has anti-inflammatory properties. This oil is often used to reduce high blood pressure and ease depression, nervous tension and stress.

Frankincense oil is a warm and piney-smelling oil that is used as an astringent, antiseptic and sedative.  This oil can help treat ulcers, asthma and bronchitis.

Mandarin oil is a sweet and citrusy-smelling oil that is a digestive, laxative and sedative. It is a great oil for hiccups and coughs. It can also be used to help prevent stretch marks.

Neroli oil is an antidepressant, antiseptic and an aphrodisiac. It has a sweet and floral scent and is an excellent remedy for stress, skin problems and heart palpitations.

*These oils (alone) should not be directly applied to the skin. Instead, mix a few drops of the essential oil in a carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba oil or almond oil. Always test a small amount of the mixture on the inside of your wrist to make sure that your skin won’t react.

Would you like to know the properties and uses of more essential oils? Just let us know in the comments box below and we can do a series of posts to let you know about other great essential oils and how you can use them in your health or beauty routine.

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MYD Reader Request Series: Organic and Vegan Cosmetic Lines

Welcome to day two of our Reader Request Series! If you missed yesterday’s post on some great BB Creams, check it out here. We are so excited by the positive responses that we have been getting and we hope that you keep enjoying these posts.

Dora asks… “Do you have recommendations for organic and vegan skincare and makeup lines?”

As more information comes out about the harmful effects and ingredients that some skin care products and cosmetics contain, it is important to know what organic and vegan options are available.

Lavera is a German line that is the whole package and then some. It is all-natural, safe, there is no animal testing, it is gluten-free and it is free of any harmful ingredients. There is no petroleum, no synthetic products and the list goes on! It really does. Check out an extensive list of ingredients that they avoid here. 
This company has won numerous awards and is endorsed by many celebrities. This company’s high-standards with ingredients and quality make this organic, vegan and gluten-free line an excellent option to try if you are in the market for natural products. 
This line is not yet available in the state of North Carolina, but is available in a number of other American states. There is free shipping on orders over $50 in the USA. 
This line boasts 100% natural, biodynamically-grown, organic, wildly-harvested products that have been working with mineral and plant extracts since 1930. Their website includes an extensive Ingredient Glossary and they also provide a list of their products that are, and are not, gluten-free. 
Dr. Hauscka considers their products holistic home remedies. They respect, not interrupt, the body’s natural rhythms and help restore balance. They have a unique approach to health and beauty and their products reflect this. We would definitely recommend trying a product from this line if you are looking for some natural products. 
This line is available in Whole Foods in the USA. 
Most known for their famous Lip Tars, OCC takes vegan and cruelty-free to the next level. They said that they wanted to “raise the bar” on the animal testing issue, and they have. They pledge to never use animal-derived ingredients including Lanolin, Beeswax, Carmine and a variety of others. This is impressive because many natural and organic lines will still use these. 
We absolutely love OCC and we love Lip Tar. If you have never tried them we would highly recommend it. There are such a wide variety of colors, you are bound to find one, or ten, that you like and would like to try. 
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is available to order, or to purchase at Sephora. 
That’s it for day two of our Reader Request Series. We love your questions and comments so keep leaving them! Check back tomorrow for day three in our series. 

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Skin and Hair Resolutions for 2013!

It’s 2013! A new year means new goals and resolutions. Here are some resolutions that we have for our skincare and haircare routine this year. 
Apply Sunscreen Everyday.

Sunscreen, year round, inside or out should become a habit in your skincare routine. Be sure that you include broad-spectrum sunscreen that will protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Wearing sunscreen helps the overall appearance of skin, prevents dark spots, dryness and premature aging in the form of wrinkles.

Exfoliate (at least) Once a Week.

We are putting our best faces forward this year by not neglecting this task in our skincare regiment. Exfoliating gets rid of the dead cells on the skin’s surface and helps prevent pores from becoming clogged. It always helps skin look and feel great.

Remove all Makeup Before Bed.

Everyone does it. Late nights happen and going to bed immediately seems better than going through your evening skincare routine. No matter how tired you are, wash your face and remove your makeup. When makeup sits on your skin all night it can clog your pores and cause breakouts.

Wash Your Makeup Brushes Regularly. 

Breakouts can be really frustrating. People will change their diet and switch up their skincare routine, but that may not be the problem. Makeup brushes house all kind of bacteria, and if you don’t clean them, then you are spreading this bacteria from the brush, to the makeup, to your skin. If you can, try to clean your makeup brushes weekly.

Use a heat protectant before styling. 

Every time you reach for the blow dryer, hair straightener or curling iron, use a heat protectant first. Consistently heating hair follicles can cause breakage and split ends. Luckily there are no shortage of products on the market that can help protect your hair from suffering extensive heat damage.

Sleep More.

This seems like an easy resolution to make and keep, but with the work demands and social engagements, sometimes the sleep gets neglected to keep up with how busy life can get. Sleep allows the body, and your skin, to restore and repair itself. Lack of sleep reduces the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Lack of sleep also raises the stress hormone in the body which can lead to breakouts and accelerated aging.

 Drink More Water. 

This is a great resolution and it isn’t just for better skin. Drinking more water does help flush toxins and improves the skin’s appearance while minimizing breakouts, but drinking water is also linked to many other health benefits. Benefits such as improved cognitive performance, better digestion and the prevention of many diseases is linked to hydration as well – so drink up!

Throw out old makeup. 

Makeup collections tend to grow, but they don’t shrink unless one product is completely used up. Makeup products are susceptible to all sorts of bacteria, so it is important to keep track of how long you have had your products. A good rule of thumb would be to go through your makeup twice a year, if you haven’t used up your liquid or gel-based product (especially mascara and liquid foundation) in that time, then get rid of it.

What are your 2013 skin and haircare resolutions? We would love to know! Let us know via Twitter or the comments box below.

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It’s Almost Time! Anti-Aging Tricks to Help You Slow the Ticker.

Anti-aging products has becoming a booming industry in the cosmetic world. Not only are there skin creams, but cosmetics now incorporate anti-aging benefits, and there are hair care products that are based around the idea of giving back “young hair.” It is estimated by 2015 that the global market for these products will reach $291.9 billion dollars!

In this post we will give you some tips for natural anti-aging tricks and fill you in on some important information regarding the bottled anti-aging solutions and ingredients.

SPF. With all of the studies that are out now, there is no way to make excuses NOT to wear SPF. On sunny days, cloudy days, winter days… wear SPF! Skin damage causes premature aging, discoloration of the skin, and more seriously – cancer.

Vitamin C. It is recommended that anyone over the age of 26 has Vitamin C in their diet and skincare routine. This is because of its ability to help the body produce and maintain collagen. Vitamin C is also known to regenerate oxidized Vitamin E, which helps combat free radicals.

Serums. Serums are all the rage now-a-days. They pack a major punch when it comes to antioxidants because they have a higher level of active ingredients compared to a regular moisturizer. They are created with smaller molecules than regular moisturizes so that they can be absorbed deeper into the skin to deliver the anti-aging and antioxidant benefits. Serums should be used before a moisturizer so that the ingredients can be absorbed deep into the skin, then you should follow with a moisturizer because serums usually don’t have strong moisturizing properties.

Papaya. The high content of carotene and Vitamin C, along with the essential minerals and the papain enzyme – this fruit is the ultimate exfoliant and moisturizer. As explained earlier, Vitamin C has a lot of benefit for you skin and anti-aging. What many people don’t know is that the ascorbic acid that makes up Vitamin C is very unstable. Most of the time serums and creams will oxidize, which renders their benefits useless. This is why you can’t go wrong with going straight to the source!

Retinol. This is the only proven ingredient to reduce fine lines long term. Many products may claim anti-aging benefits, but if you are looking for something effective and retinol is not an ingredient, keep looking. Don’t buy day creams with Retinol as it can increase your sensitivity to UV rays. Find a night cream with Retinol and use it at night as your body naturally repaires and rejuvinates.

Omega-3, 6 and fatty acids. It has been proven that people that have a diet that consists of high amounts of sea food have less wrinkles. This is because fish oil contain Omega-3 fatty acids that slow down the aging process in skin. It keeps the skin plump and younger looking.
(Another great source of Omega-3 is Walnuts…so snack away!)

Avocado. This is the ultimate nutrition shop for your body inside and out. This fruit contains Vitamin A, B, D and E. It is also richer in potassium than bananas. This is a great moisturizer that will help reduce wrinkles.

There is only one day left in our holiday countdown. See you tomorrow for the final day!

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Eat Your Way to Healthier Skin

There is a very well-known saying “you are what you eat.” As cliche and over-used as it is, it is true – especially with your skin. Here are some good foods, or drinks, to incorporate into your diet for better skin.

Water – It is over-stated, but underestimated. People know that they need water, but they don’t realize how much, or how important it is. Our diets are filled with many things that are dehydrating such as coffee, tea and alcohol. Most people don’t drink enough water a day before the consumption of these dehydrating liquids. You should drink 2 glasses of water for every glass of dehydrating liquid that you drink.

Tomatoes – The lycopene in tomatoes help improve the skin’s antioxidant status that aids in combating free-radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules that attack other molecules and can harm cells. Antioxidants help combat free-radicals by stabilizing them and preventing them from harming cells.

Organic Green Tea – The ingredients in organic green tea are not only packed with tons of antioxidants, but they also have the ability to lower levels of acne-producing hormones. Along with its cancer-fighting properties, green tea is also know to help burn fat and boost your metabolism – so drink away!

Dark-colored Berries – Dark berries are filled with antioxidants. They also contain phytochemicals that protect skin cells from exterior agressors. These phytochemicals have also been shown to help protect the skin from UV damaged. This doesn’t mean skip the SPF, we will tell you why tomorrow!

Brown Rice – Contains lipid molecules that help our skin maintain moisture. When you eat these naturally occurring ceramides, they get incorporated into the out-layer of skin and help maintain moisture!

Olive Oil – Contains essential fatty acids that help create elastic, dewy skin that is nourished and radiant. These good fats strengthen the cell membranes, while the Vitamin E can help fight free radicals. Olive oil will help strength, moisturizing and prevent aging in the skin. Many people use this on their skin as well as ingesting it. You can pour it into your bath, or rub it onto any dry patches of your skin for immediate benefits.

Dark Leafy Greens – Are very vitamin-rich and high in Vitamin A which promotes skin repair.

Day 3 in our countdown to the holidays is now over. That means that there are only 2 days left! Sometimes it gets discouraging reading about all of the stuff that you should eat because it is not currently in your diet. Keep in mind that New Years is around the corner and eating more of these healthy foods would make a great resolution!

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Our Holiday Countdown: 10 days of Tips, Tricks and Tidbits!

In the spirit of the holidays, we are counting down the work days until the vacation begins. From Monday to Friday for the next two weeks we will share our tips, tricks and tidbits with all of you! Some topics that we will cover will include: how to properly conceal tired eyes, how to highlight and contour, at home spa treatments, good foods to eat for great skin and some anti-aging tricks.

All of these posts will be chock-full of product recommendations and pro tips. Our posts will also include some input from our talented team of artists and stylists!

We are so excited to get started with the first post in our Holiday Countdown tomorrow. The post’s content includes the right way to achieve that bright-eyed, just-slept-a-whole-8-hours (even if you didn’t) look. Curious?

You won’t want to miss out! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the updates. 
See you tomorrow!
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