Preparing Skin for the Harsh Winter Months

GUEST POST by Gwen Lewis

When winter arrives, you need to brace your skin against the cold and dry air so that it can remain luminous and healthy. Here are some important skincare tips you should follow so you don’t put gorgeous skin on ice! 

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean. Photo by Mark Yammine. Model: Tesney

Makeup by Savannah Belsher-MacLean. Photo by Mark Yammine. Model: Tesney

Bring Back the Moisture

The contrast between cold air outside and hot air inside your home or office is a common cause of dry skin. The bursts of air strip your skin of moisture, making it flaky and dry. Reclaim hydration with these tips:

– Apply moisturizer to damp skin when you step out of the shower. This makes it easier for your skin to absorb it than if it is cracked and dry.

– Use natural humectants. These are ingredients found in many skincare products that draw moisture in the air to your skin, helping it stay nourished. They include glycerine and hyaluronic acid.

– Combine humectants with occlusives. If the weather is too dry, humectants can actually stop doing their job so you need to team them up with occlusives. These are ingredients that are thicker in texture and will be able to lock in humectants. Shea butter is an excellent example.

 

Get Rid of Dead Skin

While you’re layering on the thicker moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and smooth, don’t forget that you should exfoliate your skin once a week. This is a great solution for eliminating dryness because it scrubs off those flaky, dead skin cells, bringing back your radiance. And remember: just because your skin feels smooth after a session of exfoliation, it doesn’t mean you should skip the moisturizer! This is essential to maintain silky skin all day long.

When using scrubs, avoid products that contain microbeads. These are minute pieces of plastic that find their way into the waterways after going down the drain and – quite scarily – can find their way back to us. They are ingested by fish and work their way up the food chain because these plastic beads are not biodegradable. Do yourself and the environment a favour by giving them a miss.

Choose biodegradable alternatives to microbeads. These include powdered pecan shells, bamboo, and apricot seeds. They’re even more effective because they are textured, able to exfoliate your skin better than smooth microbeads.

 

Makeup and Hair by Savannah Belsher-MacLean. Photo by Sunstone Creations. Model: Courtney.

Makeup and Hair by Savannah Belsher-MacLean. Photo by Sunstone Creations. Model: Courtney.


Look After Skin in the Eye Region

The skin around your eyes is very delicate and more prone to becoming dry during the colder months because it is so thin. This also makes it show wrinkles easily. Instead of using the eye gel you were dabbing during the summer, invest in a thicker eye cream instead. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or rice bran. These will balance the skin’s PH while providing nourishment.

Smooth on the Sunscreen

You might think it’s okay to ditch the sunscreen if the sun isn’t out, but you can still be targeted by those damaging rays. If you are enjoying snow activities like skiing, you are still at risk of the rays that reflect off the white snow. By diligently wearing sunscreen, you protect your skin against discolouration, redness, broken capillaries, dryness and more serious conditions such as cancer.

Eat Fatty Acids

Now that you are applying the right products to your skin, you also want to be sure that you nourish your skin from the inside. You can do this by drinking water to stay hydrated and eating foods that contain essential fatty acids.

Found in fish such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed, essential fatty acids contribute to a healthier, glowing skin. They help to decrease your skin’s sensitivity to the sun while also preventing inflammation from skin conditions such as acne. Oils from omega-3s keep skin cells packed with moisture which means your skin will be smoother and supple.

Makeup and Hair by Savannah Belsher-MacLean. Photo by Sean Berrigan. Model: MacKenzie.

Makeup and Hair by Savannah Belsher-MacLean. Photo by Sean Berrigan. Model: MacKenzie.

Keep flaky, irritated winter skin at bay with these easy-to-follow skincare tips that will help you look radiant all through the cold season.


M∙A∙C + Proenza Schouler = Summer Beauty

mac proenza schouler
I’m completely taken by the bright and beautiful colours in the new MAC Proenza Schouler line! If marrying fashion designers and cosmetics together wasn’t perfect enough, add in trendy ombré brushes and packaging. Love love love…check it out.

MAC-Proenza-Schouler-2

 


Guest Post! – What Oils Can Help Improve Your Skin?

Our skin goes through so much wear during a normal day from the sun, natural elements and our daily stress; however, not every person’s skin will react in the same way to these factors. Some may experience excess oil build­up, while others will have very dry skin. Since these effects are usually a result of the oil production that our skin creates naturally, it would only make sense to invest in oil skin care products.

Below, you will find a list of essential natural oils that may help to improve the condition of your skin:

Grapeseed Oil

oilgrapeseed

Maybe it seems counterintuitive to use an oil skincare product on already ­oily skin, but it actually works to combat the buildup of oil. Grapeseed oil has vitamin C, which actually helps to brighten skin. It also regulates natural oil production, ensuring that your skin does not produce too much oil in the future.

Black Currant Oil

If you have damaged skin, you might feel helpless when you’re looking for the right beauty products. People who have skin damaged by excess sun, wind burns, eczema or laser treatment can use black currant oil to begin the repair. The anti­-inflammatory properties and fatty acids work to ensure that your skin begins to get back to its youthful appearance.

Vitamin E Oil

The antioxidants in vitamin E are usually used to assist the immune system, so, it’s no surprise that vitamin E oil can help protect your skin from future damage. The UV rays from the sun take away your skin’s natural vitamin E, so using this oil to replace it can keep your skin from further damage or inflammation.

oilvite

Rose Hip Seed Oil

Blemishes to the skin usually come from scarring or sun damage. When your skin is discolored and in need of repair, self­consciousness can rule your life. Rose hip seed uses vitamin A and E to protect your skin and heal scars. You can mix it with your moisturizer for the best results.

Tea Tree Oil

Somebody with acne prone skin might not have the instinct to apply oil to the skin; however, tea tree oil is often used in acne treatment as it is known as a milder version of regular acne treatments and astringents. It’s gentler for skin that is sensitive to normal acne treatment.

Olive Oil

Olive oil isn’t just for salad dressing and cooking; it’s also used as a cure for dry skin throughout the world. In fact, Italian women have been known to bathe in the stuff. It moisturizes and fights aging better than products filled with synthetic ingredients.

Chamomile Oil

Chamomile is one of the most versatile natural products available. Chamomile tea is recommended to combat stress, while the same fragrance is used in soap and aromatherapy to soothe nerves. Chamomile oil is great for sensitive skin to calm redness and irritation.
Although chamomile can be effective in improving the condition of your skin, some individuals experience an allergic reaction to the herb. Be sure to speak with your doctor before using this as a skin treatment.

Argan Oil

Argan oil is the newest craze in beauty care. As an oil derived from Moroccan argan trees, the substance is used in skin, nail and hair products. The natural vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids in argan oil has been known to smooth skin and fight aging.

We always want our skin to look its best, and sometimes, natural is the best way to go. Consider trying any of these oils and incorporate it in your daily skin care routine. You may very likely be surprised with the results!

– Gwen Lewis

Gwen Lewis is a writer and professional makeup artist who lives in Southern California. Her writing focuses on anything beauty and health. She hopes you really enjoy this article!


Artistic Balance


While I’ve been making art for the last 10 years with makeup, many of you don’t know that my first love within the arts is dance! I took all genres of dance classes: jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, salsa, merengue, lyrical, tap, african – you name it, I’ve tried it, and have most likely fell in love with it.

So, now that my body is a little older and whole lot less bendy, I look to makeup as a way to express my artistic side.

BA STAR helps me to feed both artistic fires. With professional makeup products created for dancers and cheerleaders, I feel like I can find a good balance between dance and the visual art of making up a face.

IMG_3329ed copy

Testing out BA STAR’s “Holiday Red”. Love it!

BA STAR‘s makeup line shows no fear when it comes to colour. So whether you’re a dancer performing on stage or grooving to the DJ’s tracks on a Saturday night, these vivid hues promote the expression of your personal style and come from a company that promotes a healthy self-image. It’s a winning combination!

Not only does BA STAR offer a beautiful line of products, they are now offering you – the ProMUA readers – a DISCOUNT on your next purchase from their website!

Reader Discount: 50% Off
Reader Discount Code: BBLIPS
Note: Discount is off the full retail price ONLY. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Keep on smiling, and keep on dancing. =)
xoxo
Savannah, aka ProMUA

Hip Hop...

Photo above by Katelyn Fraser. Below is by Jessicah Dutton.
Pointy foot...

Powered by BrandBacker


NEWS – Prices to be adjusted for new HST guidelines

On April 1, 2013, PEI introduced Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), and nixed the separate GST and PST. This has led to a 14% increase in beauty services across the Island. Click HERE to find out what is taxable and what isn’t.

This means that I’ve had to begin to charge HST on my services. To make things easier for my clients, I will be changing my prices to include the HST.

HST

If you have any questions about my makeup artistry or photographic hair styling services, please contact me at info@ProMUA.com.


Follow me on Bloglovin’!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Hair & Makeup Artist for LINE magazine

I had the pleasure to be invited to write and collaborate for LINE Magazine Inc. (Halifax)! My feature is on Page 20, but it’s a beautiful issue, so don’t speed through it too much!

Check it out > http://issuu.com/linemagazineinc/docs/line_spring2013_issue2

 


I’ve hit and exceded 900 facebook fans!

That means…contest time!!

Check out my ‘Enter to Win!’ tab on my facebook page to enter the contest! Contest is open to residents of Canada and the US, and closes on Thursday, February 28, 2013. GOOD LUCK!


‘Like’ Savannah on Facebook, be entered to WIN!

We’ve been doing all we can to keep sane while stuck in our house in the sticks of PEI, Canada.

But I gotta say…Nemo is really getting to us!

So much so that I talked my hubs into doing a cleansing clay face mask with me (mwuahahaha!), and I’m also planning a HUGE beauty giveaway exclusively to my Facebook fans once I hit 1000 likes on my makeup artistry fanpage!

To be entered to win, simply ‘like’ Savannah Belsher-MacLean – Makeup Artist, share the page and encourage your friends to ‘like’ it too! Once there are 1000 likes, the draw for the beauty giveaway will commence, and the winner will be announced on the fanpage.

Happy stir-crazy snow day!


Share your makeup successes!

Do you have a makeup look or hair style that you’re super proud of? Whether it’s fresh-faced daytime or evening glamour, simple ponytail or tousled curls – I want to see it!

I will be sorting through submissions, and plan to post one picture each week here on my blog and in my new monthly newsletter.

To submit, send a photo (.jpg file preferred) to info@promua.com, along with your name, age, and mailing address, and tell me a little bit about your look. Is it a special occasion? Or your everyday chic?

BONUS: If your photo is chosen, you may soon discover a pretty surprise in your mailbox!