Rosacea Triggers

Today I got the lovely news that I have Rosacea. This skin disorder typically begins after age 30 and the tell-tell signs are redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. Eventually the redness becomes ruddier and more persistent. In other words you look like a hot mess, and not like the picture! I had a feeling this would be my diagnosis but I was in denial and wanted to stay there. I had been using very aggressive products with a bunch of retinals and AHAs to combat this 'condition' I felt I had, only to find out that I was using the exact opposite of what would be helpful. So today I have been studying up on what causes rosacea and what triggers it. According to the National Rosacea Society, there are 16 million of us being diagnosed. With summer in full swing, (heat and sun being big triggers) I thought I would share what I have learned from my doctor and from the wonderful world wide web!

1. Hot Temperatures. This can be anything from a hot bath, sauna,  exercise, or too much sun. The one thing the dermatologist stressed to me is that I NEED to be wearing my sun screen even if I am not going outside. People with rosacea are very sun sensitive. 
2. Skin Care products that cause stinging or redness. Stay away from drying cleansers, retinols, alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acids, and the like. Be kind to your skin and use hydrating cleansers and anti-inflamatory cosmetics and moisturizers. 
3. Vitamin D. A new study is being considered now. One study group found that patients with rosacea had an average vitamin D level 25 percent higher than the healthy individuals in the group. Something to consider. I am faithful with my daily D3, but now that it is summer and I am getting more D naturally I think I will back off of it for a bit and see if that helps.
4. Beverages. Alcohol, especially red wine, (excuse me while I sob into my pillow for a bit), beer, bourbon, gin, vodka, or champagne. Hot drinks including, hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Ok, my tea is usually luke warm by the time I drink it so I am safe there, but my wine, oh, this could be problematic. Have to work on that one. ;)
5. Foods. Wow! The list of foods that I found really shocked me. Here is the complete list. (Note that not all foods effect all people with rosacea the same way. The recommendation is to keep a food diary and make note when you get flair ups).  Wouldn't you know it, chocolate is on the list along with spicy foods!! OMGosh! Life is not fair! 

Okay, my pity party is over now. I just thought I would share this little tidbit that I learned today. I will be on the look out for more information on the subject. Gratefully, I have found a new skincare line that will be aiding me in my skin's recovery. Lira Clinical, as I mentioned in last week's post ,actually has an anti-inflamitory line which is specifically what my dermatologist suggested.

Let me know if you have had anything that has worked particularly well for you or any of your family members that may have had to deal with this disorder. I would love to hear it. Please share this with a friend or to Facebook or any place your like to share.

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Have a great week!

Sincerely, 

Michon :)

2013 Makeup Favorites

There is a new line of makeup that is just making its debut at Sephora this week that really got my attention! It is called HD Makeup Forever Pro Finish Powder. I excepted just another powder foundation but my mind has been changed. There are a couple of things about this product that make it different from my other favorite makeup lines. No mica! What that means is that I am not walking around with sparkles on my cheeks when I don’t want to see sparkles! And it has staying power. It literally lasted all day with a beautiful finish. It was developed by a woman named Dany Sanz  in response to professional makeup artists who needed products that could counter the unforgiving high definition camera lens.  It is recommended for normal to oily skin so bare that in mind. It can be applied wet or dry. Wet application gives you a sheer  coverage with a satin finish. Dry application for full coverage with a matte finish. Comes in 25 shades and retails for $36. Love, love, love this product. Can be found at Sephora at the Summit this weekend Jan 29th!

This is my all time favorite lip color product. This lipstick will literally stay on ALL DAY! I put it on at 7am and I have to take it off at 9pm!  My favorite color in this line is Boundless Brandy. The trick to getting it to stay on all day is the drying time. Apply the color right after you have applied your foundation on clean lips. (make sure you have no foundation residue) and allow it to dry while you do your eyes. Finish several minutes later with the glossing wand on the opposite end! Amazing product in my opinion. Can be found at most drug stores. I like to hit CVS when they have their makeup, buy one get one 50% off. Retails for $8-9 depending on where you get it.

This is my favorite new eyeshadow. Just out it is Urban Decay’s first matte palette.

I love the smoky effect you can create with this palette. Applying eyeshadow correctly can make your eyes go from plain jane to wow with the simply stroke of a brush! I have a simple recipe that I like to use to make your eyes have that bit of a pop for a special night out. 

See this tutorial for the how to. 

The Urban Decay palette has 6 colors, 4 that are brand new with this collection and retails for $27 at Sephora. 

I like this mascara because it is inexpensive and works every bit as good as mascara that retails for twice what this does. It is nice that you can get a product that is reliable and reasonably priced. The other great thing about this product is that while it is not waterproof and a nightmare to remove it is smudge proof. The problem is, Covergirl, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to discontinue it! Why do companies do this? They have a fabulous product that works and is amazing and they discontinue it! I have plans of buying and hoarding as much as I can find this weekend. So I will be on the search for something comparable. If you have any suggestions please leave me a comment below! 

So there you have. You now know what I have in my little bag of tricks. 

I would love to hear from you about your favorite products. Please leave me a list of things you like so that I can go exploring and find some new beauty products. Enable me! :)

To A Beautiful New Year!!

I really do believe that what you are on the inside is what reflects to the outside.

As we come into 2013 I hope you are all feeling as optimistic about the future as I am!

Here’s to change and positive movement forward as we start our New Year’s Resolutions with some things that will benefit us all. 

Tips for feeling beautiful from the inside out:

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal. Jot down a couple of things you are grateful for. No matter how mundane. Write something different everyday. Think simple things... flowers, snow, ice, dogs, children’s laughter, snow tires... 
2. Imagine the possibilities. Anthony Robbins says, “If you can’t imagine or “see" yourself doing something, you will never be able to achieve it”. So whether your goal is to be a size 9 or your goal is to run a marathon, you need to visualize yourself everyday doing this thing you hope to achieve. 
3. Uplift others through your words. Say a positive word. Every day, in your contact with others try to find something to compliment them on. "Awesome scarf." "Nice jeans.” "Love your smile!" No matter how small the gesture seems, this is something that makes everyone feel beautiful about themselves and what better gift can you give? 
4. Create a sanctuary.  We are "the Refuge" from the outside world for our families. Whether you are someone’s big sister, a little brother, a husband, wife or mother, it is easy to do some little random act of kindness. Try something as simple as a post-it note with a sweet message. It is our privilege to protect, nurture, care for and compliment our loved ones. It will make you beautiful in their eyes.
5. Take time for yourself. When you fill your cup, you are much more able to to be there to “fill others”. Take a long bath, a hot cup of tea with a book, a facial and a pedicure. Whatever “your” indulgence is... It is important that you refuel. They are going to need you when they get home! And you are going to be much more patient with everyone when you are taking care of yourself. 

I would love to hear about things you do to make yourself feel beautiful, physical or metaphysical. 

Please feel free to share in the comments below any ideas or tips that help you. 

Good luck to you on whatever lofty New Year’s resolutions you may have. 

To a fresh new beginning and a beautiful new year inside and out! 

Christmas Mice

A dear client of mine gave me one of these cute little guys several years ago, BP (before Pinterest).
They were so cute! I had to recreate them.
And I have every year since.
They are time consuming but they are relatively easy.
Here are some pictures and some directions that should get you on your way relatively quickly.
Here are the main ingredients.

• 30 - Hershey’s Kisses
• 30 - Maraschino Cherries with the stem on
• 60 - sliced almonds
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 30 - Oreo cookies split
• Frosting (red & green)

Drain and dry the cherries on a paper towel for 30 minutes. Separate all cookies so you have only the white stuff on  top to decorate. While the cherries are drying, melt the chocolate chips in a container in a microwave for 1 minute. Stir the chocolate chips and continue to cook in microwave for one minute at at time until melted completely. Dip the dry cherries into the melted semisweet chocolate, adhere the candy kiss as shown and adhere the almond slices to simulate ears as shown. We made regular frosting for the whites of the eyes of the mice and then re-melted the chocolate for the pupils and used toothpicks to apply the eyes (whites and the pupils), Then we added a ribbon of green and red at his feet to make it all look cute!  This year we used the red and green gel frosting. I am not a fan of how the gel turned. I will be using decorators icing again next year.
They add such a cute little presence to our holiday trays!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Have a great weekend.
Michon :)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Okay,
Here we go.
If you love all things beauty related and enjoy surfing for beautiful images I hope to be a source for you.
If you hate typos and grammatical errors, you are going to hate this blog. Consider yourself warned! :D
I am working on finding a better location to photograph my work and hoping to bring you some cleaner images on a consistent basis but for now we will have to suffer with my iphone pictures inside the studio and out back on our patio.
Hope you enjoy and subscribe to my new blog.
Sincerely,
michon :)