Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee by Josie Maran

Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee by Josie Maran

Blush is the quickest and easiest way I’ve found to look more rested and radiant. One of my favorite blushes available at the moment is Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee from natural cosmetics entrepreneur and model Josie Maran. The reason I love this cheek color is because it's highly pigmented yet goes on sheer, and it’s very easy to apply for a natural glow or a high intensity flushed look. It also carries the added benefit of being all natural and formulated without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

Cheek Gelee by Josie Maran is one of the longest wearing blushes I've ever used. The blushes are infused with hydrating coconut water and argan oil, so your cheeks will be nice and smooth. Dab a little powder all over your face after applying your foundation and blush to eliminate excess shine.

How to apply: Swipe some blush across your fingertip, smile and dab across the outer apple of your cheeks. Start at the middle part of the apple and then sweep up following along the natural curve of your cheekbone. Add more blush if you prefer more color and it will glide on seamlessly.

You'll get a nice tingly peppermint sensation on your cheeks when applying this blush and you’ll instantly look fresh!

Cheek Gelee by Josie Maran is available in a nice range of colors for various skin tones. My personal favorites for fair to medium skin are “pink escape” (a nice cool rose shade) and “poppy” (a brighter warm coral-red). I'm hooked and you will be to!

You can find Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee by Josie Maran at: www.sephora.com.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface.

I'm on an all organic kick. The idea of beautifying myself both inside and out really appeals to me on many levels. It is with this in mind that I continue looking into all natural makeup and skin care, which brings me to Tarte - an all natural cosmetic line that has some amazing blushes. 

I've always loved the look of flushed cheeks, and I tend to apply blush liberally, not only because I feel it makes me look more vibrant and fresh faced, but because most cheek colors fade rather quickly. The benefit of using an all natural makeup is that by wearing it, you will be hydrating and protecting your skin. 

Tarte's blush is made with Amazonian clay, which helps to control oily areas and hydrate drier areas. The result is that the blush wears longer and the color stays true. This line has many fun shades to choose from, some of my favorites are; exposed, (a soft nude tone), blushing bride (a plummy rose), dollface (a light pink) and peaceful (a soft, nude peach). Apply this blush with MAC #129 blush brush starting at the middle of the ear/hairline. Brush forwards directly onto the cheekbone and curve slightly onto the apples of your cheeks. You won't need much of this blush on your brush since it's highly pigmented, but a little extra never hurts. If you plan on wearing a brighter cheek look, wear a soft nude lip color and a lighter eye to balance the look. 

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

RMS Cosmetics.

I recently discovered an amazing organic makeup line called RMS. I was flipping through C Magazine and saw that model Angela Lovell had listed an RMS product as one of her best beauty secrets. It's called the "un-cover up" and it's a flawless foundation and concealer in one. It was rated by Allure Magazine as the 2011 winner "best concealer", and by ELLE  magazine as the 2009 "best beauty product". I decided to try it out based on these accolades. I was very hopeful about this product and after trying it, I'm excited to say that it delivered all that it claimed to.

RMS Beauty is an ingenious makeup line created to protect and improve your skin, while making it look its best. It was created by New York based celebrity makeup artist Rose Marie Swift - RMS. After experiencing a health scare related to heavy toxic metals in her system, Rose-Marie created the all organic skin care and color line. It's formulated with raw, organic ingredients in order to keep the natural enzymes, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants intact. It provides natural sun protection, rejuvenation, hydration and nourishment for your skin. It's a wonderful concept that one can wear makeup that improves and protects the skin. My clients have been inquiring more often about all natural cosmetics. I've been on the search for a few years to find natural products that deliver the same beautiful application and durability that chemically processed cosmetics have. I'm happy to have found RMS because I love the way it looks and feels on my skin, and all of the products are designed to be used with your fingertips, which makes it quick and easy to apply.

"Un" Cover-Up.

My favorite product is the "Un" Cover-Up. This foundation/concealer is mind-blowing. It goes on so smoothly and evenly and blends directly into my skin tone. It takes approximately 2 minutes to apply. You can use this product as a foundation, eye shadow base and under-eye concealer. When applying, start with one section of your face and then move on to the next section until you're done. Keep blending with your fingers until it's completely blended, but not entirely rubbed into your skin. You can wear this foundation alone for a slightly dewy look, or set it with their "Un Powder" for a matte look. I have yet to try the powder, but have very high hopes for it. With a powder brush, dab onto each section of face wherever it's shiny.

Lip 2 Cheek "Smile".

My second favorite product is the Lip n' Cheek. This product glides onto the skin easily. I like a lot of blush and blush tends to fade, so I apply a couple of layers. Apply this product directly onto your cheekbone and blend slightly upwards towards your hair line. This product will give you a natural and lovely flushed look, depending on the shade that you choose. My favorite color is Smile. It's a beautiful, translucent apricot shade. Since it's designed for both lips and cheeks, you can dab some onto the lips for a perfect, peachy pout.L

Lip Shine.

RMS also has a creamy lip shine. It comes in a pot that you can dab onto your lips for a subtle tint of color. It's not sticky or tacky like many lip products. It's emollient and feels exquisite on the lips. Because it doesn't contain any toxic ingredients, you won't get the peeling lip syndrome. Instead, you'll have nourished and smooth lips. My favorite colors are Bloom and Sacred. Bloom is an everyday subtle rose shade and Sacred is a lovely pinky red that goes on very sheer for a pop of color on the lips. They're both great for Spring! 

Give it a try and let me know what you think of this awesome line! www.rmsbeauty.com

Kimberly Snyder's Green Smoothie.

I recently discovered Kimberly Snyder, celebrity nutritionist guru. She's written a book called, "The Beauty Detox Solution" and also more recently, "The Beauty Detox Foods". I just purchased the latter, and am very excited to try all of her nutritious and delicious recipes! The Glowing Greens Smoothie was referred to me by one of the nutritionists that I interviewed for BB40. 

In one of Kimberly Snyder's recent posts on her blog, she discussed the importance of eating a light breakfast as opposed to something heavier. She noted that if we eat something lighter, such as a green smoothie, our bodies will process the nutrients quickly and with minimal digestive effort, leaving us with more energy throughout the morning.

My fiancé and I have been drinking this smoothie for the past week and we love it! We've really noticed a difference in our energy level throughout the day and we've been making healthier choices as a result. I plan on getting a Vitamix soon because it will make blending all of the ingredients much easier. I'm currently using my food processor and then dumping it all in the blender with the water and lemon juice for a final blend. Enjoy the energy and glowing skin that you'll have by drinking more greens for breakfast. Please let me know what your experience is in the comments section below.

Ingredients (64 ounces / 2-4 servings)

• 1 ½- 2 cups very cold, filtered water
• 6 cups spinach, chopped
• 5 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 stalks of organic celery
• 1 organic apple, cored and chopped
• 1 organic pear, cored and chopped
• 1 organic banana
• 1/2 cup fresh organic lemon juice

Optional Ingredients

• Ice cubes (the extra coldness can help newbies with the taste)
• 1/2 cup of organic cilantro
• 1/2 cup of organic parsley

Directions

Add water, spinach and chopped romaine to the blender. Starting the blender on a low speed; mix until smooth.

Gradually move to higher speeds and add the herbs, celery, pear, and apple. Add the banana and lemon juice last.

*For 1 serving, cut out one of the fruits and the celery.

Note: I encourage you to mix and match your greens and fruit. Vary this recipe with kale, chard, arugula, and the like. Just avoid melons, as they don’t combine well with other produce.

Living in a fast paced city, it can be difficult to keep life in balance. I'm constantly struggling to keep "all of the balls in the air". Work projects, house work, relationships, proper nutrition, exercise, recreation, etc, are all vying for my time and I often find myself exhausted.

I asked my dear friend Aurianne Jacobs Dorsay, who happens to be a PhD psychologist, for advice on how women over 40 can better balance their lives. 

Here is what she had to say...

Some of the most pervasive complaints I hear from women in their 40s are:

1)      I’m tired all the time

2)      I don’t know how to live a balanced life

3)      I’m not sure that what I’m doing provides me with meaning or fulfillment

Let’s start with the most common of all complaints—feeling tired—which I believe relates directly to the others listed.  We are tired from a deficiency in either the quality or the quantity of sleep we’re experiencing each night.  Perhaps we’re working too many hours or are too stimulated at night to be able to adequately wind down.  Once the kids are asleep, the chores for the day get done, it’s finally “me” time and the intensity of that desire can feel more compelling than getting a good night’s rest. 

In a nutshell, practicing good sleep hygiene includes the following: going to bed when sleepy, getting up at the same time every morning, getting out of bed when unable to sleep, using the bed for sleep or sex only (i.e, no screen time), no caffeine 4-6 hours before bedtime, no excessive exercise 3-4 hours before bedtime, and minimizing light, noise, and excessive temperature during sleep.  Some have also improved sleep with the use of earplugs, window blinds, an electric blanket or air conditioner.  

Alcohol use to facilitate sleep is ill-advised.  Alcohol is a depressant and although many people believe it is a sleep aid, it actually is not.  While alcohol may facilitate sleep onset, a rebound effect occurs a few hours later and it causes sleep disruption during the night.  Nicotine is also a stimulant and should be avoided before bedtime and during any night awakenings.  Also, while a light snack may assist in sleep onset, a heavy meal too close to bedtime interferes with sleep. 

In addition, when we feel drained from an aspect of our life that does not nurture us (e.g. a relationship, job, etc.), but instead drains us, the result can be a feeling of exhaustion or fatigue. 

Some steps to counteract complaints numbers two (not living a balanced life) and three (finding meaning and fulfillment):

1) The first step is to identify the aspects of your life that are sucking energy from you as opposed to those that are infusing you with energy.  Examples of draining aspects:  an ongoing conflict in a relationship, poor eating habits, deficiency of fun, excessive worry, feeling unhappy in your workplace or with your career choice.  Identify which aspects are within your control to change and which are not.  Sometimes something that feels like it can’t be changed can be changed and vice versa.  Often it can help to talk to someone and identify and name these aspects of your life.  This can be done with a friend, family member, or a therapist with whom you feel safe.

2) Once you identify what is draining your energy, you can begin the process of addressing the issue.  For example, evaluating your health habits by increasing the healthful foods in your diet and eliminating some of the foods that do not provide any nutritive value can make a big difference.  Another idea is to find a way to incorporate 15 or more minutes of exercise into your day by taking a walk during your lunch hour or at a more convenient time.  A little bit of energy invested here can go a long way!  If it’s a relationship—be it a personal one or one at work—that is draining your energy, consider reading a book on relationships that can assist with this, or talk to a psychotherapist to address the conflict.  Likewise, if you’re constantly managing excessive worry, attempt to understand what lies underneath the worry and address it.  If it feels like it’s beyond your scope to address, consider meeting with a mental health professional.

If it’s a deficiency of fun that is leaving you feeling drained, put something in your calendar that you can look forward to.  Just the thought of having something you’re excited about in the future can infuse you with energy and good feelings. 

If you’ve identified something larger, like realizing that you’re in the wrong relationship, work setting, or career, then begin to take steps to address this.  Continuing to deny the impact of these things will only keep you from feeling like the person you aspire to be.  While making these changes might not be easy, most report that they feel lighter, more fulfilled, and more energy in the long run.

Aurianne J. Dorsay, Ph.D., has a private practice in San Jose, California.  She has been providing psychotherapy for approximately 20 years and enjoys her work very much. She specializes in working with people who face challenges with transition, parenting issues, children, and she helps individuals get clear about how to live a life with more meaning and integrity. www.drdorsay.com

Ann Hathaway at the 2013 Academy Awards.

I'm a movie buff, so I love to watch the Academy Awards and try to guess which films will win, but secretly I'm more excited to see how the starlets' hair & makeup styles compliment the latest designer gowns as they walk the red carpet.

One of my favorite 2013 Oscar makeup and hair looks was worn by Anne Hathaway. She was the picture of perfection with her cute page boy haircut and luminous pink lip and cheek. Some women over 40 could really shine in this hairdo with the right face shape and maybe with a slightly shorter bang. I loved the soft pink shadow and thick liquid liner on Anne's upper lash line. NARS spring eyeshadow duo in Bouthan, would be the perfect choice to recreate this look.

NARS Bouthan duo eyeshadow.

To recreate Anne's eye look, blend the darker pink all over your lower lid right up to the eye bone with the Trish McEvoy #21 blending brush. Then blend the highlighter pink directly above the eye bone up to the brow. Line upper lash line with the MAC Fluid Line in Blacktrax using the Laura Mercier flat eyeliner brush. Dab directly into the lash line all the way across. Apply the liner slightly thicker to the outer 1/3 of the lash line to give the eye a slight lift. Always make sure to get a good amount of the fluid line onto the edge of your brush and smooth the edge onto the back of your hand to get a slim edge before applying to your lash line.

Brows should look full but not drawn-in. If your brow hair color is dark but sparse, slightly fill-in your brows with MAC Eyeshadow in Espresso. Another good choice for slightly lighter hair is the Laura Mercier brow duo in light blonde. Use the Laura Mercier brow definer brush to fill them in. Bold brows are a must for spring, but always remember to blend through brows with the brow definer brush.

Laura Mercier Second Skin Blush in Sweet Mandarin.

For a luminous pink glow on the cheeks, try Laura Mercier blush in Sweet Mandarin. It's a beautiful bright coral pink, so you don't need much. Suck in your cheeks and apply Sweet Mandarin directly above and also slightly into your cheek hollow. Place the MAC #129 blush brush at your hairline and blend forward along your cheekbone. Follow along your cheekbone slightly past the center of your eye.

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Naturel Lipstick.

On lips sketch Giorgio Armani #9 Pale Raspberry Lip Pencil all over entire lip and outline lip line. Apply Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural N11 Sheer Strawberry Lipstick directly on top for a lovely bright pink lip. This lip look will brighten your face especially when wearing minimal eye makeup. For a little extra shine and pinkness, add the Laura Mercier Lotus Blossom Lip Gloss.

Try out this simple and lovely Spring look and let me know how it goes in the comments section below!

Fresh fruits and vegetables that you should enjoy everyday.

Interview by Stacy McClure.

I don't have as much energy as I used to. Like the, 25 year old bounce out of bed ready to take on the world, kind of energy. I might not have ever had that type of zeal, but I have even less now. I know that it's mostly due to my age, but I've noticed that diet, lifestyle and exercise play a very important role. I've also been realizing lately that my moods aren't as stable if I don't eat healthy, fresh and whole foods. In my own search for some answers, I found an amazing San Francisco based nutritionist who is also over 40. Below is an interview with Marnie Winthrop at Becoming Health. She had some really enlightening information to share with us gals over 40. This information can benefit anyone at any age though, so feel free to share this post.

What are some helpful nutrition guidelines for beautiful skin for women who are over 40?  

Hydrate.  Drink plenty of filtered water throughout the day.

Sleep.  Women are hard working and therefore exhausted most of the time. All healing goes on at night, including regeneration of our skin, so it's imperative to get proper sleep. I recognize this is a huge challenge for most of us, so I encourage you to see if there are little things you can cut out of your normal routine and put yourself to bed earlier. Do you really need to check e-mail that last time, peruse Facebook, watch that last episode on TV? It will all be there in the morning.  Experience relaxation and pleasure on a regular basis. Nothing takes the vitality out of our life and skin like stress.

Are there certain foods that women over 40 should be avoiding or adding to their diet?  

MW: When working with clients I always focus on things that they would want to incorporate, so I'll start with that list of foods. In general, you want to eat the highest quality food available in its natural form. The good news is that what is good for your skin is good for your body and vice versa.  The following are what I recommend.

• Healthy fats. We have a damaging dietary myth in our culture that fat makes us fat.  It is quite the opposite and enjoying healthy fats is imperative for our bodies to function optimally and for our skin to glow. Enjoy avocados, nuts and seeds, nut butters (that have no added ingredients), olive oil, coconut oil, and flax oil. There are other healthy oils to try, but these are the basics.  
• Vegetable, vegetables, vegetables and especially the green ones. Kale, spinach, dark leafy salad greens, chard, beet greens, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, cilantro, parsley, mustard greens, etc. Green smoothies are a great thing to enjoy to boost your energy and glow.
• Fruits in combination with vegetables. You want to think about eating the rainbow. This is a simple way to remember that your body is getting the nutrition and anti-oxidants it needs to combat the free radicals that contribute to aging skin. Citrus fruits are key. A simple thing to do is start each morning with a large glass of water and squeeze of lemon or other citrus fruit into it.  
• Sea vegetables. Green vegetables from the sea are some of the most nutrient rich foods on earth and are a great source of minerals and iodine, which are key for women and thyroid health. These include nori (the seaweed wrap in sushi), dulse flakes, hijiki, seaweed salad, etc.  
• High quality protein, When choosing animal protein it is imperative to get organic and sustainably raised. If an animal has been raised as nature intended it, then it will provide nutrition. If not, you'll be getting a dose of hormones, antibiotics, and other toxins. If you eat animal protein, please enjoy grass-fed beef, pasture raised chickens and eggs, and wild caught fish.  

Things to enjoy sparingly as treats or avoid.

• Coffee and caffeine.  This is highly acidic to the system.  
• Soda and diet soda
• Alcohol
• Refined sugars and flours
• Artificial sweeteners
• Processed foods with nitrates, hormones, pesticides, and preservatives.
• Soy. This can mimic estrogen in the body, is a highly GMO-modified food, and the protein is not readily available to us. If you choose soy, be sure it is organic and ideally fermented so your body can access the protein.

What general supplements and brands of supplements should we be taking?

MW: I work with my clients to ensure they are nourished with organic, delicious foods along with the sweetness of life, so I don't consider myself an expert on supplements. While supplements can play a role (especially since conventional food has a fraction of the nutrition that our grandparents enjoyed), it's important to use them to supplement a foundational healthy diet and lifestyle.  Too many people are popping a bunch of pills while ignoring their body's cry for good food, relaxation and pleasure.

Most of us can benefit from a few simple supplements:

• A food-based multi-vitamin.  
• Krill, fish, or Udo 3.6.9 oil - to supplement omega-3 fatty acids

In terms of brands, this is a challenge! You get what you pay for with supplements, so this is an area where you want to spend money. I look for organic, food-based supplements and get them at health food stores like Rainbow Grocery, (in San Francisco).  I like Garden of Life and Healthforce Nutritionals.  I used to like New Chapter Organics but they were recently purchased by Proctor & Gamble so I expect the quality to quickly decline.  

What are the top 3 super foods for energy and vitality for women?

MW: The Green Ones:  spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae  (which you often find combined with other green goodness in powders like Vitamineral Greens)

Raw Cacao - Yes, that's right, chocolate.  In it's purest form before it's been processed with sugar and added artificial ingredients.

Maca - Otherwise known as nature's viagra.  

Others:  goji berries, bee products (raw honey, bee pollen, royal jelly), and coconuts and coconut products.

Green smoothies to enjoy every morning. A great way to add your super foods.

Do you believe in food cleanses?

MW: Yes. I believe in cleanses for so many reasons. Here are a few:

1. This is how I started my healing journey. Completing a food-based cleanse was a huge wake up call for me. I had a profound experience related to the power of food to create vitality (or exhaustion and illness).  It lead me down my path from sugar addict to kale addict.

2. So many people now have undetected food sensitivities due to the industrial food complex and the technological modifications of food. A cleanse is a great way to eliminate known toxins and common allergens to discover if certain foods do not work for your system. Gluten (protein found in wheat and related grains), dairy, and soy being the most common.  

3. Regardless of how clean you eat, we are exposed to toxins every day through the environment and stress. Cleansing is a great way to give your body and digestive system a break so it can clean out and rejuvenate.

4. I've had many clients that reported skin issues clearing up during the cleanse, and I love seeing how people glow and are so vibrant after a cleanse.  

I believe primarily in food based cleanses, similar to my Pura Vida Cleanse, because the body is receiving pure nutrition and it can be a starting point to make a lasting change in diet and lifestyle. I find many of the juice-only cleanses to be too radical and harsh. While people often feel great after them, they haven't learned how to continue to nourish themselves and usually go back to old habits and end up feeling worse. 

For people who already have a super healthy diet and lifestyle, I do think certain juice fasting cleanses can be appropriate to take cleansing to a deeper level. For most people, these are too radical and can actually be detrimental.

Marnie has offered BB40 readers $50.00 off of the Pura Vida Cleanse to kick start their journey towards healthful eating and more vitality! This is the link to her cleanse:  http://becominghealth.com/services/pura-vida-cleanse/  

For your BB40 discount: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PGJFW4AU7QECC

Marnie Northrop is a certified holistic health coach transforms lives with her practical, flexible, encouraging approach to nutrition and wellness.  She loves seeing her clients turn their battle with food and their bodies into a joyful, nourishing relationship filled with pleasure and love.  As her forties approached, Marnie left her fast-paced, exhausting consulting gig, kicked her afternoon coffee and cookie habit, and pursued her life-long passion for health and wellness.  At 41, she looks and feels better than ever. She is the creator of the Pura Vida Cleanse, leads workshops, and offers wellness coaching to both individuals and groups in private and corporate settings. www.becominghealth.com

NARS Travel Brush Set.

The NARS Travel Brush Set contains the most basic brushes for makeup application. The most important brushes to own are a blush brush, an "all over eyelid" flat eyeshadow brush, a crease/blender brush and an eyeliner brush. NARS offers all of the essentials in one cute little black NARS travel pouch. You can look stylish with your brush set and matching case!

If you would like a step (or two) above a set of travel brushes, the Laura Mercier Signature Brush Set would be my first recommendation. You'll never want for another brush and they'll last you a lifetime if you care for them properly. You'll be able to apply a very tight eyeliner along your lash line and you'll also be able to create a beautiful smokey eye.

Laura Mercier Signature Brush Set.

It is important to wash your brushes once a week with a gentle, organic shampoo. I like to use the 365 Whole Foods Brand, Lavender Shampoo for Normal/Dry hair for this purpose. Make sure to wash each brush individually. If you take care of your brushes and wash them once a week, they can last forever. I guarantee your makeup application will become much easier when using this fine set of brushes.

Want to further demystify makeup application? I offer one-to-one makeup lessons for women in my San Francisco studio. For more information or to book an appointment, please visit:  www.makeupbystacy.com

Facial Bungalow, Los Angeles.

I wanted to get some skin care tips from another highly recommended esthetician for a slightly different perspective.  Trina Renea is based in Los Angeles and works with some pretty elite clientele, including film and television stars.  She keeps her clients glowing with beautiful skin, so I thought she'd be an excellent candidate to interview for BB40.  I've interviewed her with questions about which leading products to use, and which anti-aging treatments to receive regularly in order to maintain youthful looking skin.

What are your favorite skin care treatments and why?  How often should your clients come in for facials/treatments in order to keep their skin more supple and younger looking?

My favorite skin care treatment is Micro-current because it helps build elastin in your skin and also helps to tighten it. I also love Micro-dermabrasion and Superficial Peels. These treatments remove the excess dead skin cells off the surface of your epidermis so that your products can penetrate better.  It also speeds up your cell growth and gives you a fresh glow. I recommend getting a facial with deep exfoliation once a month to keep your skin in its optimum health. I also believe in getting a Micro-current every week to two weeks to keep your skin firm and tight. An oxygen treatment is excellent for plumping and hydrating skin. 

Micro-current

Which products offer the most anti-aging benefits and why?  

The product that offers the most anti aging benefits is Sunscreen. It's the number one thing to keep your skin from aging rapidly. The sun rapidly ages your skin by causing free radical damage, which destroys your cells. Antioxidants are little warriors that protect your skin from excess sun damage. They add extra protection in conjunction with your sunscreen and also brighten your skin. AHAs gently exfoliate your skin without the need of harsh scrubs. They expel the surface dead skin cells to help speed up the metabolism of cell growth. AHAs also help your products penetrate deeper and keep your pores from getting clogged. Peptides repair your damaged skin cells so that your DNA can make good cells. They also signal to your skin to make more collagen. Transforming growth factor (TGF) stimulates collagen production and epidermal growth factor (EGF).  EGF stimulates skin-cell production.

Are there any dermatological treatments or plastic surgeon treatments that you would recommend to women over 40? 

The two treatments I recommend for mature skin from a Dermatology office are the following. IPL(Intense Pulse Light Therapy), if you have brown spots and redness on your skin. IPL / Photo Facial helps remove brown spots from sun damage, and redness within the skin. Ulthera is a treatment used for skin tightening and Thermage is also a non-invasive skin tightening treatment.

Ultherapy

Do you believe in using naturally derived, organic, and non-irritating products or do products with chemicals offer better results?  Are there any chemicals in skin care or treatments that we should avoid or that are harmful?

I believe if you use all natural organic products you are taking a risk. These products can spoil quickly and are not usually stable, which can hurt and damage your skin. All chemicals are not bad and are necessary in skincare products to keep your skin at its optimum health. There are some chemicals you want to avoid, but if you are using good products from your esthetician or doctors office you are usually safe. It's the larger skincare companies who mass produce products that tend to use harmful ingredients. They usually do this in order to cut costs and have a lower retail price for the consumer. Buyers beware.

Trina Renea's bio:  Trina has a passion for cosmetic chemistry and product knowledge and has worked for years on developing her own skin care line. She has worked with some of the best chemists in the United States to create her own line, “Trina Renea Skin care”. With special skin care techniques, Trina has developed a personal and particular style that put her on the leading edge of the skin care industry. She is referred to today as a “skin master”.  Please check out Trina's business website and her glowing celebrity reviews.  www.facialbungalow.com

Jane Iredale beauty balm.

NARS tinted moisturizer.  My fave!

Beauty Balm -- I have to admit that when I first heard these two words together, I thought to myself: a balm that imparts beauty - what fantastic marketing! After trying a few out, I decided, eh, not so much. 

Beauty balms are sheer and hydrating, but this is what your moisturizer is supposed to do. These balms promise to even out your complexion in a natural way, but they can barely cover a light freckle. Hence, I'm not a fan. I don't generally recommend tinted moisturizers either, because they're just like beauty balms, (just with a different name). That said, one that I can recommend is by NARS. NARS Tinted Moisturizer is made with mineral rich seawater from French Polynesia, has an SPF rating of 30, is oil free and it glides onto my skin like whipped butter. 

My skin was at one time very oily. Now that I'm in my forties, my skin is much drier. NARS tinted moisturizer evens out my complexion and keeps my skin hydrated. Tip: if my skin feels too dry when preparing to apply makeup, I won't set the moisturizer with powder. If I'm looking a little too "dewy", I'll set it with Laura Mercier's Translucent Powder (which I love! I also love Dr. Haushka's Translucent Loose Powder, which is all natural if you prefer something organic). With an evenly balanced complexion, blush and eye makeup look much more put together and sophisticated - all adding up to a more youthful and vibrant look. NARS is available at most department stores, Sephora and on www.amazon.com.

Organic Beauty Balm- Jane Iredale

As much as I strive to use and promote all natural cosmetics, sadly I still use many products that are chemical-based and non-organic. The reason being is that most currently available natural makeup just does't look as good as traditional makeup and has less staying power. That said, I recently stumbled across Jane Iredale Organic Beauty Balm. Iredale is a pioneer of natural skin care and organic makeup, and although I haven't cared for her previous products, she recently reformulated her makeup line. I'm still not a fan of her foundations and mineral powder (mineral powders tend to be far too dry and dense for mature women). The only way that mineral powders look natural is if they are applied lightly (and I mean lightly) and dusted onto the skin with a very soft powder brush. I'm not completely opposed to the idea, it's just that I've never come across a mineral powder that did anything for my skin but make it look drier and older.

So back to Jane Iredale's Organic Beauty Balm (aka "tinted moisturizer")!  It is hydrating, has an SPF rating of 25 and covers quite nicely. If organic skincare is important to you, then I would highly recommend this BB cream. Another word of caution: If you choose to use a mineral based foundation, be aware that it can reflect the light from a camera's flash, resulting in the dreaded "white face" in photos. Not a good look, and another reason that I don't keep it in my kit. If you're going to be photographed, always opt for the non-mineral foundation and preferably one with no physical sunblock (i.e: titanium dioxide - which can also make you look a little "goth"). Jane Iredale is available online at www.janeiredale.com.

Before/After.

As a professional makeup artist, I've done makeup applications on all types of faces; from young to mature, and including all shapes, skin tones, and textures.  Below, I have answered the two questions that are asked most often during my makeup lessons.

1) As I've gotten older, I've noticed that I'm starting to look more tired. Should I be wearing more makeup or less as I mature?  

Most women 40 and beyond can use less makeup in order to achieve luminous and natural looking skin. Before starting a makeup routine, decide if you would like a sheer glow or a more striking look.  The sheer glow will require fewer steps and slightly less time. A more glamorous look will utilize more layering of color and an additional darker eyeshadow. With both routines, you will need to lightly layer products in order for them to stay on and look natural.  The correct products and brushes will help you achieve whichever look you decide to try.

2) What are the most important cosmetic steps I need to do in the morning on a daily basis to make me look more awake and vibrant?
The following routine should take you no longer than 15 minutes in the morning. Applied properly, makeup can positively effect how you feel about yourself and how you carry yourself throughout the day.

Tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation
Avoid powder foundation! It's too drying and cakey on mature and/or dry skin. The correct foundation will even out your complexion and make your skin appear more youthful, dewy and fresh.  My favorite tinted moisturizer is Nars Tinted Moisturizer.  It has a hydrating Caribbean water complex that will flawlessly balance your complexion in a very natural looking way.  For foundation, I recommend Nars Sheer Glow or Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.  Foundations are slightly heavier in coverage and have more staying power than a tinted moisturizer. Personally, I like to mix the two for more coverage and to camouflage uneven skin tone and breakouts.

Under eye concealer
Concealer is really important because it hides dark under eye circles that can make us look tired.  The right texture and shade are important, otherwise it can magnify under eye circles and texture. Stay away from heavy creams or drier textured concealers. My preferred concealer right now is Giorgio Armani Precision Retouch. It's luminous, covers well and is light weight. Dot under the entire eye area and blend with the Laura Mercier secret camouflage brush.

Blush
Blush is essential at helping us look fresh and youthful. A neutral pink shade looks nice on most complexions. One good choice is Trish McEvoy powder blush in the shade Natural because it mimics a natural flush to the face. It's so sheer that you can apply a small amount for a natural look or layer on more for night. If you like something more daring, just a touch of a warm, bright pink can make you look vivacious if applied lightly.  Try Nars powder blush in the shade Desire. Use a soft brush when applying directly on top of the outer cheek bone. MAC #129 Blush Brush is a must have for your makeup brush arsenal.

Brows
Properly shaped brows are necessary if you want to look buoyant and more awake! The shape of your eyebrows construct the architecture of your face. If your brows are either overgrown or faint, you will look older and/or tired. Slightly fill them in if your brow hairs are faint. Try to avoid filling them in too much as this can look severe. A foolproof product to use is the Laura Mercier Brow Shaping Duo which you can apply with her Brow Defining Brush. If you end up filling them in too much, it's easy to brush through them to lighten the color with the brow grooming brush.

Eyeliner
Lining the upper lash line can make your eyes appear larger and more open. My favorite go-to liner is the MAC Fluidline in Dipdown, which is a beautiful deep brown. I apply it using the Laura Mercier Flat Eyeliner Brush and dab it directly into my lash line. If your eyes are on the smaller side or slightly close set, only line halfway along the lash line starting at the outer corner. If you have larger eyes (lucky you), feel free to line all the way across. It always helps to lift the outer corner of the eye if you make the eyeliner a little bit thicker at the outer last third of the lash line. Be sure not to go past the lash line as it can make the eye appear to droop.

Eyelashes
Another important step in avoiding the tired look is curling your eyelashes and applying mascara. This helps to open the eyes up.  The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler is favored by the masses, but it can be hard to come by in the stores (rumor has it that Shiseido is making their curlers at the same factory as Shu Uemura, and that the two products are the same). My favorite mascaras are made by Laura Mercier "Faux Cils", Benefit "Bad Gal", and Maybelline "Define A Lash". One coat for a natural look, 2 to 3 if you like a little bit of drama. Nobody looks good with caked on mascara, so use an eyelash separating brush like the Laura Mercier Eyebrow Groomer Brush.

Lipstick and Lip Balm

I love wearing lipstick or lip balm because my lips feel naked and dry without them. I recommend wearing all natural or organic lip color because it's the one cosmetic item that we all ingest. There is lead in many leading-brand lipsticks, which is obviously a horrible thing to put into your body. My current favorite is Burt's Bee's Lip Shimmer in Caramel and the all organic and vegan cosmetic brand Zuzu Luxe Lip Gloss in the shade Dolce Vita. Voila! You look amazing!