Beauty and Fashion – a daily change of trends and an evolving movement to capture the essence of the time. It’s interesting how a piece of clothing or a shade of lipstick can take us to a different time in history. You tell me ‘bell bottoms’, I automatically think of the 70s. You show me an eyeshadow palette with bright blue, purple and pink hues and suddenly I get in the mood for an 80s dance party. It interests me to see past beauty trends and when I come across iconic eyebrows throughout the decades, it’s so amazing to see how a different brow shape distinctively marks the feel…

“Lately I have been hearing that I should change my face skin care products for the summer.  How important is it to change my skin care routine? I do not want to have to spend a lot of money on new products, but don’t mind buying one or two new things. “  -Reader, Nancy M. Summer is such a wonderful time of year! We are out later, it’s nice and warm, and we get to wear shorts, flip flips and bathing suits almost every day (which is especially true here in sunny Southern California!). The change in temperature and amount of time that we spend outside does affect our skin…

I have to say this: I LOVE skincare products (I guess if I didn’t, I would be an esthetician)….you know how some people can’t say no to a new pair of shoes or a purse? That’s how I feel about scrubs, masques, serums, etc., especially if it smells good or contains some awesome natural ingredients. I try to stay away from products that contain lots of fillers, dyes, and fragrances because I tend to be very sensitive and a lot of things make my skin itchy. I also don’t care for products with a strong, artificial scent because they can make my allergies act up. So when I find items…

  It seems like the topic of free radicals is everywhere you turn. Magazines talk about it, and skincare and makeup companies claim that their products contain “free radical fighting ingredients.” Now that’s all very nice, but it got me thinking: What exactly is a free radical? I’m not a scientist, but when clients come to me with questions about free radicals I want to be informed and knowledgeable enough on the subject to be able to discuss it intelligently. THE FREE RADICALS EXPLAINED A free radical is essentially an oxygen molecule in the body that has become damaged while interacting with other damaged molecules. In other words, the other…

By: Adriana M. Perez, L.E. Is the fall weather drying out your skin and leaving it looking dull, feeling tight, and making fine lines appear deeper than they actually are? You may be tempted to avoid any type of exfoliation and slather on a heavy moisturizer, but this may not always be the best solution. Not All Exfoliation Is Good For Your Skin Gentle, year-round exfoliation (once a week for norma/dry skin, once or twice a week for oily/acneic skin) will prep your skin to better absorb treatment products that you apply afterward – resulting in hydrated, glowing, and healthy skin. People often tell me that they rub harsh and abrasive…

  By: Adriana M. Perez, L.E. Purchasing skincare kits can be very convenient: they take the guess work out of figuring out what products go with what (and how they can make your skin look better), and they are usually cheaper than buying each product separately. As convenient as these kits can be, there are a few other things to consider when choosing your skincare products. SKINCARE KITS All too often I find that predetermined kits are much too “cookie cutter.” One or two products in the kit may address a few of your skincare issues, but the other products may not necessarily be appropriate for you. For instance, an…