Maggie’s 5 tips to looking after your skin

This is a great blog from one of our makeup artists Maggie on taking care of your skin!

1. Nutrition

Nutrition is at the top of my list, why? Simply because our bodies need fuel in helping  everything function and work as one, including our skin. We can control a lot of what our skin does just by simply understanding what foods work for us. 1. Vitamins A,E, and C are just a few of the great sources in keeping the skin looking vibrant and healthy. 2. Minerals are as important for the skin as they are for the body and brain. here is a link to help you understand what minerals and vitamins can help you with. http://www.livestrong.com/article/265734-a-list-of-vitamins-and-minerals-and-what-they-are-good-for/

2. Hydrate

It’s easy, it’s free and it’s super important to keeping the skin looking plumped and glowing.  However, did you also know that water is one of the most important things you can intake to help your body function properly according to Chinese medicine. Like Western medicine, you can’t live without it. They both view water at least 70% of the human body and roughly 80% of your blood. Western medicine focuses on the kidneys and the bladder as the critical organs involved in water processing in the body. Eastern medicine according to the laws of the Five Elements water is the element through which all our power and energy is derived it is in charge of our growth and development, our bones, our brains our courage and our Will. This is only a portion of what Eastern medicine believes water function helps with the body. So drink water and consume lots of vegetables and fruit to keep the body and skin feeling and looking it’s best everything coexists together and water helps flush and move everything through our systems.

3. Sweating

Sweating by working out  helps the body purge out toxins that can clog pores and plague your skin with pimples and blemishes. Just remember after you have worked out to wash your face or take a shower to help prevent bacterial or fungal infections that may occur from dirt clogging up your pores. Toning the muscles beneath the skin helps the skin feel and look firmer and elastic in appearance. Toning your muscles may also help to minimize the appearance of cellulite. When you exercise it also increases the blood flow within your body which in return brings circulation up towards the skin which helps carry nutrients throughout the body and in return improves your skin health. And let’s not forget that working out help relieve tension and stress. Sauna’s

Sweating in a sauna is another great way to purge the body of toxins…but knowing how to use a sauna is important so you don’t get sick.  Here is a link to help you understand how to use a sauna. http://dellaterrawellness.com/the-health-benefits-of-saunas-and-what-you-might-be-doing-wrong/ Benefits of using a sauna are immense. Here is another great link to showcase what sweating in sauna’s can help improve when it comes to body and skin health. http://www.coffsnaturalmedicine.com/sauna.htm

4. Rest/Pamper

Yup, the correct amount of body, mind and spirit rest is as important as eating or hydrating. You work Monday -Sunday either in your career or as family or friend and all of interaction can create stress on all levels. It’s important to take time out for yourself by yourself. Get a massage, facials, sleep or run a bath for yourself with NO ONE around and relax is so vital for the body and mind to rejuvenate.

Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes the skin more sensitive and reactive. Skin problems can worsen  and may also react even more to specific foods or environment elements and top of all of that, skin stress can create more stress. Go figure that one. :O Yes your kids, career husband or wife are extremely important but what  good are you if you not fully energized and ready to be 100% present with them. Take the time out for you.

5.  Skin Care Treatments

You probably would have thought skin care treatments would be at the top of my list of things to do to ensure great skin. Well in some cases yes, if you have severe skin problems then seeing a dermatologist should be at the top of your list. However, if that’s not the case, then no, skin care treatments like at home masks, cleanser, toners, serums and lotions are at the bottom of the list. These products are all to help and enhance what is going on natural with your skin. So getting facials and peels are all a part of what your skin is doing naturally. Having a cleanser, toner, serum and lotion are all important products to have for taking care of your skin morning, noon and night.

1. Cleansers are to help the skin be clean by removing dirt, sweat, excess sebum (oils naturally produced by the skin), cosmetics, dead skin cells, bacteria, and any pollutants that come in contact with your skin. Cleansers are much gentler than soap, so all of you that wash your face with hand soap, NOT a good idea. 2. A lot of people I know skip the step of adding a toner to their facial cleansing regimen. It is a very important step because it helps restore the PHbalance in your skin. Which basically means the level acidity. You face need a certain amount of oil to stay waterproof and resistant to infection. Here are 6 reasons on why you should add a toner to your facial cleansing routine. a. Returns your ph balance. b. Helps shrink pours. c. it adds a layer of protection d. It moisturizes e. It refreshes the skin f. It also can percent ingrown hairs. 3. Serums one of the most modern skincare inventions, can really make that extra boost in relatively short period. They are usually water or oiled based and they have a gel-like feel to them. Serums are able to penetrate into all three layers of the skin quickly and effectively because it is made of really small molecules. Serums can me be made for under eyes, face or neck so you’ll need to decide on what you want to use it on. Use your serum after you have cleansed and toned. 4.  Moisturizer is the last product in the processes of your daily facial care. Moisturizers help restore moisture, give back vitamins, and may also contain SPF to help protect from UV rays.

There are a lot of different types of moisturizers on the market, use the brand/product that will target what you’re looking to improve or maintain. For example, fight wrinkles, aging skin, dry or oily skin.

Here are a few of my favorite Facial care companies.
1. Gabriel Cosmetics Inc. – http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/
2. DeVita Natural Skin Care – http://devitaskincare.com/store/
5. proactive – http://www.proactiv.com/?uci=ous111&s_kwcid=TC|1026596|proactive||S|e|22448738538&cid=cov183p260316                                                                                                                                                                                                       04/2013 Face It! by Maggie You’re Worth It
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Old-Fashioned Beauties

Old-Fashioned Beauties.

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Guest Blog Post: What is your skin tone?

We thought we would feature a Guest Blog Post monthly by a professional in the beauty industry.  This month is brought to by the lovely Maggie Wendt, our local professional makeup artist that works on various Gabriel Cosmetics projects.

What is your skin tone?

Determining your skin tone can put an end to what colors to pick when shopping for cosmetics or clothing items.

Skin tones fall into three classifications: WARM, COOL or NEUTRAL

Selecting the right colors based on your skin tone can add so much to your overall appearance. The right color can add sparkle to your overall being and complexion while the wrong color can leave you looking dull and your complexion washed out.

Here are a few easy steps to help you determine your skin tone.

Vein test – in a natural light, look at the inside of your wrist; if the veins appear greenish this indicates you have yellow undertones and thus would have a warm skin tone. Veins that appear to be more bluish indicate a cool skin tone.

Pony tail test – pull all your hair back away from the face in a pony tail or with a headband and thoroughly cleanse the face. Place a white towel or cloth around your neck and shoulders, if you face looks more yellow this would indicate a warm skin tone, whereas a bluish reflection would mean a cool skin tone.

Silver/Gold test – If you think you look better in gold than silver, this indicates a warm skin tone. People with cool skin tones usually look better in silver. Additionally, you can use a gold and silver cloth for this test, hold a swatch of gold fabric under the chin, does it make you look healthy, ashen or neither. Try the same with silver fabric, what do you see? A bluish hue or yellow undertones?

Cool Skin Tone – Consider rich, true colors. These would include black, navy, red, shocking pink, rich raspberries, deep emerald greens, royal blue, plums or pure black. Additionally wear icy tones instead of pastels for a lighter color. Cool skin tones should avoid beige, orange and gold.

Warm Skin Tone- Consider earth colors either crisp or muted. Normally those with a warm skin tone look great in sage greens, gold, mochas, and bronzes. For a softer color try peach, apricot yellow.

Neutral Skin Tone – Luckily for you, all colors will look good however, as indicated above most neutral skin tones will sway one way or another, so while a warm color may look great on you a cool color may look fabulous.

Here are a few color graphs to help you see what colors you can choose from on your next cosmetics purchase or wardrobe update.

cool and warm makeup chart

warm vs cool

Face It! by Maggie

You’re Worth It

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Ways to GO GREEN for Earth Day and everyday!

We are always looking to save money and we should also be looking for ways to Go Green.  In celebration of Earth Day here’s some things you can do today and everyday to leave our planet in a better place.

  • RECYCLE. It’s never been easier to recycle than it is in this day and age.  We have recycle bins at our desks at the office of Gabriel Cosmetics.  We also print double-sided or re-use the other side for messages/notes. We have a great recycle program when you return 5 empty product containers you receive a free lipstick of your choice! We also use eco-friendly packaging, learn more here.
  • RECEIVE AND PAY BILLS ONLINEAt Gabriel Cosmetics we offer direct deposit to our employees, which saves paper and time.
  • GET RID OF PLASTIC BOTTLES.  At the office we have water coolers and cups and mugs that our employees can use in support of health and wellness as well as looking professional.
  • TURN WATER OFF WHEN NOT USING. When brushing your teeth don’t leave the water running.  Shut off and turn back on when you need to rinse.
  • RE-USABLE BAGS.  Gabriel Cosmetics has branded re-usable bags that our employees or customers can use for groceries, lunches, or whatever they choose!
  • GET RID OF JUNK MAIL. Want to get rid of up to 75% of unwanted mail?  Check out The Direct Marketing Association www.dmachoice.org.
  • ENERGY CONSCIOUS. Visit www.energystar.gov to search for energy-efficient options of light bulbs, tax credits, and appliances for your office or home.

Happy Earth Day!  We’re celebrating by giving our customers 20% off!

Earth Day

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What do your brows say about you?

bold brow

SPRING TREND: BOLD BROW

I loved seeing Bold Brows on the spring runways! They frame the face and create a younger fresh look. The best way to achieve this look is with a creamy brow pencil, fill in sparse areas and extend out making sure to stay proportionate to your face. Once desired look is in place set with clear mascara. Check out some of our favorite beauty icons known for their beautiful brows.

This sparked the question, what your brows say about you?  Your eyebrows are the main attraction of your face and can completely change the shape of your face depending on how they are defined.  Check out what your brows could be saying about your personal style.

Thick bold brow = a woman with confidence (think Brooke Shields)

High arch brow = a woman who is intelligent and self-assured (think first lady Michelle Obama)

Thin brow = a woman who is fearless (think Pamela Anderson)

The perfect brow = a woman who is sexy and powerful (think Kim Kardashian)

The dramatic brow = a woman who knows what she wants which is to make a statement (think Fergie)

Sexy/Feminine brow = a woman who can spend a lot of time on maintenance (think Megan Fox)

Fierce brow = a woman who is detail-oriented (think Jennifer Lopez)

Unique brow = a woman who is independent and not afraid to go against the grain (think Camilla Belle)

Barely there brow = a woman who is elegant and natural (think Gwyneth Paltrow)

Show us your bold brow and tag #boldbrow #zuzuluxe

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The Oceanid Collection Makeup Tutorial

Shop here http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/index.cfm/category/241/oceanid-collection.cfm
The Oceanid Collection is a myriad of eclectic shades drawing from the freshness of the spring season and the beauty and delicateness of the sea as the collective inspiration. The color palette embodies the movement, life and serenity of the sea with the empowerment of the Oceanids, the 3,000 daughters of the Titans according to Greek mythology.
Featuring 8 products, The Oceanid Collection is comprised of a variety of cosmetics from eye shadow to lip gloss, providing the perfect spring palette. Each product is infused with Gabriel’s signature formulation of all-natural, gluten free and vegan ingredients providing not only beautiful tones and textures, but a complete health conscious collection.

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Prime Time

Haven’t we all complained about our makeup not lasting or smudging as the day goes on?  Or you have a special event like a wedding or prom? Primers are great because not only do they keep your makeup in place and looking fresh but they can also help to make the cosmetic shade more vibrant. A primer also helps even out the skin tone or cover up imperfections giving you the perfect canvas. Gabriel Cosmetics introduces two NEW primers by request and exclusively online.

Eye Primer

Eye Primer

Product: Eye Primer

Brand: Gabriel Color

Overview – Eye Primer turns your lids into a blank canvas that allows colors to stay truer and keeps shadows and liners looking vibrant and freshly applied morning till night.

Details & Usage – Use daily beneath your eye shadow to leave eyelids primed, smooth and even.

Key Ingredients & Properties – Added bonus, the Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil used in our eye primer works to reinforce collagen synthesis and delay skin wrinkling.

Directions for Application – Application does not get any easier; simply apply over entire eyelid with finger tips.

Availability and Pricing – GCI Online exclusive $13.55

Lip Primer

Lip Primer

Product: Lip Primer

Brand: Gabriel Color

Overview – Created to smooth, define, and prime lips for long-lasting color that won’t fade or feather.

Details & Usage – Wear moisture rich lip primer beneath lipsticks and glosses to create long-wearing lip color that won’t fade, stray, or feather.

Key Ingredients & Properties – Vitamin E enriched formula seals in moisture to ensure lips stay soft and supple.

Directions for Application – Apply over lips for maximum staying power.

Availability and Pricing – GCI Online exclusive $13.55

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