To find the nearest participating Nordstrom store to you, check out allureaccess.com and be sure to reserve your appointment before it’s too late!

Now, of course you have to be careful sometimes. If you find an item listed for 99 cents when it normally retails for $20 or $30, chances are that you aren’t really getting what you want! It’s always a good idea to take a look at the “Reviews and Guides” section located on the left panel of the listing before purchasing. This section will give you tips on how to avoid fake products as well as offer more information about the product you are viewing. In my experience, I have always had very good luck receiving authentic products at a great price.

I decided to share this online shopping opportunity with all of you too! I have officially launched my very own skincare and beauty niche store for you at Sharnell’s Skincare and Beauty Store (or by clicking on the “Shop” button located on the top panel of my blog). There you will find Ebay listings for a wide variety of skincare and beauty products, ranging from everyday skincare items to beauty tools such as extractors and facial steamers. You will also find an array of skincare and beauty brands such as Proactive, Murad, Lancome, Mary Kay and many more! If you don’t find what you are looking for in the listings, simply click on the links to some of my best-loved online skincare and beauty stores. Check it out today and find the best deals on your favorite skincare and beauty products!

Get your eyebrows shaped professionally . Taking on this task for yourself is not an option. Here’s why: Waxing is a must when having your eyebrows arched. No matter how comfortable you feel with using wax, it is always better for someone else to do it for you. A professional is not only trained on how to use wax, but they also know how to shape the brows so that they properly frame your face. A professional brow shaping will also include trimming of the brows, which is an important step and can be very tricky when trying to do it yourself. A simple trimming mistake can make all the difference in the perfectly shaped eyebrow. Depending on how quickly your hair grows back in, you should have your brows re-shaped every two to three weeks.

Maintain eyebrow grooming at home. This should be done by everyone, everyday, whether or not you have your eyebrows professionally shaped. All you need to accomplish this task is a good pair of tweezers and a brow brush. As strays grow in, you should pluck the hair to keep your brow area looking clean and neat. I do not suggest tweezing along your arch line however, because this could interfere with your shape. Focus on removing the stray hairs that grow within the areas of your eyelids and in between your brows.

Enhance your brows with makeup. There are a few ways to manipulate your brows with makeup. If you have full and dark eyebrow hair, use a brow gel to keep them in place. If you are the opposite and have very light or sparse eyebrow hair, use a brow pencil or powder to darken the color and strengthen your shape. When using a brow pencil, you can achieve a more natural look by using very short and soft upward strokes to mimic the look of real hair. Never completely color in your eyebrows using a pencil, or else you will end up looking like King Tut! Another great way to bring attention to your eyebrows is by using a highlighter on your brow bone. There are both powder and pencil eyebrow highlighters, ranging in color, that are made especially to brighten and open up the eye area.

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If you don’t take advantage of drugstore.com’s special price, be sure to grab your Crest Whitening Strips System from your local drugstore.

What is Skin Exfoliation?

Skin exfoliation is a process in which the upper most layer of your skin, consisting of dead skin cells and debris, is removed through mechanical, chemical or enzyme treatment.

Why Exfoliate?

The removal of dead skin cells, oil, dirt and debris will instantly leave your skin looking fresh and feeling clean. Regular exfoliation will give your skin a smooth texture, clear complexion, healthy tone and beautiful glow. By incorporating exfoliation into your skincare regimen, you will not only be preventing skin congestion and break out, but you will also be fighting against premature aging by assisting in accelerating regeneration of healthy skin cells.

Types of Skin Exfoliaton:

As mentioned above, there are three main types of skin exfoliants – mechanical, chemical and enzyme. Each type offers various methods of exfoliation that work for different skin types. If you are familiar with your skin type, you can decide on which form and method of exfoliation will work best for your skin.

Mechanical Skin Exfoliants -

• Facial Sponges, Buff-Puffs and Washcloths: These manual exfoliating tools are used on the skin to remove surface dead skin cells through physical friction. They should always be used on damp skin, avoiding blemished areas to prevent irritation.
• Facial Scrub: Facial scrubs offer moderate skin exfoliation and are gentle enough to be used once a day, everyday. Most facial scrubs will use finely ground rice, nuts (usually almond) or fruit seed (apricot) to polish the skin, revealing a more clean and clear surface. There are also some scrubs that utilize jojoba micro beads, which have a smoother texture and are less abrasive on the skin. Facial scrubs are suitable for all skin types, except very fragile skin. A scrub should never be applied to acne skin, as it can spread infection and cause painful irritation.
• Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion can be performed both at home and at a spa. The at-home versions of microdermabrasion come in a cream form and work much like a facial scrub. The granules present in a microdermabrasion cream are much smaller than that of a scrub, made from aluminum or magnesium oxide crystals. Microdermabrasion creams are recommended for all skin types except sensitive and acneic and can be used two to three times a week. Regular use will keep the skin looking healthy, youthful and radiant. There are two microdermabrasion treatments offered at the spa. The original microdermabrasion treatment utilizes a machine which propels a high-speed flow of aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin, while the machine’s vacuum system sucks away dirt, dead skin cells and used crystals. The newer and now more popular microdermabrasion treatment is known as the “diamond peel”. The diamond microdermabrasion system replaces the micro-crystal flow with a disposable or reusable diamond tip wand. This allows areas closer to the eyes and mouth to be treated more precisely, without the risk of stray crystals causing damage or being ingested. Spa grade microdermabrasion is appropriate for all skin types and are performed in multiple sessions for best results.

Chemical Skin Exfoliants -

• AHA/BHA Peels: AHA, aka Alpha-Hydroxy Acid and BHA, or Beta-Hydroxy Acid, are the most commonly known chemical skin exfoliants, which can be used at home. Glycolic, lactic and fruit acids are AHA’s that produce a light to mild exfoliation by removing the outermost surface layer of your skin through the loosening of the glue-like substance that holds the dead skin cells together, while speeding up cell renewal. AHA’s will help to control skin congestion, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, balance your skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Although AHA peels are easily done from home, they are still offered at spas at a professional strength of over 30%, which are not available over the counter. AHA peels can be used on all skin types, with caution toward sensitive skin. BHA acids, such as salicylic acid, work just as AHA’s, but are used primarily on problematic and acneic skin, due to it’s healing properties. AHA/BHA’s, depending on strength, can be used several times a week or on a daily basis.
• Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) and Phenol Peels: The TCA and phenol peels are only offered through a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. These chemical peels are highly potent and require down time for recovery. The results of a TCA or phenol peel are smoother texture, brightened tone, and tighter, younger looking skin. This method of exfoliation is extreme and costly. These high-grade peels are recommended for more serious skin treatments like the removal of scarring or severe hyperpigmentation.

Enzyme Skin Exfoliants -

• Papain (papaya enzyme) and Bromelin (pineapple enzyme) are the most widely used enzyme skin exfoliation treatments. Exfoliation with the use of enzyme therapy works to dissolve the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of the skin. This method of exfoliation is the least aggressive and rarely produces a negative reaction on the skin. All skin types will benefit from daily use of enzyme treatments.
• Protease enzymes are the newest form of enzymatic exfoliation. Proteolytic enzymes mimic the role of your body’s own natural protease enzymes to promote decay of protein impurities, dissolution of dead skin cells and acceleration of cell renewal. This type of skin exfoliation works best when used daily and is suitable to all skin types, including sensitive. As with other methods of exfoliation, protease enzymes will give your skin enhanced clarity and suppleness, but without the risk of any irritation.

As you can see, exfoliation is crucial to the health and overall appearance of the skin. With so many forms and methods of exfoliation available, you are bound to find the one that best suits your skin type. Just be sure to always try new skin care treatments with caution and ease. Over exfoliation will cause your skin to dry out and possibly break out, while not exfoliating often enough could lead to congestion and dullness of your skin. Proper and consistent skin exfoliation is an easy way to keep your skin healthy and looking beautiful.

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This is an awesome beauty tool that comes in very handy when making important skincare purchases online.

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Thankfully, Revlon offers this very handy makeup eraser tool that is both convenient and effective. The Revlon Eye Makeup Eraser Pen is designed just like a pen with a felt-like tip that is saturated with an oily makeup remover solution. Now you may be wary about using this oily solution on your skin, but in fact, the oil is what makes this product so magical. Truth be told, the best solvent for removing makeup is an oily substance. However, because this makeup remover is just for small corrections and not meant to be used on your entire face, there is no cause for concern. If necessary, all it takes is a simple dab of tissue to remove any residue that may be left on the skin. No problem!

During my search for the perfect eye makeup corrector, I did also find a similar pen-style remover by Sephora. Since both Revlon and Sephora’s makeup pens do the same job, I went for the one kinder on my budget. Sephora also has a compact box of makeup removing cotton swabs, but again, this method proves to be a bit too aggressive for me. So Revlon has won my vote for best choice, making the makeup eraser pen a very important addition to my makeup bag. I keep two Revlon Makeup Eraser Pens on hand at all times. One stays at home in my makeup bag for use during my makeup application, while the other travels the world with me in my handbag. Like most people, my eyeliner tends to run throughout the day. Now, with my new eye makeup eraser pen, a quick fix is just a swipe away.

1. To achieve smooth results, you must exfoliate your skin before application of your self tanner. A mild exfoliation, such as a scrub, is best to use the day before applying your sunless tanner. Be sure to include your neck and decollete when cleansing, exfoliating and applying tanner so that you have a balanced look.

2. Don’t forget to moisturize your skin. There are two ways that you can moisturize and apply self tanner to your face. The first way is to tone and moisturize before smoothing on your sunless tanner. The other way it so combine your moisturizer and self tanner and massage them into your skin together.

3 . Keep a natural look by using cotton balls saturated with water along your hairline. This will help to avoid the look of a “bordered tan”.

4. To prevent discoloring of your palms, use vinyl or latex gloves. If you are allergic to the gloves, you can use baby wipes or just wash your hands with soap and warm water immediately after applying your facial tanner.

5. Allow your self tanner some time to set before applying your makeup. Rushing the process will leave you with uneven results.

Clarins has just come out with this fantastic new sunless tanner for the face. The Sheer Bronze Self Tanning Hydrating Gel For Face does more than just give your skin a beautiful glow. Your skin will also reap the benefits of hydration from aloe vera extracts, as well as protection from the sun and free radicals with cocoa extracts and vitamin E. The gel texture of this self tanner is exceptional for all skin types.

Dove is another great option, which is easier on the budget. The Dove Energy Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with a Touch of Self Tanner is a facial tanner that comes in two shades of color to accommodate all skin tones. Because this product has a built in self tanner, there is less potency of the tanning ingredients, which allows for daily application without the worry of having too much color on your skin.

A sunless tanner is really the best method to keeping a healthy glow of your skin throughout the year. Whether or not you decide to do this during just the winter or for all seasons, don’t forget to continue using a sunblock. Protecting your skin from the UV-light rays is the #1 way to prevent sun damage and premature aging.

Permanent makeup is quite popular and can be a great cosmetic investment. Most women will decide to have permanent makeup done because it saves them time during their daily makeup routine. It is no doubt convenient to wake up in the morning and already have your eyebrows, eyeliner, lip liner and color done! Then to top it off, you go through the entire day without having to reapply or worry about your makeup fading or smudging off. Below, I have outlined a few FAQ’s and answers about permanent makeup.

Are you a candidate? Anyone can have permanent makeup. It all depends on what you are looking to achieve. The most common procedures are as mentioned above, eyebrows, eyeliner, lip liner and color. If you have the disappearing brow, as previously discussed in my “Beautiful Anastasia Eyebrows” post, then you are the perfect candidate for permanent makeup. Cosmetic tattooing is also used as a corrective procedure for both men and women for conditions such as post breast reconstruction, thinning hair, scar blending, cleft lip, Vitiligo and Alopecia.

Will it look natural? There are some incredible methods of eyebrow tattooing such as the “feathering technique” that result in very subtle and natural looking eyebrows. Of course, there is also a wide variety of colors to choose from, so you don’t have to worry about being marked with black eyebrows, red lips and blue eyeliner for the rest of your life! A good permanent makeup artist will include a consultation first so that the best shape and colors are chosen to enhance your beauty.

How long does it last? Permanent makeup will fade over time, usually lasting anywhere from 3-10 years. The color used on your skin will help to determine the life of your permanent makeup. Most people will have their cosmetic tattoos touched up occasionally to keep a fresh look.

Will it hurt? During the cosmetic tattooing, there will be some discomfort. However, unlike a normal tattoo, a topical anesthetic is used which will greatly reduce any pain involved with the procedure.

How much does it cost? The price of permanent makeup will differ for each case depending on what area is being accented. You can count on spending at least a couple hundred of dollars for any one procedure. Again, this can be a worthwhile investment if you find that saving time while always looking your best is money well spent.

Hopefully, this post will help to answer some of your general questions with regard to permanent makeup. If you would like additional information on permanent makeup, please visit Natural Effects Permanent Makeup.