Happy Bargain Shopping!

To visit Sharnell’s Skincare and Beauty Store, click on the link above or visit www.sharnellskinshop.com.

After faithfully using both the Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion and Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate for several weeks, I discovered one thing for was sure.  My skin was thirsty for water!  While both products have a very smooth and lightweight consistency, which I normally prefer, my skin was left feeling very tight.  Unfortunately, neither of these products offered my skin a sufficient amount of hydration.   I also found the serum’s fragrance to be a bit strong.  On the upside, it didn’t appear that the fragrance bothered my skin at all.   Another pro is that I did enjoy the texture of the serum and found that a little went a very long way.  In the end, I didn’t see a huge difference in my skin’s overall appearance nor did I feel a great improvement of it’s condition. However, I can definitely appreciate the fact that my skin did not experience any irritation or breakout.

All in all, I would recommend these products for a younger skin type that doesn’t have any real concerns.  It is a great line to keep healthy skin on the right track.  However, if you are looking for an anti-aging or anti-acne product that will produce immediate or dramatic results, then neither of these products would work for you.

Unlike most organic skincare lines which use a water base, all Juice Beauty products are made with a 100% certified organic juice base. This organic juice base is up to 50% higher in antioxidants and nutrients than non-organic juice also and surpasses the benefits of a water base by more than a mile. Juice Beauty products not only contain powerful antioxidants, but also offer age-defying ingredients such as polyphenols, hydroxy acids, DMAE, alpha-lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10. In addition, Juice Beauty products helps to create beautiful and glowing skin with exceptional ingredients like vital phytonutrients, Vitamin C and essential fatty acids and vitamins.

For the past two weeks, I have been using the Juice Beauty Green Apple Cleansing Gel and Juice Beauty Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer. So far, I love them both! The texture of the cleanser is fantastic. It is a gel base, but doesn’t get foamy. Even so, my skin is left with a nice and fresh feel after cleansing, minus the tightness. The moisturizer is perfectly light and gives my skin just the right amount of moisture and hydration. Overall, my skin feels soft and smooth and has a much brighter complexion. I definitely plan on using the Juice Beauty products throughout the summer. I eventually want to also purchase the Juice Beauty Green Apple Nutrient Eye Cream and Juice Beauty Green Apple Hydration Mask. I look forward to using the entire Juice Beauty Green Apple line and can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, with any purchase of $75 or more of Juice Beauty products, skinstore.com will send you a free travel size of the Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer!

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!

When you are receiving a back facial, you can expect the following:

1. A double cleanse of the skin under steam. The first cleanse will clean the surface of your skin while the second cleanse gets deeper into the pores as they open up from the steam.
2. Exfoliation is then performed with a scrub of some sort and then extractions, if necessary.
3. Most treatments will follow exfoliation and extractions with a back and shoulder massage. This is usually the best part of a back facial!
4. After the massage, a customized body masque will be applied to the back and left on for at least ten minutes.
5. Finally, the masque is removed and a body toner and skin moisturizer is smoothed onto the skin for a radiant finish.

Some spas will also offer a peel of some kind with your back treatment, as an upgrade. This can be anything from a glycolic peel to dermabrasion. However, an aggressive peel is really only necessary for very congested or acne prone skin. If you’ve never experienced a body treatment of any kind, a great starter would be a back facial. It’s a fantastic treat for both your skin and yourself!

Beauty a Go-Go’s:

- Body Massage

- Deep Cleansing Facials and Facial Peels

- Routine Skincare Regimen to include cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing and under eye treatment.

- Manicures and Pedicures

- Back and Chest (if you can handle it!) Waxing

- Eyebrow Waxing

- Regular style cuts and hair color to cover up grey’s.

Beauty a No-No’s:

- Manicures and Pedicures with clear top coat. I like my man’s nails clean and clipped, but not shiny!

- Shaped Eyebrows. A man’s eyebrows should never be on the verge of becoming thinner than my own!

- Bikini Waxing. A razor should do the trick!

- Makeup of any kind! The only exception is a tinted acne spot treatment.

- Highlighted Hair. I’m a bit on the fence about this one… what do you think?

These beauty treatments are just a few to mention. There are more services offered such as body scrub and wrap treatments. I think these types of beauty treatments are perfectly acceptable for men and I even encourage that they be performed. There is no reason that a man should not care for his skin. He can and does age just as quickly as women do! I also love the idea that men lead a more “manicured” look these days. I still find a little scruff attractive, but as long as it’s in control! What are your thoughts on men and beauty? Are you a man who frequents hair and nail salons or day spas? What are some of your favorite treatments and what are the treatments you steer clear of?

Just like the skin on your face, your body skin needs to be exfoliated regularly. Imagine all the build-up of dead skin cells, lotion, perfume and debris from your clothing just settling on your skin. When you do not exfoliate, this layer of grime just continues to accumulate on the surface of your skin. It is the perfect recipe for acne. There is quite an easy fix to this problem. Prevention of body acne starts with showering. It is crucial to not only shower at least once a day, but you should also cleanse your body immediately after any activity that causes you to sweat. While in the shower, you should always use a loofah, or some method of exfoliating your skin while cleansing with your soap or body wash. You can take your pick of many options such as the previously mentioned body loofah, body brush, bath mitt, body sponge… the list goes on. If you don’t already use one of these shower tools, I really encourage you to start now. You will surely see and feel a difference in your skin.

If you are already plagued with body acne, there are many products designed to help treat the condition. For severe cases, I would not recommend using an exfoliating shower tool. This will be too aggressive and only spread the bacteria. Rather, I would strongly urge you to use a washcloth combined with a body acne clearing wash such as the Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment or Murad Acne Body Wash. Murad also has a very unique Clarifying Body Spray which is highly effective in treating body acne. Another method of treating body acne is with microdermabrasion. Most spas and salons will offer this treatment for your chest and other areas upon request. Finally, the last step in treating body acne is to only use an oil-free body moisturizer such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free or Clinique Sun Care UV-Response Body Gel-Lotion SPF 15 on the affected areas of your skin. It is also a good idea to wear breathable clothing, especially in the summer. Cotton and linen fabrics are most ideal and will be less irritating to your body acne.

Body acne can definitely a be painful, annoying and embarrassing ordeal. With consistency and the proper tools, it just takes a few simple steps to treat the problem. If you have tried all of the above methods of treatment and still find no relief, visit your dermatologist. Your skin may require prescription strength treatment or an oral medication that will work to heal the skin from the inside out.

What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin is a soft wax containing paraffin oil, which is nonflammable and refined from petroleum. Due to it’s very high capacity for heat, paraffin wax is able to absorb and retain a great amount of heat, but at a lower than normal temperature. This allows the wax to be used on the skin without the risk of causing burns. As with all wax substances, when at room temperature, paraffin remains a solid. Once placed into the paraffin tub and warmed, the wax becomes a liquid. When the paraffin is applied to the skin, it begins to solidify again as it cools. All of the heat that the wax retained during the melting process then transfers to the skin. This process is called heat of fusion and is precisely what makes a paraffin wax treatment so unique and special.

What is Paraffin Wax good for?

Skin Treatment – Used on the skin, paraffin wax provides an intense moisture therapy, making this treatment most ideal for dry to severely dry skin. The warm wax opens up the pores, allowing maximum absorption of the paraffin oil and other calming oils such as lavender into the skin. The heat from a paraffin treatment also helps to promote circulation in the skin, which results in a more radiant appearance. Paraffin wax treatments are not only nourishing, but are also extremely soothing and will help to soften the texture of the skin.

Heat Therapy – Paraffin wax is not only beneficial to the skin. Many body treatments will incorporate paraffin wax due to it’s superb heat therapy. Here are some of the ways paraffin can be used as heat therapy:

• To relax tired and stiff muscles
• To soothe Arthritis joint pain
• To alleviate Tendinitis pain
• As a treatment before therapeutic massage or exercise
• During physical therapy
• To warm very cold hands or feet

Overall, I would say that paraffin wax serves as an excellent treatment. With it’s many uses, owning your own
paraffin bath is a great idea. A paraffin tank is easy to use and maintain. It is a small investment, with great gain.

• Don’t skimp on the tissue by looking for the cheapest price with the largest quantity. With the constant blowing of your nose and dabbing of tears, you really want to use tissue containing lotion. This type of tissue will be the most soothing and gentle on the delicate skin beneath your nose and under your eyes. Also be sure to always have tissue with you. The biggest mistake you can make is using paper towels, napkins or other harsh paper products for blowing your nose and blotting your tears. Doing this will only cause further irritation and redness of your skin.

• Keep your skin well moisturized to avoid intensely dry and chapped skin. Look for skincare products that contain soothing and healing ingredients such as aloe vera and vitamin E. Creams that help reduce inflammation and irritation are also ideal. A fantastic skincare product that will do all of this for your skin is the Peter Thomas Roth Aloe-Cort Cream. I have been using this cream for years to treat my eczema. A little will go a very long way, so dabbing a drop on the sensitive areas of your skin throughout the day is a fantastic way to soothe the irritation.

• Pick up a gel-based hydrating serum like the Murad Cellular Replenishing Serum to treat the overall dehydration of your skin that is caused by allergies. Not only can you use this serum everyday under your moisturizer, but you can also use it as a special treatment for the sore skin under your eyes. In addition to over-the-counter eye drops, it is also a great idea to use cold tea bags as a way to treat the puffiness, redness and irritation.

• Maintain your beauty by using makeup products which will help to counteract redness of the skin and even out your skin tone. For example, a concealer with a yellow-base will cover up redness. This concealer can be used under your eyes, around your nose and for over any blemishes that may pop up. Continue using your foundation as you normally would in order to keep your complexion looking healthy and even. You may need to use a little more foundation in the areas that are being concealed, but be sure not to over do it. Another excellent way to brighten up your skin is to use a highlighter or illuminator. Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator is fabulous for adding a pinch of color and radiance. This Clinique illuminator can be used with your foundation or just where you want to give your skin a little glow. A highlighter powder or stick can be applied to your cheek and brow bones to give add a little shine. Don’t forget to also apply a little blusher for some contrast and color. And lastly, use only waterproof eyeliner and mascara as to avoid a smudged and dreary looking eye.