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Step away from the baby wipes!

I’ve read countless times in fashion magazines that baby wipes are the best way to remove makeup. Baby wipes are gentle but they don’t get the job done with makeup. You need to use a makeup up remover. For the entire face I like to use a gentle lotion to remove makeup before cleansing. My favorite is: L’Occitane Milk Make-up Remover. I use a bit on a cotton pad and gently wipe it on to my face. You can also pour a bit into your hand and gently massage it onto the face, eyes and lips to loosen the makeup.

Be kind to your eyes. The eye area is so delicate it requires a special technique. You should use an eye makeup remover if you wear waterproof mascara and liner otherwise the ones for the face in general are enough. Put some remover on a cotton pad and gently hold it on the eye for about 30 seconds. (You may need to leave it longer depending on how much and what type of makeup you use). If you have to scrub at it leaves the remover on longer. This will loosen up the mascara so you don’t need to keep wiping and tugging. Gently sweep the cotton over the lids and down the lashes. Once the makeup is off of the top lid, fold the pad in half and look up. Gently sweep the pad under the bottom lashes. Repeat with the other eye and a fresh pad.

A great eye Makeup remover is: Pevonia Eye Make-Up Remover

Follow up with a gentle cleanser. You don’t need a harsh cleanser because the hard work is already done.

I suggest: Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser or Jan Marini BioGlycolic Facial Cleanser (for all skin types)

Happy Birthday Belle!

It’s our 1year anniversary, so we’re putting out the biggest issue ever.

May marks the beginning of wedding season, so we have a bridal beauty countdown. We have ways to beat dark circles, how to properly remove makeup and how to wear the new nude makeup.

We also have something special this month: Belle has now created the “Belle Green Beauty Award,” which recognizes companies who have gone that extra bit to be more eco friendly. We may not give out the award every month, but look for it in future issues.

Let’s celebrate your beauty as we celebrate our birthday!

S.

Waxing can be intimidating and can also vary from salon to salon. I find it hard to find a good wax and as an esthetician I’m probably harder to please than anyone else. So here are my waxing tips:

1. Most salons have done away with the pre-waxing cleansing. With salons trying to pump out as many services as possible the pre-wax treatment can be seen as too time consuming and not necessary for the outcome. However missing the pre-wax cleanse can cause breakouts, ingrown hairs and irritation, because hair is slippery from our body oils and the wax doesn’t grip it as effectively. I know estheticians have turned to baby powder to combat this problem, but you’re better to have clean skin going in. If you’re going during or after work, wash in the morning but skip the lotion on the areas you’re having waxed. Bring a travel pack of face wipes or baby wipes with you to remove deodorant right before you leave for your appointment.
   
   
   

2. Help out your esthetician. Bruising can occur because the skin wasn’t stretched properly when the wax was ripped off. Bruising can also occur because the wax wasn’t pulled off parallel to the skin, but rather straight out. Wherever your being waxed, help out by pulling the skin taut in the opposite direction the wax is being pulled off. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can help and how, but I know I’ve often been told “don’t worry, just try to relax,” and then bruised.
   
   
   

3. Trim your bikini line. If you don’t go bare down there, trim the hair you want to keep. This helps because the area will be more visible and you don’t risk those painful stray hairs from being pulled. I suggest picking up an electric beard-trimming razor with guards. This is much easier and faster than trimming with scissors and the guard ensures that the hair will be clipped evenly, looking the best. The other thing to remember about the bikini line is to be specific about what you want. The standard bikini wax is generally not enough for the average woman. Somewhere in between the standard (which isn’t standard) and the Brazilian lies the European wax. Most salons don’t offer it or call it that on their menu; you have to ask for it. You have to tell them you want the in-between and show them where you want hair removed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The oil or lotion they put on you after your wax is not necessarily the best after care. It works for the time between your wax for a couple hours until you get home, but you should invest in some good at-home after care. I suggest Tend Skin and a soothing face cream. (A face cream will tell you if it’s non-comedogenic, or won’t clog pores, a body lotion won’t). What I use: Pevonia Soothing Sensitive Skin Cream. It reduces redness and sensitivity.

5. Take preventative measures. Take Tylenol or ibuprophen 45 minutes before you go, this will help pain and swelling. Also, try not to wax 3 days before or after your period, you are most sensitive at these times.

Uses low-level heat to kill acne bacteria. It promises to improve most pimples in 24-48 hours. Guess what, it does work!! It’s small and handy. It comes in different colors and is easy to use. I would definitely recommend this for acne control. It’s great to have around when you’re PMS-ing, you can take care of breakouts fast. If you have severe acne, this will not be a miracle product, but it will help control blemishes.