8 WAYS TO SHINE BRIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS
It’s a festive time of year and we want to look our best for all the parties and gatherings that come with the season. Here are eight ways to radiate a lovely holiday glow…
-
- EXFOLIATE: Smooth skin reflects more light and shows off a radiant complexion. When dead skin cells pile up, it dulls your skin. The trick? Exfoliation! Do it at night to remove all the excess gunk you’ve accumulated during the day. Also, keep in mind that dead skin is dead and no amount of moisturizer will fix it. You must slough it off in order to achieve a brighter complexion.
- PEELS:Peels are an effective way to improve and rejuvenate the skin to get that “glow”. Peels reveal new, smooth skin and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. They can be done on the face, neck, or hands. The Vivier Peel™ is a gentle yet effective peel that produces predictable and controlled micro-exfoliation with no downtime and can be repeated every 2-4 weeks.
- RETINOIDS:Retinoids are miracle multitaskers. Cell functions slow down in our 30s, but retinoids help boost cell function by increasing cell turnover and ridding skin of damaged cells so healthy skin is more visible. Plus, retinoids also increase collagen production, which is one of the skin’s primary support structures. Another added bonus from retinoids is how they decrease oil production by clearing dead skin cells, oil, and pore debris, which helps prevents breakouts.
- VITAMIN C: Load up on antioxidants. In our November newsletter, we extensively covered the benefits of Vitamin C. Not only is it great for keeping colds away, it fights off aging! Vitamin C is a brightening agent that does your skin good, and we’re not talking about chugging a glass of OJ. Rub some vitamin C oil on your skin each day to keep that complexion glowing. Tip: If you have dark spots on your skin, look for skin brightening products, made to reduce pigmentation of the skin. Try Vivier Sequenc™ IDS™
- FAKE IT: Use a bronzer to add radiance without exposure; we recommend Jane Iredale bronzers, available at our clinic. If your skin is normal or dry, apply a cream formula with your fingers by tapping up and down your cheekbones, and dab whatever is leftover on your brow bones, center of your chin, and tip of your nose. For an oily complexion, dust a powder formula over the same areas with a small fluffy brush, making sure to tap off excess powder before application.
- HEAD TO TOE: Instead of body lotion, try botanical oils as an all-over body moisturizer. They contain the same lipids as your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Coconut oil is a favourite because it’s rich in fatty acid, leaving a glow behind, rather than a shine. Consider trying our new ECOTAN, that can be used on both your face and body. This certified organic products from Australia are a healthy alternative to chemicals with no hidden nasties and is now available at our clinic as a Christmas Pack, including a gradual tanning moisturizer.
- MINERAL MAKEUP: Why would you do all this work to make sure your skin is bright and healthy, only to dull it with a layer of makeup? Instead, go with the minimalist approach of: less is more. Go as light as you can on makeup so you can keep that glow shining through. Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals provide a moist and light coverage with a feel like second skin.
- EAT, DRINK & BE HEALTHY: There are a million reasons why you should drink more water, and brighter skin is one of them. Drinking lots of water increases the blood flow to your skin, creating pinker cheeks and an overall healthy glow. Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the skin, and sugary foods break down collagen and elastin over time, which dulls your complexion. If it’s too hard to curb your coffee or cake cravings, be sure to drink lots of water and eat more colorful vegetables. This will help balance your body’s pH levels and help your skin retain a healthier glow. If all of that still sounds like too much work, take a nap. Skin regenerates while you sleep, so getting adequate rest makes a huge difference!
