My Favorite Skincare Products

As a bridal makeup artist, my philosophy is that if your skin looks flawless, then your makeup will look flawless as well. When your skin is smooth and hydrated the makeup goes on better and looks a lot smoother. I have been kind of obsessed with my skin since I was 14 years old and I really believe that because of using good skincare products and making sure I use sunblock every day my skin has kept its tone and elasticity. My clients always ask me what I use on my skin and how I take care of it,and here are some of my secrets: Exfoliate regularly and use SPF everyday. Why and how to exfoliate you ask? Well, when I talk about exfoliating, I'm not talking about scrubbing your skin with a harsh scrub. You can use cleansers, creams and moisturizers that have exfoliating ingredients in them that do an excellent job without being harsh on your skin. There are secret ingredients that do the exfoliation for you on a deeper level and make your skin glow. Here are some of my favorite products out on the market that do an excellent job of exfoliating your skin.

Cleanser

Murad exfoliating cleanser: this cleanser has very fine particles that exfoliate your skin, but it's still very creamy and gentle. I like using this cleanser 3-4 times a week to keep my skin glowing. Whenever I use it, I swear I feel like my skin looks so much brighter!

Sophyto Cleanser: I like this foaming glycolic cleanser because it is gentle but it still exfoliates your skin. I also love this line because it is a natural and organic. 

Toner: 

Murad Hydrating Toner: This toner is great for refreshing your skin throughout the day or before applying moisturizer. I love it because it doesn't feel sticky and it smells very fresh. It is perfect for this dry weather as a pick-me uppper.

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Face Mist: This stuff is so great! It feels calming on the skin and has tons of antioxidants. It's good for all skin types and smells delicious.  

Moisturizer

Olay Day Cream: a basic day lotion that I have been using for years. It gets the job done of moisturizing and protecting your skin without leaving it greasy or oily. I like it for all skin types, but if you have dry skin you might want to use something a bit heavier.

Ole Henriksen Pure Perfection Night Cream: I use this cream every night before bedtime and when I wake up, my skin feels so supple and smooth. It has glycolic acid in it, so it exfoliates your skin while you sleep. I love it and highly recommend it!

Murad Perfecting Day Cream: I love this lotion for many reasons. The consistency is thin, but it moisturizes the skin really nicely. It has SPF 30, which is sometimes hard to find in a lotion. And the good thing is that it doesn't have the strong smell of sunscreen. 

Mask

Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask: I LOOOVE this mask! It gently dissolves the dead skin, while revealing brighter, younger looking skin. It's ideal to use on normal/combination skin on a weekly basis. I love that it comes in small packets so you don't have to stick your fingers into a jar. 

Serum

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum: This is the only serum I use every day before makeup application. It's like a daily vitamin for your skin. It has tons of antioxidants and is very moisturizing. My makeup goes on so nicely after I use this stuff. I'm kinda addicted. 

Well, I hope this was a helpful guide for your skincare. As you can tell, I love Murad and Ole Henriksen lines.. and trust me I have tried MANY skin care lines through out the years. Please post your comments and questions below and link to my Facebook page for more info and updates.

xoxo,
Yana

Treat Yourself To High-End Cosmetics For Your Wedding Make-Up

Very few women can afford to buy high-end skin care and cosmetics for their day-to-day routine, but we're talking about your wedding day! What better excuse to splurge and indulge yourself with some expensive goodies than the fact that you're getting married? If you're really clever, you can register for these luxuries for your shower gifts, or ask your future husband to treat you!


So, how do you know which skin care and cosmetic lines are right for you? Take yourself to the nearest posh department store where the cosmetic and fragrance department is a virtual wonderland of beauty and pampering! Experts at each counter are there to serve you and find the perfect products for your coloring and complexion. Each line usually has hundreds of samples and the salesperson will choose the right skin care for your needs. It's a good idea to take these home and use them to see how your skin reacts before committing to the big buy. Also, virtually every cosmetic line offers complimentary makeovers allowing you to pick and choose which products you love, and which you'd prefer to leave behind.
Once you've purchased your fabulous selections, bring them to your professional make-up artist when you go for your trial wedding make-up consultation. Not only will he or she give you a glimpse of how you'll look as a blushing bride, but will also offer tips for the proper
application of your new indulgences. Enjoy!

Schedule Your Pre-Wedding Facial Wisely

Everyone loves and deserves some pampering, especially brides-to-be! Whether you treat yourself to a new haircut, a massage, or a mani/pedi, you'll (hopefully) leave your appointment looking and feeling like a million bucks. One service you might consider bypassing prior to tying the knot is a facial. Yes, a facial may feel wonderful while you're having it done, and yes, they're great for your skin in the long run, but they can also result in some unwanted side effects that can prove disastrous for a bride. So, what are these side effects and how can you avoid them if you really want to have a pre-wedding facial?

If your skin's not accustomed to the stimulation and deep-pore cleansing of a facial, your face can break out. Badly. This happens because during a facial, toxins and impurities are released and oil production in your skin is stimulated. The result can be a face full of unsightly blemishes. Not ideal for wedding photos! Another unpleasant outcome that can result is an allergic reaction to one or more of the products used during the facial. This is especially common for those with sensitive skin. A good esthetician will take every possible precaution to prevent either of these results from occurring. If you absolutely long to have a pre-wedding facial, do so at least two weeks prior to the big day.