Skin Tone

Making sure you know your skin tone before you go out and buy those must have beauty products is as important as knowing your shoe size before you buy some shoes.

What some of us do is to assume that we have a certain skin tone and go out and buy foundation only to realise that we may need to buy another as the last one didn’t match our skin.

Skin tones can be broken down into the following 6 types (use this list to identify your skin tone):

Skin Tone (6 Types):
1: Very Light:
•    Tanning: Likely burn / very rarely tans
•    Typical Likely Hair Colour: Red / Blonde
•    Typical Likely Eye Colour: Blue / Green / Grey

2: Light Skinned:
•    Tanning: Sometimes burns / rarely tans
•    Typical Likely Hair Colour: Light / Dark
•    Typical Likely Eye Colour: Blue / Green / Hazel / Brown / Grey

3: Light Intermediate:
•    Tanning: Sometimes burns / usually tans
•    Typical Likely Hair Colour: Brown
•    Typical Likely Eye Colour: Blue, Green, Hazel, Brown

4: Dark Intermediate
•    Tanning: Rarely burns / often tans
•    Typical Likely Hair Colour: Dark Brown
•    Typical Likely Eye Colour: Dark Brown

5: Dark / Brown
•    Tanning: Naturally brown skin
•    Typical Likely Hair Colour: Black – Brown
•    Typical Likely Eye Colour: Black – Brown

6: Dark / Black
•    Tanning: Naturally dark skin
•    Typical Likely Hair Colour: Black – Brown
•    Typical Likely Eye Colour: Black – Brown

Example of the famous orange foundation look: Woman has skin tone of dark intermediate, she then goes to the department store and buys foundation made for very light skin tone. Goes home applies it correctly only to realise that it makes her look orange or chalky, oh dear.

Once you have identified your skin tone there is less chance of you buying the wrong products for your skin, and when you apply the right foundation for your skin tone the difference is amazing.

Any good makeup counter will provide you with a colour spectrum to match your skin type (but doing your research before hand is always a bonus).

What is your skin tone?
Any questions or comments let me know below.

Pretty x

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Laser Hair Removal Warning

Many people ask me about the actual cost of laser hair removal and why it is so expensive (ultimately permanently removes hair). There are many factors that effect how much you will be quoted / paying for laser hair removal, some of which are listed here:

Factors Effecting Cost:

•    Which part of the body you want treated (the larger the body part the more expensive)
•    Which part of your country you visit, example in central London it can be expected that there is a mark up of at least 25% on the average cost quoted for the country
•    How reputable and ‘in demand’ the laser consultant is
•    How strong your hairs are (the more stronger and recurring your hairs are the more treatments you will require)
•    Some clinics charge per laser pulse and some charge per time when calculating their rates

How does laser hair removal work:

•    Laser emits a gentle beam of light that passes to the hair follicle without harm to the surrounding skin
•    Removes multiple hairs in single application
•    On average it takes 4 treatments before the hair is fully removed and stops re-growth (depends on your hair and quality of hair laser removal clinic used)
•    Should not hurt or be painful, just a minor stinging sensation if it is done right

How much on average will it cost?

•    Please note that these are approximate average prices (per session) and will inevitably vary dependent on the factors mentioned above:
o    Full Legs: £220
o    Full Arms: £175
o    Buttock Area: £105
o    Bikini Line: £60
o    Under Arm: £50
o    Back: £180
o    Upper Lip: £45
o    Full Face: £110

Note: These are approx prices per treatment session, and normally discounts are given if you book multiple sessions.

Research Laser Clinic:

You need to do some research into the laser clinic you are thinking of using and also whether it is actually right for your skin, olive and darker skin women have increased chances of pigmentation from laser treatment so make sure you understand the risks before jumping in.
•    Google the clinic and see what people say in forums
•    Does the website look reputable?
•    Does the clinic staff hold adequate qualifications in beauty care?
•    Ask friends and family if they have ever used the clinic?
•    Ask for a free consultation and see if you like the feel and trust the laser therapist

There you have it, I have as always tried to keep it brief. Just make sure you do some research after all it is your skin that you are trusting them with.

Pretty

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Skin Care

Natural skin care is one of the most important things that we can do to prevent aging and achieve a healthy look. It is normal for women to try and cover up a lack of skin care with makeup and perhaps even surgery. Factors such as stress and weather can have an impact on the condition of the skin.

The following steps will help you achieve skin care on a daily basis.

1: Cleansing

Cleansing your skin is a must for any woman regardless of whether they wear makeup, skin attracts dirt during the day and this can stay on the skin unless treated with a suitable cleanser.

Skin should be cleansed before you apply makeup to give you a clean face to work with and also before you go to sleep.

There are many cleansers out in the market. The trick is to know your skin type [link] before you buy one, for example if you have sensitive skin then make sure you buy a mild cleanser.

Steps:
1: Wash hands, remove mascara and eye shadow
2: Pour some cleanser into the palm of your hand and dab it over the face (cheeks, nose, forehead and chin) with other hand
3: Spread cleanser by massaging into the skin in an upward and outward movement (don’t stretch skin)
4: Remove the cleanser with tissue pads / cotton pads or water gently using upward and outward movement

2: Toning

Toning can help your skin remove excess oil, makeup and dirt that may have been left behind after cleansing, it can also help refresh skin and add glow to your face.

It is still debated in the skin care industry on whether toning is to be applied daily, I think the answer is everyone is different and if it suits you then use it everyday if not switch to every other day.

Note: ensure that you try a toner that is as chemical free as possible.

Steps:
1: depends on the type of toner: could either spray on or pat on with cotton / tissue pads

3: Moisturise

A good moisturiser is like feeding your thirsty skin.

Again the most important thing is understanding your skin type before you buy a moisturiser. There are hundreds of moisturisers out in the market today so please do your research before parting with your money, just because a celebrity or model uses a moisturiser doesn’t mean it will suit your skin too.

For example if you have oily skin then do not buy a moisturiser that contains too much petroleum jelly / oils as this will make your skin look more oily.

Steps:
1: Apply moderate amounts of moisturiser to your face by firstly dabbing it onto your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.
2: Work into skin in upward and outward motions until it fades into the skin
3: Reapply any areas that require it

Hope you found that helpful and please let me know if you have any questions or comments by filling out the box below.

Pretty

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