07 Oct '15

4 Facial Oils To Add To Your Daily Beauty Routine

4 Daily Moisturizing Oils

Natural Oils Isa Professional

Chances are, you already have a beauty product that has a beauty oil mixed into it to maximize the effectiveness of the skin product. While these products are helpful because they're easily accessible and ready to use, why not try to use the oil in its pure form for your beauty routine instead? By using pure oils, you not only save money, but also get the most benefits for your skin's health. Oils boasts serious hydration, anti aging benefits, and can even help you fight acne. You may feel a bit intimidated applying a pure oil on your face, especially if you're already acne prone but I have good news; an oil will not make you break out, but it will make your skin healthier!

You just need to figure out which oil is the best fit with your skin type, it's that simple. Below are 4 of the best natural oils you can incorporate into your beauty regimen. Trust me, 100% pure oil will completely up your skin game and you will never look back. I suggest you apply any of these oils at the end of the day, after removing any makeup with a cleanser. This is because your skin is thirstiest at the end of the day, and by applying it before going to bed, it maximizes the absorbency without any makeup to get in the way. These oils are an essential part of any natural skin care routine.

#1 Argan Oil (Anti-Aging)

Let's start with my personal favorite and one of the most well known oils out there (for a good reason), Argan Oil. This is my HG of oils, it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated, has a nice, nutty scent and since it's so lightweight, it absorbsquickly. Argan Oil has anti-aging benefits, thanks to its high fatty acids (like Omega 6) and Vitamin E content. With a few drops, you can completely apply it on your face and neck, and can even apply makeup once it has dried (I sometimes use it this way, during the day). Argan Oil also helps reduce inflammation, restores elasticity and protects against free radical damage; there's a reason they call it 'liquid gold'. Make sure it's 100% pure oil. Some companies mix their argan oil with other ingredients. I always recommend ISA Professional's EVAO (Extra Virgin Argan Oil), it's USDA Organic Cold Pressed, Not Tested On Animals and Fair Trade, what more could you ask for? I can't get enough of this oil and best of all, it works amazingly well on both young and mature skin. It's never too early to use anti aging skin products, so I use Argan Oil daily for more than just skin.

Tea Tree ISA Professional

#2 Tea Tree Oil (Acne Fighter)

This oil is perfect for those with acne prone skin because it isn't as harsh as medicated and over-the-counter acne products. Tea Tree Oil has anti fungal and anti viral benefits, so it also works on minor wounds and helps prevent infections, as well. You can apply it by using a Q-tip and spot treating any pimples or blemishes on your face. If you have sensitive skin, dilute it into some carrier oil beforehand. Safflower oil makes a good carrier oil and does not stain cloth like grapeseed oil or avocado oil. Tea Tree Oil feels more like an astringent than an oil, it dries quickly and doesn't leave you feeling sticky.

Woman Hiding Face Behind Flowers ISA Professional

#3 Jojoba Oil (Oily Skin Fighter)

For those who have to constantly deal with oily skin and don't want hide behind whatever is on hand anymore, Jojoba Oil is the right oil for you. This is because Jojoba Oil is very similar to human sebum, making it ideal to help regulate your skin's natural oil production. This oil actually tricks your skin into thinking it has already produced enough oil, leaving your skin looking and feeling less oily (how cool is that?). Jojoba Oil is also antibacterial and anti inflammatory, so it helps your skin's health as it gradually lowers your natural oil production. Just remember to make sure it's 100% pure! Apply it in the morning after washing your face, it works best on a clean surface.

Almonds Isa Professional

#4 Almond Oil (Evens Out Skin Tone)

Those with nut allergies need to stay away from Almond Oil. If you aren't allergic, almond oil helps even out skin tone by clearing dead skin cells. This oil is great for anyone dealing with dark spots on their face and just want their skin to look toned and healthy. It's especially helpful for under eye circles! This oil is best applied before going to bed to let it work its magic. Massage it into your face and neck gently and love how beautiful, smooth and hydrated your face looks the next morning!

22 Sep '15

How To Make Your Manicure Chip Free and Headache Free

Chip Free Manicure

Girl Wearing Fire Red Nail and Lip Color ISA Professional

While we crave to have a magazine worthy and beautifully applied manicure, the reality is that we have to deal with some bumps along the road, like chipping, breakage and air bubbles. It's probably happened to you many times before; you take so much care and time to apply your base, polish and top coat, only for it to end up with a smudge or chip almost immediately afterwards. You end up feeling like you wasted your time, making you extremely frustrated.

Then there's gel manicures, which seemed like the perfect solution to never getting a chip or smudge again, but it's such a hassle to remove (pure acetone can be irritating to your skin, nails and lungs). You may even cycle between traditional and gel polishes, trying to find the right way to make your manicure last. Don't worry, there's still hope. While it may seem like an impossible task to achieve that perfect look without having to go to a salon, here are some professionally tested tips you can follow to make your traditional polish last longer and look better than ever!

Prepping Your Nails

First of all, you need to clip and file your nails to whichever shape you prefer. An important tip to remember is to file your nails in ONE direction only, not back and forth like some people like to do (it leads to nail tip breakage, making them jagged). Another way to prevent breaking is to file them mirroring the same shape as your cuticles. Secondly, moisturize your nails and cuticles with a nail oil to keep your nails healthy before applying any polish. I suggest oil because creams can have scents and chemicals that can cause your polish to crack. Thirdly, clean your nails with non acetone remover or white vinegar to get rid of any oil, dust or product you may still have (do this step even if you don't have polish to remove).

Applying Base, Polish and Top Coat

Stacked Neon Colored Nail Polishes ISA Professional

A new polish application technique you need to start using immediately is to always apply base, color and top polish on the 'free edge' of your nails (at the top and bottom of the tip of your nail where you clipped them). This ensures that every coat you apply will be protected at the nails' most vulnerable area for chipping. Luckily for all of us, sticky base coats that improve polish adhesion for a longer manicure, now exist. These are great because they actually work and most bottles run for less than $10, making it a necessary investment. After applying your sticky base coat, apply a thin, sheer first coat of color to your nails and wait 2 minutes before applying your second coat. The less polish you use, the less likely it'll chip! Apply your top coat while the nail color is still a bit wet, so it can adhere better. I like to apply a second coat of top coat just over my 'free edge' horizontally to finish. This helps protect my nails even more from chipping at the tips.

Avoid Doing Any Of The Following:

Girl Rinsing Hands ISA Professional

-DO NOT wet or soak your nails before or after applying polish! Water gets soaked up by the nails, making them expand and crack your polish when it regains its original shape. Avoid hot water for at least 12 hours after finishing your manicure, since the heat will also make your polish chip and not set properly. Use gloves to wash your dishes to prevent chipping, as well.

-DO NOT file your nail bed to prepare your nails for your base coat, this will just damage your nails; use a sticky base coat instead to get the same result without making your nails brittle and weak.

-DO NOT shake your polish bottles up and down, this just creates air bubbles, which then leads to quicker chipping. Instead, roll your bottles between the palms of your hands to warm and mix your color evenly, before application.

-DO NOT leave any polish on your cuticles, this will only give the polish room to get raised and peel off or chip faster. Push your cuticles back before applying any polish and fix any mistakes quickly with a Q-tip to make your manicure look spotless.

Remember To Follow These Extra Tips:

ISA Professional EVAO Argan Oil

-DO apply glitter to the tips of your nails when they're chipped to make your manicure last longer.

-DO file your nails down to wherever they're chipped and apply a top coat to seal them in.

-DO make sure your nail polish products are all the same kind. For example, you shouldn't use a B3F base coat (polish that is free of Formaldehyde, DBP & Toluene) with a regular, non B3F color polish or top coat. This will just make your products interfere with each other, so make sure your base, polish and top coat are all the same kind.

-DO apply a thin layer of top coat over your nails every two days, to help prevent chipping.

-DO use a moisturizing oil, like ISA Professional's EVAO (Extra Virgin Argan Oil) everyday on your nails to prevent breakage; it makes nails stronger, helping your manicure last longer on your healthier nails. The oil seeps through your polish, giving your nails and cuticles the care and hydration they need. It's a multi-tasker because you can also use it on your face, neck and hair, but best of all, it has no harsh ingredients that can damage your nails; it's 100% pure and unscented, just a natural light nutty aroma from the argan nuts. Try it out and let me know if EVAO is part of your HG beauty products, as well!

10 Sep '15

How To Keep Your Makeup Gorgeous During The Summer Heat

Gorgeous Summer Makeup

Girl Wearing Makeup In Pool | ISA Professional

Summer brings so many great ideas to mind: the beach, outdoor picnics, bikini paired with short shorts, pool parties, family and friends gathered for a BBQ. It also brings to mind some dreaded ones: constant shaving to sport those short dresses, keeping your hair straightened in the humidity without losing your mind, constantly checking to make sure your makeup doesn't run off your face because of sweat. While summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and look cute in those outfits you bought earlier in the year in anticipation of catching some rays, it can also be tricky to make your look last all day long. Humidity is not only sticky, it is also makeup's worst nightmare. Luckily for us, there are some tips we can all follow to make our summers full of fun, without the hassle of worrying over our makeup status.

Apply Moisturizer, Primer and Loose Powder FIRST

Loose Powder With Makeup Brush ISA Professional

I mean it, you need to apply moisturizer before applying any makeup, every single time! This tip is especially true for those with dry skin, since they need some extra hydration to make sure makeup stays in place. After applying your moisturizer (and making sure it's completely absorbed), apply a makeup primer to ensure your makeup lasts all day long. My HG of makeup primers is ISA Professional's XANADU 24K Gold Serum; it gives me a beautiful glow and makes my face smooth and makeup ready. After your primer has dried, apply a LOOSE translucent or skin colored powder to help your foundation and concealer stay put, even in the hottest temperatures. This may sound weird but it works wonderfully; this way you don't have to worry about re-applying halfway through the day, try it out, you'll love it! You then have a setting canvas for any foundation, concealer, corrector, BB cream or CC cream you may want to apply. Those with oily or combination skin can benefit from an additional swipe of loose powder afterwards to help control oil and shine.

Pick A Denser Formula

Girl Wearing Different Colored Concealers ISA Professional

The summer heat means humidity, which is a nightmare when using foundation. This is why it's suggested you stick to a denser formula as a base to hide your blemishes or imperfections. Instead of covering your whole face in foundation, stick to a stick type concealer to evenly smooth out your skin. If the thought of leaving some of your face makeup-free freaks you out, try a tinted moisturizer, BB, CC or DD cream, instead. Or if you still insist on using a foundation, go with an oil free formula because it has the benefit of sticking close to the skin, without running off.

Use Creams, Liquids and Gels Instead Of Powders

Girl Wearing Cream Eyeshadow ISA Professional

Cream based products like eyeshadows, gel or liquid eyeliners, blushes or bronzers are more resistant to heat and sweat, making them ideal for the summertime. Powders and sweat do not mix well, your makeup could end up looking cakey at the end of the day, which forces you to reapply more than once a day (and no one wants that). If you insist on using powder eyeshadows anyway, use an eyeshadow primer beforehand to ensure it doesn't fade away. Cream, liquid and gel products are highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way!

Always Choose Waterproof Mascara

Girl Applying Mascara To Her Lashes- ISA Professional

Waterproof mascara is an absolute necessity during the hot, humid days of summer. Sweating and humidity are mascaras enemy, always wear a waterproof one to ensure no more embarrassing color running.

Apply A Makeup Setting Spray

Girl With Full Makeup- ISA Professional

Makeup setting sprays are a necessity for your beauty bag in the summertime. They help lock your makeup and moisturizer in place, so your hard work can stay put, all day long. Some brands even help control your oil production, so there's a setting spray for all skin types available. I used to think setting sprays were unnecessary, until I finally tried it out and I've never looked back. It's amazingly efficient and I barely have to check the mirror during the day, thanks to this little makeup saver.

25 Jul '15

Want Your Hair Color To Last Longer And Not Get Brassy? Choose Purple Shampoo

Purple Shampoo for Longer Lasting, Brighter Blonde

Anyone who has color treated hair knows that your hair never looks better than when you just step out of the salon. There's just something so calming in letting a professional do their job by making your hair look and feel fabulous. What if I told you the hair pampering doesn't have to stop there? While some women have the skills to color their hair at home, this doesn't mean you have to be a hair guru to know how to protect that color you love so much.

Whether your color is blond, highlighted, silver, red, brown or black; purple shampoo can help you. You just have to remember that not all color specific shampoos are the same and while purple shampoo works best for those with lightly colored hair, darker shades can also benefit.

Lighter Tones: Blond, Silver, White or Highlighted Hair

Silver Long Haired Woman With Luxurious Jewelry | ISA Professional

I've been coloring my hair blond for longer than I care to admit. Even though I've tried on every color, blond just works best for my face and skin. In the beginning, I didn't think so far ahead in terms of keeping my color from fading. Later on, I realized that those beautiful blond colors can actually turn brassy, making my color look completely different, in a bad way. My hairstylist then told me to start using purple shampoo to combat the brassiness and fading. The dark purple color freaked me out at first but when I saw the results, I was a true believer. Purple shampoos help even out your color tone and fight the brassiness that occurs with regular washing. By using purple shampoo, you eliminate that orange-like undertone that happens to the best of us.

Darker Tones: Red, Brown, Black

Short Wavy Haired Redhead Woman Touching Her Cheek | ISA Professional

Purple shampoo also has benefits for those with darker colors like reds, browns or blacks. Since the brassiness is less apparent in those with darker colors, they may think they don't need it. There are many women who swear purple shampoos helps them even out their color tone and keeps their hair looking better for longer periods of time. This is especially true for redheads because they are the second color that benefits the most from using purple shampoos. If you notice that your color needs to look more evened out and you don't want to go to the salon every two weeks, purple shampoo is for you.

Don't Overdo it

Long, Silky, Straight Haired Brunette Woman Looking Into The Distance | ISA Professional

While purple shampoos have great benefits, you have to remember not to overdo it. This is especially true if you have platinum hair; since it's the color that requires the most bleach, it is also the most prone to getting a purple hue from overuse of purple shampoos. Platinum hair should stick to using it as little as possible (only when you clearly see brass tones), by leaving it in for 1 minute and then quickly rinsing it out.

For those that don't have such porous hair from over bleaching; you should use it once a week (or once every two weeks, depending on your needs), leaving it on for 2-3 minutes and rinsing it out before applying a deep conditioner. Purple shampoo acts like a toner so it dries your hair; you need to make sure you give it hydration every time you use it. I just love using Rusk Sensories Bright Shampoo but there are plenty to choose from, just do your research before buying.

No matter what color you're rocking right now, you have to make sure you use heat styling tools that don't harm your color or hair. I love my Victorya flat iron from ISA Professional because its plates are 100% ceramic tourmaline and it makes my hair color shine beautifully.

22 Jul '15

How To Make Your Hair Concert Friendly

Festival Hair

Girl With Wavy Hair and White Dress ISA Professional

One of the things I've always been a fan of is music. Naturally, this drew to me to every concert or music festival nearby I could afford. When I was younger, I made the rookie mistake I'm sure we've all done, and tried to make my unruly, wavy hair as straight and fly away free as possible. Needless to say, music venues with no air conditioning, large amounts of hot bodies in constant motion and humidity are all enemies of sleek hair. Even though I looked very different leaving these shows from how I came in, I always had an amazing time with the music I loved. I just had to find a way to make my hair match my mood, from beginning to end.

Redhead Playing Guitar In Nature ISA Professional

Work With What You Have

I realized that my wavy hair is not meant to be pin straight during these experiences and that's part of what makes them fun. You just have to find the right balance between cute and functional. Since I have wavy hair, I knew I had to find a controlled wavy look that would be concert and festival friendly. I wanted to share my tips on how to make your hair rock all night, you'll love how you look and how easy it is!

Recipe

You'll need to buy a small spray bottle to put the mixture into and simplify applying it evenly on your hair. Mix 1 cup of warm (not hot) water, ½ tsp pure Argan oil, 1 tsp fine sea salt, 1 tsp of your favorite smelling conditioner and a little hair gel. Mix it well and apply freely all over your damp (not soaking) hair, scrunching with your hands from the bottom up to make soft waves. The best part about this mix is that it requires no more work, all you have to do is wait for your hair to air dry and love the results. I sometimes keep scrunching my hair as it's drying to make sure it gets the wave and volume I want. Since I have short bangs and don't like how they look wavy, I also use my trusty Mirror Titanium Digital Flat Iron by ISA Professional to straighten them and bring a cute hair accessory or a hat with me for whenever I want to keep my bangs out of my face.

Girl Wearing Hat In Music Festival ISA Professional

Results and Tips

What I really love about this look is how it lasts for days, even if you don't feel like washing your hair. I personally like how it looks the day after, no combing needed, wild but still cute. If you want it to look more controlled, just spray some more on, re scrunch and keep going with your day. You can also use a little Argan oil to tame fly aways but don't overdo it, since it can weigh your hair down. I hope that this helps you with your concert worthy hair, now we can enjoy the music without worrying about our hair!

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