Glycolic Peel Kit

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Can't believe that 2011 is gone and I am staring 2012 in the face! Unbelievable!

I am excited to be reviewing some new products this year and hopefully help some of you out there about products you might want to buy with Christmas money or get for Valentine's Day or whatever other event in which you buy beauty supplies.

So, to kick off I am going to tell you about the Boots brand glycolic peel kit.



First a little education. Glycolic acid is a compound that can both be chemically generated and isolated from some plants naturally. Glycolic acid has a unique ablity to penetrate human skin -in particular glycolic acid weakens the binding properties of lipids (fats) in the skin so after applying and letting it sit on the face, dead old skin cells come right off.

Glycolic acid is most commonly used by professionals who use a high concentration of the product - high concentrations (anything over 20%) is not available to consumers directly and must be applied by a doctor or trained professional. But there are kits on the market that have a glycolic peel kit with concentrations usually under 10%.

A glycolic peel is beneficial to people who are dealing with fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and skin texture, acne, acne scars, and in general dull, not healthy looking skin. It is also a beneficial treatment for brides or people about to have an important event but should be done about 6-8 weeks before the big day and should be done by a professional at a high concentration.

Today, we're examining a glycolic kit whose concentration is around 7%. Here's some benefits:

Because the concentration is so low, this can be incorporated into a normal skin care routine - it can be used 2 times a week which over time, improves the look of your skin. I tend to like this option better than using a face scrub that just removes old skin with good old fashioned scratching although both basically do the same thing.

Also, it's quick! You apply the acid with the brush (NOT your hands)to a clean face and let it sit for about 5 minutes, rub off with a pad provided in the kit and then rinse. The whole process is about 7 minutes total and could be done while watching tv, painting nails or just sitting around.

Also, the price is great, it's $25 at Target(so convenient)!

Some drawbacks or just special notes about this product:

Because the concentration is low, it does need to be used consistently to see results. I was trying to coordinate my glycolic night with trash day (cause its 2 times a week too) but it gets hard sometimes. If you only have time to do this mask once a month, it may not be the treatment for you.

A glycolic peel like any exfoliator will cause things under the surface to come up. So, acne prone skin you may be disappointed that for the first few weeks your skin isn't clearing (and possibly worsening) but its actually doing a good job. Continued use will let what's under the surface out and then continue to cleanse the skin to get you that skin you always hope for. Stick with it. Also, this is why you don't do a professional glycolic treatment right before a wedding - do it several weeks before the wedding, let your skin breakout if it must and then give it time to heal. Then you will be happy with your results.

Lastly, this is not a product for sensitive skin or someone with rosacea. This will aggrivate your skin like crazy so stay away.

I hope that was a bit helpful. I really like my kit. I am starting to see improvement in my skin's texture and color which is nice but I'm dealing with a bit of breakout :( I think its a great product to have as part of a routine that will give you a fresh look. If you're wanting an easy way to improve your skins texture, color and over look, go ahead and get one at Target!

Post any questions you may have!

~Linds

Review of Resolutions

So, two weeks into the new year of 2011, I wrote this blog post:

http://lindsayschott.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-resolution-get-my-s-together.html

And now it's time to review. Oh dear... (stay positive!)

I did successfully grow my business this year - I had a steady stream of clients, I designed some things for professional use, I had several weddings for makeup and I did get my website up and running although it still needs some tweeks. I am also blogging consistently which I feel helps. So, pretty good with that but I need to do better book keeping. So far my strategy is keeping receipts and emails and then plugging them all in excel every once in awhile...not so good...

Weight...I am working out more but I am eating more, so not so good there. I need to examine my relationship with food (well, relationship and food shouldn't be in the same sentence to begin with).

Money, honey. Well, we're doing ok but dang do I love a good deal and I am a girly girl at heart, my whole Christmas was accessories and makeup. I will need some heart work on this one - I am still really impressed with new, shiny things :)

Walk with God - better, not awesome but I tend to thing that He feels oppsite at times then I do about what our "walk" is. I do sense a nearness to Christ this year that struggled last year. I have been deeply encouraged at our new church and I have been in the word more consistently but I know my soul would benefit from a little more Jesus time.

Kids. Well, the second miscarriage threw me for a loop this year but the bitterness never erupted like it did in 2010 so that is my greatest triumph of character for the year. The sadness doesn't change and yep, I did feel like 73 people told me they were pregnant and I struggled to hold the line of being happy for them and many times gave in to my envy but I believe God's Spirit reminds me that its ok to mourn the loss we suffered but its not ok to despise what God is doing in another's life. I am still praying and seeking about this part of our life and God's already provided more money than I thought we'd ever have at this point for an adoption but consistently He reminds me not to make this an idol.

So, my generic review. It's dangerous to publish what you want to accomplish in a year but accountablity is good for the soul. Before I anty up my resolutions for 2012 I am just going to sit for a few days and think about 2011 and appreciate it and try to learn something from it and maybe gain a heart of wisdom.

~Linds

Wearing Red Lipstick

Red lips!

Scary for some and a thrill for others...here's some tips about picking out and wearing a red lipstick (and Christmas is a perfect time to do it!)

Generally when considering wearing a red you have 3 kinds - berry or wine red, true red or a orange red (some may say coral).

Here are examples,

Berry:





Berry can work on just about anyone, it looks great on dark, medium and fair skinned women. It is a very popular look this fall and winter. When considering a bold berry lip, go neutral on the eyes but soft like you see Emma Stone doing above. Such a dark lip can look severe so the eyes can soften the look. Go try it!

True Red:





Always classic. This has been beautiful since the 1920's and it still is. True red is an eye catcher for sure. The true red lip is beautifully coupled by a simple black eye liner "cat eye" as a nice retro throw-back. When wearing true red I would suggest a subtle eye without a lot of dark shadow but a strong eyeliner is great. If you do too much eye makeup you will look like a clown. This is also a great opportunity for fake eye lashes!

Finally, the Orange or Coral Red:

















This is a softer look so it is possible to do a little more on the eyes. Because orange is a warm tone, this isn't as much of a winter look as it is spring and summer but it can be done well in winter. Orange does not do well on everyone but there probably is a shade out there for you that you could find with some trial and error - it just is not as full proof as I feel a berry red is. This one will take more research and more trying if you want it.

Some tips on wearing bright lips. First, they will be bright and if you are not accustomed to red lips, it may shock you but that's the point. There is nothing subtle about red lips so if you are scared or want subtle, this is not the look for you. Second, when doing your makeup spread your foundation across your lips before you apply lipstick (and for red lips I do recommend lipstick, not gloss). Using a lip liner is also helpful to keep lipstick on and to give you a guide when you are filling it in. I suggest using a liner slightly darker than your lipstick shade for some good contouring. You can use a lip pencil the same color but don't go lighter.

Go for it some time this holiday season! Red is always striking, try it for a holiday party or Christmas Eve!

~Lindsay

Holiday Eye Makeup Looks

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! (Finally!)

As the holidays are upon us many of us are attending Christmas Parties! I actually just recently attended my husband's corporate Christmas party for the first time and it went off without a hitch.

Holiday parties are a perfect place to wear color eye makeup when you normally don't wear color. Today, I will share a few ways to wear color on your eyes - and believe me you can pull off way more than you think!

First, we will move from most subtle to most bold. Here's the first two looks in two variations with the same idea: a single stroke of color on the top or bottom lid:








You can use a color eye liner pencil or eye shadow with a skinny brush or the point of a sponge applicator. This is the perfect gateway use of color on the eyes. Its subtle, easy and looks beautiful. I would suggest you try first before you head out for the big night. I personally like using color on my bottom lid because I feel like my eye stands out a little bit more when I do my normal eye makeup up top but that is totally your call. I actually wear this look to work :)

Second, a little more adventurous is color all over the eye but blended well:



For this look integrate a color on your top lid and blend with your normal neutrals. I love this look as well - its a great color pop with the comfort of a bit of normalcy.

Here's a simple one, color eye liner on top and bottom:

This isn't my favorite because I like darker colors right next to my eye, so for me this is too subtle but for many of you this is perfect for your beautiful eyes:



Finally, shadow all over the top lid- simple and gets the job done. Its for a few braver souls but as this beautiful actress shows, you can pull it off and it can be perfect:



Lastly are "Stage 3" color uses. These are for the bold girls who like color and like to stand out. I love these. They are not for the faint of heart thought but if you like color a holiday party is an appropriate place to wear this:





Go big or go home with these looks. Try it on yourself first before the big night and then shine your brightest at the party!

Now, the next logical question is: "How do I pick which color?" Oh man, for someone who loves color this is a huge question but here are my suggestions:

1. Google search or Pinterest search actresses that look like you (skin color, hair color, eye color) and see what looks they do and try them out yourself. Also, google search "makeup for brown eyes" or "makeup for blue eyes" and see what pops up.

2. Go to the makeup section of Target or CVS or wherever you get makeup and take a look at the sets that are especially made for your eye color. It's only half a gimmick. There really is science and thought behind those color combinations so study them, take some notes or just buy one and take it home.

3. Know some color theory - ok, we're getting cerebral and ART 101 here. There are generally two reasons why colors look good together - one they complement each other or they contrast each other.

For the explanation we need a color wheel:



Colors that "complement" are colors that are close to each other on the color wheel. So if you are a blue eyed person then blues, greens and purples will do well on you. If you have green eyes, then golds and greens would do well on you and so on and so forth. Brown eye girls you are considered a dark orange but because browns are considered a "neutral" you could do more colors than you think you can!!

Colors that "contrast" are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. So, blue eyed people believe it or not when you wear brown and bronze your blue eyes pop. Green eye people if you wear red, wine or something pink, your green pops. Brown girls - blues and especially purples are your friends! Play around with different colors and see what happens!

You can really play with color to emphasize a certain tone in your eye. For example, my eyes are brown but if I wear wine, red, burgundy or something like that on my eye, the green in my eyes comes out. If I wear blue they look a little more golden. If I wear green then they seem a little more red-brown. So you can do the same thing with your eyes.

A special note though - don't feel like you must match the color of your makeup to your outfit. It's not 1982- you don't have to wear blue eye shadow with a blue dress. It's better to match your face if you are going to err on one side :)

Have fun, do experiments and ask me questions if you have them! You can do it, have fun!

Great website and a Great Christmas Gift Idea

Hi Friends!

I haven't blogged because I've actually been really busy doing photoshoots and then editing! Wow!! Most of those jobs are wrapping up so some nice picture collages will be headed this way soon but for now I wanted to share a new website:

www.birchbox.com




This is a really fun website. They carry skincare, haircare, makeup and other cosmetics from great brands you find at Sephora and other departments stores. They have wonderful resources like a blog, video tutorials, product reviews and featured new products.

The best part of Birchbox is when you "join" for $10 a month you are shipped a box of fairly good sized samples from their vendors every month. Also, when you shop with birchbox as a member, you aren't charged for shipping. If you are into cosmetics and trying to new brands this is a great way to get exposed to new things. If you have a friend or family member who loves cosmetics and you don't know what to get them you can gift a membership!

I think I may ask for this for my birthday seeing as my Christmas list on Amazon is getting too large but this is a great resource, fun gift and helpful resource. Check out the website tonight on your laptop as you watch tv!

~Linds