Feature Friday- NEW redness relief primer

The new Dermalogica redness relief primer SPF 20 has just been launched in the United Kingdom!

Dermalogica specialise in skincare and have been the leading brand for years. They recently brought out an award winning makeup primer as part of their Age Smart range.  The Skin Perfect Primer was such a hit they reformulated their redness relief tint into the NEW redness relief primer.  It has been formulated to soothe irritated and sensitised skin and give the skin an overall balanced complexion. 

In the makeup artist colour wheel green and red counteract each other to give an even complexion.  The redness relief primer is made with natural green botanical extracts to tone down redness and is suitable for all skin types to create and even colour. 

To protect the face from harmful ultraviolet rays it is important to wear sunscreen daily.  To achieve the required tablespoon amount of sunblock to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays it is best to layer sun protection. The broad spectrum sun protection factor 20 in the redness relief primer is comprised of only physical sunblock ingredients to protect even the most sensitive skins. 

This primer should be used after your morning cleanse, tone and moisturise routine.  Apply a 5p sized amount all over face, neck and decollate to help reduce redness.  If you only have target areas of concern then dab a small amount on each area and blend into the skin with fingertips.  Follow with a tinted moisturiser or foundation.  It works best with Dermalogica's Cover Tint spf20 or Sheer Tint spf20. 

Treatment Thursday- DIY pedicure

Keeping feet soft and presentable between salon appointments can easily be forgotten until it's time to wear summer sandles. Here are four hacks to keeping your feet looking nice all year round! 

1. Use a Pumice stones- these are an essential in any bathroom to use all year round. For £4 this block will keep your feet soft between pedicures. Simply put the size of a 5p amount of shower gel on the pumice bar and scrub the base of your feet regularly in the shower. 

2. Soak your feet after a long day- Soaking salts help relax and soften sore & tired feet. After soaking for 10 minutes apply a foot cream and a cosy pair of socks. 

3. Apply a Foot Cream- after every shower to help the foot cream absorb, and just before bed to give your feet a moisture boost. 

4. Cuticle oil- is often overlooked but very beneficial for the cuticles on your toes. By rubbing oil into your cuticles it promotes nail growth and helps strengthen the nails. 

Whatever your budget you can still look after your feet either with a DIY home pedicure or getting the salon treatment. You're on your feet all day everyday & looking after them is important- not only with wearing proper fitting shoes & socks but also maintaining the condition of your feet. 

Treatment Thursday- Winterise your feet

Thermal pedicures are the perfect deluxe treatment to warm you up over the winter and to help soften those hard working soles. Once the feet have been scrubbed, soaked, filed and cuticle work is complete a moisture mask is applied to the foot. The warm booties enhance the penetration of moisture into the feet and add more relaxation to a pedicure.

Treatment Thursday- benefits of a salon manicure

Travel Tuesday- OPI travel wipes

These travel acetone-free polish remover wipes were launched over the summer and have been flying off the shelf since. One wipe will remove polish (even several layers) from all 10 nails. They are a travel essential whether it's an overnight stay, work trip or a two week break you're heading off on. 

There are ten individually wrapped sachets that come in a box for £10, so it's only £1 per use. They're small so can fit in a pocket, handbag, weekend makeup or skincare bag. They aren't classified as a liquid so can be packed in any luggage and there's no risk of leaking. 

This is a great space saver and a travel essential! 

Skincare Saturday- protect your skin

Winter weather can be harsh on the skin and combined with central heating, bitter winds, and other environmental factors  the skin can become sensitised this time of year.  Creating redness, dryness, sensitivity and can also become sore and sting when you use products on your skin.  This is caused by an impaired barrier.  Prevention is better than repair, but either way with the help of a professional your skin can be brought back to health. 

With the help of these three products the barrier function can repair itself reducing redness, sensitivity and dryness.  

Barrier Repair- a silicone based moisturiser that soothes sensitive skin and helps to reinforce the barrier function. It also contains vitamins C and E to help stimulate collagen production and combat free radicals which damage the skin. This can be used on its own or under your daily spf and night creams.  It is also light enough to use around the eye area as an all-in-one product. 

Climate Control- A therapeutic balm that designed to protect and heal skin against environmental assault.  This product is an amazing product that is packaged like a lip balm but is one of the most powerful formulas that protect the skin against the harsh environmental factors.  It can be applied under or on top of makeup and is great for air travel, outdoor sports, daily dog walks, and also for use around the nose area during a cold to prevent it from becoming chapped from excess blowing. (I keep one in every makeup bag, coat pocket, and travel kit- love it!! And it's only £8.10!!) 

Ultracalming Serum Concentrate- this serum contains Dermalogica's specially formulated UltraCalming Complex that reduces redness, soothes sensitivity, eases irritation and calms inflammation. Apply underneath your daily moisturiser morning and night for optimum results. 

When training for the London Marathon whilst on holiday in the middle of the harsh New York winter I used these three products when running, walking around the city and during my evening cleanse to help maintain a strong barrier function. I was amazed at how my skin didn't sting or become raw and chapped with the bitter winds, cold temperatures and the central heating of the city.  These products are formulated to help repair and protect the skin and they are well worth the investment! 

Feature Friday: Review- Arbonne primer

I was given a trial tube of Arbonne's Makeup Primer to try. This 3ml tube gives about 4 applications when using the size of a kernel of corn. 

After following my morning skincare routine I applied the primer on top of my moisturiser and then followed with my liquid foundation.  The primer is like a polyfiller, but seems to leave a bit of residue as my foundation didn't sit as well, so I'm not sure if it works better with Arbonne's own foundation and moisturisers.  The primer is colourless, so does need a foundation and powder to help create an even and smooth base. 

As you can see from the picture the polyfiller affect of the primer does give a smooth base for a foundation or tinted moisturiser. 

Treatment Thursday- Arbonne nightly resurface pads

Arbonne nightly resurface pads

Day One 

These pads are slightly rough in texture and feel a bit like an exfoliating toner pad.  I was given a 5 day tester to trial. 

Each night I cleansed with my regular Dermalogica double cleanse routine & then used these resurfacing pads followed by my Dermalogica spritz, hydrating booster and moisturiser. 

I have noticed that my skin felt more clear and brighter, but I have also been using Dermalogica daily Microfoliant in the mornings, so I'm not sure if these pads have actually made a difference to my skin or if it's just reminded me to take better care of my skin in the winter months. 

The big question, would I buy a pot... I wouldn't set out to source a stockist to buy some, but if I was at an Arbonne event and they were there I might be tempted to buy a pot.  

Skincare Saturday- back to basics

At our skin at event we had a few new clients not only new to the salon but also to the world of Skincare. For those of you in a similar situation here are the basic guidelines to starting a simple Skincare regime.

1. Cleanse- Cleansing is the most important stage of skincare because it is as Dermalogica says it's an 'important part of whole-body health'. Cleansing is removing daily dirt, makeup and pollutants from your skin. 

2. Tone- Toning is an essential part of the skincare regime because it either removes additional dirt and oil or it acts as a hydrating spritz in ensure even absorption of the moisturiser. For more information on the Importance of a Toner read our blog post http://orchidsretreat.blogspot.com/2014/06/skincare-saturday-importance-of-toner.html

3. Moisturise- Moisturising is a vital step in every skincare routine because it protects, lubricates, and hydrates skin.  Every skin type (even oily skins) need to moisturise to protect skin from the elements and prevent moisture loss from the skin. 

Skincare ranges are made to work together so which ever range you invest in, make sure you use the same brand for each product.  If you are unsure of your skin type, visit a local Dermalogica stockist for a free face mapping session to learn more about your skin. 

What's next? Once you've got into a routine of following these three steps morning and night then introduce the next step. The fourth component to incorporate is exfoliation 2-3 times a week. I recommend to my clients to pick days if the week, so it's easier to remember. For example, Wednesdays and Saturdays are exfoliation days. 

Feature Friday- Precleanse wipes

Precleanse is an essential part of Dermalogica's effective double cleanse skincare routine. The first cleanse removes dirt, debris and makeup from your skin then the second cleanse actually cleans the skin. In over 11 years in the beauty industry I've never found a cleanser as effective as thie oil based Precleanse and it now comes in wipe form as well! 

Sample of Precleanse, ask your local stockist to try it! 

Precleanse wipes are Perfect for travel because they aren't classed as a liquid so can be stashed in your carry on. 

They're great on the go- camping, an impromptu sleepover, after the gym, etc because they require minimum fuss with maximum benefits! They can also Double as a cloth to remove the second cleanse product without The normal drying time for sponges or a cloth and it's disposable! 

Each wipe contains enough Precleanse to Remove dirt, debris, daily pollutants and even water proof make up with one use. Follow these 5 simple steps to clear skin on the go. 

Wipes are sold in Packs of 20 for £14.80, less than a pound a wipe for a deep cleanse! An essential for any busy lifestyle! 

Feature Friday- tea tree oil remedy for ear infection

Ear infections can arise unannounced and can become quite painful very quickly. For example, I went to bed with a blocked ear and within a couple hours the pain woke me up. 

Tea tree is a natural anticeptic and when mixed with a carrier oil like olive oil it becomes a fast acting remedy for an ear infection. 

Remedy Recipe: 

1 cotton bud 

1 tbsp olive oil 

10 drops Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil

1. Mix ingredients together in a small bowl with a cotton bud. 

2. Use saturated cotton bud to gently wipe around the inner ear 

3. Lay down with injured ear facing upwards for a minimum of 10 minutes to allow oil to seep into ear canal

4. Repeat 3 times daily for 2-3 days

It is always best to seek advice from a doctor, but if you're in agony this remedy will get you through the night! 

Redness Relief Primer

This product isn't launched until February 2015, but I've been sent some samples & love it!! 

As you can see from the photo above the redness relief primer is green, but below it doesn't make you look like Shrek, it just tones down redness. 

The primer has been applied all over & as you can see there's some redness in the eyebrow & upper lip area as I've just had them waxed. 

It has a similar silicone feel to the skin perfect primer and is a great base for makeup!