Skin Care

Brush Cleaning Basics: A Dirty Brush Will Give You Zits

March 27, 2009 by Jillian

You MUST do this.  MUST.

I clean my brushes regularly – Both my own personal brushes, as well as the set of brushes I use professionally. I just assumed everyone did this since it makes so much sense to do so.  Brushes touch product, brushes touch your face which has natural oil – Basically, brushes get DIRTY.

Just the other night, I’m doing my regular weekly deep brush cleaning, and both of my roommates ask ‘What are you doing?’

When I explain they shout ‘OMG I DIDN’T KNOW I HAD TO DO THAT!’ And proceeded to break out their own (very poorly cared for) brushes.  When I saw the state of their brushes I cringed, and couldn’t help but wonder if they had any idea what kind of nasty bacteria was probably residing in them – And worse, if they had any idea what kind of bacteria they were passing on to their own face!  Dirty, ill maintained brushes can be one of the top reasons behind a breakout.  Plus, the better care you take of your brushes, the longer they will last you.  With good quality brushes running anywhere from $35 dollars to well over $100 dollars a brush, it’s probably better for your wallet if you learn to make them last.

It had never occurred to me to post about brush maintenance – But, it seems that not everyone is in the know.  So, I’m going show you 2 simple ways to keep your brushes clean which will reduce breakouts and also give your brushes some longevity.

1.  FOR DAILY MAINTENANCE:  Invest in a brush cleaner.  Sephora carries several brush cleaners in a variety of price ranges starting around $6 bucks.  I have tried them all, and honestly there isn’t a big difference between the brands.  You can use the cheapest one and it will work fine as long as you use a daily brush cleaner as written…DAILY.  It’s amazing to me how the package says daily, and some people think they can use this here and there when it suits them. This is not a substitute for a deep cleaning product. I needed to say that, before you assume brush cleaner is enough.  Brush cleaner is, however, a good way to minimize the amount of bacteria and product build up that develops between deep cleanings.  I like to spritz my brushes with this cleaner every night, so that they are dry and ready to be used again by morning.

2.  FOR DEEP CLEANING ONCE A WEEK:  Add two capfuls of a gentle shampoo (I like to use Baby Shampoo), to a bowl full of water.  Take your brushes and swirl each one around in the bowl several times.  I promise you will gag when you see the buildup at the bottom of the bowl.  Once you’ve gotten the gag reflex under control, rinse the brush under running water, and wipe off any remaining product on a tissue.  Reshape the brush, and stand upright in a bowl with the bristles facing up.  Allow brushes to air dry over night.

My 1st Time at the Apollo Theatre!: AMBI Sponsored “Harlem Heights” Premiere

March 11, 2009 by Jillian

March has been off to a crazy start.  Lots of shooting, parties, and other miscellaneous things that have left me with little time or energy to keep up with blogging.  There was also a pathetic 2 day attempt at The Master Cleanse, which didn’t go well at all and left me feeling delirious with absolutely NO ENERGY.  Definitely won’t be attempting that again.

Last week (prior to the master cleanse DISASTER) I ran home after a day of shooting and did a wonder woman style quick change to go back out to the premiere of the new BET show “Harlem Heights.”

At the premiere I caught the first two episodes and also copped gift bags courtesy of AMBI skin care full of awesome products like: foaming cleanser, daily moisturizer, body oil, fade cream (does anyone know if this works on scars???), and creamy oil lotion.

Here is a video I shot at the pre-screening reception:

Fun Times at Sephora!

February 26, 2009 by Jillian

sephoraYesterday I spent almost 2 hours inside a Sephora with my friend Jen.  I’m a makeup artist, she’s a beauty addict and together we’re TROUBLE when surrounded by so many options.  I’m pretty sure the sales people were overwhelmed by our presence as they watched us flutter around the store from one display to the other.  Now, I know what you’re thinking:  Why would I need to go to a Sephora when I get products sent to me all the time?  Well, despite the fact that I get sent tons of cosmetics and products almost daily, I do make the occasional trip to the store to actually make personal purchases.  I’m a real girl too, and sometimes I just need to get my shop on.  Naturally, my favorite place to shop is Sephora, and every time I set foot in one it’s serious, and I never leave empty handed.

This trip resulted in 3 purchases:

Sephora Brand FACE Foaming Cleanser: Tried this last night, and was very good although it did not really foam.  Was more like gentle sudsing gel.  Some of the reviews on Sephora’s site are a little bit ‘angry’ with customers writing all sorts of things about being annoyed by the misleading use of ‘foaming.’  Personally, the lack of foam didn’t bother me much since it still got the job done.

Sephora Brand Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15: Haven’t tried this yet – Still have some of my favorite leftover, so will have to review at a later time.

Sephora by OPI nail Polish in IM Beauty:  A super cute lemon yellow nail polish.  Color is very soft, and not at all offensive like some of the other yellow polish options I have come across. (You need this, it’s adorbs).

I had more in my basket.  Trust.  I just tried to be sensible and remind myself that I have more products in my apartment than most people , and that thought helped me to put several items back on the shelf that I didn’t think were must haves.

What I did not get was the Dior Airflash BRONZER.  That was a tough one to put back.  I mean, the stuff was made for me.  Seriously.  But at $60 a can, I just couldn’t justify the purchase especially when I have THREE airbrush machine’s in my possession which I can use at any time to create the exact same look.

I won’t lie…I’m still considering going back to get it.  I had completely forgotten that I had tested and LOVED it, until my roommate asked me what was on my face because she NEEDED to have it.  *Sigh*  I should have snapped a photo to post here, so you could see how fabulous it looked.  Oh well, next time.

Eventually, I will find a way to justify the purchase, but until then I’ll just break out my trusty airbrush compressor to replicate the look.

I am also considering going back to get this glitter eye gel from Sephora Brand. In the store it didn’t look like anything any more special than the dozens of other glitter type products I have in my arsenal.  Then I got in the car, and I did a quick check in the mirror (couldn’t help it, yo), and it was really subtle and sparkly and feminine and PERFECT FOR SUMMER.  Eh.  Will add it to my wish list and cop it in May just in time for the sunshine.  It was only $10 bucks so it isn’t like it’s terribly expensive, and since I wear glitter all the damn time, I know it will be a useful item.

My friend Jen got a bunch of other stuff – Maybe she will kindly grace the comment section with her product reviews.  Jen, are you out there?  I know you read this site…

Recessionista’s Know How to Stay Fab On the Cheap

February 25, 2009 by Jillian

These are difficult economic times, and I’m sure the last thing anyone has money for is a pricey spa treatment.  But, I’m a recessionista – And that means that I’m savvy enough to know how to get the benefits of a pricey spa treatment at home for a fraction of the price.  This recession is no excuse for bad skin, nor is it a justified reason to neglect it – There are plenty of ways to stay looking good without having to break bank.

With the change of seasons comes tired skin – Especially post winter.  The cold can leave you with skin that is wind burned and battered, and there’s no better time (except end of summer) to indulge in a more intense treatment to repair skin.

I like chemical peels and micro-dermabrasion but both of these procedures can be costly.  At home I like to use  Avon’s ANEW CLINICAL Advanced Retexturizing Peel.  I’ve been using this every other day (as recommended), and after a month I have clear skin that is super smooth and soft.

This amazing product is a simple one step system, that is gentle and effective (It does take a few uses to see results though so you have to stick with it!).  I’ve had such success with it that I’ve started using it every day because my skin isn’t super sensitive and I want to get faster results.  But, even using this product every other day for 4 weeks has made a difference in my skin.  There is a smooth and even tone to my skin that wasn’t previously there, and best of all it hasn’t dried out my skin like a lot of other home treatments can sometimes do.

While the results from this product are not as instant as a real deal chemical peel, with a little patience and commitment, this is a great alternative to an expensive treatment. At $25.00 for a jar of 30 pads, this is a real bargain.

Just remember to load up on sunblock while using this product, or any product containing glycolic acid as they have a tendency to make your skin extra sensitive to the sun.

The Solution: Because the Last Thing You Need is Another Job

February 12, 2009 by Jillian

CLEANSER. EXFOLIATOR.  FACE SERUM.  EYE SERUM.  EYE CREAM. FIRMER AND A GLOP OF MOISTURIZER.

I do all that.  Nightly.  I know.  And yes, sometimes it’s exhausting.  I swear if I age poorly it will be solid proof that all of these ‘innovative’ products are just a scam.  For now I stick with it.  I’d rather have blind faith in skin care than risk getting old before my time.  Not to mention, it kind of is my job to be committed to all things beauty because I wouldn’t be a very good makeup artist and beauty expert if I didn’t devote my life (and my skin) to the cause.

But, I’m a real girl too, and sometimes I just get TIRED.  Tired as in ‘I CAN BARELY CHANGE OUT OF MY CLOTHES LET ALONE WASH MY FACE’ kind of tired.  I know you feel me. Say that you’ve never felt that way or gone to bed without washing your face, and I say you are a LIAR.  It happens to everyone, even those of use devoted to taking care of our skin.

For anyone who ever thought that they didn’t have the time or energy to commit to beautiful skin, I have the solution.  Literally.  I have it, and it’s called The Solution.

The Solution is the ultimate all-in-one skincare formula, replacing your: day cream, night cream, eye cream, moisturizer, anti-aging serum and, pre-makeup base!

It really doesn’t get any easier than that.

Tip: You can use this all over your face and neck.  EVERYWHERE.  I love applying a little on my lips before bed – I swear they’ve been softer and more lush since I started.  Also, use this before applying lipstick for a perfect, feather free application.

Bonus: This product is free of parabens and fillers AND 10% of the net proceeds from each sale are donated to charities that support sustainable projects for needy people worldwide.

To order The Solution by Envision, go here.

OMFG: I love GG and Lubriderm

February 9, 2009 by Jillian

My roommate and I love some Gossip Girl.  Monday nights are major in our apartment, and we can’t get enough of the GG cast.  New York magazine was totally right when they declared it the ‘BEST. SHOW. EVER.’

Every time I think the story lines can not get any more ridiculous…They do.  And I am LOVING the whole ‘Dan/Serena share a sibling who is supposedly deceased but totally alive’ drama and I’m dying to see how that one plays itself out this season.

But the thing that really makes Gossip Girl a truly guilty pleasure, are all the beauty indulgences we get to partake in for one solid hour every week.  My roommate usually does her nails, and I usually take the hour to do a face mask – We are super girly girls and watching Gossip Girl makes it all that much more fun to engage in a power hour of beauty.  Despite the fact that we’re multi-tasking whilst watching our favorite guilty pleasure, we are 100% dedicated to our friends Chuck and Blair (How bad do you want to see them together already?), and until this week I can’t think of anything that has derailed our focus from our favorite Upper East Siders.

This week after braving some fiercely frigid winter days, I decided to forgo my usual face mask, and give a little TLC to my hands.  My digits have taken a beating this season, and I’ve been on the hunt for a hand cream that will make them look (and feel) a lot less like they’ve been beaten to death by the elements.  And for the first time ever, a product came along that was so amazing, it actually made us come to a pause.

Advanced Therapy Hand Cream from Lubriderm is a new product designed to not only protect your hands, but also heal them.  It’s not greasy, lasts through hand washing (really, it does), and provides 24 hour moisture.  Enriched with vitamins, nutrients and  antioxidants – This stuff is the real deal.  My hands instantly felt smoother and softer and the improved texture was so amazing that I could not stop applying it obsessively throughout the program.  Even my roommate (who is a very fussy consumer) was hooked and has been loving how effective and gentle this formula is.

I realize I’m a makeup artist, and I usually try and keep my product reviews focused on cosmetics and skin care.  However, I also believe the only other thing worse than an old face is old hands (Ok maybe saggy boobs are on the same level, but, that goes without saying).  If you read this blog regularly you know that I swear by skin care.  Make-up can not look good at any age, if you’re not taking care of your skin.  Like Madonna once said, ‘eventually we’re all going to get old and shrivel up and die’ – But, why should we get there any sooner than expected?  That’s why I think it’s important to fight the good fight against pre-mature aging.  People usually think their face is the only place that shows their age, but did you know that after your neck your hands are one of the first areas that can show signs of aging?

OK, so now you know, and now you can go and pick up some of this really fabulous hand cream.  Do it.  Now.

xoxo
Jillian

Yulia @ Trump

February 6, 2009 by Jillian

Photos: Marley Kate

Styling: Allison Miller

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