Treating Your DRY Skin Right?

Is your skin about as supple as a rice cake? Does it flake minutes after you moisturize? Is it so tight you're afraid to smile? Don't worry, you're not alone! It's SO common to have dry skin, especially during cold months, but are you treating it right? Or are you sabotaging your complexion?

Delusion 1 : Dehydrated Or Dry? 
The most common mistake people make is thinking that their skin is dry when it’s really dehydrated. The difference? Dry skin has very tiny pores and is rather tight. Dehydrated skin lacks luster and shine, and can be flaky.

Solution: Smart Moisturizing. 
Apply a rich moisturizer twice a day. In the morning, it’s essential to nourish your skin to replace the water you’ve lost overnight, and in the evening, it locks in moisture after you wash your face — which helps repair your skin while you sleep.

You also need to target delicate areas (like the eyes and lips) that tend to lack moisture and develop fine lines. A gentle yet hydrating eye cream can make lines less prevalent, and lip balm will replace moisture. Look for ingredients such as shea butter and sweet almond oil.

Delusion 2 : Aggressive Exfoliating. 
A common mistake that people make is to scrub off the flakes because their skin looks dull and flaky BUT this only leads to irritation. Over-scrubbing can actually make skin more inflamed and cause it to produce even more skin to repair itself. Peels and harsh cleansers can also have the same results.

Solution: TLC!
Exfoliate your skin one a week. Avoid gel cleansers and foaming products with sulfates; they can contain harsh detergents that strip your skin of much-needed moisture.

Also, begin your day with a little water. Your skin usually doesn’t get dirty enough when you sleep to warrant a morning cleansing (assuming that you’ve removed your makeup the night before).

Delusion 3 : Heavy Balms. 
People who have dehydrated or dry skin often use creams that are extremely rich and heavy. The molecules of these products are rather large, and it’s hard for them to penetrate properly — meaning the product just sits on the skin.

Solution: A Good Serum. 
A good serum has smaller molecules that allow it to penetrate and add much-needed moisture ahead of your moisturizer, locking it in and creating a good layer of hydration.Look for ingredients like licorice and soy extracts as these act as anti-inflammatories and can reduce skin redness and irritation.


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Related Articles: EVOO + CO = OCM

Glossed Adores Classy

A classy updo... 
on a classy girl... 
for a classy event.


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Do Spring like the Catwalks Did

Punch Up the Peach
The new nude for your pout is peach! Louis Vuitton showcased this fresh neutral on his S/S 2012 runway. Choose a creamy or glossy texture.


Braids After Dark
Braid UP your hair into a slightly dishevelled up-do. Start by teasing your crown area, then clip your hair up in a half-up, half down style. Braid the remaining 'down' hair and clip them up in an imperfect way by twisting and pinning. Aim for a good balance. Or create a 'HALO' braid like the Valentino models did on the S/S 2012 runway(right). Instead of the french braids and difficult-to-achieve-solo look, try this easier, but similar, style. Do the same beginning steps from the previous look, but with the remaining 'down' hair, split into two, braid them, then pull up the braids and cross them over just above the forehead. Pull and fuss with the braid a bit before setting with hairspray.


Side Rolls
A retro-roll is another sweet spring/summer look. Pull hair into a side part, cut a hair doughnut in half, place it at the ends of the hair, curl it around it from ends to roots, then remove it and pin hair underneath. It is possible to use a finger in place of the hair ring, but it's a bit trickier. The hair ring helps keep the roll tight! Dior rocked this look on his S/S 2012 catwalk.





Tame Brows
A happy goodbye to the bushy boyfriend brows of last season! A full brow is still the way to go, but this season it's defined with a soft, flattering arch. Chanel's waxy brow pencils are a must-have to hold brows in shape.


Close-To-The-Lash Lines
The models at Prada (left) strutted the catwalk with fine black liner on the inner rims. This look of simplicity is striking and easy to achieve. Be sure your kohl is super-sharp, waterproof (for a long-lasting finish) and below the line is set with a translucent powder to prevent smudging and falling.






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Image Credit (top): Valentino 2012 Backstage
Image Credit (bottom): Prada 2012

Nail Pops

With neon brights on their way in for spring and summers hottest looks, these glosses are on my wish list to get warmed up! Topshop Unique had their models sporting Green Room, War Paint and Awol during London's fashion week. Love them.

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Photo Credit: topshop.com

Pour Some Sugar On Me...

As many of you know, Glossed is a believer of all things green in beauty. This combo is a FAVOURITE in the exfoliator category! Brown sugar + Honey = Skin Bliss. 


Brown sugar exfoliates the skin, ridding the pores of all dirt, oil and dead skin cells causing blemishes. Honey is naturally antibacterial, so as the brown sugar scrubs away the things clogging pores, the honey cleans out the sources of the buildup to prevent future breakouts. 

Start with about a tablespoon of brown sugar, then slowly add honey until you get a smooth but gritty consistency. 


If you love that, then you must try a brown sugar body scrub! Mix together a half a cup of coarse brown sugar with a tablespoon of honey, a little olive oil, and 1/4 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.


Who knew sugar could feel so good?! 

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Photo Credit: pinterest.com

Pretty Red Pout

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's a perfect time to don that red lipstick you've been dying to flaunt. But before you do, read on and learn a few bits about how to choose it and how to wear it well.

Down Play.

When you wear red lipstick, make sure the rest of your makeup is toned down. Natural, flawless skin and a little mascara is all you really need. Choose bare or light-colored nail polish so it does not clash.

Be Picky.
If you are going out to a formal occasion, choose a classic creamy, matte red formula. For a more youthful look, a glossy liquid makes a beautiful impact. For everyday wear, try a sheer or long-lasting mineral lipstick.

Experiment.
Experiment with shades to get the perfect look.

• To make your teeth look whiter, go for shades with blue undertones. 
• If your skin is fair or has pink undertones (blue veins), try cooler reds with blue undertones. 
• If your skin has yellow undertones (green veins), try reds with a brownish undertone. 
• If you have very dark or black skin, you can try reds with orange undertones.

Exfoliate.

Before applying red lipstick, exfoliate your lips for a super-smooth base. Just dip a cotton swab in some baking soda and rub on your lips. Or, use a damp wash cloth and gently work off dry skin, rubbing in a circular motion. Follow with a lip balm containing beeswax.

Line 'em Up.

Lipstick -- especially red lipstick -- can bleed. Use a neutral lip liner and line inside the lip line, not on the outside.

Paint It On.

Apply your lipstick with a lip brush and follow with a dusting of translucent powder to make it last throughout the day or night.

AND, In the End...
Wear this look with confidence! It's a bold choice that makes a solid, beautiful impact.


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Photo Credit: pinterest.com

Glossed Glossing

Behind the scenes... 

 

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A Face Miracle

No need for a pricey spa visit for a facial miracle... do it now in the comfort of your home! The aspirin mask works wonders on your face. It contains salicylic acid (which we've all heard the miracles of!) and this helps clean out pores and battles acne. All you need is water and three aspirin tablets. You can also add honey if you want a binding agent.


What is Salicylic Acid?
It is commonly found in acne treatments, lotions, creams, cleansers, gels, and even in toners. Salicylic Acid causes the skin to exfoliate and prevent pores from clogging up. This exfoliating action helps prevent acne from forming by eliminating dead skin cells. It can also be used to treat other skin disorders including dandruff, psoriasis, calluses, corns, warts, and more.

How does it work?

Salicylic acid treats by exfoliating away dead skin. It also has the ability to penetrate the pores of the skin. These two actions allow the dead skin cells to be exfoliated and keep the follicles clear. It keeps the pores clear of debris (like dead skin cells), and reduces blocked pores and prevents breakouts.

How do I do it?

Simple Acid Peels - Use uncoated generic aspirin for these peels. Take two or three tablets and place them in your palm. Drip a few drops of water or lime juice into your palm and crush the aspirin up into a paste. Apply it to a clean face and leave it on until it dries. With wet fingers, gently rub your face for a few seconds to exfoliate. Rinse well and pat dry. Apply a moisturizer. You can also use this as a spot treatment for pimples.

Moisturizing Acid Peels - You can also crush two or three dry aspirin and add them to either some honey or some pure unscented aloe vera gel. Apply the mixture to a clean face and leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Apply a moisturizer.

Peel Information - These peels may be very simple, but they are effective. You can use them one to three times a week, depending on your skin sensitivity. These peels will make your skin soft, smooth and glowing because they remove the old dead skin and reveal the fresh new skin underneath. Do not leave the peel on longer than 10 minutes or until it dries, as this may irritate your skin.

Cautions - New skin is especially sun sensitive, so be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day. If you are allergic to aspirin, do not use this or any other salicylic acid peel. If you feel burning or stinging after applying any of these peels to your face, rinse them off immediately and see a doctor.

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Image Credit: pinterest.com