Hi Beauty Pies!

Hope the weekend went well!

How ’bout them Giants?! Yes, I am a former jock and current undercover sports fan.

I also have a crush on Victor Cruz and his salsa TDs. Yum…

Anyhoo, during the game, I took the time to pamper my skin with a Mini-Facial. So, I thought it prudent to re-post this step-by-step tutorial so you can get to pampering, too!

Enjoy…

Happy Monday!

Anyhoo, yesterday I took a moment to give my skin a little TLC by giving myself a mini-facial. I first learned about mini-facials from Kitiya of Mischo Beauty, who is a licensed esthetician, cosmetologist and makeup artist. They are essentially weekly maintenance for your skin in between monthly professional facials that I’ve been slacking on LOL. You can read her post here.

Today, I’m going to walk you guys through my take on the mini-facial. It’s a little bootleg (LOL) because I ran out of my serum and toner (doh!) but the basic steps are here. Also, don’t mind my unkempt brows (going to Thread this week!)

So, without further ado…

STEP 1: Cleanse

What I Used: Shu Uemura Oil Cleanser + Clarisonic Classic (both are must-haves!) and get my skin very clean without drying it out.

STEP 2: Steam

Bless you if you own a steam machine! I don’t so, I steamed the old-fashioned way. Steaming helps get those pores open.

What I Used: Dr. Haushcka Facial Steam Bath, which helps stimulate circulation, loosen blackheads and encourage skin detoxification.

I added some boiled water to hot tap water in my sink…

And threw a towel over my head for 5 minutes (man, it was hot in there!)

STEP 3: Exfoliate

I used an enzyme mask for this step. Light fruit acids are a wonder for the skin.

What I Used: E.L.F. Concealer Brush + June Jacobs Papaya Enzyme Masque deluxe sample (came with this month’s BirchBox)

 This brush is so darn handy for applying facial masks…

Always remember your neck area when applying facial products!

STEP 4: Rinse + Dab Face Dry

My skin felt as smooth as a baby’s butt! I dab in order to remove excess moisture, while leaving a light dewy layer of moisture.

STEP 5: Eye Crème

Applied to under eye area, eyelid and brow bone.

What I Used: Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture. Peptides, hyaluronic acid and other goodies provide a nice bit of long-lasting moisture

STEP 5: Serum

As stated above, mine just finished (boo!) but this is the step where I would apply it. Be sure to get one for your specific skin concerns! In her Serums 101 post, Mischo Beauty says:

“A serum is simply a highly concentrated treatment of active ingredients used to penetrate and treat various skin conditions such as dehydration, stress, environmental damage, fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation issues or loss of elasticity.”

STEP 6: Moisturize/Night Crème

Use a nourishing cream or facial oil to optimize overnight treatment of the skin.

What I Used: Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Healing Skin Cream.  My skin loves oils! This one has a simple list of pronounceable ingredients, like olive oil and royal jelly, and can be used all over.

I take a gob and emulsify it in my hands before applying to my face…

STEP 7: Finished product!

 Yay!

There you have it. A peek into my Sunday Mini-Facial Routine/Home Spa Initiative (minus toner and serum). As always, let me know what you think.

Do you get monthly professional facials?  Leave a comment and let me know!

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by Stephanee for Beauty 365

Ugochi, Uzoma and I were invited to Burt’s Bees holiday launch event a few weeks ago.

During our intimate tour with one of their representatives, I got to thinking about all of their products and how they are completely natural, so much so that they don’t even need masks and cover ups in their testing labs.

If natural products exist and work just as well as (if not better than) other products with chemicals, why aren’t more companies jumping on the au natural bandwagon?

Recently I’ve been a bit more conscious of what I put in and on my body. This is surely thanks to close friends and family including my brother who is very mindful of what he eats and uses on his skin and Ugochi who is a health nut that is slowly but surely rubbing off on me.

I can’t say that I’m completely knowledgeable of all the products I’m using, but being aware and making an effort to learn is definitely the first step to changing my lifestyle. Burt’s Bees is helping me get one step closer to a healthier beauty routine with their 100% natural products. We were able to pick out some goodies from their line and these are the products that became my favorites very quickly.

Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter ($13) and Sugar Scrub ($13) are part of Burt’s Bee’s holiday collection. The sugar scrub does the job and it smells so good that I have to hold myself back from eating it. It’s great to follow it up with the body butter but I found that the scrub is quite moisturizing and there’s no need to apply lotion after.

Coconut Foot Crème with Vitamin E ($9) is a winner for me because my feet need extra TLC since I’m on them all day. The cream is thick, the color of honey and smells like coconut and mint. It’s like a treat for my feet, just apply, add socks, wake up and voila soft feet.

Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème ($8) I’ve been using every night before bed since I got it. It is thick but melts into your skin and leaves your hands feeling soft and supple. Loves it!

Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil ($8) I fell in love with as soon as I saw it. I have a thing for oils and this baby oil can be used on baby or adult skin. I find it best to use on moist skin and a little goes a long way. Smells scrumptious, too!

Do you have any Burt’s Bees products that you love to bits and pieces? If so, do let us know!

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Disclaimer: Products were provided for editorial consideration. Opinions, are all mine! For more information, please see our disclosure.

by Stephanee for Beauty 365

Washing my face at night always seems like such a daunting task, but to preserve my pretty it’s something that cannot be skipped.

My boyfriend used to make fun of my “getting ready for bed” routine which usually takes ten minutes — if I’m lucky. By the time I’m done with my beauty before bed, he’s fast asleep in LaLa Land…

Thank goodness I’ve discovered Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes ($4.69), they shave minutes off my routine and helps me get in bed that much faster.

These towelettes come in a resealable pack of 30 and are designed in a quilted pattern. They have just the right amount of cleanser to attack every crevasse on your face and neck while removing all traces of makeup, even waterproof mascara.

My favorite part of Pond’s towelettes is the smell, I prefer Evening Soothe – with every swipe I feel more relaxed and lulled to sleep. Not only are these towelettes great before bed time but they would be perfect for those who are on-the-go or gym-goers, because they fit right in your bag or purse.

You can find these towelettes at any drug store in your area.

Enjoy!

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Image credit: Pond’s

Many of us put so much emphasis on beauty via makeup and hair but sometimes overlook the condition of our skin.

Skin not only looks badly when it’s dry but it feels awful too. Who wants to cuddle up with someone whose skin looks like concrete dust?! Not me!

Without moisture, skin looks dull and wrinkly. Colder weather equals drier skin so it’s imperative to counteract the elements with a great moisturizer. For me, using lotion after showering is something I do all year round so I’ve tried every moisturizer under the sun…

It wasn’t until I tried Dove Cream Oil, with Shea Butter, ($5.99) that I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin. This moisturizer is very light and evaporates very quickly. Other lotions I’ve tried that have such a light consistency didn’t moisturize at all and I ended up with uncomfortably dry skin by midday. Have you ever seen ashy feet? Not cute at all.

Last, but certainly not least, the fragrance is amazing! It’s so soothing and not over powering at all. So, Beauties, pamper your skin and try Dove’s Cream Oil, trust me your skin will love it.

POST ENDING

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Disclaimer: Bought this myself! For more information, please see our disclosure.

I don’t know about you, but the last time I heard the name “Amway” it was in the late 80′s and one of our more eccentric neighbors would try to convince us to buy random household products bearing the Amway name.

Well, well, well…Amway’s beauty brand, Artistry, is not only one of the top 5 largest  selling beauty brands worldwide but a pretty extensive and high quality line.

If you keep an eye on my tweets, you’ll know that Artistry hosted a FAB blogger event for NY Fashion week.

Stephanee and I popped by in between shows and had a blast! Check out the pics below…

Steph enjoys her back and shoulder massage. It was so good, I think she drooled a little

Here I am getting my makeup done by an Artistry Artist. I asked for a super bold look…

That I didn’t end up liking when all was said and done – doh! Don’t mind my slightly lumpy afro, it got smushed in the massage chair

All in all it was a fun event. Check out Artistry online and be sure to contact your local Amway rep so you can check the products out. They’ve got just about everything you could ever want!

And, don’t forget to tell ‘em we sent ya!

xx,

Ugochi & Stephanee

Skeptical I was when I first scoped Egyptian Magic ($30, www.EgyptianMagic.com) in Ricky’s.  All the talk about secret ancient formulas and all…

But, I sure was intrigued. Plenty of celebs swear by this stuff, including Madonna, Eva Mendes and Rachel Zoe. This, of course, added to the intrigue.

So, I finally got a chance to try it out and I’m very happy with it. This has become my nightly face moisturizer and I use it in my weekly mini-facials.

Egyptian Magic has a simple list of 6 pronounceable ingredients, no added fragrance and a tub lasts forever! Most of the ingredients are derived from honeybees, so be sure to test out the product on a small patch of skin to see if you are allergic.

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Beeswax, Honey, Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly and Propolis Extract

Texture: This is more like a balm than a cream and is pale yellow in color.

Pros: Lasts forever, very moisturizing, naturally-derived ingredients, can be used all over the body, great for cuts, burns and chapped lips.

Cons: Might not good for acne-prone skin, can be oily (which I like!), no fragrance

Final Verdict: While I don’t think you’ll get magical results with Egyptian Magic, I think it is a great product. You definitely will get your money’s worth. My face is very supple when I wake up and I’ve barely made a dent in my tub after over a month of use.

xo,

Ugochi

Have you tried this product? If so, what did you think?

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Disclaimer: This product was provided for editorial consideration. Opinions, are all mine! For more information, please see our disclosure.

Hi dolls,

Today we have a special treat for ya!

We recently had the opportunity to get the scoop on the some common myths relating to skin of color from Dr. Howard Murad, dermatologist extraordinaire.

Keep reading to check out his tips…

Myth #1 – Thicker skin equals more resilient skin.

1. Women of color tend to think that because their skin is thicker, it also means it is more resilient. But this is not the case. In fact, statistics show that women of color tend to be more prone to sensitive skin. With this sensitivity, one should prepare their skin by using products that contain anti-inflammatories and antioxidants to help soothe skin, rebuild the skin’s barrier function and better protect it against future damage.

Myth #2 – People of color are less susceptible to sun damage and hyper-pigmentation.

2. Another misconception is that people with darker complexion are more resilient to sun damage and hyper-pigmentation. In reality, darker complexions respond to environmental and sun damage the same as lighter complexions, by developing darker spots on the skin. This could include acne scars, age spots and sun spots. To help, apply a Vitamin C product underneath sunscreen that will help soak in extra antioxidants and fight environmental and free radical damage. Also, applying a product made for evening skin tone, such as one that contains hydroquinone, will help those suffering from hyper-pigmentation see fast results.

Myth #3 – You can never have too much collagen.

3. Women of color tend to have an overproduction of collagen that can lead to keloids, the excess growth of scar tissue, because their inflammatory response on the skin is much more reactive than most people. To help prevent this, it’s important to eat foods rich in antioxidants like sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon, pomegranates and Goji berries.

To purchase related items, click below:

Pictured (L-R) – Vitamin C Face Wash, Spot Correcting Serum, Vitamin C Night Cream and SPF 30.

Face Cleansers by Murad
SPF 15 & Above by Peter Thomas Roth

What do you think about these tips? Have you been eating your Goji Berries?

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You make my skin so smooth and soft.

You leave a lasting, pretty scent.

You…

Oh, right. Getting carried away! Onto the review…

There’s something so soothing and restorative about moisturizing the skin post-shower. It’s such a simple yet effective step in my self-care routine! Hopefully, it’s part of yours, too and if it’s not you need a skin moisturization intervention! add it!

Anyhoo, I discovered Juara’s Candlenut Hand & Body Cream ($26, www.juaraskincare.com) by accident. After an ahh-mazing full body scrub at Silk Day Spa in here in NYC (Thanks for the recommendation post, Milly!) I was luxuriating in the steam room, flushing out toxins and enjoying life. Then, I decided it was time to shower, get dressed and head back out into the real world.

Always up to test out a new product, I grabbed the lotion that they have available for patrons in the locker room and got to applying. It was in an unlabeled dispenser but it smelled FANTASTIC. I had no idea what a candlenut was, but as soon as I went up to the front desk I asked about the lotion and bought it right away!

This product moisturizes really well and leaves a pretty sheen on my skin. Far from greasy, Indonesian candlenut oil is touted for its nourishing and protective properties. The smell is just divine…I would describe it as subtle, slightly sweet and a little nutty.

At $26, its on the pricier side as far as body lotions go, but definitely worth the splurge.

Wishing you love, light and moisturized skin!

xoxo,
Ugochi

p.s. – Did I mention that this stuff smelled good?

***Be a doll and enter our latest contest - Ends 8/8***

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Disclaimer: I bought this myself!

Dear Beauty 365,

I feel like my skin has been looking dull and tired lately. Can you recommend anything to help me look more refreshed?

Nadia, New Jersey

Dear Nadia,

Have no fear, Beauty 365 is here! Tackle dull skin from the outside by first making sure that you are following the 5 Facial Skincare Basics I went over in an earlier post. Also, remember, SPF is your friend, no matter what your skin tone!

Assuming that you’re all set with those… I would recommend investing in a Clarisonic skincare brush. I happen to LOVE mine (I reviewed it here). It will help with exfoliation and with brightening your complexion.

To tackle dull skin from the inside, I recommend doing a quick Life Audit, where you take stock of how your life is going in relation to how you would ideally like it to go. Stress in any of these areas can contribute to not looking our best.

Some areas to think about are:

1. Fitness
2. Nutrition
3. Faith
4. Relationships (romantic, family and friendships)
5. Finances
6. Purpose/Work

Are things going as you would like them to in those areas? If not, gear yourself up for some change. You may find that once these areas are sorted out, you’ll have a certain satisfactory glow about you. Good luck!

You can benefit from my obsession…er, expertise. Ask your beauty questions here! via Twitter @Beauty365 or e-mail: beauty3sixty5 [at] gmail [dot] com!

Howdy Beauties!

Today is your lucky day The sun is shining and as the holiday weekend approaches, we’re dreaming of the French countryside. Since we can’t get to Provence anytime soon, we figured the next best thing was to bring Provence to one lucky Beauty! So, we’ve got another giveaway for ya!

Up for grabs this week is $35 worth of products from the lovely L’Occitane, purveyor of natural skincare, luxe soaps and shea butter goodness.

How To Enter:

1. Go to our Facebook Page and “Like” Beauty 365.
2. Follow @Beauty365 on Twitter and RT this contest.
3. If you already Like/Follow us, you can enter by leaving a comment below!

*Each of the above counts as ONE entry.

The winner will be chosen at random by Mama 365 ☺ (Hi, mom!)

Contest ends July 6, 2011 at Midnight EST! Must be a resident of the continental US!

Stay Beautiful