4 WEEKS TO FLAWLESS: COUNTDOWN STARTS NOW
Your big day is just a month away – maybe less! Whether we are talking about your wedding, your daughter’s wedding, your 25-year high school reunion (where you are sure you will see the one that got away) or another notable occasion, you want to look as fresh and fabulous as possible– and who can blame you?
But what can you do to get flawless fast?
A lot! We have made it easy for you with our new expert-approved, fool-proof Four Weeks to Flawless Plan.
Week 4
Jumpstart your four weeks to flawless program with an evaluation by a skilled dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Everyone’s skin is different and we all have different needs and aesthetic goals, a personalized evaluation is the best way to chart your course.
Your options may include laser skin resurfacing with fractionated lasers such as the Fraxel. “These lasers also tighten pores and minimize pigmentation,” says Gail Humble, MD, a plastic surgeon in Hermosa Beach, CA. They target a fraction of the skin’s surface, and essentially create tiny wounds in the deeper layer of your skin to stimulate a controlled wound-healing process. Your top layer remains untouched, while your skin’s deeper layer begin to heal. There is less downtime with these lasers than older ablative lasers because they refresh your skin from the inside out. Multiple treatments may be needed.
New York Plastic Surgeon Z. Paul Lorenc says that a series of treatments with Laser Genesis can also help treat any hyperpigmentation issues a month out. Laser genesis also targets the deeper layer of the skin, and stimulates new collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives our skin its structure, and its supply dwindles with advancing age. IPL uses broad-spectrum pulses of light, which are absorbed into the skin to get rid of enlarged blood vessels and unflattering brown marks, says Sachdev, also an ambassador for Olay’s Regenerist skincare line.
Now also is the time to consider injectables including Botox, Dysport and fillers like Radiesse, Restylane, Perlane, Belotero and Juvederm. Surgery is too risky this close to an important event.
Hermosa Beach, CA-based plastic surgeon Doug Mest, MD, suggests a liquid facelift.“ We can use Botox or Dysport to mold the brows and erase crow’s feet, Radiesse can add volume to your mid-face and hyaluronic acid-fillers can plump your lips and add volume to your nasolabial folds,“ he says. “This combo can reshape a face in less than one month and all the bruising will be gone by your big day.” There is no one-size-fits all cocktail. Injectables can be personalized based on your aesthetic goals.
Raccoon eyes also can mar your otherwise flawless appearance. “Treatment depends upon why you have dark circles,” Mest says. “If it is due to a lack of volume, we can fill in your under eye hollows with hyaluronic acid or fat injections,” he says.
One month before your event is also time to start working on your smile, says Bruno Sharp, DDS, prosthodontist in Coconut Grove, FL. “A good cleaning makes a big difference,” he says.
Given a month, Sharp says he would focus on whitening and brightening. “I recommend an in-office whitening that is followed up with take home bleaching trays,” he says. Implants are out, but there is ample time to address other dental issues including crooked or missing teeth.
Week 3
Week three is the time to focus on your body and get plenty of sleep. Stay hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water a day and keep this up all the way to your big day and beyond. “Well-hydrated skin looks younger and fresher,” says Dr. Lorenc.
You may be getting a little anxious as your day draws nearer. Stress is not good for you physically or mentally. Yoga and meditation twice a week along with regular cardiovascular exercise and resistance training can help decrease your stress levels.
Eating right also helps reduce stress and improve your appearance. The traditional nutrient-rich Mediterranean diet, which includes healthy fats like olive oil, fruits, vegetables and lean protein (and is often topped off with a glass of wine). If you are trying to lose a few lbs before the big event (and who isn’t), avoid refined carbohydrates including chips, crackers, pasta or coffee drinks that can contain over 500 calories, and go for things that are loaded with nutrients, but low in calories, says Junelle Lupiani, RD, a nutritionist at the Miraval Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ.
Some good-for-you-foods are also delicious. Dark chocolate may help put the brakes on wrinkles and some of the other visible signs of aging. Rich in epicatechins and catechins, dark chocolate protects your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays and also may improve blood flow to the proteins and other structures that support your skin. They also boost levels of the mood chemicals serotonin and endorphin. “These chemicals help keep us calm and relaxed,” Lupiani says. Her Chocolate Rx? “Find a comfortable space, relax, take a deep breath and eat an ounce of chocolate every day.”
Week 2
Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths, and can help restore a rosy, healthful glow. Deeper, industrial-strength peels offer more dramatic results than superficial peels, but they come at a cost — more downtime. The closer you are to your big day, the lighter the peel should be to avoid any irritation. According to New Haven, CT Dermatologist, Lisa Donofrio, M.D., “Superficial alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) peels such as glycolic or lactic acid are good options this week.”
This also is the time to start thinking about your hair. If you need highlights, lowlights, color or any other treatments, do it now to avoid any hair disasters on your big day.
Of course, keep up with your diet and exercise regimens as the big day gets closer.
Week 1
Take some me-time and treat yourself. Schedule a relaxing sugar body scrub to soften your skin, and a Swedish massage to work all the knots out.
Now also is the time to kick your diet up a notch by boosting your antioxidant intake by drinking green tea, and eating blueberries, raspberries and pomegranates, she says. Supplements of mercury- and pesticide-free omega-3 fatty acids will help decrease inflammation and help give you a great glow from the inside out. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
Your Big Day
It’s finally here. No doubt all your efforts have paid off. Today is a good time to get your pre-event manicure and pedicure. Remember make-up counts too especially since there likely will be photographers buzzing about. “For longer lasting makeup, skip using a moisturizer and instead, use a face primer,” says New York City-based make-up artist Kimara Ahnert. “If you are very dry, use a moisturizer and face primer on top.”
Face primer or foundation primer gives skin a smooth surface, allowing other products to glide on more evenly and stay on longer, she says. “You can’t be flawless without foundation,” Ahnert says. “Choose a foundation that is water-based and matte for long lasting coverage.”
Apply it with a damp sponge for better blending and a sheer but covered finish. And one more thing: “Carry a pressed powder that matches your face makeup and apply throughout event if more coverage is needed or to keep shine under control.”
Knock ‘em dead!
Photo Credit: makeup-stuff-web.blogspot.co.uk
HOW TO GET A-LIST LASHES, LONDON STYLE
Every celeb in the spotlight knows that lashes are THE must-have beauty accessory and it appears that even London girls about town are donning strip lashes on an average day for a bit of extra POP! Who needs a special occasion?!
If we look back to the style icons of the past, they can all be remembered for their seductive long lashes. Elizabeth Taylor’s thick black lashes framed her distinctive deep violet eyes; Audrey Hepburn coyly batted hers in Breakfast at Tiffany‘s and Sophia Loren’s sultry flutter mesmerized a generation.
It would appear the stars of 2012 are no different as lash trends are proving as popular as ever. Katy Perry and Lady Gaga are renowned for their oversized and outrageous colorful lashes, taking the summer colour-blocking trend to a new level. Cheryl Cole, Eva Longoria, and J.Lo tend to go for statement eyes that are perfectly defined and the gorgeous Megan Fox appears to be a fan of individually applied lashes.
Photo Credit: citygeisha.com
If you fancy fluttering your peepers like the A-listers, armed with some handy hints from the BITB team, stealing their style couldn’t be easier! But before you stock up on supplies make sure you have these all important top tips to hand. Remember, applying false eyelashes perfectly takes some practice – the more you do it, the easier and quicker it is. Simply follow the four steps below for gorgeous, long-lasting lashes:
- Firstly, it is important to measure the false lash against your lash line and neatly trim accordingly for a perfect fit and maximum comfort.
- To ensure the false lash holds on to the natural curve of your eyelid, carefully wrap the eyelash strip around your finger for a minute or so to create a slightly arched shape.
- Precisely apply eyelash adhesive to the base of the strip using the back end of your tweezers (cotton buds can leave traces of wool that irritate the eye). Applying the adhesive directly from the tube can be very messy and you only need a touch. Apply a very thin layer of glue to ensure the strip lash does not slide around once placed on your natural lash line. Wait until the glue starts to go a bit tacky for ease of application.
- Hold one end of the strip lash with your fingertips and the other with tweezers then carefully place directly onto the eyelid, starting from the inner corners of the eye, as close to the lash line as possible. For extra comfort, use eyelash curlers to bind your natural lashes to the false lashes 1-2 minutes after the adhesive has dried.
Now all you need to do is experiment with styles that suit you! At BITB, we suggest checking out the fab range of top-notch, professional-grade strip lashes from eyelash guru, Alison Francis. Known to UK beauty directors as ‘the lash lady’ and with 21 years of lash experience behind her, Alison knows a thing or two about framing your eyes. From ‘Feather Luxe’ and ‘Supernatural Gazer’ to ‘Hollywood Flare’ and ‘Cabaret Cross’, there is a style to suit everyone and for every occasion, even if it’s just a BIG day at the office! Prices starting from £5.95.
Love from London
Photo Credit: elureskin.com
SAY GOODBYE TO UV DAMAGE
Summer is the time to show some skin, but if your complexion is showing signs of previous sun indulgences, take care of that now. Fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations can be eliminated or minimized by the new crop of professional and at-home treatments. And once you have perfected your complexion, maintain it by protecting your skin everyday with an effective top-of-the line sunscreen. Here’s how to perfect and protect in two easy steps.
STEP 1: Erase signs of existing sun damage with radio frequency devices and/or topical treatments. These are two of our favorite options.
eTwo - This recently FDA-cleared aesthetic device focuses on facial rejuvenation with two unique treatments called Sublative and Sublime. Using fractionated bi-polar radio frequency, Sublative targets the upper layer of the skin to treat imperfections thereby improving clarity and texture. Sublime heats deeper layers of the skin with infra-red and bi-polar radiofrequency to improve and eliminate wrinkles. After treatment, you can immediately see results, which continue to improve for as long as one year. Costs vary depending on your location, but are in the $800 to $1,000 per treatment range. Find a doctor who uses eTwo by visiting sublativeskin.com.
elure Advanced Skin Lightening System – This award winning topical treatment effectively diminishes pigmentation without hydroquinone, an often irritating and potentially toxic ingredient found in many skin lightening systems. Instead, elure contains a natural bioactive substance called Melanozyme, which erases hyperpigmentation in a clinically proven 28 days. The lineup features three products: Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion, Advanced Lightening Night Cream and Foaming Facial Wash. Priced between $35 and $150, elure products are available through dermatologists, plastic surgeons and other medical aesthetic specialists. You can find a medical professional who carries elure at elureskin.com or you can purchase the system directly from skinfo.com.
STEP 2: Protect your fresh and even toned skin and keep new wrinkles, sun spots and other signs of sun damage from forming by using one of these uber potent UV blockers. But don’t rely on sunscreen alone, said New York City Plastic Surgeon Alan Matarasso, M.D. “Wear protective clothing and a wide brimmed hat, and limit your time in the sun, especially in the middle of the day when rays are strongest. Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating and don’t skimp on how much you use. You need an ounce of broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 to get adequate full-body coverage.” Best bet – stick with creams and lotions. Sprays work perfectly fine but it is easier to miss a spot.
Lumixyl MoistureLock Sunscreen SPF 30 – This broad spectrum sunscreen boasts the advantages of a physical sun block as well as chemical sunscreen. Micronized titanium dioxide provides superior physical protection, while SymHelios 1013, a new ingredient prohibits toxic interactions between UVB rays and proteins in skin cells. Priced at $58, MoistureLock is available through dermatologists, med spas and cosmetic surgeons as well as makemeheal.com.
ZO Skin Health Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 – In this dual-purpose product, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, two non-irritating UVA and UVB blockers, work to protect your skin year round. The moisturizing formulation will keep your skin supple and smooth, while a lipopeptide stimulates collagen and elastin. The SPF ingredients work wonderfully as a primer, so this is a great sunscreen to apply under makeup. The Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer costs $65 at zoskinhealth.com.
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 50 Lotion – A cheap and cheerful way to get good protection, this lightweight water resistant formula absorbs quickly and contains soothing aloe vera. $8.99 at drugstore.com
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