A growing number of men have become aware of the benefits of a daily skin care regimen. From basic shave creams to multi-purpose products that treat and protect the skin, men have a wide variety of high quality skin care products to choose from. To help simplify and demystify men’s skin care, we felt a 5 minute skin care regimen designed just for men was long over-due!

With multi-purpose products a complete skincare regimen can be complete in as few as three steps.

Step 1: Cleansing your skin both morning and night is a critical part of your skin care regimen. After being in the elements all day, you have to rid your skin of excess oils and dirt. In addition, after sleeping you also want to remove any product residue from the night before and any oil build-up, besides…it just feels good! Using an alcohol-free, oil-free and fragrance-free cleanser is a refreshing option that will not add any unwanted scent. The aMenity Gel Face Cleanser is a great option for those who prefer a low lather cleanser or who have an oiler skin type. The Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser is a 2 in 1 cleanser toner; it’s oil-free and fragrance-free and is often preferred by those with dry to combination, and sensitive skin types who need deep cleansing. 

Step 2 (only when you shave!): Use a multi-purpose shaving product. Murad Man Cleansing Shave is not only an ultra smooth shave cream, but it is also cleanses and tones the skin and provides an infusion of antioxidants to help protect the skin from free-radical damage…free radicals are unstable molecules. (There is a great article explaining more about free radicals in our very own beautyWise newsletter)  

Step 3: Moisturize & Protect. In the morning, a multi-purpose moisturizing sunscreen is a great option for the busy man on the go. Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer is a great choice for those of you who get light sun exposure (to and from the office). This moisturizer protects the skin with a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) SPF20. In addition, it contains ingredients that are potent sources of anti-oxidants which are necessary for improving the appearance of your skin and for combating free-radical damage. If you work in the sun or have a high level of sun exposure a SPF30 or greater is the better way to go…Jack Black Sun Guard Oil-Free Very Water/Sweat Resistant Sunscreen is an option, don’t forget to reapply throughout the day!

In the evening after cleansing, apply a hydrating treatment product that will help to enhance your anti-aging or preventative efforts. The Menscience Anti-Aging Formula is a customer favorite as is the Menscience Advanced Face Lotion.     

In three easy steps you have a great foundation for a basic skin care regimen. If you feel that you need extra treatment around the eyes you can add the Menscience Eye Rescue Formula, it’s excellent and super hydrating! Customers love it and we love it too! The ingredient Hyaluronic Acid is ultra hydrating – the Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin A support collagen repair and cell renewal – Vitamins C, E and Green Tea fight free-radicals.

Still unsure about the best regimen for you? Give the SkinStore.com Estheticians a call, or contact the SkinStore.com customer support team! We will be more than happy to help!

For more information about the benefits of Antioxidants see the SkinStore.com beautyWise article: Antioxidants and Your Skin

Products featured in this article:

aMenity Gel Face Cleanser, The Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser, Murad Man Cleansing Shave, Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer, Jack Black Sun Guard Oil-Free Very Water/Sweat Resistant Sunscreen, Menscience Anti-Aging Formula, Menscience Advanced Face Lotion, Menscience Eye Rescue Formula.

Why is it that your makeup looks completely flawless after leaving the makeup counter of your favorite luxury department store, yet when trying to duplicate the look at home you fall short? Here is a hint: Fingers vs. sponge vs. the right tools…there is a reason your makeup artist uses tools at the makeup counter…they make all the difference!

When considering whether or not to invest in a great set of makeup brushes consider this; Leonardo Da Vinci did not paint the iconic Mona Lisa with his bare hands right?! No way, he used his tools of the trade. Your face is your canvas, and you need the right tools too! Whether you are painting a canvas or applying your makeup, having the right device can determine if your finished product is a masterpiece or a major mess up! No woman should ever go without her trusty brush kit!

Let’s cut to the chase – loyalists to liquid foundation should never compromise the perfect finish to oily fingertips or a messy sponge.

A foundation brush ensures the perfect application every time. Here is how – first, use a cotton swab to gather a small amount of foundation from the product container – this reduces chances of product contamination caused by your fingers. Next, using the cotton swab, dab foundation on the areas where you wish to apply it. Finally, while makeup is still moist, use a foundation brush to blend your makeup by using downward diagonal strokes. The result is a beautiful finish that is uniform and never streaky. My personal favorite is the Stila Brush #27 Perfecting Foundation.

Did you know that using fingers for application darkens the color of the foundation 2-4 shades?! In addition, by applying your foundation with your fingers, the result is a finish that can be blotchy and uneven. You wouldn’t finger paint your wall or dresser, so why finger paint your face a risk an unattractive uneven finish?

Now let’s talk economics – application with a makeup sponge wastes product, ultimately draining the piggy bank of your hard earned cash. Most liquid foundations are water based and quickly absorb into the sponge, causing you to use more foundation than you actually need. A good portion of the product is lost in the process therefore; using a foundation brush instead of a makeup sponge can actually save you money.

One may hesitate to indulge in luxuries like a foundation brush, but a one time investment of $20 will pay you back in compliments ten fold. Plus you can also save money over time by using your product more efficiently.

Looking for a new liquid foundation to try? Elizabeth Arden Intervene Makeup SPF15, Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation,  Jan Marini C-ESTA Perfection Treatment Foundation.

Have you ever looked at someone’s makeup and thought, “Wow that must have taken her all day to apply? I don’t have that kind of time!” Between work, kids, significant others, and life in general, there isn’t much time left for makeup. If your schedule’s busting at the seams, look no further, here are some simple tips on how to look fabulous in a flash! 

The 5 Minute Face has been tested and timed, this is no myth ladies! Remember the cardinal rule: Less is more! For every wonderful makeup job there are even more OVERLY made up jobs!

The 5 minute face does not have to look like you spent all morning creating a work of art. A few simple, yet effective tips can have you looking great and out the door in a snap.

Step 1: One of the first things everyone should consider is protecting and prepping the skin. This means you should apply a moisturizer with sunscreen first, before painting your daily canvas. This will ensure your skin is protected and hydrated for the day ahead. If your moisturizer does not contain a SPF, select an oil free sunscreen that will not clog your pores and gives you optimum sun protection. An SPF 30 or greater is ideal. I enjoy Osmotic’s Age Prevention Protection Extreme SPF 40. This sunscreen is specifically formulated for sensitive skin types, is oil free, and contains natural ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Who wouldn’t want their sunscreen doing all the work for them! By the way, to clarify a common misconception, if your foundation has an SPF of 15 and your sunscreen also has a SPF of 15; it does not mean you are getting SPF 30. I hope that helps to clarify!

Step 2: Now the eyes, which can be one of our best assets girls! Start by priming the lid. You can use an actual eye primer, but who has time for that? We only have 5 minutes. For quick application, I use the same foundation that goes on my face, patting it all over my lid then apply an eye shadow. You can also use the same foundation underneath your eyes for those pesky dark circles. If you have a hard time deciding what eye shadow to use, try getting dressed first then you will know what colors will compliment your outfit. If you are wearing gray or black, you may want to try a charcoal or a green shadow. Try Stila Eye Shadow Duo in Seafoam. Next, apply a highlighter below the brow, along the orbital bone. If you want to look fresh and alert all day try bareMinerals Well Rested for Eyes. This product is multi-functional, try using it under your eye shadow or even around your nose, lips or anywhere else you needs brightening.

Step 3: Mascara is a very important step, as it finishes the look and gives the illusion it took 20 minutes, not 5 to pull the whole look together. The trick is to find the best mascara for your eye type. If you have long lashes and a lot of them, use a larger brush. This will cut down on your application time. If your lashes are sparse and short, use a smaller brush that will evenly coat the mascara while not getting clumpy and complicated. The Too Faced Lash Injection is a customer favorite!

Step 4: A little bit of cheek. I recommend using a bronzer with a multi colored palette to choose from. This will give your cheeks that shimmer and sparkle without looking too dark and unforgiving. Try Lancaster Sunlight Palette in Natural. Apply where the sunlight naturally hits your face, cheeks, top of nose, chin, and forehead. (This will also work great for the inner eye highlight).

Step 5: Finally, finish off the entire look with lips. Stila Lip Glaze – Brown Sugar, will add a little spice and glam to your day. Forget the liner and lipstick ladies! Look fresh and polished with just a little gloss.

These five easy steps, in 5 short minutes can have you looking amazing and put together all day long!

Products featured in this article: Osmotic’s Age Prevention Protection Extreme SPF 40, Stila Eye Shadow Duo, bareMinerals Well Rested for Eyes, Too Faced Lash Injection, Lancaster Sunlight Palette, Stila Lip Glaze.

Voluptuous, appealing, youthful lips… it’s a feature every woman daydreams about at one point or another. When we pass the local makeup counter we all stop to look at products that will help enhance and perfect our natural features. What you may not know is that you may not quite understand the products you pick up to try and the benefits that they offer. Here’s the 411 on how you can achieve the look, maintain the look, and recognize the difference in products that produce that look of fuller, more beautiful lips.

Lip enhancers are products that naturally enhance the features of the lips. Usually these products have ingredients in them which will hydrate the lips, fill or decrease wrinkles or fine lines, define the lip line, and also enrich the natural shade of the lips. When these benefits are combined and applied they create a healthy, full, smooth, youthful lip. Some of the most common ingredients used in lip enhancing products are antioxidants, aloe, shea butter, collagen stimulators and protective oils or waxes. Some products to refer to for natural lip enhancers would be: Perricone MD Lip Plumper, Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Lip and DDF Glossy Lip Treatment. These are products you could use on a daily basis to make sure your lips get the proper attention they need.

While lip enhancing products are a good way to maintain the health of your lips and make them stand out; we women always want more! We want what makes us stand out from the rest, the ultimate results, and the glam star appeal. On top of today’s current lip enhancing products, there are also lip plumping products. These products take healthy, natural, full looking lips to a whole new level. These products vamp up the lips and contain ingredients which work on contact to get you to that dreamy lip you desire. Some of the most common ingredients used to stimulate the lips are peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acids, menthol, niacin and different types of essential oils blended from wintergreen, ginger, and cinnamon. Depending on the specific ingredients in a product you may experience a slight tingling sensation, warming sensation or even a cooling sensation. Usually this feeling is an initial sensation after you apply a product; the feeling will subside after the skin adjusts to the product. That feeling is also how you’d know if your product is a lip plumper vs. a lip enhancer. Most lip enhancers will not contain ingredients that have that effect on the lips. Some well known lip plumping products include the DuWop Lip Venom line, LipFusion XL Micro Injected Collagen Lip Plumper, and my personal favorite bareMinerals Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish. Some of you beauty daredevils may enjoy that sting to perfection, but I prefer the cooling sensation. Hopefully now you’ll be able to go get yourself a pair of those kissable, luscious, irresistible lips you’ve always wanted and maybe even a kissing partner!

For more information about the products featured in this article visit www.skinstore.com or click on the item of interest below.

Perricone MD Lip Plumper, Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Lip, DDF Glossy Lip Treatment, DuWop Lip Venom, Lip Fusion XL Lip Plumper, bareMinerals Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish

Many people who have rosacea don’t know that they have it. To understand what rosacea is and how it affects our skin we need to be able to recognize it first. Many people show early signs of rosacea with flushing or blushing. Fair skin tones are prone to show these signs more than dark complexions, so if you’re medium or dark skinned, early-onset rosacea can be hard to recognize. Rosacea-prone skin can look sunburned, especially around the nose and cheek areas. This redness can also be accompanied by a sunburned feeling, tightness and burning of the affected area. Rosacea skin also tends to be bumpy with seed-like bumps that are often persistent and can ooze, like a hormonal pimple and can be quite painful as well. Broken capillaries and blood vessels can also be persistent on rosacea skin. Rosacea symptoms can be segmented into four categories: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous and ocular. It is recommended that all of the above mentioned rosacea types receive attention from a dermatologist; it is significant that phymatous and ocular patients seek dermatological treatment. 

Rosacea is an inflammatory condition; both internal and external inflammation factors can cause great distress to Rosacea-prone skin, thus triggering a flare-up. In addition to using quality topical products, treat your rosacea from the inside out: don’t stress out! Stress is the number one cause of a rosacea flare-up. Avoid spicy food, excess dairy and alcohol consumption. Anything that’s too stimulating for the body will be stimulating for the skin, so abstain from super-duty exercise, high heat (sauna, spa or hot bath), or excessively cold climates. 

Treat your skin with extra care, don’t wash your skin in extremely hot or cold water, and do not use abrasive products such as scrubs with particles (especially ones with nut shells or sand particles). Do use gentle cleansers, foaming can be ok- but a mild gel version is recommended if your skin is oily to combination, B. Kamins Vegetable Skin Cleanser is a great choice, or a cream cleanser if your skin is normal to dry, Pevonia RS2 Gentle Cleanser is an outstanding option.  

Stay away from acidic chemical exfoliants and fruit acids. While fruit acids may be great for most skin types, rosacea isn’t one of those skin types that tolerate fruit acids. Instead- use a gentle milk acid called lactic acid. Lactic acid can be found in a product-specific formulation, or as one of the ingredients in a moisturizer, cleanser, toner or masque. Estheticians recommend exfoliating on a regular basis with a lactic formulation to rid skin of residue, dead skin cells, clear your pores and provide anti-aging benefits. B. Kamins Lactic 8 is a great choice; it contains 8% lactic acid in addition to salicylic acid- which is an anti-inflammatory. In fact, salicylic acid is great for all acne-prone skin types and clogged pores. 

After cleansing and exfoliating the skin- it is recommended that your skin receives a layer of barrier protection and soothing ingredients before a moisturizer is applied. Serum products rich in humectants, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients are typically desired in treating redness, oxidative stress and inflammation. Applying Pevonia RS2 Concentrate to a slightly damp, clean face can be helpful. It is rich in phyto-estrogens, flavonoids, antioxidants and polysaccharides and provides an immediate feeling of relief and coolness. 

For rosacea skin in need of rapid healing and a boost of radiance, iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus is a great product. It contains Vitamin C, Olive Leaf Extract, Vitamin E and Vitamin A for excellent antioxidant, brightening and healing properties. It also has Zinc Sulfate to enhance wound healing and decrease inflammation; these are beneficial factors when treating your rosacea topically. 

After layering a treatment serum on the skin, apply a moisturizer, this provides hydration and prevents topical dehydration. Even if your skin is oily or combination, it is still very important to moisturize (moisturizers impart hydration into your skin- not oil, so contrary to popular belief- moisturizers will not make you break out)! Oily and combination skin should use a light, gentle hydrator such as ATOPALM MLE Face Cream. ATOPALM MLE Face Cream contains a barrier-repair lipid formula which helps to restore the barrier of compromised skin, such as skin that has been affected by rosacea, or other conditions such as dermatitis or eczema. Normal to dry skin types require quite a bit more moisture therefore, using a dense, lipid-rich formula as a daily hydrator is preferred. Osmotics Anti Radical Age Defense Barrier Longevity Complex is an outstanding choice for barrier-repair and antioxidant protection benefits. 

Of course, don’t forget your sunscreen on a daily basis! The sun is a no-go when you are rosacea-prone, so make sure to thoroughly protect your skin year-round to prevent a flare-up. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide a physical sunscreen barrier on the top of your skin- without any chemical absorption. Oily and combination skin types prefer a powder version such as the iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen and normal to dry skin types prefer a light cream formulation, such as the Avene Very High Protection Cream SPF 50. 

Remember, with proper care, your rosacea-prone skin, can be healthy and luminous! 

For information about the products featured in this article:

B. Kamins Vegetable Skin Cleanser , Pevonia RS2 Gentle Cleanser, B. Kamins Lactic 8, Pevonia RS2 Concentrate, iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus, ATOPALM MLE Face Cream, Osmotics Anti Radical Age Defense Barrier Longevity Complex, Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen, Avene Very High Protection Cream SPF 50.

For more information about Rosacea visit the Rosacea.org website at www.rosacea.org.

 Source: The National Rosacea Society

These days everyone is looking for a way to slow down the aging processes and since the Fountain of Youth has yet to be found, we all turn to the next best thing – SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Until recently, many individuals were a little unsure of what type of protection our SPF was providing. With the increased risk of skin cancer, we now realize that what we don’t know CAN hurt us, thus many have turned to their dermatologists or esthetician for education.

Let’s begin with a basic understanding of how the sun can cause damage to our unprotected skin. Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet radiation which can damage the skin, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

UVA, known as the “aging” ray, can penetrate deeper into our skin and cause symptoms of premature aging such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and damaged collagen. It is believed that UVA is up to 20 times more abundant in sunlight than UVB rays. In addition, the UVA wave-lengths are longer, can pass through window glass and they are not affected by weather – in other words, they are active and present every day, all day – rain or shine! So – don’t be fooled, wear your SPF even on a cloudy day the UVA rays are just as harmful whether sunny or cloudy outside.

UVB is known as the “burning” ray. The UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and increased melanin production (the cause of tanning). These rays are shorter and more intense than the UVA rays however; they can not pass through window glass. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation about 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are linked with ultraviolet radiation exposure. UVB play’s a significant role in these statistics. In addition, unlike UVA rays, the intensity of the UVB rays can be affected by altitude and latitude thus, individuals may experience a higher level of exposure while in mountainous regions and near the equator.

At SkinStore.com we offer a wide selection of SPF products. We have a variety of both chemical sunscreens and physical sun blocks. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic compounds to filter the sunlight by absorbing them before they can do any harm. Some active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are octylcrylene, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone and Mexoryl, the ingredient in Anthelios SX. Mexoryl was approved as recently as 2006 by the FDA for protection against UVA and UVB rays.  Chemical sunscreens are fantastic because they absorb very easily into the skin, which is a big plus for an oilier skin type however, they might not be suited for sensitive or allergy prone skin types. Physical sun blocks provide a barrier on the skin deflecting sunlight off the surface similar to the way a mirror would reflect light. The most common ingredients in a physical sun block are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. While both provide great protection to UVA and UVB rays, individual preference may include consideration factors such as consistency and physical attributes of the ingredients. 

SPF labels–we have all seen one right? So what do they mean?…in short, SPF labels are our guide for understanding a sunscreens capacity for protecting our skin from sun damage. The higher the SPF, the greater the amount of UVB rays are blocked – though no sunscreen will block 100% of the UVB rays, an SPF50 can block up to 98% of those harmful rays! The SPF level also helps to determine the amount of time we can be in the sun while remaining protected. For example, if you normally begin to turn pink after 10 minutes of being in the sun with out sunscreen, an SPF 15 may protect your skin for up to 2.5 hours before you may experience sunburn. Remember, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that sunscreens be applied 30 minutes before exposure to the sun with reapplication at least every two hours – the active ingredient in most sunscreens breaks down quickly, leaving your skin unprotected. Better to be safe than sorry, right?!

La Roche Posay offers a fabulous broad-spectrum protection product called Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. They have created a synergistic combination called Cell-ox Shield which is high efficacy sun filters and powerful anti-oxidants to further protect your skin. So you’re not only protecting your skin from external harm, you’re promoting internal health as well. One of my personal favorites is the Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Instant Mineral SPF30. It’s great because I can toss it my purse and do touch-ups through out the day, right on top of my make-up. It’s also a physical block with 12.45% active titanium dioxide and 9.80% zinc oxide, with complete transparency and mattifing mineral powder. Not only that, but it also contains a blend of six powerful, active wrinkle relaxing and anti-aging peptides and neuropeptides! What more could a girl ask for!? Okay…maybe if this also made me ten pounds lighter it would be every girl’s dream come true.

Products featured in this article: Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid, Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Instant Mineral SPF30, La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation. For more information about skin cancer visit The Skin Cancer Foundation website.

FDA News & Events – July 24, 2006: FDA Approves a New Over-the-Counter Sunscreen Product

You can’t deny it; a fabulous set of brows are priceless. Nicely groomed eyebrows, not only polish off a great look, but also act as an instant eye lift. There will be no need to schedule your next waxing appointment when you follow these simple steps.

First and foremost, invest in a quality set of tweezers. Look for a slanted tip, which provides better accuracy and grip when tweezing unruly hairs. My personal favorite is the Tweezerman Slanted Tweezer. FYI for all the divas out there, these tweezers also come in all sorts of crazy colors and patterns, i.e. cheetah print and pink polka dots. How fun- I’m always on the hunt for cute new items to spice up my makeup bag!

5 Steps to perfectly manicured brows:

1. The cardinal rule- Never over pluck! This is probably the hardest of all of the guidelines. We have all been overzealous with the tweezers at one time in our life, leaving your brows sparse and over plucked. But don’t fear – there are helpful tricks to avoid this mishap.

Try filling in your brows with an eyebrow pencil first. This enables you to create your perfect shape, acting as a pattern for you to follow while tweezing. Tip- use soft, feathery strokes when penciling in your brows, this mimics the look of hair. A heavy hand will make your brows look too harsh and drawn on. By diverting attention away from areas that need to grow in, the focus remains on the hairs that need to be plucked. Follow this easy step and you’ll never be left with thin, wimpy eyebrows again!

2. Shaping- Keep in mind everyone has differently shaped brows. Some are more rounded, while others are more squared. Some have high arches and others are straight across. The key is to enhance the shape you were born with.

3. There are three parts to an eyebrow- the head, arch and tail. The head of the brow should start directly above the side of the nose. Tip- Hold a pencil parallel to the side of your nose. The pencil will land where the head of the brow should begin. Tweeze any hairs that land in unibrow territory.

4. Next, holding the pencil at the side of your nose, diagonally angle it so that the pencil crosses the iris of your eye. The pencil will fall on the part of the brow where your arch should be. Pluck hairs one by one to open up and define the arch.

5. Now, angle the pencil toward the outside corner of your eye. The pencil will land where the tail of the brow should end. Pluck any stray hairs that remain. Lastly, finish off your look by applying a brow gel. I highly recommend Billion Dollar Brow Gel, it works wonders! The gel sets your hairs, keeping your brows polished and intact from morning till night!

Tips for Success:

• Try to avoid overarching the brow, which can leave you with a surprised or angry expression.
• Plucking too many hairs at once can leave holes or gaps in the brow. For better precision, pluck one hair at a time.
• Pick a neutral toned eye brow pencil that matches your natural hair color.

Products featured in this article:

Tweezerman Slanted Tweezer, Billion Dollar Brow Gel