From the ingenious minds of leading cosmetic and skincare specialists, Cover FX was born. Conceived with the intention of becoming the foundation authority, Lee Graff, the co-creator and President of Cover FX developed a makeup that effectively camouflages major skin imperfections with added therapeutic benefits.
Graff has been a corrective makeup specialist for over 20 years at a leading Canadian CosMedic Clinic, working exclusively with rosacea, acne, scars, and vitiligo patients. Cover FX was created to match a variety of skin tones, be tolerated by even the most sensitive skin, affordable to the everyday consumer, and have a beautiful naturally looking finish.
Makeup experts agree that every foundation application should start with a great primer. Skin Prep FX Nourishing Foundation Primer and Anti-Aging Serum is a smoothing, hydrating foundation primer that reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and large pores. It is enriched with peptides, vitamins, and hyaluronic acid to help combat the signs of aging.
One of the biggest dilemmas we face with foundation is finding the perfect color. Whose skin really matches a pre-made color straight from the bottle? It’s either too light or too dark or the wrong tone. Or when you’ve finally found the perfect shade, it’s soon to be discontinued entirely. Cover FX addresses this issue, The Big Cover Up kit includes 3 coordinating shades to blend together for the perfect match.
Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation is a 2-in-1 concealer and foundation. It provides full coverage for hard to conceal imperfections like sun damage, acne, and redness. The foundation is suitable for all skin types and imparts a natural dewy finish. It’s also non-comedogenic and has a zero skin irritancy score for skin sensitivity.
The finishing touch of the 3 step essentials is Cover FX Loose Mineral Setting Powder. To set your makeup, simply dust on a touch of translucent setting powder. This imparts a flawless finish with light defusing pigments. Your skin will appear smoother and more radiant. It also helps to prevent color and foundation transfer. A setting powder extends the wear of your makeup and locks makeup in place all day.
If you’ve struggled to find the perfect foundation for years to no avail, your search is over! Cover FX will give you the confidence of a beautiful even complexion.
Essential oils have been around for centuries and have been used to treat everything from relieving stress, sore muscles, sinus problems, and even enhancing your mood…. The benefits of aromatherapy can have an effect on your mind, body, and spirit just by the direct connection they have to your brain.
Since essential oils can be absorbed into the blood steam, due to their small molecular structure, they can provide many health benefits to your whole body. Essential oils can be extracted by means of distillation, steam, cold expression, alcohol extraction or fixed oil. There is also a technique called oil pulling an ancient method, which uses essential oils to clean the teeth and gums. You would choose oil such as sunflower or sesame and move it around in your mouth in a light swishing motion then spit it out. You can repeat this a few times per day depending on which health issue you are trying to treat. It is also claimed that the swishing activates enzymes in the body, which can draw toxins out of the blood and treat many health conditions.
It is important to realize that essential oils are extremely potent and they should not be applied directly on the skin. They should be blended together with carrier oil, this process is called synergy. For example you can use almond, apricot, or grapeseed oil. You will still get the same benefits but will not burn or irritate your skin.
If you are using any citrus based oils or blossoms such as neroli, you should definitely make sure you are wearing a sun screen to protect your skin.
Here are a few essential oils that are beneficial for specific skin types and concerns:
Carrier oils: wheat germ, apricot, grapeseed, extra virgin, or macadamia nut oil.
Here are some other uses for essential oils:
Lemongrass: used to treat fevers and infections.
Geraniun oil: used for hormonal imbalances.
Lime: anti-viral, anti-septic and disinfectant.
Yarrow oil: used to relieve joint pain.
Cedar wood: used to alleviate acne, eczema, and dermatitis.
Rose Geranium, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, orange oil: Used to repel insects.
When using any essential oils you want to first do a patch test on a small area of your skin. It is also not recommended if you are pregnant to use aromatherapy oils as some essential oils such as juniper, rosemary, and sage can cause uterine contractions. It is recommended that you contact an aromatherapy practitioner if you have any questions or need help blending oils to customize your results.
Bold Eyeliner – Straight off the spring runway of Nanette Leopre and Balenciaga is Aqua eyeliner. A throwback to the seventies, this pop of color is not for the faint of heart!
Extreme Lashes – Bigger is better this season! Add false lashes for extra oomph and sex appeal. Follow up with a few coats of Too Faced Lash Injection- Pitch Black for maximum fullness and length. If falsies aren’t your cup of tea, stimulate your natural lashes to grow in thicker than ever before with RapidLash Eyelash Renewal Serum, a customer fave. Need help applying false lashes? Read another one of my articles here for great tips!
We get a lot of questions about uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, acne, and anti-aging. A lot of customers have all of these concerns and are looking for an effective treatment that is cost and time effective. One solution would be the Topix Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads. These multi purpose pads come in three different glycolic percentages to customize your treatment. A 10%, 15%, and 20% glycolic that any skin type can benefit from. Each jar has 60 treatment pads, so they should last you a few months making them very cost friendly.
Which skin types can benefit from the Topix pads? The answer is any skin type will see results. With a blend of antioxidants and witch hazel these pads are great for anyone that wants to fight free radical damage, exfoliate, and have smoother, break out free skin.
You will want to use these pads as often as your skin needs it. For sensitive skin types you will want to start with the 10% glycolic and only use once per week, you can work your way up to two times per week, but this will really depend on how sensitive your skin is. For all other skin types the same rules apply, using a few times per week is the maximum amount because these pads contain a high percentage of glycolic, and will do the trick with just a few applications.
For people who struggle with acne scarring, have mild to severe breakouts and really want something to clear up their skin, you may want to try Topix Gly Sal 10-2 Pads.These contain 10% pure glycolic and 2% salicylic acid, as well as witch hazel that will help to remove excess oil and lessen inflammation associated with acne. There are also 5% glycolic and 2% salicylic pads, which contains less glycolic for more sensitive skin types. The salicylic acid will help dry out blemishes, while the glycolic will even out skin tone and improve the appearance of scars.
As always, you will want to use a sunscreen when using glycolic based products that have at least an SPF of 30 to protect your skin. When you use glycolic it will exfoliate and remove the dead layers of skin, so you will have that new baby skin to take extra special care of. Topix makes Defense Sun Pads SPF 30 for an easy application of sunscreen. These pads provide broad spectrum protection, so they will help combat both UVA and UVB rays that all skin types can use.
We just love it when we can find easy to use and effective products all in one!
We hear a lot about this topic, but do we really know the importance of these powerful substances and the role antioxidants play in the world of skin care? We know the word antioxidant sounds good when we look at the ingredients in a product, but do we really know what they are doing in our products and how we benefit from them? Antioxidants are found in many foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. But what antioxidants are in our skin care products and why?
Some of the most common antioxidants are Vitamins A, (Retinol) C, (L-ascorbic acid) E (Tocopherols) and green tea. These powerful antioxidants are believed to play a major role in preventing cancer, strokes, and heart disease. It only seems logical that when applied topically, these same antioxidants would be beneficial for our skin. When antioxidants are put in skin care, they help to fight the free radicals that have been known to damage our skin and cause pre mature aging. Antioxidants actually help to repair tissue damage. You may have heard of the analogy that explains antioxidants by using fruit as an example. Have you ever noticed that soon after you open a banana or bite into an apple, the fruit will go dark and brown? This process occurs when the air oxidizes the fruit, causing it to wilt and change color. When antioxidants are in place they will help to fight this damage from occurring. A good example of an antioxidant is a lemon. You can use lemons to preserve fruits and vegetables, preventing them from becoming stale and brown. Antioxidants will protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. They are called free radical scavengers, because they fight off pollutants, sun damage, and help your body stay healthy.
Some other examples of antioxidants are alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, and Vitamin B. You can find these ingredients in many of the products we carry here at SkinStore.com. It is important to educate yourself on these powerful antioxidants and what they can do for you. CoQ10 or coenzyme Q10 is actually present in our bodies and it helps the cells in our bodies produce more energy. So you are probably wondering what benefits this antioxidant will have when it is in your skin care right? CoQ10 is considered fairly new to the skin care industry, yet it has been studied and researched for years. While this antioxidant is a naturally occurring antioxidant in our bodies, sometimes the levels can be lower for certain people. This includes people who are stressed, on medications, or who have aging skin. If you are over the age of 30 chances are your levels are below optimum, so it would be beneficial to use a product that contains this powerful antioxidant. It has been known to speed up skin repair and will help the cells regenerate more quickly, thus reducing free radical damage. CoQ10 has also been effective in naturally stimulating collagen production in the skin. Because of its small molecular structure, it can penetrate into your skin very effectively. It is also beneficial to take this antioxidant in a supplement form for optimum benefits.
One example of a product containing CoQ10 that we carry is the Osmotics Kinetin Cellular Renewal Serum. This serum also contains Vitamins A, E, and D. This product is beneficial in treating fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and blotchy skin. If you are looking for a vitamin supplement thatcontains CoQ10 we suggestMurad Wet Suit Cell Hydrating Dietary Supplement. These supplements also contain Vitamin E, zinc, and copper, to protect your skin from the inside out.
Another antioxidant that deserves an explanation is alpha-lipoic acid or ALA. It is an antioxidant that our bodies produce naturally, but only in small amounts. This antioxidant in some cases has reduced wrinkles. It is less irritating than Retin A and Alpha Hydroxy Acids, so even people with sensitive or delicate skin can find ALA beneficial. A proponent of ALA is Dr. Perricone. He offers Alpha Lipoic Capsules that help to neutralize free radicals and protect against cell damage. You can also find ALA in a variety of his cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. If you are looking for powerful antioxidant supplements in a drinkable form, you may want to consider Pure Inventions products. Developed by certified clinical nutritionists Pure Inventions offers an assortment of green tea extracts to add hydration, help with stress and relaxation and even appetite suppression. They contain green tea, acai berry, and polyphenols to help support a healthy immune system.
A lot of skin care companies are becoming more educated on giving us what we deserve in a skin care product. It is important to ask questions and do the research when finding the right products. When we are informed about what is in our skin care products, we can make a more accurate choice when it comes to our skin care needs and concerns. It is always best to consult with your health care provider before starting a new vitamin or supplement program.
We are all so aware of the outer health of our skin, we spend hours looking and searching for the “best” products and treatments. What if I told you an important piece to this puzzle is your inner health? What’s on the inside will always tend to surface and become exposed on the outside. So if we support the inner system with vitamins and nutrients the outer will appear stronger and healthier.
According to the 2007 study in The Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, by taking an oral supplement combined with topical antioxidant treatment you are provided with greater protection than with topical alone. Skin hydration levels are boosted by 60% and protection against environmental damage by 20%. Those are some killer results! Jan Marini C-ESTAMINS is a great option, with their BioCell Collagen II, this profound breakthrough tackles the common causes of aging skin. These once daily antioxidant packets not only influence skin elasticity and skin texture, but also give additional energy. So you’re looking good and feeling good too!
Skin supplements are meant to play a supporting role in your skin care routine and not the main production. Such exciting advances are sure to lead to greater improvements in the optimization of oral skin care, but I’m sure will never take place of our beloved serums and facial moisturizers.
One product line new to Skinstore.com is Melvita. Melvita has been around since the early 1980’s developing organic skin and body care. This line is the number one certified organic brand in France and now SkinStore.com is happy to be carrying it. Melvita has made an organic commitment to ensure their products are safe, effective, and made with organic ingredients. That means they do not contain parabens, synthetic fragrances or colors. They also do not contain polyethylene or polypropylene glycol. By the Ecocert France standards organic products need to carry a certain percentage of organic material. 95% has to be natural, 10% needs to be organic, and 95% of the total plant based ingredienents have to be organic. In addition the packaging of organic products that are used are required to be recyclable. The facility where the products are manufactured, are required to use natural ingredients to clean their equipment with.
This is definitely a line worth looking into, if you are searching for an organic skin care line that is committed to maintaining high quality products with beneficial results.
When there’s no time, or water, or fortitude to wash your face, try a handy cleansing cloth instead. The skyn ICELAND Glacial Cleansing Cloths are great no-rinse, no-water-needed foaming cloths that are infused with Icelandic glacial waters and beneficial minerals to sweep away dirt, oil and makeup. These are super convenient and are great on the go, throw a pack in the gym bag, diaper bag, hand bag, evening clutch, etc. These are a great way to ensure clean, clear, healthy skin even in the most inconvenient of times!
A facial can easily be made, simply with the contents of your refrigerator. Its quick, its cheap and its fun! There are so many different ways to make a mask, so get creative and don’t be afraid to experiment.
First step in making a mask you will need to whip together a “base”, this will be the foundation of your mask and will store indefinitely and a “binder” which will be needed to hold all of the ingredients together. You will only want to add your binder and fresh ingredients until the time you’re ready to apply your mask.
Base Ingredients:
1 cup kaolin (fine clay) powder
¼ cup corn flour
1 tablespoon finely ground rolled oats or other binder
1 tablespoon dried skim milk powder
Binder Ingredients:
Eggs
Yogurt
Honey
Flour
Once you have gotten that down, now its time to get creative! Here’s a list of ingredients and their benefits to help you customize for your skin type.
Apple: slightly acidic; soothes and ready to apply the mask the base ingredient can be pre-mixed and sealed in a tight jar until your ready for use. It gently exfoliates.
Asparagus: stimulating; heals acne
Carrot: antiseptic properties
Apricots: moisturizes, soothes and cleanses
Celery: brightens tired, dull skin
Turnip: deeply cleanses
Yogurt: moisturizes and balances skins pH
Cucumber: cools, soothes and heals, helps even skin tone
Raw potato: helps clear blemishes and eczema
Orange juice: hydrating and anti-aging
Lemon juice (diluted in one part water/one part lemon juice): removes oil and gently lightens freckles
Brewer’s yeast: helps to absorb oil
Lettuce juice (blend lettuce leaves to a pulp, adding a little water): soothes sore, rough skin; helps heal
blemishes
Watermelon: gently exfoliates, softens and deep-cleanses
Avocado: deep cleanse and nourishing
Bananas: hydrating
Strawberries: slightly acidic to exfoliate, antioxidant; cleanses
Tomatoes: excellent for oily skin, contains vitamin A and C and the lycopene is a great source of antioxidants
Pear: soothes and cools sunburn
Pineapple: an astringent wash for oily skin
Before mixing together your mask, grinding any larger, denser ingredient into a blender will make for an easier application. Consider adding essential oils for additional benefits and aromatherapy properties. Have fun and happy masking!
Don’t want to make your own mask? We have a large selection of great masks at SkinStore!