Favorite's Fridays: Moroccan Oil Hydrating Styling Cream

This is my first favorite hair product, and it's a fabulous favorite! About a year ago I began using the Moroccan Oil line when a client recommended it to me, and I fell in love the smell. Every time I used it, I would get lots and lots of compliments on my fabulous smelling hair. However, I was unhappy with how my hair felt sometimes - oily and greasy. After a while I only used it on the tips of my hair until Leap Day of this year.

Leap Day 2012 was a special day for me because it was the day that I filmed a segment for The Doctors TV show. Shortly after our arrival they sent me in to hair and makeup for touch ups. While I was in the chair, the hair stylist said, "you got up early and did this yourself?" She was  impressed, and all she did was add a tiny drop of lotion to my hair. It had a very familiar smell. I looked at the bottle and sure enough it was Moroccan Hydrating Styling Cream!

This stuff is fabulous. I bought it the very next day and use it all the time. It doesn't leave my hair greasy or oily. It eliminates frizzy hair, hydrates and conditions and can be used on all types of hair. I love how my hair smells after I use it and the shine it gives!

While I still recommend the Moroccan Oil, I prefer the Hydrating Styling Cream for my hair. The great thing about this product line is that anyone can use it and have wonderfully smelling hair, all the while enjoying the benefits that I listed above!

The BEAUTY of My Business

Over the years, I have learned to run my business in a very unique way. I run it based on my client's needs and wants, and customize each procedure to each individual client. 

Some clients seek my artistry because they are unable to wear conventional makeup due to allergies or are unable to apply makeup due to unsteady hands or disability. 

My philosophy is not to replace conventional makeup, but to enhance a specific person's natural and unique features. My goal is for men and women to be able to wake up in the morning and look fabulous or go swimming, skydiving or workout and look fabulous, all while looking completely natural. Having cosmetic tattooing does not replace makeup, it simply allows for busy women (and men) to save time in the morning when getting ready for their day. It also allows for those to look their best without needing someone to apply their makeup for them.

The beauty of my business is that I customize and design each procedure for each individual based on specific needs and wants. When you couple that with my artistry and special techniques, you can wake up every morning Fooling Mother Nature!

What I do know for sure is that I enjoyed vacationing in Mexico last week with my existing tattooed makeup. All I had to do to get ready for a day in the sun was grab some sunscreen and chap stick. My face looked the same getting out of the pool as it did when I jumped in!

Favorites Fridays: Cell Ceuticals Skin Protector

It's the beginning of summer and time to break out the heavy duty sunscreen. I am currently on vacation in Mexico having some fun in the sun. I have always been great at remembering to put sunscreen on everyday. However, in the summer months I typically need to switch to a higher SPF (Sun Protection Factor). I haven't really had a favorite sunscreen that I use everyday, but a few that I rotate. I brought a few different travel size bottles on this trip, all different brands: one department store name brand, a few drugstore brands and Cell Ceuticals PhotoDefense Skin Protector SPF 55 (created by renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Garth Fisher). I threw them all in my suitcase for my trip and didn't think anything of it. When we arrived, I unpacked my stuff, threw on my swimsuit and grabbed one of them. 

It seems as if I have never been fully comfortable endorsing a sunscreen because I tend to get serious chemical burns if it is anything over SPF 30. I have always been extra picky when trying products on my very sensitive skin because of this. I have been in Mexico for the past week and I have only used the Cell Ceuticals. It was the first bottle of sunscreen I grabbed out of my suitcase and the only one I have enjoyed using thus since. While the others leave a film on my skin or burn my skin and eyes when I am in the sun (due to sweat), Cell Ceuticals does not. I love the way Cell Ceuticals goes on, stays on for hours, and moisturizes my skin. I use it on my face, neck, body, the tops of my feet and the tops of my ears. 

I am so glad my associate Jessica gave me a basket of Dr. Fisher's entire line of Cell Ceuticals that just happened to have  PhotoDefense Skin Protector SPF 55. I am also glad I brought it with me to Mexico. As it turns out, now I have a favorite sunscreen!

Visit Dr. Fisher's Cell Ceuticals website to see the rest of his amazing products. 

Is a cheaper price worth the risk?

When it comes to your appearance, is bargaining really an option? Of course, buying makeup at the drugstore rather than at a makeup counter is not what I'm referring to. When it comes to your health and well being, bargaining is not an option I recommend.  Many of my clients ask me for plastic surgeon referrals, filler and injection locations and more. My list includes world-renowned doctors  - but in this economy some clients feel that price is more important than certifications, licenses and credibility. 

I always tell my clients that they shouldn't compromise quality for a lower price when it comes to their face and body. It is very important they go to someone they've searched. They should like their preferred doctor's work, read referrals and testimonials - and should hesitate to ask about pre and post-surgery, recovery, possibly problems, benefits and alternatives. 

Cosmetic and corrective tattooing, surgery, fillers and injectables are serious. We all desire to look our best; some of us prefer to accompany the process of agin with a little help from a great surgeon. Looking for the cheapest price isn't always the smartest option because you'll typically spend more trying to correct the unsatisfactory results of discounted fees. Researching the best option might take extra time, but in the end it can only help. When it comes to your face, body or heath there is no room for compromise. 

This article was published in the West Portal Monthly Newspaper in May 2012. Click on the photo to see the scanned version of my article. 

Favorites Fridays: Physicians Formula: Enhancing Gel Cream Liner

Here is a product that I use on a somewhat daily basis. My daughter (Krysten) and I were at Target a few months ago picking up a few things, when we stumbled into the makeup section (of course). At the time, Krysten did not have permanent makeup of any kind, and we ended up buying a few gel eyeliners made by Physicians Formula. She bought the eyeliner that was for green eyes and I bought one for each eye color (hazel, brown, blue and green) since I enjoy wearing colored contacts. 

Even thought it was late at night when we got home, we both went into the bathroom and decided to play with all the make up we bought... you know - girly time. Instantly she was excited because she could already tell that this gel eyeliner was easier to use than others she had tried and had been using in the past. However, I wasn't sold yet - eyeliner is eyeliner, I thought. Over the next few days, I used the the new gel eyeliners and fell in love with the colors, the way they glide on your eyes, and the fact that they last all day without smudging.

They advertise that their Enhancing Gel Cream Liner is water resistant, smudge free and that it is long lasting! It also comes with little application brush, though my daughter and I both prefer our angled eyeliner brushes from MAC Cosmetics. They come with three custom shades that will enhance your eye color.

Now, Krysten has her eyeliner tattooed on and does not wear eyeliner everyday anymore. (My daughter always tells people, "Most people get 'MOM' tattooed on their body and I got tattooed by my mom!") On occasion she will add this gel eyeliner to her permanent makeup for a more dramatic look. She loves her Physicians Formula: Enhancing Gel Cream Liner for Green Eyes. 

I have had my eyeliner tattooed for over 20 years, and I do not need to wear any kind of eye makeup, except my Cover Girl Mascara, (and a dab of my favorite concealer under my eyes) on a regular basis. Even though I do not have to wear eye makeup, I tend to enjoy adding to what I have with this product. Lately I have been into the purple and black gel eyeliners. I must have to say, I love this product too. 

Favorites Fridays: Neutrogena Wave

I secretly get a little excited every friday when I am able to share my favorites friday product! This week is not really a beauty product, but a beauty gadget instead. The Neutrogena Wave Sonic Spinning Power-Cleanser has so many uses. While they advertise to use it on your face, I have been using it on my whole body for a great scrub. They work with little refill pads that either come with a drop of face cleanser or an exfoliating refill pad that has little beads that really work your skin. My daughter recently bought some that did not have anything on it so you could use your own cleanser or exfoliating cleanser as well. She bought me a Sonic Wave a few years ago and I put it in my bathroom drawer and forgot about it until I saw another commercial for it. Since then, I have used it on a regular basis on my face, neck, arms, and legs. There are two sonic waves made by Neutrogena, one that simply vibrates and one that spins. After trying them both, I highly recommend them for different reasons.

The Wave Vibrating Power Cleanser is great for pushing a product into your skin. I typically buy the refill pads that are clean with nothing on them so that I can use a moisturizer or healing cream to work into my skin. When I recently had some fillers done, I used it to work the area under my eyes (location of fillers) to really massage and aid in healing the bruised area quicker. 

The Sonic Wave Spinning Power Cleanser is great for cleansing and scrubbing off dead skin. It has two spinning speeds, unlike the Vibrating Power Cleanser, and really leaves your skin soft and clean. I am so used to washing my hands with a wash cloth or my hands and this one really does a better job. 

Summer Promotion

It is JUNE, and I really don't know where this year has gone. It has been wonderful having my daughter, Krysten, on board. She is the reason why I am now into all of the social media websites, sending emails to all my clients and have beautiful new portfolios. She has launched our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Blog pages, and we are both really excited about it (see links at the bottom). My new blog is up and running with some great information. Every week there will be posts of my favorite products (Favorite Product Fridays), tips on beauty, and much more. Check in every now and then! We would love some feedback! What would you like information on? 

This is exciting because we are doing a special summer promotion for all of you! To celebrate the summer and being in business for over 20 years, we are giving everyone a special 2-for-1 discount on all cosmetic procedures (eyebrows, eyeliner and lips) for the summer months of June, July and August. There are a limited number of appointments available for both offices, so call now to take advantage of this amazing promotion. We are so thrilled and blessed to have such wonderful and loyal clients for so many years and just want to say thanks! Also, thank you all for welcoming my daughter in the office this year, she will now be traveling part time with me to help in both offices again. 

On top of our special promotion, we want to remind you of our referral program. If you refer a friend that results in a paid procedure, you will receive a $500 credit towards your next procedure. There is no limit to how many friends you refer! Summer is just about here, the hotter temperatures are on their way. Don't let your eyebrows melt off your face any longer! Just have your friend write your name under "referred by" on their client history forms. Referral credits may be used toward our summer promotion. Please take advantage of this special offer! 

For more information, tips, and special promotions, follow us on our social media links! 

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athena@foolingmothernature.com

"You can fool mother nature!™"

Favorites Fridays: Mascara

Today is Favorite's Fridays! I have so many favorites that I want to share with you, so picking one today was a bit difficult! I decided on a product that I use every single day: Cover Girl's Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara. This isn't your ordinary mascara... its absolutely amazing! I have tried dozens of mascaras - all different prices and brands. I have paid anywhere from $2 - $50+ for a mascara, and, to be honest, I didn't see a huge difference between them.  This one, however, blew me away and I loved it from the moment I tried it.

A lot of women use waterproof mascara.  Personally, I don't prefer waterproof mascara unless I am at the pool because it can be too difficult to remove and it can damage your lashes. I prefer a mascara that does not clump, does not flake and goes on easy, all while giving a nice dramatic look... and this Cover Girl mascara does the job! Ashlee (former Miss Georgia), who started out as my client and has become a good friend, was kind enough to share this mascara with me. (Ashlee's Twitter & Ashlee's Facebook)

You can find Cover Girl's Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara at any drug store that sells Cover Girl, and it's only a few bucks! Make sure you grab the PINK bottle! Click here for details. 

Here are some of my Tips & Tricks: Have you ever opened up your mascara to find that it is too dry or hard to work with? Simply add a few drops of rubbing alcohol. It will clean the bacteria on the wand and inside the bottle and revive your mascara! Be careful to not use your mascara too long. It is probably smart to throw your mascara away after three to five months. *If you have an eye infection, pink eye or anything similar, throw your mascara away and buy a new one! I call it cheap insurance!*