2.28.2013

Who Benefits From Cosmetic Tattooing?



Anyone who desires freedom and convenience from daily makeup application

People with allergies to conventional makeup

Those physically incapable of applying makeup
(i.e. - those with arthritis, Parkinson's disease or muscular disorders).

Athletic and professional women with the desire to always look their best.

Those with extremely oily skin who tend to shed makeup easily.

Entertainers, actors and models who wish to look their best all of the time. 


BOTTOM LINE... Everyone benefits from Cosmetic Tattooing



2.25.2013

The Ranchito Motel - Quincy, CA

With John, Tracy, Jeff, & Krysten at MOONS!
Have you ever heard of Quincy, California? I'm sure many of you have not, unless you were raised in the Bay Area. If you love a sweet, beautiful little town with a few cute shops and some great restaurants then you should visit Quincy. 

A few weeks ago, my daughter, son-in-law, and I drove 6 hours from San Francisco to Quincy to spend a few days at my friends adorable hotel. We spent three days and two nights at The Ranchito Motel. It was built in 1946 and has a charming history. With a few different owners over the years, the Ranchito has become a favorite hideaway for many people. My daughter loves history and old buildings, so she got a kick out of the old architecture, structures, and stories that we saw and heard on our trip. 

Our favorite restaurant that we enjoyed in town was called MOONS. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was sheik and comfortable, the service was great and the dessert was "to live for!" We indulged in an avocado cream pie that is a must! We definitely will be back at Moons when we visit Quincy again!

The Ranchito was just taken over about two years ago by friends of mine (John & Tracy), and they have really brightened the place up. John and Tracy have have made a wonderful impression on the town of Quincy and all who visit. Quincy is basically a one-horse town with a few street lights, a few restaurants (some great food), a delicious home made candy store (Carey Candy Co.) and a few dress shops. Our tour of the town was completed in less than an afternoon and we managed a stop at their very neat museum! This museum had all kinds of items from Quincy's past including an old dental chair, old medicine bottles from the town pharmacy, tons of old matchbooks from almost every place in town, old money, purses, jewelry, tools, machinery, wagons, railroad equipment, luggage trunks, books and much, much more! 

When Tracy gave us a tour, there was still snow on the ground from Christmas, beautiful green trees and many little hints of the 1940s and 1970s. One of our favorite little touches from the past was a beautiful wagon wheel window in one of the original 10 rooms that were built in the 1940s. There were imprints in the cement (such as cattle branding) from decades ago that John and Tracy are researching.

While the Ranchito may not be a four seasons resort, the most important factor to me is cleanliness and this hotel earns 5 stars for it! They are in the process of completely renovating the entire hotel and have made many, many improvements in the short time that they have been there! Every room has a brand new (very comfy) mattress, comforters, flat screen T.V., DVD player (with a very big DVD library at the front desk), a microwave, refrigerator and they are in the process of repainting each and every room. Along with those improvements, every inch of every room was deep cleaned! While they still have many more updates and improvements on their to do list, the Ranchito has come a long way over this last year and has many stories to tell since its doors opened in 1946. 

If you are ever in Quincy or wish to get away from the city and desire to stay in a comfortable, clean place you must stay at the Ranchito Motel - you will be in GREAT hands! Also, in the winter months, bring coats and boots - we were freezing our little behinds off because it was about 35-40 degrees during the day, though we were told it had warmed up from 6 degrees the previous week! 

The Quincy Museum
Old Hearst at the Museum 
Cute old church
Branding in the cement
The Ranchito in Springtime 
The Ranchito 


2.18.2013

Favorite's Fridays - Baby Wipes

If you have been to either one of my offices you know how much I love and use baby wipes. I buy them in bulk at Costco and use their Kirkland brand. However, I only purchase unscented, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic packs because many of my clients have sensitive skin. I use these fabulous wipes with every one of my clients, as well as myself daily. 

I keep packs all over: 
- by the bed to remove makeup at night.
- in the bathroom to use as makeup remover clothes before your face wash routine and even for a sponge bath! 
- in my car in case I spill my morning espresso or green drink, or to wipe my hands after pumping gas or wipe down the dash! 

I love that these baby wipes don't leave your skin with a residue or film as some makeup removing cloths do. 

Yesterday, one of my clients spilled some of her drink on her pants. She quickly grabbed a wipe and said, "I didn't realize the value of baby wipes again until I had grandchildren! They are a must!"



2.16.2013

Permanent Makeup - The New Fountain of Youth


Permanent Makeup - The New Fountain of Youth
by Athena Karsant

The phrase, “the bloom of youth” brings to mind fresh faces, bright eyes, defined brows and lips with a colorful blush. However, now that baby boomers have hit middle age, and senior citizens are active into their later years, demand is skyrocketing for cosmetic services to keep us looking younger longer. The answer for more and more people today is permanent makeup.

Permanent makeup is a cosmetic tattooing procedure. Pigments are implanted in the skin to restore natural color and simulate conventional makeup. Lashes can be made to look darker and fuller. Missing, damaged or badly shaped brows can be given a more youthful appearance. Finally, lips which have thinned or lost their blush color can be recreated to look fuller and more vibrant. On younger clients, permanent makeup adds a professional polish which is truly dressing for success. On older clients, permanent makeup can visually take years off a face - with less trauma and at far less expense than cosmetic surgery.

Because it is long lasting and difficult to remove, it is essential to have permanent makeup applied by a highly qualified technician. As the field is generally unregulated, consumers need guidance in choosing a technician. Today, most professional permanent cosmetic technicians are members of the world’s leading, non-profit society devoted to the permanent makeup field, the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals. This organization sets standards of practice for its members which assures the public of the highest levels of professionalism. However, technicians do vary in their backgrounds so potential clients may wish to interview several technicians, just as one would when choosing any professional service.

Athena Karsant of the Cosmetic Imaging Center in San Francisco is a member in good standing of the SPCP who can be reached at 415-412-9700. For more information about permanent cosmetics, visit www.spcp.org.

2.06.2013

Favorite's Fridays: Aquaphor

This is an oldie but a goodie! Most of you have heard of, or even used, this fabulous healing ointment called Aquaphor. Aquaphor is commonly recommended by many doctors, dermatologists, and beauty experts to heal extremely dry skin, chapped lips, and more. 


I recommend Aquaphor to my clients because, not only does it work, but it is fragrance free (many of my clients are allergic to fragrances, etc.), preservative free, and dye free. It is great for sensitive skin and can be used as often as necessary. 

It's no surprise that many A-list celebrities carry this (less than) $5 tube of aquaphor in their Gucci or Prada bag! Give it a try - you can't go wrong!  

You can purchase Aquaphor anywhere...  drugstores, Targets or grocery stores