2.24.2014

The 411 about BB Creams, CC Creams, & DD Creams

What is BB cream? What is CC cream? What is DD cream? Is it different from a regular cream? What is the difference and is it something I should be using? Can it harm me?

These are all questions that are asked frequently in my office. I hope this blog can give you some guidance to the different cremes, moisturizers and foundations that are out there.

First and foremost, you can't really go wrong with a tinted moisturizer. Tinted moisturizers not only hydrate your skin, but it also gives your skin a bit of color. They are not intended for full coverage because the color is sheer. However, they are great for those with blemish-free skin. I also recommend them for the spring and summertime.

BB creams have been all the rage over the past year or so, but it really has been around for many years. The "BB" in "BB cream" stands for "beauty balm" or "blemish balm" to most people. But it can also mean "beauty brightening", because it contains anti-aging components like retinol, peptides and antioxidants. Most BB creams offer a SPF 15, can be decently moisturizing, contain light-reflecting mica which gives your skin a luminous finish and include a built in primer.

Claims:
all-in-one
oil control
SPF
hydrates
evens skin tone
minimizes the appearance of pores
reduces wrinkle depth
brightens dull skin
anti-aging

CC creams differ from BB creams as they stand for "color correcting" or "color control" and are for different skin issues. An average CC cream will feel lighter on the skin and address issues such as redness or sallowness whereas a BB cream will feel more like a foundation. CC creams are typically non-oily, and a step above tinted moisturizers (as far as coverage).

Claims:
primes
perfects
moisturizes
oil control
levels skin radiant
reduces the appearance of redness
anti-aging

DD creams are few, and are somewhat hard to find as they are fairly new. There is one DD cream on Sephora's website that is by DERMAdoctor that says it's a "15-benefits-in-1" and is without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. Another DD cream by Julep called it the "Dynamic do-all" makeup that goes beyond any BB cream - moisturizing, built in primer, ready to perfect and protect with SPF 25, anti-aging, lightweight, buildable coverage and comes in four different shades.

Claims:

lightweight
buildable coverage
15-in-one
brightens
evens skintone
soothes blemishes
reduces redness
primes
hydrates
anti-aging

click to enlarge (photo credit: youbeauty.com)
While I did write a about a BB cream in 2012, I can't say for sure if I love CC or DD creams, because I haven't tried them in a long while. However, I can tell you that if you are using BB creams, CC creams, DD creams or anything that is anti-aging (including retinols, or hydroquinones) on your face, you are fading your permanent makeup.

I tell each client that using anti-aging lotions, potions and creams on your face can and will fade your cosmetic tattooing because anything that is anti aging (unless it is all organic and natural) contain chemicals and ingredients that are basically "bleaching" your skin to "brighten" and "color correct" your skin. Notice that those are the words in BB cream - beauty brightening and CC cream - color correcting. (DD cream basically is both of those combined.) While you may think you are just using the creams on certain areas of your face and are not intentionally putting it on your eyebrows or lips, it certainly migrates on your skin to your cosmetic tattooing.

Have you had problems with permanent makeup fading on your face? Have you had multiple touch ups and sessions and still no luck? Check the ingredients in all of the products you put on your face: creams, moisturizers, toners, makeup etc. Chances are you are using something that is fading the cosmetic tattooing.

Are you looking for a regular cream that doesn't contain ingredients that will fade your permanent makeup? Stay tuned because I will be carrying a wonderful all natural and mostly organic moisturizer, a face wash, a toner and a few other fabulous products that will work wonders on your skin and that will not fade your makeup. In the meantime, read the ingredients on anything you buy to make sure you like what you are putting on your face. You will know based off the information and criteria above if you using a BB, CC or DD cream will work for you and your lifestyle. 

Should you feel that you absolutely must use your BB, CC & DD creams but you want your permanent makeup to last, I recommend you do not start using them until 30 days after your permanent makeup appointment. In that 30 days, your skin will have time to fully encapsulate the pigment. 

2.20.2014

Favorites Fridays: Sephora Pro Makeup Brush #58

You must know by now that I love all types of makeup - natural, dramatic, colorful, permanent, waterproof, and conventional. I love trying new products and trying out new brushes and makeup tools to go hand in hand with my favorite products. Well, now I have a favorite makeup brush from Sephora! For my birthday, my daughter and I got our makeup done by the very talented Liana Magliocco (follow her on Instagram!). She introduced us to some fabulous makeup and makeup tools, including The Sephora Collection Pro Precision Foundation Brush #58.

It has a pointed tip, which is great for precise application around the nose, under and around the eyes and around the mouth. This amazing brush can be used with ALL types of makeup - liquid, cream and compact-cream foundations. It is perfect for spot treating blemishes or redness with your preferred concealer (here is my all time favorite concealer). The soft, synthetic bristles ensure a confident streak-free finish.

Use the tip of the Sephora Collection Pro Precision Foundation Brush #58 or even the side of the brush for fabulous coverage. This brush has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating on the Sephora website, and I encourage you to pop in to your local Sephora to give it a try!

You can purchase this MUST HAVE makeup brush at any Sephora or online at Sephora.com

Here was my Teaser for this amazing Favorites Fridays Makeup Brush



If you are in the Los Angeles, Hollywood or Beverly Hills area and would like to book the INCREDIBLE & extremely talented Liana Magliocco, please email her directly at BookingLianaMagliocco@yahoo.com

2.13.2014

Favorites Fridays: LOVE is PERMANENTmakeup

Happy Valentine's Day! Today is a day filled with love, flowers, chocolate, proposals, expensive dinners, and for some women... a lot of mirror time getting ready for a night on the town! While flowers are beautiful and chocolates are sinfully delicious, spending hours in front of the mirror perfecting your lip liner, lipstick, makeup, dramatic eyeliner and beautiful eyebrows isn't so sexy. Wouldn't it be great if there was a more time-effecient solution? Permanent Makeup is your answer!

Permanent Makeup has been around since the days of Cleopatra (which is really exciting!) and has been on the rise over the last few years. There are still many men and women who are unaware that permanent makeup/cosmetic tattooing is even an option for their misshaped eyebrows and lip-lines. Many don't understand that permanent makeup can save you time in the morning as well as stress and heartache trying to perfect your makeup in the morning. Also, did you know that cosmetic tattooing/permanent makeup will stimulate your body's natural collagen to fill in those fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth - which creates a younger appearance! 

While Valentine's is today and you might already have something for your loved one (hopefully you are prepared), you should think about giving the gift of permanent makeup or cosmetic tattooing in the future! Most women love having perfectly shaped, sexy lips all the time and, in turn, men love that their gorgeous gal's lipstick will not smudge, smear or rub off! After her initial appointment with me, you will look at her and say "KISS ME, BABY!" After a few touch up appointments her lips will look perfect morning, noon and night.


Dr. Jeany H. - "I want to let you know that I am extremely happy that I had my permanent eyelining done. As you know, I had my initial consultation over three years ago. I wished that I had it done then. If I had known how much the procedure would change my life, I would have even made it a financial priority! Applying eyeliner was the most time consuming part of my makeup regimen. I was never really good at it and now that frustration is eliminated. I exercise almost every day which means that I apply makeup at least twice daily. Having permanent eyeliner reduced “get ready” time by at least 10 minutes. Thank you so much."
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Melanie R. - "I have been drawing my eyebrows on since I was 14 and I am now 29!!!!! One day I decided to do the math and see how much time would I spend doing my eyebrows in my lifetime....well the answer was 7 months!!!! Sometimes it would take 10 minutes and other times it would take hours!!!! So I finally decided that it was time to get my eyebrows tattooed on... I came across Athena's website and I was IMPRESSED and AMAZED!!!!... She said that she would still need to touch up my eyebrows a few more times but let me tell you I got them done yesterday then I went out today and did not have to pencil in my brows at all!!! I got SEVERAL complements and it was only day 1!!!!!! ... I WILL SAY IT AGAIN IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR EYEBROWS TATTOOED ON, YOU WANT THEM TO LOOK REAL AND YOU WANT THE VERY BEST GO TO ATHENA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!! SHE IS TRULY AN ARTIST!!!!!!!"
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Karen H. - "I am very impressed with Athena, her office and her credentials. I checked out her web page to see her testimonials and before and after photos. I was very happy to see all of the doctor endorsements/ testimonials as well. I looked at a few other permanent makeup artists and while they had pretty good reviews, they didn't have doctor endorsements like Athena had and they didn't have the amount of credentials that Athena had. I can't tell you how much time I spent each morning putting my eyeliner on! Sometimes I would get so stressed I would just wipe it all off and forget it!! I got my eyeliner tattooed on by Athena and I am so thrilled! It is so natural looking and just perfect! I am so grateful that I don't have to spend that extra time in the morning fussing with my eyeliner! Thanks Athena!"

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Karen "I travel between the Bay Area and the LA area for work and I have been to both of Athena's office locations. She is very accommodating and kind. She has tattooed my eyeliner and I couldn't be happier! I'm thrilled that I can wake up and not have to fuss with my eyeliner every morning! Yay! Many doctors refer to her and endorse her work (which is important to me!) Def go see her, look at her impressive portfolio, credentials, and testimonials! Thanks Athena!"

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Cricha J. - "...I recently went to Athena after having had an unsatisfactory  result  from tattooing my eyebrows at another Beverly Hills permanent makeup studio. All I can say is that Athena is amazing. My eyebrows look incredible. For the first time in my life, I have exactly the eyebrows I've always wanted - perfect shape and perfect color that STAYSAthena uses very good topical anesthetic and she works extremely fast. I can't say enough good things about this place or about Athena. Finally, I can wake up in the morning and have fabulous-looking eyebrows!"



2.06.2014

Favorites Fridays: Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer

I am so excited about this product! I have been using it for a few months, and I think it is fabulous. Vaseline Spray & Go is a line of quick, convenient and continuous-spray lotions that moisturize and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. After using Spray & Go your skin will feel moisturized without feeling sticky or greasy. It's great that the bottle can be turned upside-down for easier use and sprays lotion evenly on your skin.

I have tried the Cocoa Radiant as well as the Total Moisture (which doesn't have a strong scent). While I prefer the Total Moisture (simply because it doesn't have a strong scent), I really love both of them. I have yet to try the Aloe Fresh, but I bet it is just as wonderful as the other two. I highly recommend the Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer for anyone who is on-the-go or wants a convenient way to apply lotion to hard to reach places.

You can find Vaseline Spray & Go at your local drugstore, Target or even on Amazon.