How to Self-Beautify!

Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Not only are you rewarded with beautiful, younger looking skin, but the act of nurturing your skin is also relaxing and enjoyable. Whether you do it yourself or visit your favorite spa, facials are always a treat.

Once you have determined your skin type, you can begin to collect your skincare products. There are five skin type categories - Normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination. Additionally, there are a couple of skin conditions that can be caused by enviornmental factors. It is common for your skin to suffer from at least one of these conditions at any given time. The following information will help you to identify your skin type and possible condition.

Normal Skin - Normal skin is always in a balanced state, not too oily and not too dry. Texture is plump, moist and clear.

Dry Skin - Dry skin is lacking oil moisture. Traits of dry skin are the appearance of deep lines, uneven tone and texture with overall dullness.

Oily Skin - Oily skin has an overproduction of sebum (oil) that typically leads to breakout. There will be a constant shine of the skin with enlarged pores.

Combination Skin - Combo skin is the most ordinary skin type, characterized by an oily T-Zone with occasional breakout and dryness around the eyes, cheeks and mouth.

Sensitive Skin - Sensitive skin is usually more fair and very reactive to most skincare products. Rosacea is the term commonly used to describe sensitive skin. This skin type is delicate and cannot tolerate skincare products with fragrances, artificial coloring, alcohol and synthetic oils.

Dehydrated/Sensitized Skin - Enviornmental factors such as extreme temperatures, sun exposure and air pollution can all cause the skin to become extremely dehydrated and sensitized. If this happens, your skin can be flaky, patchy, tight, itchy, chapped and red in appearance. These conditions can be easily treated with specialized skincare products.

Acneic Skin - This skin condition describes a skin that is normally oily and accompanied by blemishes and extreme breakout. This condition can also be treated with specialized skincare products but most often requires professional care.

Hopefully, the above description of skin types and conditions have helped you to determine your skin type. If you are still unsure, seek the advice of your Esthetician. It is essential that you are aware of what your skin care needs are so that you can choose the appropriate skincare products and regime. Further information on skin types and product recommendations can be found on my blog at http://sharnellskincare.com.

Now that you have discovered your skin type and have gathered the necessary skincare products for your daily regimen, you are ready to indulge your skin with a little extra special attention. You can enjoy a facial at home in as little as 30 minutes. That means that while your little one is engaging is some peaceful afternoon slumber, you can treat yourself to a spa like experience and emerge a rejuvenated and refreshed woman.

In order for your at home facial to be most effective, you will need some special equipment. You'll find most of the supplies already in your cupboards, but here are a couple of specialized skincare tools that'll be worthwhile investments:

Conair MDF2R Facial Sauna With Timer - Using steam during a facial will ensure a deep cleanse of your pores. It will also encourage your facial masque to penetrate into the skin at a faster rate, which will save you some time. This convenient portable steamer comes equipped with two fantastic facial tools to help achieve the highest level of treatment.

Tip: Customize your at-home facial by adding a drop or two of your favorite essential oil into the steamer water. This will enhance your relaxing, spa like experience.

The second skincare tool that I recommend utilizing in your facial treatment is the Tweezerman No-Slip Skin Care Tool, also known as an extractor. This is the safest way to preform your own extractions. If used correctly, you will be able to remove all the dirt, oil and grime right out of your pores with this handy little skincare tool. However, if you have sensitive skin, I do not recommend performing your own extractions. You should definitely consult a professional skin therapist so that you do not cause permanent damage or scarring of your skin. Extractor tools are easy to use and most effective when used in your facial treatment immediately after steaming. The steam will open up and soften your pores allowing the debris to be released from each pore with little effort. If you come across a stubborn pore, move on and work on it next time around. You may just need stronger exfoliation and by forcing the extraction, you can irritate the pore and cause a blemish. Tweezerman skincare tools are high-quality and durable tools that will last a lifetime.

The remaining list of supplies necessary to perform your facial are:

1- plastic bowl with warm water
1- facial masque brush
2- warmed, wet facecloths (100% cotton)
1 or 2- cotton pads
1- food processor or blender (to mix masque, if homemade)
1- wooden spoon (least likely to cause a chemical reaction with ingredients being used.)

Of course, you will also need your facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream and sunblock.

With all of your facial equipment, tools and product ready to, you can begin your at-home skincare treatment. Just follow these five steps for a self-facial and enjoy!

1. Begin your first cleanse with your facial cleanser. Your first application can be on dry skin. Use upward and circular motions and don't forget to include your neck and decolletes. Meanwhile, get the facial sauna started. Remove the cleanser from your skin with tepid water from your plastic bowl.

2. With steam applied to the skin, begin a second cleanse, this time using the facial brush attachment from your facial sauna. If you do not have a facial brush, you can use a facial scrub instead. Remove the cleanser and scrub with a warm towel.

3. After steaming your skin for at least ten minutes and removing product with a warm towel, you are ready for extractions. A magnified mirror works best while extracting so that you can clearly see what you are doing. Work only in areas that are being cooperative and spend only about 5 minutes on your extractions as to not overstimulate your skin. Once finished, soak a cotton pad with your toner or witch hazel and clean the extracted area.

4. With your pores now in a vulnerable state, you can apply your treatment masque using a fan brush or your fingertips. This masque can either be homemade or from one of your favorite skincare brands. Whichever you decide, this masque should target your skin type and condition. For example, if your skin is dry, use a moisturizing masque. If you are oily, use an oil-absorbing masque, and so on. For homemade skincare masque recipes, see Sharnell's Skin Care and Beauty Tips. Leave the masque on for at least ten minutes (or longer if you have the time!). Remove masque with a warm towel.

5. Your at-home facial can now be concluded with the application of a hydrating toner (best if misted on with a spray bottle), eye cream delicately patted on under the eyes with your ring fingertip, and your moisturizer and sunblock applied in gentle, sweeping, upward strokes.

Voila! You have officially given yourself a professional style facial treatment! The spa-like experience will leave your skin and soul feeling refreshed and uplifted.

Spas can offer a variety of skin treatments from a simple relaxation facial to an aggressive chemical skin peel. Nowadays, it's not hard to find professional strength skincare products to use on ourselves at home. However, that is not always a good thing. One must be extremely careful with the chemicals placed on the skin, even if it's meant to be used in a skin treatment. If what you desire is to reveal a clarified and fresh skin through the use of a skin peel, then I urge you to err on the side of caution and stick with the skincare products that were developed for you as a consumer and not a professional.

There is a plethora of options out there for advanced at home skin exfoliation. By far, some of the better choices are the microdermabrasion kits and creams. These skin peeling systems deploy the use of aluminum oxide crystals to finely exfoliate the surface of your skin. The technique used in microdermabrasion of course differs between the professional and the consumer with one being a bit more aggresive than the other, but the end results are both spectacular. There are various skincare brands offering at home microdermabrasion kits, but I believe the Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System to be the best. Another superb at home peel is the L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise ReNoviste Glycolic Peel Kit. This is a safe, mid-grade 3-step skin peeling system that is better for exfoliating skin that is blemished or broken out. This peel uses glycolic acid rather than exfoliating crystals so there is no chance of spreading bacteria from acne. A popular method of skin peeling is the use these great new exfoliating pads. philosophy the microdelivery peel mini peel pads are for daily use and deliver exfoliation through lactic acid while also nourishing the skin with antioxidants. These are excellent for in between skin peel treatments and they are so convenient to use. Just swipe and toss!

It is always a good idea to get the advice of your Esthetician before beginning any at home skin peeling systems. Should you suffer any adverse reactions, he or she will be able to better treat you and nurse your skin back to health. However, with the at home skin peeling systems that I've recommended, you should have no worries as they are all very mild, yet effective treatments. Your skin will be radiant after giving yourself these treatment and you will have yourself to thank!

The idea of being waxed can sometimes be daunting. So I wouldn't be surprised if the thought of doing it to yourself may be even more intimidating. Don't be afraid! If you start small with facial waxing versus body waxing, you will find that it's not so bad. You can keep your peach fuzz under control without the hassle of scheduling appointments and finding childcare.

GIGI Creme Wax Microwave Formula Hair Removal System Wax is the perfect at home wax kit for achieving salon style waxing. This kit is armed with all the tools and equipment necessary to perform the job. Hands down, I prefer creme wax over honey. Creme wax is so much more kind to the skin by requiring a lower level of heat and leaving less residue behind. Included in the kit are pre and post waxing solutions, hair growth inhibitor cream and a calming lotion that will also help to conceal redness of the skin.

The first step in waxing at home is to prepare your skin and work area. Before getting your skin ready, set up your "work station". Line up all of your products and supplies and protect the surface of your table or floor, wherever it is you will be performing the waxing. Unless you have a solvent that will dissolve the wax, use a disposable drape for in the event of any drips or spills. Besides the products included in your wax kit, you will also need the following supplies:

- several cotton pads
- eyebrow brush and scissors (for brow waxing)
- tweezers

Prior to waxing, it is a good idea to lightly exfoliate the skin where the hair removal will take place. By exfoliating the skin in that area, you will lose a few layers of dead skin cells, making the hair removal process a much easier task. After cleansing and exfoliating, be sure to pat your skin dry and do not add any other product. Keeping the surface of your skin dry and free of any dirt or oil will ensure better wax application and removal. If your skin is oily and you can't seem to lose the shine, you can apply a very thin, translucent layer of baby powder onto the skin right before applying the wax.

When using a microwavable wax, warm the wax in small increments as to avoid overheating. The consistency of a creme wax should be like that of gravy. If not heated enough, wax will be too thick and will cause excessive pulling of the skin. The basic rules of waxing applies to any area of the body. These rules are as follows:

1. Create a flat surface by repositioning the area or using a hand to stretch the skin.

2. Apply the wax in a single, thin layer in the same direction as the growth of the hair.

3. Line the muslim or cloth strip so that there is enough free cloth at one end to grip and press strip against the waxed area.

4. While applying pressure, run your hand along the strip following in the same direction as the hair growth.

5. With one hand, hold the skin very taut and use the other hand to gently pull the strip back in one quick motion, parallel to the skin. DO NOT PULL OUT OR UP as this may result in bruising!

6. Use a clean strip to remove any left over wax from the area just worked on. DO NOT WAX OVER AREA AGAIN as this could cause the skin to lift!

7. If there are stray hairs left over, extract them with tweezers.

Once you have completed your waxing and tweezing, use a cotton pad saturated with the post wax solution to remove any residue. Follow up with the hair growth inhibitor cream and calming lotion.

Practice makes perfect, but by following the above procedures, you should find success in your waxing abilities! Once you are comfortable with waxing smaller areas of your body, you can take the challenge of tackling larger surfaces. I must advise, however, if you are interested in waxing more sensitive areas such as your bikini, it may be wise to leave that job to the professionals. Due to the contours of the body, waxing in that area can get pretty tricky and may require more than two hands. Every case is different, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

If my lens has inspired you to take time out for yourself and indulge in some well deserved self-pampering, let me know by taking a short moment to rate it at the top of the page. I also encourage you to "LensRoll Me" and "Add Me To Your Favorites". I look forward to sharing more tips with you on how to keep your life beautified!