IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FACE

(Image from www.thefabuloustimes.com)

No matter the time of year, having the right skincare is gentle and effective; having the right mix of makeup in colors that celebrate the season, is also a must.  As a reminder, whenever the seasons change, it’s important to modify your skincare regimen with products that are formulated for the new season and which effectively treat and maintain your skin’s condition.  It’s also important to change the color palette of your makeup, so your finished look is appropriate to the new season.  Following are some recent products I tested that are ideally suited for the colder and drier seasons of fall and winter.  Enjoy! 

~ Skincare ~

[ comfort zone ] Everyday Cleansing Milk ~ The Cleansing Milk is a rich and luxurious formulation that was a gentle and effective cleanser that was non-irritating to my delicate skin; it was easy to remove and left skin silky and hydrated; it was non-greasy and left no tacky or greasy residue.  This was an ideal daily cleanser and also an effective makeup remover.  Key ingredients included shea butter, sweet almond oil, Betaglucan (fights free radicals), Squalene (an antioxidant), vitamin E, and white flowers.  I loved how my skin felt after regular use, and also noticed that the skin’s overall appearance looked healthier.  http://www.comfortzone.it/en

 

Wilma Schumann European Skincare Oil-Free Nourishing Serum, Moisture Intensiv Restorative Cream, Collagen Hydra-Gel Masque, and Dark Spot Correctiv Serum ~ The Oil-Free Nourishing Serum was non-irritating and felt cool going on the skin; my skin felt hydrated initially, but after six to eight hours, my skin felt like it needed to be rehydrated.  Key ingredients included salmon caviar amino acids, glycerin, Panthenol, and DNA sodium salt.  The Restorative Cream was a real winner; I loved the rich, silky, and dense consistency; product absorbed quickly, without leaving any tacky or greasy residue; hydration levels were maintained throughout the day; its aroma was subtle and pleasant.  Key ingredients included plant extracts, Oligopeptides and pentapeptides, sesame seed oil, sweet almond oil, rosemary leaf oil, mango seed butter, shea butter, and Vitamins A and E.  Another winner was the Collagen Hydra-Gel Masque; this pre-cut form was easy to apply to a cleansed face, although I found the eye slits too narrow.  The Masque felt cool on my face and drenched it with restorative collagen; any residue that remained on my face I massaged into the skin; it was quickly absorbed without leaving any tacky or greasy residue; it was also non-irritating.  I especially loved the subtle rose fragrance.  Key ingredients included collagen, Allantoin, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and rose fruit oil.  The Dark Spot Serum requires long-term use before any noticeable fading of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, age spots, or freckles have totally faded; my skin did appear brighter in areas on the face where I had hyperpigmentation; the skin tone also appeared more even; I have age spots on the tops of my hands and it was almost futile using this product, since I frequently wash my hands; the product wasn’t water resistant or waterproof.  The product was non-irritating and quickly absorbed without leaving any tacky or greasy residue.  Key ingredients included kiwi fruit extract, licorice root extract, tamarind seed gum, Sea Buckthorn fruit extract, and common Purslane extract.  http://www.wilmaschumann.com

~ Maquillage ~

La Bella Donna linea minerale Compressed Mineral Blush (Reneé), Compressed Mineral Eyeshadow (Sultry Olive), Eyeshadow Compact Colour (Papa Giovanni), and Love Lips Collection Duo Lip Crayons (Devotion) ~ Nothing matches nature’s perfection whenever fall arrives and turns the leaves spectacular colors.  These turning colors are brilliant and include varying hues of red, orange, yellow, brown, and loden.  When I consider makeup colors, I think of nature…if a color is not reminiscent of nature, or isn’t natural-looking, I avoid it because it’s either too garish, or will appear artificial.  So, when I looked at these beautiful colors from La Bella Donna, I was thrilled…here were beautiful and authentic colors of nature that definitely celebrated the beauty and authenticity of the season.  These colors were easy to apply, without smudging, flaking, or fading; they also neutralized flaws with colors that were natural-looking and easily covered-up any uneven skintone; these beautiful colors can also be used wet or dry, are waterproof, non-comedogenic, and provide a natural barrier from both UVA and UVB rays.  The Mineral Blush was a beautiful burnished red that’s reminiscent of turning Maple leaves; the consistency was silky and ultra light, and easy to apply; added a lovely brightness to the face; can also be used as a subtle eyelid color to brighten the eyes.  The Mineral Eyeshadow was a beautiful smoky loden green that was also easy to apply; it didn’t flake or crease on the eyelid; color lasted throughout the day.   The Eyeshadow Compact for me was the star; it offered four natural-looking colors that could be worn alone, or combined to create a customized look.  Colors included a rich deep loden green, a subtle gold, a mushroom taupe, and a burnished bronze, which could also be used on the cheeks for a dramatic effect.  The Duo Lip Crayon was another winner with a lip liner on one end, and a lip color filler on the other; the liner is a deeper tone; either color can easily be worn alone, but when used as both a liner and the filler, the lips become a dramatic statement; the color is a deep mauve that brightens the lips and entire face.    http://www.labelladonna.com

~ Worth Mentioning ~

Check out these new seasonal services at award-winning American Club Resort Kohler Waters Spa (Kohler, WI) and experience the best of this new season has to offer as you make the transitional change from summer into fall and winter.  http://www.americanclubresort.com/spa/kohler-waters-spa/services/new-services

~ In Closing ~

Taking the time to take care of your skin is an important step in achieving optimum skincare health. Choose products that conform to your skin type and also the time of year, since what worked in the summer, for example, won't necessarily be as effective or work in the fall/winter.  Find products that are effective, but are also gentle for the skin's delicate tissue.  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also contributes to healthy skin.  Lastly, when an artist uses colors, it uses a clean canvas; that's how you should consider your face when it comes to skincare health and applying makeup.  No amount of makeup or brilliant colors can ever be a substitute for healthy skin.  You have only one face, so take care of it!

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, you can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

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