Blog - FACE TIME

Top 10 skin care products for the smoothest skin

December 31, 2018 Blog

Whether your skincare regimen is best described as maximalist or minimalist, budget-friend or luxury, there are a select few skincare brands that are universally beloved for the cult-worthy range of beauty products. From little known French pharmacy finds to top-rated department store buys and Korean beauty wonders. And let’s not forget the natural brands which are currently surging in popularity. Whether you’re hoping to achieve Meghan Markle’s glowing complexion or get the lowdown on Miranda Kerr’s organic skincare secrets. Here, we countdown the most notable skincare brands from around the globe (in no particular order because let’s face it, choosing only ten was hard enough).

1. La Prairie

Founded in Switzerland, this luxury beauty brand is responsible for creating the most covetable and high-dollar products, which cost anywhere from $400 to $1,600 a jar. So what makes the products so good? Part of it has to do with the La Prairie origin story. In 1931, a glandular transplant specialist named Dr. Paul Niehans started researching cell therapy. He believed that the root to all successful skincare could only be found at the cellular level. From a stunning chalet hidden away in the Swiss mountains, Dr. Niehans developed what is now known as the exclusive cellular complex, found in all of La Prairie’s products. The complex is produced in three separate laboratories so that the complete recipe remains a secret; no single La Prairie chemist knows the full formula.

2. Estee Lauder

Estée Lauder, the founder of the company that bears her name, was a visionary and a role model. Lauder built her brand on this one simple and inspiring belief: “discover what makes you beautiful.” Today the brand’s Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex is one of the top-selling anti-ageing products around the world.

3. SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals is the brainchild of anti-ageing skincare scientist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell. Pinnell’s research paved the way for continued development and delivery of innovative skincare products that improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. The first SkinCeuticals products were the classic Serum 10 and Serum 15, which established the company as a rising presence in the beauty industry. Over the years, SkinCeuticals added vitamins, antioxidants, and sun protection to its products to broaden the range.

4. Glossier

Chances are you’ve heard of Glossier, founded by New York cool-girl Emily Weiss, 33, the line of skincare and make-up products not only sets trends but also it manages to set itself apart.

If 16-step contouring tutorials are the problem, then Glossier’s clean packaging and user-friendly millennial pink products are the cure. It’s basically, no make-up, make-up. In the last year, Glossier has expanded beyond its hero products (Brow Bow and Milky Jelly cleanser) to include perfume, eyeshadow and most recently mascara. Beyoncé, Saoirse Ronan and Chrissy Tegen have all worn the brand’s products on the red carpet.

5. The Ordinary

Beauty conglomerate Deciem, best known for its affordable skin care line The Ordinary, had been in turmoil after former-CEO Brandon Truaxe announced via a now-deleted Instagram post that the stores would be temporarily shut down and accused the company of criminal activity. After many ups and downs, The Ordinary is officially back!

6. Sunday Riley

Sunday Riley challenges the myth that naturally derived products are less effective than their more chemical-y counterparts. With millennial product names like Luna, Juno, UFO—it’s no wonder the brand is a staple on the bathroom shelves of fashion-girls everywhere.

7. Fresh

If you’ve ever found yourself browsing through the aisles of Sephora overseas (hands up!), you’ve more than likely come across cult skincare brand Fresh. One of the first skincare brands to start talking about—and using—natural ingredients, Fresh is the brainchild of Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, who founded the range in 1991.

The one product that everyone needs to try? The Soy Cleanser which sells one unit every minute, the cult product that was the brand’s first foray into skincare. It uses the amino acid-rich ingredient to gently cleanse the skin and remove make-up, leaving your complexion soft and nourished.

8. La Roche Posay

Named after the city in which this French pharmacy brand was founded, La Roche Posay has been recognized by the scientific community for its skin care properties thanks to its high content in Selenium, a rare and powerful natural antioxidant. Formulated with the miraculous thermal water native to the region; this dermatologically-approved range is designed for sensitive skin types.

9. Drunk Elephant

Relatively new to the scene, all natural brand Drunk Elephant is quickly achieving “cult” status for their synthetic-free, toxin-free skincare range which actually delivers on what’s written on the bottle.

Their Lala Retro Whipped Cream was recently voted best moisturise in Australia and boasts six antioxidant-rich African oils designed to increase your skin’s elasticity and moisture. Plus, it’s packed with fermented green tea to combat agieng and inflammation.

One enthusiastic reviewer wrote, “the texture of this cream is quite thick and exactly how the name states “whipped” consistency.

“It’s extremely nourishing and the ingredients list is extremely luxurious and what appealed to me the most when purchasing this product. Drunk Elephant uses marula oil in all their products which is fantastic as it is such an amazing oil for all skin and absorbs so well and works wonders for my skin.”

10. Tatcha

Calling all luxury lovers: Japanese skincare brand Tatcha is adored by Meghan Marke and Kim Kardashian. According to beauty folklore, Kim and Meghan reach for the Rice Polish Classic Foaming Enzyme Powder on a daily basis. The brand’s best-sellers also include the Water Cream and One Step Cleaning Camelia Oil.

Founded by Victoria Tsai, the beauty guru’s own experience with “hardcore dermatitis” inspired a trip to the East to find a more whole-life, diet and ingredient-focused take on skincare. Long search short, she met a modern-day geisha in Kyoto who showed her the Miyakofuzoku kewaiden – a traditional beauty playbook that geisha have used for centuries.

“The best word to describe how I felt when I met the geisha is kensho—it’s a Japanese word that refers to a flash of inspiration. It feels like you can almost see your future with utter clarity,” she told.

“It opened my eyes to a completely different way to think about beauty, inside and out.”

Research says just one 30 minute massage per month can help with depression

December 29, 2018 Blog

What is massage therapy?

During massage therapy, a therapist will manipulate your muscles and other soft tissues to enhance their function, promote relaxation, or both.

Massage therapy has been used in China for more than 3,000 years. Some practitioners believe it can help ease feelings of depression. They suggest that touch releases hormones in your body that create a sense of emotional connection. Massage may help calm your mind and improve your mood, as well as ease physical aches and pains.

While more research is needed, scientists have found evidence to support the idea that massage therapy can provide mental health benefits. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Trusted Source, clinical trials suggest that massage therapy may help relieve depression. It may also be a helpful addition to your overall treatment plan.

How can massage therapy help relieve depression?

When your muscles and connective tissues become stiff or rigid, it can cause pain and limit your movement. Massage therapy can help relieve this tension in your muscles and connective tissues. It also increases your blood flow and promotes relaxation.

If you have depression, massage therapy probably won’t cure your condition. But it may help relieve the physical symptoms associated with it. For example, massage may help alleviate sluggishness, back pain, joint pain, and muscle aches. It can also help relieve fatigue and sleeping problems.

What does massage therapy involve?

During massage therapy, your therapist will rub, stretch, and apply pressure to muscles in your body. Some styles of massage involve over-the-clothes touching. Others involve direct contact with your skin, often with scented oils. Some involve acupuncture needles, warm stones, or complex twisting poses.

Here are some common types of massage used in the United States:

Swedish massage: In this common method, your therapist will apply smooth, circular, kneading actions to your muscles.
Chair massage: In this method, you will sit on a special chair and lean forward into a headrest. This is a good introduction to massage, since the sessions are usually short and don’t require you to remove any clothing.
Deep tissue massage: Your massage therapist may use this method to treat tight muscles caused by stress or other problems. They will focus on the muscles closest to your bones, as well as their connective tissues.
Shiatsu:In this technique, your therapist will apply firm pressure to specific points on your body, much like acupuncture. The pressure is more firm than in many types of massage, but it rarely produces stiffness afterward.
Reflexology: In this type of massage, your therapist will apply pressure to areas of your feet that are believed to correspond with other systems and organs in your body.
Aromatherapy massage: In this method, your therapist will combine massage with scented oils to help reduce stress or boost your energy.
Hot stone massage: During this method, your therapist will place warm flat stones on your body to help relax your muscles. They will also apply pressure to the stones to relieve muscle tension.

Makeup techniques for the perfect evening look

December 28, 2018 Blog

The word party brings a smile to everyone’s face and why? Because partying means good clothes, good food, fun, gossip and good company. So are you ready to party tonight? No? What’s holding you back?

If it has anything to do with not being able to find the right makeup look, then worry no more! This article is dedicated to guide you through the evening makeup routine.

We know you want to look million dollars worth making heads turn your way. Here are important evening party makeup tips to get you party ready:

1. Take your time:

Spend enough time deciding on your choice of clothes and the overall look. Accordingly do your makeup. If you plan to wear a bling outfit, keep your makeup simple and vice versa. We are sure that you don’t want to end up looking like a disco ball.

2. Make it last:

Party means fun filled sessions, dancing, and night long entertainment. There are chances of your makeup melting down and smudging your face.

Invest in a good face primer which helps to create a smooth texture and also elongates the staying hour of your makeup. You can also make it a point to buy a long stay products.

3. Flawless face:

Face is like a canvas for makeup. Creating a flawless face is as important as choosing the right outfit. Apply a medium coverage foundation and remember to blend in well. This would hide any spots & imperfect skin tone, giving you a flawless base.

4. Show some hide some:

Focus just on one facial feature, if you are going dramatic or bold on eyes, then keep rest of the makeup toned down by keeping it simple. Similarly, if you want bold lips, play down on cheeks and eyes.

If you go with bold eyes and lips, the odds are that you will look like a clown and if you down play both you will end up with a lovely day look that just doesn’t work as a evening makeup look!

5. Get that glow:

Fake a glow by applying a powder highlighter just in the right areas. Highlighter should be applied where the light hits on the face naturally and remember the mantra – a little is more. Apply some on the arch of brow bone, cheek bone and Cupid’s bow. This would help light to reflect, resulting in a glow. If you want to make your face look longer or shorter then a highlighter used for contouring works like a charm. If you want to elongate the face, then use the highlighter along the jaw line and just under the cheek bones to give it a sharper look. While if you are looking to make it seem shorter then highlight the cheek bone in a rounded fashion. This will cut down on the length.

Makeup techniques for the perfect morning look

December 27, 2018 Blog

What does your morning routine look like? Is it organized and leisurely? Or is it chaotic and rushed? How does your morning makeup routine fit into that schedule? Unless you purposefully take the time to plan out your morning makeup routine, you’re always going to end up rushing through it or skipping it entirely. Here is an easy-to-understand guide to the perfect morning makeup routine for work using your favorite Dermacol products. If you follow these steps, you’ll start every day looking flawless!

1. Prep Your Skin

The first step to great makeup is great skin! No matter what time of year it is, sun protection in the form of SPF is a must. You don’t usually see sun damage until years later, and by then, it’s too late. To avoid this problem, make sure sunscreen is the first layer that goes down on your face. Dermacol offers a Collagen and Intensive Rejuvenating Day Cream which contains SPF 10. This is a great option! Liberally apply this cream all over your face, down your neck, and around your ears to ward off sun damage.

Keeping your skin hydrated is important, but especially before heavy makeup application. Use a high-quality moisturizer like the Aqua Beauty Moisturizing Cream from Dermacol. This moisturizing cream will keep your skin hydrated for 24 hours. And it’s great no matter what type of skin you have: dry, oily, or combination. For some extra hydration and freshness under your eyes, tap on an eye cream. Dermacol offers a 2-in-1 Collagen and Intensive Rejuvenating Eye and Lip Cream. This is an especially important step for mature skin.

2. Prime Your Skin

Now it’s time to start the makeup. Preparing your makeup application with a primer is key to having long-lasting, flawless-looking face makeup. Use a primer that targets your specific skin concerns such as oil control, dull texture, or wrinkles. Primers usually also help minimize the looks of pores. Dermacol offers each of these and more! The Matte Control Base Primer will even protect your makeup for up to 18 hours! That’s a generous full day of wear time. Apply your primer all over your face using clean fingers. Be careful to just apply a light layer. Allow your skin to absorb the product before moving on to the next step.

3. Cover and Conceal

Make your skin look blemish-free with your foundation. Our favorite is Dermacol’s Makeup Cover. You won’t find a more pigmented, full-coverage foundation. It’s number one in the world for so many amazing reasons! You can apply your foundation using a Dermacol Foundation Brush or Make Up Sponge. Blend the product down your neck so the color of your face and neck match.

Your foundation may not cover all of your blemishes. If you still have visible acne scars, pimples, or discoloration, you should spot conceal. Use a shade of concealer that’s close to your skin tone to cover up those spots. Going back over those spots with concealer using a brush. If you don’t have any concealer, you can also use a dab of Dermacol Makeup Cover over your dark spots or blemishes. Just make sure you isolate the additional coverage to the areas of your face where you actually need it. You don’t want your makeup to look cakey.

You should also use concealer to cover up dark undereye circles. Unlike the concealer over your blemishes, you don’t want your undereye concealer to be an exact skin tone match. Instead, it should be a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. This will illuminate the area under your eyes, making you look more awake and refreshed, regardless of how much sleep you got last night.

4. Set the Base

Set your makeup using a translucent setting powder like Dermacol’s Invisible Fixing Powder. This will set your makeup in place and prevent oil from eating away at your makeup during the day. This is good if you have oily skin, or if it’s summertime and you’re trying to prevent sweat from destroying your makeup’s wear time. Brush on the powder using a fluffy powder brush, focusing on your T-zone, which is where you get the oiliest.

5. Apply Blush

Give your cheeks a flattering flushed look using blush. You should focus the color on the apples of your cheeks, but blend it around your cheeks. Be careful not to overdo it or you’ll end up with clown cheeks. Just a nice wash of color on the apples of your cheeks will make you look more welcoming.

6. Bronze the Skin

Add some warmth back to your skin by framing your face structure with bronzer. Use a powder brush to apply a bronzer such as Dermacol’s Bronzing Palette or Bronzing Beauty Powder Pearls to the top of your forehead, the sides of your face, and down your neck for a natural-looking tan. If you have dryer skin, a liquid bronzer might be better suited to your skin type. You can apply Dermacol’s Sheer Face Illuminator in Sun Bronze as a bronzer if you have a lighter skin tone. Use a makeup sponge to blend this product in the same spots you would add powdered bronzer. Be sure to blend all the way to your hairline. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an awkward space between your face and your hair. Even if you’re extremely pale, bronzer can help you look perfectly sun-kissed!

7. Highlight Your High Points

Glow from within by adding highlighter to the high points of your face. Add highlighter to the high points of your face, which are the places where light naturally hits you. These include:

Your brow bone
The center of your forehead
The high points of your cheeks
Above your brows
The center of your chin
Tip of your nose
Your cupid’s bow

You can highlight as many or as few of these areas as you want, depending on how much glow you want. Dermacol’s Illuminating Palette and Illuminating Beauty Powder Pearls are both gorgeous highlighters that will make your skin shine—in a good way!

8. Add Liner and Lashes

If you want to add some more drama to your eyes, add eyeliner. Dermacol has gel, liquid, and crayons formulas of various thicknesses. Draw on as thick or thin of a line as you want. Although sometimes adding liner under your eyes looks good, it will almost always make your eyes look smaller. For an everyday look, limit your liner to your upper lashes. Try to get your line as close to your lashes as possible to create the look of thick black lashes. If you’re feeling extra dramatic, wing out the edge of the liner.

Mascara is an absolute essential for everyday makeup. If you like your lashes extra curled, begin this portion of your routine by curling your eyelashes to prep them for mascara. Dermacol offers several options of this product including waterproof, volumizing, and lengthening mascaras. Focus most of the wand’s product on the root of your lashes then wiggle up and out. Concentrate more on the outer corners of your eyes to make your eyes look bigger. Allow the first coat to dry and apply a second or third if need be.

Some makeup styles look better with just coating the upper lashes, but at other times you may want to add mascara to your lower lashes as well. Do the same thing as you did with your upper lashes: focus on the outer corners and apply a lighter amount of mascara to your inner corners.

9. Shape Your Brows

Doing your eyebrows well is so important. Good brows will frame your face and help you look more put together. Keep your brows in place all day long using an eyebrow gel such as the Transparent Eyebrow Mascara from Dermacol. This will help your brows look sleeker and just a little more bold to match the rest of your makeup routine. Your brows will stay on fleek all day long!

10. Add the Finishing Touches

No makeup look is complete without a lip product! Dermacol’s 2-in-1 Lip Colour and Gloss gives you a long-lasting highly-pigmented lip color and gloss in one convenient product. You can choose to wear the creamy lip color, high-shine gloss, or both. Unlike some lip products that dry out your lips and damage the skin, this lip product contains Vitamin E, good-for-you oils, and beeswax. This formula nourishes and softens your lips. Plus, this product comes in 9 fun shades! There’s something for every style and color preference. In the end, your lips will look more pigmented, fuller, and juicy.