Kissable lips, red lips, glossy lips, matte lips, nude lips, or natural lips are just some of the terminology that create an instant picture in the mind of an aesthetic and beauty professional. Lips are a central defining feature of the face, as they are uniquely different from the rest of the face. The aesthetic perception most have of full, well-defined lips reminds them of a sense of youth, health,…
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Moisturization has always been an integral part of all skin treatments and products, providing benefits to all skin types, regardless of the skin’s issues. Hyaluronic acid, panthenol, glycerin, honey, aloe, and many plant oils and butters have long been go-to hydrators and emollients readily accepted by consumers and relatively easy to incorporate in formulas. But, a lot has changed over the last couple of decades due to advancements in ingredient…
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Autumn Additions: Assessing Tools and Equipment Needed for Colder Climates
Written by Tami Chance Assaf
As fall settles in and clients are looking to refresh and restore skin damaged from summer activities, October is a time to re-evaluate tools and equipment within the clinic room. At this time of year, skin care professionals are encouraging clients to drink plenty of water to maintain optimum skin hydration levels and guarantee delivery of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to the active sites within the skin cells. They…
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Sometimes, serums and oils generate passionate debate. It is important to note that they are two different types of products. They vary in ingredient composition, how they are formulated and manufactured, how they absorb into skin layers, and the results they deliver to the skin. Often, they also vary in look and feel on the skin. To best understand the differences between the two, here is a comparison – from…
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On runways and magazine covers, smooth legs seem so effortless. Yet, any seasoned skin care professional knows that much more goes into helping clients experience a flawless hair removal than just “letting ‘er rip.” From choosing the right wax to using proper pre- and post- treatment products, professionals make many decisions that determine their success and the satisfaction of their clients. Being armed with the right resources and knowing tricks…
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Pearls, flowers, honey, snail slime: what do they have in common? Face masks! Throughout history, men and women have turned to face masks for cosmetic purposes. Ancient Ayurvedic wedding rituals included masks composed of mud, turmeric, roots, and flowers. Cleopatra’s beauty was attributed to masks consisting of donkey’s milk and honey blended with Dead Sea mineral-rich mud. Empresses and concubines in the Tang dynasty brightened their skin using masks made…
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Makeup: Essential or Optional?
Written by Richard Merrill-Rivas
Makeup is a billion-dollar industry, so it should come as no surprise that many spas are cashing in on this opportunity by expanding their menus and product lines to include makeup. However, for professionals without a background in makeup artistry, such an addition may seem daunting. Not knowing where to begin, many give up on trying, missing out on the profitable expansion into makeup altogether. However, those first few steps…
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The Name Game: Discovering the Difference Between Toners, Astringents, Hydrosols, and More
Written by Rachel Dupree
The difference between toners and astringents, and knowing which ones work best, can be confusing, as there are a myriad of products on the market listed as toners, astringents, mists, hydrosols, floral waters, and, more recently, micellar cleansing water. The main difference between toners and astringents is the alcohol content. Toners and astringents can both be used to improve the surface of the skin through various ingredients. Toners typically help…
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Sun Care Essentials for Aestheticians
Written by Dr. Craig Kraffert
One-on-one counseling during visits and treatment sessions can help clients avoid sun-related problems. Constructive and supportive messaging with sensitivity to each client’s overall sun and skin situation is essential. Today’s culture is trending towards embracing the natural tone of people’s skin, but, in some regions or social circles, the idea that tanning is attractive will be a factor for clients. Sun care guidance is most important for those with lighter,…
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Exfoliation is an important process for maintaining healthy skin. Regularly using exfoliants removes dead skin cells from the epidermis. Exfoliation encourages rapid cell renewal, allowing for better product absorption into the skin. There are two major factors for choosing the right exfoliation treatment: texture of the skin – meaning firmness, thickness, or maturity of the skin – and skin type. A client’s skin determines how often one should exfoliate. Determining…
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Cleansing Lessons
Written by Nicole Flevaris
With so many cleansers on the market making various claims, it can seem hard to navigate and find the right choice for various skin types. Her are a few important lessons that all consumers should have to make an informed decision.
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Cinnamon
Written by Dr Erin Madigan-Fleck
Cinnamon is perhaps one of the most frequently used spices in the world for its wide appeal, from its us in culinary arts to assisting in the control of high blood pressure. This plant and its counterparts have been studied, praised, and esteemed for centuries and its exploration is as vast as its uses and accolades. Its botanical genealogy hails from the evergreen species of the Lauraceae tree. The inner…
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Retinol – Just the Facts
Written by Robert Manzo
In the skin care industry, there is a lot of misinformation circulating about retinol. However, information found in clinical studies, as well as articles in medical and academic journals has debunked some of the sentiments once touted as facts.
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Hyaluronic Acid: Skin Care Superstar
Written by Janel Luu
Most people have probably been hearing more and more about the anti-aging benefits of hyaluronic acid in skin care products. What they might not know, however, is that this essential anti-aging ingredient is already located deep within their skin. Naturally found in the skin’s extracellular matrix – where collagen is located – hyaluronic acid is like a person’s own fountain of youth; it is responsible for keeping skin plump, smooth,…
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The Wonders of Pumpkin
Written by Boldijarre Koronczay and Brian Goodwin
When most people think of pumpkins, the first thoughts that typically come to their mind are having a comforting, warm pumpkin spice latte when the chill of fall is beginning to set in or enjoying a delicious slice (or two!) of pumpkin pie with the arrival of the holiday season. In general, pumpkins are a delicious ingredient incorporated into celebrating various traditions or seasons; while pumpkins are indeed delicious, they…
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Glycerin
Written by Rachael Pontillo, L.E., M.Msc, CIHC, CNAP, BSD
Many people are familiar with glycerin, also spelled glycerine and referred to as glycerol, only as a translucent type of bar soap or base for liquid soap. However, glycerin has a long track record of use in traditional herbalism and medicine-making. It is also a staple ingredient in many different water, gel-based, and emulsion skin care and personal care products, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, hydrating masks, body washes, shampoos, and…
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Salicylic Acid
Written by Dasha Saian
At one point or another, skin care professionals will all use salicylic acid – it is one of the most popular ingredients in anti-acne skin care. Salicylic is the only beta hydroxy acid used in skin care; it occurs naturally in wintergreen leaves, sweet birch, and other plants, and is topically an anesthetic and a keratolytic with a mild peeling effect. For milder acne, salicylic acid helps unclog pores to…
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Toners
The merge of eastern and western thought has brought much balance to American health and… -
Get Masked Today!
Your clients may have outgrown Halloween, but do not let them outgrow masking as an… -
Hair Today Gone Tomorrow
Tweezers, the earliest known method of hair removal, have evolved little from the clam shells…
Next-Level Learning
Christine Valmy International School of...Description: Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology offers a quality education in the beauty industry, based on the teachings of the Founder of Esthetics in the United States—Ms. Christine Valmy. Ms. Valmy opened her very first school ...
