Thursday 10 March 2011

Welcome to the latest Beauty Bulletin from Makeup Artist Lillybeth and A Beautiful Education.  After two months without Beauty Bulletins - I have SO much to share with you!  10% of all deposits received this month for new bridal makeup bookings will be donated to the Chch appeal, so if you know someone planning their wedding, forward them this Bulletin.   And read right to the end for the MARCH Makeup Mini specials - exclusive to BB subscribers and their friends (that's you)!

-Lillybeth Melmoth

www.abeautifuleducation.co.nz

FACE OF THE MONTH

Yes, this is a blend of makeup and face paint!  In December last year, a launch event at Imbibe Bar saw me set up makeup brushes alongside face paint and sponges as live bands and DJ music played.  For the creative launch of Global Breakthough Festival I 'performed' live high fashion makeup art.  It was a challenge in that the lighting was so low the colour results of the final look were almost a surprise!  It wasn't until I took a photo with a flash camera I could see what I had done.

Here's my model, Briar, wearing the science-fiction-inspired fantasy bridal look I designed for the event.  A kind of alien princess-bride, with makeup, face paint, false eyelashes (strip and individual, flare lashes), adhesive crystals for the reptilian feel and other accessories.

You can see more photos of this and a second look I created on the night at Creative Face Painting by Lillybeth on facebook.

Zespri, Mainstreet Tauranga, Oregon ITM and others have booked my face painting for their corporate or community events.  You can also book colourful face painting for private birthday parties, masquerade ball makeup and themed events all year round.

WHY FACIALS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY (Part 1)

Most women have booked in with a beauty therapist for a 'facial'.  It's not unheard of for a bride-to-be to book a series of regular facials leading up to her wedding day, with the hope of conditioning her skin to look its best.  But though we've been taught having a facial will benefit our skin, that's not always the case.

Somehow the beauty industry has convinced us we need their help to do the basics of skin care.  Yes, when a facial simply consists of the application of skin care products - no matter how expensive - it's a waste of time, money and hope.  In fact, at best, a facial can temporarily plump and moisturise the skin for maybe one day - at worst, it can irritate skin, clog pores, encourage excessive oiliness on already oily or combination skin and cause break outs.

My response to most women thinking of of getting a facial is this:  Save your money and instead of facials, invest in a skin care routine you can do twice a day at home.  It's what you do every day that makes a difference, not once a week or month.  Your skin is renewing itself everyday and is a totally new skin every 28-36 days (As you age this renewal process slows down from 28 days).  It's illogical to suggest a facial will help you have great skin for the entire week or month in which it was performed, when the skin responds and changes so quickly.  A one-off facial will not significantly re-condition the skin or lead to tangible results in this period.  

(Continued in Part 2 below)

KIWI-STYLE MAKEUP TIP: Covering Grey Hairs

Do you have annoying grey hairs that show up in between colouring your hair or visits to the salon?  Did you know there are hair mascaras created specifically for covering grey hairs and touching up roots in between colourings?  'Kryolan Hairstreaks' is a hair mascara that comes in - yes, all the crazy colours teenagers were combing into their hair in 1999 - but also a great range of natural colours for everyday hair.  Black, multiple shades of Brown, Copper, Blonde, Grey and Ivory Hairstreaks are only available in NZ (as far as I can tell) through makeup supplier Minifies, for only $21.51 plus postage.  Order online or call Minifies on 0800 MAKEUP.

But those with black or dark brown hair also have the kiwi-style option of simply combing through a regular mascara to touch up the colour.  Since mascaras for eyelashes generally only come in black or brown, blondes, redheads and medium brunettes will need to look elsewhere, but those with darker hair will find a (slightly dry) mascara does an equally respectable job. 

FACIALS: What ARE they good for? (Part 2)

If you want younger-looking, fresher, smoother skin: Treatments such as microdermabrasion, red or blue LED light for acne or an exfoliating peel (eg. glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid) will have longer lasting results than a hands-only facial and may be beneficial for your specific skin concern.

If you want long-lasting visible results, I suggest you pursue treatments such as the non-surgical options above, (or BOTOX or similar with a dermatologist) over facials. Such non-surgical treatments are usually carried out with a facial, but a regular facial by itself is a glorifed, basic skin care routine with massage. Think about it - couldn't you do that yourself?

If you're considering a facial because you want professional advice: I recommend you book a consultation or assessment, not a facial. If you need a diagnosis for a more serious or complex issue, see a dermatologist.

Keep in mind that both these professionals are also retailers, and may try to sell you a set of expensive, branded products, with the claim they are superior to anything the public can access. This is most often not true.

If you know a bit about cosmetic chemistry and what's not helpful for skin, you'll find the big brands in most therapist clinics - DeCleor, Sothys, Darphin etc - have truly awful products in their ranges, loaded with irritating ingredients, harmful plant extracts, unstable packaging and shocking price tags. Just because it's sold in a salon or clinic doesn't mean it's safe, effective or (least of all) value for money. The three prestigious brands listed here are among the most ill-rated by the Cosmetics Cop on Beautypedia.com.

If you do choose to use a beauty therapist or dermatologist, be prepared to be assertive if you are confident you don't need to purchase anything, wish to shop around first, or plan to check out the products on offer using Beautypedia before you purchase.

If you are considering a facial to help with oily skin: I recommend you don't. Not even if they use a special product range for oily skin. All facials involve massaging the skin - it's feels nice and it's part of the relaxation process - but this leads to excess oil (your skin's response to the massaging or irritation) and you'll be more likely to break out.

Your beauty therapist may tell you it's your skin getting rid of its impurities. This is a common myth. Skin does not have blemishes lying in wait to manifest themselves upon your face. Most likely, it will be the facial itself that causes any after-facial skin upsets.

If you're considering a facial for the relaxing experience: I recommend you get a massage instead. Why put your face at risk?

Who ARE facials for then? They are for you if:

• You have dry skin that would benefit from more natural oil and

• You want to enjoy it as a pampering experience perhaps in a lovely setting (like the outdoor Bali Huts at Greerton's World Spa) and

• You don't mind paying for it, then ENJOY!

But don't feel you're skin is missing out if you don't have facials.  Unlike a daily, customised skin care routine, facials are not an essential service for your skin's health and depending on your skin type, sensitivities and what products they use, could do you more harm than good.

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MARCH SUBSCRIBER-ONLY SPECIALS

MARCH MAKEUP MINI's:

A Beautiful Education's most popular services made mini!  And available at these prices exclusively for Beauty Bulletin subscribers and their friends during March.  In fact, I'll be cramming as much goodness and gorgeous into the time I can - the only thing mini, is the price!

Special Occasions Makeup (mobile, 45 mins), $87.  

MARCH Mini Makeovers (30 mins): $37

Makeup Bag Audit (mobile, 90 mins with report), $117.

MARCH Mini Makeup Bag Audits (45 mins): $57 with $20 redeemable on products

Makeup Consultations (mobile, 2 hours with smarts swatch), $167.

MARCH Mini Makeup Lessons (45 mins): $67 with $20 redeemable on products

All MARCH Mini services take place in the home salon of Beautiful Hair near Bayfair, Mount Maunganui.  Available Mon-Sat, 10am - 7pm, by appointment only.  Not valid for bridal bookings.  E-Vouchers available as gifts.  Limit 6 total per subscriber.  Free foundation-matching with every MINI makeup service.

See the service menu and before & after photos.  To book, use the contact form online, reply to this email or call Lillybeth on 578 4226.