Those.......EYELASHES!!!

Right now, if you want larger lashes than life, there are two very exciting products out there that both produce noticeable results:

                                           Latisse

Revitalash

But which is right for you?  

Hopefully, after visiting here with us at YA, your choice will be easier!

We all know that these products are geared toward those who want longer, thicker, or fuller lashes.  First, let's go through the causes of thinning lashes;  and maybe we can maximize your results.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

                      1.  Are there any medications that you may take, leading to the thinning/loss of your lashes?

                      2.  Do you wear waterproof mascara every single day?

                      3.  What are you using to remove your eye makeup?

                      4.  Do you wear eyelash extensions religiously with no extension-free holiday?

These are all important places to start.  Check with your pharmacist or physician for side effects to any medications that you are taking that can cause your lashes to thin.  

Waterproof mascara, since it can be harsh on your lashes, should only be worn during occasions where you know you might be crying.....e.g. weddings and funerals.

Like waterproof mascara, it is not a great idea to wear eyelash extensions all the time, either.  It puts stress on our natural lashes and weakens them.  

I once knew someone who wore so much eye makeup, the only thing that would remove it, was dishwashing liquid......no, no, no.....slap you, Mama!!  Remember, you need to be GENTLE with your lashes!!  For recommendations on gentle and effective makeup removers, email me!  

Now that painful part is over, **shudder to think of anyone taking off the day's makeup with Palmolive,** let's discuss the key differences and similarities between Latisse and Revitalash.

Latisse was discovered by sheer serendipity.  It was orginally marketed as an eye drop to treat glaucoma.  During the third phase of clinical trials, Allergan researchers noticed as a side effect, that the eyelashes "grew!"  How about that!  Hallelujah, for desirable side effects, for once, right?  That being said, you will need a prescription in order to obtain it; but again, you will most likely see results quicker, since drugs marketed with approval by the FDA need to show both safety AND efficacy!  Now onto undesirable side effects.  Of course, the worst adverse effects would be those relating to itching and burning, and extreme sensitivity, as with any eye drop.  Obviously, discontinue and consult with your physician!  

Now you KNOW, I couldn't wait to address this misconception about Latisse changing eye color!  First of all, let's just get this nonsense right out of the way.  Remember, if you are applying it correctly, you are applying Latisse to your eyeLID, not your eyeBALL!  Secondly, the studies that did show any change in eye color were demonstrated with Latisse's mother medication, Lumigan, which is strictly formulated to treat glaucoma and whose concentration is at least more than 20 times higher!  Some Latisse users have noticed a slight darkening in the eyelid, however, mostly where application occurs.......BFD.......who notices this?  As far as I can see (no pun intended), the only downside to Latisse is that it is category C, which means that it should not be used during pregnancy nor when breastfeeding.  

Revitalash, formerly known as LashMD, is marketed as an "eyelash conditioner," but has been known to also enhance the growth and thickness of eyelashes.  Because there are no scientific studies to prove any such claims, the company cannot advertise it as such.  Instead, it is touted to protect against lash breakage and brittleness, improve flexibility, and lead to more luxurious lashes.  Because it is considered a cosmeceutical, you don't need a prescription for it.  Most high end spas and department stores carry it.  I have to say, the hundreds that I have interviewed have had dramatic results of growth and thickness with Revitalash and love it.  As far as whether Revitalash can be used when pregnant, the jury is still out, since no comprehensive studies have been performed.

Both products are similar in price, and both are applied the same way.  The only difference in application, is that Revitlash comes with a reusable wand, and Latisse comes with disposable brushes.  

My advice?  If it's not broken, don't fix it.  Should you have invested in Revitalash and love it, stick with it.  If you are curious about Latisse, finish Revitalash and switch over when you are done.  Most have reported longer and fuller lashes with Revitalash.  However, with Latisse, users have noticed longer, fuller, and DARKER lashes.  Latisse lovers have even gone so far as to say that they have had to trim their lashes, because of such extensive growth.  

You be the judge and let me know!

Happy Fashion Fixing!

~Youth Arsenal~

Wishing You a Most Fashionably Merriest, Christmas!

Youth Arsenal wants to wish you and yours the Merriest Christmas, ever!  Don't forget to tell Santa Baby to leave all your material girl wishes under the tree this year.....just make sure your tree is as big as the one behind me!  We wouldn't want him to forget anything, now would we?

Merry Fashion Fixing,

~Youth Arsenal~!

USAna........the Next Generation in Health?

Supplements.........everyone is talking about what he/she can take to "supplement" a good diet and exercise in order to support a healthy lifestyle...........not after today!

Research has now introduced NUTRITIONALS.  Nutritionals and optimizers are possibly the future's pathway to robust health.  After speaking with Michaela Foulkes, representative for USANA Health Science, and then also recently experiencing the benefits of USANA for myself, I am convinced that supplements are so yesterday!  I always say, "to get where you are going, do you want to put gas in your car, or do you want to push it?"  If supplements are the gas for your car, then nutritionals and optimizers are not only the gas for your car, but they seem to ALSO run your engine, clean!

Traditionally, supplements (which include vitamins) were designed for two purposes:  to replace something in which our bodies have become deficient, or to do exactly what the name implies:  supplement (not replace) our diets, to improve/encourage better health and more energy.  

Michaela explained in detail to me how USANA has taken all that science (USANA conducts research in a strictly controlled, clinical environment on all its products) and nutrition have to offer, and elevated it several levels beyond many nutraceuticals.  

USANA began in 1992, founded by Dr. Myron Wentz, a biomedical scientist, with his distinguished vision:  a world free of pain, suffering, and disease.  I know, I know, all doctors approach their field with this same mission of passion.  However, Dr Wentz has found a way to demonstrate this not only in vitro (what is supposed to happen), but also in vivo (what we can SEE happen).    In 2007, Dr Wentz received the Albert Einstein Award for his achievement in Life Sciences, "which salutes leaders whose vision and commitment have contributed to the critical advancement of vital life-saving and life-enhancing technology to benefit mankind."  He received the award in recognition for his "many scientific and charitable endeavors."  Might I add, that all others that received such an award, did so, because of their work in pharmaceutical advancements.  Michaela presented to me, Dr Wentz's credentials and his published studies, but let's just cut it short here to say that I don't have enough space in this article to cite them all.  Feel free to visit Michaela's website at:   http://www.michaela.usana.com/ and also:  http://www.usana.com/media/File/mediaCenter/US/Press%20Releases/US-EN%20DRWentzEinsteinAward.pdf  for that.  

What makes USANA so different?  Without getting too technically detailed, let's start at the beginning (thank you, Michaela for so much of your time).  Dr Wentz discovered a formula to not only make healthy cells of each of our specific organs survive, but thrive, in live cultures.  As we would say in the fashion world, he "brought the heat," and then he employed his method to the human body, and guess what.........it worked!  It worked so well, that athletes are now endorsing USANA. 

USANA also stands by its ingredients, in carrying a potency guarantee.  USANA ensures that what is stated on the label, is actually contained in the product.  Usana's manufacturing facility adheres to the same GMPs (good manufacturing practice) that pharmaceutical companies do.  You see, the problem in the US is that the FDA does not require confections like these to be efficacious (meaning that they must work) nor that they contain the ingredients listed, like it sanctions with prescription medications and pharmaceutical agents.  The FDA only mandates that they be safe; not so with USANA.  This company ensures that you are getting exactly what you are paying for, AND the components are backed by science.  Additionally, USANA has a special section on its website where you can "Ask the Scientist"

anything on which you need clarity or direction.

Let's talk about a major subject that has imploded America.  Can someone please explain to me what all this hype about "colon cleansing" or "doing an occasional cleanse" is, and how it originated?  Bang bang, hero, kill that ballyhoo, please!!  According to USANA, detoxifying is a continuous process, and I agree!  Doing one of these "occasional cleanses" is like eating a horrible diet, baking in the sun, smoking cigarettes, and then going to the gym for one hour a week, thinking that you can reverse all that damage you've done in the past week!  Health is about your habits, not what you do "occasionally!"  One thing that impresses me about USANA's products, is that they encourage our organs to function better by protecting them from oxidative stress, and stimulating these organs to perform better, in general.  What exactly does this mean?  In layman's terms, it means that these products galvanize our own systems' ability to detoxify invaders and repair the resulting potential damage.  For example, our liver is one of the major organs in our bodies that filters toxins.  One of USANA's inventions, Hepasil DTX, contains substances that stimulate our own liver enzymes to do their jobs, and once again, "run our engines clean."  Hepasil DTX supports the liver by creating enough reserve in the organ to filter out harmful and excess substances that may lead to many cancers.    

Probiotics......medical doctors are advocating and praising the wondrous benefits of probiotics!  Probiotics are strains of microorganisms (live bacteria) that support the growth of healthy gut flora,  prevent yeast infections, promote digestion, and assist in providing relief for other disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.  Antibiotics, although beneficial short term, have the ability to kill off that essential healthy gut bacteria that we dearly need.  What makes USANA's probiotics exceptional?  First, they are live and active, yet USANA's formulation does not require refrigeration.  Since it is dairy-free and sugar-free, it will be stable at room temperature for over a year.  Also, it's suitable for vegans and of course, those that are lactose-intolerant.  The breed and number of strains contained in the formulation are proven to survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach, therefore making it safely to the gut to function properly.  Other companies cannot attest to this the way that USANA can, again, since USANA has proven this in its documented experiments.   

Michaela introduced USANA to me, and thankfully, she was convincing enough for me to give the nutrionals and optimizers a chance.  Being the self-proclaimed scientist that I am, I decided to conduct my own little experiment.  If the results were less than surprising, however, I assure you, you would not be reading this article.  I'm here now, to share with you, the products that I took and my findings.  For one month, I took the Essentials, Proflavanol C, BiOmega, and Hepasil DTX.  On about the 3rd day or so, and every day thereafter, upon waking, I did not need to hit the snooze button......at all!!  Also, since I work overnight (11-12 hours per shift and 7 nights in a row, not the typical 8 hours like normal people), I usually experience my "mid- afternoon slump" around 3 or 4 am..........that didn't happen, either.  I was able to make it to the gym after work without the daily, sobering pep-talk, and additionally, to make it 6 days instead of the normal 4, without an effort.  As a sufferer of mild acne, I apply a nightly dose of topical benzoyl peroxide to affected areas.  Although I noticed no change in the oil production in my skin, my face cleared up by about the 10th day, and the blemishes were totally gone......GONE, did you read me????  I also noticed a little more fullness in my skin, with a somewhat healthy "glow."  My coworkers commented that I looked "refreshed,"  and wanted to know if I changed my makeup or skincare regimen.  Guess what I did next!  I decided to take a small hiatus from the products, just to make sure they were in fact, making a difference, and it wasn't my imagination. After 5 days of stopping USANA, I had trouble getting up for work as usual, my "mid-afternoon slump" returned, and I certainly noticed a decline in my energy level, making it once again a struggle for me to get to the gym after work.  As expected, a pimple surfaced, I swore a lot, and deduced that it was not my imagination.  Since I resumed taking USANA, the vibrancy in the color of my eyes is remarkable, and the whites are about as white can be...........I'm happy.

What else can I say?  There's my testimonial.  Please allow me to conclude with one last comment.  Although USANA has something for everyone, USANA believes in treating the body, specifically the immune system, as a whole.  When our organs are functioning like they should, the body's systems collectively act healthy, and therefore, immunity becomes a side effect to general health.  We all know that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.  The products are designed to improve and support the functionality of what nature has already provided to us.  Whether combating a vitamin deficiency (vitamin D deficiency is rampant these days even in the young), or just giving our organs that little boost to improve our energy, USANA has it all.  Lastly, I could not leave you without proudly bragging that USANA is born and bred in our great USA; what could be better than that!!  Aren't you happy that I saved the best for last?  

michaela@usana.com
and
www.michaela.usana.com

Michaela Foulkes is available to answer any specific questions you may have, and she can be reached at:  michaela@usana.com.  You may also place orders with USANA at:  http://www.michaela.usana.com/  On behalf of Youth Arsenal, thank you so much, Michaela for introducing these products to us all.  We look forward to a lifetime of "thriving."

As always, any and all nutritonals, optimizers, supplements, and the like are no replacement for diagnosis, treatment, and medication prescribed by your doctor.  Before trying anything, please first consult with your physician for his/her approval.

Yours in health and fashion,
~Youth Arsenal~!

*Please note that the author did not receive any payment for this article.  Each person experiences varying results with different products.  These are only the findings of the author's experience after taking the nutritionals/optimizers, and said findings are not intended to predict any factual outcomes for others. 

Do I REALLY need an Eye Cream?

I hate to be the anti aging fairy of bad news, but yes, you REALLY do!  Many skin care experts believe that an eye cream is not necessary.  In their eyes (no pun intended), it's just an incentive for a product line to make more money.

 I happen to be one of those that disagrees!  The only stipulation in which an eye cream is not mandatory,  is when one has EXTREMELY oily skin.  To begin with, these skin types that fall into this category with such overwhelming oil production, are usually also very young; as our skin tends to become drier with age.  When I say this, I am talking about such greasiness, where the eye shadow is smeared and collected in a line across the crease of the eyelid by early afternoon.  This is the ONLY time when an eye moisturizer is not essential.

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that I was one of those teenagers with excessively oily skin,  and this condition carried well into my thirties.  At 40, when my skin became less oily, I woke up one morning, and out of nowhere, it seemed like I was suddenly infected with the "creepies" around my eyes.  In retrospect, I wish I had invested in an eye cream much earlier than I did, despite my skin's prior chronic oleaginous disposition.

Another reason why we need an eye cream, is that the skin around our eyes is the first place to reveal our true age.  This area doesn't seem to capture, retain, and produce moisture the way the rest of our face does.  Furthermore, the lubricative properties of the sebaceous glands in the skin surrounding our eyes slows down dramatically with time.  What happens when we don't have enough moisture...........that horrible word becomes reality: wrinkles!  Just look at a smoker's complexion.  Research has proven that smoking ages us so much faster because smoking robs both oxygen and moisture from the skin.

I know exactly what you are thinking.........OK, so why can't I just use my regular facial moisturizer, and just apply it to the eye area as well?  I have two things to say about that.  First, you can!  Secondly, did you just read the above paragraphs?  The skin around our eye area needs EXTRA hydration.  The consistency in the leading eye creams is thicker than most facial moisturizers.  It makes sense, then, that one wouldn't want to put an eye cream all over the face, because it would be too heavy for the entire face.  Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the skin around our eyes needs more........just like that AT&T commercial.......more is better.  Let's not make it complicated!   Additionally, if your moisturizer contains sunscreen, it can be very, very irritating to your eyes.  Again, the area around the eyes is sensitive.  I have applied sunscreen too close to my eyes, and it is not pleasant, by any means!  In fact, it stings and it burns....enough said!

Thankfully, with the next generation of skincare, the products are becoming increasingly refined with ingredients that really work!  Originally, eye creams were nothing more than glorified moisturizers, containing only humectants (glycerin) and emollients (petrolatum).  Now, we have retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) which has demonstrated its effects in promoting collagen production.  Since retinol may be slightly irritating to sensitive skin, the latest alternative wonder ingredients that have surfaced, are peptides, or protein fragments.  Peptides seem to also increase collagen production, which have the ability to plump up the eye area nicely, without the irritation that retinol can sometimes induce.  Niacinamide, or better known as vitamin B3, is yet, another superhero that has entered the arsenal of anti aging eye creams.  Niacinamide not only addresses skin discolorations, but it also prevents water loss, allowing the area to retain moisture.  The last to mention here in the category of patron saint ingredients, are the silicones.  These are marvelous for extremely dry skin.  Silicones are very slippery.  They form a hydrating barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss, and somehow seem to "fill in"  and plump up those annoying lines on our face.  This is why silicones are usually the main ingredients in makeup primers.


Where do eye creams fit in, as far as order, in our routine?

We should always gently "tap" our eye creams onto the orbital skin of the eye after toners or serums, and before applying the moisturizer for our face, ESPECIALLY if the facial moisturizer contains sunscreen.  It stands to reason that we want the area of our skin in the most need of moisture, to receive it first, and certainly without barriers blocking its absorption.  Sunscreen is a barrier.  For this reason alone, never let your eye cream be the last step in your skincare regimen!

What else can we do?  Now you know, it would be impossible for La Puma to write an article without interrupting herself, somewhere, with a notion of fashion sense!  Hello...............SUNGLASSES!!!  I don't even care if they are ugly or too big/small for your face.  When you are outside, WEAR THEM!!  The two biggest offenders in causing wrinkles, are smoking, and the sun!  If you can, protect yourself from the sun, and as reiterated earlier, avoid smoking at all costs.  You have no idea how practicing these two habits, will save the health and appearance of your skin dramatically, especially around your peepers!!

If you need glasses or contacts to see better, wear them too!  Repeated squinting can certainly exacerbate the formation of those nasty fine lines!

Finally, never, if you can, go to sleep without removing your makeup first.  Once again, this can lead to not only dryness, but accumulation of bacteria (pimples), and itchy, blood-shot eyes, upon waking.  Just what you need, in addition to wrinkles, right?

What's left?  If you would like specific recommendations for some outstanding eye creams, feel free to email me, and I will be more than happy to help with your selection!  In the meantime, if you haven't done so already, I want you out there, rain or shine, sporting those hotty new shades!! As always, don't forget to take pictures and share!!

Happy Fashion Fixing,

~Youth Arsenal~!

The New Look for Fall and Winter 2013: SEXY REBEL!

With a cocktail mix of studded glam and a twist of feminine motorcycle momma, you have this season's seductive, sizzling new style:  Sexy Rebel!!  Cache started this trend with her new feminine installation to the biker look, and now other lines have infused their own flavor to spice up this manner of design....talk about hot!!

Here's why this look is so spectacular.....one word:  VERSATILE!  This new strain is for everyone from the girly girl gone bad on the weekend type, to the preppy learning how to work the twerk on the dance scene for the first time!

  How do we get to sexy rebel status?  It will surprise you to see how easy this one is........think Harley Davidson meets Scarlett Johansson.  We take a hard core edge and soften it with bling.  This is called studded glamour.  Complete the look with a fitted, quilted motorcycle-type jacket, pair of pants, or sweater and watch the thunder roar with immediate transformation!  Step out like this and men will be thinking just like INXS, "there's something about you girl, that makes me sweat!"  Let's take a peek at this trend in action:

Notice the feminine touch with the heels

See how easy?  We can hang safely with black and just bling it out:

  

Now let's switch gears into FIERCE mode by adding color:

Grey and Aubergine:

Now, really glam it up with blingy accessories:  

New York Style

Vintage

Let's see what colors you can come up with to rock your Sexy Rebel!!

Happy Fashion fixing,

~La Puma~!

I Wear Your Grandma's Clothes......I Look Incredible!!

Everyone is talking about trends that never go out of style and vintage pieces that are coming back........well, get ready for the new look that combines the two:  Millennium Retro Glam!!!  Follow La Puma's advice, and you will be looking spectacular with this new style. Mind you, this is no fad, because we have borrowed classic basics and then do what I call "install" key eccentric pieces, that have remained statement accessories throughout the decades.

The equation to achieve the Millennium Retro Glam look is fundamental:  one or more Classic pieces + one Vintage handbag + a pair of Modern Shoes!  Just so there is no guessing in designing your daily ensemble, let's characterize each element.  

Classic:  segments of a wardrobe that have remained as basic staples that never go out of style.  One example that immediately comes to mind is jeans!  Yves Saint Laurent once said about jeans, "I wish I had invented blue jeans:  the most spectacular, the most relaxed and nonchalant.  They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity- all I hope for in my clothes." 

 I always keep a pair of jeans, nude color pumps, and a white button up and down dress shirt in my trunk, just in case I am over OR under dressed, which brings me to the next prototypical piece that Lauren Hutton has made timeless:  the basic (men's) white button up and down shirt.  
Other classic tendrils would be:  the little black dress by Coco Chanel and

the cashmere turtleneck that Marilyn Monroe declared an abiding go-to luxury......."we're so rich in love, we're rollin' in cashemere" -Luxurious by Gwen Stefani.  

Priming Porelessly in Wonderful Nation of Foundation!

We all want flawless (or the appearance of flawless) skin.  Well, thank Goodness that art and science have now united, to grant this blessing to us, no matter what kind of skin we have!  Years ago, we would call our Avon lady or spackle on the closest color of pancake powder from the nearest drug store, and we didn't have many options back then.  

Now, we can have (the illusion of) a perfect complexion with today's makeup tools and anti aging arsenal.  However, there are many steps in order to create this seamless image, and I am here to help you achieve this look, while avoiding all pitfalls and mistakes along the way in getting you there!

First, let's discuss the different skin types, before we even get into priming!  There are several different skin conditions with different needs.  These are:  dry, combination, oily, acne (with or without oil), sensitive, and rosacea.  Always consult your dermatologist before applying any skin products and/or makeup; and make sure that you are using the correct skin care regimen to TREAT your skin, before applying primer and makeup.  Makeup is used to enhance and hopefully improve our appearance.  Today, there are foundations out there that will trustingly not aggravate our skin, but what we consider to be our daily washing, toning, and moisturizing routine, is what we depend on to protect and improve the texture, tone, and health of our skin.  

Dry Skin:  one word for you:  SUNSCREEN!  Somewhere in your age-fighting arsenal, you need to have a product that contains sunscreen.  Your skin type will unfortunately, be the first to start aging in the way of wrinkles, and the sun will exacerbate this.  Also, if you have dry skin, I suggest, even before primer, to apply a facial oil (email me for recommendations) over deep wrinkles.  This will plump up fine lines and make the skin look smoother.

Combination Skin:  talk about confused!  You have both dry and oily patches, mostly in the T-zone (nose, chin, and forehead).  If you have combination skin, make sure that you are not using products that are too emollient in that area, which will be causing the clogging in that T-zone.  You may have to use different moisturizers for different parts of your face.  

Oily Skin:  I would like to say you are the lucky ones, here, but it doesn't seem that way, now does it?  Research shows that your natural oil will slow down the aging process, and your makeup looks fabulous right after you apply it, but by noontime, all the color from your foundation is everywhere but on your face!  Again, there are oil absorbing lotions that provide just enough moisture to your face, so your skin doesn't freak out and produce more oil from the reaction of your stripping and robbing the natural moisture that your face would normally produce on its own.  

Acne:  this is a tricky one.  Some have acne with dry skin, and others have acne with oily skin.  The severity of your acne will dictate your needs.  The extreme form will warrant a prescription for Accutane.  Although there are side effects to consider, this is the next best thing to a cure, and will undoubtedly prevent disfiguring.  Of course this is all up to your dermatologist.  Without getting too in-depth, one thing to keep in mind with simple acne, is exfoliation!  Depending on your skin type, exfoliation with a glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid based product is the way to go.  This will keep the cells turning over, at a rate which makes it difficult for the bacteria to lodge itself in the pores and cause breakouts.    

Sensitive:  if you can, stay away from fragrances.  I have found, that those with sensitive skin do best with all natural products that contain chamomile and calendula, barring any allergies.

Rosacea:  those mysterious red, annoying patches that seem to come out of nowhere!  Drinking alcohol can worsen or trigger an outbreak of rosacea, so drink accordingly (or not at all if you can).  You most likely will need a prescription from your dermatologist for rosacea, but again, calming agents like those for sensitive skin seem to help.  Anything labeled "for couperose skin" is geared toward treating rosacea.

PRIMING:  Look at it this way:  your face is like a canvas, and priming the canvas before the (makeup) artist applies the "paint" is necessary in most cases.  I used to think priming my face was a wasted step.  This was because I was layering on the WRONG primer, which is worse than applying no primer at all.  Thankfully, there are myriad of primers out there from which to choose.  There are even salicylic acid based primers for acne-prone skin, now.  I suggest that very oily skin types stay away from silicone-based primers.  They work wonders for dry skin, however!  I have come to appreciate primers for their purpose of reducing the look of pore size, wrinkles, and creating that smooth, seamless look that we talked about earlier.  Trust me, with the right primer, your skin will look flawless after your foundation is applied!  See your favorite makeup artist for a consultation in recommending the appropriate one for you! 

Foundation:  Ahhhh, I could go on for pages and days about foundation.  Foundation phobes, fear not!  There are all kinds of textures, from lightweight powders, tinted moisturizers, and BB and CC creams, to heavy, full-coverage formulations!  Traditionally, the first thing we would decide when choosing the correct foundation, is the type of coverage we want, from minimal, to full....those times are gone!  This is where science has introduced itself, and with the latest invention that I am so excited to announce, the steps are now reorganized!  I have been to Sephora recently, and the store has a new device that matches your "color IQ."  The makeup artist will hold this gizmo up to your skin, on usually 3 areas (cheek, jawline and neck, or forehead), to obtain an accurate reading.  The screen magically shows an endless array of options for your coloring.  From there, you can choose the texture you want, from the available selections.  Let me tell you, my experience was marvelous!  Because I am so pale, I used to slap on a self-tanner all over my body, and attempt to match my face with the same color of foundation.  Much to my peril, I looked older in pictures!  When I am wearing the correct foundation, my skin looks younger and more vibrant.  I learned to add color with blush and bronzer, and this is THE way to go!  Add your finishing touches with or without powder.  Today's foundations don't always necessitate "setting" with powder, anymore, especially with dry skin, and most specifically around the eye area. 

I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am that art and science have allied to give us the look that ageless icons from only decades ago, would envy today.  Historically, one must have been born with perfect skin, or else shy away from the camera.  Don't you just love technology?  Not to mention, we have so many eco-friendly and planet-conscious options that actually work!  Please share your tips and results here, I'm waiting!  

                                   Happy Fashion Fixing,

                                                     ~La Puma~!