Winter’s Brilliant Little Multi-Tasker: 7 More Things You Can Do with Lip Balm

Dino Dilio Beauty Tips

When winter hits, lip balm is an unsung hero. After all, it’s the best companion to combat the ever-looming chapped lips syndrome—and much more. A quality lip balm will include emollients like Jojoba and Shea oils to moisturize and soften, plus waxes to lock in moisture; its price shouldn’t exceed the cost of 2 cheap cocktails or 2 fancy coffees. While applying balm to clean lips makes an ideal base for lipstick and gloss, this inexpensive beauty basic goes places way beyond just our lips!

  1. Massage into dry cuticles to soften and condition after washing and drying hands.

  2. Swipe balm lightly through eyebrows to add sheen, then use fingertip to groom hairs into place.

  3. Paint generously over palms of hands. Massage together, and then smooth over flyaway hairs to tame. Great trick for hat head.

  4. After a bath, massage olive oil onto dry elbows and heels and then lock in with a layer of lip balm.

  5. Swipe across exposed parts of the face in frigid weather for even more protection.

  6. Apply potted lip balms with clean lip brush, new cotton swab or freshly cleansed finger. (For maximum hygiene, carry a stick version of balm to use throughout the day.)

  7. Pick up balm with thumb and index finger and work into unruly moustache and sideburns to groom.

It’s Da Balm!

Paula’s Choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm - This astoundingly concentrated formula offers on-the-spot relief upon application to dry, chapped lips as well as on elbows, cuticles, and nails. Tames unruly eye brows and fly away hairs.

Jumpstart your skin with a new way of exfoliating

I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t include skin care consultations in my studio makeup services. The condition of our skin plays a vital role in portraying overall health and well being and it determines how makeup applies, looks, and lasts. When it comes to beauty and biology, our skin is our most personal and precious possession!

Now that fall is here, we can go beyond summertime’s basic cleansing and moisturizing routine and give our skin a brand-new start. Exfoliating is one of the best things we can do for our skin. Exfoliating sloughs away the last traces of summer tans the same time as it prepares our skin for the most brutal time of year--winter. Like any organ in our bodies, skin needs to be stimulated to perform at its peak, and just as exercise makes our hearts beat faster, exfoliating jump-starts our skin’s function and appearance.

Until now, we’ve had a choice between massage-in and rinse-off scrubs made with ground nuts and seeds, the scrubs made with granular synthetic micro beads, and the more-recent liquid chemical exfoliants. I’ve never been a fan of scrubs made with ground nuts and seeds because they commonly have jagged, rough edges that can cause microscopic tears and scratches on the skin. I have seen too many clients whose redness and skin sensitivity was caused by applying a scrub too aggressively and using it too often--sometimes twice a day. The nut and seed exfoliants work better for your feet, elbows, and other areas on the body where the skin is thicker and more tolerant. 

The synthetic micro-plastic beads found in some skin cleansers and scrubs are damaging marine life and water eco-systems because they are not biodegradable. So, I recommend chemical exfoliants that are similar in texture to toners or light lotions. For convenience and performance, I prefer these “leave on” products for working their magic above and below skin level. Chemical exfoliants come from the dermatological world of micro dermabrasion and chemical peels offered at dermatologists’ offices and medical spas. Stay away from the on-line scrubs whose concentrations are often way too high for personal, at-home use.

Regular, gentle chemical exfoliation is an easy step in elevating your skin care regime. As well as maintaining healthy skin, exfoliating treats uneven skin tone and texture by smoothing lines and wrinkles. Who doesn’t want that? For over 15 years, I‘ve been using Paula’s Choice products and recommending them on Cityline. Brilliantly formulated and affordable, Paula’s Choice bases its ingredients on published, scientific skin care research. PC exfoliants work to dissolve the glue-like substance that traps built-up dead skin cells, sloughing off those cells to uncover the fresh, new skin beneath. These products smooth and soften the skin, which allow follow-up moisturizer and serums to completely absorb. As well, they penetrate deep to stimulate the collagen synthesis/factory via peptides, vitamins, and anti-oxidants. Collagen generates new cells and improves skin structure, function, and clarity for softer, smoother, plumper, less-lined and wrinkled skin.

Paula’s Choice exfoliants

Paula’s Choice exfoliants come in different formulas and strengths. Each has special qualities you’ll want to consider when deciding which one to use:

AHA (Alpha Hydroxyl Acid) is typically made with glycolic or lactic acid, which is preferred for sun-damaged and dry skin. It dissolves flaking skin on the surface and improves the skin’s moisture content. AHA helps to repair signs of aging and sun damage to reveal new, radiant, polished, younger-looking skin. 

BHA (Beta Hydroxyl Acid) is a salicylic acid best suited for oily, acne-prone skin, and for treating blackhead and blemishes. This oil-soluble acid penetrates deep into each pore’s lining to flush out, unclog, and dissolve blackheads. BHA visibly shrinks the pores’ appearance. Also, its anti-redness and anti-inflammatory qualities treat acne and sensitive, reddened skin (including rosacea).

Chemical exfoliants go on as easy as a toner or lotion. No rinsing off, or left-behind grains and grime. Choose a formula that is compatible with your skin type: liquid and gels are ideal for combination and oily skins; choose a lotion for drier skins. Begin with the lowest strength and apply after cleanser and toner, but before serum and moisturizer/sunscreen. Results are seen almost immediately, and with dedicated use, exfoliating continues to improve skin’s appearance over time. Visit www.paulaschoice.com to learn more and place your order. Try their sampling program for new products and travel-size convenience.  

PAULA'S CHOICE EXFOLIANTS

Blooming Beauty Tips

Spring has sprung and it’s time to freshen up your skin, your look, and your cosmetic bag. Here are my Blooming Beauty Tips for this welcome season of renewal.

1. Have, or do, a facial.

Now’s the time to upgrade your skin care system or make an appointment with a professional to slough away “winter skin.” Book a regular, deep-cleansing facial because that’s all you really need. (Don’t buy into the upgrades of fanciful facials that promise to remove wrinkles, tighten skin, and do your dishes. Your goal is to deep clean, hydrate, and give skin a brand-new start.) The cleansing portion of the facial can be in the form of a chemical peel; these offer a higher concentration of exfoliant than peels bought over-the-counter. Cleansing can also involve extracting stubborn blackheads and deep-rooted blemishes. An aesthetician can usually perform this task with optimum results. Expect steam, massage, a mask--and most likely, some kind of sales pitch for their products. (If you’re offered complimentary makeup, let your skin breathe and return another time.) I suggest booking your spring facial late afternoon or early evening so you can enjoy some leisure afterward. Go home, relax, tune-out and turn off all tech devices! A nice disco nap works for me every time. Remember, too, if you’re on a beauty budget, you can always give yourself a facial.

 
 

2. Skip Primer

A high-quality moisturizer with sunscreen SPF 30 acts as the perfect primer. I recommend Paula’s Choice Daily Moisturizers with SPF 30. These products contain other skin-benefiting ingredients, too.

 

3. Sunscreen Math

Estimate how much sunscreen you and your family will need to get through the summer and buy some now. Prices for sun care products increase as the weather gets hotter. Check the expiry dates of what you have on hand.

 
 

4. Lighten-Up Your Foundation

Retire rich, emollient foundations and switch to a powder-based foundation that holds up in hot, humid weather. DDB Beauty Powder Foundation If you prefer a liquid foundation, switch to an oil-free, water-based type. It will hydrate and feel lighter than the oil-rich formulas that perform best in winter. MAC’s Face & Body Foundation, Revlon’s Colour Stay Liquid Foundations and Cover FX Natural Finish Oil-Free Foundation continue to get rave reviews.

 

5. A Word on Waterproof Makeup

Stay-put, long-wearing, waterproof makeup is a growing category in the cosmetic market for weepy brides and their mothers (who may also be experiencing hot flashes). As marvelous as these budge-proof formulas are, it’s important to note that they need a dedicated solvent to remove them properly and comfortably. Not removing waterproof makeup completely can dry out lashes and bring on skin disasters.