Mineral Make-Up

By Pat Barry

Most women wear some kind of makeup. In some cases, makeup can have some health benefits as well and because of that, popularity of mineral makeup has taken off in the past few years. Mineral makeup has actually been on shelves for more than thirty years! What makes mineral makeup so different? Mineral makeup is a number of natural minerals that are sterilized, ground up and pulverized into a very fine powder and combined with other materials so that it can then be used as a makeup. For example, GloMinerals infuses a powerful antioxidant blend of vitamins A, C, E and green tea extract. They use only pharmaceutical-grade vitamins and minerals.

So what are the benefits of mineral makeup? Of course, first and foremost, it is oil free and non-come organic, which means that it will not clog your pores. These two facts are the main reasons many women like it. It allows your skin to breathe while you are wearing it. Because minerals are inorganic compounds, no bacteria or microbes can grow in the makeup and be transferred to your skin. Mineral makeup has a long shelf life since it contains no preservatives. Additionally, the lighter weight of this type of make up on the face is preferred by many women. Lastly, most of these mineral makeups contain some UVA/UVB for sun protection. The minerals reflect the sun rays off your face instead of any absorption of the rays. GloMineral makeup also has anti-inflammatory ingredients, including green tea extract, zinc and vitamin C which helps improve the appearance and condition of acne and rosacea-prone skin.

Natural mineral makeup can be found that can work for any skin type. Since there is no oil used in the production of this makeup, both dry and oily skin can benefit from using it regularly. Additionally, it is considered a great option in the fight to keep skin from aging. The ingredients in the makeup tend to make the skin glow and feel natural. The mineral absorption into the skin will help the skin in staying healthy and vital.www.womensforum.com but our skin care professional or makeup artists at The Beauty Studio can answer any questions or concerns you may have about the health benefits of using mineral makeup, such as GloMinerals.

There are many reasons why you should consider mineral makeup. Whether it is the sun protection, the light weight which allows you to wear it longer, the impact on the aging process of your skin or healing properties for certain types of skin ailments, it is a good alternative to other makeup. It is very important to check ingredients. For example, some that contain mica, can be irritating to sensitive skin, or some contain talc, which can be an allergen for some people.

Much of this information was taken from a blog by Jodi Beck on

Bobbles and Beads

by Bee Lindquist

Coco Chanel by http://www.xdcr.com/

We all have our favorite bobbles we like to wear over and over. Maybe it’s your grandmother’s cameo brooch or a chunky necklace you bought on your last trip to Greece, heck it may be the funky earrings you found at the swap meet. The only problem is the more you wear them the more they look worn. The gold or gold tone begins to look dull and the beads look bland.

The next thing you know you have retired the piece to the back of your jewelry box and you forget all about it.
Here are some suggestions to keep you from forsaking your bling.
Immediately after wearing wipe down with a soft cloth. This removes any dead skin, dust and grime from the days wear. Next put the beloved piece in a plastic sandwich bag and seal it shut. That way it will be fresh for the next wearing. If the piece is already banished to the Siberia of your drawer, pull it out and refresh it.
Mix a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Dip a soft cloth in the water and move all around the piece making sure to go over stones and metal pieces thoroughly. Take a wooden toothpick dipped in the solution and go into crevices to remove lodge grime. Once you have gone over the entire piece with the solution take a clean cool, avoid hot or warm water as it may dissolve older glues, and wipe the piece again then finish with a soft cloth. You will be amazed at how beautiful your bobble will be.
As you are cleaning check for loose stones and sprung prongs. These are simple fixes with a little jeweler’s glue and some needle nose pliers. Tighten any clasp and reattach chains using soft pressure to the metal. A cotton pad around the piece will protect it from denting.

When dealing with precious and semi-precious stones and settings always defer to your jeweler’s recommendations. When you can’t wait for your jeweler to clean your good pieces a quick soak in 1 part sudsy ammonia to 3 parts water will take the grime off, rinse in cool water and finish off with a quick polish from a soft cloth.

Silver will stay polished and non-tarnished by storing in a zip lock bag. Wrap silver in silk or rayon fabric and place in plastic zip-lock bag. Make sure to squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible. When you are ready to wear take out of the bag gently rub it with silk and wear.

The Beauty Studio has an array of gorgeous jewelry and fun and fashionable accessories that you can make your new favorite. By taking just a little bit of time you can add years of pleasure to your favorite pieces and keep you looking like a million bucks.

Don't Dry Up

By Bee Lindquist

Courtesy of www.brainwads.net

Summer is finally here and with it the dry arid temperatures in our valley are beginning to heat up. So how do you stay calm cool and collected in the heat? Simple, through hydration.

Your body circulates fluid much like a radiator and the circulation in your body helps dissipate heat, but when the air temperature is higher than 90° F, cooling by sweat is the only way to prevent the body from overheating. Your circulatory system can collapse because the heart and temperature control systems cannot dissipate the heat your body is generating. When working in the heat, the activity of the muscles generates even more energy. This makes it even more important to consume enough fluids to sweat and cool your body. If you are not sufficiently hydrated your body core temperature will rise and begin to destroy tissues and organs. Collapse can come on quickly. Your body will give you warning signs, don’t ignore them.
Working in our climate conditions requires planning and preparation. Your daily diet and how much viable fluid you consume plays a part in how well you can function in the heat. Heavy meals can divert blood flow to the gut reducing the body’s ability to cool itself. Eat small light meals more often instead of a single large meal. The breeze that cools you is also the breeze that dries you out. The fact that you feel cooler in a breeze indicates that water is evaporating and needs to be replaced.

Carbonated beverages and beer are not as effective at replacing body fluids and the alcohol actually increases your dehydration. Plain water at room temperature is the most quickly absorbed for re-hydration. Taking very cold beverages can be refreshing but actually closes the portals of absorption in your system and can lead to shock if you are nearing a crisis point.

What you lose when sleeping is important too. Your lungs need to keep moist to properly process the oxygen into your system. During the night the inhaling and exhaling of the dry air can rob your body of a lot of fluids. Starting the day with juice or a large glass of water helps replace these fluids. Starting the day with juice or a large glass of water helps replace these fluids. Coffee is just a bad idea during the hot weather, as a diuretic it robs your system of even more fluids.

Some signs of being properly hydrated are clear urine, moist lips and if you pinch your skin it will bounce back. Dry, cracked lips can be a sign of long term dehydration. Clothing is important. Loose fitting, breathable clothing can help wick the moisture away from your body and increase the evaporative cooling. Protecting your skin from the sun prevents sunburn. Wearing a light colored hat protects the face and keeps the brain case cooler. Take the time to erect a shade over a work are if possible. Water-proof sunscreens may actually block pores in their effort to help cool the body.

If you believe you have been over-exposed to the sun and heat, immediately get out of the sun and seek shelter. Begin to reintroduce fluids to the system, cool water is the best. (Very cold water may prove a shock to the system and exacerbate the symptoms). Drink it gently. Apply cooling compresses to points of high blood flow like the neck, wrists and inner thighs. Covering the victim in waterproof material and dousing with water is known to be successful in extreme cases. Rapid immersion in cold water of a victim in a critical state can be very dangerous, leading to stroke and heart attack. Immersion of the wrists and ankles in pans of cold water is safe and effective. Do not leave a person suffering from heat stroke or dehydration alone. Anyone suffering visible effects should seek medical attention.

So after a little preparation, get out there and enjoy the beautiful summer. Work slowly and deliberately, be willing to take breaks and know how to listen to the warning signs your body will give.

Plan on short days, starting as early as light allows. Carry a light portable shelter and wear breathable cotton clothing. Drink plenty of water.

Your age and weight has a profound effect on your susceptibility to heat related problems. After the age of 50 you are subject to increasing risk of overheating. After age 65 you are more than twice as likely to suffer heat related problems as someone in their 30’s. The larger you are the more at risk you are too. The distance from your skin to your body center and the amount of fat insulating the core dramatically affect the body’s ability to cool itself.

The best way to avoid heat exhaustion is to drink continuously; small amounts at a time are more quickly absorbed than bolting down two glasses at a time. It is also advisable to drink cool not cold water because your body will have to work to equalize the temperature of the liquid to your core temperature. Working outside you should consume up to 32 ounces of water and no less than 16 ounces per day for safety.

Gluten Free Cosmetics, Hair and Skin Products

By Bee Lindquist

For those diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, finding hair and skin products that are gluten-free can be challenging. It takes time to decipher the ingredients listed on each label and many of the product manufacturers do not know or want to disclose ingredients because the FDA does not require them to do so. Many times, when asked, they cannot guarantee that their fragrances are gluten free, even if they feel their shampoos and conditioners are free from wheat proteins.

When reading labels, it would be a simple task if ingredients were always listed as what they truly are, such as wheat, barley, rye or oats. Many times, they are listed as their scientific names like tritium vulgare (wheat), hordeum vulgare (barley) secale cereale (rye), or avena sativa (oats). There are ‘extracts’ from these grains that are listed as their scientific names as well as ‘forms’ of the grain in some products.

Many personal care products contain gluten since it is a common binder that helps ingredients stick together. However, many individuals on celiac disease forums report intolerance symptoms that include losing their hair and severe rashes and itching due to wheat sources in their shampoo. After switching to a true gluten-free version, the problems disappeared.

If you continue to suffer gluten intolerance symptoms, despite altering your diet, look into other exposure to gluten in different areas of your daily routine, such as your hair and skin products. An absence of symptoms does not mean the intestines are not being damaged. The safest alternative is to seek out fragrance-free, gluten-free shampoo, hair conditioner, makeup and cosmetics along with skin care products. It takes a very little gluten to set off an immune system response.

Some products that have hidden gluten, that you should also stay away from, are products such as toothpaste and lip balm (chapsticks). Elizabeth Hasselbeck wrote in her book, The G Free Diet, that she can’t tolerate any hair care products, body washes, lotions or anything that she comes in contact with have any type of gluten in it.

“If you use a cosmetic or skin care product that contains gluten and you develop a skin reaction, see your doctor or dermatologist to identify the cause. It is possible to have an allergy to wheat or another grain that could cause a skin reaction.”

There are many blogs and articles on the internet concerning different ways in which people found out what was causing reactions to gluten products. One woman had a nervous habit of chewing on her hair and thus, gluten free shampoo released unwanted gluten into her system. Another man had a problem with what he thought was acne blisters and found that the shampoo he was using had gluten, which he was allergic to, and was causing his problems. If you truly feel you have celiac disease, then it is suggested by many to stay completely away from and contact to that ingredient.

This subject has sparked a real interest in this ingredient by The Beauty Studio staff. We have learned that all of our GloMineral makeup, with the exception of the GloFace Primer and the GloLip Filler, is gluten free. We also contacted Eufora and Onesta to see which of their products are Gluten free. All of Eufora’s shampoos and conditioners are gluten free except the Momo Serum, Momo Cream and Solu Shampoo. These are a small fraction of the different types of shampoos and conditioners that we sell by Eufora. Onesta has told us that only Strengthening Shampoo and Quench Leave-In Conditioner do contain a small percentage of wheat protein. All of their other products are gluten free. We have a list of the Dermalogica brand of skin care products that are also safe and free from gluten. ALL Eminence Products are Gluten-free, Vegan and Parabin-free.

We are always concerned with our client’s health and beauty needs and if you ever have any questions or concerns about the products you use, please do not hesitate to ask. We will find out any information you need to make an informative decision.

Don't Boycott The Sun

By Pat Barry

Picture courtesy of Redbubble.com

With so much talk about how bad sun exposure can be for you, don’t feel you need to boycott the sun!! There are many benefits of being in the sun and here are what some of the experts have found.

1.Get your daily Vitamin D! Spending just 10-15 minutes a day in the sun can help you get an adequate supply of Vitamin D. This is needed by the body to promote bone health, boost immune function, reduce inflammation, improve neuro-muscular function, and even protect against some forms of cancer.

2.Helps you feel happier and sleepier! Another benefit of sun exposure is that it helps you to produce more serotonin, endorphins, and melatonin in your brain. Endorphins and serotonin are brain chemicals linked with feeling good and at ease. Melatonin is a nocturnal brain chemical that allows you to enter into sleep-mode more quickly at bedtime.

3.Increase your white blood cell and red blood cell production! Experts have found that the sun is good for you because it helps you produce more white blood cells, which enhances your immunity. Sun exposure also helps you produce more red blood cells, which means your blood becomes more oxygenated.

4. It kills dangerous substances on your skin! UV rays from the sun can actually kill viruses, bacteria, molds, yeast and fungi that may be found on the surface of your skin. In this way, sunlight acts as a natural antiseptic of sorts.

5. Clear up skin diseases! While excessive sun exposure can lead to premature wrinkling and even some forms of skin cancer, there are various benefits from sun exposure when it comes to your skin. For example, moderate sunlight has been shown to help clear up some cases of acne, psoriasis, and eczema to name just a few.

Of course, we always suggest use and re-application of SPF lotions EVERY day! We hope that you always protect your skin from the harmful rays but isn’t it nice to know that you don’t have to boycott the sun!!!?

Picking a Hair and/or Skin Beauty Advisor

By Patricia Eggers

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When you enter a new salon or choose a new beauty advisor you are giving them the honor of providing you the treatment. You trust this staff member to understand your needs and desires. You are giving your appearance over to them and the final results will affect how you look and how you feel.

Choosing a Salon:Take the first step seriously. Check out the salon both in person and on line. What do the reviews say about it? Call the salon and do a 1-2 minute interview, ask how long the process you are wanting takes as well as what type of product do they use. Another good place to do research is on their web-site look for these bullet points


Do they have one?
Does it display their mission statement?
What type of education is the staff exposed to?
What does the salon stand for?
Where is it located? (Is it near your home or work? Is it in or near the mall? Look for one best suited for your needs.)What type of services do they offer?Think about what you want in a salon. Do you want to be in and out as quickly as possible or do you want someone to takes time and is precise? Do you like a loud salon or one that is quiet and serene? Do you like scheduling appointments with the same staff member? When you have these answers then you can proceed in looking for the right beauty advisor/stylist.

Choosing a Beauty Advisor:Finding a service provider is like finding a best friend. You want her to be talented, caring and have amazing abilities. Remember you trust this best friend with how you look and feel. Use the same criteria that you use for finding the salon with the staff within it.


Does the technician go to monthly education?
Do they regularly attend hair and skin education trade shows?
How do they schedule and how does that fit your schedule?
How do they price their services and does it fit your budget?
Can you schedule a consultation before your appointment to help you decide how often and what types of services you will require?
Does the technician listen to what you are saying?Getting a treatment should be within your budget, not just time and dates but within your dollars and cents budget as well. Plan a style or treatment that can be maintained. If you have $300.00 to spend today on hair or skin services will you be able to maintain this over and over again? Remember to budget in product, brushes and treatments in order to maintain the style, look or treatment. This means if your beauty treatment budget is $300 and your treatment costs $200.00 that leaves you $100.00 for product and utensils. Remember if you have a professional stylist/technician, so they will only guarantee the service if you maintain the care with products they recommend. You are investing in yourself, so make the most of your dollar. Find someone that cares about your looks and beauty with passion.

Will you be getting a relaxing service so you can refuel, re-energize and be beautiful or will there be kids and loud noises? If you are getting skin services is there someone who can give a shampoo and blow dry at the same time? What conversations are going on around you in the salon? Is the technician concentrating on you or focused on the other stylist? Do they discuss health and beauty tips with you while you are being treated? Are all services taken seriously and treated equally?

So remember before you go off to just any salon, make sure to do your homework and choose one that will fit for you. It really is all about you.

Aging Skin:7 Habits That Make Skin Age Faster

By Pat Barry
Many of the external causes of aging skin are determined by the health and lifestyle decisions you make every day. Making unhealthy choices can cause prematurely aging skin, and this makes you look older, faster.

An important part of any anti-aging skin care program is to know what you may be doing that is harming your skin and speeding up your skin’s aging process.
Here are 7 habits that contribute to aging skin, making you look older than your years:
1. Cigarette smoke
2. Sun exposure
3.Lack of exercise
4. Exposure to cold weather
5. Alcohol use
6. Stress
7. Lack of sleep
While aging is inevitable, there’s a lot you can do to look your best at any age. Taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care program.

Parts of this article are taken from Senior Living, Aging Skin: 7 Habits That Make Skin Age Faster by Sharon O’Brien, About.com Guide.: Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired. One of the first places lack of sleep shows up is on the face, with dark circles and bags under the eyes, and sagging skin. Lack of sleep is also a major factor in memory loss and symptoms of depression that include low interest in daily activities and negative thinking. Most adults function best with 8-9 hours of sleep a night.: Maybe you’ve heard this expression: “Don’t frown, your face could stay that way.” Stress and worry cause frowning and overtime the muscles in the face actually conform to that movement. A good anti-aging skin program should include meditation, yoga, gentle exercise or other relaxation techniques. Keeping stress in check keeps frown lines to a minimum.: Alcohol contributes to aging skin by dilating small blood vessels in the skin and increasing blood flow near the skin’s surface. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, creating a flushed appearance and broken vessels on the skin’s surface.: Cold winds and low temperatures contribute to aging skin by making skin dry, so if you venture out in the cold, be sure to use a good moisturizer. It’s important to use a good moisturizer indoors as well because heated rooms can be drying .: Living a sedentary life contributes to aging skin, because exercise helps to tone your muscles and get your blood flowing. Exercise should be an important part of every anti-aging skin care program. Look and feel younger by MOVING!: Sun exposure is very aging to skin. Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun becomes more mottled in appearance. Freckles can turn into brown sun spots, the skin takes on a dry, leathery appearance and wrinkles and sagging increase. The good news is that sun damage is avoidable, if you start now with use of sunscreens.: Whether you smoke, or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is damaging and aging to your skin. Research has shown that exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness. Smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C, which is a key ingredient for keeping skin plump and moist.
By Pat Barry

5 Food Colors to Eat on a Daily Basis

By Pat Barry

photo img.tootoo.com

Have you heard about five different colors of fruits and vegetables you should eat on a daily basis? Dieticians like to have fun with their recommendations and they came up with this fun way of categorizing fruits and vegetables to make it easy to know you are getting your daily allowances.
White:
Onion, garlic, horseradish, kohlrabi. They have antibacterial, antiviral properties and they strengthen your immune system.
Blue-Black:
Eggplant, blueberries, chokeberry, raisins, blackcurrant, bilberry. They strengthen blood vessels, delay aging, improve vision at dusk and they also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Red:
Apples, tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, watermelons, beets, red cabbage. They have anti-tumor properties. They are great for your heart as well, because they contain potassium. This gives counterbalance to salt in your diet.
Yellow-Orange:
Oranges, bananas, carrots, lemons, peaches, corn. Rich in beta-carotene, which has anti-tumor properties. They regulate water management in the body and prevent your eyesight from getting worse.
Green:
Spinach, broccoli, lettuce, kiwi. Rich in vitamin C, folic acid, antioxidants, they cleanse your body of toxins, improve concentration and prevent skin aging. They protect your retina from damages as well.
Don’t be color blind when it comes to eating your fruits and vegetables!! Have fun with them everyday!!
By Pat Barry