DIY: Glitter nail polish. Have you ever walked into your favorite drug store or cosmetic provider looking for glitter nail polish? Of course! Did you ever just think I wish I could mix this one and this one? Well, now you can with this super simple diy project! Glitter nail polish to match every outfit, yes please! (via The Beauty Department)
<3 Chelsey, ModStylist
Need styling suggestions, trend tips, or dress details? Ask a ModStylist and your question might be featured on our feed!
Easy peasy!
Mixing Skin Care Products: do's and don'ts!
Beautylish has a great article about what to watch out for when using different products on your skin. It’s definitely good to know, especially if you’re trying to get more from your skincare regimen.
When I developed Nectar Skincare, I wanted to make sure the formulas worked well with other products for this main reason. As a longtime acne sufferer, I was unaware of the adverse reactions and ended up getting long term scarring from layering benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. So, when I sat down with chemists to create Nectar, I wanted products that wouldn’t interfere with what my dermatologist prescribed.
Nectar is pH balanced, aloe vera-based, and engineered to complement existing skincare regimens, whether you’re treating acne, recovering from treatments or simply wanting to pamper your skin with natural products.
Feb. 1, 2012 marks a whole year since the development of Nectar Skincare! I can’t wait to share what’s next for us, stay tuned and follow us for updates!
Sincerely,
Celeste
Owner, Nectar Skincare
How to Apply Eyeliner: 10 looks for beginners and pros
Eyeliner is a quick and easy way to dress up your everyday look. It’s my favorite part of my makeup routine! There are so many different styles and ways to draw a line— here are some tips from TotalBeauty.com, a great source for beauty and skincare advice!
“Sorry, but if you’re not the new princess of Wales, there’s no excuse for wearing the same blasé eyeliner day in and day out — especially when there are so many different, outrageous ways to use this essential makeup tool. Whether you’re an eyeliner rookie or a winged-tip-wearing-snob, we break down the basics and bring you the expert techniques you need to master these stunning looks on your first try. ”
For a refreshing toner that’s gentle, try our Skin Soothe Toner! It’s a cool blend of aloe, cucumber, and ginseng.
$24/6oz on http://www.nectarskincare.com
What’s toner for and is it necessary? Learn more now!
We’re making our NYFW debut this week!
The YOON by Jessie Yoon show will have deluxe Nectar Skincare sample sets for 100 VIP guests.
Each set includes:
- Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (.5 oz)
- Fresh Face Cleanser (.5 oz)
- Skin Soothe Toner (.5 oz)
- Day Elixir (.17 oz)
- Glow Therapy (.17 oz)
We’re so excited for the East Coast to try our samples— hope you like them! Happy Fashion Week!
How Influential Are You? Tell Your Friends About Nectar!
For every 10 friends you Tweet, email or FB message about Nectar for SSGB, get 10-25% off at the Nectar Skincare Shop. Just tag, @reply or forward the message to Nectar Skincare for verification. Tell 50 or more and get 25% off plus free shipping and a deluxe sample set of our products for free!
Send your friends and followers here to vote for Nectar Skincare: DailyCandy - Start Small, Go Big! 2011
Support minority-owned, female-led businesses! Who run the world? GIRLS. :)
Vote for Nectar at DailyCandy's Start Small, Go Big!
I have bad skin. Luckily, I also have big dreams.
Earlier this year, I followed my heart and decided to start a business with the goal of helping others be happy and healthy. Nectar Skincare helps me do that, one face at a time. After much research and lots of work, I have developed a line that is as gentle as natural remedies, and as effective as prescription-grade skin care. I no longer have trouble with my skin, thanks to the products I’ve worked so hard to create. My products are now sold through our online shop at http://nectarskincare.com!
Since our launch in July, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our products and — I honestly don’t know how this happened, but I’m honored nonetheless — out of more than 3,000 businesses, mine was chosen as a finalist for DailyCandy’s Start Small, Go Big small business competition!
Winners will not only receive an all-expenses paid trip to NYC, but valuable mentoring and business planning sessions with industry veterans like the owners of Fresh cosmetics and Kate Somerville. Past winners have been set up with retailers, public relations opportunities, and the perfect clientele base— things I have only been able to dream of since I started developing my business earlier this year.
Here’s how to help:
You can vote once every day by clicking on the link above, with as many email addresses as you have. Share or reblog this with your friends! Don’t forget to tag/e-mail/message @NectarSkin, and we’ll give you a promo code to use in our shop or free samples to try!
The contest ends Sept. 16th, so we have 20 days to go! Let’s do this!
Q:How do I get my skin from looking dull and unhealthy to looking bright and healthy?
The number one rule in healthy skin is adequate moisture. Too much moisturizer can make your skin oily, but too little keeps your skin dry and dull. The perfect balance can give you a great glow, and this is achieved by doing the following:
1. Hydrate! - Personally, I hate the taste of water, but it makes a difference in the long run, especially when it comes to glowing skin. Try drinking a lot of water for just a week, you will definitely notice a difference in the elasticity of your skin. Why does this help? The main reason for skin dehydration is simple, your body isn’t getting enough water. Without water, your body can’t function at its best, flush out the toxins in your system, or moisturize your skin from within, because it needs that water elsewhere for cellular functions and energy. Check out this article from the Mayo Clinic about how much water you need for a healthier body! (If you don’t like plain water like me, try some lemonade powder, like those from Crystal Light. Tastes much better!)
2. Exfoliate! - The topmost layer of skin is mostly dead skin. Gross, I know, but it stays there until it sheds naturally or you take it off. My suggestion is to exfoliate at least once or twice a week with an exfoliating treatment, then regularly use a good moisturizer and night treatment to maintain the skin. Great ways to add exfoliation to your regimen include cleansing with a washcloth, exfoliating moisturizers, milk baths, or by simply massaging your face in a circular motion when you cleanse. Retinoids, Alpha Hydroxy, or moisturizers with Glycolic Acid like our About Face Renew, have exfoliating agents to encourage cell regeneration and exfoliation, which leads to better skin moisture and clarity. As for the milk bath, milk is a natural source of lactic and Alpha Hydroxy acid, which break the bonds between the patches of dry skin cells. Just add a few cups of milk to your bathwater, scrub down with a wash cloth, and voilá, smoother skin.
As with all products for the face, it’s best to be gentle. Some skin types can’t handle the hard abrasive kiwi seeds or apricot scrubs, and sometimes, these can get stuck in your pores and irritate your skin more. You can get a great exfoliating effect from enzymes that also break down dead skin cells, like pineapple or papaya. Our Glow Therapy Light formula contains pineapple and papaya enzyme, plus aloe vera gel to ensure the least irritation. You can get it on the Nectar Skincare site for around $30.
3. Moisturize! - When you put moisturizer on, you want it to reach beyond this topmost layer of dead skin, and the best way to do so is to exfoliate regularly and put moisturizer on after. Moisturizer is, in my opinion, the second most important part of your skincare regimen, after cleansing. Be sure to choose a moisturizer that has good humectant and emollient ingredients, as these trap moisture and keep it on the skin. You may find that it helps to put moisturizer on damp skin, because the ingredients and hydrophilic (that means water-loving) molecules will attract anything with water, even the water that is already in your skin cells.
As for upkeep, keep a little spray bottle around and mist your skin every once in a while. It’s refreshing, rehydrating, and a great way to set your makeup for a good, healthy glow. Try a highlighter instead of powder foundation, just on your cheekbones and on the bridge of your nose. Powders can weigh you down, especially if you have dry skin. If you use loose powder, you can just mix some powder with a bit of moisturizer for a more hydrating application. Also, don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun! Use something with SPF everyday!
Hopefully these tips help, thanks for your question, livingonestep!
Questions, comments or suggestions? Leave a comment on our blog at nectarskin.tumblr.com. For more from Nectar Skincare and to learn about our aloe vera gel-based products, go to http://www.nectarskincare.com.
A Simple Skincare Routine
Before going to bed and after waking up in the morning, follow this simple four-step skincare routine that keeps skin clean, healthy, and moisturized. It’s essential to have a good skincare routine, especially if your skin is sensitive or acne-prone. Make sure your hands are clean before touching your face.
Step 1: Cleanse.
The cornerstone of all good skincare is clean skin. A small amount of cleanser should be massaged all over the face in circular motions to break up dead skin cells, makeup, and dirt. Rinse the face clean, then pat dry.
Depending on your skin type, you might want to try different cleansing techniques. Some cleansers are more effective if applied to a dry face with wet hands. As always, see what works best for you.
Step 2: Tone.
Toning the skin is important to maintain the skin’s pH and further cleanse the pores. The main ingredients in toners are extracts with anti-septic properties like Witch Hazel. This helps to prevent bacteria from forming blemishes or irritating the skin. Toners and astringents are considered interchangeable, but the main difference is that astringents use higher amounts of alcohol or antiseptics and can therefore be too strong.
If your skin is very dry, then skip the toner in the morning and use it only at night.
To apply, wet a cotton ball with toner and swipe along face in long, sweeping motions to remove excess dirt and leftover cleanser. Another way to apply toner is to mix 1 part toner with 4 parts purified water, and put it into a spray bottle. It can then be used as a mist, which is great for setting makeup.
Step 3: Treat.
Not everyone will have a treatment to use, but if you have skin problems that require more than just moisturizer, this is the time to do it. Treatment comes before moisturizer and after cleansing for maximum penetration and efficacy. You want the treatment closest to the skin, and then just layer your moisturizer over it.
This is the time to put any topical creams, prescriptions, or serums. Apply treatment to face evenly.
When it comes to skin products, great results take time. It is often unnecessary to use a thick layer of treatment, especially if you are using a retinoid or acne product. Too much can cause bad reactions and be too strong for the skin. A light application is enough to get results, and is less harmful.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to do treatment only every other day or so., depending on your skin’s tolerance of the product.
Step 4: Moisturize.
Moisturizer is integral to the skincare regimen. The key to great skin is balance. Whether you’re oily or dry, it always helps to use moisturizer to maintain healthy skin and prevent blemishes, aging, wrinkles, and dehydration. A perfect moisture balance will result in clearer skin, as your skin is neither compensating for oil loss after cleansing nor lacking moisture.
A good moisturizer will be packed with emollients and humectants, which bond water to the skin.
Smooth a small amount of moisturizer gently and evenly over the face. If your skin is very dry, it helps to apply moisturizer while the face is still damp, even wet, for deeper moisturizing. Follow with sunscreen in the daytime, or substitute moisturizer for night cream in the evenings.
Though it may be difficult to establish a routine, continued maintenance is the best form of prevention and relief from all kinds of skin problems. No matter what, good skin starts with great skincare.
Let us know what your favorite skincare tips are! Leave a comment, send us a Tweet, or write on our Facebook wall!
- Celeste
