Make your skincare work harder!

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acne, AHA, alpha hydroxy acid, anti-aging, beta hydroxy acid, BHA, chemical exfoliation, Clarisonic, Clarisonic mia, Darphin, Darphin Age-Defying Dermabrasion, enzymatic exfoliation, enzyme, enzyme exfoliation, enzyme peel, exfoliate, exfoliation, Facade, Glyco Extreme Peel, glycolic peel, Ilona, Ilona Soft Polish, mechanical exfoliation, Natura Bisse, Tolerance Enzyme Peel

There is so much conflicting information about skincare out there, and SO many kinds of products to choose from. But this piece of information is RARELY disputed: by exfoliating your skin, you can BOOST the effects of your other skincare.

So you’ve made an investment in a fabulous serum and/or moisturizer–GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH!

What is exfoliating? Essentially, it is removing excess cells from the surface of your skin, or cells that have not been expelled within your pores, to allow the oil in your skin to be wicked to the surface properly. This boosts the radiance of your skin, prevents oil blockages resulting in breakouts, and allows your own natural oils to lubricate the skin on the surface as it should. Not only that, but exfoliation increases the circulation of your skin, and smooths the texture of the skin, giving that always-sought-after “glow”.

How does it help other products work better? One of the main things that separates great skin care from mediocre is it’s ability to penetrate the skin. If it only penetrates the very surface levels of the skin, it cannot incite much change. The deeper it goes, the better it can work. By exfoliating to make sure that pores are not blocked by excess skin cells, you will allow your products to push deeper–affecting the newest skin cells as they are being made. The lower levels of the skin are where collagen and elastin are produced, and also where the skin’s color (melanin) is produced. These affect the elasticity, smoothness, and color of the skin–which are our primary aging concerns! The powerful (and costly!) ingredients in skincare really aren’t helpful if they can’t reach–and treat–these layers of the skin.

How should I exfoliate?
Here are your options!:

1.)The most common kind of exfoliation is mechanical exfoliation. It’s physically removing the skin cells from the surface of the skin-almost like sanding or buffing it off. This can be done with a scrub that has a grit to it like Natura Bisse’s C+C vitamin scrub, $65, which uses aluminum oxide-the same ingredient used in professional microdermabrasion treatments. Darphin Age-Defying Dermabrasion, $80, uses jojoba and silica beads. We recommend these types of particles over things liked crushed nuts and pits, since these can have jagged edges that cause microscopic tears in the skin, and as a result- irritation. Mechanical exfoliation can ALSO be done with a brush, like the ever-popular Clarisonic!

The Clarisonic Mia in lavender, $119.

The clarisonic doesn’t rotate, but rather oscillates-it quickly rotates back and forth, to exfoliate and cleanse the skin without tearing or pulling. Available in a variety of colors and models ($119-$225), with brush heads ranging from soft/delicate, to stiff/tough to satisfy different skin needs. Just like a toothbrush, the brush head needs to be replaced every 3 months. Although their site recommends using it every day, I like to use mine every other day. Scrubs, should generally be used 2-3 times a week.

2.) Using enzymes. Enzymes work by essentially digesting the excess skin cells. The most common enzymes found in skin care products are bromelain, from the pineapple, and papain, from the papaya- making this a natural, generally gentle solution! Instead of only removing the cells on the surface of the skin, enzymes can penetrate more deeply- cleaning even inside each pore. Great products to try are Natura Bisse’s NEW Tolerance Enzyme Peel, $155 and Ilona Soft Polish Exfoliating Cream, $57. These kind of at-home treatments can be used as often as every other day, but should be done at least 1-2x per week.

3.) Your final option is an acid peel. There are many kinds of acids out there, from BHA’s (beta hydroxy acids: usually salicylic acid) to AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Even though some people shy away from this because of the scary “chemical” names, all of these are derived from nature- glycolic from sugar cane, lactic from milk, tartaric from wine, citric from citrus fruit, and malic from apples.)This works in a similar way to the enzyme peels, except it is typically more agressive. These can also penetrate the pores, but instead of digesting the cells, it essentially creates a controlled acid burn to remove the necessary cells. It sounds scary, but products formulated for at-home use (vs. spa or medical use) are regulated to give predictable results. Just be sure to READ THE DIRECTIONS, and discontinue use of any products containing retinol or other AHA’s a few days before and after giving yourself an at-home peel. (These ingredients will deepen the peel, but could do so in a way that isn’t easy to control, so it’s best to avoid them from mixing). One of our favorites, since it stops working after 15 minutes preventing you from going too far and scorching your skin is Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel, $225. It contains a blend of several effective acids including Glycolic, which even has purported moisturizing properties! This product is meant to be used 1-2x per week for 6 weeks. They recommend 6 weeks on the product, and 6 weeks off– try one of the other methods of exfoliation (mechanical or enzyme) on your 6 weeks off!

Come in to our store, or give us a call at 713-552-1545 and we can help recommend the right kind of product for you! We can also ship!

Even if the product picks I have mentioned above aren’t readily available to you, look for the ingredients I have mentioned to find a solution that works for you!

 

March issue of PaperCity features interview with Corinne Williams!

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Beauty For Real, Beauty For Real cream blush, blush, Bronzer, Bye Bye Pores, Bye Bye Under Eye, Corinne Williams, cream blush, ERA Spray, eyeliner, Facade Beauty, Facade Natural Touch, Facade Waterproof Eyeliner, Houston, Ilona, In An Instant, Interview with Corinne Williams, it Cosmetics, LIPSMART, Makeup, PaperCity, PaperCity Magazine, Paul & Joe 001B Bronzer, Paul & Joe Beaute, Special Occasion Makeup Tips, waterproof eyeliner

We are thrilled to share that the owner of Facade, Corinne Williams, was interviewed for a piece in the upcoming issue of PaperCity! PaperCity is a local publication available free in Houston with articles about fashion, trends, events, and Houston society.

Here’s your sneak peek of the interview! You can pick up a copy of PaperCity here at Facade or at several other local businesses throughout Houston!

Want the products Corinne mentions?

Bye Bye Undereye from IT Cosmetics is $25 for a tube that will last you at LEAST 3 months. Bye Bye Pores also from IT Cosmetics is $25. These products are absolute MUST-HAVES as far as we’re concerned! The entire concept behind IT Cosmetics are products that look realistic even on High Definition television. If it’s good enough for that, it’s good enough for us!

Beauty For Real Cream Blushes, $30. We sell the “Beauty For Real” collection too! Each of these creamy blush compacts have two colors in them. In a beautiful dusty rose tone with a soft highlight color called “Get Lit/ In the Pink” and a gorgeous bronze color with a gold highlight called “Goldrush/After glow”. We recommend Using the pink and/or bronze on the apple of your cheek, and either of the highlight colors on the tops of cheekbones for a beautiful, dewy glow. The bronze/gold colors will be beautiful in the upcoming spring/summer months!

ERA spray foundation, $55, by Classified Cosmetics comes in a variety of colors, provides great coverage that looks like real skin, and contains skin-loving ingredients to soothe and heal sensitive or blemish-prone skin. Plus it’s WATERPROOF so you can dance all night long even in Houston’s high humidity and know that your look will last!

LIPSMART, $30, is a beautiful hydrating lip plumper. Old plumpers basically used ingredients they KNOW will irritate your lips to the point they swell–which accounts for the extra volume they provide. It’s usually not harmful–most companies use products like peppermint extract, but it IS irritating. Lipsmart, on the other hand uses ingredients that encourage water retention on a cellular level. Over time, the skin cell swells to accommodate the extra water molecules giving you plump, luscious lips without the sting!

Paul & Joe Beaute 001B Bronzer, $40, is beautiful for paler complexions. It doesn’t have any sparkle in it, and lends a soft beautiful warmth that never looks heavy or dirty.

Facade Natural Touch Foundation, $50, is Corinne’s liquid version of the ERA spray foundation. Great for girls intimidated by the spray application. This formula also feels a little lighter once on and therefor feels better on less oily skins than the spray foundation. It too, is a waterproof formula.

 

 

 

Facade Waterproof Eyeliners, $22. These are THE best eyeliner pencils for lining the inside membrane of the eye HANDS-DOWN. Available in 10 stunning shades that really last! When the nights over and you’re ready to remove, just use a waterproof eye makeup remover like “In An Instant” from Ilona or vaseline works very nicely too!

De-Coding Cosmetic Labeling Symbols

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12M symbol, 6M symbol, Coalition for Consumer Information in Cosmetics, cosmetic labeling, cosmetic symbols, cruelty free, Darphin, expiration symbol, FSC, green dot, Ilona, it Cosmetics, jar with lid symbol, Jessica, leaping bunny, makeup expiration, Natura Bisse, not tested on animals, Paul & Joe, period after opening, PETA, Revitalash, T Le Clerc, use after opening date

There are so many symbols on your products–I bet many of them look familiar to you.  But do you have any idea what they mean? There are so many it can be confusing, but many of them convey very important information! From skin care, body products, makeup, and even shampoo, many boxes, bottles, and jars don one or more of these symbols. Some are on inner packaging (the product itself) and others are on outer packing (the box the product comes in).

The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol is commonly found on packages of creamy or liquid cosmetics formulations. It indicates how long the product is safe for use after opening. “12M” in this example means that the product will be good for 12 months after opening. The quantity is typically in “M” for months, and the number of months can vary. If you know you’ve bought it before that time frame or you can’t honestly remember when the last time you used the product was, odds are you should toss it! In the future, you could write the date it was opened on the bottom of the jar using a permanent marker. If your product does not carry this symbol it may simply have a stamp saying something like “EXPIRES 10/30/2013”. I know from experience how tough it can be to throw out expired products- especially when they’re expensive–but the fact is that the ingredients are no longer stable or the ingredients are breaking down by the time indicated. This makes the product less effective, and potentially unsafe since it can easily harbor bacteria. Sunscreens are especially important to throw out after the time indicated because  the SPF may not be consistent with its labeling if the ingredients have begun to break down. If the product smells rancid, has turned a different color, or has changed texture–it’s safest just to get rid of it. You can help your products last longer by keeping them out of direct sunlight, or extreme temperature changes.  This symbol is found on products by Darphin, Ilona, Natura Bisse, it cosmetics, T Le Clerc, Paul & Joe, Jessica by Jessana, and Revitalash (to name just a few) all of which, we carry at Facade.

The Estimated Sign symbol appears next to the mass or volume of a product on its packaging. It certifies that the actual contents of the package comply with specific criteria for estimation (basically, it promises that it has as much of the product in the container as it says it does). This is also on many products including Darphin, Ilona, Natura Bisse, Paul & Joe, Classified Cosmetics ERA Spray, and T Le Clerc.

The Refer to Insert symbol means that additional information is included in a separate leaflet or insert in the packaging. The box, bottle, or jar, may not have had enough room to print thorough instructions or precautions.  This can be found on products by Darphin, Natura Bisse, Paul & Joe, and Revitalash, for example. It’s likely worth your while to read carefully any information included with skin care to make sure it’s used properly.

The Green Dot symbol  lets consumers know that the manufacturer of the product contributes to the cost of recovery and recycling.  This can be with household waste collected by the authorities, or in containers in public places such as parks and outside supermarkets. The system is financed by a green dot license fee paid by the producers of the products. Fees vary by country and are based on the material used in packaging (eg paper, plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, etc). It began in Germany, and now is extended to many parts of Europe. Essentially–the system encourages manufacturers to cut down on packaging as this saves them the cost of license fees.  It is one of the most commonly seen symbols on cosmetic packaging and is often confused with the recycling symbol–it does NOT, however mean that the package is fully recyclable. It appears on products like Darphin, Natura Bisse, Jessica, Ilona, Classified Cosmetics, and T Le Clerc.

The Ecocert symbol indicates that the product or product manufacturer is certified by Ecocert regarding their practices in relation to organic, fair trade, and sustainable development efforts. Darphin’s Aromatic Care or Aromatic Elixirs sport this symbol.

The Forest Stewardship Council (or FSC) has a few different On-product Labels, each meaning different things-all promoting the responsible management of the world’s forests. Darphin’s newest outer packaging bears the “Mixed Sources” symbol. Click on the link above to view the symbol and learn more about their standards.

There are also various “cruelty free logos” out there, including the The Not Tested on Animals logo is supported by Choose Cruelty Free (CCF), the Leaping Bunny symbol supported by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), and the Cruelty Free logo supported by PETA. (it cosmetics sports the cruelty free logo on all of their products- BYEBYE Under-Eye, BYEBYE Pores, BYEBYE lid lines, etc).

Keep in mind that many companies do not use animal testing for their products or ingredients, or may use organic ingredients–but acquiring these certifications takes a lot of time and money–which ultimately raises the cost of the product.

Also important– the recycling symbol! This symbol is typically imprinted into the (typically plastic) container the product comes in, or may be printed on the outer (paper or cardboard) packaging. The recycle logo will have a number in the center. Different cities accept different types of plastic and your recycling center may not accept them all. The City of Houston, however DOES accept almost all plastics, and if recycling isn’t picked up where you live, there are several drop off centers locally.

There are many symbols out there. These are just several of those most commonly found–especially in our store. There are also symbols for products that are highly flammable, are vegan, are organic, or aerosols that do not emit CFC’s. Many of these SAY exactly that. You’ll start noticing these symbols EVERYWHERE now!

Flawless Foundation

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airbrush foundation, CLASSIFIED Cosmetics, Coffeeberry, dewy foundation, ERA Spray, Facade, Facade Beauty, facade foundation, Facade makeup, Facade Natural Touch, flawless foundation, foundation, Foundation Brush, Ilona, Ilona Realistic Foundation, Jennifer Reyna, long-wearing foundation, matte foundation, PRIORI, realistic foundationd, Sponge, spray-on foundation, waterproof foundation

The goal of using a foundation is to even out the skin tone- to conceal mild imperfections in the skin, and cover redness. The best foundation makes it look like you just rolled out of bed and your skin just HAPPENED to be that perfect.

You should wear the lightest coverage you can get away with. We like brands that have beneficial ingredients, offer a buildable coverage, and won’t clog pores. At FACADE we have four formulas that we use depending on your type of skin, and your own personal preferences. Find the formula best suited to you below!

ALL SKIN TYPES:
PRIORI Coffeeberry Skin-perfecting Foundation $45

This mineral foundation is available in a variety of colors from very fair to quite dark. The company also makes a beautiful finishing powder, a “concealer” formula and a bronzer. It should be applied using a PRIORI powder brush in a small circular movement to buff it onto the skin. The smaller PRIORI concealer brush can also be used with the same color for more coverage in areas that require it such as under the eyes or over a blemish.

ALL EXCEPT DRY SKIN TYPES:
FACADE Natural Touch Foundation $50

This is a liquid mineral foundation that gives beautiful coverage but keeps skin looking REAL. It is WATERPROOF so it will last throughout the day–even in high humidity. Wet the sponge it comes with in the sink and then wring out the excess–it should be DAMP, not dripping. Absorb 2-3 pumps of foundation completely into the sponge. STIPPLE the foundation onto your skin using a dabbing motion (instead of a wiping motion). This product is even safe around the eyes, which means you can get away with using less concealer! Usually 4-6 pumps total will cover the entire face. You can layer a little more if extra coverage is desired. Can be used alone or with powder.

DRY SKIN:
Ilona Realistic True-To-Skin Foundation $60

This foundation is water-resistant, has an SPF of 11, and has such a realistic coverage they’ve used it for filming High-Definition Television (HDTV). In fact, it was used on actors and actresses in the 2010 film Up In the Air starring George Clooney. This foundation is a thin liquid so it doesn’t make dry skin feel tight, and leaves it with a dewy finish. Use it alone or with powder if you would prefer a matte finish. To apply, absorb a nickel-sized amount into a sponge and STIPPLE onto your skin using a dabbing motion (instead of a wiping motion). Repeat until entire face is covered. Layer for additional coverage if necessary.

 

OILY/ ACNE-PRONE SKIN:
CLASSIFIED Cosmetics ERA Spray-on Foundation $55

Spray-on foundation keeps application quick and simple.  This waterproof formula comes with a small disposable headband and mini puff. Shake VIGOROUSLY before using the first time for 2-3 minutes. Each time after, shake about 2-3 SECONDS. Holding about 6-10 inches away from your face, mist in a zig zag motion. Using a large puff (or the small one it comes with) PRESS over the whole face. This bursts the color molecules making them adhere to the skin. After this is done, use a light buffing motion to blend and pick up any excess color. Apply another layer if necessary. Skin is left with a beautiful air-brush finish. Use alone or with powder. This brand also makes a spray-on foundation primer that helps even the texture of the skin. Jennifer Reyna, who does the traffic for Houston’s KPRC Local 2 gets her ERA in color R4 to keep her looking great on camera.

Finding the right COLOR is important!

Wearing the wrong color is one of the BIGGEST mistakes a woman can make. Once you know the formula you want, try on the color before leaving the store to make sure it’s the right one. Ask an artist for help! The right color, when tested on the jaw line should look like it almost disappears into the skin without doing a lot of work to blend.

FACT: Many women go back and forth between shades depending on the season. Most will go up a shade (or 2, or 3) in the spring and summer and bump back down in fall and winter.

MYTH: USING A SPONGE WASTES PRODUCT
FACT: You’d be surprised just how much you can get out of the sponge when you use that dabbing motion–sometimes even when you think there’s nothing left, another dab over a blemish will cover it completely.

MYTH: USING YOUR FINGERS GIVES THE MOST NATURAL APPLICATION
FACT: Using your fingers typically provides MORE coverage (which can look fake). Using a sponge (especially a DAMP one) helps more evenly disperse the color.
FACT: Foundation brushes DO give a nice finish, but sometimes apply product more heavily than a sponge would, and can be very costly. Sponges can be cleaned and re-used, but are inexpensive to replace.

Try a regular wedge-shaped sponge sold at FACADE or at the beauty section of stores like Target, CVS, or even your grocery store. But our new FAVORITE sponge is this latex-free “Oblong Blending Sponge”!!! The pointed end allows you to get around your eyes easily and the rounded side is great to quickly cover cheeks or to blend! I don’t know who else has them, but we do at FACADE!!! $3 each.