IMAGE SKIN CARE

Lately I've been venturing out my usual skin regime. I asked a fellow esthetician friend about a line she swears by. She uses Image Skin Care. She told me about the products and she recommended I try it out. I did my research before making my purchase. Because of my AVM and radiation, I really need to be careful with what goes on my skin.

Their mission statement "IMAGE Skincare, a professional corporation, is dedicated and committed to providing our customers with the highest integrity of service, professional products and continuing education in the field of skincare and esthetic procedures."  

If you look on their webpage www.imageskincare.com you will see the bio on founder and director. 

There are numerous products for any skin types. My skin type is oily, condition is acne prone skin and acne scars. I'm an Esthetician (yes there are very awesome Estheticians out there that have real skin conditions but still provide great services) and I needed a change up the peel I would do on myself. Only professional licensed Estheticians should do this and able to perform this. After much research and consulting my fellow Esthetician, this was the new regime for me and my new grade of peel, a Jessner peel for my deep acne scars. Microdermabrasion helps it even more but that will a later topic. 

The first one is the Ormerdic. This collection is their "organic ingredients but medical effectiveness. I got the Balancing Facial Cleanser because it's exactly what it says, balancing. This cleanser is a gel cleanser, which I love, because it foams on the skin and feels fresh. It takes off dirt and makeup and balances your PH so much that you don't need a toner. I still use a toner, but that's my preference. Best of all - it's paraben free. 

In their Ageless line, I decided to try the Ageless Total Resurfacing Masque. This is an "micro-exfoliating masque with alpha hydroxy acids" that help to resurface and rejuvenates the skin. Alpha hydroxy and often used to lighten and brighten hyperpigmentation and/or acne scars.

This masque is very important as a post treatment after my peel. It is a hydrating enzyme masque. This aids in exfoliating the buildup of dry, dull skin. It's filled with vitamins A, C, E which helps promotes healthy, more younger skin. Who wouldn't want that?

"A hydrating serum that incorporates the new technology of oil-soluble Vitamin C with the highest bio-availability to immediately soothe the visible effects of environmentally damaged skin. Vitamins A, E and highly potent anti-oxidants nourish the skin to create a healthy, youthful glow. Paraben free." This is a must as post treatment for those who does peel or laser. 

The Iluma line is amazing. This Intense Lightening Serum "Quickly diminishes all forms of pigmentation from sun spots to melasma. Formulated by plastic surgeons, this revolutionary intense lightening line utilizes Vectorize –TechnologyTM to deliver potent encapsulated lightening agents to correct and prevent pigmentation and uneven skin tone."  

I am on the 1st week of using these products. For one week, it's amazing how much the tone and texture of my skin have changed. Usually after 2 weeks you'll see a difference with any skincare line. It being only 1 week seeing that much of a difference, that says a lot about this skincare line. 

Cynthia

AVM AWARENESS MONTH

Pink is associated with breast cancer

Purple is associated with lupus 

Burgundy is AVM awareness this month. Show your support by wearing burgundy. As a survivor the radiation surgery, doctors don't know how my brain wil react in the next year or if it will shrink, how much brain damage from radiation. Everyday is struggle to have energy and do daily things with one side of my body's mobility is slowing down. 

Our brain is so complex and an AVM makes it even more complex. So bring this to awareness so our doctors and learn more about this condition. Where burgundy  

SMASHBOX PRIMER

I've had this primer in my professional kit for a while and decided I'd finally try it on myself. My skin type is oily and my skin condition is acneic. My skin can get pretty sensitive which makes it looks red. This primer helps to smooth out the skin and cancel the redness (on the color wheel, the color opposite of red is green). I haven't tried it on myself because I don't think it'll work on my skin even in  this Hawaii humidity. I did 2 thin layers  of the primer. 

It did cover some redness around my nose and cheeks. I don't think it did much for the smoothing and I could see  some shine break thru within seconds of applying it. I have handful of clients who  are oily and acneic who I've used it on. I have seen great results with their makeup using this product. In my opinion, there are more professional products that have worked better for me. It's a matter of  trying different products that works better for you. This is great primer, but not one that I prefer for myself. Let me know  what  you think my results were from the  before and after or, if there no difference. 

Cynthia

Ipsy September Bag

If you haven't hear of Ispy, you may want to look into signing up as a member. Every month you get sample size - deluxe sample size products (sometimes new). This is great for makeupartists ask they can try it on themselves and add that to their kits. These are good for aspiring makeup artists as there are makeup and skincare products, also could be added to their kits. When I started, I had a mixture of drugstore products, MAC and samples. Starting of small is a perfect way to find the 

best products that are good for your artistry, but most importantly, your clients. All you makeup junkies out there (I'm one too, what makeup artist isn't what), these are perfect for you too. All these samples, and it's all yours for a monthly fee of $10. Think about it, it's worth it. 

On to the products

Every package comes like this. Every month is a different look of makeup bag, a major plus!!! :)

This lipgloss Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss. The consistency and thickness is like MAC's lip glosses. The applicator is a doe foot, the flat doe foot ones that lets you get every curve on your lips. Talk about luscious lips. 

There is another makeup, an eyeliner. It's a Pacifica brand. The color is grayish-greenish metallic color. The pro is the color pay off is awesome, but when I swatched, the tip fell off too fast. Either making the trip from Cali to Hawaii changed the tip very soft. 

One of the highlights of this bag is this face wash, 100% organic. I have yet to try it, but I super excited. 

Last product is this luxury hand cream. The smell is so sweet and I love how it's a perfect consistently. 

 Ispy tipsy,

Cynthia

Update

I'm sorry I've been so MIA. There have been some very significant things in my life and it made me realize, makeup isn't the only thing I want to blog about. Makeup is still my passion I would gladly answer any questions, but I want my readers to really know about my life and what type of health condition I have and have to deal. I'm don't want sympathy but bring awareness to the condition I have. This condition is AVM. 

Here's some info from Wikipedia:

"Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal connection betweenarteries and veins, bypassing thecapillary system. This vascular anomalyis widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system, but can appear in any location. Although many AVMs are asymptomatic, they can cause intense pain or bleeding or lead to other serious medical problems.

AVMs are usually congenital and belong to the RASopathies. The genetic transmission patterns of AVM, if any, are unknown. AVM is not generally thought to be an inherited disorder, unless in the context of a specific hereditary syndrome."

So, being said, I have gone thru 3 gamma knife radiation surgery from July 2013-February 2014; all three months apart. The anatomy of my AVM is one the most complex out there. So complex that when I went to UCSF, one of their teachers had ask if they could "use" my brain for studies, and your damn I said, shall I ever pass away, they could take my brain to study. Hey, anything to come up with preventions for the future. My AVM is in my brain, left side that controls my mobility, speech, and comprehension. Since getting my radiation, my mobility have gone down significantly, to be honest, I look like one who had a stroke. I can't deny the fact that I have good days and really bad days that I am too embarrassed to be seen that I would stay home. My daughters (5, 4) have been understanding of my condition and have been trying to help me. One day, one day, there will be an answer to this phenomenon. 

Crown Brushes

Oh how I love Crown Brushes. I first heard about it from beauty guru veterans Kandee Johnson and Koren. I now know that Koren have teamed up with Crown Brushes to make his own line *sigh* a makeup artist can only dream. 

I've used and still have some crown brushes that I use on myself and clients. What I love about the brushes are number 1. the affordable prices 2. the quality for the buck. They're not cheaply made, you must take care of them as you would your own hair or anything of your brand name brushes. 

I got a plethora of their eye brushes including those small synthetic brushes that I believe Sigma made popular. 

Deluxe crease IB119. This brush is the perfect size for artist to get right into the crease. Perfect for blending out that cut crease. This is also  perfect for Asian eyes, small enough to get right in there instead of using like a MAC 224. 

Similar to MAC 219 but isn't precise at the 219 making it better to smudge that line til your heart's desire. Hello smoky eye's best friend. 

This brush is very interesting. It's soft, it's angle makes it so beautifully effortless with blending a transitional color. 

These are synthetic brushes that Sigma made popular as the mini of the face synthetic brushes. Does exactly the same thing Sigma brushes for a lesser price. 

The top brush is a little weird. I was expecting the brush to be more fluffy. I have to find a purpose for, maybe highlight. The other brush would be good for highlight for contour as a more precise placement. 

Tools of the trade are important, especially when it comes to your brushes. Remember to treat your brushes as if it were your own hair. Take care of them and it will help you with your craft. Just because a brush says it purpose should only be used for one purpose, be creative, almost every brush can be used for other parts of your body. It is you who is the artist, so whatever is comfortable to you, will show in your art. 

Cynthia

Glitter and pop

Eyebrows are soft. 

Smoky eyes with a pop of glitter and soft pink lips.