Top Makeup Tips for Winter Beauty

Beef Up Your Brows

After mascara and eye liner the brows can get some extra emphasis with a denser application of Brow Stylist Pencil. Or trace over pencil with a matching eye shadow using the Micro-Chisel Angle Brush for more definition and attention. Always finish by brushing brows up on a 45-degree angle with clean spoolie brush (on opposite end of brow stylist). This important step distinguishes the difference between finished and fake. 

Use Clear Brow Groom and Set Gel to set, seal, and keep brows in place. 

Stronger Eyes

The quickest way to transition your eye makeup easily and elegantly is by simply switching up the shades you usually wear between the two seasons. Do you wear Sienna brown eyeliner, then switch to Noir for that extra oomph. If you wear Noir switch to Voyage, a classic clean navy, black’s best alternative for a richer and brighter eye. Double up your mascara application for an extra boost of lavishness. For grit and glam, darken the waterline/tarsal plate, the area under top lashes and above and inside lower lashes, with a sharpened black or navy kohl pencil. *FYI — Three new universal eyeshadow palettes coming in the new year. 

Lip Lore

No need to change your lip when you boost the eyes BUT if you want that extra edge of saucy holiday glam than I recommend that you try Red instead. DDB’s ravishing Red Carpet continues to be clients’ most fav choice for the classic red lip. This charismatic, cool, vivid matte blue-red, brightens the face and makes teeth appear whiter. 

Consider the Rubis Lip Liner Pencil for a clean crisp pro finish. Pump up the glam factor with a slick of Crystal-Clear Gloss. For a tamer take, check out Brandy, a warm burnt, chili-red.

Chic Cheeks

No need to change your blush colour when the temperature drops, just apply more of it. Remember, colour plus colour equals more colour. A richer cheek is always chic.

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DDB Beauty is perfect for holiday gift-giving!

We make the holidays easy with beauty gifts for everyone. Consider gifting a Makeup Lesson, Customized Makeup Application or DDB Gift Card.  Let us save you precious time by sending your gift directly to the recipient. We will enclose a personalized note from you, to make it that much more special.

Top Skin Care Tips for Winter

As you know I love, use and, recommend Paula’s Choice Skincare, which was recently purchased by Unilever, the makers of Dove soap, Q-Tips, Vim, and my favourite Hellmann’s mayonnaise. I have it on good authority that this acquisition means that PC will be available in Canada in the very near future. Here are my top skin care tips to combat the drying effects caused by the cruelest time of the year.

If you aren’t yet using Paula’s Choice Leave-On Chemical Exfoliators, now is the time!  Discover these powerhouse “facial-in-a-bottle” miracle workers that change the life of your skin. This is your fuss-free step to clearer, smoother, softer, and brighter complexion by gently dissolving and removing the trapped dead flaking skin cells on the surface that uncover the fresh, more hydrated, polished, brighter skin beneath — reveals more radiant, polished, younger-looking skin. Allows skin to better absorb follow-up products. AHA (Alpha Hydroxyl Acid) is the ideal exfoliant to address dry skin issues, improves the skin’s moisture content, and helps to repair signs of aging and sun damage. Can be alternated with BHA for extra hydration.

Bonus Beauty Buddies: Serums/Boosters

These potent, superhero, and efficacious elixirs share high doses of concentrated active ingredients such as antioxidants, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and other skin-benefitting helpers that address the signs of aging, environmental damage at this time of year, and targets specific issues to deliver the results you desire. Serums and boosters penetrate the skin more deeply than a cream to treat and refine the skin’s surface and texture. Over time, you’ll notice the benefits of adding this simple extra step to your routine, helps meet your ultimate complexion goal. Here are my Top 4 that deliver without disappointment. Suitable for all skins. Feather-light, liquid formula absorbs quickly. Use alone or add to your moisturizer or serum.
Application: Apply before moisturizer to lock in its goodness.

Ascorbic Acid / Vitamin C Booster

Vitamin C is one of the best-researched and beneficial vitamins and antioxidants you can apply topically. With ongoing use, Vitamin C lessens the look of wrinkles and fine lines, reduces mild pigmentation and red marks, brightens uneven skin tone, reveals a more radiant complexion, and it provides soothing, skin-restoring benefits.  Available in different strengths.
Rx: PC C25 Super Booster | PC C15 Super Booster | The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Super-hydrating, hyaluronic acid holds, binds, and replenishes moisture to the skin, revives dehydrated skin, smoothes and plumps to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 

Moisture Renewal Oil Booster

This concentrated, antioxidant-enriched booster relieves dry skin with a blend of pure, nourishing plant oils and skin-renewing ceramides. Helps provide hydrating, replenishing, and restoring benefits for sensitive skin, while nourishing and revitalizing dry, dull flaky skin. 

Evaluate and Upgrade Your Moisturizer

I so appreciate the fact that Paula’s Choice moisturizers come with and without SPF and in different formulas that tailor to the changes skin goes through in the winter. If you use a “normal to oil” formula moisturizer, you may want to consider switching to the “Normal to Dry” version for that extra boost of hydration, moisture, and nourishment. Advance your skin routine further by checking out the Clinical and Resist skin care collections as alternatives that take your skin care to the next level of loveliness with fortified and proven anti-ageing top shelf, superhero ingredients such as retinol, vitamin c, and peptides that repair, restore and revitalize complexion’s function, health, and radiance.

Pamper your skin when you apply moisturizer. Think of your moisturizer as a face shield that seals in boosters, treats the skin, protects, and prepares the way for long-lasting makeup. Massage around corners of eyes (Yes, Paula’s moisturizers are safe for the eye area negating the need for a separate product and step) nose and lips. Not rushing this essential protective shield removes the need for a “primer”.
Application: Apply after cleansing, toning, exfoliator, and booster/serum. 

Lip Love: Don’t forget your lips. Paula’s Choice Lip and Body Treatment Balm is most excellent in battling the dry and chapping effects for lips, cuticles, knees, and heels of feet. 

Eyebrow Hack: Use moisturizer to tame unruly brows and groom moustaches.

* Remember, SPF is an all-year-round anti-aging measure that protects skin against sun damage - the number one cause of aging issues like brown spots and wrinkles.

Without sun protection, it’s “Rays today, raisins tomorrow.” — Loretta Young, Actress

Please use this link: bit.ly/ddbxpaula to place your Paula’s Choice Skincare order. I receive a small commission for spreading the word about this amazing skin care line.  Thank you.

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

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.

Slap Happy For Lip Chappy!

With the winter weather upon us I thought it was a good idea to re-visit the yearly issue of chapped lips.

Chapped lips are certainly the sign that winter is here for awhile.  The bitter cold and wind of outdoor weather and dry indoor heating really plays havoc on your skin, especially your lips having very few oil glands. The cracking, flaking, burning, and chapping are uncomfortable, unpretty and unwelcome. Preventing and treating parched and puckered chapped lips requires faithful dedication. Skip a day and your lips are right back where they started.

These soothing and softening sticks promise an end to tender lips stung by harsh, cold winter weather and arid climates by helping to seal in the lip’s moisture with emollients that are lubricating, repairing and protective. Keeping lips moist, hydrated, soft and protected is essential.

Slap happy for lip chappy. I’ve always advocated using a lip balm daily to both women and men. For women it paves the way for lipstick. For men it paves the way for kisses. Right after brushing your teeth use a warm, damp terry facecloth to slough off visible flaking skin. Lightly pat dry and immediately apply a good quality lip balm. This ritual keeps your lips smooth, soft and protected for the day. It only makes sense to carry and re-apply lip balm after meals and smooching. I have one stashed in every coat pocket and bag.

Choosing A Lip Balm: 

Choosing lip care products is challenging, as the market is flooded with tubes and pots of balms, salves, and ointments. Most are merely waxes in fancy packaging that don’t work.

• Avoid balms labeled as medicated which contain camphor, menthol, peppermint oil, or eucalyptus. These trick you into believing that they are “working” by creating a new but different irritation. As pleasant as these medicinal salves smell they are actually skin irritants that burn and hurt, not heal and help chapped lips.

• Look for a balm that is a super emollient with water binding agents like cocoa butter, lanolin, or Shea butter. Balms with mineral oil, natural plant oil (apricot, cocoa nut, corn, jojoba, macadamia, sun flower, or sweet almond oil), emu or squalene oil provides a protective coating from the elements while locking in moisture and treatment.

• Avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxides are also beneficial for sun protection of SPF 30 and much higher, SPF 60+ for skiers and outdoor workers.

• Buy self-dispensing tubes or roll-up sticks not jars and pots, which are less hygienic.

• Never share your balm unless it’s with the one you kiss.

• Buy in bulk – stash one into every coat pocket and bag you use. Reapply after meals and smooching.

• Persistently chapped and irritated lips are best treated by a qualified dermatologist/specialist.

Potato Chip Lips – occur when the lips have severe cracking, flaking skin and in some cases sores and bleeding which are usually caused from picking. This is where a lip exfoliating procedure comes into play. The best time to exfoliate lips (to remove dead skin cells) is after showering and brushing your teeth:

1. Apply a coating of Vaseline to your lips and wait about five minutes for it to lubricate and loosen the flakes.

2. Apply a warm wet terry facecloth as a compress to lips. Let it sit until it cools down. Use the cloth to rub off the now moistened flakes. Some people use their toothbrush in a gentle rotating buffing motion to remove the dead skin. I find it too abrasive and hard to do.

3. Massage a drop of olive oil on your lips and allow it to soak in for 5 minutes. Blot excess away and apply lip balm to lock in moisture, sooth, soften and protect.

There are manual lip exfoliants available that are a bit grittier than the kinds you would use on your face. They are applied, left on for 10 minutes and removed with gently buffing to loosen and lift away flakes. There are also “pumice stick” versions of this approach for convenience.

*Make your own scrub by mixing baking soda, salt or sugar into a paste with warm water. Massage on and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, pat dry and slather a thick coating of an emollient lip balm or Vaseline to moisturize and seal.

Don’t leave the house with a kisser full of Vaseline unless that’s how you really want to appear to the world. I am not a fan of shiny lips on men unless they’re in a dress. Blot off excess shine with a tissue to avoid this confusion.

Lip Make-Up Tips

• For easy elegance, use a tinted lip balm or lip-gloss or a sheer, emollient lip crayon to gently colour and keep the lips conditioned and protected.

• Stay away from matte, dry textured and long-lasting lipstick formulations until your lips are in their best shape.

• For more lip definition use the new waterproof lip liners out on the market. They are creamy and easy to use to line and colour the lips. It sets easily and stays-put without drying.

• Wear alone or layer with lip-gloss or a creamy moisturizer.

Be sure to carry your lip essentials with you to refresh and repair your lips anywhere. Remember, oily food is your enemy when wearing any kind of lip product. Remove lip make-up completely before casual meals like barbecues. At fancier affairs, be aware of how you eat as to minimize damage to your lips, especially the outer perimeter. If it’s gone beyond the outer perimeter, it’s best to remove lips completely and reapply in the ladies room. Touch-ups are considered acceptable at the table as long as they are just that, a touch up. A major lip overhaul requires more privacy please.

Recommendations available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

• Chapstick The Lip Moisturizer with SPF15

• Banana Boat Sport Performance

• Vaseline with Shea Butter

• Balea Lip Balm
  

• EOS (Evolution of Smooth)