Air Brush Tan

On a whim I got an air brush tan the afternoon before going to Kauai. Here is what I learned from the process. First, prepare your skin: exfoliate and shave before you come. In addition, do not add any lotions to your skin. Second, come in old clothes (even braless if you can). The stain will rub off when first applied. (It does wash out.) Third, plan on not showering for about 12 hours and then just with water at first. (I watered my plants shortly after the spray tan and got a drip mark on my leg--it did fade). Forth, when you shower the first time, do not be alarmed that lots of brown tan goes down the drain, you'll still have a tan. Fifth, the tan will last about 4 days, so if you are going on vacation you're natural tan should kick in by then if you get out into the sun. Sixth, buy the tan extender to keep the air brush tan skin moist. Last, be aware that rubbing will wear off the tan. I went hiking with sock and boots and guess what--the tan wore off from ankles down.

Was it worth it? YES. I loved wearing all my resort clothes with this great tan. I saved my skin from lots of sun damage. It was not the expensive either. I may occasionally just have my legs done to cover all the blotchy spots I have.

I used Integrity Skin Care Salon at 350 Lake Ave. in Pasadena. www.integrityskin.com

Healthy Skin and Your Diet

I recently attended a talk by Dr. Jessica Wu, M.D., a very stylish and attractive dermatologist, who wrote the book, "Feed Your Face". I was very impressed by the information she imparted that did not involve invasive procedures. She recommended certain low cost over the counter products and changes in your diet in achieve more radiant healthy skin. Naturally I bought her book. It covers all the areas of concern from acne to aging skin, plus hair and nail health. Did you know that the lycopene in tomatoes can help prevent sunburn and UV radiation damage? Dr. Wu writes in such a personal style that you feel like your best girlfriend, who just happens to be a dermatologist, is giving you some woman to woman advise. The book is very organized and formatted with tip boxes, case studies, chapter summaries. I highly recommend it.

www.feedyourface.com

Part I

Skin Basics and top skin enemies

Part II

Chapters on various skin concerns with causes and solutions

Part III

Feed Your Face Diet

Part IV
Make-at-home skin care products

Dermatological procedures

Incredible Facial

I had the most incredible facial from Patty Bunch in Toluca Lake (Burbank). For one and a half hours I was pampered from head to toe literally. Patty worked through all the facial steps while her assistant massaged my legs, feet, arms and hands.

I have recommended Patty to my clients who needed their makeup done for special occassions. Patty is a professional makeup artist in the entertainment industry and has been nominated twice for an Emmy. When she is not on a set, Patty is at her charming bungalow in Toluca Lake doing both makeup and skin therapy.

During my session she had her facial steamer going as she cleansed and did two exfoliation treatments. Then she gave me a oxygen treatment to increase my collegen. Lastly, she gave me a deep pore masque. My skin was radiant afterwards.

I am scheduled next to have a middle microbrasion. I'll post about this later.

Go to www.pattybunch.com It's a great site with Patty speaking and photos of the bungalow.

What not to economize on

Please do not economize on your skin care. You will regret it years later when this whole mess is over. At the minimum cleanse with a PH balanced product, use a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen and a good night cream. Now I happen to sell a product I researched and love, Arbonne Swiss formulated skin care. But I also like Dermalogica. Both companies use botanically based ingredients, like natural oil. Do avoid mineral oil. Lots of lines use this cheap oil which is often given other names on the list of ingredients. Mineral oil sits on the top of your skin. Now this is great to prevent diaper rash and mineral oil (a petroleum based product) is the main ingredient in baby oil. It act as a barrier to the acid in urine penetrating the skin. You want a oil that goes into your skin. This is what I like about Arbonne it selects only natural oils and uses their nanosphere patent to assure that the product does penetrate the skin to provide the benefits that reduce aging.

My photograph shown here was taken in the last year. It is not retouched. I have been using Arbonne for about four years. I am 62 years old. My skin is moist and elastic. Beyond Arbonne I credit sunscreen and hats, exercise, a healthy diet and flax seed oil daily.

http://www.wardrobeperfect.myarbonne.com/