Education

The streets are vibrating with so much energy since the Opening Ceremonies kicked off the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.  It feels like we’re living in a different dimension. The usual everyday things are still happening, but there is also the element of the unexpected in the air.

One of which is the roving media that could catch you at any moment. I hate to sound vain, but I also feel more self conscious with all the visitors from around the world wondering the streets. Am I representing a positive image of the modern Vancouverite? Half the time I’m wondering around either on my way to or from a yoga class with my hair thrown up into a messy pony tail  and the archetypal Kitsilano yoga-gear look. It’s embarrassing to admit- but at least I AM doing yoga!

Fortunately I can say that my skin looks good.  Something I’ve become quite fond of to give my skin a healthy glow while allowing it’s natural health to shine through are the Colorescience Suncanny treatment cosmetics. A light application of pure, unadulterated minerals reflects light, so your skin has an added luminosity. In addition to this effortless glimmer, there is a subtle evening of the skin tone and an SPF 20 to secure against sun damage. I like to use the Suncanny bronzer “It’s Only Natural” to create contouring and add more dimension to my skin tone.

The greatest thing about these minerals is that they are fool proof and they don’t have the cakey, powdery look of a foundation. So flash and tape away this Olympic Season- my skin is ready to be bared- even if the rest of my attire could use some polishing!

I hope you’ve all had a chance to enjoy some of the events. Check out the Cultural Olympiad for a list of free events.

• Did you know that film and television make-up artists are turning to mineral cosmetics for their ability to cover imperfections, even tatoos, while maintaining a natural look to the skin?
• Cameron Diaz has endorsed (without solicitation) that Colorescience’s Sunforgettable SPF 30 products have helped her to conquer the acne associated with chemical based sunscreens.
• Click here to learn more about Colorescience Suncanny Mineral Cosmetics
• Book in for a complimentary Colorescience consultation

Colorescience Pep Up Gel

This has become my favorite product to apply to my client’s skin as a serum under their finishing moisturizer and mineral cosmetics.  The key ingredients contained in Pep Up Gel are pearl powder, 10% hyaluronic acid and tripeptides. Now- these ingredients are certainly quite good for the skin on their own, but in this combination, I think they are superb.

Pearl powder is purported to provide the skin with amino acids and melanin inhibiting properties while creating luminosity. Hyaluronic acid is an extremely common- yet expensive ingredient used in skin care for it’s incredibly hydrating benefits, and at 10% in this formulation, the hydrating, cooling and voluminous effect is instantaneous.  Lastly- protein peptides are all the rage in cosmetics due to their ability to improve cellular metabolism and recovery of skin cells, thus significantly reducing wrinkles and loss of tonicity in the skin.

So after all this- the icing on the cake is how good it makes the skin look, it’s an addiction, and obsession, I don’t know if I can stop myself from using it or talking about it! I heart Pep Up Gel!

It’s sure to be a favorite at tonight’s Colorescience Launch Party!

Have you used Mineral Cosmetics on your skin? What do you like about it compared with traditional make up?

Did you know that sun protection could be intelligent?

With this recent Vancouver heat wave we’ve had, I’ve been piling on the sunscreen. It’s so nice to have an early start to the beautiful summer weather.

I’ve been asking some of my clients recently if they’ve been applying sunscreen to their body and I’ve been shocked to find that people seem to only feel they need sun protection from the neck up!-unless they are outside for prolonged periods of time…

I have this dreaded vision of people in the future looking like collages of different skins. The faces of 30 year olds with the bodies of 60 year olds. I know I’m getting a little carried away with my imagination- but seriously, don’t forget the rest of your skin! It think it’s really important to think of sun exposure as accumulative. If you’re only outside for ten minutes a day- that ads up over a year to 60 hours of sun exposure. Considering that 80-90% of aging is attributed to sun exposure, you do the math…

On that note- I’m super excited about the Sunforgettable products which will be available at Spruce Body Lab next week. There are different colours and applications to choose from. There’s one with sparkles for a little feminine touch, two with very minimal pigment to even out the skin tone, and one that’s clear. It’s such an innovative concept to be able to dust on some minerals and get an SPF 30 without the mess of a cream or spray.

New at Vancouver Spa Spruce Body Lab! From Colorescience:

Sunforgettable Micronized Minerals Providing SPF 30 for Face and Body

1. Instant protection from uv radiation… no 20 minute wait!!
2. Chemical Free
3. Paraben Free
4. Highly water resistant
5. Non-greasy feeling… no more hot and sticky skin!!
6. Won’t sting, or drip into eyes… great for athletes and little ones!!!
7. Cooling effect on the skin… minerals act like a mini air conditioner on the skin!!
   • Zinc absorbs heat ( like a sponge)
   • Titanium Dioxide reflects heat ( like a car windshield sun deflector)
   • Iron Oxides are excited by sunlight and create a cooling effect on skin.
8. Easy to reapply… sunscreen should be reapplied throughout the day.
   • 80% of aging comes from incidental sun exposure.
   • Easy to apply under and over makeup.
   • 3 great colores to choose from.
9. Great for sensitive skin… Titanium Dioxide has anti microbial properties once it is activated by the sun.
   • The minerals sit on top of the skin.
   • Act like a breathable band aid to protect skin from all environmental pollutants.
   • Keeps skin clean.
10. Safe for the environment. Refillable. Won’t hurt the oceans or reefs like chemical sunscreens do.

= pretty intelligent sun protection