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Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Winter Skincare Tips
In the cold cold weather, you are less likely to have breakouts but probably more likely to have visible/large pores and dry, itchy skin. Here are a couple tips that will help you get through the cold weather with healthy happy skin:
- Use gentle soap and facial cleanser and limit the amount of cleansing.
In the winter, you really don’t need more than two facial cleansing per day. On top of that, a squeaky clean skin does not have to feel pulled or tight. And try to avoid super-hot showers, it does nothing more than dries out your skin. - Use facial moisturizer day and night and in between.
Just remember to re-apply, re-apply, and re-apply. Winter is a dry season, so keeping the skin well-hydrated is very important. Large pores are a tell-tale sign of a dehydrated skin, so are lines and wrinkles. Re-apply your facial moisturizer or facial serum approximately every three hours and your skin will thank you for that. - Find a good age-defying serum.
The dryness in the winter speeds up your skin’s aging. The drastic temperature shifts between warm and cold cause your skin to freak out, while the dryness accelerates the death of skin cells. You are more likely to have dull skin tone and fine lines, too. In the dry winter, you should add an anti-aging serum to your routine for intensive care. A good anti-aging serum is still supposed to be light-weight and fast-absorbing without the feeling of residue (your fingers and your face shouldn’t feel sticky).
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Panda is Cute! But Dark Circles Aren't!
It's the happiest time of the year...also the time when most of us stay up all night hanging out with friends and family. And those-not-so-cute-on-your-face panda eyes just creep up!! While lack of sleep can cause dark circles, other little habits that you do can also bring about dark circles. Wanna stay away from panda-eyes? Let's explore the do's and don'ts of eye skin care.
Do have a regular sleep schedule. It’s not only good for preventing dark circles but promotes healthy skin also.
Do exercise! Increasing your blood circulation will help prevent the clogging of capillaries under your eyes (also prevent water retention so you won’t have puffy eyes)
Do wear sunblock. Use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunblock that contains at least 5% zinc oxide to effectively prevent hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. tanning)
Do remove eye make-up every day. Wearing make-up for too long, the color in your make-up eventually seeps into your skin and it gets harder to remove. So don’t wear your make-up over night to avoid smearing, staining pillows, and dark circles!
Don’t stress out. The skin around your eyes reflects how well you take care yourself. Eat well, rest well, and pamper yourself...and watch the circles disappear!
Don’t rub your eyes. I call this the “mini-punch in the eye” because rubbing your eyes eventually gives you black eyes, literally. The rubbing motion pressures the blood vessels around your eyes, sometime bursting those fragile capillaries and cause bruising. Just...don’t mini-punch yourself.
Don’t overwork your eyes. Staring at the computer monitor intensively means you are working those muscles around your eyes. Give them a rest from time to time. Over-working them doesn’t mean they get stronger; they just grow tired and slowly becoming wrinkles.
Happy new year to you all! Wishing you all good health, good beauty and a great year! Don’t stay up too late! =D (Also don't forget to check out Jusei Dark Circle Solution)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas Travel Beauty Routines
Traveling is a small part of my job and a big part of my life. I love going to places, meeting people, and learning different things. But long hours on airplanes or visiting countries with drastic climates just don’t agree with my skin. I am going to share some tips that help me and hopefully you will find some of them useful too!
Beauty Routine While Up in the Air
For any non-stop flight that is shorter than 6 hours, I just bring a small tube of highly moisturizing serum (like Jusei’s Facial Serum) and re-apply every hour. For work, I often have to fly for 10+ hours. Instead of the serum, I always bring a couple pieces of facial masks with me. Facial masks are good for the plane because they are easy to carry and TSA doesn’t really check for them. The amount of liquid in a single piece of mask is also within TSA regulation, in case anyone is worried. When I am about to take a nap during the flight, I will put on the mask and nap for 20 minutes. Usually the mask doesn’t dry up after a single use, so I will re-use it again couple hours later. And that’s it!
If you are self-conscious or traveling with friends/family, then just stick with the facial serum. But I have to let you in on a secret. I used to worry about people judging me (“Look at that weirdo!! Wearing facial mask on a plane!!”) until I realized that people weren’t paying attention at all. One of the stewardess even told me that she thinks this is brilliant and she will do that next time!
Jusei Beauty currently carries three kinds of facial masks (new arrival of winter 2011): Brightening Masks, Crystal Masks, and Golden Age Masks.
Jusei Beauty currently carries three kinds of facial masks (new arrival of winter 2011): Brightening Masks, Crystal Masks, and Golden Age Masks.
Beauty Routine in Snowy Places
Wishing for a white Christmas? Don’t forget that snow equals to dry skin! Winter skincare is similar to how you dress for cold weather. Layer it up like an onion! First layer should be a light-weight moisturizer, followed by an oily (but highly absorbing) serum or lotion, and finally with sunblock (during the day, of course). Because of the cold weather, you spend a lot of time in a dry, heated room. Remember to use facial masks every other day to prevent micro-wrinkles from forming underneath your skin. Facial serum is still your best friend in the winter, so take it with you and use it whenever your skin feels tight.
Wish you all a merry Christmas and happy holidays! May all your beauty wishes come true!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Control Seasonal Skin Freak-Outs
It’s getting colder now. You change your clothing style to stay warm. Why not change your skin care style to keep healthy skin?
A week ago, a lady walked in. She told me that three months ago the products that I recommended work perfectly for her but now they make her skin dry and red. I asked her if all products, regardless the brands, behave like that for her. Bingo! Turned out that she had been switching brands every year because of this. I recommended her a few different products and she called me today to thank me for solving this problem that had been bothering her for years.
Climate and our bodies are the two main factors that affect our skin. To be honest, I am not a big skin-type person. Our skin changes as our bodies age. When you are a teenager, every gland and organ in your body is at its peak. That means you are more active, more energetic, and more likely to be classified as oily skin (or combination). As you age, your metabolism declines and your skin tends to become dry and sensitive. The season and regional climate do similar things to your skin. In warmer days, you are likely to have oily skin and lots of acne-related problems. You have more problem with dry, rough, and sensitive skin in the winter.
As you put on more clothing for the winter, you need to apply heavier, stronger moisturizers to protect your skin from dryness. In cold weather, the sebaceous glands (responsible for secreting oil to prevent water in your skin from evaporating into the air) in the skin are less active thus leading to skin’s inability to retain moisture and dry skin. The first alarm that we receive from dry skin is itchiness. Do not scratch! DO NOT SCRATCH!! Our fingernails not only are hard enough to scrap off layers of skin cells but hides a lot of bacteria also. Scratching irritates the skin and invites bacteria to have a Christmas party on your skin (and bacteria respond to this by giving you patches of redness and swells). Just apply very gentle and hydrating moisturizer when your skin is itching.
If you ever live at a cold place or been through some chilly winters, you would know the key to dressing for cold weather is layer up. And that is your rule of thumb for skin care in the winter. Layer-up just means you are adding a few more steps to your summer daily regimen. For example, I like to use toner and then serum in warmer days. Now I add day and night creams to my daily routine. I do not recommend a full-on switch because any unfinished products goes to waste and the skin takes some time to adjust to a new product. I will highly recommend that you adjust your own routine as your skin sees fit. If you have break-outs on your forehead/nose when you use facial cream, start applying the cream on your cheeks only or switch to a thick serum. For how to pick a good cream for your skin, check out Picking THE Facial Cream.
A week ago, a lady walked in. She told me that three months ago the products that I recommended work perfectly for her but now they make her skin dry and red. I asked her if all products, regardless the brands, behave like that for her. Bingo! Turned out that she had been switching brands every year because of this. I recommended her a few different products and she called me today to thank me for solving this problem that had been bothering her for years.
Climate and our bodies are the two main factors that affect our skin. To be honest, I am not a big skin-type person. Our skin changes as our bodies age. When you are a teenager, every gland and organ in your body is at its peak. That means you are more active, more energetic, and more likely to be classified as oily skin (or combination). As you age, your metabolism declines and your skin tends to become dry and sensitive. The season and regional climate do similar things to your skin. In warmer days, you are likely to have oily skin and lots of acne-related problems. You have more problem with dry, rough, and sensitive skin in the winter.
As you put on more clothing for the winter, you need to apply heavier, stronger moisturizers to protect your skin from dryness. In cold weather, the sebaceous glands (responsible for secreting oil to prevent water in your skin from evaporating into the air) in the skin are less active thus leading to skin’s inability to retain moisture and dry skin. The first alarm that we receive from dry skin is itchiness. Do not scratch! DO NOT SCRATCH!! Our fingernails not only are hard enough to scrap off layers of skin cells but hides a lot of bacteria also. Scratching irritates the skin and invites bacteria to have a Christmas party on your skin (and bacteria respond to this by giving you patches of redness and swells). Just apply very gentle and hydrating moisturizer when your skin is itching.
If you ever live at a cold place or been through some chilly winters, you would know the key to dressing for cold weather is layer up. And that is your rule of thumb for skin care in the winter. Layer-up just means you are adding a few more steps to your summer daily regimen. For example, I like to use toner and then serum in warmer days. Now I add day and night creams to my daily routine. I do not recommend a full-on switch because any unfinished products goes to waste and the skin takes some time to adjust to a new product. I will highly recommend that you adjust your own routine as your skin sees fit. If you have break-outs on your forehead/nose when you use facial cream, start applying the cream on your cheeks only or switch to a thick serum. For how to pick a good cream for your skin, check out Picking THE Facial Cream.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Make good habits a part of YOU (Part 3)
Three simple (and obvious) lifestyle tips to have great looking skin--drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat right.
At this point you are probably thinking: “ok, that’s what EVERY beauty expert would say, but it’s not easy to do!” Here is my honest advice--Make them a part of you. To adopt a habit comes down to nothing but repetition.
Eating Right
Healthy diet doesn’t just apply to people who are overweight. Eating right promotes smoother brighter skin, prevents illness, improves mood, and boosts energy (it’s just like exercising). And you are what you eat. The best news--to have a balanced diet doesn’t mean you have to give up what you like to eat completely. You also don’t need to be a chef or a nutrition scientist to know what’s good for you. Just listen to your body.
I eat just about anything. I love food. I love desserts. I LOVE chocolate. I just watch when I eat certain food and how much/often. I never deny my cravings because my body doesn’t listen to my logic. It’s better to get the craving out of the way ASAP then dwelling on it (and leading to binge eat). When I eat the food (usually chocolate/dessert) I crave, I eat very very very slowly because 1) I get to enjoy the food and 2) I can tell myself to stop after a few bites. Every bite of food takes time to travel into your stomach. After the food gets into your stomach, it takes time for your body to release a chemical to tell your brain to “snap out of the cravings now!” So portion control is all about eating slowly.
My rule of thumb for food type is: protein in the morning, carbs throughout the day, and fibers at night. That means in the morning I usually eat plain Greek yogurt with granola. Lunch is my happy hour (and when I fill my cravings). I eat whatever I want and usually a lot of carbs. 5pm is my daily work out hour. So before working out I would eat a snack if I am hungry. After working out, I would eat salad or fruits or grilled salmon for dinner. When I am stressed and need something to chew on, I eat baby carrots (no dressing).
That is what a typical day is like for me. When I am out with friends, I don’t watch what I eat but I do control my portion. The easiest way to do that is...have a few bites and talk for a couple minutes. This way I give my body a chance to tell me that I am full. Once I feel that, I stop eating. Eating until you have a food coma (or feel like you are bursting) is definitely not what your body likes.
So...slow down and listen to what your body really wants. You don’t have to deprive yourself from the pleasure of tasty food or turn down your friends when they want to go out. Keeping a balanced diet can be very simple and you can feel/see it almost...immediately!
At this point you are probably thinking: “ok, that’s what EVERY beauty expert would say, but it’s not easy to do!” Here is my honest advice--Make them a part of you. To adopt a habit comes down to nothing but repetition.
Eating Right
Healthy diet doesn’t just apply to people who are overweight. Eating right promotes smoother brighter skin, prevents illness, improves mood, and boosts energy (it’s just like exercising). And you are what you eat. The best news--to have a balanced diet doesn’t mean you have to give up what you like to eat completely. You also don’t need to be a chef or a nutrition scientist to know what’s good for you. Just listen to your body.
I eat just about anything. I love food. I love desserts. I LOVE chocolate. I just watch when I eat certain food and how much/often. I never deny my cravings because my body doesn’t listen to my logic. It’s better to get the craving out of the way ASAP then dwelling on it (and leading to binge eat). When I eat the food (usually chocolate/dessert) I crave, I eat very very very slowly because 1) I get to enjoy the food and 2) I can tell myself to stop after a few bites. Every bite of food takes time to travel into your stomach. After the food gets into your stomach, it takes time for your body to release a chemical to tell your brain to “snap out of the cravings now!” So portion control is all about eating slowly.
My rule of thumb for food type is: protein in the morning, carbs throughout the day, and fibers at night. That means in the morning I usually eat plain Greek yogurt with granola. Lunch is my happy hour (and when I fill my cravings). I eat whatever I want and usually a lot of carbs. 5pm is my daily work out hour. So before working out I would eat a snack if I am hungry. After working out, I would eat salad or fruits or grilled salmon for dinner. When I am stressed and need something to chew on, I eat baby carrots (no dressing).
That is what a typical day is like for me. When I am out with friends, I don’t watch what I eat but I do control my portion. The easiest way to do that is...have a few bites and talk for a couple minutes. This way I give my body a chance to tell me that I am full. Once I feel that, I stop eating. Eating until you have a food coma (or feel like you are bursting) is definitely not what your body likes.
So...slow down and listen to what your body really wants. You don’t have to deprive yourself from the pleasure of tasty food or turn down your friends when they want to go out. Keeping a balanced diet can be very simple and you can feel/see it almost...immediately!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Make good habits a part of YOU (Part 2)
Three simple (and obvious) lifestyle tips to have great looking skin--drink plenty of water, exercise, eat right, stay happy, and know moderation.
At this point you are probably thinking: “ok, that’s what EVERY beauty expert would say, but it’s not easy to do!” Here is my honest advice--Make them a part of you. To adopt a habit comes down to nothing but repetition.
Exercise
Exercise increases our circulation, controls weight, helps us cope with stress, improves mood, prevents a lot of diseases, boosts energy, and much much more. As I can list many advantages about exercising, I can come up with even more excuses to not exercise. I have so much other things to do; I hate getting sweaty; driving to the gym is too tiring; running hurts my knees; my workout buddy moved... These excuses all come down to two things: laziness and laziness! First, eliminate your excuses. And then combine exercising with things you love to do.
1. The gym is too crowded, too far, too expensive, etc. I have a treadmill at home, so no more excuses for me about the gym. If you don’t have exercise equipments at home and don’t want to get anything large/hard to move, get a yoga mat and an exercise ball or a jump rope. When I used to live in a smaller place, I used to run back and forth in the hallway or up and down a small step stool. I find that if I bring the exercise home, all my excuses regarding not liking to leave the house are eliminated. Keep in mind that beautiful skin and body are at stake and go do something about your excuses!
2. I don’t have time to work out. Yes you do! We all do, and we just choose not to make time for working out. I work on average 60-90 hours a week, but I still find at least an hour a day to exercise. I just combine it with things that I love to do. I love watching TV. On my day off, I’d lie on the couch and watch shows all day. So...I made a rule for myself. If I want to watch TV, I have to be on the treadmill and walk at least 3mph. Combining the things you like with something very painful is the best motivation for getting into a habit. I didn’t have time to work out, but I would make time for TV. Now I combine TV-watching with exercising, I have to make time for both. So if you like to dance, join a dance class. If you like to read, read while walking/biking in the gym. If you like hanging out and meeting new people, join a rock-climbing gym or a dance class. This combining what you like with exercise method also eliminates the working-out-is-sooo-boring excuse.
In the beginning, there is no rule about exercising as long as you make an effort keep at it everyday. As you become better at it, set goals you want to accomplish (and combine goals with easy rewards). For example, I push for the last half a mile because I want to see the ending of an episode. And one very important thing to keep in mind is--just because it works for someone else doesn’t mean it works for you. So stick with your lifestyle (but do workout for at least 20 minutes a day). I know I am not a morning person, so I stop trying to make myself get up hours before work to work out (these are the kind of exercise plans that fail very quickly for me).
(To be continued...)
At this point you are probably thinking: “ok, that’s what EVERY beauty expert would say, but it’s not easy to do!” Here is my honest advice--Make them a part of you. To adopt a habit comes down to nothing but repetition.
Exercise
Exercise increases our circulation, controls weight, helps us cope with stress, improves mood, prevents a lot of diseases, boosts energy, and much much more. As I can list many advantages about exercising, I can come up with even more excuses to not exercise. I have so much other things to do; I hate getting sweaty; driving to the gym is too tiring; running hurts my knees; my workout buddy moved... These excuses all come down to two things: laziness and laziness! First, eliminate your excuses. And then combine exercising with things you love to do.
1. The gym is too crowded, too far, too expensive, etc. I have a treadmill at home, so no more excuses for me about the gym. If you don’t have exercise equipments at home and don’t want to get anything large/hard to move, get a yoga mat and an exercise ball or a jump rope. When I used to live in a smaller place, I used to run back and forth in the hallway or up and down a small step stool. I find that if I bring the exercise home, all my excuses regarding not liking to leave the house are eliminated. Keep in mind that beautiful skin and body are at stake and go do something about your excuses!
2. I don’t have time to work out. Yes you do! We all do, and we just choose not to make time for working out. I work on average 60-90 hours a week, but I still find at least an hour a day to exercise. I just combine it with things that I love to do. I love watching TV. On my day off, I’d lie on the couch and watch shows all day. So...I made a rule for myself. If I want to watch TV, I have to be on the treadmill and walk at least 3mph. Combining the things you like with something very painful is the best motivation for getting into a habit. I didn’t have time to work out, but I would make time for TV. Now I combine TV-watching with exercising, I have to make time for both. So if you like to dance, join a dance class. If you like to read, read while walking/biking in the gym. If you like hanging out and meeting new people, join a rock-climbing gym or a dance class. This combining what you like with exercise method also eliminates the working-out-is-sooo-boring excuse.
In the beginning, there is no rule about exercising as long as you make an effort keep at it everyday. As you become better at it, set goals you want to accomplish (and combine goals with easy rewards). For example, I push for the last half a mile because I want to see the ending of an episode. And one very important thing to keep in mind is--just because it works for someone else doesn’t mean it works for you. So stick with your lifestyle (but do workout for at least 20 minutes a day). I know I am not a morning person, so I stop trying to make myself get up hours before work to work out (these are the kind of exercise plans that fail very quickly for me).
(To be continued...)
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