Tips: # 1 It is very important to know your skin’s undertone coloring. Are you warm, cool, or neutral? Warm tones are yellow, orange, or red orange. Cool tones are blue, blue green (olive), or blue red (pink). Neutral tones have equal amounts of warm & cool colorings. Some professionals also view the undertones in ranges such as: very light, porcelain or white, ivory, cream, pink florid, sallow, olive, tan, brown and ebony. Foundations should be matched to your natural skin under tone and should appear as if you have nothing on. Keep in mind that the purpose of a foundation is to even out the skin tone, minimize imperfections, and give the skin a smooth, healthy glow. During the course of a year, it is recommended that you use one of two foundations. One shade for summer and another for winter. Skin tones tend to lighten during the winter months and become darker during the summer months.
#2 Before applying foundation be sure to always apply a moisturizer first, then your primer. A primer is not to replace your moisturizer. The reason behind the moisturizer is that if your skin is thirsty for moisture when applying foundation the skin will absorb the foundation thinking it is hydrating; leaving an uneven coverage. For women who want coverage that is the same consistency as a tinted moisturizer, but delivers more coverage, a great way to achieve this is to add a little of your liquid foundation along with your daily moisturizer.
#3 SPF- Sunscreen is important and can’t be stressed enough. The number one cause of aging and damage to the skin is sun exposure! Sun protection is the most important skin care product you can use everyday. The first and most important defense against wrinkles is the daily use of sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher. It can be in your foundation or moisturizer and it will help to prevent new wrinkles from developing and existing ones from getting deeper.
#4 When applying foundation be sure to apply foundation a little below the jawline. Also, if taking photos be sure to touch up the ears.

1) T.N Dickinson’s Witch hazel is a great inexpensive all natural astringent for the skin and can be found at your local drugstore.

2) Ever forget your blot powder or need to tone the shine down? Try a light dusting of baby powder.

3) To get a nice pout of the lips, after lipstick & gloss is applied use  concealer  and apply around the lips blending with brush.

4) To achieve an instant brow lift, apply a sheer layer of brow highlight above the brow.

5) To give lips a fuller appearance, add gold or silver to the center of the bottom lip. This technique can be applied to any lipstick or gloss. Remember to slightly blend.

6) Baking soda mixed with water gives a paste consistency that makes the perfect exfoliant.

shopping & Styling for eyeglasses:

1) consider frames size, shape, and color when choosing Frames. Gold metallic frames are best on individuals with warm or golden skin tones. Individuals with cool or olive skin tones look best in silver or pewter-colored metallic frames.

2) Dark frames make the face look smaller.

3) Thinner, more delicate frames flatters a small face.

The First Annual After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale Featuring Midnight Madness

Cincinnati Premium Outlets Kicks Off Black Friday

With Stores Opening at Midnight (And Some Opening at 10pm on Thursday!)

WHAT: The After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale featuring Midnight Madness is the biggest shopping event of the year! As a pioneer of midnight openings, Chelsea Premium Outlets now celebrates the tradition at all of its upscale outlet centers nationwide.

Thousands of local shoppers along with family and friends, will find incredible discounts on top of the already 25%-65% savings when the stores open at midnight (and some even earlier!), kicking off Black Friday and the official start of the holiday shopping season.

To save even more on gifts for everyone on their list (and save for themselves), shoppers are encouraged sign up for the VIP Shopper Club online for free at www.premiumoutlets.com/vip where they will receive access to exclusive online coupons, a voucher for a free coupon book, insider news, shopping tips and more.

Now more than ever outlets are the place to find top designer and luxury gifts for less.

WHERE: Cincinnati Premium Outlets (just 30 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati)

400 Premium Outlets Drive
Monroe, OH 45050
(513) 539-0710

For more information on store listings, directions, transportation and to join the VIP Shopper Club, please visit www.premiumoutlets.com/cincinnati.

WHEN: After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale featuring Midnight Madness
Fri, Nov 27: Midnight-10pm (some stores will open at 10pm Thanksgiving)
Sat, Nov 28: 8am-10pm
Sun, Nov 29: 9am-8pm

ABOUT: Cincinnati Premium Outlets provides serious bargain shoppers with savings and quality at 100 designer and name brand stores including Banana Republic, Coach, Cole Haan, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

Please visit http://www.premiumoutlets.com/special-sales-events/special-sales/Cincinnati.asp for a complete listing of promotions for the whole weekend.


Shoppers will enjoy extra discounts on top of the already 25-65% off retail offered every day.  Find great fall essentials for the whole family!

Cincinnati Premium Outlets
400 Premium Outlets Drive
Monroe, OH 45050
(513) 539-0710
www.premiumoutlets.com/cincinnati

Cincinnati Premium Outlets is located approximately 30 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati off I-75, Exit 29, in Monroe, OH.

100 OUTLET STORES
Discover upscale outlet shopping with an impressive collection of 100 designer and name brand outlet stores including Banana Republic, Coach, Cole Haan, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

Columbus Day Weekend Sale
Fri, Oct 9 & Sat, Oct 10: 10am-9pm
Sun, Oct 11: 10am-6pm
Mon, Oct 12: 10am-9pm

New Stores!
Charlotte Russe (Nov 11)
Converse
Lane Bryant Outlet (Spring 2010)
Levi’s Outlet Store (Oct 30)
Uniform Warehouse (Fall 09)

Subscribe to Fashion Impressions & refer 5 subscribers to win designer cosmetics, skin care & other promotional items.  Winner must be a Fashion Impressions subscriber & email fashionimpressions@gmail.com with the following information: name, birth date, industry and topics that interest you in beauty & fashion. One participating subscriber will be announced Monthly via email, participant has 24hours to respond once notified.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

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Day-to-day tips to deal with cancer

The Look Good…Feel Better program is a community-based, free, national service. It teaches female/male & teen cancer patients beauty tips to look better and feel good about how they look during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Chemotherapy and radiation can change your skin – make it dry, itchy, flaky or irritated. A few simple steps in the morning and at night can help you look healthier.

Even if you’ve washed with the same soap for years, now may be the time to switch to something formulated for sensitive skin. A water-based liquid face cleanser or gentle soap can help. Use warm (not hot) water to open pores and protect surface capillaries. Don’t rub with gusto or use a granular scrub before shaving: this can cause razor-burn. During treatment, when you are at risk of bleeding and infection, your doctor may suggest that you switch to an electric razor to prevent potential cuts. Warm skin first with water or hot towel and rinse afterward with cool water. Avoid alcohol, menthol or strong fragrance. If you feel you must use a manual razor (discuss with your doctor first): keep it sharp, always rinse after use, and shake off excess water without wiping. Soften hair follicles with shave gel, leaving it on your face for about one minute before the first stroke. To reduce stinging, let skin rest a bit from shaving before applying other products. To smooth and relieve dry, flaky skin, dampen a cotton ball with alcohol-free toner and gently swab over face. Next, apply a pea-size amount of light moisturizer on cheeks, forehead and chin – or just on dry patches – and rub in softly. If blemishes are an issue, avoid products with harsh disinfecting ingredients and consult your doctor instead. Sunscreen isn’t only for the sand and slopes, it’s for every day* – especially during chemotherapy, which can cause sun exposure-related skin reactions. Sunburns often occur on ears, lips, back of neck, and arms. A spray-on sunscreen makes it easier to reach a thinning hairline. Moisturizing sunscreens help out if skin is dry. Doctors warn against tanning during treatment, so if this look is important to you, ask your doctor if you can use a men’s self-tanning cream or bronzer instead. *Sunscreen use should be discussed with your doctor. Sunscreen and other products should not be used on radiation treatment areas. Be sure to consult with your doctor before using any new skin products during treatment. Using concealer to hide facial discolorations and dark circles under the eyes is a foreign concept to most men. But you’d be surprised how often it’s done. Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and sallow skin, both of which can be side-effects of treatment, can be covered using a concealer or “tint”. Find a concealer that precisely matches your skin tone, dot on any dark spots, blot excess, and blend edges until hidden. Or pick up a moisturizer with a tint and smooth on just as you would any face lotion. It’s as simple as that. http://www.lookgoodfeelbetterformen.org/ If you or someone you may know is living with cancer please help spread the word about this free educational program. For more information visit http://www.lookgoodfeelbetterformen.org/

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), washing hands is the single most important act to help stop the spread of disease and stay healthy.  That’s because, 80% of all infections may be transmitted through our hands.  In an interview today about an inevitable influx of swine cases this fall, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that, “the best thing we can all do are the very simple things, the washing of the hands, the coughing into the sleeve.”  With flu scares increasing and kids heading back to school, the greatest way to fight disease is to go back to basics.

• An ancient remedy for fighting disease, oregano oil is a naturally powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic and has been proven to break down “super bugs.” In 2004, Georgetown University released a report that it destroys antibiotic-resistant super germs such as the MRSA virus, which kills at least 12,000/year, mostly hospital staff.  Do what nurses do and find a soap that uses oregano oil, such as LUSH Cosmetics’ new 13 Soap Unlucky for Dirt, for its natural, helpful properties.
• Bar soap is more hygienic than liquid because it does not contain water, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. Bar soap naturally fights off bacteria as opposed to liquid soap that has to be contained in environmentally damaging plastic bottles.
• The act of washing hands is essential because according to the CDC, an estimated 40 million adults get sick from germs transmitted on dirty hands (yuck!).  It is vital to wash hands for at least 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday twice), but it is just as important to use a bar of soap. A bar of soap physically removes bacteria and other germs off skin and hands.

If you follow these basic tips and the others lectured by your mother, such as “Keep your hands out of your mouth,” “Stop rubbing your eyes” and “Don’t touch that” you should be safe and healthy this cold and flu season.

www.lush.com

Cereus Pour Homme No 4:Features notes of citrus, zest of crisp green apple and papyrus.

Cereus Pour Homme No. 6:Features notes of the classic Mediterranean style, shaved fennel, green cardamom, exotic spider orchid and licorice bark, soft Haitian vetiver and coral amber.

Cereus Pour Homme No. 7:Features notes of bergamot, cedar and mandarin oil, warm spices of violet, jasmine, skin musk and worn leather, natural tonka bean and Australian coach wood.

Cerues Pour Homme No. 11: Features notes of iced anise, gimlet, brisk juniper berry, cracked black pepper, and pure platinum musk.

Cereus Pour Homme No. 14: Features notes of grapefruit, tarragon and clary sage, amber cognac, violet leaves and rosemary.

*** This is a MUST Cereus Men’s Parfum 75 ml/ 2.5 fl oz. Suggested Retail price- $125.00***
Qiana Ross copyright 2009

Shoppers won’t have to travel far for outlet options & can enjoy shopping in over 100 stores. Our local outlet mall, Cincinnati Premium Outlets is now open! Be sure to join The VIP shopper club for free online access to the VIP Lounge. A member of The VIP Lounge will enjoy exclusive email updates on the center, special discounts, and voucher for a free VIP coupons book, deals around town, and insider information from your favorite brands.

To sign up go to https://www.premiumoutlets.com/vip/. Cincinnati Premium Outlet is located at 400 Premium outlets Drive, Monroe, Ohio 45050. (513) 539-0710

Qiana Ross Copyright 2009

Before discussing the aesthetics of Makeup Artistry, it is important we understand skincare and its role pertaining to makeup application. Healthy skin is key to a flawless makeup application. I had the privilege recently of speaking with Robin Townsend, a licensed Medical Esthetician with an extensive background, training and hands-on experience in clinical skin care. Ms. Townsend of Faces by Robin has an office in Kenwood serving the skin care needs of people of all colors, ethnicities and ages. She spent the last several years working with physicians in the Cincinnati area, providing skin care for many people, before recently, opening her own skin care business.

I asked Ms. Townsend to give me information specifically related to skin care concerns as they relate to African Americans. I will share much of what she related to me in this article:

Qiana: What are the most common skin care concerns that you have encountered when working with your clients that are African American?

Robin: Three of the most common skin care concerns relating to the African American population are acne, oily skin and hyper-pigmentation.

Qiana: Would you give my reader’s an overview of each of these areas of concern and what you would suggest as a means of addressing these skin care problems?

Robin: AA are just as concerned about acne as are Caucasians and they are equally likely to suffer from it. They are also just as likely to perceive their skin as excessively oily and therefore likely to over-treat it. Excess oil does not cause acne as long as it flows to the surface of the skin. If however, the sebaceous glands become clogged, blackheads result. Clogged glands can result from stress, hormones and even improper skin care. When acne appears, strong medicated soaps, strong astringents and other harsh drying products have generally been used to remove the impurities. The result is dehydrated skin that looks like dry skin. Cleansing creams that contain too much oil, cocoa butter-type creams and oil-based make-up are used to counteract the dryness, when moisture, not oil, is what the skin needs.

Stripping the skin of oils does not resolve the problem. It can even lead to even greater problems. And, in another few weeks another ‘breakout’ can appear. Because many AA do not know of all the benefits of exfoliants, these products are not used when they could be most effective. Regular professional skin care treatments along with a home regimen using exfoliants and recommended products, would help to normalize the skin. (This protocol would apply for both acneic and oily skin care concerns).

Hyper-pigmentation, (dark spots) or discolored areas are common problems among AA. There are many causes, including excessive sun exposure, allergic reaction to perfumes or medicines, irritation from abrasive scrubs or sponges, excessive rubbing or friction, or the healing pattern of the skin after a razor cut, insect bite, burn, squeezing a whitehead and so on. Most over-the-counter products would take months or years to lighten dark spots, but with professional skin care treatments plus professional-grade, daily home care products, the skin lightening process can speed up considerably if the proper steps are followed.

Daily care with three companion products is an important protocol for treating hyper-pigmentation and skin discolorations. The three products are the appropriate exfoliant, bleaching product and sunblock. Yes, AA need sunblock too!

Qiana: Do you offer these products at your business?

Robin: Yes, I do. I offer two medical grade skin care lines, along with various other speciality products and sunblocks. And, I offer medical grade chemical peels and manual exfoliation procedures. As well as basic deep-pore cleansing facials.

Qiana: Where is your skin care business located and what are your hours of operation?

Robin: I am located at The Salons@Kenwood Place. 8731 Kenwood Road. Suite #17 Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. My hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. til 6:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Saturday from 10:00 a.m. til 3:00 p.m. By appointment only. Appointments may be made by calling (513) 807-3192.
http://www.facesbyrobin.vpweb.com/
Qiana Ross copyright 2009