BATTLING ACNE- EASY STEPS TO A FLAWLESS FACE!

Posted on August 13, 2013

Hello my lovelies! I’ve been getting quite a few questions about acne recently, so I thought I’d do a little research, find out a few products that work and share this with you! Today’s post is pretty long (I wanted to be thorough) so pleaseeee stay with me!!! Acne is the occurrence of inflamed or infected sebaceous glands in the skin, usually characterized by pimples on the face. Dermatologists say that approximately three-quarters of 11-30 year olds will get acne at some time.It’s a really common skin disorder and severe cases of acne can really hurt a person’s self-esteem and social life. It can be very difficult for people to deal with, so if you’re dealing with acne, or you know a family member/friend who could use some help, I hope this post goes a long way! If you have clear skin and don’t have much to worry about, this post includes useful information on how to keep that handsome/pretty face flawless…

Before finding solution to any problem, the first step is to look at possible causes.  Genetics, Hormones, Bacteria and poor diet are causes of acne. Also, some topical products can cause breakouts. If you have sensitive skin, it is important to be careful what products you use on your face. I always say that the first step to a flawless face is sticking to a simple regimen – cleanse, medicate, exfoliate, moisturize and protect. I’ll get to that shortly, and talk about products that get the job done.

A few things to note:

•  Set up a good regimen and be consistent!
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Drink lots of water 
• Exercise!
• Get enough sleep and relax!
• Change your pillow cases often
• Ensure that your towels are clean
• Clean out your makeup brushes often
• Use cosmetic products that state they are noncomedogenic- meaning they will not clog your pores
• Use oil free and talc free products
• Use acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or azelaic acid
• Use a mild exfoliator suited to your skin type.
• Keep your hands clean
• Purchase ORIGINAL products
• Do not over exfoliate or dry out your skin, your skin will try to compensate by producing extra oils, thereby causing more zits!
• NEVER pick your face, and avoid popping your pimples if you don’t know how to do it the right way!
• NEVER scrub on your zits, or scrub your face with a loofah or sponge, it can irritate your skin and cause more pimples!
• NEVER sleep without washing your face and Ladies, NEVER sleep with makeup on, seriously!
• READ the first post on this blog—–> ACHIEVING HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

ESTABLISHING A GOOD SKINCARE REGIMEN

The key to establishing a good skin care regimen is to keep it simple. Product overload can result in more breakouts or even cause you to break out if you have clear skin. You want to use noncomedogenic products and oil free products. A lot of people have been able to cure acne and keep a flawless face, just by sticking to a good regimen!

CLEANSE: This involves using a facial wash and/or cleanser. If you do have acne, getting a facial wash/cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is probably best. It could be in gel, liquid or cream form . This basically just gets rid of all the dirt and impurities that could be clogging your pores. I use the NuImage cleanser which will probably do NOTHING for acne. I use it simply to get rid of impurities or dirt(I do not have acne prone skin), which may not have come off in the shower. I would recommend using Alba Botanica Facial wash/cleanser (pure purifying pineapple enzyme), L’oreal Go 360 Clean range, Clean and Clear , or Neutrogena’s Complete Acne Therapy system . Note that these products have worked for different people including family and friends, and are basically just suggestions. They may not necessarily work for you, as everyone’s skin is different, but they are definitely worth a try. Another thing I’d suggest for guys is using Dudu Osun black soap. If you have dry skin you might want to skip this, as it can be really drying. It contains natural properties like lime/lemon which can lighten dark spots and it actually gets the job of removing impurities done. Ladies, you might want to try using olive oil to remove your make up at night. Rinse that with warm water and then use your facial wash or cleanser. If your facial cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide, let your face dry before moving to the next step.

MEDICATE: This involves using active ingredients to treat your acne. I mentioned salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which might be present in your facial wash/cleanser. If they aren’t, be sure to apply some acne treatment with these active ingredients. Some lines of acne products come with a cleanser and treatment with these ingredients. Use a toner! This is very important as toners help to shrink the size of your pores and reduce the chances of your skin getting clogged or infected with bacteria. I use Natur Vitae Rose Water toner and this works great.  I’d recommend trying these really good brands Alba Botanica and RVB Bio-Essential Tonic Dew are really nice brands of toners. It is also great to try to stick to the same range of products in your regimen, as much as possible. However, if one product from that range does nothing for your skin, you could alternate with a similar product that suits you. This is so the ingredients in the different products aren’t conflicting (we want to avoid product overload and make sure we’re sending our skin the same message!).  Toning should come just after exfoliating/cleansing your skin, before applying treatment.

EXFOLIATE: Depending on how dry or oily your skin is, I recommend exfoliating your skin about two times a week, so you do not over exfoliate/dry out your skin. Whatever exfoliator you use should be really mild and suited to facial skin. It is important not to rub too hard, you want to be really gentle so you don’t irritate your skin and cause more break outs. The micro beads present in your exfoliator get the job done, so there’s no need to apply too much pressure. You can also try natural scrubs which I love (sugar and olive oil, or sugar and honey are great for the skin)

MOISTURIZE AND PROTECT: This is important.Use a LIGHT (no chemical conco ctions!) moisturizer with natural ingredients and SPF(ALBA BOTANICA AND RVB Day CreamSPF10). This will keep your skin healthy and prevent your spots from getting darker. You need to pick out this moisturizer carefully; it should be for facial skin, because you do not want to clog your pores. Products rich in natural oils like JOJOBA oil and tea tree oil work great. You can also apply tea tree oil , jojoba oil or extra virgin olive oil(no additives) directly to your skin, as a moisturizer. You might be thinking, ’I want to get rid of oils and you are asking me to apply same directly to my face?!”Trust me when I say a lot of people swear by these for acne treatment. Not only do they moisturize the skin, they are anti-bacterial, contain antioxidants and help to balance oil production as opposed to causing it.

Now that we have a fair idea what a good skincare regimen looks like, I’ll draw up a hypothetical skin care regimen using Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System as my guide. Neutrogena products tend to be really drying so people with dry skin/sensitive skin might want to avoid this.

CLEANSE—>TONE—>MEDICATE—>MOISTURIZE&PROTECT, add exfoliation to the cleansing step twice a week

AM:

Cleanse: After bath, use the Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne cleanser with salicylic acid. Let it dry, apply toner

Medicate: Apply Acne Control Lotion with Benzoyl Peroxide

Moisturize & Protect: Apply Neutrogena Oil-free SPF 15 lotion

 PM:

Remove makeup with olive oil,rinse with warm water

Cleanse with Neutrogena Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser, apply toner 

Medicate: Apply Acne Control lotion with Benzoyl Peroxide

Moisturize: Apply jojoba oil /olive oil/tea tree oil lightly to the skin

Twice a week: Use Neutrogena Deep Clean Exfoliating scrub or a natural mix to exfoliate

   Get it?

You can of course use a different range and create a regimen around it. You could decide to use jojoba or tea tree oil in the morning too. The important thing is to create something simple and stick to it.

Two products that I recommend as they help dry out pimples pretty quickly are the Michael Todd Kaolin Clay Detoxifying facial Mask (Apply just before bed. It helps dry out zits and reduces redness or swollenness) and Neo Medrol, which I use for the same purpose, super cheap and super effective!*Big Smile* You can get this over the counter at any cosmetic shop/pharmacy. I generally don’t have acne prone skin, but I do get a few zits now and then. This helps take those zits off my face, dries them out pretty quickly (sometimes overnight, but that’s just me!)  If you get this product, apply lightly to your face if you have so many zits, or to each pimple. Whatever products you choose, be consistent with your regimen morning and night, for at least a month before deciding that a product doesn’t work for you.  Also note that our skin changes, so if you’ve been using a particular set of products for a long time and they stop working for you, be sure to change the products in your regimen to something that suits your skin. These procedures might also help:

MICRODERMABRASION, LASER TREATMENT, FACIALS, ACCUTANE (SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR DERMATOLOGIST BEFORE TAKING THIS, IT HAS SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS), RETINOIDS ETC.

A particular range of products I recommend, especially if you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working, is the acne.org range of products. I am not associated with this brand in any way. It really is just a great brand that deserves praise. This includes a cleanser, benzoyl peroxide 2.5%gel and moisturizer. This range is practically a miracle worker, no kidding! I’d put up before and after pictures but they aren’t mine. I’ll just refer you to the site (http://www.acne.org/regimen.html) so you can read reviews and possibly purchase the product. These can only be ordered online so if you have any family member or friend who could do with the information, kindly share. Seeing a doctor or dermatologist could be of great help too.

That’s it guys, I hope this was helpful! I’d love to know what products/natural remedies work for you, please leave a message in the comment box! If you purchased any products mentioned in this post or developed a regimen after reading this post, pleaseee let me know how that’s going! You can ask a personal question or find out more about acne; follow @BelleGem_ on twitter for daily updates or send me a direct message. I’ll be more than glad to help! Thanks sooo much for reading! 🙂

PURPLE FASHION 2013

Posted on July 16, 2013 Updated on July 16, 2013

Hi guys! Its been quite a while and yes,I’ll have to admit that I’ve been a little lazy.School would be a good excuse, but hey, even students have free time too. My apologies for the delay!While I’ve been away, I have learnt a lot and had quite a few setbacks of my own. I’m still trying to figure out how to handle my hyperpigmentation. I’m dealing with it, and when I succeed, I’ll share what worked and how I think those bothered about same can take care of it too!MIU MIU

Today I’ll be talking about my obsession with the color Purple! Lately I’ve been particularly drawn to any fashion piece in this color and fashion designers like Vera Wang,Christie Brown and others seem to be loving it this year, as many collections feature quite a number of purple designs. Would I call it my fashion hue for the year 2013?I guess so! For men, Blue, Black and Gray seem to be the colors on the runway, but there’s something awfully sexy/grand about a man in a well-tailored purple piece!
MAXIVIVE

As regards makeup,Purple lips are gorgeous! There are many different shades-Blue Violet, Dark Violet, Dark Orchid, DarkMagenta, Purple(HTML color codes). Its only right to find the shade that suits you.

My favorite shade is Purple itself.I love the look! Dark Magenta/Dark orchid are pretty close, and I’m comfortable in these shades. The purple lip is bold and just really makes a statement if worn the right way. My favorite looks with the purple lip have been worn by Olivia Blois Sharpe, Tonto Dikeh and my very own Shirley Eniang.Another bold lip that I absolutely love is dark brown.I believe the best way to wear these lip colors(Purple/Dark brown) every day is with a thick winged out eye liner and Mascara. If you’re getting all dressed up, its okay to work that eyeshadow a little bit(Neutral colours like Gold and brown, or bold colors like pink/purple should work great; remember subtlety is key when you have a bold lip on!)

There are other colors I’m loving this year, like the color Turquoise. Shoes/nail polish in turquoise just appeal to me! Are there any colours you’re particularly drawn to? What hue really tickles your fashion taste buds? I just shared mine! x

WEDDING SPECIAL : BRIDESMAIDS!

Posted on April 22, 2013 Updated on April 23, 2013

It’s common knowledge that brides want to be the centre of attention on their wedding day. I can’t think of any bride that would wish to have anyone
outshine her. Some brides even go as far as dictating what the female guests should wear! I remember being so amused watching the show ‘Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?’ on Style! and on this episode, the bride wanted every guest to mail her a picture of  their outfit before the D-Day, just so she could ensure that no one looked better than her. So when this same bride showed her wedding planner the hideous dresses she had chosen for her bridesmaids, it was no surprise!
As much as bridesmaids shouldn’t take the attention away from the bride, it is absolutely important that the bridesmaids look good too. Bridesmaids add style and colour to the wedding, and make wedding photos a lot more interesting. In a way, their outfits are a reflection of the bride’s style and complement the theme of the wedding. Some factors should be considered in choosing the bridesmaids’ outfit: the theme of the wedding (whether its an outdoor, modern, classic or rustic wedding), the colours for the wedding, venue of the wedding (you don’t want them in long gowns and stiletto heels on the beach for example), the bride’s style as well as that of every bridesmaid, as they have different body types and their individual tastes . Your bridesmaid should be able to wear her pretty dress even after your big day.
There are no exemptions when it comes to colours for the bridal party.Any colour can be used, including black! All the bridesmaids do not have to be in the same hue; but you do not want the rainbow on your train so its important that the colors complement one another. You would also have to consider your wedding theme and colour .

As regards fabric, satin and taffeta are no longer the norm. We now see patterened prints (ankara, floral prints), lace, chiffon and sequins as well. If you’re not looking to have mismatched dresses,the fabric is the one thing  the bridesmaids should have in common. The dresses may differ in style and colour, but the fabric should be the same. The venue and theme should also be considered in picking your bridesmaids’ outfits. Stripes and floral patterns may be used for beach/garden weddings. Lace/chiffon could be used for church weddings. It all depends on the bride,there is no hard and fast rule.

When it comes to accessorizing- shoes, clutches, bouquets, head pieces, jewellery -are all accessories that the train usually has in common. Again,the venue and theme cannot be ignored . Heels should not be worn for a beach wedding, and  bridesmaids cannot have big clutch purses and bouquets at the same time. Jewelry should be minimal especially when a head piece is used too. You don’t want your bridesmaids in headpieces, dangling earrings , heavy neckpieces and chunky bangles, you want to keep it classy. Less is more.


Every bridesmaid has a different body type and her own individual style. This should be incorporated, without displacing the vision of the bride as well. It is not compulsory that every bridesmaid has the same cut or style (these days variety seems to be the rave), just as it’s not a bad idea if one style that flatters most body types is used too.


Note that in picking mismatched bridesmaid dresses, the key is to have at least one factor that unifies the different looks; it could be colour, style or fabric.
If you’re a bride and you’d like to shop online, these are a few links to sites that stock beautiful and affordable dresses:
http://www.bridesmaids.com
http://www.dressale.com/bridesmaid-dresses_4v.html
Dessy International (also available to Nigeria)
http://www.maberelygreen.com/Nigeria-bridesmaid-dress-gown-gallery.php (Nigeria and London)
http://www.qupidbridalsng.com (Nigeria)
Armed with all these tips,beautiful bride, go put together a beautiful train!

THE ANKARA TREND

Posted on April 7, 2013 Updated on April 8, 2013

Virtually every piece of clothing /accessory has its Ankara equivalent. Skirts,blazers,bangles,shoes,handbags, you name it! These accessories can be worn with jeans for the regular day outing or with a pretty dress on a date! The Ankara fabric has won the hearts of many, both home and abroad since it gained prominence in the fashion world, particularly in the year 2009, showcasing at The African Collective in New York, British Vogue Magazine and Vlisco Urban Beat. Gone are the days when the Ankara was termed too colourful, reserved for traditional festivities, weddings and family thanksgiving on Sunday. The Ankara fabric now graces red carpets, major runways in the world as well as top beauty magazines. Top celebrities all over the world rock the trend. Fashion designers both home and abroad make use of this brightly patterned print in their collections.

Its beauty,versatility, colorfulness and affordability are only a few qualities of the Ankara that make this African fabric stand out. The incorporation of  the Ankara print by African designers in their collections as well as intense media exposure has seen to the proliferation of the Ankara print in the fashion industry. Deola Sagoe, Ituen Basi, Duro Olowu, Christie Brown, Lisa Folawiyo are  a few designers who are responsible for transforming this local trend to the hottest thing worldwide. Lisa Folawiyo’s line, Jewel By Lisa (JBL) is my personal favourite as every piece from her collection is handcrafted. JBL was the first fashion line to introduce beaded/embellished Ankara and uses the highest grade Ankara from Vlisco.  Her celebrity clients include Kelis, Eku Edewor and Solange.

Internationally, fashion designers like Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Gwen Stefani, Eley Kishimoto have also fallen in love with African print and use same in their collections.
The Ankara trend continues to evolve every season with new prints and styles coming out every now and then. In the year 2013, I hope to see more combinations of the Ankara with other fabrics like lace,chiffon,etc. I also wish to see other Afrcan prints like the Aso Oke and Adire becoming more popular.What do you look forward to in the year 2013 as regards the use of African print, especially the Ankara fabric in the fashion industry?

SKIN LIGHTENING – WORTH THE RISK?

Posted on April 5, 2013 Updated on April 8, 2013

Skin lightening products have formed a large part of the beauty market and sky rocketing profits have been made by this industry in the last year. That alone is evidence that a large proportion of the population are indulging.  What could be the reason for this craze for lighter skin? These products promise to give flawless skin and complete transformation of a woman’s looks. Advertisements for these products, music videos and some fashion magazines portray being very light skinned as the ultimate beauty. They tend to associate light skin with success, class and sex appeal. Celebrities who have lightened successfully are a source of inspiration to many who want the same results,but go about it the wrong way. It is therefore no surprise that many women are in pursuit of achieving very light skin and want to follow this fad that the media has popularized. Looking good starts with having great skin- not getting lighter (see previous article). Like everything else, skin lightening has its own share of side effects and many  who have indulged ended up regretting sooner or later. The active ingredients in these products are more often than not, harmful to the skin and vital organs. I have often heard people who are aware of these ingredients say that they aren’t listed on the label of whatever product they’re using, and so the products are completely safe. Here’s some news: Many of these products contain toxic chemicals that are not listed on the label. Some of the active ingredients in skin lightening products  include mercury, hydroquinone, steroids such as clobetasol propionate and betamethasone. To be safe, it is important to find an all natural product and brand name you can trust (be wary of fakes). This wont give the same results that chemical based products will and it takes much longer to see any results. The active ingredients in natural products are usually Lemon, kojic acid, honey, milk, amongst others.

 HOW DO SKIN LIGHTENING PRODUCTS WORK ?

Skin lightening products work by inhibiting melanin production thereby causing the skin to lighten. They alter the skin’s natural structure and make it more susceptible to skin cancer. Some lightening products containing hydroquinone are prescribed by dermatologists to treat skin conditions like melasma (hyperpigmentation appearing as spots on parts of the individual’s body) and are usually not to be used over a period of six months. Also, little amount of steroids are put in creams to treat eczema and other skin conditions but in over the counter skin lightening products, large amounts of steroids are used in these formulations in order to give the user fast  results. Products like Maxi White and others have been banned but many skin lightening products are still in circulation. Stated below are a few active ingredients to avoid and their side effects.

 HYDROQUINONE

Hydroquinone (C6H6O2) is a severely toxic and very powerful chemical used in photo processing, the manufacture of rubber and is an active agent in hair dyes. Use of Hydroquinone in skin lightening causes thinning of the skin and makes it susceptible to wounds and bruises. Users of products containing hydroquinone may find it difficult to have their wounds heal timely and sustain cuts and bruises easily. Users may also suffer allergic dermatitis (skin irritation), and other allergic reactions such as hives ‘rash’, difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, blistering. Prolonged use of hydroquinone may also cause a skin condition known as ochronosis which causes skin thickening and hyperpigmentation hence users get darker in the long run; sometimes much darker than their original skin tone.

 STEROIDS

Steroids like clobetasol propionate and betamethasone are also used in skin lightening products. They give very fast results which are usually temporary; this makes users apply products continually, as they do not want to go back to their original skin tone. Steroids are originally meant for reducing inflammation, pain and swelling. Creams containing steroids are ideally supposed to be for treating eczema and other skin conditions and are to be applied upon prescription by a physician alongside directions for usage. Lightening is only a side effect of their real purpose. Steroids contained in skin lightening  products are usually a thousand times higher in dosage than the steroids used in creams for medical purpose, hence the overnight lightening. Steroids cause all sorts of problems such as thinning of the skin, swelling of the face and abdomen, acne, stretch marks which are usually irreversible, dicolouration, weight gain, weak muscles, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis. It can also cause the body to stop producing cortisol so there is a possibility that if one stops using these creams they could fall ill because their stress hormones have been temporarily turned off.

 MERCURY

Mercury compounds have been used in skin lightening creams for many years, and excessive use has been linked to brain and kidney problems. Mercury in the form of Mercury Chloride & Ammoniated Mercury is carcinogenic (cancer-producing). When products containing mercury are used in the long term, mercury could enter the bloodstream and damage vital organs such as the liver and kidney .This is a common cause of kidney failure.

TRETINOIN

Tretinoin is the main topical retinoid that has been used in skin lightening products. It thins the skin, increasing the penetration of other agents as well as having a direct effect in reducing melanisation. It is a prescription medication because of potential risk in pregnancy. It can be quite irritating and may cause contact irritant dermatitis.

Most people bleach to follow a popular fad. The important thing is to have healthy even toned skin and you’ ll look good in any complexion. Take care of whatever skin tone God has blessed you with. Black is beautiful too! If you MUST indulge in skin lightening, do so with natural products or under the supervision of a dermatologist – better safe than sorry. The dangers and potential risks of skin lightening have been made known to you. So, if you’ve been considering bleaching your skin, ask yourself :

Is it worth it?

ACHIEVING HEALTHY,BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

Posted on October 30, 2012

Looking good starts with having great skin.Everyone wants to have beautiful skin especially females as we are more conscious of our looks than the male folk. However,great skin is an essential for guys too! Many people spend tons of money on beauty products but end up disappointed because there are little or no results.The cost of beauty products DO NOT determine how good they are and that’s the answer if you’ve ever wondered why someone using inexpensive beauty products may look better than another who is spending a lot more. A number of factors determine how fast the skin ages and these include genetic factors (natural skin type),environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight and external factors such as smoking and frequent consumption of caffeine and alcohol.I put together a few tips that I hope would help if you’re looking to achieve healthy,beautiful skin!

TIPS TO FOLLOW

HEALTHY DIET: The importance of maintaining a healthy diet cannot be overstressed.Vegetables and fruits rich in color are great for the skin as they contain antioxidants.Vitamins A, C and E are also great for the skin and supplements containing these help to nourish the skin. Carrots, oranges, pawpaw, watermelon are sources of these vitamins.It is also imperative to avoid yoyo dieting as frequent loss and gain of weight can cause stretching of the skin which makes it more prone to wrinkles.Avoidance of excess sugar,salty food such as chips and other water retention traps would help decrease the appearance of cellulite.Anyone can have cellulite at any size so the assumption that only people on the big side are affected by this is totally wrong.It is therefore an important measure to take.

EXERCISE:Regular exercise is good for the skin as it decreases the appearance of cellulite and gives the skin a toned look. It also assists the body in performing its functions such as perspiration which enables the skin to breathe.

ADJUSTMENTS:In our journey towards achieving healthy,beautiful skin,certain adjustments will have to be made in our everyday lives. In the hustle and bustle of today’s world,stress is almost unavoidable.Hence the need for rest and adequate sleep(8hrs) on a daily basis. Also,cutting down on our intake of alcohol and caffeine is important. SMOKING IS A BIG NO-NO when it comes to having great skin. It is also important to keep the skin hydrated by drinking lots of water(3 litres or 8 glasses) everyday.

EXFOLIATE:Exfoliation is the removal of the oldest dead skin cells that cling to the skin’s outermost layer,the epidermis.Exfoliation is an important part of maintaining beautiful skin and leaves the skin feeling smooth and fresher looking. It also makes it easier for the skin to absorb moisturizers and serums. When exfoliating,it is important to use products that are mild as harsh products can chafe the skin or cause micro-tears in the skin. Over exfoliation is to be avoided as it can cause hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). It is therefore wise to exfoliate only 3-4 times a week.

MOISTURIZE: Apply a rich moisturizer to the skin daily while it is still damp. People with oily skin are to stick to oil free moisturizers. Moisturizing ingredients like Shea butter and Cocoa butter are great to look out for. Identifying good moisturizers cannot be done only by looking at the ingredients – choosing a brand you can trust and price range you will feel comfortable using everyday is also key. Be wary of skin lightening products as sometimes not all the ingredients used in production are listed on the label and some of these contain steroids,mercury or hydroquinone. Avoid such products as they give beautiful results at the beginning but totally damage and wreck the skin in the long run. More on skin lightening in my next post.

SUN AVOIDANCE AND PROTECTION (SAP) : Sunscreen! Sunscreen!! Sunscreen!!! Sunscreen lotions are very effective and help protect the skin from harmful UV rays and hyperpigmentation caused by excessive sun exposure. As complete avoidance of the sun is almost impossible (except maybe you’re in jail for a serious crime) and downright unhealthy, it is important to avoid the sun as much as possible and to use an umbrella to shield yourself from the sun(doesn’t include the early morning sun as that’s a good source of vitamin D). If it proves too much work applying moisturizer and then sunscreen,it is a good idea to buy a nice moisturizer that has sunscreen.

There you have it!Tips to keep you looking beautiful and have your friends and colleagues in awe of you radiant skin!:)

Remember: Beautiful skin isn’t always healthy, but healthy skin is always beautiful!! -Dr. Hauschka

About GermaineTalksBeauty

Posted on October 28, 2012 Updated on October 28, 2012

Hi guys!

Thanks for stopping by!Hopefully now that you’re here you won’t be leaving until you’ve made a resolve to visit again!

As someone that’s passionate about beauty(we all are to a certain extent), I decided to find a forum to share stuff that I know (through research/experience) and learn from you too!

My posts will focus on all aspects of beauty – hair, skin care,makeup,fashion trends, the whole deal!

They say beauty isn’t just about outward appearance – and I agree – but you’ve got to take care of the outside so people are interested in what’s on the inside.A pretty girl whose a meanie is a turn off too so both sides  kinda cancel each other out!

Every woman is beautiful because we’re all creatures of the Almighty (God makes no mistakes!) and it is our duty to preserve and optimize that beauty to its full potential.I hope that the posts I’ll be putting up here and the things you will be sharing would help a great deal to that effect.

I’m Germaine,let’s talk beauty!!