The New Science of Skincare: Your Body’s “Third Brain” and How to Truly Achieve a Healthy Glow

Ever wonder why your six-step skincare regime doesn’t live up to the promise of youthful, glowing skin, and instead leaves it red, raw, dry, and over-sensitive?  In fact, using peels, strong masks, retinol, over-cleansing, and aggressive exfoliation is now known to be the very thing that causes issues with the skin in the first place. 

The skin is our body’s largest organ and has its own micro-biome which is a barrier of healthy bacteria that protects the skin.  Our body’s micro-biome is our “third brain” comprised of the good bacteria in and outside our bodies that control all of our body’s systems.  When our micro-biome is unbalanced or not receiving the right nourishment we feel sluggish, our behavior is affected, sleep is disrupted, and auto-immune disorders can present themselves, along with a multitude or other health issues. 

Just as we now know to consume pre and probiotics to feed the good bacteria in our gut, nourishing the micro-biome of our skin is key:  when the bacterial flora is damaged through the use of retinoids, acids and exfoliants, unhealthy bacteria invade causing redness, breakouts, and dryness. The skincare industry over the last decade has been flooded with products to exfoliate, peel, “purify”, deep clean, and “resurface” skin, based on the concept that slightly injured skin would heal itself, thus treating rosacea, acne, and discoloration.  Essentially, these products can severely damage the micro-biome of the skin, leaving it exposed, raw, and the perfect breeding ground for the unhealthy bacteria that causes the exact issues they are supposed to treat.

Scientific breakthroughs in the understanding of how the micro-biome protects the skin has led to the development of products that support the good bacteria with pre and probiotics in gentle cleansers, serums, and moisturizers, which are proving to be very beneficial to those with skin issues and sensitive skin.  Look for products with pre and probiotics that balance rather than strip the skin, squalene to hydrate and help the skin retain moisture, and antioxidants to protect.  Consider a three-step skincare routine that leaves your skin soothed and hydrated and let your micro-biome do what nature intended it to do:

                                                                 All products available at Sephora.com

                                                                XOXO Shelley

#thirdbrain #probioticskincare #skinsmicrobiome #newskincarescience #howtogetahealthyglow #howtofixskinissues #treatingrosacea #treatingacne #newtreatmentsforskinissues #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein 

Flight of Fantasy: Pat McGrath's Feathered Eyes for Maison Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2019, Paris Fashion Week

Sometimes a beauty moment happens and literally explodes across social media, liked and shared countless times.  The Maison Valentino Spring/Summer 2019 couture show in Paris this week had such a beauty moment thanks to the gorgeous vision and artistry of legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath who framed the models’ eyes with feathers in a flourish that complimented the ultra-feminine gowns.  The models looked like ethereal, exotic birds and added to the visual delight and drama that is expected from couture.  

How she did it:  McGrath lined the models eyes with her PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Extreme Black on both the top and bottom eyelids, creating softened cat eye shape.  She then applied false eyelashes on both lids before attaching feathers that had been dyed to match each gown.  She finished the look with her Fetish Eyes Mascara in Black.  The effect was almost like a mask that fluttered as the models moved their eyes.  Truly mesmerizing and captivating.  She finished the look with a glossy rose/nude lip with gold flecks, using her Lust:Gloss in Earth Angel on lighter complexions and Bronze Venus on darker complexions.  

Feathers available at Moonlightfeathers.com

Products available at PatMcGrath.com

I love this look so much that I am tempted to try just a single, small feather on the outer edge of each eye on date night or girls’ night, and I’ll go all out to attempt to recreate the look for Mardi Gras parties, Festival Season, or Halloween.  Who doesn’t love a feather?

                                                                 XOXO Shelley

#PatMcGrathLabs #MaisonValentino #SpringSummerCouture2019 #runwaybeauty #feathereyes #ParisFashionWeek #celebritymakeupartist #runwaybeautymoment #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein 

Winter's Most Instagrammed Hair - The Layered Lob

Ever get the urge in the new year to switch it all up? It is the perfect time to try out a new haircut, or color, or style, and this season’s most instagrammed look the layered lob with internal layers.  It’s versatile, suits almost every hair type, and is an easy look to take us beautifully through winter in to spring.  Think of it as the winter version of summer hair's sensual beach waves.  It's a look that says "my hair is naturally amazing and I just wake up looking this good".  But we all know it starts with a good cut, and if it is done well it really can be low maintenance and the easiest style to grow out.

The face-framing layers are soft, quick to style, is long enough to into an up-do, or bun for a workout, and isn’t affected by “winter hat-head”.  It works on all hair types from fine to curly to thick and wavy, giving shape and dimension.  Growing out bangs? This style incorporates the fringe making the transition look amazing and intentional.  Same for highlights which means less time coloring if that’s not quite your thing.  If bold colors are your thing then the layered lob is your new favorite style giving movement to your hair for maximum impact.

I’ve rounded up some of these looks from my favorite celeb hair stylists to inspire us.  Guaranteed we will continue to see these looks all over social media on everyone from celebrities, to the red carpet, to editorial. Heading to my hairstylist now! Happy New Year!

                                                            XOXO Shelley

#2019hairstyles #topinstagrammedhairstyles #celebhairstylists #tophairtrends2019 #newhairstyles #mostinstagrammedhair #facethis.blogspot.com #Shelley Goodstein