A Little Lip: Our Team’s Favorite Lip Coats for Summah + The 5 Things You Need to Know about Lip Care

During summer months a great pair of sunnies, a slick of SPF, and a schmear of lippy are all you need to look pulled together -- fast. We’d rather spend time laughing with friends, dipping into the ocean or pool, or sipping an elixir than re-applying makeup in the heat. While we adore so many of the color trends for this summer: fuschia! coral! red tints! apricot! we each picked our go-to favorite lip combinations for summer to share with you.

Leah: Odacité Aventurine Kiss lip serum with G.M. Collin Repair Lip Balm on top. When I’m hiking, on the mountain boarding or by the water, I always use Elta MD’s Lip Balm SPF 31. That’s it!

Carey: Ok, first off, I get my lips microdermed every month to make sure they’re smooth! And my favorite lip hydrator/gloss in one is G.M. Collins Lip Plumping Complex in rose.

Dr. Julie: I love, love Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip in Bahama Brown.

Krissy: I am obsessed with Chanel Rouge Coco #119

The 5 Things You Need to Know About Taking Care of Your Lips

1. Don’t touch or lick them -- doing so not only becomes a habit, once your hand leaves your lips and the saliva dries, they will feel drier than ever.
2. Hydrate -- dry lips are a sure sign of dehydration
3. Keep them hydrated overnight and during flights (oh hi there, GM Collin Repair Lip Balm -- sold out 3x already this year!)
4. Use a mild lip scrub and/or have your lips exfoliated during your microdermabrasion treatments
5. Do not let them burn! Not only is it painful, but it can also inflame the herpes virus and increase your chances of getting cancer. 

Do Face Mists Really Do Anything?

Yes, if you choose wisely, facial mists can improve your skin’s hydration and soften skin for up to six hours according to a Skin Research & Technology study. The Study also showed that the half-a-micrometer mists penetrated cells the best.

Some people call face mists the best “two-second hack” you can add to your routine -- easy to use, big benefit.

Beyond that, clients tell us there are three top reasons to use them.

1. Keep one in the fridge and mist when you’re over-heated or feel flushed.
2. Keep one at your desk, and mist (even over makeup) when you’re hella stressed. It’s a beautiful feeling and encourages you to b r e a t h e.
3. One of our clients decants her GM Collin Hydramucine Treating Mist into a tiny sprayer (re-purposed vessel) and never flies on a plane without it, having noticed the considerable difference in her pallor without it.

Much like essences (popularized in Asia), facial oils and micellar water, face mists are an underrated product in the world of skin care. While many people wrongly assume a face mist is just overpriced scented water, a quality mist is actually much more than that if you choose the right kind.

Facial mists are a versatile beauty essential that fight dryness, brighten a dull complexion, and help revitalize tired skin. Plus, they work with every skin type.

“A facial mist can be refreshing and hydrating to the skin. It’s especially useful for those who have sensitive or extremely dry skin, travel frequently or live in dry climates,” says Dr. Kally Papantoniou, a New York-based cosmetic dermatologist.

“Face mists that don’t just have water, but also ingredients that promote hydration and water retention work best,” says Dr. Papantoniou.

Here’s a brief guide to help you choose the right facial mist:

For Dry Skin: Look for mists that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalane. These ingredients boost hydration and plump skin cells. “They also help to hold in moisture and heal the damaged skin barrier,”

For Normal or Combination Skin: “Normal and combination skin can get away with using more varied ingredients, a balanced mist that contains hyaluronic acid, rose water, and essential oils, if desired, would work well,” notes Dr. Papantoniou.

For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: “Face mists that are oil and silicone free should be used to prevent clogged pores and oil build-up,” says Dr. Papantoniou. Rose water and aloe-based mists can be very effective in reducing inflammation and soothing acne-prone skin. “Face mists rich in antioxidants such as green tea are also helpful in reducing inflammation associated with acne,” she adds.

For Sensitive Skin: Pick a face mist with a basic, hydrating formula that’s gentle on your skin.

For Fighting Signs of Aging: Facial sprays that contain ingredients like tea extract, Vitamins C and E, pomegranate extract, alpha, and beta hydroxy acids and grapeseed extract are great options.

We have personally tested, recommend, and carry:
Odacité Hydra-Purifying Mist $42

• Purpose: Hydrate & purify oily, acne-prone skin
• This clearing facial mist is a very effective and innovative way to infuse your skin with purifying actives while offering sufficient oil-free hydration.
• Each tiny drop of this divinely scented mist is formulated to care for oily, breakout-prone skin and promote a fresh, clear appearance.
• Rich in a compound similar to salicylic acid, Willow Bark helps to visibly clarify the look of pimple-prone skin as it deeply purifies and minimizes the appearance of pores. Aloe Vera infuses the skin with optimum hydration while Green Tea extract delivers powerful antioxidants.
• Peppermint is a powerful ally that helps to remove excess oil and reduce dullness.
• This mist instantly brings back comfort and glow to the skin.
• 100% NATURAL • GMO-FREE • VEGAN • GLUTEN FREE

GM Collin Mists to address various concerns including sensitive, moisture, and purifying. $38

SENSIDERM TREATING MIST
For sensitive skin of all types.

• A fragrance and alcohol-free moisturizing mist that provides a superior soothing effect.
• Treats sensitive skin, thanks to its magical formula composed of honey and aloe vera extracts.

HYDRAMUCINE TREATING MIST
For dehydrated skin of all types.

• A toning mist that restores cutaneous hydration and allows the skin to protect itself against dehydrating conditions better.
• Contains botanical and natural extracts.
• Leaves the skin feeling refreshed with an immediate sensation of comfort.

PURACTIVE + TREATING MIST
For normal to oily skin.

• A purifying, hydrating, and mattifying mist that minimizes the appearance of pores.
• Soothes and purifies the skin.

All About Retinol: The Absolute Best Anti-Aging Skin Care Product You Can Use

What is the one thing that effectively increases collages, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, fights acne, and evens out skin tone? Yep, Retinol.

If you know Leah, then you know this already! But what’s new is how many ways you can get retinol into your skincare routine.

What you need to know about retinol and your choices:

• All retinol is a Vitamin A derivative
• Prescription strength is still the strongest/most potent
• But!
• These include tretinoin (sold under brand names like Retin-A, Atralin, and Renova) and tazarotene (Tazorac) and adapalene (Differin), which the Food and Drug Administration approved in 2016 to be sold without a prescription.
• You can get the same results with these, it simply takes longer due to potency
• Irritation can happen
• We advise you stair-step this into your regimen and always use it as your PM skincare base so it has close contact with skin and doesn’t have to get “through” any other products to do its job
• Use a pea-sized amount ( unless your skin care professional directs you to use more)  2x/week at night to start
• after 2 weeks, increase 3x/week
• after 2 more weeks (5-6 weeks total), try every other night on bare, clean skin
• After 2 additional weeks, apply every night
• Reduce frequency if irritation occurs
• Redness and irritation do not equal “it’s working harder”
• If you are struggling, ask your skin care professional to help; there are ways to “buffer” the strength of Retinol at home but you get some guidance!
• Using Retinols in your 20s is the right time to start, if you’re over age 20, start now.
• Pregnant or nursing? Do NOT use.
• Using only one form is recommended. So, if it’s prescribed, plus you have it in your face oil, and you have it in a serum -- that’s too much. You won’t get better results. The key is to use the form that has the potency you need to reach your goals and in a form you will use consistently.
• Not sure? That’s what we’re here for! Ask us anything on social or bring it up at your next facial.

The Leah Nickie Advanced Aesthetics Team Picks Their Personal Favorites

LEAH
“When you start hitting the 50 age range, your priorities definitely change. You start noticing a little laxity along the jawline, deeper lines, texture changes, pigment popping here and there. As the owner of a busy aesthetics practice, a wife and a mother, I learned quickly to prioritize skincare and services that focus on collagen production. So, if I have to pick only one, it’s microneedling.”

CAREY
“Wait, you’re asking a skincare addict to pick my favorite?! … ok, it’s an Algo mask. The feeling of it is immensely relaxing and the quiet, while it does its magic, is a respite. And your face looks cushion-ey and bouncy when it’s done!”

JULIE
“Dermaplaning. The gentle scraping away of the old surface skin cells somehow feels so strangely satisfying. I love the way my skin radiates and glows afterward.”

KRISSY
“I had seriously the most amazing facial by Leah herself. I was able to completely detach myself from the reality of daily grind, and just be. She has the ability to allow one to disconnect from the outside and feel so relaxed, cared for, and pampered, all while reaping the benefit of having my skin feel better than it has ever felt.  All this plus a very reasonable and uncomplicated plan for upkeep! The peels are wonderful too as I deal with skin problems that many others also face... the dreaded melasma and more dreaded aging process. But facials are my favorite.”

Bridal Botox (and Grooms!)

With the general beauty trends focused on fresh, dumpling skin (dewy glow) and hair with some natural movement, we’re betting that this Spring and Summer will have brides and their allies looking for ways to freshen up their natural look.

In the right hands, a round of Botox 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding can result in a youthful but hard-to-figure-out-why-you-look-so-great result that lasts up to four months. Hello, photographs! Hello, honeymoon sans much makeup! And honestly, we are seeing more and more grooms getting a Botox service as well.

• It’s the first and only treatment FDA-approved to temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow's feet and forehead lines look better in adults
• A quick 30-minute treatment with minimal downtime
• You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours for moderate to severe frown lines and will see full results in two weeks.
• It delivers predictable, subtle results, so you look like you, only with less noticeable facial lines

Krissy Melvin and Dr. Julie Seaman are true masters at the art of Botox and facial anatomy. Call us for a free consultation where your treatment plan can be discussed, personal questions answered, and a budget set: 303-527-0101

• Krissy’s dates & rates: Wednesdays $12 per unit
• Dr. Julie Seaman dates & rates: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays $13 per unit

Q: How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
BOTOX® Cosmetic targets one of the underlying causes of frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines — the repeated muscle contractions from frowning, squinting, smiling and raising the eyebrows over the years. Your specialist will inject these muscles with BOTOX® Cosmetic to temporarily reduce muscle activity. You will begin to notice a visible smoothing of the frown lines between your brows, your crow’s feet lines and your forehead lines.

Q: Will my face look overdone or unnatural?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment. You can trust BOTOX® Cosmetic to deliver subtle results when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained and a medical expert in facial anatomy. So you’ll look like yourself—only with less noticeable lines. No one should be able to tell you’ve had anything done.

Is Smoking Pot Bad for Your Skin in the Way Cigarettes Are?

While CBD is now in skincare, lippy, mascara and more things every day -- what effect does smoking weed have on your skin?

Smoking weed has no known benefits to skin as of February 2019. Yes, we know CBD does not have THC and is not the same as 'weed' but what we wanted to find out was if there were documented effects (good or bad) from smoking pot.

Unlike topical CBD you are still smoking. According to dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group  which Dr. Nazarian said,

"Cannabis has reports of causing a constriction of blood vessels with consumption or smoking, which would make it harmful for skin by decreasing blood flow, killing off skin cells, and even forming ulcers." On the flip side, Dr. Nazarian says she is a big fan of topical CBD and prescribes it to patients with burns, eczema, and poison ivy. (via PopSugar)

If you are in a state where marijuana is legal, and you prefer or require ‘flower’ (weed sold as green-ish dried flowers vs. an edible, tincture or another form), it is reliably better to ‘smoke’ through an electronic vaporizer (like a PAX) to nearly eliminate the harmful side effects associated with smoking a burning joint -- which are very similar to cigarettes. The main difference is that you are vaporizing the weed versus combusting it at higher temperatures.

Essentially, just like smoking, regular use of joints can lead to increased lip lines and some carcinogens entering your body -- although fewer than smoking a cigarette. Generally speaking, cigarette smokers are smoking and puffing, more per day than someone using legal or medical marijuana which would decrease negative side effects for your skin including wrinkles, dryness, and restricted circulation.

There isn’t a lot of science available on this but more is coming. From what we’ve read, we are proponents of vaporizers if you are going to ‘smoke’ flower legally. With excellent skincare, internal hydration, and a healthy diet, we believe the effects are minimal if you are using a vape to dispense your legal marijuana.

Image by the talented @KimKeever.art

She creates mesmerizing imagery by dropping paint into water and photographing the results through the glass wall of a 200 gal. aquarium.kimkeever.com