Tips for Flawless Facial Waxing

Image courtesy of Image Skin Clinic

Needless to say, waxing is a gift and a curse. Let’s face it. It’s just one more beauty regimen in a long list that we have to maintain. It can be a little painful and can sometimes cause breakouts that make you less cute than you were with a mustache. Just when you didn’t think that was possible. Hmph.

But done properly, with the right tools and the right products, it can get you the face you’ve always wanted. Well, it can get you closer, anyway. You’ll end up with perfect brows and a smooth face. You’ll be free from the hairs on your chinny chin chin!

Although it’s most likely the case that the actual waxing process is out of your hands, there are a few things you can do to take control of the aftermath:

1. Postpone the wax if your skin is already hypersensitive. An existing breakout or hounding hormones will only contribute to further damage.

2. Make sure your hair is at optimum wax length. If it’s not around 1/2 an inch it could be too short to grab or too long to be gentle.

3. Prep the follicles with an exfoliant and moisturizer. If they’ve been softened, they will give up the hair more readily. It will also ensure you keep the surrounding skin. (We thought you might want that.)

4. Pop an ibuprofen when you get close to appointment time. The anti-inflammatory will, er, anti-inflame. That way you can skip the swelling and take the edge off.

5. Follow up with an AHA treatment that will combat ingrown hairs and their accompanying rash. You could use something like… oh, I don’t know, Serious Serum.

Seriously, waxing doesn’t have to be a hassle. And if you follow these prep steps, your sure lengthen the life of your fresh face. Not to mention you’ll feel as good as you look.

Stay classy, subscribers!

Tags: beauty, facial waxing, holiday beauty tips, preventing waxing breakouts, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips, waxing, waxing tips

Fresh Skin Foods

Surely you know by now that your flesh is an organ. (We’ve gone over this- keep up!) And like the rest of your organs, it suffers without sufficient nutrients. Imagine, if you will, that you didn’t eat food for a whole day. Painful, isn’t it? Each cell in your body would undoubtedly react. Because skin is merely an extension of those cells, the food you put in totally changes the way it behaves.

There are a number of foods that provide wondrous nutrients to your favorite organ and a list of others that should generally be avoided. Milk is among one of the most common culprits for rebellious skin. Researchers suggest that pregnant cows producing your dairy contribute unwelcome natural growth hormones, to which your skin responds. Dump that bad boy and splash some non-dairy creamer instead!

I don’t have to tell you beauty buffs that excessive amounts of sugar is bad for, well, everything, and your skin is no exception! Worse is that often don’t realize exactly how much sugar we take in. It’s literally present in almost everything we eat and can lend itself to acne and even wrinkles. Nobody wants that. I mean, noooobody. Freshen up and swap that soda for some water, yo!

Image courtesy of PRLog

But all hope is not lost! Plenty of delectable snacks can give your skin it’s groove back. Fruits donate Vitamin C for a smoother texture. Varieties of fresh fish contain Omega 3 fatty acids to help reduce wrinkles. And while some condemn chocolate, darker options may have antioxidants that increase blood flow. Did you say chocolate? That’s all I needed to hear!

The moral is easy: If you want good skin you should eat good foods!

Tags: beauty, diet, food and skin, food for clear skin, holiday beauty tips, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips

Bedtime Cleansing Blues

Image courtesy of College Cures

Last week I mentioned that washing my face before bed is one habit I let fall to the wayside entirely too often. By the time I should wash my face, I’m far too sleepy to exert that much energy on something that will probably only make me feel more awake- I just want to go to bed! However, my personal resolution is to maintain a better skin care regimen.

I’ve found that this can be complicated because there are several conflicting arguments when it comes to facial cleansing. Some research suggests that twice a day is altogether too much and can result in drying out the skin. While still others contend that in addition to a nightly ritual, the oils that develop overnight should absolutely be removed in the morning.

It’s my understanding that no two skins are made alike, and you should cleanse your face as you see fit. Despite contradictory claims, however, it does seem that if you’re to rely on just one cleanse per day, evening is the time to do it. Makes sense, considering the application of makeup and stressors that force you to touch/rub/pick at your face throughout the day. (Also not the best habits, I concede.)

Sweat, pollutants and bacteria all settle on your face throughout the day and those moisturizes you applied in the AM have spent hours evaporating. Additionally, while you’re snoozing your body, and your skin especially, goes in to repair mode. Washing and applying lotion before bed ensure your face is hydrated and give those regeneration cells a fresh boost with a clean palette.

Image courtesy of iVillage

There is an easy compromise, though. Keep facial cleansing towelettes in your night stand. If all else fails, wipe away the dirt from the comfort of your bed so you can stay on track with minimal effort and even less guilt.

Tags: beauty, beauty tips, facial cleansing, how often to wash your face, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips, sleeping with makeup on, washing your face, washing your face before bed, when to wash your face

Bad Habits Are So 2011.

A new year means a new start, and in 2012 we’re all about fresh resolutions. We know as well as anyone that bad habits can be hard to break- Especially if you don’t recognize them for their flaws. It’s not easy to drag yourself off that cozy couch and wash your face before crawling into bed at night. (My personal worst.) But over dozens of new year’s resolutions, their successes and, well… defeats, we have learned a few tricks to help you keep yours.

Image courtesy of Ali Edwards

Sometimes breaking a bad habit can be like having a white elephant in the room. The one thing you’re not supposed to think about ends up being the only thing you canthink about. It often helps to first change your mentality. Think less about stopping a bad ritual and more about starting a good one. That way, you focus on the benefits instead of whatever you’re giving up. So get those mind over matter juices flowing.The other struggle with shaking an old ritual is that imagining the rest of your life without it can seem like a very long time. It can be intimidating thinking you won’t get to have french fries ever again. But we all know that’s not the case. (All good things in moderation.) The trick here is to focus on the short term, because it takes three weeks to make a habit. 21 days certainly doesn’t seem like forever, and there’s a chance that by that point you may not even miss ‘em. If you take it one day at a time, you’ll leave those old habits in the dust.

So write ‘em down. Remind yourself daily of your goals, their purpose, and their benefits. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself- You’ll be surprised what the new you is capable of.

Tags: 2012, beauty, health, holiday beauty tips, new year's resolutions, resolutions, serious serum

Bringing Sparkle Back

So maybe you partied a little too hard last weekend. Maybe you gave into the delicious array of guilty foods you’d normally avoid as a last hoorah for the year. And maybe, just maybe, your precious skin is paying the price. We’re not here to make you feel guilty- it happens.We are here to help you recover. It’s amazing how small changes in sleep patterns or diet can make themselves known through your complexion. A little breakout here, a little less glow there. It can be enough to make you want to dig out that old ski mask you keep for special occasions.

Resist the urge! All your skin wants is a safe return to normalcy. Here are a few easy ways to brighten up your outer shine and inner spirit:

• Get some sleep! And we mean quality, lights out by ten, Tylenol PM-type sleep. Nothing feels quite as refreshing as letting your body get the rest it needs.

• Freshen up your diet. There’s an array of fruits and veggies packed with the vitamins you’ve been missing that will have your skin singing to a different tune in no time.

• Hydrate, of course. You can pretty much bet that we’ll always encourage you to down more H2O. Remember, thirsty skin is dull skin.

If you keep these totally attainable tricks in mind, your healthy skin will come a runnin’. And it’ll probably even bounce back more quickly the next time you take it for a joy ride.

Until next time.

Tags: beauty, beauty tips, good skin foods, holiday beauty tips, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips, winter skin

Holiday Party Prep

The holiday season is great for a handful of reasons. Namely, New Years Eve- It is the epitome of party. Better yet, it’s like a party in Vegas because the next day you can wipe the slate clean and start fresh for 2012. You know, what happens on NYE stays in 2011.

Image courtesy of College Fashion

In some ways it’s even like a second round of Halloween. Us girls get to dress up in outfits we’ve spent months looking for an excuse to put on and pretend it’s not -12 degrees outside. The only downside to a party like that is that it also means you’ll have to bare those furry gams you’ve been keeping under wraps since September and guys will still be cleaning up their No-Shave November beards. (Alert: Most girls prefer not to get cut up in a midnight kiss by your stubble.) Womp womp womp.

But don’t let minor details get you down, friends. A little pampering is sure to pay off! Treat yourself to a spa visit: get a wax at your local salon and wish a bon voyage to that winter coat and those year-old woes. Follow up with a little Serious Serum to avoid breakouts and ingrown hairs and you’ll be ready to hike up that skirt and dance the night away on table tops. If you share a little with your dude, Serious Serum will smooth over his newly discovered baby face as well. XOXO.

Happy New Year to all you Serious Serum subscribers!

Tags: beauty, holiday beauty tips, holiday skin care, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips

Winter Skin Care Tips

Last week we promised to clue you in on some basic beauty care to help you save face during the frosty winter months and we like to keep our promises.

Image courtesy of The Wellness Industry

1. Hydrate. Fun fact: Your body is approximately 70% water and as we noted in our previous post, your skin is the largest organ. If you’re not taking steps to replenish your internal moisture levels, the winter has already got you beat. Remember that water doesn’t have to be boring, either. Have a cup of tea or soak fruit for additional flavor.

2. Exfoliate. Dry skin is probably the most common symptom caused by cold weather. It leaves your precious face with flaky patches that cover the fresh, glowing skin we know lives underneath. Serious Serum is a great facial exfoliant. Applying a thin layer at night will remove those extra dry layers, prep to skin to absorb more moisture, and alleviate fine lines and wrinkles.

Image courtesy of Sweet Tooth Lex

3. Moisturize. Your skin loses moisture throughout the day and a soothing cream moisturizer is easily the best way to replace it. Carry your favorite travel size that you can apply and reapply as often as possible to hydrate externally. If your extremities need extra attention, you can massage Serious Serum into cuticles, heels and elbows to deeply soften skin.

We’re here to make sure winter doesn’t get the best of you. Seriously.

Tags: beauty, dry skin, preventing dry skin, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips, winter skin

Warming Up to Winter

Winter is almost officially upon us and each time the season changes we’re faced (literally) with new obstacles to protecting and pampering our skin. Although winter does not necessarily indicate a dry climate, a drop in temperature is almost unanimous. Still, it’s not always obvious that colder weather can be just as harsh on your skin as the summer sun. The merciless temperatures can dry out your delicate skin and affect the elasticity. Yikes!

Image courtesy of We Heart It

Your face and hands are easily the most susceptible to weather damage. We learn quickly to bury our torsos in layers and wrap our necks in heavy scarves. Yet those cheeks and lips you cherish are often left bare, to face the bitter conditions alone. And unless you’re an obsessive hoarder of gloves, it’s unlikely that your hands are much better off. Discomfort, peeling, irritation, redness and stinging are all signs of weather damage.

Luckily, you are not without hope. You’ve done your research and by now know that with the proper arsenal, the cold weather doesn’t stand a chance. Nobody puts baby in a cold corner! There are an infinite number of products and traditional methods designed to help you protect the largest organ on your body (Hint: your skin). While you’re welcome to try everything in the beauty aisle, we’re convinced that you need only three things to make the biggest difference.

Check in next week for a peek at our seriously simple winter beauty tips!

Tags: beauty, dry skin, preventing dry skin, serious serum, skin care, skin care tips, winter skin

The Serious Serum Story

When it comes to healthy, smooth skin, I don’t joke around. That’s why I developed Serious Serum, a seriously strong, seriously gentle ingrown hair remover and skin exfoliant that works. Seriously.

Where did this product come from? As an esthetician for over 12 years and owner of Urban Waxx, a salon dedicated to smoothness in Portland, Oregon, I saw a need for a product that could offer serious results. I was frustrated by the ingrown hairs, redness and bumps that my clients and myself would experience after a wax- and unimpressed with the solutions on the market.

Around this time, I purchased an expensive Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) serum that was meant to be used on my face- and tried it out on my bikini line. It was strong enough to relieve any irritation, but gentle enough to use on that sensitive skin. That’s when I had an “aha!” moment of my own: why couldn’t I produce a reasonably priced AHA serum that’s meant for treating and preventing ingrown hairs?

The rest is serious history.

I’ve produced and sold Serious Serum in Urban Waxx since the spring of 2008. Our clients go crazy for it- and our shelves are constantly being restocked.

Customers and friends love Serious Serum because it works overtime. It can be used all over the body; on the face to help eliminate fine lines and breakouts, and on the body to treat keratosis pilaris.

It is fabulous anywhere that you wax or shave, including the beard line. Serious Serum can also be used to soften elbows, knees and rough cuticles.

I love this product and use it everyday. It works. Seriously.