I was at an event last month that was packed with executive women. There must have been 150 -200 women there and most of them had really great jobs as far as the corporate scale goes. As I sat there looking around I noticed, (as I usually do), everyone's skin and makeup and realized that with all of the products out there, so many women do not make the best of their skin. Why is it that we spend so much on our clothes, shoes and haircolor, yet when it comes to great skin, we skimp......

Please do not think that I am implying a need to be superficial, as that is not my intention at all. However, if women would learn basic good skin care and basic makeup skills, that first impression with clients could have so much more power. Women have a presence when they realize it. Women can walk into a room and say nothing and their energy can be so potent, that they immediately build credibility. Men do not often have that luxury. This may not seem like a fair assessment, but I have seen it for years on the corporate level and I would like to share a few of my tips that have worked for many moons.

If you are approaching your high thirties, early forties and higher, enough with the matte look already. Healthy skin needs to look luminous and bright. We have been so conditioned to think that oil is bad when in fact a little oil is great. If you are having breakouts, then we need to have a different discussion, but if your skin is mostly clear with only an occasional breakout, then stop trying to dry everything up! All it does is make your skin look haggard, tired and dull not to mention all of those lines that society keeps telling you are so bad that will stand out in full bloom. More on wrinkles and lines later, but believe me when I tell you, start getting used to your skin looking more moist.

How to get it there? Get yourself a great cleanser, toner and moisturizer. That is my basic good old-fashioned recipe for great skin success. We recommend Dermalogica or Peter Thomas Roth at our spas and there is lots of great skin care out there. However, you don’t need to spend ridiculous quantities of cash unless you want to. Sometimes skin care is psychological too and that can be fun, but for the most part, you should be able to get yourself started with some great skin care for less than 100.00. Some of the drugstore lines have lots of junk in them; however if you feel like your skin does well by them, give it a try. I personally promote skin care at spas for the obvious reason that it is my business, but also because we are licensed in skin care. Good estheticians know skin and usually if they are great (mine are) then they will never oversell you.

Many people ask me if I think such and such work, eye creme, treatment products etc. My answer is forthright; it only works if you use it. Seriously, this may seem like an answer that is so obvious you can’t even believe that I am saying it, however, if you right now went into your bathroom and counted all of the miscellaneous products you have bought, you would be able to answer your own question. CLEANSE. TONE. MOISTURIZE. This is your main storyline. Get that right and all of the other fun goodies will just enhance your routine.

Stay tuned for my simple makeup advice next, but let me finish this with getting yourself some great tinted moisturizer and concealer. This will be the finish to your basic skin care routine. This is an area not to skimp on, use a great product and it will be like an extension of your skin care. That is how you should view foundation, as an extension of great skin care. Follow these simple words of wisdom and your skin will thank you and feel free to call us for a complimentary skin consultation anytime. We love your skin.