The Biggest Cause of Ugliness...

If you have that niggling feeling you should be wearing a sunscreen, but aren't - read on.  Keep reading also if you're unsure your current sunscreen covers all the bases, because:

THE SUN IS THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF UGLINESS!

So you know the sun causes skin cancer, melanoma and sun burn.  And you probably apply sunscreen to prevent yourself from burning in the Summer.  But did you know the sun, not getting older, is also the biggest cause of ugliness?

Wrinkles, redness, sagging, loss of elasticity and firmess, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, and sun spots...these things we often attribute to ‘getting old’, but, in reality, it’s not age, but the SUN that is the biggest cause of these!

Even while you don't burn, the UVA rays of the sun, which penetrate deeper than the burning UVB rays, cause wrinkles, sun spots and permanent UVA damage - yes, even without a sunburn - and within the first minute of sun exposure.  You probably don’t bother slip-slop-slapping just to get your mail from your letterbox, or drive to the dairy, but these small ventures out into the sun accumulate in damage to your skin.  This everyday sun exposure, as opposed to spending long periods on the beach or outdoors, is called ‘incidental’ sun exposure and is cause enough to apply sunscreen daily, no matter where you work or live.

Paula Begoun, “The Cosmetics Cop” says, "If you are not using a sunscreen of some kind (lotion, cream, gel, serum) with SPF 15 or greater, that contains the UVA-protecting ingredients of avobenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, Mexoryl SX, or, outside the United States, Tinosorb, then you are doing nothing of lasting value for the long-term health of your skin."

Did you get that?  Spending money on the latest-science moisturiser or splurging on beauty treatments is all for nothing if you are not using a great sunscreen.  Using a UVA/UVB (broad spectrum) sunscreen SPF 15+ will protect you from most of the damage caused by the sun and lessen the development of all the above skin challenges, plus deadly skin cancer, melanoma and sun burn.  Those of you who are budget-conscious will be pleased to know wearing a great sunscreen daily is your BEST form of skin care.

BUT GREAT SUNSCREENS ARE HARD TO FIND...

When asked by a customer what sunscreen I recommended, I was going to recommend both a Mary Kay brand sunscreen and the Neutrogena one I was currently using (Age Shield SPF 55), but first I checked the updated 'BEST SUNSCREENS' list on Beautypedia.  And I'm so glad I did.  

Beautypedia is an online review database of all the big name beauty brands.  The 'best sunscreens' lists are  here and here.  I found the Neutrogena one had been removed from the 'best' list, due to a sensitising preservative.  So I looked for another one I could recommend alongside the Mary Kay sunscreen (wanting to also offer an alternative brand) but I found all these best-rated sunscreens are either not on the NZ market, outrageously overpriced...or both!  
Feel free to do the research for yourself, but I can tell you very few of the sunscreens on these lists are accessible in NZ at a reasonable price.  You need one that's not so expensive you’re afraid to apply it liberally, as you need, for effective protection.  

The Clinique SPF 30 body cream is good at $41, but the Mary Kay Very High Protection Sunscreen SPF 30 is an even better deal at RRP $28.50.

Mary Kay Cosmetics (MK) is not available in stores or online, but only through MK consultants - of which I am one.  I invite you to piggyback on the orders I make for my business, so you, like me, can have access to this best-selling and highly rated brand.  Using my personal shopping service is easy.  Just email or call me with your order or to request a product recommendation.  Pay with credit card details (VISA or Mastercard) or internet banking online.  

Now, defending against the biggest cause of ugliness is easy peasy!  And I am always more than happy to make a product recommendation from within or without the Mary Kay range.  If MK does not have what you need - or a better or cheaper  option exists that I know of - I will tell you.

Read more about Mary Kay Cosmetics and my NZ-wide personal shopping service.

Mary Lambie on Makeup: PART TWO

Former broadcaster now businesswoman, Mary Lambie, before speaking at the Sebel Hotel, Trinity Wharf.

Background:  When I heard Mary Lambie was speaking at a local women's business event, I used the power of social networking site, LinkedIn, to contact her and request an interview. Having been in broadcasting for 20 years (including 'Good Morning'), but recently making the switch to operating a Subway franchise, I figured she'd have something to say about makeup, practicality and life.


Mary agreed to chat where she was staying at the Sebel Hotel and, in return, I applied her makeup for the event while we talked. Her three energetic children were in tow, having come down that day from Auckland for a weekend-long volunteer recognition event - Mary's husband Jim Mora (of TV's 'Mucking In') arriving later. 

This is part two of the interview.  Didn't see part one?  Subscribe for free to get the Beauty Bulletin the original article appeared in.

PART TWO - Makeup Mishaps and Challenges

Having set up my kit in her apartment, I ask Mary whether she has any favourite makeup techniques.

"Because I very rarely do my own I don't have any great tricks.  It pays to spend some time with your eye lashes - lengthen them, curl them, really mascara them well.  Good use of brushes.  I'm not really big on sponges, I tend to use a brush over a sponge and sometimes fingers, because fingers seem to warm up the foundation so it looks a bit more natural and blends in a bit quicker."

I open my makeup kit to start applying her makeup.  "That's a very tidy makeup box, compared to Paula's," she chuckles.  And I'm stoked.  All the various brands I use and their mismatching product make my kit look a bit 'mish-mash', but if it's tidier than that of a TV makeup artist's, I'm quietly pleased...

What technique has most changed the way Mary applies makeup?  "The foundation and how people put it on.  I remember, it started with fingers and then they moved to sponges and they used to disintegrate all over the place, then everyone went to brushes.  Another techniques that's changed is quite a few of the artists do eyes first, then foundation last.  I'm not sure if I like that, I'm not sold on it, but quite a few do that."

Any memorable makeup mishaps?  "One day for the TV I had a big purple [eye makeup] look going on and, blow me down, my eyes wouldn't stop watering.  They just ran and ran.  I think it was just the once as the girl wasn't my normal makeup artist.  But I just remember when I walked into the studio and the lights were really bright, my eyes were streaming and mascara was going everywhere.  There was a great big fuss of panic and we had about a minute until going to air.  My makeup artist said it would settle down but of course it didn't, it got progressively worse through the course of that morning, and the more I thought about it the more they seemed to water.  It was just dreadful.  Even thinking about it now makes my eyes water."

I ask whether she's ever experienced 'bad' makeup backstage:  "No-one wants to get out of the makeup chair looking worse than when they went in and when that happens it's soul-destroying because there's never any time to repair it.  Some makeup artists just don't have the knack.  I've certainly encountered that.  And you know professional hands.  You can tell very quickly whether they're onto it...or not."

Of what beauty asset is Mary most proud?  "I'm told I've got good hair.  It can do anything, it behaves itself."  

And current skin challenges?  "Wrinkles.  Fighting dryness.  I use less foundation now.  Foundation on an old skin looks hideous, It gets stuck in the crevices.  It looks so dreadful, but they still pile it on for the cameras."  But there's still a need for foundation:  "A good foundation evens you out, so you're not a blotchy face, you're even-toned, one colour.  And there are some beautiful foundations out there."

So how do you look so well-groomed?  "I don't," Mary says matter-of-factly.  "The key to being well-groomed is good shoes.  Good shoes, good jewels.  Good skin is good too, you've got to take care of the base layers."

In a world of changing trends, and complicated style do's and don'ts, this is sound advice.

Latest 'Before & After' Photo

Camella, a customer who often orders makeup through me, booked me to do professional makeup for her 13-year-old daughter's model portfolio photo shoot.  These are just the amature photos I took on my camera, so I can't wait for the professional images once they're ready!

Florence had her photos taken against a white backdrop in her home, then went with the photographer and her mother to La De Da Boutique in Tauranga's 1st Avenue.  Florence was fitted in various looks for her model photo shoot, with the help of owner Tania Greenwood.  

Florence - BEFORE

Florence - AFTER

Bookmark this blog (or make it a favourite) to see the professional photos here as soon as I post them up.  

Until then:  I was in La De Da just yesterday, and a sniffly and blocked up me (sinuses!) received lovely service from Susan, and a beautiful, feminine, flowing tunic that, if you're local, you'll surely see me out and about in.  Browsing or buying in La De Da is an indulgent way to brighten up any Winter's day.  And they've got a SALE on their Vigorella stock right now.  You can follow La De Da Boutique on their facebook page.

Black Mascara Is Not Always Best

Seen here, some of my fave mascaras, clockwise from left: Mary Kay Lash Love (NEW!) in I ♥ Brown ($31), Max factor Lash Extension Effect in Brown/Black (About $30), Covergirl Lash Blast Volume in Black ($23).

Have you ever considered using something other than black mascara?


Black mascara is NOT best option for everyone. It's great for those with naturally black or dark hair but for those with brown (like me) or blonde hair, brown mascara is more flattering.


Black can be 'overpowering' and look too stark or contrasting against paler features - and fake too. How could your lashes ever be naturally black when your hair is blonde (or red or auburn, for that matter)?? It has the potential to look 'tacky'. Swap to a brown or brown/black mascara. You'll still have depth and definition without the fakeness of a true black and it will harmonise better with your natural colourings.


See the difference in the photo above? A true brown like MK's Lash Love in 'I ♥ Brown' will also better suit natural redheads and those with naturally warm colourings (light those in the 'Spring' or 'Autumn' colour seasons) - plus it enhances green eyes.


One exception: On the occasion you wear very dark eyemakeup, go black - you'll need it for your lashes to stand out against a dark, bright or dramatic backdrop.

Honest Beauty Advice or Salespitch??

Last week this deal featured on GrabOne daily deal site and I thought to myself, "Wow, that's a great deal...but only IF you're happy to receive biased recommendations and have your makeup lesson in public..."
If you really want to know what suits you, in private and without the salespitch, visit my website for info on makeup lessons or seek out a mobile makeup artist who gives lessons but doesn't use just one brand and can offer unbiased recommendations.


You'll pay more for unbiased recommendations, rather than advice attached to a brand, but that's the trade off.  As consumers, it doesn't benefit us to get our product recommendations from those who exist solely to sell product, ie any retail counter or beauty department whose main business is retail.


It makes perfect sense from a business point of view to offer lessons based around a brand (and they'll make more money doing it this way than I will on product sales!) - but it's not totally beneficial for the customer: Women shouldn't put their appearance and image at the mercy of one-sided product advice. 


I avoid this by:
• Choosing to use various brands in my makeup kit, as no one brand is failproof and has the best of everything
• Making recommendations from multiple brands when the products perform the same
• Refusing to offer free lessons/makeovers in exchange for product purchase.


This issue of biased advice is why I started 'A Beautiful Education' and what I personally stand for.


If you did buy this deal, or are thinking of going to a beauty counter for a 'makeup consultation' anytime soon, check for the best and worst of Smashbox or the particular brand on offer at www.beautypedia.com.  Check how each product rates and get an honest opinion, so you can see through the salespitch and know what's worth buying - before you go in store.