by Ruth Armistead | Apr 10, 2021 | Skincare
There are two types of people in this world, those who prefer only to wear makeup to cover their skin problems and those who choose to invest in quality products for effective skincare.
We will tell you why it is important to invest time and money in a proper facial routine with high-quality products and make an effort to choose products for your skin type, instead of running for the new limited-edition cosmetics that promise many things and they do not comply.
1. Makeup covers but does not enhance skin
All women love makeup and of course, how not to love it if it helps to hide those dark circles, acne spots and also gives more life to our face. Indeed, makeup can transform the appearance of the face positively by highlighting beauty, increasing confidence, and making women the center of attention. Although it has many positive points, it has something against it and that is that it does not help to solve the problem of the skin just by “covering” the imperfections.
It must be taken into account that it is preferable to invest in dermocosmetic and dermatological products to have a well-cared-for skin with a wonderful natural glow. In this way, the path to healthy skin will approach 80-90% of being healthy and looking incredible. With proper care with products adapted to the needs of the skin of each person, it is possible to use fewer products for makeup (we can ignore the primer) and use less of the product to be administered (less heavy foundation and more natural glow).
2. Your skin is the reflection of your health
It has been proven by dermatologists that acne is a reflection of overall health and well-being. Some of the most common causes of acne are lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle, little water intake, and eating unhealthy foods that are consumed by many people most of the day because of how “practical” they can be.
Highly processed foods (canned, cold cuts), refined flours, white sugar, excess carbohydrates, sweets, fried foods, etc. These are some of the many foods that, due to their high-fat content, increase the secretion of sebum or oiliness at the level of the sebaceous glands of the skin, causing recurrent outbreaks of pimples which can be seen in women or men at any stage of life.
Therefore, adding makeup to avoid acne breakouts will cause clogging of the pores which will not solve the problem, on the contrary, in most cases makeup worsens acne.
It is always advisable in these cases to recognize that each skin condition is different and it is important to recognize to take note of what works and what does not. Similarly, the aforementioned foods should be avoided and healthy foods rich in fiber, green leaves, red fruits, animal and vegetable protein should be included in the diet, carry out cardiovascular exercise or with weights for 45 minutes and drink 7 to 8 glasses of water a day are good tips to follow to improve the health of your skin.
3. Your skin ages faster without proper care
Nobody wants to look older than their real age, therefore, putting skincare aside due to lack of time, laziness, not wanting to invest in quality dermocosmetic products, and not giving it the priority that your skin needs, can help for premature aging to knock on the door.
Again, makeup can temporarily cover that problem, but in the long run, it will not help the skin because it does not improve the appearance of wrinkles, facial furrows, or sagging so it is necessary to use different specific dermocosmetic products to help prevent signs of aging such as retinol, sunscreen, antioxidants (niacinamide, vitamin c) and hyaluronic acid.
4. Your skin is forever
Makeup solves your skin problems temporarily, but when we remove all makeup at the end of the day, we are left with our natural skin and that is the skin that should be protected and loved.
It is important to note that improving the health of your skin (quality, texture, appearance) takes time and dedication. A good facial care routine carried out twice a day, adapted to your skin type, and started on time, will mark a promising future for the health of your skin.
• The best products to invest in your skin
If you ask a dermatologist “What are the best skincare products?” He will answer: “Retinol, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, SPF, BHA, and AHA”.
Although the facial cleanser, toner, and moisturizer are important and are the main structure of the daily routine. But, those recommended by dermatologists are high-quality corrective and preventive dermocosmetic products, which are the “boost” that the skin needs to have a positive impact on the prevention of aging and delay of premature aging.
Therefore, when choosing the products that are best for your skin, try to focus on looking for the following formulations:
1. Retinol
Retinol is an asset created by the Gods! You have everything you need in a single ingredient. If you had to stay with only one product for your entire life, that would be retinol or retinoic acid. It is a formulation adapted to dermocosmetics that acts on all layers of the skin, causing visible effects after weeks and others that will be evident over the months.
It is always important to start with low concentrations of 0.25% 3 times a week and then increase according to the tolerance of the skin until being 7 days with retinol. After 2 to 3 months you can increase your concentration. The maximum effective concentration is 1%.
Profits:
– Penetrates the deepest layers of the skin.
– Stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, proteins produced by the body that are necessary to maintain the youth of the skin.
– Reduces oiliness which is very favorable in people with oily or combination skin to eliminate the “oily” appearance.
– Stops the production of melanin or skin pigment that causes dark spots.
– Eliminates sun spots caused by age, acne, and other types of hyperpigmentation.
– Improves the color and texture of the skin.
– Increases cell renewal of the skin layers, refines the stratum corneum (most superficial layer), and therefore achieves a smoother and more luminous skin.
– Eliminates dead cells.
2. Hyaluronic acid
We have hyaluronic acid as a source of youth in our body, after the age of 25 it begins to decrease little by little. Therefore, it is necessary to include it topically through serums and facial creams in our daily routine.
Its great function is to transport amounts of water to different organs, including the skin. Likewise, it is known to have a positive effect in delaying the signs of aging since it is responsible for retaining water and maintaining adequate levels of moisture in the skin.
It can be found in various dermocosmetic products linked to other ingredients such as vitamin B5, collagen, elastin, and peptides.
Profits:
– Delays premature aging.
– Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
– Increases the body’s production of collagen and elastin to rejuvenate and improve skin texture.
– Forms new networks of collagen fibers that provide support and firmness in the various layers of the skin.
3. Antioxidants
Antioxidants have become the best allies of our skin, because they block free radicals, which are molecules and bonds that are generated naturally and intensely when external agents appear, such as UV rays from the sun, tobacco smoke, alcohol consumption or environmental pollution (the so-called oxidative stress of the skin).
Free radicals are one of the factors of premature aging by causing; oxidation and damage to cells which are cumulative and of course degenerative, resulting in the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin, and loss of firmness.
Therefore, if you did not know antioxidants, it is time for them to become essential in your day and night facial routine to prevent premature aging.
• Vitamin C
To keep the skin of the face with a natural glow, looking young and healthy, nothing better than a good dose of vitamin C. Applying vitamin C in the day or night routine will benefit the skin of your face, it is a powerful antioxidant very well studied with proven and visible effects. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in our diet, but it is also a key ingredient in the health of our skin.
Profits:
– It has antioxidant properties, so it protects the skin from external and internal agents that can cause damage (environmental pollution, prolonged exposure to the sun, tobacco, alcohol, poor diet).
– Visibly reduces expression lines and signs of aging due to the effect it has on the skin to increase collagen production.
– Helps reduce skin blemishes caused by the sun and aging.
– It is anti-inflammatory and can be used to improve the appearance of pimple breakouts.
– Improves the barrier function of the skin, providing nutrients and pH balance.
– Decreases the appearance of pores.
• Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a derivative of vitamin B3 and like vitamin C, it is a very powerful antioxidant and one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients money can buy. The prices in the market are variable but it is much cheaper than vitamin C and its effects are fantastic.
Because it is an active ingredient and antioxidant like vitamin C, its benefits are similar, but it should be noted:
– Anti-aging effect.
– Stimulates the formation of collagen and elastin in the body.
– Fine wrinkles disappear when used daily.
– Strengthens the barrier function of the skin and deeply hydrates it.
– Improves the production of lipids and ceramides, essential compounds in the layers of the skin.
– Keeps the skin away from irritations.
– Controls oiliness in oily and combination skin.
– Improves skin tone by removing dark spots.
– Provides luminosity, firmness, softness, and elasticity.
4. BHA and AHA
BHAs or beta hydroxy acids such as Salicylic acid or AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids such as Glycolic and Lactic acids act to “peel off” dead, dull skin on the surface of the epidermis. Once this skin is removed, it becomes smooth and uniforms through a peeling process.
Thanks to the advances of the cosmetic industry, many of the chemical peels with BHA and AHA that we currently find on the market cause exfoliation processes so subtle that they are imperceptible but extremely effective. Therefore, you will have smooth and soft skin without the need to have small flakes all over the face.
• Salicylic acid
It is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that acts as an anti-inflammatory, being widely used in different types of acne to help control the production of natural sebum at the level of the sebaceous glands of the skin and eliminate excess oiliness which in many cases tends to be a cause of acne and disagreement with the appearance. It is an important hydroxy acid to diminish the appearance of aging skin.
Profits:
– Salicylic acid acts on the first layer of the skin or stratum corneum, eliminating dead cells (keratolytic effect), avoiding the clogging of pores, and the appearance of blackheads and pimples.
– It gives way to new cells and cell regeneration that improve the appearance and texture of the skin.
– It acts directly on the sebaceous glands of the skin, regulating the excessive production of sebum, preventing the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria.
– It has antimicrobial action, that is, it prevents infection of the sebaceous glands and the appearance of acne or recurrent outbreaks of pimples.
– Thanks to the chemical exfoliation and peeling of the superficial layer of the skin, it treats aging by reducing wrinkles and expression lines, scars caused by acne, dark spots, provide a uniform color, and improves the texture of the skin, making it smoother and with a natural glow.
• Glycolic Acid
It is an AHA and together with lactic acid, it is the one that brings the best results to the skin. Glycolic acid is of small molecular size and allows a deep and fast penetration compared to the rest, the penetration capacity gives it immediate and very favorable effectiveness for the skin but at the same time, the irritant effect is usually very common in sensitive skin.
Otherwise, it is usually very well tolerated and it is always advisable to apply it in the routine with a serum or cream with hyaluronic acid to give protection and greater hydration to the skin.
Glycolic acid can be used in very different concentrations, from 4% to 20% when used in dermocosmetic products. The skin adapts to the concentration of glycolic acid, so if it is used for a long time to obtain the exfoliating effect, the concentration should be progressively increased.
Profits:
– It is known to have an anti-aging effect by stimulating the production of collagen, giving the skin firmness, elasticity, uniformity, and a unique shine.
– Helps reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.
– The exfoliating action progressively eliminates dark spots on the skin caused by the sun and age.
– It can hydrate the skin. It is responsible for attracting water molecules to the different layers of the skin while helping to improve moisture retention.
– It can easily remove the layers of dry skin and fight dryness, giving the skin a smooth and healthy texture.
• Lactic acid
It is an AHA known to be one of the mildest acids when performing chemical peels. Penetration into the layers of the skin is less and slow compared to other acids, but these characteristics give it the property of being ideal for sensitive skin since it turns out to be acid with no irritation or sensitivity effect, or in some cases very mild.
Lactic acid can be used in different concentrations from 2% to 10% when used in dermocosmetic products. In concentrations over 5%, it helps to unify and improve skin tone. It is possible to implement it in the daily facial routine with great comfort without presenting negative effects on the skin.
Profits:
– It is an ideal acid for sensitive skin.
– Anti-aging effect that promotes the production of collagen and elastin, providing a healthy appearance, reduction of wrinkles and expression lines, improves firmness, elasticity, and skin tone.
– It has keratolytic properties like the other AHAs, this gives it an exfoliating action and allows to eliminate of dead cells.
– Helps treat dark spots by accelerating the renewal of skin cells.
– It is ideal for dry skin and for all skin types that need an extra hydration effect. Increases water retention helping to improve moisture levels in the upper layers of the skin.
5. Sunscreen
The skin is a fine organ and very sensitive to external agents such as UV rays. This makes it very prone to burns, sunspots that we do not want, which is why we have to put special effort into taking care of it daily.
Although summer is indeed the season with the highest radiation, the face is also exposed to sunlight during spring, autumn and winter, and incredibly on cloudy and rainy days, UV rays do their work on our skin. Therefore, knowing the indicated SPF, the differences between protectors and blockers, and their benefits will help you invest in the best product for your skin.
• What is SPF?
Sunscreens with broad-spectrum coverage, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more, and that are resistant to water or sweat.
Differences between sunscreen and sunscreen
• Sunscreen
Also known as chemical sunscreen, they are made of oxybenzone or avobenzone which are absorbed within 30 minutes of being applied (so for it to work, it needs to be applied before sun exposure), and must be reapplied after swimming or sweat. Shields protect against UVB rays, but not all offer protection against UVA radiation. They are usually transparent and invisible when applied.
• Blockers
They are made of zinc or titanium oxide, ingredients highly recommended by dermatologists for being non-toxic and providing high and safe protection for the skin. Sunscreen protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen for the face
The best sunscreen for the face is the one that prevents wrinkles, dark spots, provides hydration, and promotes an improvement in the tone or uniform color of the skin.
If you are looking to prevent or correct facial spots and wrinkles, you should choose a product with a high SPF that protects from UVA rays, responsible for premature aging and the appearance of sunspots. It is also important that the protector contains depigmenting active ingredients (niacinamide) to unify the skin tone.
Today, there are wonderful sunscreens with active ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ceramides.
Therefore, the continuous application of sunscreen is one of the best anti-blemish and anti-aging treatments.
Profits:
– Delays aging in the skin.
– Prevents the appearance of spots.
– Prolongs the natural tan.
– Moisturizes the skin.
It is advisable to apply sunscreen every day every 2 hours if we are facing sun exposure or every 4 hours if we are indoors. Remember that the blue light emitted by electronic devices (laptop, cell phone, tablets) also increases the tone of the dark spots already existing on
by Ruth Armistead | Aug 20, 2020 | Permanent Eyeliner
Looking for permanent eyeliner in Columbia, SC?
Oh, eyeliner rush! That dopamine high that comes after achieving the perfect, smoothest, most cat-eyed eyeliner.
We’ve all felt it. And how great it feels!
But for every perfect eyeliner application, there’s the dreaded “raccoon-eye” morning look the next day. No matter how much you wipe, wash or scrub, a bit of eyeliner always seems to remain.
What a pain taking it off!
If you’ve ever wanted to jump off the eyeliner hamster wheel, but didn’t know you could, let me present permanent eyeliner.
Permanent Eyeliner in Columbia, SC
Star Dust eyeliner, a form of permanent eyeliner done by Ruth Armistead at Skin & Brows Redefined at Columbia, SC
Permanent eyeliner tattoo is for you if you LOVE eyeliner but HATE having to apply it or take it off.
The procedure is done with a permanent makeup machine, a needle and special pigments. Using organic pigments, the permanent makeup artist tattoos the perfect eyeliner for you in less than 1 hour!
Does It Hurt?
You are going to feel it. The process, as described above, involves using a needle to tattoo your eyelids, so it may be a bit uncomfortable.
That being said, we use the best numbing agent in the market so we make sure you are as comfortable as possible during the entire procedure.
We apply the numbing cream after doing the initial study of you want your eyeliner to look. After this, the numbing cream take about 15 – 20 minutes to numb the area and we get to work right away.
Types of Permanent Eyeliner
At Skin & Brows Redefined you can get the best permanent eyeliner work in Columbia, South Carolina. Most importantly, we offer different techniques to suit all tastes.
The Classic Eyeliner starts at $350 and is what will most closely resemble pencil eyeliner. The goal with this technique is to recreate a made up look and to have the eyeliner look very obvious. It is perfect for anyone who loves having eyeliner on all the time!
The Lash Enhancement technique starts at $250 and is the most subtle of the eyeliner techniques. The goal with this technique is to shade in the space between your eyelashes so that it looks like you have a bit of a tint, but without looking like there’s a line on the eyelid.
Want a more casual look? The Star Dust Liner technique is an evolution of the classic technique in that it is a powdered effect that makes the eyeliner look more natural by giving a bit of a smudged look.
And finally, for anyone wishing to complete the look, bottom eyeliner starts as $200 as a single service or $150 as an add on to a top liner service.
Ready to Ditch Your Eyeliners?
If you’re ready to say “sayonara” to spending at least $15 on ONE single eyeliner and save not just money, but time every day, permanent eyeliner is for you.
Schedule an appointment with us and see for yourself how much easier getting ready will be in the morning with permanent eyeliner!
by Ruth Armistead | Aug 10, 2020 | Microblading
Looking for microblading in Columbia, SC?
It was 2015 and there was a new beauty trend on the horizon.
It was called “microblading” and it was what put permanent cosmetics on the map.
A Google search for the term “microblading” churns out 24,800,000 results. On Instagram, there are more than 14 million posts tagged “microblading.”
So much talk about the term might give people the idea they know what it is. But do they, really?
Microblading in Columbia, SC
So what is this novel brow technique?
Before we delve more into what microblading is, we need to understand the broader category it falls into: permanent makeup, or permanent cosmetics.
Permanent cosmetics is the art of creating makeup looks that don’t wash off at night. For licensing purposes, permanent makeup is considered body art, but it is solely to enhance features. This other post in our blog explains more about permanent makeup.
A Bit Of History
Tattooing has been around for centuries and when the English explorer James Cook visited Polynesia with his crew, England discovered the art of tattooing.
Sutherland McDonald was the world’s first tattoo artist, and he is also rumored to have been the first to explore cosmetic tattooing by tattooing blush on his clients’ cheeks.
Since the beginning, permanent makeup tools have been like those for artistic tattooing. They are usually electric, can be held like a pen and carry a needle at the tip.
An example of a permanent makeup machine
The electric permanent makeup machine uses a needle that deposits pigment into the skin as it swiftly moves in an up and down motion.
Microblading Revolution
Around the year 2015, a new tool appeared in the market for permanent makeup professionals. This was the “microblade,” a handheld tool similar to an exacto knife with a slopped point made up of tiny needles.
The idea was that this tool would allow artists to create extremely natural hair stroke patterns that would resemble natural hair on the brow.
Permanent makeup artists had been creating this look with their permanent makeup machines for years, but the microblade offered an additional benefit: it was semi-permanent.
The non-electric microblade penetrated only superficially into the skin, which meant the pigment deposited wouldn’t last very long. Microblading requires yearly touch-ups and generally lasts between 6 -12 months.
Popularity Boom
The public went nuts with this catchy term. News outlets quickly caught on. They spread the word about this “novel” technique that made sparse eyebrows seem fuller. And it wasn’t a long-term commitment.
Microblading’s semi-permanence made it attractive. It became a half-way point for women who wanted fuller eyebrows, but weren’t sold on permanent makeup.
Permanent makeup can last 3-5 years without a touch up. And, while the color might fade through the years, some pigment will remain visible.
This is why microblading became such a popular term. The problem is people do not understand the difference between “microblading” and permanent makeup and use the terms interchangeably.
Is Microblading For You?
Now that you know the real story behind microblading, you might be wondering if it’s for you.
Like we mentioned above, microblading became sort of a stepping stone for many women who want to ease their way into permanent makeup.
If you have never had permanent makeup on your brow area before and you want to get an idea of what not filling in your eyebrows every morning is like, start off with microblading. When it’s time for your yearly touchup, upgrade to permanent makeup.
If, at this time, you still don’t want to go full in with permanence, choose a very light brown color and it will not last as long as darker ones.
To be a good candidate for microblading, you also must meet skin type requirements and not have had prior permanent makeup on your brows.
Microblading in Columbia, SC
If you are ready to get microblading for the first time, please give us a call and book your appointment. We can’t wait to see you!
by Ruth Armistead | Jul 16, 2020 | Permanent makeup
Looking for permanent makeup in Columbia, SC?
Stop searching, you’re in the right place.
If you love makeup but hate applying it or taking it off, you’re probably a good candidate for permanent makeup.
You probably have a lot of questions and that’s okay.
In this post, I will explain exactly what permanent makeup is and why you’ve been missing out all these years. Let’s get started.
Permanent Makeup in Columbia, SC
Powder brows is the latest craze in the realm of permanent makeup. Its style is meant to look like compact makeup eyebrows. Artist: Ruth Armistead, Skin and Brows Redefined, Columbia, SC.
Permanent makeup, or permanent cosmetics, is a branch of micropigmentation.
Micropigmentation involves placing pigment into the skin with a needle to enhance natural features. For example, scalp micropigmentation creates the illusion of hair follicles and areola tattoo helps breast cancer survivors reconstruct their breasts.
Most commonly micropigmentation is used to create a makeup effect in what is known as permanent makeup, or PMU.
Is it a tattoo? No, not really.
Artistic tattoos are meant to decorate the body in a noticeable way while micropigmentation is meant to intensify features. Therefore, permanent makeup can be done on:
- eyebrows to make them seem fuller
- on eyelids as eyeliner
- on the lips as lip color
Another benefit of permanent makeup is that it gives you the look without having to redo it every day.
When you wash your face, your permanent makeup eyebrows will still be there.
No risk waking up looking like a raccoon with smeared eyeliner. Permanent eyeliner gives you fancy, smear-proof eyeliner.
And lip color? Permanent makeup lips gives you luscious lip color that is more fade-proof than any lipstick.
How is it done?
To do permanent makeup we need a permanent makeup machine. It looks similar to an artistic tattoo machine, but instead of ink, it uses pigments that are more subtle, lighter and especially designed for facial use.
The micropigmentation machine is electric and uses a variety of needles depending on the desired effect. For brow enhancement, for example, the artist dips the needle in the pigment and creates fine strokes or shading on the brow.
What is the difference with microblading?
Notice the difference between microblading and powder brows? While powder brows goes for a compact, made up look, microblading is more subtle and can pass off as natural brow hair.
Many people confuse permanent makeup with microblading, so let’s set the record straight: they are not the same thing.
Microblading is a technique that is done with a handheld, non-electric tool called the microblade. The tool looks similar to an exacto knife, or a regular pen with a slopped blade made up of tiny needles at the end.
The artist doing microblading dips the tool in the pigment and proceeds to draw on the brow area, creating the illusion of fine, crisp hairs.
The difference of machine brows and microblading then comes down to the tools
Microblading is manual and creates only one look, and machine work is electric and creates a variety of looks.
Machine brows can be any technique, like ombré brows, powder brows, 3D brows, combination.
However, microblading is only one look and is only for the eyebrows.
You might also be wondering why microblading is said to be semi-permanent.
The microblade tool is not electric, so it relies on manual pressure to deposit pigment. If the pressure is too much, there is risk of scarring. To prevent this, the artist must apply the pigment only on the outermost layer of the skin. For this reason we consider microblading to be “semi-permanent.”
When an artist does “machine brows,” on the other hand, they use the electric machine which deposits pigment into a deeper layer of the skin. The machine’s needle moves up and down very fast and deposits the pigment by puncturing, rather than scraping the skin. Because the needle penetrates the skin a bit more than a manual tool, machine brows last longer than microblading.
Skin And Brows Redefined Permanent Makeup in Columbia, SC
You’re in luck! At Skin And Brows Redefined we are experts in permanent makeup.
Our founder, Ruth Armistead, has completed over 12 permanent makeup trainings. Moreover, she is devoted to client satisfaction.
Permanent makeup is for you if you want to:
- Ditch your eyebrow pencils and eyeliner and save 10 – 20 minutes every morning
- Improve the appearance of sparse or very light eyebrows
- Get luscious-looking lips that stay rosy 24/7
- Enhance your lash line so it looks like you’re always wearing mascara
What Should I Expect After Booking My Appointment?
During your appointment with us, Ruth, or the artist you choose, will first explain the procedure. You will also read and sign some forms and then we will proceed with the consultation part of your appointment.
During this first part, the artist will measure out your eyebrows and come up with a unique design most flattering for your features. You will be able to see the difference between what would draw yourself and what the artist will draw. Clients are often shocked to find they’ve been drawing their eyebrows uneven for years!
If you are having lips or eyeliner the procedure is the same. The artist will draw with a pencil the proposed design and you will be able to make suggestions depending on what you like best.
Preparation & Procedure
After the mapping or pre-design, we will pre-numb the area. We use topical anesthetic that is strong enough so you don’t feel a thing. Some clients even doze off, can you believe it?
Once the area is numb enough, we can begin the micropigmentation process. This usually takes about one hour.
After the permanent makeup eyebrows are done, you can look at yourself in the mirror! This is usually the most exciting part of the appointment and some clients even cry of joy!
We will explain your aftercare routine so you take the best care possible during the healing stage. You can now go home and rest or take a million selfies with your new eyebrows. Send us all the selfies you’d like, we love them!
We hope to see you soon at Skin & Brows Redefined.
