Welcome to my world of Makeup. My name is Ms. Asma Ahmed and I am a makeup artist based in Doha, Qatar. I am an ITEC Graduate in Beauty Specialist and International Makeup Artistry. This blog is all about my work and tips as a Makeup Artist, Skin care tips as a Beauty Specialist, also do Reviews and fun Do It Yourself (DIY)
During winter skin tends to get dry, so look for Aloe Vera in your moisturizers. Aloe has so many beneficial properties for dry skin, anti aging, pigmentation by removing dead cells. Vaseline and Body Shop have good Aloe moisturizers. Any thing is fine as long as they are good brand. If its completely Organic, its even more good!
Massage your face, hands or body with any baby oil or body oil every night before sleep. If this is so much to do then mix 1 drop of baby oil in your moisturizer and massage well on your face and neck. Do this twice a day. You can use Johnson and Johnson baby oil or any will do.
Winter is here!! Finally ... worried about your dry skin and don't wana spend much on the Premium brands yet pamper your skin? Here is a list of my winter must haves from the local drug store!
1. Lip Balm / Moisturizer
My all time favorite Lip Balm is Burt's Bees and Carmex! These are not available in Doha-Qatar. If you have anyone traveling from abroad like UK, USA or Japan ask them to get it for you! Its a must must must must MUST have!!
This is one of the best Herbal Lip Balms I have come across when it comes to drug store brands. This Lip Balm prevents chapping, drying and cracking of the lips. It contains a natural UV filter and Vit.E which nourishes, tones and softens the lips. The Herbals used in this product.
Ricinus communis (Castor, Eranda) oil is used externally to relieve various inflammatory conditions of the skin and mucus membrane.
Cocos nucifera (Coconut, Narikela) oil extract is a good emollient and can be used externally for softening the lips. The oil extract is used in various cosmetics.
Triticum sativum (Common Wheat, Godhuma) oil is a rich natural source of vitamin E, which nourishes and prevents loss of moisture from the skin. It is used to tone and soften the lips. It has a potent antioxidant activity.
Wrightia tinctoria (Sweet Indrajao, Hyamaraka) leaves are used in various skin disorders including herpes. It has astringent and anti-inflammatory activities and is used as an antibacteial in several skin disorders.
Daucus carota (Carrot, Garijara) seed oil is used as a sunscreen and fragrance component in soaps, creams and lotions.
There are many others like Labello, Nivea, Neutregena etc It depends on your habit and needs. But I definitely recommend Himalaya's because it serves the purpose.
2. Face Care
When it comes to Face care in winter, whats the first drug store brands comes to your mind? For me its always been PONDS!! It's been there forever in the market and I love this brands products.
Pond's Cold cream and Cleansing Cream is something I truly recommend.
Thoroughly deep cleans without drying your skin, leaving it looking and feeling touchable soft and radiantly clean. Removes hidden dirt and make-up, even stubborn waterproof mascara. Softens as it cleans, so your skin feels smooth, never tight or dry.
3. Skin/Body Care
With no doubts Vaseline skincare range of products are my favorites as well.
Total Moisture, Healthy White, Aloe Cool & Fresh, Intensive Rescue, all of these are recommended.
Vaseline Total Moisture Nourishing Body Lotion is my personal favorite for Winter season. Ordinary winter creams that leaves behind an oily layer, might not given skin the deep nourishment it needs during winter. Total Moisture nourishing body lotion with Soya, Glycerin and Vitamin E. Not only moisturizes body also nourishes. Replenishes Nutrients and the moisturizes. Gives 24 hour moisturization.
4. Foot Care
When it comes to Feet Care, love to pamper mine with these two brands. Scholl's Cracked Heel Cream and Vaseline Petroleum Jelly.
Vaseline's Petroleum Jelly is an overall skin care product esp those suffering with mouth cracks, feet cracks, skin roughness etc I personally love this product to pamper my feet at night before going to sleep. Wear of socks will help in the nourishment of your feet skin and prevent cracks.
5. Face Night Cream
Ladies!!! Night Cream is a MUST!! Pond's introduced new Skincare range known as Pond's Age Miracle. This one is my current favorite night cream. The rich textured night cream works overtime to fight aging signs as you sleep, so time, you can wake up to skin that looks visibly youthful and radiant. So go and GRAB it NOW!!
Hope this helps you :) Stay tuned for Winter Makeup Must haves (Drug store)
As we all know winter season is on the way and everyone is worried about the dryness of the skin they gona face during this season. The best trick to keep your skin dryness free is to apply as much as moisturizer as possible.
Here are few very good tips one can do to protect skin from severe conditions and dryness:
1. First know your skin type, as skin changes from season to season, one should know about their skin changes.
2. You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an "ointment" moisturizer that's oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as "night creams" are oil-based.) Choose a highly protective day cream which contains zinc oxide, and provides SPF30 protection to form a barrier against the elements. Creamier, water-in-oil emulsions are best. And don’t forget about your lips. Chapped lips are often the most noticeable problem for a lady in the winter. Use a highly moisturizing lip balm which provides a protective barrier, with vitamin E for good elasticity.
3. No, sunscreen isn't just for summertime. Winter sun combined with snow glare can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they're exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.
4. The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.
5. Wet socks and gloves can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of eczema.
6. Exfoliate at least twice a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture. The oil which we all complain about in the summer is no longer being produced because of cooler winter temperatures and central heating. Therefore the skin looses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines, whilst your skin can appear puffy and grey. Nice!
7. Do not use harsh soaps to cleanse, as they will strip your skin of precious lipids. Use a non-soap cleanser or very mild soap to cleanse.
8. Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.
9. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Drinking water helps your skin stay young looking. In fact, it's a myth. Drink a glass of hot water with lemon. This Chinese herbal remedy is a sure-fire method of energizing your body. It will de-tox your entire system, including the liver and gall bladder. This means that your body will be able to clean the blood faster to get rid of toxins responsible for bad skin.
10. Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerin instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper. The skin on your feet tends to dry and crack more in winter. Treat your feet to a relaxing soak at night, three times a week. A quick foot bath can be made in a large, wide-mouthed bowl with warm water, sea salts, Epsom salt and two or three drops of your favorite aroma oil. After the soak, rub in an herbal lotion, some Shea butter or some almond oil on your feet. This ritual will not only keep your feet looking good, it will also help you ease into sleep.
11. If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often.
12. Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. A lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, can help relieve skin that is so dry it has become itchy.
13. The most common triggers of the scratch/itch cycle are sweating and overheating. Wearing layers allows you to remove clothing as needed to prevent overheating. Be sure to wear loose-fitting cotton fabrics next to your skin. Avoid exposing skin to harsh winter elements such as freezing temperatures and drying cold winds. Dress warmly, in layers, and wear a hat, scarf and gloves when you go out in cold weather.
14. Wear a natural lip balm to protect your lips. A light layer of ghee (clarified butter) can also work as natural lip protection.
15. Start the day with a hot shower... but before you get out switch to cold water for about fifteen seconds. Then turn up the heat a little, and down again to repeat the process for about two minutes. Why would I want to do that?! I hear you cry! This is a simple hydrotherapy technique which revitalizes the skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the body. It is both invigorating and highly beneficial to the skin. So even though you may not really enjoy the process, just think of the all the good it’s doing you!
16. Three or four times a week, offer dry facial and body skin additional lipid support with replenishing oil. Choose a nourishing base oil such as almond. Add six-eight drops of a Vata-pacifying pure essential oil such as lavender or neroli to two ounces of the base oil, and mix well. Apply to skin damp from the bath or shower to seal in hydration. Test first to make sure you are not sensitive to the essential oil you choose before you apply it on a regular basis.
17. The pre-bath warm oil self-massage, called "Abhyanga", is a must-do in winter. The massage not only keeps your skin silky smooth, it also tones the muscles, calms the nerves and aids circulation. Pat excess oil off with a paper towel before you step into the bath or shower. Use a nourishing oil such as almond or sesame oil for the massage.
18. Give your skin lipid support from within by including soaked and blanched almonds, soaked walnuts, whole milk, fresh cheese, and ghee (clarified butter) in your diet. Drink a cup of warm milk laced with 1/4 teaspoon ghee at bedtime for a daily boost of lipid support.
19. Eat fruits and vegetables high in water content at every meal. Zucchini and other summer squashes, tender asparagus, tender greens, and carrots make excellent vegetable choices. Sweet juicy berries, cooked apples and sweet grapes are good fruit choices. Drink lots of warm water through the day.
20. The Amla fruit (Indian Gooseberry) is the richest known natural source of vitamin C. Herbs such as Amla provide concentrated nourishment to the deeper layers of the skin. Take Amla, also known as Amalaki, on a regular basis to replenish skin from within.
21. Simply sleep! Money can’t buy the benefits of a good night’s rest. Your oxygen levels will drop if you don’t get enough sleep, meaning that your cells will not be renewed as quickly. This is when degenerative skin aging sets in. Try to get seven, if not eight or nine hours of rest a night to achieve absolutely painless benefits. It’s ideal!
Now let me give a haul on my favorite winter creams:
This is my most used product and my most fav product. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!! Moisturizes, protects and calm your sensitive skin with an easily-absorbed, soothing cream. How it works: World’s first fair-trade aloe vera hydrates and sooths sensitive skin, making it more supple. Community Trade sesame seed oil moisturizes and softens skin while maintaining and restoring skin’s natural defense to protect it from irritants and environmental stressors. Oat extract provides antioxidant protection and calms skin. This is perfect for winter care.
Body Shop's Almond oil, a complete manicure in a box. This luxurious gift set has fragrant sweet almond oil and nourishing Community Trade shea butter to keep hands in tip-top shape. A great gift for any occasion.
This mini kit includes
1.7 fl oz Almond Oil Daily Hand & Nail Cream
2.0 fl oz Almond Oil Hand wash
Mini Cuticle Sticks
Mini Nail Filers with Pouch
Four-way nail Buffer
Reusable paper-covered upright oval tin with lid
Hope the tips help you keep your skin beautiful during winter season.
