Makeup Secrets Revealed by Kamla Regrello part-1

INTRODUCTION

Hi, I’m Kamla Regrello, Head Makeup Artist for Sacha Cosmetics.

Since joining Sacha, I have had the opportunity to travel with my makeup team to several countries to work the international beauty pageants. I was the head makeup artist for the Miss Universe, Miss USA, the Miss Jamaica, the Miss Trinidad and Tobago and several other international pageants.

This is a tremendous experience for me, since I have the opportunity to work with every possible skin tone and skin type. Imagine, just after doing the makeover for Miss Japan, the next delegate to plop herself down on your makeup chair is Miss Nigeria! This is why I love working with the Sacha brand. No matter what skin tone I am faced with, I’m ready.

Over the years, I have also learnt a lot more about makeup from the person who actually manufacturers the Sacha brand. This has given me valuable insight into not only how, but also why some products perform so well and why others simply don’t cut it.

Makeup Secrets Revealed is therefore far more than a step-by-step makeup guide. It is a no-nonsense publication crammed with amazing makeup tips and valuable information straight from the horse’s mouth. I begin by discussing with you how and why you should look after your skin, how to select the right foundation, simple techniques on how you should apply your eye shadow and blush and how to shape your eyebrows.

I will also introduce you to Sacha’s wonderful line of camouflage makeup which easily conceals all skin blemishes, from acne to stretch marks with the same natural coverage as their regular foundations. This is my gift to you. After reading it, if you have any questions, please drop me a line at makeupartists@sachacosmetics.com and I would be happy to answer them.

Sincerely,
Kamla Regrello
Head Makeup Artist
Sacha Cosmetics

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SKIN CARE

Beauty begins with the proper caring of the skin. Clear, healthy skin is the perfect canvas for makeup.

Over the years the demand for new products has given rise to much hype in the skin care industry. However, most of the claims made have been largely speculative with very few proven in clinical tests.

At Sacha it has always been our view that a skin care line should be simple, effective and easy to use. It should have as few ingredients as possible to reduce the possibility of skin irritation. Remember, an ingredient, which is beneficial to one person, could seriously irritate
someone else’s skin. In reality, almost all ingredients have the potential to irritate your skin.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN

Believe it or not your skin is the largest organ of your body. It is a living organ which heals and renews itself constantly. It covers your entire body and consists of two clearly defined layers:

1. The epidermis is the superficial or outermost layer. In other words, this is the skin we can see and feel. It forms the protective covering. This layer contains no blood vessels but has small nerve endings and is made up of five layers of cells. The pigment called melanin is found in this layer. Melanin protects the sensitive cells beneath, from the harmful effects of the sun. The greater the exposure to sunlight the greater the production of melanin.

2. The dermis or the inner layer is located just under the epidermis. This layer is highly sensitive because it contains nerve endings. It also contains numerous blood vessels, lymph vessels, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. These are held together by collagen and elastin fibers, which together give the skin its strength and resilience.

Each hair follicle has a sebaceous gland, which produces sebum. Excess sebum makes your skin look and feel oily. If the neck of a sebaceous gland is clogged, sebum accumulates, giving rise to acne. A deficiency in the production of sebum produces dry skin.

Your teenage years could be your best time or your worst time depending on your hormonal activity. Generally, puberty is a bad time for your skin.

If you are spared the onslaught of acne and pimples usually associated with the teenage years, then more than likely your 20’s and 30’s should be trouble free.

During your 20’s your skin should look its best. It can however be adversely affected by allergies, hormonal imbalances, stress, and exposure to the elements.

In your 30’s your skin may begin to lose the bloom of youth. You may begin to see the appearance of dryness and fine lines. The skin tends to be more sensitive and extra special care is required during this period.

In your 40’s your hormone production slows and the skin begins to lose tone and elasticity, giving rise to wrinkles, creases and fine lines. While these changes occur naturally as you age, they can be minimized and controlled by properly caring for your skin. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin twice daily can help you rejuvenate and revive your skin.

Now that you have a better understanding of your skin and how it works, I am sure you will appreciate that the time to begin your personal skin care routine is NOW!

CLEANSERS

Today’s women have the choice of several different brands and types of cleansers. To simplify matters, we group cleansers into two basic categories: “tissue-off” cleansers and “rinse-off” cleansers.

• Tissue-off cleansers which are normally referred to as “cream” or “milk” cleansers have a high oil content. It is these oils, which combine with and help to remove makeup, facial oils, and grime allowing them to be easily wiped away. “Tissue-off” cleansers are less drying and are more suitable for normal to dry skin types.

• Rinse-off cleansers are water-based and incorporate some type of detergent to help remove makeup and excess oils. This type of cleanser is recommended for women with oily or combination skin. It should be mild enough to gently and effectively cleanse your skin without drying. Gels, foaming cleansers and facial washes are normally referred to as “rinse-off” cleansers.

TONERS

There are many misconceptions about the role of toners and astringents in a skin care routine. Firstly, they are an essential step in the skin care routine. They remove traces of makeup or residue that your cleanser misses, and “prepares” the skin for moisturizing.

The term toner, freshener or astringent is often used interchangeably. If you have normal, combination or oily skin use an astringent containing a low percentage of alcohol and skin soothers like allantoin. For normal to dry skin use an alcohol-free freshener with ingredients such as witch hazel and other natural extracts.

MOISTURIZERS

Moisturizers act as a protective barrier between your skin and the environment. Although your skin manufactures its own oils, it is usually removed during the process of cleansing. It is therefore necessary to replenish these natural oils.

A basic moisturizer should contain water and other ingredients that attract and trap moisture onto the skin. It should also contain emollients which nourish the skin.

DAILY MOISTURIZERS (with Sunscreen)

A mere quarter of a century ago, it was not as important to wear a sunscreen as it is today. The ozone layer, which surrounds the earth, serves to deflect the harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays of the sun. Over the years this layer has steadily deteriorated, allowing through far more harmful UV rays.

Every day you are exposed to UV rays that damages your skin causing sunburn, skin diseases and premature aging. UVB rays cause sunburn especially in the summer while UVA rays are responsible for premature aging. These UV rays are present every day whether the sun is out or
not.

We strongly advise that you wear a sunscreen all year round. Sunscreen is no longer a summer time practice. It must become a part of your daily routine.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure to the sun, giving it time to penetrate your skin. Reapply every 3-4 hours as well as immediately after swimming or profuse sweating. A waterproof sunscreen generally stays on about 30 minutes in water.

Sacha’s Daily Moisturizers with SPF 15 sun protection provide both UVA and UVB sun protection. Please bear in mind that a higher SPF does not necessarily mean better protection, but longer protection. An SPF 15 product for instance, will provide you with 95% protection while an SPF 50 product will give you 98% protection. The difference is negligable.

Sacha’s Daily Moisturizer can be used alone or as an “under makeup” base. Moisturizers with a higher SPF factor tend to be too oily. Makeup worn over an oily base has a tendency to become discolored.

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4