Posts in category: Beauty & Skincare

If you look at the bigger picture Taurus, what do you need to loosen your grip over? Yes, watching that calorie count may be a good idea, but if it is obsessively stressing you out – is it really worth the inner struggle to keep up with every single meal? The same thing applies to your fears, your ideas, your goals and everything in between. If it brings in too much stress, it may be worth just giving the concept of surrender and flow a shot. Watching your life from a broader perspective may help you really ease into the fact that that one piece of chocolate every now and then does no harm, as does a relaced routine as long as you know you are making an effort and keeping that ass moving in some way – even if by merely being aware of your contributions towards things in your life. Not every day is the same, and neither are you at any given point in time.

Cosmic tip: Give yourself some concession and sit with your emotions for a bit.

Let me share a story. Last year, I had my first ever laser skin treatment (the Moxi laser). At the end of the service, I was given post-care instructions on how to take care of my skin at home to ensure I am not using anything that may impede the healing process.

There were four rules.
1. Do not use any retinol or retinoids for 10 days.
2. Do not use any exfoliating acids for 10 days.
3. Do not use any a vitamin C serum for 10 days.
4. Wear SPF daily when exposed to UV rays.

Why do they say NOT to use a vitamin C serum after a laser treatment?

As an esthetician with 35 years of hands-on experience and someone who gives facial treatments (but not lasers), I understood why they said not to use vitamin C products because generally vitamin C products are formulated with L-ascorbic acid (LAA), with low pHs in the 3.5 range. This puts the skin in an acidic state, as represented by the stinging sensation that can often be felt. The last thing you want is to cause any further irritation to a compromised skin barrier.

Why did I choose to use a vitamin C serum after a laser treatment?

What I know as an esthetician is that of ALL the times your skin requires antioxidants it is after a laser procedure because of the increase of free radical activity. Your skin benefits greatly from topical antioxidants to help with the recovery process.

So I took matters into my own hands, I broke one of the rules. I used Renée Rouleau Vitamin C + E Treatment (a no-sting formula with a skin-compatible pH of 5.3). Instead of using the ascorbic acid form of vitamin C, this uses THD Ascorbate which is now considered to be the most stable form of vitamin C and the new “the gold standard of vitamin C”. Unlike ascorbic acid, it doesn’t need that low pH to be effective so it won’t leave your skin with an “acid burn“. Even though my skin was very sensitive post-laser, I didn’t experience ANY irritation or further damage to my skin’s barrier.

Did you do anything else to help expedite healing?

For a few hours after the laser treatment I had full body chills. I realized this was a natural response for my body to regulate its temperature and so this was a sign my body was being affected. Because of this, I loaded up on oral antioxidant supplements, specifically 1000 mg of vitamin C, to help aid in the healing process.

In summary…

My skin healed from the redness, tightness, flakiness and dryness beautifully and I know my skin greatly benefited from using vitamin C after a laser treatment. The anti-inflammatory effects that a topical anti-oxidant serum can give, as well as fueling my body from the inside with vitamin C. And now, because I shared my findings, Refine Aesthetics in Austin, TX is recommending the Renée Rouleau Vitamin C&E Treatment to their patients after laser treatments!

Should you get a laser treatment? Read all about my Moxi laser treatment experience.

Learn more about when skincare products sting. Is this normal?

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”

Cosmic tip: Share what is on your mind. What began as a seed around October last year must grow now.

Honour your commitments now, Sag, as this is more a time to give rather than take. You may have felt drawn to introspect, even carve a perfect niche in your head before you feel ready to leap forward, however, look around you, your hard work is paying off. Your consistent efforts are what have brought you onto this point where you can see where you wish to go, even though you are still making your way there. Hold onto your vision and do not allow the external noise to add chaos to your mind. Delegate, accept help and simply review what you would like to shift from your current reality for a more solid and relaxed future.

Cosmic tip: Assert your creativity and go for the kill.

Are you making time for your loved ones? Are you focussing on striking a balance between your ambitions and your present life? Capricorn, while you may be reminiscing about a perfect time that was, remember to also take action in your now. Move your energy from your heart space towards a more grounded approach to life – implementing your ideas and thoughts in actionable ways to create something lasting. Your life can be shaped any way you like – so choose a path where you are comfortable with the results in the long run.

Cosmic tip: Have confidence in yourself – you are a child of the cosmos.

Making peace with your past may not be easy, but Aquarius, it is the need of the hour. How do you do this, we hear you say? By finding an effective outlet for your thoughts, feelings and pent up emotions aka memories. Put on some frequency music, or the sound of some calming ocean waves, close your eyes and meditate to this relaxing sound. It will not only soothe your soul, but also help you open your eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead. Remember that after a great release, comes some healing time of peace and calm.

Cosmic tip: Express your love and fears around losing it, as openly as you express your thoughts.

If major life decisions lie ahead of you, Pisces, this may feel like a pivotal time in your life. Your angels chime in, reminding you that in life, there is never a loss that you encounter. Either you create a win-win situation, or a learn-and-grow situation. When you cling on too tightly you not only create a resistance to change but also to the myriad of ways in which you can allow your life to bloom in unknown and fortunate ways. Luck is on your side, Pisces, so why not choose with the heart, why not choose what really matters, why not let the mind curate what the heart shows?

Cosmic tip: Expect a miraculous release or forward momentum this full moon.