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beauty tips on enzymes for better skin

Enzymes our Little Exfoliating Helpers, Time to Fight those Free Radicals! – Insights by Charene Beauty Salon

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What are enzymes?  How do they help my skin?

Enzymes are proteins, biochemical compounds or macromolecules, that increase the rate of chemical reactions by acting as catalysts.  Created through various processes within plants, animals, and marine and human life, these are crucial life processes. There are over 3,000 enzymes in our bodies.

Enzymes protect the skin against the effects of free radicals and they enable the skin to generate new cells.  Less specialized cells join together to form specialized cells such as skin cells. Atoms, the basic unit of matter, have become unstable when their structure is changed due to at least one unpaired electron is free radicals.  The unstable atoms cause a chain reaction, atoms stealing electrons on and on causing a radical reaction damaging the skins cells.   Protease enzymes are used for skincare.  They are able to break down the proteins holding dead skin cells together.  This aids in the accelerated renewal of healthy cells causing cell turnover by breaking down keratin, the main protein of the epidermis, the top layer of skin, thus exfoliating the skin.

By adding an enzyme mask to your skincare routine once a week or every other week if you exfoliate with a facial scrub or use Retinoids or Alpha Hydroxy Acids.   You can not only help exfoliate your skin you can accelerate cell renewal and turnover and decongest the skin and help soften it for extractions.

Cells stained for keratin and DNA: such parts of life exist because of the whole, but also to sustain it (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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What is Your Signature Fragrance? – Secrets by Charene Beauty Parlour

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NUIT DE LONGCHAMP by Libertine

 

Created for ‘Night of Longchamp’, a party held in 1934 after the Grand Prix de Paris. This fragrance was traditionally given to society ladies who attended the gala dinner. Bergamot, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, cardamom, nutmeg, iris, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, broom, patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver, rockrose, balsam, and tolu balsam.

 

Or

 

Iris de Nuit Eau de Parfum by HEELEY

Mystical, sensual and delicate, iris is one of the most rare and difficult fragrances to achieve. A seductive and delicate blend of iris, wood and Tuscan cypress, Iris de Nuit is a laid back, mellow iris fragrance. Clean and fluid, its gentle charm evokes modernity–clean spaces, soft angles and crisp white linen, quite different from the classic iris scents of the past. Perfectly wearable for anytime of day and any situation… Iris de Nuit never screeches its presence, but the air is somehow diminished when the wearer leaves the room. Memorable and tangible.

 

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Acqua di Colonia – Melograno

 

Melograno reminds of a scent I would opt to wear in the cool, fall weather. It possesses citrus, florals and earth tones jockeying for position during its opening and heart accord. In actuality, this fragrance is a good representation of what’s listed in the accords as undertones of wood, green and the suggestion of tobacco are all represented as Melograno heads into the base and drydown.

 

Some Great Scents to Mix to Create Your Own Personal Scent!

Dior Homme Intense Cologne by Christian Dior

Launched by the design house of Dior in 2007, this fragrance is aptly named for the man who is vibrant, vital, and intense. Dior Homme Intense for him is a floral, woody, musky scent that he may find himself wanting to wear every day. Casual yet provocative, this alluring fragrance has a strong lavender top note that is accentuated by middle heart notes of pear, musk mallow, and iris, with deep, dark base notes of Virginia cedar and vetiver.

 

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Prada ‘Amber’ Eau de Parfum Spray

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This hypnotic amber scent is a modern classic that intertwines memory, reality, and possibility. Made from pure essential oils this long-lasting scent is distinctive, intimate, and sumptuous. The fragrance comes in a modern sleek solid glass bottle symbolizing the future.

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Margiela Replica

 

A stroll along the ocean. Feet sink into the sand. Waves brush the skin. The sun at its zenith radiates the beach. “Beach Walk” evokes the memory of a summer day.

Or

 

LILY OF THE VALLEY / MUGHETTO Cologne

 

 

The Lily of the Valley flower is native to Europe where it grows wild in the woods of the Alps. Because of its sweet scent and beautiful, fragile appearance, the lily of the valley signifies innocence and happiness that has returned. This fragrance is sweet, yet has an underlying hint of green which adds character. Good for day or evening.

 

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Cleansing Facial Wipes For When You Are In A Rush – Which For Each Skin Type by Charene Beauty Salon

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OK, OK, so the research is out, and we know that rubbing an anti-aging cleanser into your face for a full minute is the best (full article).  However, though it’s just 60 seconds, sometimes even that feels too much for us mere mortals, and hence God (and some really smart chemists) created cleansing wipes. I’m a huge fan of these, though I must say they will not perform any miracles for your skin – they just cleanse and let you get on with the rest of your day. Here are the best cleansing wipes I’ve found by skin type:

Best for Dry Skin:  Olivella Facial Cleansing Tissues ($6.99, Amazon.com)

These cleansing wipes are less drying than many other kinds, owing in part to the olive oil.  Functioning as an emollient (agent that hydrates by softening the skin), olive oil has also been shown to fight UVA/UVB-induced damage to the skin (Toxicology, 2003).  And although olive oil can also cause contact allergy in some individuals (Contact Dermatitis, 2006), the fact that these wipes contain thick ingredients like glycerin means that the olive oil won’t be in contact with your skin for long, decreasing the probability of allergy.  Overall, I like these wipes very much, particularly for those with dry skin. Ingredients:  Aqua (Water),Glycerin ,Olus,Lauryl Glucoside,Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Fragranza,Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Glyceryl Oleate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Benzoic Acid, Panthenol, Cocoglycerides, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate,Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract.

Best for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin:  Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Towelettes ($7.99, Target.com)

Are there better solutions for acne?  Sure.  But we’re talking wipes and on-the-go solutions, and with that, it’s hard to beat Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Towelettes.  First off, there is 1% salicyclic acid, an antibacterial agent that inhibits the production of various components of bacteria necessary for binary fission (bacterial reproduction), stopping acne growth and proliferation (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2003).  Salicyclic acid also is believed to soften keratin, a protein within the skin, which helps to increase cell turnover. Next, there is witch hazel, which has been shown in Archives of Dermatology (amongst other sources) to decrease inflammation. Lastly, there is alcohol, which I used to not like in skin care products, but have since learned helps to a.) thin the solution, and b.) help skin care ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.  As a result, Yes to Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Towelettes is my favorite set of wipes for oily/acne-prone skin as of July 2012.  🙂  I also must disclose that the company sent me a set for review, but I promise you, that did not influence my decision consciously at all! Salicylic Acid  1%, Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Betaine, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract*, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Alcohol, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Capsicum Frutescens (Red Pepper) Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Galactoarabinan, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum

Best for Normal Skin:  Neutrogena Night Calming Towelettes ($6.49, Amazon.com)

There’s nothing special about Neutrogena Night Calming Towelettes – except, of course, one thing:  They work.  They remove makeup easily, and leave your skin feeling clean -without any residue. The secret here is that like dissolves like:  water helps to dissolve water, whereas an ester and fatty acid (palmitate)-rich base dissolve oil-based make-up easily.  Add in a few silicones for a smooth finish, and voila!  You’ve got a clean, smooth face in seconds.  I admittedly used these all the time in med school – I kept them on my nightstand with a bottle of retinol cream.  A quick swipe of one of these, a few pumps of retinol, and I was off to dreamland! Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isostearyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hexylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG 4 Laurate, PEG 6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sucrose Cocoate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetate Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance (Parfum)

Via Future Derm

 

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Do you the benefits of Paraffin by Charene Beauty Parlour

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Paraffin wax is a common option in heat therapy treatments for people with arthritis or other rheumatic diseases — the heat helps increase blood flow and relax the muscles, which can help relieve caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia [sources: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, WebMD]. Paraffin wax can even soften hardened skin caused by scleroderma, a disease in which collagen accumulates on the body — it increases the skin’s elasticity, allowing for increased movement and mobility, especially on the skin covering the hands.

But the benefits of paraffin wax don’t stop there. Because paraffin wax treatments are a form of heat therapy, they’re often used for muscle, tendon, and ligament ailments. As with conditions like arthritis, they increase blood flow, improve joint stiffness and reduce pain. They’re also used to treat bursitis, tendonitis, sprains, and pulled muscles.

Paraffin wax baths are typically small tubs that are just large enough to submerge your hands or feet. The tubs are heat-producing appliances, so when paraffin wax is added to the tub, the wax melts into a warm liquid in which hands, feet, or elbows can be immersed. Because paraffin wax has a low melting point of 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit — which is slightly cooler than your average latte — it’s generally safe for extended skin immersion.

There are also many paraffin wax baths available for home use. These at-home spa treatments typically come with wax, fragrances, and protective gloves, and booties. However, if you’re making your own paraffin wax bath at home, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid injury.

u see it in candles, crayons, and lipstick. As a child, you probably even used it to decorate Easter eggs. It’s wax. Wax plays a starring role in beauty treatments as well — it’s a popular way to remove unwanted body hair from legs, arms, chests, eyebrows, and bikini lines. But you may not know that wax has another cosmetic use: the paraffin wax bath.

Paraffin wax is a mineral wax derived from petroleum. Unlike the wax used for depilatory procedures, which is viscous and sticky to bond to hair and skin, paraffin wax is a soft wax with a low melting point, which means that it melts at a temperature cool enough to safely immerse your skin. Paraffin wax is an emollient approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment to soften and smooth skin.

Paraffin wax has a long history of treating a variety of physical conditions. In fact, it was used in massage therapy as far back as the Roman Empire, and, in more recent years, it’s become a popular physical therapy treatment for people with sports-related injuries.

Today, paraffin wax treatments are offered at many spas and salons, and these treatments are good for more than just softening and smoothing the skin. Read on to learn more about paraffin wax treatments and how they work.

 

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Best Beauty Tips & Secrets on Facia Tissues by Charene Beauty Salon

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It is connective tissue fibers, primarily collagen, that form sheets or bands beneath the skin to attach, stabilize, enclose, and separates muscles and other internal organs. Fasciae are classified according to their distinct layers, their functions, and their anatomical location: superficial fascia, deep (or muscle) fascia, and visceral (or parietal) fascia.

Fascia is critical because it actually helps to create the shape of our bodies. Basically, fascia is like a very thin wet suit just under the skin that wraps around each individual muscle and keeps everything in place (including our organs). It’s that thin white stringy layer that you see on a chicken breast when you’re cooking.

When it’s healthy, it’s like clear saran wrap. But injuries, stress, bad posture, emotional behavioral patterns, and poor body maintenance can cause the fascia to get tight, dense, short, and plasticized. This further restricts movement and the alignment and efficiency of the body can be compromised, trapping toxins in the fascia and leading to thicker ‘pockets’ throughout the body—such as those that often form around the waist.

Like ligaments, aponeuroses, and tendons, fasciae are dense regular connective tissues, containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibers oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull. Fasciae are consequently flexible structures able to resist great unidirectional tension forces until the wavy pattern of fibers has been straightened out by the pulling force. These collagen fibers are produced by the fibroblasts located within the fascia.

Fasciae are similar to ligaments and tendons as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, tendons join muscle to bone and fasciae surround muscles or other structures.

The good news is that fascia is malleable and can be repaired—and foam rolling and bodywork are both fantastic ways of releasing all those unhealthy toxins from the fascia and helping to reduce thickness in the body.

Fasciae are normally thought of as passive structures that transmit mechanical tension generated by muscular activities or external forces throughout the body.

The function of muscle fasciae is to reduce friction to minimize the reduction of muscular force. In doing so, fasciae:

Reduces friction between muscles, allowing sliding.[citation needed]
Suspend organs in their cavities.[citation needed]
Transmit movement from muscles to bones.[citation needed]
Provide a supportive and movable wrapping for nerves and blood vessels as they pass through and between muscles.[5][need quotation to verify]

How to Make Rice Water Toner by Charene Beauty Salon

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In some parts of the world ‘to eat’ literally means ‘to eat rice’. One of the most important food grains, rice is a staple food for almost half of the world’s population, supplying as much as half of the daily calories.

But, rice is also an important beautifying ingredient. For centuries, Asian women have used rice water to beautify their face, body, and hair. Traditionally, female rice farmers in China, Japan, and other southeast Asian countries used to bathe and wash in the water used for cleaning rice.

The Yao ethnic women from the village of Huangluo in China are testament to this tradition. With their average hair length of about 6 feet, these women made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s longest hair village” (Read more here). Plus these women do not have grey hair till the late 80s. The Yao women believe that the fermented rice water, which they use to cleanse their hair, is what helps to keep their hair long, dark, and clean. Rice water enables these women to de-tangle and manages their long hair, which they wrap around their heads in an elaborate high bun that is often described with names such as ‘gazing god’s bun’ or the ‘cloud bun’.

Rice Water For Hair & Skin: Evidence & Benefits

Rice water has amazing hair and skin benefits. Recent research has shown that rice water exhibits hair care effects, such as decreasing surface friction and improving hair elasticity. Rice water has inositol, a carbohydrate, that can repair damaged hair, as well as protect it from damage. Specialized imaging technique shows that inositol stays inside the hair even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection and beautifying effects.

So, Rinsing or washing your hair with rice water will improve manageability and protect it from future damage. In addition, the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals in the rice water strengthen the hair roots, add volume and sheen and make hair feel thicker, silky, and smooth. These awesome benefits explain the 6 feet, healthy, long, and beautiful hair of the Yao women.

Not limited to hair, rice water also has many skin benefits. Due to its cooling and soothing effects on the skin, rice water is often prescribed by ayurvedic practitioners as an effective ointment to cool off inflamed skin.

Rice water also has moisturizing, antioxidant, and healing properties that help to improve circulation, prevent or fade age-related spots, and ease inflammation to give you healthy, better moisturized, and clear skin. As long as it’s left on the skin, rice water is even believed to offer mild protection from the sun.

Fermented Rice Water

The effects of rice water are further enhanced if it is left to ferment. Fermented rice water is rice water that is left to ferment and has gone slightly sour. It is rich in antioxidants, minerals, B vitamins, vitamin E, and traces of pitera, a substance produced during the fermentation process. ‘Pitera’ has grown in popularity recently, and is touted as the anti-aging elixir due to its ability to promote cell regeneration, and help skin stay young and beautiful.

This ferment rice water can be used as a face cleanser, skin toner as well as a hair rinse. The nutrients in the fermented rice water are believed to shrink pores, reduce fine lines, and tighten and brighten your skin – this is a perfect recipe to look radiant and youthful.

Washing or rinsing your hair with fermented rice water is certainly better than rinsing with unfermented or plain rice water. Fermentation lowers the pH of the liquid, and this is similar to our hair’s pH, which is also on the lower side (slightly acidic). So, this slightly acidic pH plus the added nutrients through the fermentation process help restore hair’s pH balance, stimulate blood flow to the scalp, nourish hair follicles to promote healthy hair growth, and improve the overall condition of hair.

Making Rice Water: Plain & Fermented

To enjoy these wonderful beauty benefits of rice water, all you have to do is just collect the water that you use to rinse your rice. And if you don’t want to cook the rice then just grind the leftover rice to make a body scrub or face mask.

To make rice water, you will need:

  • 1/2 cup uncooked rice (brown, white long grain, white short grain, jasmine, or whatever you have)
  • 2 cups water

To make:

  • To make rice water, first, rinse the rice with about a cup of water to remove any dirt or impurities.
  • Then, place 1/2 cup of uncooked rice in a bowl and cover with water. Let the rice soak for about an hour or so. Swirl it around and lightly knead it until the water turns cloudy. This will help the vitamins and minerals seep into the water, creating a nourishing rinse for your hair and skin.
  • Plain Rice Water: Now strain out the rice water into a clean bowl. Your rice water is ready to use.
  • You can either use this water for your hair or face or let it ferment for enhanced benefit.
  • To Ferment: Once you have collected your rice water, leave it at room temperature for a day or until it turns slightly sour, implying that it has started to ferment. It can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, depending on how warm it is. So warmer the room temperature faster the fermentation process.
  • To decrease the fermentation time, you can leave the rice sitting in the water and strain it once it has fermented.
  • Your fermented rice water is ready.
  • Store it in the refrigerator and it will last 4 to 5 days. Remember to shake the refrigerated rice water container before using it.
  • Boiling Method: You can also boil the rice to extract rice water. For this, boil the rice using more water than you would normally do. Once it starts boiling take out the excess water and use it; or you can also let the rice fully cook, strain, and use that excess water. Let the rice water cool down and it’s ready to use. You can store the remaining amount in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.