by Joanna Douglas | Jun 12, 2012 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
Blog Shows How Scary Celebs Look Close Up
Even Gwyneth Paltrow has unflattering photos.
Photo courtesy of celebritycloseup.tumblr.com |
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On top of being beautiful, celebrities have teams of makeup artists to get their skin and cosmetics looking flawless. Thank goodness for the great equalizer: unflattering photos. A Tumblr blog called Celebrity Close-up shows life-size head shots of celebs under bright lights and reveals what your average red carpet photo cannot: blotchy skin, crooked lipstick applications, cold sores, crooked teeth, freckles, and bad nose jobs.
It’s not that we like tearing down celebrities–it’s just refreshing to know they too have undereye circles and pimples covered up with concealer. This blog is proof that everyone from Angelina Jolie to Gwyneth Paltrow is capable of taking a bad photo. And that Kim Kardashian wears so much makeup she looks like a living mannequin. (Seriously, look at the picture below, it’s insane.)
Intrigued? Check out Celebrity Close-Up for hundreds of surprising celeb photos. We’ll confess we spent about 30 minutes gawking at shots of Mick Jagger (really wrinkled), Anna Wintour (big pores), and Jennifer Lopez (still flawless).
by Q Pro-team | May 19, 2012 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
Sunscreens and their SPF #s
With sunny summer days already here, a lot of our clients are asking questions about different sunscreens and what does a higher SPF really mean.
High SPF numbers can be misleading, as an SPF of 30 is not twice as protective as an SPF of 15. When used properly, an SPF of 15 protects the skin from 93% of UVB radiation, an SPF 30 97% and an SPF 65 98% protection. SO, the difference between SPF of 30 and 65 is really 1%!!
The SPF number is really an imperfect way of measuring “how long” we can stay in the sun before getting burned! For example if it takes 10 minutes for unprotected skin to show redness, then an SPF15 sunscreen correctly applied, will take 15 times as long or 150 minutes to burn & SPF 30 will take 30 times as long or 300 minutes, etc…
In reality, it is rare for a person to achieve this exact level of protection as factors like how much you apply, the weather and even your skin type will affect your level of protection.
Enjoy the beautiful weather and have a great long weekend everyone!
by Real Beauty | May 10, 2012 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
15 Surprising Things that Age Your Skin
Healthy, glowing skin is usually beauty priority number one for women, so we’ve rounded up the most surprising bad skin habits you need to kick to the curb.
#1. Coffee
Caffeine is a major culprit when it comes to dry skin. Avoid the magnification of wrinkles and instead, quench skin by drinking lots of H2O. To make sipping on water more enticing, add fruit slices like orange or lemon to enhance the flavor.
#2. Skipping Meals
While dropping those last few pounds may be number one on your priority list, make sure you do it the right way. Skipping meals can cause skin to age faster and dry out more quickly. Always try to include vitamins C (oranges), B3 (peanuts), E (avocados), and A (sweet potatoes) in your meals to build up your skin’s health.
#3. Not Drinking Enough Water
It’s true, 8 glasses a day will keep your wrinkles away! Hydrating yourself daily will not only help to fight off aging, but also gives your skin a healthy glow. Skip the water, and you’ll be stuck with rough and ‘shrunken’ skin.
#4. Yo-Yo Dieting
Sticking to a diet is not an easy task. Between work, social life, and down time it’s not always easy to maintain one weight. However constant yo-yo dieting can negatively impact your skin–frequent weight gain and loss can cause the fibers in skin to loosen over time creating stretch marks and sag.
#5. Not Enough Sleep
Need an excuse to feel better about pressing the snooze button? Getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night will not only help you look refreshed, but it will also replenish and rehydrate skin. Not getting a good night’s sleep can result in dull skin and clogged pores.
#6. Missing the Eye Doc Appointment
Skipped your annual optometrist appointment? It’s time to pencil it into your calendar. Wearing outdated contacts and glasses will cause you to squint more, and in turn, lead to fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. To avoid unnecessary ageing, make sure you visit your eye doctor at least once a year.
#7. Bad Lipstick
With three to five cellular layers of skin that rest upon lips, make sure your beauty regime includes them too! Dried out lips not only look bad, but also causes them to age faster. Look for lipsticks and lip balm that contain petrolatum, dimethicone, and glycerine to help keep your smackers hydrated!
#8. Dead Skin
You know when you can’t put down the loofah and scrub because it just feels so gosh darn good? We won’t lie, we’ve been there. We love a refreshing scrub every now and then, but over exfoliating can strip your skin of its necessary oils it needs to maintain your natural glow. Exfoliate skin once a week to keep it healthy.
#9. Frowning
Constant movements of the muscles in your skin from facial expressions are what lead to frown lines. To give your skin a rest, try avoiding scrunching and pouting of the face which will cause permanent wrinkles and lines in your skin.
#10. Stressing
Consider stress the heavy weight knock out when it comes to your skin. Not only can it cause blemishes, acne, dullness and rashes… but stress lines from facial movements will also ingrain in your skin over time. Best way to avoid stress? Take time to do something you enjoy like yoga, read a book, cook, or take a walk.
#11. Candy
Dear Sugar, it’s not you, it’s me… I’ll miss you! We know breaking up is hard to do, but keep in mind when you intake excess sugar it hurts the collagen nestled in your skin leaving you with sag. Fight your sweet tooth with organic fruits like pineapple or mango.
#12. Skipping the Gym
Exercise seems to be the cure for almost everything these days and rightfully so! Exercising helps to increase blood flow and give your face a healthy glow. In addition, it also cleans the body of toxins which are expelled during perspiration and cleanses dead skins cells allowing new ones to grow. Without regular exercise you may see an increase in age spots, so lace up those sneakers and hit the pavement.
#13. Driving
The seat-belt tan may be a girl’s biggest pet peeve in the summer months, but what you don’t know is that those sunburns on your arm add up! Since your left arm is always exposed to more sun when driving, make sure to lather up with extra sun block on that side. The same rules apply to those who are riding in the passenger seat with their right arm exposed.
#14. The Sauna
Bad news for all your spa buffs out there. Keep your sauna and steam room usage to a minimum. These spa treats can cause sagging (as they break down elasticity and natural collagen in the skin) over time.
#15. Too Much Makeup
Leaving the house without makeup on may feel like you’re walking around naked for a few minutes, but after awhile it’s kind of refreshing! Allowing your skin to breathe will help prevent clogged pores and breakouts while avoiding premature aging. So take a walk on the wild side – ditch your makeup every now and then.
by Q Pro-team | Apr 16, 2012 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.3 Rosacea Treatment
Quick Facts about Rosacea
Rosacea is a harmless skin disorder, but it may cause one to be self-conscious or embarrassed. The exact cause of rosacea is not known. The following are some quick facts about rosacea:
- Rosacea is most likely contributed to:genetic predisposition, lack of vitamin-B, spicy food, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, stress, ect.
- Rosacea primarily affects people with lighter skin types, though it can affect people with any type of skin.
- Rosacea typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, and appears more commonly in women than in men.
- In some cases, rosacea may co-exist with acne. This is known as “adult acne rosacea”.
- Early stage rosacea may be misdiagnosed as a sunburn, which often causes a delay of treatment.
For more information about rosacea, please visit Rosacea Treatment Toronto.
by Alyssa V. | Feb 6, 2012 | 2.5 Cellulite Treatment
Finally ready for the beach
I had stubborn cellulite on my hips which had become increasingly noticeable over the last few years. After three treatments with Marcela, even my boyfriend noticed the changes on my body. You’ve not only helped me change the way I look, you’ve changed the way I feel.. and just in time for our vacation.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Alyssa V. – Cellulite Treatment (Feb. 2012)
by Maya T. | Feb 1, 2012 | 2.5 Cellulite Treatment
When nothing else would work with my cellulite
I’ve tried various cellulite treatments, I work out, I eat a clean diet and still I couldn’t get rid of my cellulite. Even though I was hesitant of trying yet another treatment, I figured I owed it to my thighs to at least go ahead with the free consultation. Nazila was so knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely interested in my concerns, I decided to give the Lumicell treatments a try. I really couldn’t be more thankful, the results have been incredible! I wish I would have started at Q Esthetics!
Thank you Nazila & to the entire team for making this so easy.
Maya T. – Cellulite Treatment (Feb. 2012)
by Maggie M. | Jan 16, 2012 | 2.4 Warts Treatment
Thank you for the difference you’ve made
As a mother, it broke my heart to see the emotional pain my 14-year-old daughter was going through due to warts. You have made such an incredible difference in Sarah’s life; she’s made a 180-degree turn since receiving her treatments at Q Esthetics. Not only is she no longer constantly hiding and embarrassed of her hands, she exudes a confidence that even I have never seen in her before.
Thank you all for the difference you’ve made in our lives!
Maggie M. – Wart Treatment (Jan. 2012)
by Eva R. from Toronto | Jan 9, 2012 | 5.1 Other Treatments
Thank you all at Q Esthetics
When I first came to Q Esthetics, my skin was bumpy and patchy, I had too many clogged pores to count and the hyperpigmentation on my forehead (which bothered me the most) was getting darker by the day.
After trying countless amounts of products and not getting anywhere, I was fed up and decided it was time to consult the experts. During my first consultation with Marcela she was so friendly and eager to help. As a student, I didn’t have much of a budget to work with and was never really one for following skin care regimes, but she helped me with a plan that fit. She recommended the Obagi Nu-Derm line and guided me through it every step of the way. When I called with questions (and I had many) she and the receptionist were always there to help.
It’s been four months and the results have been better than I could have ever expected. I have dark skin and over the years it had become much darker and uneven. My skin is now brighter, clear and even. I was embarrassed about my skin for years and now I’m not only getting compliments but my friends are all asking me for skin care tips and I of course recommend them to Q Esthetics.
Thank you so much.
Eva R. from Toronto – Skin Care (Jan. 2012)
by Q Pro-team | Jan 6, 2012 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 5.1 Other Treatments
Photorejuvenation – the simple choice for clearer, younger-looking skin
Get radiant skin by clearing unwanted pigment and blood vessels!
Stop covering and concealing your skin imperfections—and get back to the clear,
youthful skin you desire, quickly, easily, and with minimal downtime. It’s possible with photorejuvenation – an advanced treatment that helps clear undesirable pigment and vessels from your skin, revealing clearer skin that you’ll be proud to show off.
Photorejuvenation is the nonsurgical approach to skin renewal that can transform your looks for the better — and it lets you return to your normal activities right away.
Pulses of light make all the difference, because they target pigment and vessels in your skin without harming surrounding tissue. The result? You feel little to no discomfort during the procedure, and your skin can look and feel better than ever.
Choose fast, easy, comfortable photorejuvenation to improve::
Get back your youthful glow without surgery or downtime!
by Q Pro-team | Dec 13, 2011 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
Embrace the ease and simplicity of laser tattoo removal
Remember what your skin looked like before your tattoo? Tattoos aren’t as permanent as they used to be. Good thing, since tattoos can lose their appeal over time. With laser tattoo removal, you can drastically reduce the appearance of your tattoo with excellent long-term results:
- Well-tolerated, easy treatment sessions;
- Reduced risk of scarring or infection;
- Minimal post-procedure downtime;
Laser tattoo removal is the treatment preferred over skin bleaching or surgery, because it doesn’t damage your skin — but it does target and destroy tattoo ink with precision and ease. The result? Even the darkest tattoos fade away.
When you’re ready to say goodbye to your tattoos and hello to clearer, ink-free skin, you’re ready for tattoo removal to make your tattoo fade away.
Laser tattoo removal can be performed on all skin types, and it can be used on faces and bodies. It’s the tattoo removal solution for dramatic, lasting results.
Make the move to laser tattoo removal. Ideal for:
- Permanent tattoos;
- Amateur tattoos
- Permanent makeup tattoos
You don’t have to live with unwanted tattoos when laser tattoo removal delivers!
