Month: February 2022

Brightening Facial for Oily Skin

KIKI CARR

When people hear the word facial most often they will visualize a relaxing day at the spa. But in reality a facial is nothing like what is portrayed in the media.

A facial is a medical procedure used to treat common skin conditions like acne. Many Aestheticians work alongside Dermatologist to aid the skin during the healing process. Facials are not frivolous, they promote wellness.

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A brightening facial is ideal for anyone suffering from acne or dark spots. Dead skin clogs pores which causes oily skin types to break out and others to just look dull. Winter weather tends to worsen these conditions.

A brightening facial will not only soften the skin but also refine the pores. Brightening facials improve roughness while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The products used to brighten like vitamin C, enzymes and AHA’s benefit the multiple layers of the skin in different ways.

One thing you can do at home in between facials to help combat oil, keep the pores clear, lighten dark spots and have an overall healthier appearance is use a clay mask.

Indian Healing Clay is an all natural beauty product that has been used for centuries to keep skin clear. Bentonite clay absorbs oil from the pores leaving the skin feeling smooth and clean. Mixing 1 part clay and 1 part organic apple cider vinegar will not only detox the pores but also bash blemishes! The acidity of the apple cider vinegar attacks hyperpigmentation causing it to fade over time. The best part about this mask is the cost! For under $10 you can have a mini facial at home.

The words “all natural” can sometimes give the impression of harmless, which is not necessarily true. Bentonite is an absorbent clay. Using a clay mask multiple times a week can cause the skin to be dry. For best results use a facial brush to apply a thin layer no more than once a week.

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FACE MASK TOOL KIT

Although there are relaxing parts to a facial, it is a corrective treatment. Brightening facials are ideal for acne, hyperpigmentation, and anyone who wants to look more vibrant and refreshed.

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Aztec Indian Healing Clay

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Plazuria 5 in 1 DIY Facemask Mixing Tool Kit

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Try Etana Beauty Complete Set!

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More Brightening Goodies

Sunday Rileys CEO Glow

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How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs on Vag AND Lighten Dark Spots

KIKI CARR

Talking about the intimate area can make some people fell uncomfortable, embarrassed or even bashful. But there is no need. Ingrowns, dark spots, bumps and other skin conditions are common issues seen on any part of the body. Although a Vajacial can help, at home care is where you will see the most benefit. You have the ability to care for your skin everyday. As an Aesthetician, I only service my clients skin once a month.

I teach prevention rather than reversal. However, if you do suffer from dark spots and ingrowns there are some things you can start doing to treat the area. The first thing is to STOP shaving.

Hair naturally tapers off.

When the hair is cut at the surface of the skin, by razor or a chemical depilatory such as Nair, it becomes blunt. Once blunt, the hair is prickly and instead of growing out it stabs into the skin where it becomes trapped. Rather than shave, trim the hair down to the size of a grain of rice.

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Waxing is slightly better because the hair can grow out tapered. But the problem with waxing is that the hair is completely removed from the follicle, leaving the follicle open and subject to becoming clogged with oil, dirt, and dead skin. That blockage will prevent the hair from being able to grow out and once again, an ingrown. By using a product like Tend Skin after a wax, it will help keep the hair follicle cleaned out.

In order to get rid of current ingrowns and dark spots the area needs to be exfoliated. In most cases the ingrown hair is trapped under dead skin. An enzyme can help with that.

Ingrown Hair Treatment For Black Skin

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exfoliating mitt
exfoliating face wash

Enzymes target and dissolve dead skin. Washing the area with an exfoliating glove and enzyme can drastically reduce the amount of dead skin in and around the area. The cleanser will soften the dead skin and the gloves will gently buff it away. When it comes to the dark spots, both pineapple and papaya contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is widely used in many skin lightening products. Although hyper-pigmentation does take a while to fade, staying consistent will help you see results faster.

Although enzymes are considered gentle forms of chemical exfoliation, they can be categorized as an irritant. Therefore, it is a good idea to perform a patch test before introducing the skin care product into your beauty regimen.

Trimming instead of shaving and using exfoliating treatments such as the enzyme soap are easy and effective ways to treat dark spots and ingrowns in the comfort of your own home.

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator
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Smokey Eye Makeup Look | Dark Skin

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makeup looks for black women

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Date Night Inspo

Hey girl!

Check out this sexy date night look I put together for you. A sultry smokey eye is a go to. The great thing about a smokey eye is that it can be any color! The key to smoking an eye out is to concentrate the black on the lash line. That’s what makes the eye sultry.

My favorite product for a sleek & sultry eye is the MAC Cosmetics Feline eye kohl pencil.

For this look I paired a brown smokey eye with a bold berry lip and threw a gloss on top. You know a gloss takes any lip color to the next level. This is such an easy makeup look! The secret to looking really made up is a glamorous lash.

These are the products I used to achieve this look. All worth it! I use these same products all the time because I love them so much and I know you will too.

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Get The Look!

Click here for outfit inspo. Have fun on your date night boo!

~xoxo

Becoming an Esthetician. Is it Worth it?

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So that I don’t leave you in limbo let me answer the question now, YES! As you will see when you watch the video, an Esthetician does many things and has many choices when it comes to career opportunities. Of course working in a spa is an obvious option but an Esthetician can also work on cruise ships, at waxing centers, lash boutiques and undoubtedly become an entrepreneur.

Allow me to dive into what an Esthetician is for a moment, because I personally had no idea. When I was in the process of choosing a beauty school I would ask everyone ” what’s the difference between the cosmetology program and the Esthetician program”? I didn’t get a clear answer for weeks, MONTHS!

Let me tell you right now, everyone will try to sell you on the cosmetology program. A cosmetology program is longer and of course cost more money. People will tell you with a cosmetology license you can do everything, but there is a caveat.

The main focus of a cosmetology program is hair. Cosmetologist learn everything there is to know about hair. A cosmetology program will only teach a basic facial, basic manicure, basic pedicure, etc.

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An Esthetican learns more than the basic facial. An esthetics program teaches skin care in-depth. Estheticians learn the skin inwards and outwards. The different layers of the skin and how each layer functions.

Mastering this knowledge is required to graduate beauty school and most certainly required to become licensed in any state. An Esthetician is essentially a medical professional. Many work alongside Dermatologist. It is an Estheticians role to treat conditions of the skin topically, while doctors usually prescribe medications that work internally.

An Estheticians job is to beautify. Estheticians leave the skin looking glowy and feeling soft by treating it with products and medical modalities such as chemical peels. An Esthetician removes unwanted hair by waxing. An Esthetician does makeup, lashes, eyebrows and more. NO ONE TOLD ME THIS!

If you want to learn how to treat everyday skin conditions such as acne, learn the proper technique used to extract impacted pores, be able to identify product ingredients, know the benefits of such ingredients, and study clinical therapies used to treat skin, become an Esthetician.

Watch the video below to learn more about what an Esthetician does and what you can expect from Esthetics school. If you need a mentor click here. Also be sure to check out my Esthetic and beauty business courses.

If you are located in Chicago Illinois and looking to enroll in an Esthetics program or cosmetology program consider Dudley’s Beauty College.

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MAC Lipsticks for Dark Skin

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Most Complimented Combo

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Try Ruby Woo lined with Chestnut and Lady Be Good in the center for a beautiful ombre!

MAC Ruby Woo

MAC Chestnut Lipliner

MAC Retro Matte Lady Be Good

MAC Lipstick Swatches

Let’s start off by dismantling all of the dark skin makeup myths RIGHT NOW! Every color looks amazing on us, PERIOD! Although dark skin can successfully pull off any color the most flattering colors are:

YELLOW & GOLD | ORANGE & CORAL | RED | PURPLE | GREEN

PRO TIP: Top any lipstick with a gloss to enhance the look!

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I have been a makeup artist for many years. I am considered a Master and an Expert at this point in my career, so I know. Here I have highlighted some of my favorite MAC lipsticks and lip glosses. Check out the video for swatches.

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Spite

$19.00

Oldie but goodie. Soft pinkish brown.

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Ruby Woo

$19.00

Truly shiny! Sexy.

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Odyssey

$19.00

Stunning everyday shimmer.

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CB 96

$19.00

Orange gold. Soft.

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Bronze Shimmer

$19.00

Classic. Classy

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Be Sure to check out my full face of MAC video.

7 Walmart Beauty Products You NEED!!

KIKI CARR

Makeup, skin care, hygiene, hair and so much more. Walmart is home to many amazing beauty products! Here are 7 phenomenal cosmetics worth mentioning.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Cerave makes one of the best soaps on the market. Skincare should be customized per person however this product is pretty universal. Its hydrating formula does not strip the skin and is designed with ingredients that restore and sustain the skins natural barrier.

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Daily use of Albolene helps to promote vibrant, healthy skin and a younger-looking complexion. This product works as an emollient and helps moisture stay locked in. If you are looking for a makeup remover that is anit-aging and promotes healthy skin look no further.

Dr. Miracles Edge Holding Gel helps to maintain and hold the hair in place. This is my number 2 edge control of all time. And trust me I have tried them ALL! Formulated with Jojoba oil this super hold formula not only adds shine but also conditions. S T A P L E!!!

CocoCare Cocoa Butter is an all-natural moisturizer. One of the only few lip balms I can use. This product actually repairs my lips instead of making them look and feel worse like I have experienced using other lip balms. It applies smooth and silky. Cococare’s Cocoa Butter Lip Balm prevents and protects dry, chapped, cracked or windburned lips.

Skin protectant. Versatile. Softens. Multi-use. Ointment. Safe. Non-comedogenic. Helps treat acne. Seriously …. no seriously!! It’s a beauty must have.

The best of the best body creme products on the market. PERIOD! Outside of the beautiful formula, luxurious packaging, and price point this 5 star product is enriched with Provitamin B5. Rich. Creamy. Moisturizing. Nourishing. It literally has all the things.

Natural hair curl activator. Acne bully!!! Removes impurities and dirt from the pours. Deep pore cleansing of the skin. World’s most powerful facial. 100% natural.

Try them ALL!

DrugStore Moisturizers for Oily Skin

KIKI CARR

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

As a person with oily and acne prone skin I cringe at the thought of trying new products. I personally am terrified to use things on my face that I have never used before. The only thing I can think about is, will this break me out? For that reason I am very picky when I choose to try new products. Because I have acne there is one thing I am always willing to bet on, a moisturizer.

Products designed to treat acne are very drying.

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It is imperative to replenish the skin with hydrating products when using ingredients that treat acne. Two moisturizers in particular come to mind when thinking of affordable skin care that can be found in a local drug store for under $20. The Cerave Moisturizing Cream and Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. They are both non comegenic, fragrance free and dermatologist tested. They are also both light weight and absorb quickly. The main difference between the two is technology. Cerave has modern day popular ingredients that are extremely hydrating, while the Vanicream includes only the primary ingredients which make up a basic moisturizer.

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For many reasons people choose to use products that are very mild. Vanicream is ideal for anyone looking to have a product free of anything that could potentially be an irritant. Both products work great, the choice will depend on the buyer. Cerave is for anyone looking to have ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, and other fatty acids while Vanicream is perfect for people who can appreciate the bare minimum.