Skin Needling

 So I am out to lunch with a dear friend that is visiting from Montclair New Jersey and she starts talking about skin needling. I was completely perplexed. I said to her “What is this?” She then explains how women are using needles on their face to help with ageing. As much as I tend to be in the “know” how did this has gone under my radar?  I then look it up online and I found out I am WAY behind on this treatment.

 From what I have found out in my research is there is a pen like device that goes over area of the skin to be treated. The pen pulses the needles and then after fillers can be placed into the area treated. From the information the needles help the skin’s elasticity, help promote collagen growth and reduce pore size.

 When viewing the procedure it doesn’t look like it hurts but after; WOW the swelling. One doctor showed a patient with 12 days of swelling. I don’t know about you but I work and don’t have that kind of time to lie around. I also found pictures of smaller areas treated that seemed much more beneficial. Any acne scars that are very deep seem to benefit from the needling.

 I am lucky with my genetics that my skin is in good shape. I have kept the sun off my face for the last 20 years so I don’t have brown spots or freckles. I also haven’t done any fillers on my face at this point and I don’t think I want to try needling. If you are having acne issues or interested in trying to get rid of your wrinkles ask your dermatologist about skin needling but take my advice DON”T do a large area of your face or your vacation time will be used up watching the Vacation Channel at home. 

GILLES MARINI

Catching up with Gilles!!!! 

Gilles Marini - Actor
 Credits:
Sex in the City
Switched at Birth
Hot in Cleveland
2 Broke Girls
Brother's & Sisters
Dancing with the Stars
Modern Family
                     Just to name a few

Gilles was in town to help promote AMfar Life Ride. A stop at the Harley Davison dealarship in Medina this is where I was able to finally meet and talk to Gilles. This guy is the real deal. Thank you for your kindness and taking the time to chat with me. 

Kiehl's LifeRide 2014 to benefit AmfAR

Kitchen Cosmetics

  You have seen those infomercials claiming to diminish fine lines or bleach age spots. For a fee these products can be shipped right to your door. Many department stores showcase miracle creams. What should you buy? How about eggs and apple juice? Yes, I just mentioned food for your face. Below is a  recipe for a mask to help with fine lines, and a few other tips for solving your beauty problems.

   First take 2 tablespoons of whole milk, 2 tablespoons of apple juice and 1 egg white. Mix this together; apply to the face with a makeup brush. Leave on until it dries. Rinse with warm water. This mask will act the same as an AHA product. The milk has lactic acid and the juice contains malic acid both work great to tighten fine lines. Do this one to two times a week. 

   For brown spots try 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of soy milk and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply to the face leave on for 25 minutes do this two to three times a week. It will take 6 weeks to see any improvement.  This mixture will help lighten those brown spots but it will take patience to see results.

   Does your hair have chlorine build up from swimming? Use a tablespoon of baking soda and mix into a capful of shampoo. Apply on wet hair leave for 15 minutes then rinse and shampoo again without the baking soda then use a conditioner, rinse that out. Please note, do not use on color treated hair it will strip off your color. Also this treatment will not remove a green cast on the hair from swimming.

   If your hair is dry try olive oil on it. Place olive oil through dry hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes, rinse, shampoo and condition. I love to do this on my hair; it can be done up to 3 times a week.  Beauty products can get expensive, you might see faster results spending money on commercial products but if you aren’t in a hurry and you’re on a budget give these kitchen ingredients a try you will be happy with the results.

Summer Fun

  May was  so hectic. Personally I had my youngest daughter make First Communion. My oldest daughter had prom and graduation, and my middle daughter is a student driver turning 16 in a few months. As for work it started off with a bang. I did makeup on models for a convention that will be held in New York City, sixty people over the month of May. Also I worked on a commercial job for America Makes in Youngstown and saw many future brides for trials.

  I like being busy I am a Gemini and that astronomic sign fits me completely. In a few weeks it will be my Birthday. I love the day and I try to celebrate the whole month. To start off June Cleveland Magazine interviewed me for Rating the Suburbs edition. I spoke about the best foundation and tips for summer application. The magazine is on newsstands now. I am happy with the article and that I was asked for my opinion for it.  

  Summer is a fun time. School is out and of course there are a lot of social gatherings  outdoors. A few items to bring with you should be sunscreen and water. People ask me what to buy to reverse the signs of aging? The answer is hydrate your skin to prevent it from the start. Water is so important! If you’re in the twenty something group use sunscreen and wear a hat. These two things my young friends will save you from visits to the dermatologist office or even the plastic surgeons in the future. 

 Also if you buy foundation with a SPF make sure you still wear sunscreen under it. Makeup isn’t formulated to protect your skin alone. To the men out there reading this they do make non greasy fragrance free sunscreens.  Remember to apply it on your ears and the back of your neck. Skin cancers are common on the nose, ears and top of the head so we need to protect these areas most.  Sunscreen should be used on all skin types light or dark.  If you’re in salt water it is best after you come out to rinse the salt and sand off and re apply new sunscreen.  The sun feels great on our bodies but we have to be smart at keeping our skin healthy. Enjoy the warm weather; I think here in Cleveland  we are  finally warming up and can be out of the house for some fun. 

Cleveland Magazine

Making up models in May

On set at America Makes

Graduation!

Time Marches On

 This week marks a year that Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry were freed from a home here in Cleveland Ohio. Ten and eleven years of being held prisoner these women survived. When I heard this story I felt sick to my stomach. I have daughters and I try to protect them. As small children we tell our kids about stranger danger but this story proves it doesn't always have to be a stranger to be a bad guy.

  A month ago I worked with the Dr. Phil show. At first  I had no idea of the topic they would speak about.  When I got the call sheet I saw that I was going to be doing makeup on a lawyer Peggy Foley Jones. I had already done Peggy’s makeup a few years ago for an article in Inside Business so I knew a little about her. When I got to the law office I found out she is the lawyer for Michelle Knight.  Peggy was going to be interviewed for a segment on the show.

  Michelle was referred to Peggy and eventually hired her. As I sat there hearing stories about Michelle from the past and today I kept welling up. I am amazed at her strength and endurance. Peggy said when they travel in airports together people continually come up and talk to Michelle. They want to say hello and hug her. 

  Two weeks ago Peggy sent me an email that said she referred me to the Anderson Cooper 360 show to assist Michelle. I was headed to Hawaii so I wasn't able to be there but my Associate Alyson Moss stepped in.  Michelle's book will be released soon and she is talking about her time in captivity to different news outlets. Makeup is so trivial my job tends to be fun but these stories test the makeup by the tears shed, maybe more mine then theirs. 

  I haven't met Michelle but I feel as if I will. Would I know what to say?  I am not sure. I can’t imagine that type of life for eleven years. Missing out on your child's milestones, any education needed to carry you into the future and the worst part treated the way she and the other girls were.  If I was to talk to Michelle I would say "You are  a strong soul, I am amazed at your courage ." Time does march on and Michelle demonstrates what strength she has every time she talks about her captivity. I wish her a lifetime of happiness she deserves it. 

Spring

  Well it has been a very LONG winter and we are all ready to get out of the house.  In the last few weeks I have been busy. I had a cover photo shoot with Inside Business and a video shoot for the Dr. Phil show. I was hoping to meet Dr. Phil to ask him a few of my own questions but he was not at the taping. The episode will air in May nationally. Also my makeup agency is booking clients for 2014 and I am working on other projects.

  Last week I was in New York City with my girls to do some shopping and celebrate.  This year the older girls turn 16 and 18 on their Birthday’s and we had to really make it memorable. Nothing is better than staying at a Times Square hotel and taking in a play. Actually after not agreeing on a production we ended up at a comedy show and FOR sure they won’t forget that weekend.

  We also were able to check out the newest fashions. In stores the clothing they are showing is floral and Aztec prints. Sheer tops in pastel colors are all the rage.  Big bags to carry and printed shoes are seen in many  NYC stores. The weekend  there was busy with marathon runners and St Patrick’s Day celebrations. We were on the go the whole time so it was a good thing New York City does not close.

  I enjoy time with my family and feel blessed I can go away and have some fun. Spring this year is about new beginnings for me personally. In just a few short weeks I will be getting married again and I am so happy to be with a man that I can call my best friend and share life’s moments with.  I wish everyone a Happy Spring!

Inside Business Cover

Prints

Sheer

A great time!

Deja’ Vu

  While growing up in Cleveland, we had a morning show called The Morning Exchange.  It was hosted by Fred Griffith after the original host, Alan Douglas left months after it debuted.  Joel Rose and Liz Richards also were added.  Over the course of 27 years, Fred remained and had a few other co-hosts.  Both Robin Swoboda and Connie Dieken were part of this show at some point.  I watched each morning getting ready for school in the 1970’s.  At that time, celebrities would actually travel into town to be interviewed.  Authors would sit and chat about their newest novel and callers would call in and ask questions to experts talking about domestic problems.  It was all live and right downtown on Euclid Avenue.

 As a youngster I thought, how cool would it be to be at the station meeting all these interesting people? All the important people sat on the couch to talk to Fred.  Years later, both Connie and Robin  became news anchors at stations in town.  Robin was always funny while Connie was professional and so stunning.  In 2007, I had one of my biggest days ever in my career.  I was on the newest morning talk show, Good Company.  Same format as The Morning Exchange, but on another network. One of the hosts was Fred Griffith.

 Yes, I got to meet FRED GRIFFTH!  I was on to discuss beauty tips and I had 5 minutes to talk on camera... LIVE!  Very bizarre! I was going to be on a show just like I watched as a kid.  Fred was so professional that I wish I had had time to interview him.  I am sure he has stories to tell.  After that segment, I headed over to Baldwin Wallace College to be the stylist for then Senator Barack Obama.  In my eyes, this day was on the top of my list of professional achievements.

 As the years continued I became a regular on Good Company and actually sat on THE couch, a place reserved for only the biggest interviews.  What a thrill!  In 2011, I applied Robin Swoboda's makeup.  She was SO down to earth, living up to ALL my expectations.  In 2012 I met Connie Dieken for a shoot and have been her stylist for many projects in the last few years, so much so I consider her a friend.

 It is truly deja’ vu for me!  As a kid I dreamed of being on TV and thought how cool  these people and their jobs were.  Now I work assisting them.  It just proves that NO dream is unattainable.  You have to fight the odds, take the risk, and put yourself out there.  Lastly BELIEVE in yourself!  It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about you because they don’t know your story to judge you.  Only you know the odds you have fought to get there.   

http://archive.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=133093

Fred

Connie and Me

Robin

WEWS 

My time in the hot seat! Good Company