I must admit......

We have just brought in a new skincare line called Suki. To quote their website:

“We are the first to perfect uncompromising, advanced skin care solutions based upon the physiological equilibrium of natural pharmaceutical grade ingredients immersed in completely pure & organic bases. because our formulas are made from 100% high performance natural, organic, biodynamic & food grade ingredients, they are compatible to work in unison with the body’s natural biological processes.”

As most of you know, I am madly in love with Eminence Organic Skincare so I must admit, at first; I was not overly excited about another skincare line. Suki and Eminence have some similar qualities, but all in all, they are completely different lines……which is good. Nothing, in my opinion, compares to Eminence’s Treatment Masques. They are organic bliss and they truly change and correct the skin without harsh chemicals or additives. Suki only has two masques, and though they are very result oriented, I don’t think they stand up to Eminence’s Masques nor are they as much of a treat to use. I actually have to make myself NOT overuse my Eminence masques, I love them so much. Once or twice a week is the maximum for masking. However, Suki has some products that give Eminence some serious competition. Which brings me to my first Suki Product Review 

I fight adult acne and congestion. Hormones are a big player in the fight so it is an ongoing battle. Using the best, most pure products out there have really helped change my skin. I will admit, while I was getting settled here in Virginia, I didn’t have the wonderful benefit of working at a fabulous Spa anymore, having top quality products at hand for myself, daily. So I skimped a little and tried some over-the- counter products. I’m not knocking over-the-counter products. But since using my beloved Eminence again, and now Suki, I SERIOUSLY see a difference in my skin and in the quality of products. So I’ve been eyeballing Suki’s Pure Moisture Balancing product. I love Eminence’s Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream, it is heaven to use and it keeps my skin looking radiant. I ran out of it, so I thought I’d give Suki’s Pure Moisture Balancing product a try. This brings me to the title of this piece…..I must admit, I was a little afraid of it. Why? Because it is an oil treatment……….yes, I said OIL! This is where the science of Suki stands out though. Our skin is comprised of oil…and congestion/acne prone skin types tend to either over strip their natural oil in hopes of clearing the skin, only to overstimulate the sebaceous glands, and produce more oil…adding to congestion or not use a moisturizer because they are misinformed and feel like it will “break them out” to use one. Suki’s Pure Moisture balancing treatment actually mimics our own naturally found oils in our skin and tells the sebaceous glands to “chill out” and not over produce oils that lead to congestion and sometimes manifesting break outs. In conjunction to the Organic Jojoba oil that is used, Echinacea is used and is a natural antibiotic that helps to heal and keep skin clear. Also, organic Chamomile has a serious calming soothing effect on the skin and is one of the key actives in this product. The following is the complete list of ingredients:

organic jojoba (simmondsia chinensis), sunflower (helianthus annus), grapeseed (vitis vinifera), rice germ (oryza sativa), borage seed (borago officinalis) & hazelnut (corylus americano) oils, 100% natural non-gmo vitamin e (tocopherol), organic calendula (calendula officinalis), lavender (lavandula angustifolia), chamomile (anthemis nobilis), echinacea (echinacea purpurea) & rose (rosa canina) extracts, aroma (pure premium steam distilled essential oil)

So I gave it a try. I used one to two drops (at night) after I cleansed my skin and toned. It definitely is unnerving the first time you apply it, even when you have the knowledge that this is a pure wonderful active product. It absorbed quickly and I must say, I LOVED THE WAY MY SKIN LOOKED after applying this product. My pores seemed finer and I had a healthy glow (not oily shine). My skin was not greasy at all! I awoke the next morning and no new pustules, just really pretty skin. I thought to myself, “hmmm, I can’t wait to use it again tonight.” I have used this product now for the past 5 days and I am a converted “oil at night” girl. After all, cream is actually a mixture of oil and water. Our bodies respond better to the pure oil than to a cream and now I am a believer! So FIVE stars to the Suki Pure Moisture Balancing treatment!!! I can’t believe I am going to say this, but you have taken the place of my Blueberry Soy Recovery Cream forever.

Very Cherry (thanks mom)

 The joys of Spring are upon us! Our Daffodils and treasured Cherry Blossoms are blooming with beauty! Eminence has the perfect masque and treatment for this exciting time of the year. Pure Organic Cherry pulp and pieces along with honey, make up this powerful Vitamin C packed mask. It's a perfect Spring treatment for almost all skin types, especially for dehydrated, mature, large pored persons. The delicious scent is almost enough to make you want to taste it. This is my new must have product for Spring! It will leave your skin glowing, super hydrated, and radiant. If you are in the Vienna, VA area, we are running a special for our 90 min. Cherry Blossom facial that showcases this product, for only $100. This promotion is ending at the end of the DC's Cherry Blossom Festival so book your treatment today! http://www.loftysalon.com/ for online booking or call 703.242.0609. Even if you miss this promotion, we can special order you a jar for you to use at home for your weekly masking treatment.

Words that move me

"It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come."

~Dalai Lama

Luscious Pears

The sweet scent of fresh pear washes over me as I apply Eminence's Pear and Poppy Seed Microderm Polisher. This fabulous form of natural manual Mircodermabrasion is a true treat to use. It's more than just a basic scrub! Pear, Poppy, and Walnut seeds in conjunction with Silica act as powerful resurfacers to deeply exfoliate and refine your skin. Green Apple puree and Green Tea enrich the skin with antioxidants and vitamins. This is one of the best manual exfoliation products I have ever used. My skin feels smooth as glass when I rinse this product off and my skin glows. It's very concentrated so you use about a dime size amount with about a tsp. of water to emulsify and work around your entire face gently for 1-2 minutes in circular motions. You should use this product 1-2 times weekly but always remember you can overexfoliate and strip the skin so always follow the recommendation guidelines. Not only does this product remove dead dry layers, but it also allows your following products to penetrate more deeply. I always recommend following your weekly exfoliation treatment with a treatment mask. The skin is perfectly prepped to get the most out of the skin changing possibilities of a facial mask.

Cananga Odorata

I've really been drawn lately to essential oil use and aromatherapy. I begin and end all my facials with the power of this centuries old technique of healing. I believe in it and can truly feel a shift in my mood as I use the different oils. My go-to oils as of late have been to begin with the all-purpose Lavender that induces relaxation and then to awaken and energize with Lemongrass. I absolutely love Lemongrass and fresh Lavender from the garden is hard to beat. I'm feeling the need to branch out and try other not as popular oils either to blend or to use separately to enhance to benefits of these powerful oils. So this brings me to the Cananga Odorata! Ylang Ylang is the essential oil derived from the greenish yellow flowers of this evergreen Asian tree. In the ten years of being an Esthetician, my appreciation has changed for different scents. I did not care much for Ylang Ylang years ago and found that in my essential oil tool kit, I always skipped it. Now I am absolutely drawn to it, loving the exotic, rich, deep fragrance that hints of jasmine and neroli. Not only the scent, but the power it has to wash away anxiety, depression, and to lower blood pressure is inspiring enough to make it a staple in my work. For more information on what this beautiful oil can do for you, check out this website I found highly informative: www.organicfacts.net/heath-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-ylang-ylang-essential-oil.html.

The power of Stone Crop

This beautiful plant is the main ingredient in my new project I am doing at work. Every month I am doing a "Nichole's Product Pick" where I feature my favorite skin care product. As my followers from Indiana may already know because I have such an affinity for this plant, I have chosen the Stone Crop collection before. The stone crop is known by many names, two of which are Sedum or Hens and Chicks. These powerful little beauties are full of healing power and have been used for centuries as a healing plant. Not only are they healing but they also have the ability to help your skin retain vital moisture. Think of it as Aloe but much more powerful. In conjunction with healing and hydrating power, this plant also has what is called tyrosinase inhibitors. Without getting too wordy, tyrosinase is an enzyme that is one of the stimulants of melanin production. A tyrosinase inhibitor "inhibits" the production of melanin, helping fight the development of hyperpigmentation or what is commonly known as sun spots or age spots. So now you see why I absolutely love and believe in the Stone Crop Collection in the Eminence line. It hydrates, it heals, and it fights hyperpigmentation....with the power of organic mother nature.

My current Nichole's Product Pick is the Stone Crop Gel Wash. This wonderful cleanser gently removes impurites and surface build-up on the skin without over stripping your vital moisture. This is very important, especially this time of year when humidity is lower and the environment is harsh. It has a beautiful fresh scent and will make your skin clean and soft. It is perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive skin because along with the other properties I have listed, the Stone Crop plant is an anti-irritant. The only client I caution to use this product are those with tree nut allergies as it does have Shea Butter in it and Shea Butter is a derivative from the nut of the African Shea Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa).

It gets better and better.....

Washed in the fresh refreshing scent of piney eucalyptus, lavender fields, and Camphor....I began my weekly facial with Eminence's Eucalyptus Cleansing Concentrate. I wet my skin with a little warm water, then took about a pea size amount of the gel in my hands with a little water and worked it into a very soft foam. This will not foam a lot like over the counter cleansers that are mostly detergents...this product is pure and sodium lauryl sulphate free. The minty aroma of Eucalyptus is dominant but you do get smell a little lavender undertone. My skin was left feeling tingly fresh and clean.

My skin has cleared up significantly since my last facial so I don't think I need the Almond Mineral Treatment this time, but I still want to do a good exfoliation treatment...... but not as stimulating and oxygenating as the last facial. It was fabulous last time but over-stimulation can actually irritate the skin and inflame. It served it purpose and worked to clear my skin, now I want to keep it clear and free of congestion. I applied a quarter size amount of Rosehips and Maize Exfoliating Masque with a couple drops with water. You want to do that with most Eminence products because they are so concentrated, it helps to emulsify and evenly spread your product. This product instantly soothes the skin with its paste consistantsy and fresh light citrus scent. Maize Flour gently removes dead cells and exfoliates. Honey moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Salicylic Acid evens the complexion and smooths the skin's surface. Zinc oxide is a powerful healing agent and anti inflammatory. I left this on for 5 minutes then rinsed. My skin felt so wonderful...this will become a staple in my home care program. It is especially good for sensitive, irritated, oily, seborrheic or rosacea skin types as it gentle yet provides a perfect exfoliation and calming treatment.

I could have stopped there.....followed with my toner and moisturizer but I had one more product I wanted to try. I am so happy I did. The delicious scent of apples was divine in the Quince and Ice Wine Masque. This is another fabulous mask for Rosacea or seborrhea clients and great for purifying and soothing skin. The Tokay grapes (juice and pulp) used are polyphenol rich and fortify, restore, and treat the skin as a powerful antioxidant. The Quince apple's juice and pulp supply the skin with Vitamin E and purifies and soothes irritated skin and reduces sebum saturation. The polyphenols and tartaric acid found in this mask refines the skin,and Echinacea also works to heal and repair. It goes on as a delicious cream with fruit pulp pieces and tightens as it dries....though if you wish for it to stay creamy, you can keep it moist with a spritz of water or toner. I left this on for 10 minutes (I personally like a mask that tightens ). I then rinsed with cold water and followed with a spot treatment and my Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream. If my skin looked good last week after the facial, it looks AMAZING after this treamtent. NO hint of redness, super baby soft, nice and tightened pores with perfectly hydrated skin. My skin feels and looks better than it has in 5 months. I cant wait to use this on my next Rosacea clients or even problem skin.