The Whole YOU!

 Ephraim Hunte collected some tips from a few local experts in the beauty industry that can help you pull together a concise regimen to follow (or at least try to follow) for the New Year.

On Hair


Germaine Williams-Beckles, trichologist/hair stylist gives us her hair-care titbits.

• Healthy hair needs a constant supply of blood and oxygen to maintain growth and colour. Massaging your scalp helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp.
• Covering your hair before going to bed (preferably with a silken scarf) at night helps to maintain the moisture balance in your hair shaft and also aid in preventing split ends.
• Hot curling your hair should only be done within the first three days after shampooing. Keep in mind that constant blow-drying and hot curling practises will strip the hair of its moisture and make it dry and brittle.
• After a relaxer or perm, it is a good practise to maintain your hair with deep conditioning treatments and daily moisturising.
  
  

On MAKE-UP

• Veteran make-up artist Yvonne Poppelwell shares her make-up tips and some of her concerns:
• For eye make-up: she sanctions a soft look in flesh tone colours with well-shaped eyebrows, outlined eyes and lips and a soft blush application. She also suggests a swish of blusher lightly across the lids to infuse a little balancing colour.  
• For eyebrows: “Razor blades should be outlawed for eyebrow shaping. They can leave razor bumps, change the pattern of the hair growth causing you to loose the original shape of the brows and you will be revisited with pestering hair stubbles in a few days.” Tweezing or waxing is her shaping choice to beautiful brows.
• For lips: Be sure to prime lips with a lip balm before applying lipstick. This will prevent lips from cracking or peeling and help lip colour go on smooth. She recommends Blistex (with sun block and moisturisers) to do the job.
• Under eye areas: Because under-eye skin is very thin, she recommends the use of eye cream, (starting this application at an early age), to prevent premature lines and wrinkles and to keep the under eye areas hydrated and supple.On Skincare
• Diane Hosein, PME (para medical esthetician) at Esthetique Skin Care and Day Spa and her take on improving your skin.
• Never go to bed with your make-up on. This can clog your pores and promote blackheads and acne. Remove all make-up thoroughly and pay particular attention to the eye area, especially mascara residue. Use a cleanser, toner and moisturiser suitable to your skin type. If you are uncertain of your skin type, consult a qualified esthetician for a skin analysis.
• A must-have is a moisturiser with a good sun block. I recommend brands with purified water base. These will be light, and not too oily. Use under your make-up, even if your work is generally indoors. Outdoors, use a sun block with a SPF30 or higher rating.
• Pamper yourself with a facial mask once a week, as part of your home skin care regimen. This will help to tone the skin. Every four to six weeks, have a professional facial done to help remove stubborn black-heads, white-heads and dead skin. This allows for maximum skincare product penetration.
  

ON NAILS


Winnette Farrell-Husbands, educator and managing director at Cintech, (Caribbean Institute of Nail Technology) promotes tips for healthier looking nails.

• Massage hands daily with cuticle oil or cream. This practise increases the blood circulation in the hands, which strengthens the nails and promotes growth. Another effective and easy means of exercising and massaging your hands is to vigorously shake the hands while keeping them completely relaxed.
• Don't bite your nails or pick at your cuticles. These types of habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection (paronychia).
• When applying your clear base prior to coloured nail lacquer, coat the underside of the free edge of your fingernail also. This provides for extra protection against breakage, splits and discolorations
• Avoid using fingernails on peel-off tabs on boxes and containers. This can cause severe damage to the nails.
  

Model Charisse Contant pulls together her total look with hair, make-up and nails fastidiously groomed to complement her style and taste.