Though you already know, if you’ve ever tried to achieve the perfect no-makeup look, that ironically it can be much harder to create than it looks. While a sheer balmy no-makeup look can be perfect on vacation or at the beach, for everyday wear and date night, a high-performing nude lipstick is the perfect way to look and feel more put-together and confident when wearing the minimal makeup trend. A nourishing natural vegan formula like the Beleza by Z Non-Toxic Vegan Nude Lipsticks can help you get that look while also keeping your lips smooth, soft and moisturized.
How to Pick the Right Nude Lipstick Shade for Your Skin Tone
I don’t know about you, but before I found the right nude lip color for my lips and skin tone, I’d always thought of nude lipsticks as simply being the typical light-tan nude. It’s way too light for me, so I never bothered looking for my kind of nude shade. Then I found that there are actually many options when it comes to nude lipstick, including those with cool or warm undertones and with a pinkish or brownish tint. And with inclusivity being a continuously growing trend in the beauty industry, there are so many more shade options on the market these days. One of the most flattering and fool-proof ways to wear the trend is to look for a nude lipstick that closely matches your lip color rather than your skin.
First however, it is important to pick a nude lip color that goes best with your undertones. There are several ways to determine your skin’s undertone, but the quickest and easiest way is by looking at your veins. If they look blue or like a purplish blue, then you have cool undertones. If your veins appear more greenish, then you have warm undertones.
Other 2023 Makeup Trends You Can Pair with a Nude Lip
In addition to the natural-looking makeup trend for 2023, we’re also seeing a lot of color! From bold blush to vibrant pastel eyeshadow, these eye-catching makeup looks pair well with a subtle nude lip. Just be sure to consider the undertones. For example if you look best with a cool-toned nude lip, go with cool tones for the rest of your makeup.
Sharply-drawn colored eyeliner and high-shine highlighters are two additional makeup trends this year that look great when worn with a nude lip color. Though aside from the minimal makeup trend for 2023, more is more this year, so plan on pairing any of these colorful makeup looks with a balmy or glossy nude lip to take things up a notch. If you already have a nude lip but in a matte finish, simply top it with a high-shine lip gloss. For a softer Spring makeup look, you can still incorporate color. For example, try a powdery soft pastel eyeshadow with a satin or matte-finish nude lipstick.
The beautiful brown lip liner trend relies on a lighter nude shade of lipstick to create the look. Whether you reach for a light-tan nude, a brown nude or a pinkish nude, you can get in on the brown lip liner trend. Though if you really want to stay true to the look, go with a nude lipstick that matches most closely with your natural lip color and a brown lip liner that is one to two shades darker than your lipstick. Complete the look with clear shiny lip gloss.
Nude Lipstick As Seen on the 2023 Runways
Thanks to the growing practice of fashion designers collaborating with top makeup artists and the most influential makeup brands, the runways during fashion week are the perfect way to forecast what the biggest makeup trends will be.
At Sandy Liang, some models were given a balletcore makeover, including a no-makeup makeup look by MUA Marcelo Gutierrez. Light and pinkish nude lips were paired with full-coverage foundation, toned-down brows and neutral eyeshadow. Designer Christian Cowan and Swiss fashion house AKRIS on the other hand, had models donning a much more natural no-makeup look, pairing barely-there coverage with glowy hydrated skin and balmy nude lip colors matching closely to each models’ skin tone.
How to Take the No Makeup Look from Day to Evening
If you’re skilled at wielding a liquid liner, the sexiest and most on-trend way to take the no-makeup look from day to evening is to top off your nude lipstick with a shimmery gloss and use a colored or neutral liquid liner to create a well-defined siren eye. For an easier way to transition from the office to date night, go for a simple version of a smokey eye, using a dark neutral eyeshadow in the crease and outer corner of your eyes. Then top your nude lips with a slick clear gloss.
I hope you’ve found this info helpful and inspiring as you plan your go-to makeup looks this year. Regardless of the season or occasion, no matter your age or skin tone, and whether you’re going bold or playing it safe; a good nude lipstick is definitely a makeup must-have for all!
Shop this Post: Beleza by Z Non-Toxic Vegan Nude Lipsticks
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The Connection Between Skin Health and Gut Health
To understand the role probiotics can play in skin health, we first need to understand the role that gut health plays in general. A short, simplified answer is that both inflammation and a compromised immune response resulting from poor gut health can lead to a number of skin conditions from acne and dandruff for instance, to more serious skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and even skin cancer.
The gut microbiome, consisting of trillions of microbial cells, is located primarily in the large and small intestines. It’s a bustling community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms which has a direct effect on our health in several ways, including the immune system.
In order to maintain proper immune system regulation, the gut microbiome interacts with tissues and organs in a back-and-forth manner. When this relationship between the gut and immune system isn’t working as it should, it tends to show on our skin in one way or another.
While there is still much to be researched to learn the precise ways that a particular bacteria imbalance can lead to a specific skin condition, studies have shown strong correlations between gut health and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema for instance. According to this 2021 gut-skin axis study, numerous skin issues occur alongside an unhealthy gut microbiome.
This is where probiotics come in for better skin health. If your skin issues are the result of a poor immune response or an inflammatory autoimmune issue, probiotic supplements can help by restoring gut health and thus allowing for proper immune system regulation.
The Added Benefits of Using Microbiome-Friendly Skincare in Conjunction with Probiotic Supplements
When you see “Microbiome-Friendly” topical skincare, more often than not, it’s going to be some sort of product that is gentle enough to leave the skin microbiome as unaltered as possible. Just like the gut, our skin has its own microscopic world consisting of trillions of microbes. And also like in the gut, the microorganisms living on our skin have an optimal way in which they are balanced together in harmony and in a way that serves a bigger purpose for human health. The skin’s physical protective barrier is composed of multiple layers or skin, with the surface level including its community of microorganisms. Impair that balance between good and bad bacteria on the surface of the skin, and you risk having a compromised skin barrier.
Because of the bidirectional nature of the gut and its regulatory functions, like with the immune system, an unhealthy gut can itself have a negative impact on the integrity of the skin’s microbiome. An impaired skin microbiome can in turn allow environmental pollutants and bad bacteria to have a negative impact on the immune system and gut health. This, as mentioned, can result in the very skin conditions that may further compromise skin health, creating a sort of negative feedback loop between the skin, immune system, and gut. For someone with eczema, you can imagine this is when symptoms may get out of control and is likely when one would have to take a more aggressive multi-pronged approach in order to get symptoms under control; such as diet change, oral medication, as well as a topical approach. Treating your skin more gently to begin with can help prevent damage, and using microbiome-friendly skincare is an added step you can take to help maintain a more balanced skin microbiome.
How to Know if You Should Be Taking Probiotic Supplements for Better Gut Health
A few different factors including genetic, environmental, and dietary can all have an effect on gut health. The types of foods you eat are inarguably what you have the most control over. A diet high in sugar can lead to higher levels of bad bacteria, while heavily processed foods and foods high in saturated fats can have a negative impact on your gut’s good bacteria. Foods which improve the growth and diversity in your good bacteria typically include high-fiber and polyphenol-rich whole foods like oats, fruits and veggies, and nuts and beans. Here is a more detailed list of some of the best and worst foods for gut health. If for some reason or another you simply aren’t eating the kind of diet that will support good gut bacteria, a probiotic supplement can be a good option.
Another factor that might be out of your control would be any health issues which call for the use of medications. A good time to boost your good bacteria would be after a round of antibiotics, especially if you're on long-term prescription medications to treat indigestion, depression, or ADHD.
In addition to those reasons, your gut can benefit from taking a probiotic if you struggle in any way with systemic inflammation, digestive issues and/or immune system issues. Due to the link between those different facets of physical health, improving the health of one of those issues can inadvertently help the others.
How to Know Which Probiotic Supplements Are the Best Quality
Like with any health supplement, all probiotics are not created equal. Several factors such as CFU, the type of bacterial strains, and the stability of the strains are things to consider when choosing the right probiotics.
CFUs refers to the amount of colony-forming units in a probiotic supplement. That number is typically located on the information label of a probiotics bottle, and it suggests the amount of live bacteria that is likely to multiply once it gets to your digestive tract. A single CFU denotes the ability of one cell to reproduce until it forms a colony. Though that doesn’t always mean more is better. It is possible that taking too many probiotics can cause mild side effects such as gas and bloating. However there is no risk of overdose with a probiotic supplement when used as directed. It’s best to consult with your doctor just as you would before taking any new medication or supplement. It also depends on why you’re taking them, like if you are adding them to your regular daily supplements, or if you are trying to quickly rebalance your gut after a round of antibiotics. A typical amount of 50 CFUs is what you may find in a high-quality multi strain probiotic supplement. The dose suggestion is often 1 to 2 capsules per day, so it’s easy to take more when you feel you need it and less when you don’t.
Regardless of the number of CFUs in a probiotic capsule however, you also want to look for one that is “multi-strain” or contains multiple bacterium types. With proper gut health, it isn’t just about having more good bacteria than bad bacteria in general. Having the right kind of diversity among your good bacteria is just as important. This research, just as one example, on the role of gut health in immune system regulation shows how change in a single microbial species can tip the scales between a healthy or unhealthy immune response. Some probiotic supplements will say “9-Strain” on the label for instance, while others don’t, and all you should have to do is look at the label details to find how many and which kinds of strains are included in a particular probiotic complex. The two most common types of bacteria found in probiotics, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are the most popular and both have proven health benefits.
After finding a probiotic with a significant number of CFUs as well as the best variety in bacterial strains, you need to make sure those live cultures will make it to your gut microbiome in-tact. If this article were written back when probiotic supplements first landed on the health scene, I’d be telling you to only take probiotic supplements that come refrigerated, to ensure that the bacteria in your probiotics are still alive by the time you take it. While you should refrigerate probiotics after opening, in order to maximize shelf life, probiotics nowadays needn’t always come refrigerated as long as you follow the storage guidelines on the label.
Supplement preservation by way of a vegetable cellulose capsule provides a convenient non-meat and non-dairy capsule for those with special dietary restrictions. With no animal byproducts, a vegetable capsule is also vegan-friendly. Unlike common gelatin capsules, a cellulose capsule has some additional benefits when it comes to taking probiotics. A vegetable capsule is best for ensuring the bacteria make it to your intestines. As the vegetable capsule breaks down more slowly than a typical gelatin capsule, it can pass through your stomach acid without the bacteria being affected as much. Though it is still recommended that you take a probiotic capsule in between meals, particularly in the morning, to give the supplement an even less acidic environment to pass through.
As you can see there are many factors to consider when adding a probiotic supplement to your health and wellness regimen. Though picking the right one can have several positive effects on your gut, immune, and skin health. Especially if you struggle with any particular skin issues, an oral probiotic can be an effective addition to your health and beauty routine.
Shop this Post: Beleza by Z PROBIOTIC SKIN BEAUTY + Vegetarian and Dairy-Free Probiotic Capsules
Did you know that regardless of price, factors such as the type and concentration of vitamin C, the full ingredient list, and even the kind of bottle or dispenser can determine your product's effectiveness? That means any vitamin C product that comes in a jar, plastic tube, dropper bottle, or clear container is no bueno! But what if you could just add a pinch of fresh vitamin C to mix with your daily application of hyaluronic acid serum or moisturizer?
Enter Beleza by Z Brazilian Antioxidant 'C' Powder —a high-performance, convertible skin powder that defends your skin against environmental aggressors (pollution in the air) which cause premature aging.
This vitamin C is made with L-ascorbic acid and two of the world's most powerful natural antioxidants (camu camu and acerola) plus arginine amino acid, papaya enzyme, and vitamin B5... a nutrient that promotes the skin barrier’s natural repair process. This powerful antioxidant combo slows the rate of free radical damage, which causes the skin to appear dry, blotchy, and dull. All ingredients are non-toxic, so every skin type should be able to use the product unless there's a known allergic reaction to an ingredient. It’s also free from fragrance, essential oils, and parabens which are often problematic for sensitive skin.
Most skin care brands include vitamin C in their products. However, not all vitamin C skin serums and treatments are created equal. Ascorbic acid is the pure form of vitamin C. It’s the most effective of all forms of vitamin C, but it's also the most irritating and unstable (it goes bad sooner than other vitamin C derivatives), which is why this formula contains no water and why using less is more! Here's why you should incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine:
1. Fights Pigmentation- it has a brilliant effect on melanin-producing cells, so any spots left behind by acne will fade over time.
2. Provides Environmental Protection- softens fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production over time.
3. It'll Give You Your Glow Back- it gently exfoliates dead skin cells.
You're probably wondering what it looks like...
The most common questions we get are: What happens when you mix it with hyaluronic acid or moisturizer? Does it look white on the skin? How do you use it? How long does it last?
It's an off-white/yellowish powder that mixes clear with hyaluronic acid serum or moisturizer cream. The product comes with a little tool to scoop the product from the bottle. 1/2 scoop per day is recommended for sensitive skin, slowly building up to 1 or 1.5 scoops over 30 days, once the skin has built tolerance. One of our bottles should last you for at least five to six months.
We recommend mixing it with Beleza by Z Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Elixir. As you can see in the picture, the product is easily dissolved in the palm of your hand after a swirling the mixture with your finger, leaving no residue on the skin. Please keep in mind that mixing it with heavy serums containing xanthan gum (a filler/ thickener), or any oil-based product will definitely create unwanted clumps and a pilling effect on the skin. So, stick with our hyaluronic acid brand too! Did we mention our environmentally friendly packaging uses a beautiful opaque glass bottle with an airtight seal?
Note: At first, it may sting a little but that should subside after a few minutes. It may also feel a bit sticky while applying, but you'll be left with soft, supple skin once it has absorbed. It is fragrance-free but you may notice an odd smell for a couple minutes. This is due to activation of the papaya enzyme ingredient, which also subsides after the product is absorbed.
]]>Many people have asked me if rosehip oil is a good vitamin A alternative to retinol for repairing aged skin.
To be clear, there's nothing wrong with retinoids unless you have a specific condition such as pregnancy, eczema, rosacea, allergy, or experience severe intolerance to retinol. Retinoids work! In fact, only retinoic acid has a biological effect on the skin and there's plenty of peer reviewed dermatological journals confirmed by in-vivo (performed on living people) studies:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/412795
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/
and
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/.
I am all for "clean" beauty products, and as an aesthetician, my focus is on results-oriented treatments and products formulated with tried and tested ingredients proven to safely transform the skin. Indeed, rosehip oil contains a tiny (parts per million) of natural retinoic acid (tretinoin), a retinoid famously known in the skin care world for its anti-aging, anti-pigmentation, anti-acne benefits. However, when you're looking for "active" vitamin A content in a product made with rosehip oil, you would first need to estimate its percentage according to its full ingredients list. So let's do a little math...
Pure rosehip oil contains about 0.357 mg of tretinoin PER liter of oil, which translates to 0.00003923% tretinoin. Keep in mind its potency also depends if the oil is refined or cold-pressed. Let's use Tata Harper "Retinoic Face Oil" as an example. Going by the ingredient list on their bottle, we can safely estimate 37% rosehip oil, which indicates the product contains approximately 0.0000145% tretinoin, in other words almost nothing! Prescription tretinoin is usually 0.025% to 0.05% or higher. That being said, the amount of retinoic acid in rosehip oil is not significant enough to scratch the surface of skin rejuvenation. Other than being formulated with nourishing rosehip oil and probably smelling good (due to a blend of essential oils), I'd proceed with a high level of skepticism in regard to the retinoic acid claim. Please beware of the misinformation and marketing jargon used by many cosmetic brands misinterpreting the term "retinoic" or "clean" retinol in the name of their retinol-free products. As I explained, there is no such thing as clean and dirty/toxic retinoids.
However, if you've been on the lookout for an effective vegan vitamin A product without retinol, look no further and try Beleza by Z Vitamin 'A' Renewal Elixir. This plant-based high-performance elixir powered by hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR) is an ester of all-trans retinoic acid, which works without the dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity commonly experienced with retinol.
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However, using the wrong exfoliating modality or over exfoliating can have adverse effects. So how do you choose the most effective exfoliation method? First, it requires a thorough understanding of the skin, as well as physical and chemical exfoliators. This is why it’s so important to seek skin care advice and opt for products recommended by a licensed esthetician or skin professional. Think of it this way, would you go to a doctor for treatment if he or she did not have a license to practice? The same applies to caring for your skin.
Proper exfoliation stimulates the skin and cell turnover, lifts dead cells, and begins the regenerating process. The two primary methods are chemical and physical, both of which work in different ways.
Physical exfoliators only affect the upper, superficial layer of the skin and tend to be more suitable for oilier, thicker, and younger skin. The most common types of physical exfoliators are coffee grinds, sugar, jojoba beads, walnut shell powder, pearl powder, or bamboo powder. These scrubs are abrasive ingredients that can buff and polish the skin, but despite being natural, they aren’t as effective or as gentle as chemical exfoliants. Although scrubs can be helpful for body exfoliation, they are not the best option for facial skin since you run the risk of over manipulation or over exfoliation (causing microscopic skin tears), dryness, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Chemical exfoliation disrupts the stratum corneum by breaking down the bonds of the desmosomes and freeing the cells to slough off. This affects collagen and elastin and promotes cell renewal. Some excellent types of chemical exfoliators include: enzymes, AHAs, BHA’s, retinol, and hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR). These are best for dry, sensitive, acneic, sun damaged/photo pigmented skin, and skin with fine lines and wrinkles. When products are well formulated and administered properly (incorporating the use of daily SPF), the results are luminous tone, even texture, and bright, healthy looking skin.
Try our AHA Exfoliant Serum! A powerful aloe-based chemical exfoliant formulated with 20% alpha hydroxy acids: glycolic and lactic to accelerate the skin's cellular turnover and regenerate dull, photo-aged, and hyperpigmented skin. Recommended for individuals concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, acne, dark spots, ingrown hairs, or keratosis pilaris.
]]>The biggest difference between a serum or elixir and a cream or lotion is what the formulation DOESN'T include. Always check the full ingredients list. Serums and elixirs are thinner, containing fewer lubricating and thickening/filler agents such as dimethicone, carbomer, wax, or xanthan gum. Because active ingredients are more expensive than thickeners, serums and elixirs are the costliest product in most skin care lines. They are made up of very small molecules so the skin can absorb them. As you can see in this example, xanthan gum has a very high molecular weight, which is OK in heavier products (lotions & creams) to lock moisture in and form a protective barrier over the skin. However, thickeners have absolutely no business in your high-end, concentrated serums because thickeners can also lock active ingredients out, which are what you're supposed to be paying for. That's the reason moisturizer lotion or creams tend to cost less and are always the final step in a skin care routine. Shop wisely and try Beleza by Z Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Elixir for dewy, hydrated skin!
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