loved one

This has been my absolute favorite face cleanser for over 20 years. It seems to be discontinued. Where does a girl go when she needs to know answers to life's big questions like what do I use now?

She goes to one of her best friends. A friend that lives for creams and facials and all that fun stuff. This beautiful girl is one of my best friends. I think that she is also the best esthetician in Nashville. Every so often she writes down some of her thoughts on beauty (I have shared some of her past "news letters"). Karee can talk so this is a little long but worth it.

My Love of CHANGE!

As we go from Summer to Fall, there is something magical that happens inside me when I know we are close to a new season. I have always been one to celebrate the change of the simplest things. Ask any of my closest friends and they will tell you no one uses the word season more than me. I say all the time…well “this is for a season”. Whether I am referring to a hard time with one of my teens or most any reality of life, I tend to find great comfort in knowing this too will pass.

With cooler weather come different clothes, fun boots, new jeans and cozy sweaters for football games. Even the food we eat changes, as I have loved going to the farmers market and enjoying all the seasonal summer produce, I now look forward to what Fall brings. I love pumpkin muffins, spicy soups and many warm dishes. My palette craves richer flavors, smooth red wines instead of my crisp Summer favorite ice cold KENDALL JACKSON and getting out the chocolate brown furry blankets washed in Downy for the couches and new candles just makes me smile knowing we will all be curling up watching movies soon. Yes, it is clear I live through my senses in the smallest details and love it.

With bittersweet farewells from one season comes incredible excitement for the next.
As I am sitting here enjoying one of my summer favorites (Exotic Fruit Sorbet) from Publix, I can feel the excitement lessen with each bowl as I am wired for change. I recently read a study on people who embrace and desire change. It says they are 80% happier than those who master year round repetition and routine.

Getting out of our box in life, relationships, habits, communications and so on can be scary at times, but also incredibly healing and empowering. There is a difference between always searching for something new to be content and embracing simple little changes in the seasons of life.

Well…on to Fall Favorites.

In my job, as I evaluate the changes in skin, one thing I have continually noticed this season is congested skin. That could be due to humidly, heat, heavy sunscreens and perspiration. A lot of my clients pull back from their routines of chemical exfoliation for fear of sun damage.

As we approach Fall, I give my clients a serious summer tune up with a mini series of peels, deep cleansing treatments and some facial vacuuming. Yes, I said facial vacuuming. There is not one clogged pore once I finish with you. The skin can breathe and now better absorb products because the pores are clear.

At home, you can start with the Walgreens Brand of Alpha Hydroxy and perk that skin up. Used with some Retin A or Retinol at night, you can be on your way to better skin. Remember to see your skin therapist each season to have your skin evaluated on its condition and get professional recommendations on percentages of treatments, Glycolics and Retin A’s.

I always notice a difference in my hair when I change up my shampoos and conditioners. That goes the same for your skin care. The skin will eventually plateau out and not respond the same as it did at first with some of your creams and lotions. It is good to change them out depending on the condition of skin. I may use Oil of Olay Regenerist one month and then Cetaphil Lotion or Cream the next and go back to Oil of Olay after a period of change.

Beauty Must-Haves for Fall

Jemma Kidd tweezers, they are hands down my favorite

Shu Uemura lash curler (add a little heat from your blow dryer to get curly lashes)

Instead of doing Obaji for 6 months with many steps to get dark spots off I use Skin Rehab once a week or every two weeks for three nights and poof, they disappear. It is prescription strength magic in a jar. NO JOKE! I have not put one person on this that does not RAVE about their results. Caution! You will be super glossy and radiant. $150.00

For my hard-core skin folks I like the Counter Clockwise Peel MD for the really stubborn spots and great for Melasma. I can hardly keep this product in stock because people love that there is hardly any down time and no laser required. $600.00 The price includes a complete kit of at home products and a post treatment facial.

I love Therapy Systems Better than Cover concealer and Bobbi Brown’s eye corrector.

I can’t live without Revison Tinted 45 SPF, the color is great for fair skin and as I need more color for Fall I simply add a dab of Clinique no streak bronzer to it and wow…my Summer GLOW is back. Very soft dewy finish. I like Mac Select SPF15 if you are oily.

Frederic Frekkai dry shampoo brings movement and body to my hair with a plant-based formula free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and synthetic fragrances, for days I just don’t have time to wash my hair but want to look great.

Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum or L’Oreal Collagen Repair is nice under concealer.
Stand by favorites.

Don't toss out the coffee grounds that brewed up your morning pot of java. A handful of moist grounds (organic is preferable) make for a fantastic facial exfoliant or all-over body scrub. Not only do the grounds physically slough off dead skin cells, but the remaining caffeine also tightens and firms pores, resulting in impossibly smooth skin. For dry skin, add 1-2 tablespoons of cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.

Eucerin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Body Lotion.
This is just a must for silky legs during cooler weather. I alternate with my favorite self tanner…Fake Bake and Voila, no need to give dry, ashy, colorless skin a second thought.

Mention this newsletter when you see me for any service and she will give you a 10% discount.
Karee Hays
Retief Skin Center
615 383-6092
kareehays@comcast.net

PS Any one have a good cleanser that I can get at Walgreen's?