When most women come to us for their wedding makeup, we often have to fade and minimize acne scars. This is not always easy as the pits or holes can be quite obvious but with some proper makeup and good skills, this is not impossible to do a good job. However, let’s be clear, miracles are not possible. That is why we always recommend people to come to consult us in advance so we can assess the situation and maybe recommend a few professionals that could help with your skin and help you the be the best version of yourself on your D day.

For acne scars, sometimes some fillers can really do the trick. Some of you asked us a few questions about the procedure.

This is easy and not too expensive. It is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery. Here’s a little more on the treatment, including what you can expect before and after.

What to Expect Before Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers for acne scars are very simple and effective treatments.

Before the procedure begins your doctor will have a conversation with you about which acne scars are causing you the most grief. There could be some scars that you consider particularly problematic that you want taken care of first. After this brief discussion the procedure will begin.

The Procedure

After identifying the acne scars you want filled, the doctor will treat your skin to numb it and reduce the chance of bruising. Understand that there are some options if you’re worried about the pain of the procedure. Typically the doctor will apply ice and alcohol unless you ask for anything stronger.

The doctor begins the procedure with the areas you mentioned. The needle used in the treatment is very fine and, after injecting the dermal filler, the doctor will apply gauze to the area. After filling in all the scars that look like they would be good for the treatment the patient looks at themselves in the mirror and has the option of pointing out any existing problem areas. These areas will also be injected and the process continues until you’ve filled in everything that needs to be filled in.

After the Procedure

After the procedure, the doctor will give you an ice pack to hold against the treated areas. They could be a little red and bruised for up to a week. It’s important that you avoid any facial treatments, including facial massages, for the first two weeks after the procedure.

You also need to avoid exercising too much and drinking alcohol for the first 24 hours after the procedure. If you do notice bruising then you can use arnica gel and other arnica supplements to reduce bruising. Bromelain supplements and pineapple juice are two more ways to decrease bruising. You could also use makeup to hide the bruising if you wanted. You should also check the latest about the best scar creams by our great friends from myawesomebeauty.com.

Now you know a little more about dermal fillers for acne you’re in a better position to decide if the treatment is right for you or not. It can be effective but there could be a different approach that could work better for you. There are many other ways to get rid of acne scars you can explore.

It depends on the kind of scarring you have and how much of it there is.. Your dermatologist will be able to advise you further and recommend a course of treatment to take care of your acne scars.

For your wedding day, you want to look the best. we often talk about the skin and makeup on altaregomakeup.com but let’s not forget the hair.

Yeah, every woman knows the importance of finding a good hairdresser. Even some men worry about their hair, just not as much. (you want your husband to be smoking hot too, on your wedding day). So, you need a hairdresser that can leave you looking and feeling good ( stress free and relaxed )and you want to avoid the hair disasters.

Here are some tips on how to find a good hairdresser.

Ask Around

If one of your friends has a great haircut then ask them who did it for them. If you’re feeling particularly lucky you can even ask a random stranger who did their hair. Also do the opposite. If you have a friend who had a bad experience with a hairdresser then find out who did it so you can avoid that hairdresser.

Don’t Do Cheap

Budget salons are very alluring but a lot of them give you what you pay for; a really cheap haircut. There are some good budget salons but for the most part you should avoid a cheap hairdresser unless you hear one is particularly good. You don’t need to go super expensive either. Find one in the mid-range that works for you.

Look Around

One good thing about finding the right hairdresser is that you can look around as much as you want. If you try a hairdresser and they aren’t for you then just shop around more. Try out different salons until you find the one that’s right for you.

Have a Consultation

If you find a hairdresser or two that you like the sound of then you can book a consultation. Most good salons will give you the opportunity to have a consultation where they will explain what they do and what they charge for their services. It also gives you a chance to begin forming a relationship with them and see for themselves what the salon is like before you give them any money. If possible, bring a picture of your wedding dress so they recommend you a hairstyle that will fit your dress.

Build a Relationship

You’re going to talk to your hairdresser a lot. Because of that it’s a good idea to build up a relationship with your hairdresser. Be comfortable with and around them. Good hairdressers are also going to give you good recommendations. The best will be able to copy a hairstyle from a picture too. Which is great if you don’t know how to word what you want.

Give Them a Second “Date”

Most people are a little nervous on the first date. If you don’t hit it off immediately with your hairdresser, but you do like the cut, then give them a second try. The more you visit them the more comfortable you and the hairdresser will be. The more you deal with them the more confident they become that they can serve you well too. Find a good hairdresser and give them a real chance.

Finding the right hairdresser can save you a lot of time and money getting your hair fixed by someone else. Be sure to book a consultation to see for yourself what the hairdresser can do before giving them any money. Enjoy your haircut and have fun with the right hairdresser.

ps: we offer makeup services for your wedding day to match your perfect hairstyle. Please feel free to check our prices here.

Acne is a pretty bad thing for anyone to go through. What’s worse is being uninformed about it.

To say that acne is only a problem for teenagers is false. This is a myth because we have something called adult acne which can grow on our face and on our body. Acne is something that’s recurring and nobody ever grows out of it.

I see a lot a women coming before their marriage with adult acne… which  makes make up even more complicated. so here are a few things to know.

In fact, you might have read somewhere that doing something can cause or prevent acne. The fact is not all of these are true. With that in mind here’s a look at some of the myths and truths of acne.

Myth: Acne Is Caused By Food

There are a lot of reasons you should eat healthy food but if you’re eating healthy to get rid of, or prevent, acne then you’re out of luck. Acne isn’t caused only by eating candy and French fries. It actually takes about three weeks for a pimple to fully form so that chocolate you had the day before the pimple showed up? there are other factor to take into account.

Myth:Washing Your Face Is Good As It Removes Dirt

There are several causes behind acne. Junk food isn’t one of them, and neither is dirt. So if you wash your face to get rid of the dirt you should stop when it’s clean. Try to avoid washing your face more than two times a day. Overdoing the cleaning of your face can actually cause more damage to it which is something you undoubtedly want to avoid.

MYTH:Scrubbing Your Face Avoids Blemishes

Just as you should avoid washing your face too much, you should avoid scrubbing it too much. Especially if you use an alcohol based cleanser. They will tear away at your skin, removing all the essential oil that keep it moisturized and actually keep blemishes away. It’s recommended instead that you scrub gently and use cleansers and toners that don’t have alcohol in them.

However, scrubing is important to avoid your pores to be clogged which is the starting point of acne, pimples, whiteheads and blackheads called comedo. By the way, our friends, sophie and her team have just published another great guide to get rid of whiteheads, check it, it is really worth it.  Sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria can build up and lead to those whiteheads  or bumps in the T-zone ( Forehead, nose, chin…) make sure to scrub at least once a week to let your pores get rid of any oil excess….

Myth: You Can Be Too Old To Get Acne

The stereotypical acne sufferer is a teenager. It’s the spotty kid or the girl who is about to go to prom or on a date when her face explodes. The fact is that while it is true that 90% of teenagers get acne, they aren’t the only ones. 50% of women and 25% of men in their 20s and even 30s will suffer from acne. You should never think that you’re clear just because you’re not a teenager anymore.

Myth: Acne Isn’t Serious

We all laugh at that stereotypical teen who just wants their face to be spot free and think it’s not a big deal, but it is. It’s a big deal socially of course. Acne sufferers are often laughed at and mocked, which is pretty damaging. But it does also lead to physical problems. Acne scars are a real thing and your face can be left permanently scarred by bad acne. So don’t listen when people tell you to just get over acne. There’s a chance you might never fully recover. If you get too worried visit a dermatologist.

Myth: Acne Can Be Cured

The last dose of the truth is perhaps the hardest to swallow. The fact is that acne can be controlled by medicine, but it can not be cured. All you can do is lessen the damage and mitigate it. An actual cure is still a long way away.

Remember that the healthier your skin is, the better your wedding makeup wil be. so please treat and take care of your skin way before coming to get your wedding makeup done.

Feel free to contact me to get some recommendations. I want you to be the most beautiful bride for your wedding.

When we meet someone for her wedding makeup, we usually like to do it months before as we often can help her shine for he wedding day.

Make up is perfect to hide some scars but let’s be clear, we always recommend our clients to take action and improve their skin.

We know acne scars can be pretty depressing but the good news is that if you suffer acne scars there are treatments out there. There are a few different medical treatments for acne scars that you can explore a few months before your wedding day to give time for your skin to heal and shine.

Skin Peels

If you’ve tried conventional acne medicine and it’s not good a good job you should consider a chemical peel for acne scars. A chemical peel, much like the name implies, involves having a chemical solution applied to your skin. This makes your skin blister. As the skin blisters it is replaced by new skin. This exfoliation effect can remove acne blemishes and scars. It can also improve the overall appearance of your skin so there are other positive effects to skin peels.

Microdermabrasion

A microdermabrasion treatment is similar to a skin peel in that the skin cells are removed. With this treatment tiny crystals are used to actually remove the skin cells and unclog your pores but a wand with diamond crystals is mostly used instead.

Microdermabrasion works great against superficial acne  scars. It doesn’t use any chemicals or lasers so some people may prefer this method for this reason. As microdermabrasion can be used for more than just acne it can be done on your face, chest, back or shoulders.

Check our packages : we propose some microdermabrasion sesssions here. But we do recommend you to consult your dermatologist first.

Laser Resurfacing Treatment

Laser treatments can be effective at treating acne scars because they are laser-focused. A dermatologist armed with a laser will only target the acne scar cells and leave the healthy skin cells nearby alone.

There are a few different kinds of laser resurfacing treatment options available. The two most common ones are CO2RE, which targets superficial and deeper skin layers and Fraxel, which goes much deeper into your skin. Your dermatologist will be able to suggest which is the right choice for your acne scars.

Microneedling

Microneedling is also good  for really deep acne scars. It also works to treat wrinkles and sun damage. With microneedling tiny needles are injected into the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It essentially stimulates the body’s natural healing process. The needles can be sent as deep as needed to treat wrinkles and acne scars. It’s one of the best treatments for bad cases of acne scars and it does a lot less tissue damage than you’d think given the name of the treatment and the description of “tiny needles are jabbed into the skin”.

Which treatment will work best for your acne scars depends on your situation.

It’s important to discuss your options with your physician and dermatologist and get their recommendations. It can also depend on your personal preferences. if you want to read more about how to remove acne scars, take a look at sophie’s blog post which disscuses in detail all the available acne treatments.

But keep in mind if you consider some acne scar treatments, plan it a few months before your wedding makeup so the swelling or redness are gone for your wedding day.

Let’s face it; pimples are embarrassing and pointless. It is even worse when it is your Wedding day.No one wants them, yet we all get them at some point. But how do you get rid of them? That’s a question that is about to be answered.

Here’s how to get rid of a pimple quick so it won’t ruin your wedding day :

Ice

Ice is used all the time to treat swelling. A pimple is a kind of swelling. Ergo it stands to reason that ice can be used to treat a pimple. It’s true too. Just apply ice to a pimple and it’ll go down. It also reduces the redness and noticeability of pimples, as well as tightening the skin to help get rid of them quick.

Lemons

Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which can be used to get rid of pimples.

This method isn’t quite so quick, as it’s an overnight fix, but it’s still faster than most over the counter remedies. Apply fresh (not bottled!) lemon juice to the pimple before bed and wash it off with warm water in the morning. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste can also be used for pimples. You need to use white toothpaste for this. Apply the toothpaste to the pimple and leave it there for at least half an hour.

Like with the lemon you might prefer to leave it on overnight. Then wash it off later/in the morning. Repeat it until the pimple is gone.

Garlic

Whether or not you like the taste and smell of garlic, there’s no denying how good it is for you. It’s an antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic that can cure what ails you, including pimples. All you have to do is cut a piece of garlic in half and apply it to your pimple.

Hold it there for at least five minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Do this several times a day and your pimple will be history.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a must have if you need an astringent for oily and acne prone skins thanks to its properties.

However, it can also be used for many other uses on face such as pimples, cuts, moisturization. Check the article from our friend’s blog about the many witch hazel uses on skin here. We learnt a few things too.

Baking Soda

To fix your pimples with baking soda first create a paste by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with water or lemon juice. Apply the paste to your face for a few minutes.

It’s important to not leave it on for too long because baking soda can damage your skin, as well as help it. Wash it off with warm water. Like with the garlic you can do this several times a day for quick results.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are filled with potassium and vitamins that are all good for the skin. What’s good for the skin is good for getting rid of pimples. That’s why you see people who put cucumbers over their eyes. You can use cucumber in two ways. The first is to leave it in water for a few hours and then drink the water or apply it to your face.

The other is to create a face mask. You do this by grinding a whole cucumber. Apply the mask to your face, leave for fifteen minutes, and wash it off with warm water.

Give each different trick a try and see what works for you. Of course the best way to get rid of pimples is to not get them at all. Don’t neglect skincare, especially when it comes to your face.

Winter is a really rough time of year for your skin.

With that in mind here’s a list of eight quick tips to keep your skin in good condition over the winter.

1.Wear Sunscreen, Even In The Cold

That’s right; sunscreen is for more than just the summer. The sun still shines during the winter and you’re still exposed to it. So don’t be afraid to put on the sunscreen even if you don’t feel the warmth.

2.Wear Gloves!

The hands are the part of your body that is hit hardest by the cold and harsh weather. Make sure that you wear gloves when you go outside. If you like to wear woollen gloves then it’s also a good idea to wear a thin cotton glove underneath to protect your skin from the wool.

3.But No Wet Gloves

Not only are wet gloves and socks bad for your health they’re also very bad for your skin. Take off wet clothes when you get indoors and get changed as quick as you can. Consider having a nice warm shower too before getting changed.

4.Moisturize Your Skin More

Winter makes your skin very dry and cracked. The easiest way to beat that is by moisturizing your skin regularly. Use serums such as hyaluronic acide  or vitamin C serums to keep it on top shape. Check the guide of the beauty blogger sophie, who wrote an in depth guide to help you choose the best vitamin C serum here, we asked her to write the same for hyaluronic acid.  When you pick out a moisturizer it’s also important to pick out an oil based one, rather than a water based one. The oil adds some extra protection for your skin.

5.Use A Humidifier

Everyone puts the heater on to survive the cold weather. The problem is that heaters leave your skin dry and cracked because they blow out hot and dry hair. A humidifier fixes that problem by making sure there is moisture in the air. So hook up the humidifier, as well as the heater.

6.Use Some Honey

When it comes to dry skin you need a good hydrating scrub. You can make your own at home using some honey mixed with sugar; that will help you get rid of dead cells and boost your skin.  Honey reduces inflammation on the skin, which keeps it healthy, and sugar can increase circulation. This can be especially useful in the winter where the blood in your body is used to keep the core of your body warm, rather than the extremities.

7.Treat Your Feet

A simple way to take care of your feet is to use a hydrating scrub or a pumice stone before you go to bed. It’s a simple routine to get yourself into and get used to doing. When you’ve scrubbed away the debris of a rough day apply a thick moisturizer and sleep in your socks. You’ll notice the results pretty quick and it’s a routine you can continue after the winter for fabulous feet.

8.Be Picky About Your Pajamas

The last tip is to use cotton or silk pajamas. Basically the softer your pajamas are the better they are for your skin. Silk might be the best but it’s expensive and you still get good results with cotton. Avoid rougher materials like wool and you should be fine.

To be the best your can be and look your optimum best, start preparing your skin and beauty regimen at least three to six months before your wedding.

Sounds like a long time, but ideally three to six month is perfect. If you only have 30 days to your big day, take advantage of all the time you have to get your skin in condition.

Give yourself time to find the right products for your skin type.

Finding the right skin products is often a case of trial and error, and research before finding the right system.

A basic skin care regimen should be cleansing, moisturizing, and toning twice a day – once in the morning and again at night. Do invest in products that work for you, but also try other products since your skin changes as you age.

Diet

Don’t neglect your diet. Six months before your wedding is a good time to stop using sugar that makes your skin look dull, alcohol that will make you look blotchy, and salt that causes water retention.

Acne breakouts

Months before your wedding, use produces that get rid of acne flare-ups. You don’t want to be treating acne just before your wedding. Use products that get rid of acne at least two or three months ahead of time. Research and find the best products that will not damage your skin. To help you, check the reviews about proactiv plus and zenmed acne skin care by myawesomebeauty.com, a beauty blog we love for their in depth cosmetic and beauty reviews. Acne is a long battle so use well formulated products that will help you get rid of excess oil and bacteria and get the clear skin you deserve for your D day.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a great idea. Do it at home or make an appointment for professional microdermabrasion treatments in the months leading up to your wedding day. Exfoliation is awesome to purge your skin of blackheads, minimize pores, and retexture your skin.

Facials

Start with having a facial once a month. Facials give you the opportunity to clear up blemishes, detox your skin, and have hydration treatments. Professionals suggest that your last facial be about two weeks before your wedding.

The day before your big event, do not attempt a deep cleansing facial. Deep cleansing facials can lead to breakouts, red skin, and discomfort. Instead try a light skin buff and hydration facials that will give you radiant looking skin and provide a smooth canvas for the perfect makeup.

Beware of chemical peelings

To reduce the risk of redness, allergic reactions or irritation to your skin avoid glycolic peels, dermabrasion or other chemical peels for at least a month before your wedding day.

Botox

Don’t wait until the last minute to use injectables like Botox. If you have to use this types of product, do it three weeks before the wedding to avoid signs of residual bruising.

Tanning

Forget trying to get tan. Healthy skin is what it is all about. Brides look prettier with the beauty of their natural skin tones. Sun and tanning beds will age you quickly, and you don’t want to have old and uneven skin tones on your big day. Watch out for tanning beds whose artificial lights penetrate deeper into the dermis.

Finally, do a trial run before your wedding day. Try out makeup on your clean new skin and experiment with hairstyles. To avoid last minute disasters, have a make-up and hair rehearsal at least two week prior to your day as you don’t want any unpleasant surprises.

And above all, enjoy your D-day ?

It is a no brainer  if you want to look your best you need to do some skin exfoliation. you probably do it regurlarly, but among the clients I met, many of them don’t really exfoliate their skin regurlarly. But one of the best tips I can give to my clients is to exfoliate so make up will be even easier…. So I guess I wanted to write that post as a little reminder.

Did you know that the ancient Egyptians practiced exfoliation, and in the Middle Ages wine was mixed with tartaric acid as the active agent to exfoliate the skin ?

Exfoliation was common in Asia hundreds of years ago, and today exfoliation is always part of a facial.

Removing the oldest, dead skin cells on your skin’s outmost surface is exfoliation, and is a very important part of facials and body treatments. When done properly exfoliation leaves the skin looking fresh and feeling smooth.

As your skin ages, cell turnover slows down, and dead skin cells tend to cause dull and unattractive skin.

Exfoliating your face and body on a weekly basis helps rid of the skin of the top dead layers of skin. Moisturizers and serums better penetrate the skin, and exfoliation helps get rid of scars, wrinkles, and some pigmentation disorders.

Use exfoliation at least once a week so facial products like moisturizers can penetrate to the lower layers of the skin. Exfoliation is achieved through microdermabrasion, chemical peels, mechanical means, or lasers.

The Best Tools for Exfoliation

• Forget the advertisements that tell you to use a fluffy nylon scrubby. It is pretty useless. Your skin will love you if you use a washcloth on your face and body when exfoliating.
• Try using a dry brush. Make sure the brush is used on your entire face and body before showering and keep it dry outside the shower. Use exfoliating gloves; they are awesome. Use them as skin scrub gloves as you shower or bathe. A natural bristled brush is available in the cosmetic section of most stores. Start with your legs ad move slowly up your body. Brush in a circular motion.  Why not add some salt, coffee or sugar on your brush for a complete exfoliating experience. they are great to gently exfoliate your skin.
• Use exfoliation scrubs that contain beads, sugar, salt or a natural exfoliating products on a washcloth or loofah and rinse off with warm water. Avoid hot water on your skin especially after exfoliating. Exfoliate every five to seven days and you will see an awesome change in your completion.
• The best tool ever for exfoliation at home is a microdermabrasion machine, this  is a pretty recent skin-care technique that can give you an almost “instant facelift”, or an “instant glow”. It is a very nice alternative to costlier spa facials, and much nicer than a chemical peel.

A microdermabrasion machine uses a diamond tip to buff away the surface layer of skin, which is sucked by a vacuum feature.

We believe it is a definite must have to keep a healthy and glowy skin.

Our clients often ask us what we recommend.  Unfortunately we haven’t had the time to test several machines available on the market so we cannot answer the question, but we found an excellent article from the beauty blog that we already talked about previously in a post. They list in this article the best at home machines. Check their article about microdermabrasion machines here.

Please note that we can also add some microdermabrasion sessions to our wedding packages for additional costs. 

Yet, be extra careful with the delicate skin on your face. It is easy to get carried away and exfoliate too much or too hard. Remember to protect your skin after exfoliating.