Archive for May, 2016

When Should I Start Battling the Aging Process?
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  • On May 24, 2016
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  • In Spa

Most of us relish the wisdom that comes with age, but not the physical effects. As women, we have historically advanced through our looks. Now in the modern age, we use our brains more yet still want to have beauty in our back pocket. The inevitable question is when the best time to prevent aging is?

Dermatologists recommend preventative care in our twenties.  Most of us are living by ourselves and starting careers for the first time, which leads to intense stress. During this time, we are setting up habits that will carry us throughout adulthood. Lack of sleep equals more coffee, wanting to look glamorous over cocktails could mean dragging on a smoke or wearing not sunscreen on a regular basis to look tan and therefore appear relaxed.

Stay out of the sun, quit smoking and make regular sleep a habit. These three preventative actions alone will reduce the risk of aging more than 10xs the amount expected from our peers who tan, smoke and rely on caffeine to stay awake. Though we think it will never happen, there will come a day to pay for the carelessness of youth.

Fine lines begin popping up in our 30s. Many of us panic during this time and resort to anything the media tells us will work. This timeframe is where preventative measures in our twenties will come in handy. With that being said, there are many options available to combat aging. Plastic surgery is more readily available now than any other time in history. However, most of us are opting for non-surgical procedures.  My favorite weapon to combat aging is the non-surgical facelift.  This procedure battles the sins of my twenties and helps my skin cope with future challenges.

Women 40+ face the obstacle of deep wrinkles.  This advancing of the enemy is where the battle lines are drawn. There is no turning back. Measures must begin. Brickell Cosmetic Center & Spa offers dermal fillers, lasers and chemical peels to restore the appearance of youth.   Make an appointment today to restore your youth.

http://www.brickellcosmetic.com/when-should-i-start-battling-the-aging-process/

Top Eight Reasons We All Need a Professional Facial
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  • On May 24, 2016
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  • In Spa

On the surface, a facial seems like a splurge. All you have to do is cleanse, tone, exfoliate and slap on a mask. As with most things in life, if something seems simple it is only because someone skilled is moving the action. Brickell Cosmetic Center & Spa offers top of the line facials treatments that are worth every penny. Let us look at why we need a skin care specialist to make it look so easy.

1. No matter how much the shop girl behind the cosmetic counter at the mall swears she is an expert, she truly doesn’t know skin. Most of us do not leave the house without a bit of makeup making it hard to know the nature of our skin from a quick glance. With the proper equipment in a sterile location, we can lay our skin bare and receive an expert opinion in the process. A facial lasts about an hour, which is ample time for the skin care specialist to learn your skin’s secrets.

2. We have all heard of household ingredients that make excellent exfoliants. A pinch of salt with honey should work wonders. However, the pressure has to be just right to protect the skin and create results.

3. Blackheads might be evil. Extraction is a delicate process. The skin has to be loosened up before proceeding and then a person must know how hard to dig. At the very worst, you can create a scar and at the best, you create tears. Both defeat the purpose of doing a facial in the first place. Let a professional make this step easier and safer.

4. Even oily skin needs hydration, but the moisture level may be hard to decipher on our own. Sensitive skin may not need as much or acne prone skin may need a precise amount. A professional skin care therapist takes the guesswork out of measurement.
5. We can stand over a pot of boiling water to achieve the benefits of steam or we could let a machine do it without the chance of getting burned. Steam increases circulation and gets the blood moving which helps our skin receive nutrients leaving us looking younger.

6. Cancer is a scary word, but it is a reality. Skin cancer is on the rise and someone who is trained in detection can give you an early warning. Moles do not form overnight, but some skin cancers can just be an imperceptible as a stubborn patch of dry skin. Skin care specialists provide a second pair of eyes that are far more skilled than our own.

7. Nothing is more relaxing than a facial. A massage comes close, but a facial has results on which everyone can complement you.
8. A professional can offer the greatest skincare advice. They see hundreds of faces a year and know skin. It is almost certain they have not seen a skin problem without a simple solution.

Come visit us, ask about our different facial treatments. Discover healthy, and beautiful skin.

Manicure & Pedicure are a MUST

A manicure is a mini indulgence to let the world know you care about appearance and yourself. Our nails can get chipped cleaning, typing and through just plain living. Without thinking about it, we use our hands to express ourselves. Through hand gestures and shaking hands, we express ourselves with our ten digits. There is no better way to give the best impression than with a pop of color and well-groomed nails.

Nail color is the easiest way to develop a signature look. Ever since a so purple it is black polish came out four years ago, my nails have not known another color. I love how dark the color is and how white it makes my skin look. If it chips, it is not as noticeable as with a lighter color. When I try out a new color, it inevitably does not look like me. I find this color makes me feel great about myself and sends the message that my glamour is on the darker side, but still just as valid.

A friend of mine does crazy nail art with multiple hues and even images. She scours blogs to see the latest trends. This whimsy is her way of standing out in the world. Her beauty has become her hobby and we all delight in seeing what she comes up with next.

Women spend so much time taking care of other people that a manicure forces us to spend time on ourselves. That sitting in the chair and allowing ourselves to be attended to is one of the greatest stress relievers of the modern age. We can’t go anywhere and are forced to miss calls to preserve the integrity of our mini indulgence.  This “me time” reminds us while we are wives and mothers, we still have to put our best hand forward and enjoy an experience that not only makes us feel good about ourselves, but makes others want to shake our hands.  Come see the latest colors at Brickell Cosmetic Center & Spa and let us help you make the right impression.

Article by Maureen

Nail Art at NYFW September 2015

For SquareHue.com

Nail art has always had an urban edge. Born in the underground, it was a way for creatives to express themselves. Now nail art is becoming urbane as demonstrated during the September collections at New York Fashion week. Nail art has gone mainstream but has retained its splendor. Designers opted to include nail art as part of the details rather than as statements in their own right.

Details

Nicole Miller opted for thin metallic horizontal lines. Tadashi Shoji imagined crisscrossed patterns overlaid with metallic gold. Nail art can be subtle, yet chic with finer details to bring more attention to the designs.

Reverse French manicure

Many designers offered nail art not at the tip, but rather at the base of the nail. Carmen Marc Valvo had her models walk with black nails and silver cuticles for a look that is both high fashion and decidedly goth. French manicures are the easiest look to tweak as most simply use two colors that can be crafted into half-moons at the base of tips.

Gradients

Creatures of the Wind added a pop of nail art with gradient metallic tips. The look was both decadent and edge under the bright lights of the catwalk. Gradients nails can be achieved using any tools and pure imagination.

Negative space

Designers also selected negative space nails such Prabal Gurung for a dramatic effect that also stood as unique expressions on the hands of the models. Negative space can be lashings of colors or simply blocked out for a more graphic look.

For great manicures, check out and follow our Nail Art at NYFW September 2015 appeared first on SquareHue.

iPolish might be the most versatile nail polish SquareHue has produced
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  • On May 24, 2016
  • With Comments Off on iPolish might be the most versatile nail polish SquareHue has produced
  • In Beauty

It is a strong white that can serve as a base for more vibrant colors or stand alone as a completely chic choice. White manicures have been in vogue during the summer when each day carries the possibility of being a beach day. Winter can also be a prime time for white, particularly if you live in a city that will never experience snow.

White nails can be tricky if you have not rocked the look before. While the look is always on fleek, it needs a certain je ne sais quoi to get it perfect.
1. Keep nails short
With style is always a personal choice, long white nails can come across as undone.
2. Fill in ridges
White may be perceived as unforgiving. Ridges will need to be filled out as every imperfection will be pronounced in this color.
3. Don’t overcoat
White is can be sheer upon the initial application. The prescribed procedure is to be prudent with the first coat and a bit thicker during the second round. A third layer can be added if needed.
4. Let coats dry
Nobody wants lump color. Play a song by The Weeknd or watch a cat video to pass the time between coats.
5. Be diligent about a top coat
White polish announces every scratch and chip, so be aware and reapply a top coat midweek.

The post iPolish – The Decades Collection: 1970 appeared first on SquareHue.

Drop Out – The Decades Collection: 1960

Posted on Monday, July 27 2015 11:38:34 AM in Blog by Laura

There is a school of thought that states that the nail polish on your hands should be lighter than the hue on your feet. With this month’s Drop Out from the 1960 Decades Collection, an iridescent purple, the time to test that theory is now. This shimmery color is so light; it takes a few coats to make it darker. However, the sheerness of the color is refreshing for the summer.

One reason for lighter nail polish color on the hands while darker on the feet is that many nailistas can go weeks without needing a pedicure, while manicures can take a beating, particularly in the summer months. Darker nail polishes can be harder to remove while lighter colors won’t show as much as they chip.

Another school of thought is to have colors with the same color base, red toes with pink hands or navy with sky blue. The best part of playing around with nail color is that you can make your own rules from highly decorative nail art to wearing the same color on hands and feet. If the 1960s taught the world anything, it is that rules and norms are to be done away with once they do not serve you. This decade heralded the entrance and celebration of the individual.

SquareHue invites you to tune in, turn on, and drop out this month. Break rules for nail polish standards, mix colors, add rhinestones or simply allow yourself to go lighter or darker with your choices. Be bold, but more importantly be you. How will you break the rules this month?

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The post Drop Out – The Decades Collection: 1960 appeared first on SquareHue.

Manicure 101

Manicure 101 – 12 Steps to a great manicure

Posted on Tuesday, August 18 2015 10:36:39 AM in Blog by Laura

12 steps to a great looking manicure.

Believe us when we say that we love getting our nails done. We love to feel pampered but sometimes we just don’t have the time to spend at a salon. For those times here are some steps that will help you get a salon perfect manicure at home.

1. Clean your nails. Remove any old polish from your fingernails. Wash your hands thoroughly.

2. File your nails. Choose a nail file with a medium to gentle grit. And always file in one direction not back and forth which can lead to splitting.

3. Buff your nails. Use a buffer to help smooth out any ridges on your nail beds and to smooth out the tips that you just filed.

4. Clean and remove dry cuticles. Clean cuticles lead to a better looking manicure. Use a cuticle remover and stick to remove any excess from the nail beds before adding the polish.

5. Clean your nail surface. Once you’ve filed, buffed, and taken care of your cuticles it’s time to polish. It’s very important to remove any soap, old polish or oils from the nail bed. Wipe the nail bed down with a q-tip soaked in acetone.

6. Apply a base coat. Apply your base coat in a thin, even coat. Don’t forget the edge of the nail. Allow the base coat to dry at least 3 minutes before applying nail polish.

7. Choose the nail polish color. This is the fun but oftentimes hardest part. SquareHue has tried to make the color choosing dilemma easier by providing you with 3 great nail polish color choices that are on trend and in fashion. The great thing about doing your own nails is that you can change the color several times a week without the guilt of having spent your money.

8. Time to polish. Prep the nail polish brush by sliding it into the polish bottle and loading it with the polish. While pulling back the brush, wipe the polish on the back side of the brush on the rim. You definitely don’t want a huge glob of polish.

9. Start with your non-dominant hand and pinkie finger. Place the brush in the middle of the nail, slightly above the cuticle, push slightly back so the polish is just below your cuticle line and then pull forward to the tip of your nail. Repeat this on both the left and right side of this center line. Repeat this step on all of your fingers and allow 3 minutes of dry time between coats. Don’t neglect to paint the edge of the nail. It will help avoid the tip from chipping.

10. Clean up the cuticle line. The secret to a great looking manicure is a neat edge around the cuticle. Use a very small slanted makeup brush dipped in nail polish remover (acetone works best) to clean up my nail beds just below the cuticles and around the edges of the fingertips.

11. Apply the top coat.  Apply the top coat in a thin, even coat. Also paint the edge of the nail to protect the tips from chipping. Allow the top coat to dry at least 3 minutes.

12. Apply cuticle oil.  Once the top coat is dry, apply cuticle oil around your cuticles. Repeat this each evening to keep your cuticles from drying out.

Hope you try all of these steps. And let us know if you have any tips or tricks to making your manicure look great!

The post Manicure 101 – 12 Steps to a great manicure appeared first on SquareHue.