Spotlight: Chella Skincare

The Pros at IMPO have our favorites! Favorite makeup, hair products, brushes, disposables and of course, skincare! In the past, we have posted on this blog and put up on YouTube a video about Melissa’s favorite skincare but today, it’s Cathi’s turn!

As professional makeup artists and bloggers, we are sent many products yearly to test out. Plus, we purchase products for our kits and our personal use several times during the year too!

We test everything before we add it to our kits or write blog post reviews, however testing several different lines monthly can wreak havoc on your skin. Even though we test all products on our clients, as well as ourselves, the IMPO team takes the brunt of the skincare testing because we do not want to risk our actors having breakouts or creating skin issues!

Cathi is the “baby” of the IMPO family and she has sensitive skin that has a tendency to be dry. She’s getting ready to turn the big 3-0 this year and because her skin changes depending on the seasons, as well as stress levels and with the typical signs of aging, Cathi finally found an amazing skincare line that has regulated her skin.

Here’s her review:

“Fight aging that is seen and unseen for undeniable, tangible results.”

Chella Skin Care is a cutting edge line that combines science and skin care to produce a product that targets the aging process, how to slow it down and minimize the results while maintaining healthy vibrant skin. Because of Chella you don’t have to become a mad scientist to fight fine lines and dull skin.

Anti-Fatigue Eye Masks: Do you have 20 minutes to look like you’ve slept a full 8 hours? Thought so! This mask is packed with collagen and peptides that de-puff, firm and smooth fine lines around the entire eye by 15%. In other words, look well rested, hydrated, and bright eyed with these magical patches. Repeat the process once a week for four weeks for lasting results.

It also diminishes redness and swelling that are common due to stress, caffeine, and lack of sleep. Both Melissa and I were lucky enough to try these masks at a recent skincare event. The eye masks are cooling, and very soothing on the skin. It felt like a spa treatment with the convenience of being travel friendly.

Hydrating Cleanser Lush Balm: I have to say I first fell in love with this product because of its appearance. How shallow, I know! It is a beautiful coral creamy balm with an invigorating citrus scent, reminiscent of a Summer-type candle. I had never used such a thick balm on my skin, but with winter weighing heavy on me, my skin needed the hydration.

I applied as instructed, first going on dry skin, then adding warm water. This balm rocks! It not only rids my skin of dirt and bacteria, it also removes my makeup, including my mascara and red matte lipstick (not an easy feat).

Instantly I thought of this balm for my Pro makeup kit as it is applied dry, then rinsed with warm water, making it extremely easy to clean or prep skin while in the makeup chair. And it’s not something that will tip over and spill in my kit! Bonus!

I have found this cleanser to be universal for all skin types, but especially those that are more on the dry side. The balm contains olive oil, which leaves skin feeling smooth and supple after rinsing.

Exfoliating Cleanser Micro Bead Purifier: I use every three days as an exfoliator. It is made especially for “challenged skin.” With the changing climate and because I am in new locations everyday with work, it’s easy for my skin to lash out. Using this cleanser has helped bring balance to my skin tone and reduce breakouts significantly. It is by far the best smelling exfoliator I have ever used- a refreshing cucumber scent that makes it seem almost edible.

It contains jojoba beads that gently cleanse pores without drying or tearing at your skin. What makes this product unique is its encapsulated beta hydroxy acids, called MultiSal 20. It delivers time-released salicylic acid to help rid your skin of bacteria and excess oils.

Most items with salicylic acid can be very drying, especially in the T Zone. I have not had any drying or irritation while using this product, yet my skin is smoother, more balanced and not as oily later in the day, during that magic 4 o‘clock hour where my energy and makeup are both put to the tested.

Resurfacing Matrix Enzyme and Lactic Treatment: Once a week I use this product to rid my skin of the week’s build up, bacteria, and dead skin cells. The lactic acid helps aid in cellular regeneration and contributes to giving a glow to the skin. The enzymes make this mini-peel just strong enough to smooth texture and create a more even balanced tone. Even sensitive skin types can use this weekly without redness or irritation.

Brow Kit-Auburn: I recently colored my hair to an auburn red color. Going from a natural blonde to red caused not only a total re-haul of my makeup regimen, but it also slightly changed my skin tone. I do not color my eyebrows, therefore I began the hunt for the perfect brow pencil. Enter Chella Brow Kit in Awesome Auburn. The kit comes with a brow pencil, highlighter pencil, clear brow gel and sharpener. It is the trifecta of perfect Auburn brows! It is a creamy pencil with just the right hue of warmth and not orange. It’s very blendable and the highlighter pencil is a fantastic pick-me-up for those early morning call times. Just a small sweep under the brows and in the inner eye corner, blend and then I head to craft service for a large coffee!

The Brow Kit also comes in Beautiful Blonde, Luscious Light Brown and Dazzling Dark Brown and retails for only $45.

Check out this great and informative video on the Chella product line: 

For more information on Chella Skin Care and to order products, visit their website http://chella.com.

Products of the Month - November

Usually Southern California is sunny and mild until December, but this entire year has been a crazy weather experience for our State, as well as the rest of the country and the world.

November has been blustery and cold.  The heater was turned on weeks ago and our skin is starting to have that “tight” feeling that we despise!  We have also noticed some dry, flaky patches of skin around our nose and chin.  It’s as if all the dewiness has been sucked right out of our pores.

We traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday too, which did not help the state of our current skin issues. Even though we are professional makeup artists and know a thing or two about skincare, doesn’t mean our skin always cooperates or that we don’t engage in some laziness every once in awhile.

It is time to rehydrate our entire bodies!  More water consumption and more moisturizer.  The Pro’s don’t want to show up to our scheduled holiday parties in a sexy dress and killer heels with patchy, scratchy, red, irritated skin, so we are reevaluating and adding to our current skincare regime (both day and night).

Winter has arrived, so here’s the Pro’s list of November Products of the Month to combat the winter blues…

Jan Marini Skin Research - Age Intervention Gentle Cleanser – not only are the Pro’s having issues with their skin, but our clients are too, so we decided to change things up a bit and add Jan Marini’s newest cleanser to our professional kits. We not only use this cleanser for removing eye makeup, but all over the face and neck to prep the skin prior to applying cosmetics.  It is extremely mild and non-foaming, which makes it extremely effective for all skin types.

Jan Marini Skin Research – Instant Refining Exfoliator – this exfoliator will immediately create a perfectly smooth canvas for makeup and because it is a resurfacer, your skin’s texture and follicle size is refined.  Non-abrasive and gentle enough to use daily (we use it twice a week), this product will get rid of flaky, dry skin and will boost the penetration of other skincare products in your regime.  This product is a Limited Holiday Edition.

SAMPAR Paris – Barley There Moisture Fluid – add this little extra bit of “oomph" to your nighttime skin regime.  We recommend applying under the SAMPAR Nocturnal Lifting Mask before bed.  The combination of the extra moisture and mask will lock in hydration and help to heel itchy, dry patches.

VotreVu – Portrait Collar Restorative Neck Cream – if you think that only your face needs more moisturizer, you are wrong!  Your neck area ages faster than your face because it has different hormonal reactors and by using a specialized formula made especially for the neck, you can help to smooth the appearance of deep-set lines and tighten saggy skin!  Toss out your turtleneck tops and keep your chin up in public!  The Pro’s keep an extra one of these on the bedside table so that we lather up at night too!

Aquaphor – Original Formula Healing Ointment – this product works miracles on extremely dry, cracked and irritated skin.  It also creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture.  If your skin is raw, chapped, chafed or if you have undergone radiation treatments, facial resurfacing or if you suffer from other sensitive skin issues, you may want to try this product.  The IMPO Pro’s rely on this ointment to heal our hands, elbows, heels of our feet and knees during the winter months.  This is also great for the lips and around the mouth to heal chapping.

JAO - Hand Refresher – this is a waterless antibacterial cleanser that is infused with lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium and sage oil.  It is the only sanitizer the Pro’s use in our makeup room or trailer.  Other products wipe out good bacteria along with bad bacteria, this product’s main ingredient is Ethyl Alcohol, which is proven effective to guard against harmful germs, but doesn’t kill off the body’s natural defenses.  Plus, it doesn’t have that offensive alcohol smell and it won’t dry out your hands.  Keep a small bottle in your handbag, car and backpack.

Phyto – Masque Haute Hydration (intense hydrating mask) – do not forget about your hair this winter!  The Pro’s received this mask as gratis for our professional hair kit, but wanted to try it personally because we had heard about the amazing results consumers were having when using this product. This is an intense hydrating mask that regenerates hair and adds suppleness.  If you are prone to frizz, excessive shedding or if your hair is dry, brittle, dull or lifeless then this product can help.  Bonus – it only takes 2-5 minutes so you can add it to your morning routine!

EOS (evolution of smooth) – Lip Balm – do you have little kids or teenagers?  Do they always have chapped, cracked, dehydrated lips in the winter? If you are answering yes to these questions, then you have to try out EOS.  Kids and teens don’t like products that look industrial or smell medicinal.  They like cool, hip packaging and they must have flavor!  This product is a mom’s secret weapon to solving “ouchy” cracked lips plus it is Gluten-free, Paraben-free, Petrolatum-free and Phthalate-free, which means that this product is 95% organic, 100% natural and it is packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics – Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint – this product does triple duty by leaving the skin hydrated, concealed and protected.  The Pro’s switch up foundation in the winter and we decided to revisit a summer favorite because this product provides our skin with free-radical fighting antioxidants, calming botanicals and nourishing minerals.  It does not sink into fine lines, wrinkles and it helps combat those dry, flaky patches around our nasal labial folds and chin.

Clarins – Barocco Face Palette – it is time to add illumination to the skin during these drab winter months and this palette is up to the task, especially if your skin is dry.  There are 4 shades in this palette – pale pink, sun-kissed beige, sparkling coral and natural beige, which can all be blended together or applied alone.  This product will enhance all complexions and will bring an instant glow back to lifeless skin!

Physicians Formula – Swirl Powder – is a good drug-store alternative to the Clarins' product listed above because it is a brighten powder that will help to blend away redness.  It tops the list of Elle Magazine World’s Best Beauty Products and is great on all skin tones.  Bonus – this product is a mineral correcting powder that is talc-free.

Laura Mercier – Eye Color Pot – this product is a double-decker component that contains a cream color and matching loose color in two different formulas, which can be worn alone or together to create more intensity.  The cream shadow is not only an amazing eye shadow base, but is an extended wear color that won’t crease or fade and blends flawlessly.  If your eyes tend to water in the winter then try this product by using both colors on the lid and only the cream to line under the eye.

Eve Pearl – Black Pearl Liquid Eyeliner – this product has been a staple in both the Pro’s professional kits and personal makeup bags for years now.  It is, without a doubt, the best liquid eyeliner in a pen form that we have found.  Does not smudge, flake or dry out and it is totally easy to use.  We like to use it to tight line the upper lid in the winter and the precise brush allows for a close application right along the lash line to give the appearance of full lashes.

Make Up For Ever – Lash Fibers – this product will double your lashes and will boost any mascara.  Want full, fluttering, long lashes?  Then this mascara base is the answer.  Try it with your current mascara for instant results.

Make Up For Ever – Aqua Smoky Lash – this is a waterproof formula that provides volume and curl.  This mascara can be worn in the most extreme winter conditions and it won’t budge.  Again, if you tend to have watery eyes in the winter due to extreme wind or dryness then this mascara will work wonders for you!

Clinique – Black Honey Almost Lipstick – in returning to our fall/winter collection of lip colors, the Pro’s came across an icon product that consumers purchase every year.  In fact, there is an Almost Lipstick in Black Honey sold every two minutes, 852 sold daily, which means that over 300,000 are sold every year!  You can’t argue with stats like that!  This product is a great color for the season and because it is not quite a lipstick and not quite a gloss, it is the best of both worlds!  It is a sheer color that is moisturizing, blends well and won’t bleed.  Tip:  use a little on your cheeks for a pop of sheer color and to coordinate your lip and cheek area!

Pro Tips and Tricks:

Your complexion is key this season and into the deep winter months.  The application of foundation, concealer and powder should be light.  To create skin that looks hydrated, mix a little YSL - Touche Elcat Highlighter Pen with a pot concealer like Laura Mercier, MAC or Bobby Brown and apply/dab on with your fingers under the eyes.

 Photo courtesy: Implied Images