by Amy Macgowan | Sep 18, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Do any of you remember Sudden Tan by Coppertone? Research shows it was the cosmetic industry's first attempt at self tanner. And a failed attempt it was…orange and streaky and so obviously fake! I think I could still name a few people that used it in high school!
So, natural sun it was for me my whole life…until I took my daughter, at age 5, to the dermatologist to get a suspicious looking mole checked out. The mole was not good and neither was the look the derm gave me about my skin. Many biopsies and scars later, I no longer seek the sun for anything other than a little warmth after a long MN winter.
Good thing self tanners have come a long way baby! Because, even though I know tan skin is ‘damaged skin', I still love the look. I feel better when I have a little color, especially in my bike shorts in front of my class.
Since that fateful day at the dermatologist with Abby, I have tried so many self tanners I can't even begin to count them.
Instructors often ask me for tips on how to best apply self tanners and which ones I like best. I'll even include some that I think are awful :).
How to best apply self tanners:
1.Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate…everywhere, but especially elbows, knees and tops of feet where skin is ignored and tends to get rough. Otherwise, the self tanner tends to “gather” in these spots and get quite dark in comparison with other areas of our body.
2.I've found it helps to apply a small amount of lotion on each side of my ankles and on the tops of my feet down to my toes, so that the self tanner doesn't over-gather there.
3. I like to start with my arms and the tops of my hands. That way the self tanner can ‘take' on the tops of my hands a bit before I wash them.
4. End with your legs and blend downward to your feet, trying not to add too much product toward your feet, as it will get dark there very quickly.
5. Wash your hands well, especially nail beds and in between fingers. Another place self tanner lingers is on the inside of wrists, so be sure to wash well there.
6. If you want to add additional self tanner to the top of your hands, a make up brush works very well. Just apply a small amount of self tanner to the brush and pop on your hand tops.
7. I like to apply self tanner at night, mostly because of the smell. Color develops in 3-4 hours. A shower in the morning and some moisturizer leaves a nice looking tan, and no smell.
Self Tanners I like:
–Alba Botanica: Alba smells decent, is super emollient and gives great color. I love the price too at $10.99.
-Quick Tan: probably my all time favorite. It actually smells good, the color is great and the spray bottle allows me to tan my back without calling John for assistance. My daughter, Carly, and I order 6 at a time from Amazon for a great price break.
-Lancome Flash Bronzer Tinted Self-Tanning Body Gel: minimal smell, great color, no streaking. Do not get the Leg Gel though! The Leg Gel has a very pungent smell. It also seems to come off in water, even after drying and ‘curing' for 3-4 hours.
-Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel: this is the very first self tanning product I used (long before I worked for them) and I still like it today. Minimal smell, no streaking and good color.
Self Tanners I ‘kind of' like, especially for the price:
-Banana Boat, Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Olay, Aveeno, Coppertone, Dove- all seem to work medium well for me as far as the tan achieved. However, the biggest difference between the products I like and these is how my tan wears. With these products, my tan tends to gets scaly. With those above, it stays even until I re-apply 3-4 days later.
Products I haven't liked:
-Jergens Natural Glow. It smells bad, doesn't give great moisture, and my skin got a scaly look the next day.
-Ulta brand self tanner. I couldn't seem to ever get it to absorb, let alone blend. It stayed sticky and ended up very streaky. It also smells horrible.
-Victoria's Secret. Same problems as Ulta brand.
Why DO self tanners smell?
The ingredient responsible for turning the top layer of our skin ‘tan' is DHA- dihydroxyacetone. It's a colorless sugar (often from sugar cane or beets, just like sugar in the store) that works with the amino acids in our skin. This very reaction is what smells. The masking fragrance can make this reaction smell better or worse!
Do you use a self tanner you love? Please let us know!
Anything you want to talk about here at PRO/STYLE? Let me know! I would enjoy hearing from you.
Comments or questions? You can reach me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE. If I ever do, I will happily let you know.
by Amy Macgowan | Sep 10, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
You know how it can be challenging as Indoor Cycling Instructors to convince those in the weight room that it's important to cardio train in addition to lifting?
Sometimes it's the same way for me about skin care, sunscreen and convincing people of our skin's importance in general.
I worked with an instructor other day that wanted to do something about her age/ sun spots. I was excited to see her and had great products in mind that would help reduce her current spots and prevent new ones from forming. When I mentioned sunscreen was the #1 thing she could do to prevent new spots from forming, she said, “No way, I never have, and never will wear sunscreen”.
Hmmm, I wondered. Why no sunscreen, ever? (Too psychological for me to figure out). But I did wonder…if we thought about caring for our skin like we do our cardiovascular system, it might hit home.
So, here's a quick look at our skin:
-It's our largest organ and needs to be taken care of!
Age spots, sun spots, or any new unwanted skin occurrence, is a sign of trauma and onset of skin weakening. Just like we would address high blood pressure/ sugar, weight gain, chest pain, etc., we need to address noticeable changes in our skin. A note here: if you recognize a new mole, change in an old mole, or any troublesome spot that won't heal, please consult your doctor immediately.
– It's the first line of defense against pollution into our body!
The ‘invasion' if you will, of pollutants- free radicals, elector-magnetic rays, UVA and UVB rays and all the other unidentified pollutants flying around. I used to scoff a bit at this pollution thing (living in Minneapolis and all), but I don't anymore. All I need to do is look at my car after it's been parked all day downtown Minneapolis. The build up is rather amazing. It didn't take long to correlate the fact that this build up was also happening to me…us…on our skin. Yikes! If our skin is compromised through years of abuse (as mine has been), it can't do a good job of protecting us against pollutants getting into our system. The good news is it's never too late to help it repair and restore itself- much can be done. We can also use products to add additional protection. These products do not have to be expensive to do a good job.
-It's complicated and has many facets:
The top layer of our skin is the epidermus and the layer underneath it is the dermis, followed by the subcutaneous layer.
Our skin is our biggest organ.
Cosmetic products work at the dermal/epidermal junction (DEJ). This is significant because, at the DEJ, the bloodstream and lymphatic system is not affected. (However, cellular renewal and transformation is still greatly effected at the DEJ.) Prescription (Rx) products work beyond the DEJ, going into the bloodstream and lymphatic system. For all intents and purposes, we will be discussing cosmetic products working at the DEJ here at PRO/STYLE.
As I tell my daughters, it is SO much easier (and less expensive) to prevent aging (i.e. compromising our skin) than it is to reverse aging (which is possible at different levels depending on the damage).
We have such an amazing and unique opportunity to be in the elements practicing and honing our trade. Whether it's biking, running, walking, swimming, skiing…whatever we're doing, I'd love to hear from you about what's worked and hasn't, what you love and don't, or any questions you have.
And, as always, let me know what you'd like me to post about. Thanks!
Please contact me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com, or comment below.
by Amy Macgowan | Sep 4, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Okay, we may not be screaming for it, but we might be silently screaming about it because:
- We've heard enough about SPF to last us a lifetime.
- We didn't wear it, the damage is done (although we know we can stop further damage) and we just don't like the stuff.
- We've given in…and we're wearing it, but we hate it because it's shiny and it feels terrible.
- We're currently exhausted from trying to apply it to some kind of child/ children in our life, or are still exhausted from the memory of chasing said child/ children around the yard to apply dreaded sunscreen.
- We are guilt ridden because we've run out and know we must replenish in the next 24 hours or something very bad is sure to happen.
Thankfully, I'm not going to extol the virtues of sunscreen. As Fitness Instructors and active people, we know them. And, if you're like me, and didn't use it when you were young(er), the benefits of using sunscreen (and the side effects of not using it) are very apparent in life as we know it today. Plus, I just hate the look and feel of a sunburn!
So…because I've been on a long quest for a face sunscreen- one to wear faithfully on a day to day basis that doesn't make me look like a ‘shine ball' and feel like I want to scrape it off with a putty knife, I thought it would be useful to share what I finally found:
Clarins UV40HP is so light, I can't feel it after I put it on. And, bonus….I don't shine. This stuff sells like hotcakes at Nordstrom where the Cosmetic Department ‘inter-sells'. This means the staff sells between cosmetic lines, so they really sell what they love and what works for their clients. Titanium Dioxide is the sunscreen ingredient (natural vs. chemical) and cantaloupe extract is among the plant ingredients for nourishing the skin. Not only does UV40HP give sun protection 40 from UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays, but also free radical and elector-magnetic (i.e. cell phone, computer, lights, etc.) protection. Best of all, it comes in 4 options: UV40HP Untinted, UV40HP Light, UV40 HP Medium, UV40 HP Dark. It's $40 for the untinted and $42 for the tinted. The tinted is beautiful, for most, as a substitute foundation! I've been using mine since April, so it's lasted over 5 months.
Here are a few of the face sunscreens I've tried and not liked at all (not complete by any stretch):
–Neutrogena Ultra Light, Ultra Sheer: It wasn't either ultra light, or ultra sheer, but it was ultra shiny! My Dermatologist swears by Helioplex, an ingredient in this, so I gave it a shot. I do like the body spray sunscreen though.
–Lancome Bienfat UV50+ Super Fluid: No thank you! It left a white gray cast on my face that would not rub in and it was shiny, thick and greasy feeling all day. Yuck. I put it on my body to use it up before a bike ride and John said, “Why do you look all pasty like a mummy?”
–Skinceuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20: I do like this for outside protection (riding, swimming, boating, etc.) It's too thick and shiny for everyday use however.
–Kiss My Face All Natural Oat Protein Sunscreen SPF 30: I wanted to like this one ($12.99 and easy to pick up at the local natural food store), but it was way to greasy for me.
I enjoyed this quick read from totalbeauty.com on the 11 Best Sunscreens for Your Face and thought you might too:
http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/best-facial-sunscreens#1
Have you found a sunscreen you love? Or, at least one you can tolerate and use daily? Let us know and comment about it. Is there anything you'd like to talk about here at PRO/STYLE? Please let me know: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com.
*I receive no compensation from anyone for writing this, including John 🙂 . If I do in the future, I will happily reveal that information. You can reach me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
by Amy Macgowan | Aug 28, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
If you are anything like me, a little bit of help to look and feel your best when heading out to teach/ coach your class is welcome. But, when it comes to make up, I'd rather err on the side of too little than too much, not only in how it feels on my skin, but also in how it looks.
Enter mineral foundation. Its versatility is amazing and don't be fooled negatively by its powder form. A true, quality mineral foundation will not settle in lines and wrinkles, because it is not powder, it's minerals in a powder form.
Let me pontificate on what mineral foundation should, may and shouldn't contain and why it's so versatile:
Mineral foundation should contain :
-Titanium Dioxide, a naturally occurring mineral used for sunscreen and pigment.
Mineral Foundation may contain:
-Bismuth Oxychloride, a naturally occurring mineral used for pigment and brightness
-Mica, a naturally occurring mineral used for pigment, brightness and luminosity
-Iron Oxides, widespread in nature, used for intense color pigment
Mineral Foundation probably should not contain:
-Zinc, a metallic chemical element, which can be quite drying and is best left out of mineral foundations for that reason
-Talc, as in talcum powder which settles in lines and wrinkles
-Corn Starch, a starch powder derived from the endosperm of the corn kernel, is simply a cheap filler that settles in lines and wrinkles
Mineral Foundation's Versatility:
The brush determines how your minerals are applied.
The trick is in the brush: the larger the brush, the lighter the coverage. The smaller the brush, the more specific and ‘flawless' (read: heavy) the coverage. So, if you want just a dusting to even out your already beautiful skin (lucky you!), then just a light brushing with a large powder brush, or mineral foundation brush will suffice. If you need a little more help, a more specific brush can be used. For example, my niece uses a liquid foundation brush to apply her powder minerals for a flawless finish. You can also use a small concealer brush, or dab a clean finger directly into the powder and apply and blend into specific trouble spots.
Desiring a quick, custom-made tinted moisturizer? Drop a bit of your mineral foundation into your favorite moisturizer, mix- and there you have it! Try it with your eye cream for a custom concealer as well. Want a bronzer without all the ‘glow' or Bath and Body sparkles? Buy a dark shade of the mineral line you love (see below for some I've tried) and use it as your bronzer.
A note of caution about the sunscreen rating of mineral foundation. Because Titanium Dioxide is a potent, natural sunscreen, mineral foundations are known for their sunscreen protection. However, the sunscreen rating of your mineral foundation is only as good as the thickness in which it is applied. So, if you are a ‘light duster', your sunscreen will not be as effective as those who are ‘flawless finish' appliers.
Mineral Foundation is easy to match. Find 3 colors close to your natural skin tone and apply them at your chin/ jaw line. The color(s) that aren't right will sit on top of your skin, but your mineral match will literally melt into your skin. The goal of foundation is to match skin and even out skin tone. Too often women ask for foundation too deep or too light. This is the job for a bronzer or highlighter.
Here are some Mineral Foundations I have tried and/ or played with and my thoughts. I would LOVE to hear from you about brands and things you have tried. Please comment! I look forward to hearing from you.
–Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics: by far the purest of all the mineral cosmetics I've found. 4 ingredients total and plenty of colors to chose from to get your perfect match . The only problem- it's only available in Salons and Spas, or at Cosmoprof (for licensed professionals only). I have used it and like it a lot.
-Elizabeth Arden: plenty of colors to choose from and I like that it has a twist up ‘shaver' that brings up the needed amount of product. No waste, no mess.
-Bare Minerals: of course, the original mineral makeup. It now comes in a matte formula as well. Many colors and ancillary products.
–Merle Norman Luxiva Purely Mineral Makeup: this makeup got #1 on Readers Choice; however I have not personally tried it.
-Clarins Skin Illusion Loose Powder Foundation: with light reflecting pigments, minerals and plant extracts. I've been using this since January and get compliments on my skin quite often….trust me, it's the makeup, not my skin!
As a side note, my favorite mineral makeup was Lancome's Ageless Minerale, but unfortunately Lancome chose to discontinue it.
by Amy Macgowan | Aug 20, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Do you find yourself wondering why your skin is red much of the time? Not red, like “I just worked out in Zone 4 for 60 minutes red”, but rather a red that doesn't go away after you have recovered and gone on with your day.
Maybe you're also wondering why your skin seems more ‘sensitive' than it used to? Like it's in a semi-irritated, it might flair at any moment, state?
Through the years, many Fitness Instructors and work out members have shared this dilemma with me, and I recently suffered from this plight myself.
There is a reason for the redness/irritation, a couple causes and lots of solutions:
The reason:
By the time we've gotten red and irritated, we've ‘irked the merkel' as we call it in the beauty business. Simply put, our merkel cells are responsible for sensitivity. Once the merkels are upset, they take awhile to calm down. More on how to calm the merkel in a minute.
The cause:
Either OVER cleansing: the over cleanser is vigilant about removing every ounce of sweat and bacteria from their face and would not consider leaving the gym without showering. 3 classes…3 showers. No time for a shower- the over cleanser will run to the maintenance department, grab the rubbing alcohol and some cotton balls and wipe the sweat off their face! Too much cleansing/cleaning/rubbing/scrubbing (especially with harsh products) can really rile up the merkel.
Or UNDER cleansing: eh- a little sweat never hurt anyone! Besides, sometimes the salt from their face tastes good. Leaving salt/sweat and environmental pollutants on our skin throughout the day, and especially overnight (please no- not overnight!) can make even the nicest of merkel's upset.
You get the idea.
The solution:
Calming the merkel. But how you ask? It's really pretty simple. Keep your skin clean (i.e. gently cleanse after every workout) with products that have worked well in the past in calming your skin and use them faithfully for 60-90 days. Steer clear of products that contain alcohol, abrasives (exfolliants), vitamin A derivatives, fruit acids, etc. And use sunscreen. Introduce something new only when your skin is completely calm for at least two weeks.
I had to start fresh. Because I was starting a new account position with Clarins USA, it made sense for me to try the Clarins product line. I started using the Water Comfort One Step Gentle Cleanser at the gym – Mint for oily, Peach for dry and Orange for all skin types. It's so easy because no water is needed and it's cleanser and toner in one step. I just packed some cotton rounds in my gym bag. I used Gentle Foaming Cleanser at home– with Tamarind for oily, Cottonseed for normal/combination and Shea Butter for dry skin types. This cleanser foams up really nicely with water and so little is needed. I think this tube is going to last me a lifetime!
Okay, now I needed a serum and moisturizer. I used Clarins ‘Gentle Protocol' consisting of Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate, Gentle Day Cream and Gentle Night Cream. The Gentle products have Licorice and Lavender in them to calm and sooth. There is no anti-aging in the Gentle products, so after 90 days of calm, normal looking skin, I was thankful to move on to a heavy hitting anti-aging regimen!
Another product used faithfully during my red, aggravated phase was Adjust Foundation Corrector by smashbox. This fabulous green primer adjusts redness and smooths skin beautifully. The magic ingredient is Japanese Grass. You can use it alone, or as a foundation primer. I don't wear foundation when I teach, but I do often brush on some mineral powder. The two together hide redness and irritation so I felt confident when in front of a group.
I'm not saying whether I was an over, or under, cleanser, but I definitely had an ‘irked merkel'!
Now that my skin is no longer red and irritated, the Skin Beauty Repair Serum is still a staple in my house. It is 90% essential plant extracts (licorice, lavender, avocado) and is very healing for burns and ouchies.
*I receive no compensation from anyone for writing this, including John :). If I do in the future, I will happily reveal that information. You can reach me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com
by Amy Macgowan | Aug 12, 2013 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE
Me, on the days I'm not sweating on a bike.
THERE ARE NO UGLY PEOPLE… JUST LAZY ONES
(Chinese proverb)
Hi and welcome to the very first ‘PRO Style' post. I'm so glad you're here! As we start out together, I thought it might be helpful to do the ‘what' and ‘why' thing and then a little about me:
So, ‘what' is ‘PRO Style'? It's a place for us to come and get quick, useful information on products and application methods/ techniques that can help us feel more confident and beautiful inside and out as we teach our classes, work outside the studio, assist our families and give back to our communities. I hope it won't just be me posting here…I want really want to hear from you all! Questions, likes, dislikes, what has worked, hasn't, etc.
‘Why' do the ‘PRO Style' posts at ICI? 70% of our membership at ICI/PRO is female. Guys…you are welcome to read too! I hope some of what we talk about will be for everyone (great skincare, sunscreen, deodorants vs. antiperspirants, etc.).
I was asked a few years ago to do something like this, and have been contemplating it ever since. Now is the time! There isn't a practical, honest cosmetic blog for those of us that teach and exercise and want to know what does and doesn't work in this situation. We need to take into account sweat, microphones, windscreens, headbands, etc. Also, I wasn't born with awesome skin, hair and luscious lips. I need a little help in these areas, especially now that I am 51 and many of my teammates are uhm…younger. We will delve into what is good out there and what is not…and hopefully get a lot of feedback from all of you!
A little about me: I started in the beauty industry 14 years ago when my kids were little. I am currently an Account Development Specialist for Clarins USA. Prior to that, I was with Lancome Cosmetics for 13 years as a Makeup Artist and Beauty Consultant. I was also an Artistic Design Educator for Youngblood Cosmetics for 2 years. In addition, I have done runway, photo shoots and many weddings on a freelance basis. I love to help women feel confident and beautiful.
Because of my familiarity and experience with Clarins and Lancome products, you will see many of them in my posts. This is simply because I know them well. I, in no way, am trying to sell anything for them, or to you. I receive no compensation from anyone for writing these posts.
I hope we can have some fun together, learn some things together and feel more confident together! Please reach out to me at by leaving a comment below.
Truly, the more we hear from each other about our experiences (good, bad, great and the ugly!), the better this blog will be! I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Here's to being professional and stylin'!
