Transform Dry Skin

A beautifully warm afternoon, a chilly night and a damp, rainy weekend. As desert temps fluctuate, indoor cooling/heating and the dry desert air equals dehydrated skin.

Dry skin accentuates fine lines and wrinkles, making it difficult to achieve a flawless makeup application. So, I have a few age-defying tricks up my sleeve as sort of a pre-emptive strike to help keep your skin looking absolutely radiant and healthy no matter what the weather forecast may bring:

· Hydrate from the inside out by drinking more water. Your weight divided by 2 is the minimum number of ounces you should have every day. Coffee or caffeinated drinks do not count. Green tea or decaf beverages do.
· Dry desert air is not our friend! Buy an inexpensive humidifier to use while you sleep. You will be surprised how it helps to keep your skin hydrated all day.
· Hot water dehydrates the skin. Avoid long, hot showers or baths and only use lukewarm water to cleanse your face. Oh, and NO shocking the skin with a cold water rinse. This has no benefit. Besides, it’s not 1945 and you aren’t Joan Crawford.
· Step away from the spinning, vibrating facial brushes and at-home microderm! Used too often, these aggressive cleansing techniques cause dryness, redness and broken capillaries. You should be able to gently, yet completely, cleanse your skin daily without a mechanical device. Try a light in-office peel like Papaya Enzyme Facial. Or an in-home Papaya Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub and Papaya Toner. Enzymes and hydrating lactic acid gently remove dead, dry skin cells and encourage cell turnover. Plus it smells like spring break - for a lot less moolah!
· We spend so much time taking care of the dry skin on our face we forget our lips. Dry, cracked lips are very aging. Pamper your lips with Vibran C Lip Tint in 2 new colors, Pomegranate and Pink Grapefruit. They give a hint of color and are packed with Vitamins C and E. Plus the SPF 15 protects your lips from the drying, aging effects of the sun!

As a final note, don’t forget to cleanse twice a day and wear your sunscreen everyday! Using a hydrating serum and moisturizer full of water binding ingredients, hydrators and great anti-agers like peptides is still an integral part of your skincare routine.

Check out the full line of makeup and skincare at www.scoshskincare.com. Sale items online thru April 2011, or while supplies last.

PEPTOXYL, The Features and Benefits of Peptides

• We’ve been talking about peptides for a while now, right? Why? Because they work! You don’t need some "new" miracle ingredient grown high atop the Swiss Alps in your products to achieve results. You need proven ingredients like peptides. Peptides are cell-communicators - they remind the fibroblast cells to remind your collagen to reproduce - keeping your skin tight, firm, and youthful.　In essence, they "communicate" with your skin cells and tell sun damaged or aging skin cells to act and look more normal and healthy.
• 
  For my current and new Peptoxyl users, here's a personalized Peptoxyl skincare routine in order of use:

PEPTOXYL RADIANCE SERUM
This next generation age-defying treatment contains a synergistic trio of ingredients - the most effective weapon against hyperpigmentation, dullness and lack of clarity. May be worn under both your day and nighttime moisturizer.

• Tri-peptides and Kojic Acid activate cell renewal, reduce fine lines and uneven pigmentation
• GABA, a biochemical messenger, improves radiance and inhibits hyperpigmentation
• Marine Filling Collagen Micro-Spheres hydrate and plump out wrinkles
• All skin types

PEPTOXYL EYE TREATMENT
An intense treatment for the eye area. Decreases fine lines, puffiness, and reduces under eye darkness.

• Lipopeptides reduce collagen breakdown, resulting in firmer more resilient skin
• Clinical tests after 8 weeks of consistent use - wrinkle depth reduced by 15%, area occupied by deep wrinkles by 44% (approx.)
• All skin types

PEPTOXYL WRINKLE RELAXING CREAM
A two-in-one formula that smoothes and reduces lines and wrinkles, while promoting lasting improvement to skin texture.

• The newest anti-aging peptide technology works synergistically to inhibit muscle contractions while simultaneously increasing collagen and elastin production
• Luxurious, quick absorbing cream hydrates and prevents collagen and elastin breakdown for firmer, more resilient skin
• All skin types

PEPTOXYL SPF 30
An elegant yet powerful anti-aging, moisturizing day treatment with SPF 30 helps protect skin from premature aging and environmental stress.

• Intensely hydrating, lightweight lotion absorbs quickly, perfect under makeup
• Broad spectrum protection against damaging UVA/UVB rays
• All skin types

LIPTOXYL X3
LipToxyl X3 Revolumizing Lipcare - a new lip-plumping, line-lifting powerhouse that makes invasive lip injections a thing of the past

• Ultra-lightweight formula hydrates, soothes and volumizes lips with Lip Response Technology, a scientific blend of naturally-derived ingredients

This 5 Pc. Peptoxyl Package is available at 30% OFF retail, thru January 31, 2011, while supplies last at Scosh Makeup and Skincare Studio and online, http://www.scoshskincare.com/specials.php

"Resveratrol" the powerful antioxidant

This past year, in every fashion magazine and on every at-home shopping channel, I saw a host of new anti-aging skincare products based on what everyone has been calling the "new, breakthrough" antioxidant ingredient Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a great skincare ingredient, but it’s hardly new. In fact, I've been using Resveratrol for over 12 years in my skincare and in the treatment room. The Resveratrol based Comfort Cream I apply after peels and microderm treatments was so loved by everyone, I began to sell it in early 2009, quickly became one of my best selling and most loved skincare products, with a very devout fan-base.

Without feeling greasy or heavy Comfort Cream provides substantial moisture from shea butter and jojoba oil while protecting the skin’s natural moisture barrier with Ceramides. In addition to Resveratrol, additional anti-oxidants are on hand including Vitamin C, Giant Knotweed and Turmeric. Comfort Cream smells absolutely divine with a light, all-natural fragrance from peach wine and vanilla extracts. It’s great for all skin types, particularly dry, dehydrated or skin that has recently had a peel or microdermabrasion.

So what exactly does Resveratrol do? Resveratrol is present in grapes (and red wine) and is not only a potent antioxidant, but it pulls double duty as a great anti-inflammatory agent. Antioxidants defend us against free radical damage. Free radicals attack our skin and break down skin’s support structure. Want a truly "firming" moisturizer? Then you want a moisturizer loaded with antioxidants to protect you from exposure to free radicals that can cause skin damage over time like loss of elasticity. New anti-aging studies also tell us that reducing inflammation on the skin is also a critical step to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Inflammation isn’t just about the redness or irritation you can see. Inflammation can also occur but it can be microscopic and not visible to the naked eye. Anti-inflammatory ingredients are a great addition to your skincare routine.

Keep in mind you must always pair your antioxidants with the daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Antioxidants will enhance the effects of your sunscreen, but they absolutely do not replace your need to wear sunscreen every single day.

As a special thank you to all of my loyal clients who have made the Comfort Cream such a huge hit, I am now offering Comfort Cream in a new luxury size, but at an amazing value. $140 for 8.1oz, regularly $240. This is a limited time offer and if you are interested I would act now. I'm having trouble keeping this one in stock ladies!

For more information, call Kathy at Scosh, 480.970.5454 or email info@scoshskincare.com

Makeup Tips for Holiday Pictures

It's that most wonderful time of year for pictures so, I thought some Holiday application tips would be fun. This will be more of a what 'to do' and 'not do' to keep your pictures pretty.

Holiday or event makeup is all about enhancing and defining... NOT decorating.

The type of foundation you wear is very important for pictures. I love loose mineral powder foundation for everyday wear, but it's not your best choice for pictures. Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and mica all have shiny properties to them and will 'blow out' on camera. You know that look... your face is white while the rest of your body looks natural. So, choose a liquid mineral or pressed mineral foundation with a bit more matte finish.

DO: if you're using liquid foundation, apply it before concealer - so you don't wipe the concealer away.

DO: if you're using a pressed powder foundation, apply it after concealer - as the powder sets the concealer.

DON'T: make raccoon eyes with your concealer, it will show on camera, apply only where needed.

DO: add a healthy glow to the cheeks with a light shimmer blush. Apply to the apples or pillows of the cheeks.

DO: your brows. This is a big tip for enhancing your face for pictures.

DO: wear shadow with shimmer, it is the holidays after all, but on the lid ONLY.

DON'T: put a shimer or frost under your brow on the brow bone area as this will also 'blow out' on camera and make your brows look large while making your eyes look small.

DO: wear lashes. Save money here and buy them at your local drug store. The most important part of the lash application is the glue - DUO glue only. It used to be called surgical glue, it's basically latex. Get Dark, it comes out of the tube grey but darkens as it dries. And don't forget to let it get a bit 'tacky' before you apply to the lid, so your lashes won't slide all over.

DO: wear lipstick. I love lipstick in pictures, just don't go too dark or you'll be all mouth in your shots.

DON'T: wear too much gloss. Use a bit of restraint, too much gloss will make you look like you're drooling!

TIP: if you're going to do the smokey eye or use some glitter/shimmer shadow, I always advise you to do your eyes first, face last. See my Sultry Eyes blog for that particular look.

TIP: and last but not least, don't forget to exfoliate your skin. Your makeup will only look as good as the canvas!

DO: HAVE FUN!

Sultry Eyes - an easy do-it-yourself guide to the Smokey Eye look

The smokey eye look doesn’t mean just grays and blacks any longer. It’s all about shimmery color this season, so jump into some of those sparkly golds and bronzes or juicy jewel tones.

Basic Smokey Eye

You already know this but it is SO true, your make up will only look as good as your skin. So before any makeup application, make sure that your face is clean, exfoliated, and moisturized. Allow moisturizer to absorb.

Normally, I would start my makeup app with foundation, concealer, powder, etc. first BUT, since there is the possibility of some fall out with this application (shadow falling onto your face) do eyes first:

1. Start by prepping your lid with a dusting of Oil Blotting Powder, eye lash to eye brow. This creates a nice velvety canvas which makes your shadows glide on all nice nice.

2. Don’t forget to fill in your brows next. I prefer to use shadow a shade or two lighter than your brow color. This really finishes off the total look.

3. Line the upper and lower lids with a dark liner shade; it can match the darkest shadow color you’re going to use, or try dark brown or black. Not a fan of liquid liner here - too harsh, pencil’s best, which we will 'set" with shadow.

4. Starting on the upper lid getting as close to the lash line as you can, apply your darkest shade shadow over the pencil line (to set it) and blend up to the eye socket. Don’t go north of the socket or outside your eyeball, as you'll start getting that ‘wing’ thing and lose the smokey aspect of this look. Apply the darker shadow over the pencil on the lower lid to set and add some sultry drama.

5. Ok, now take a lighter shade in the same color family and lightly sweep over the pupil and into the crease. Again – blend, blend, blend. It’s very important that you don’t show a severe line of demarcation in the crease, as it’s the “we know what you’re doing and it’s not quite working” kind of thing! You can not blend enough here. You won’t blend away what you just applied, you’ll be blening into the skin and actually help create that gradated, airbrushed effect. Are you blending?

6. Apply a champagne shade of highlighter directly under the brow. And for that added pop, place a tiny amount at the tear ducts.

7. To really open the eyes, curl your lashes prior to applying many coats of mascara. Just make sure your mascara doesn’t look like you slept in it! Better yet, add lashes.

To complete this look, brush away any fallout on the face and cheeks and apply a matte foundation and blush. Just remember if the focus is on your eyes, you want to keep your lips soft with a neutral lipstick, gloss or lipshine.

There are many variations on the Smokey Eye. To learn more makeup tricks, tips and techniques, I invite you to join me for a lesson, http://www.scoshskincare.com/1-on-1.php.

This month’s blog is short and sweet, pun intended!

Each year as I approach the holiday season, the image of all of those delicious holiday treats loom over my head like a dark chocolate cloud. How I wish I could indulge without the guilt...

Solution! How about all the benefits with none of the guilt? Studies I have seen compare the highly nutritious antioxidant benefits of chocolate to that of green tea. Eating rich dark chocolate can increase your skins natural UV protection - the higher the % of cacao the more antioxidants you are getting. It also helps to eat little bits throughout the day (in moderation, because that’s how we all eat chocolate, right?) to extend the benefits. Yippee!!

Applied to the skin, the antioxidant content of chocolate can fight off free-radical damage that can break down the collagen and elastin in our skin (think wrinkle fighting). In addition, my scrumptious Chocolate Hydration Mask has wonderful skin smoothing and moisturizing properties.

So, as a special treat I’ve decided to get a head start on the holidays this year, and offer my wildly popular Chocolate Peppermint Facial this November. This was my most popular facial last December! So, drench your skin in a calorie-free chocolate mousse that fights the signs of aging deliciously and without all the calories.

Top it off with a kiss of peppermint LipToxyl and what’s not to love?Enjoy this fabulous Chocolate Peppermint facial for only $35! Check out all my other specials, treatments, makeup lessons and products at http://www.scoshskincare.com/.

Where do I fit in?

To have a better understanding of what treatment fits where, here's a post on the position of treatments in the facial room, and how to choose the treatment best suited for you.

Facials are formulated to refresh, revive, and replenish. Scosh Express Facials are uniquely designed for maximum results in minimum time. These results-oriented treatments target all skin types to reveal more youthful, healthy skin. These high-end 30-minute, customized facials are perfect for the person on the go!

Dermal Planing gently exfoliates the outer layers of dead skin cells, and removes fine facial hair commonly known as "peach fuzz" from the face, upper lip, and chin using a surgical blade. This is a 2-in-1 treatment! Your skin will immediately be smooth, supple and renewed - with no downtime.

Recommended for most skin types, with the exception of acne prone skin. This procedure may be accelerated by following it with a hydrating comfort mask or a brightening, hydrating enzyme peel.

Dermal Planing is a progressive procedure, usually done in a series of 3 treatments every 30 days. Appointments take approximately 45 minutes for the 1st appointment, half hour thereafter.



Microdermabrasion is a powerful, yet gentle anti-aging treatment. I always say you get more bang for your buck with Microderm. It is natural way to evenly exfoliate the skin with a fine, controlled spray of crystals removing the outer layers of the skin, and accelerating cell turnover which slows down as we age. It also stimulates the dermal fibroblasts, which in turn stimulate collagen growth to improve skin’s natural vitality and firmness. Microdermabrasion transforms the appearance of the skin leaving it fresh, radiant, and silky smooth - with no downtime.

Recommended for all skin types, with the exception of Rosacea prone skin. This procedure may also be accelerated by following it with a hydrating comfort mask or a brightening, hydrating enzyme peel.

Microdermabrasion is a progressive procedure, usually done in a series of 3 to 6 treatments every 10 to 14 days. Appointments take approximately 45 minutes for the 1st appointment, half hour thereafter.


Chemical Peels include a variety of safe, effective ingredients to smooth, stimulate, firm, and tighten the skin. The types of peels we are addressing are gentle, light to medium range peels. The combination of peel ingredients speed up the natural exfoliating process and enable new, healthier cells to come to the surface. By removing dull and damaged surface layers, the result is an improved and more youthful appearance. You may or may not experience actual peeling; each individual is different. A good result may still be achieved, even without the presence of visible exfoliation as changes are made at the cellular level. These treatments give a glowing appearance with a smoother texture and more even skin tone.

Scosh uses PCA peels which have been designed for a wide variety of skin types; sun damaged, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, acne/problematic.

The Scosh Chemical peel includes a series of 3 peels - one every 2 weeks.

1st week - Microdermabrasion peel to prep the skin

3rd week - Chemical Peel

5th week - fruit enzyme peel to polish the skin

To optimize the results I include a take-home skincare kit to keep you on track. For those who don't want to 'peel' at work I'm doing extended hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays to allow for any flaking over the weekend.

I hope this helps! Call or email me, kathy@scoshksincare.com to schedule your treatment, 480.970.5454