Teen Party

• November 19th, 2008
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Our teen and preteen (’tweens) guests on Monday night received a lesson in skin care and how to apply age appropriate makeup. Those notes follow. I copied from my director’s email:

SKIN CARE
First off, let’s start with your skin. Beginning to take care of your complexion now serves to develop habits that will last a lifetime. Skin care is FAR more important than color.

Goal: healthy, radiant skin! Peaches and cream!

Prepare your CANVAS!

5 STEPS for healthy skin: cleansing, exfoliating, freshening, moisturizing, protecting.

Washing your skin helps it shed old skin cells and stimulates the new ones. By gently scrubbing your skin’s surface, you can speed up the release of new cells, which will leave skin looking fresh and young.

Always cleanse your skin to remove makeup and oils.

Use daily gentle scrubs to help keep pores clear and skin fresh.

Moisturize! If your skin is dry, makeup will look flaky. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, look for an oil-free moisturizer. It will make your skin look dewy and fresh without adding oil.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen - protect your looks for the future. Avoid skin cancer in the future. Most skin cancers in women– on the face.

Never go to bed with your make-up on. Make-up that is left on overnight clogs the pores and prevents the skin cells from shedding, which may cause pimples or blackheads. The skin needs to breathe over night.

WHAT CAUSES ACNE?
Acne is a common skin condition which most often begins in adolescence. The term is used to describe clogged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. They are typically found on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders.

79-82 percent of teen girls have acne.

Acne is not caused by poor hygeine. It is caused by hormones.
Teen hormones play a part. It seems that when we hit that puberty stage, our oil glands are going wild. Most definitely, this of course leads to oily skin, which can cause breakouts. It all has to do with your pores. If they’re clogged, then you’ll probably acquire acne. Hormones which prompt physical maturation also cause the sebaceous or oil-producing glands of the skin, to produce more sebum (oil). When skin cells mix with an increase in sebum, pores are clogged and acne can result.
You cannot control the revved up oil glands that puberty creates but you can control the skin cells that clog the pores along with that oil.
Use Only Noncomedogenic Products– won’t clog your pores and therefore won’t cause or make your acne worse. Mary Kay products ARE noncomedogenic! YEAH!!
Avoid Acne? HOW?
Don’t Touch Your Face. Hands have oil and bacteria on them.
Wash your face in the morning and at night
Wash your hair.
Exfoliate your skin… This sloughs off dead skin cells that can clog your pores.
Clogged pores along with natural oils = acne!
Do not pop pimples! Causes bacteria to go further into the skin and may cause scarring as well.
Spot treat new pimples with an acne cream.

MAKE UP/ COLOR COSMETICS
Teens should keep make up choices simple to show off their natural beauty.
Makeup is a great tool to enhance your natural beauty. LESS is more!
Go for looks that suit your personality.
Check in bright light to see that it does not look too harsh.
Let your Eyes Shine: They say your eyes are the windows to your soul. Drinking water and eating right helps to keep your eyes clear and bright. Heavy eye makeup makes you look harsh… a light shadow and light mascara when you are allowed to wear it is all you really ‘need.’
Eyeliners? Liquid is harsh looking. A pencil gives a nice soft look. Shadow can also be used for a smoky eye look.
Drawing thick dark lines all around your eyes will make your eyes look smaller. To avoid this, don’t close the lines—line only the outside half of your bottom lid or don’t line the bottom lid at all.
Tinted bronzers add color without covering up your natural glow. Instead of baking in the sun use a bronzer to achieve that sun kissed look. Be sure to apply it where the sun would add its “kiss” - cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin.
When applying blush, be sure to tap off the excess blush from your brush. Apply in soft strokes or circles to the apple of your cheek (unless you’re going for the 80s punk rocker look—then by all means streak it thickly across your cheekbone!!).
Adding a little gloss to just your lower lip will help your lips look pouty and “ bee-stung”.
Ever wondered how the girls in magazines and on-screen always look picture perfect? Because they have a team of makeup artists following them around! Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that luxury, but we can learn how to do our own makeup like the pros.

Tweens and early teens: Use a good skin care system FIRST! Then apply light shadow, gloss, light blusher.

Concealer can cover blemishes.

Need foundation? Try mineral powder foundation. Lighter weight and looks softer on your skin!

One final tip that makeup artists swear by: practice, practice, practice!

And here are some additional notes and tips for the teens/preteens. I think some of the info is on both parts so modify as you need ;):

Some Free Make up and beauty tips:

1. Go for looks that suit your personality.

2. Match your make-up with your dress and lifestyle.

3. Don’t follow trends blindly.

4. Check in bright light to see that it does not look too harsh.

5. Try and take professional advice, If possible.

Whether your facial skin cleansers are homemade or store bought, washing your skin helps it shed old skin cells and stimulates the new ones. If you’re in your teens and twenties, your skin cells renew themselves very quickly. The older you get, the longer the cells take to renew. This can lead to buildup of oil and dirt, which can make skin look dull and flaky.

By gently scrubbing your skin’s surface, you can speed up the release of new cells, which will leave skin looking fresh and young. Mildness and rinsing ability are important factors when choosing a cleansing soap.

Never go to bed with your make-up on. Make-up that is left on overnight clogs the pores and prevents the skin cells from shedding, which may cause pimples or blackheads. The skin needs to breathe over night.

The most important thing that you can do for your facial skin is to avoid sunlight or use liberal amounts of sunscreen. Sunlight causes the skin to age and causes skin cancer which is the most common malignancy in humans. The most common location for these tumors is the face. If you do not believe that the sun ages your skin, then look at the skin under your upper arm and compare it to the skin on your face and the back of the hands.
enhance, not overpower.

Makeup is a great tool to enhance your natural beauty.

1. Try a colored gloss or lip tint for a sheer hint of lip color. 

2. Buy the colors that look good on you; not the ones that look good in the test it on your wrist. Whenever possible, check in natural light to see how the color really looks with your complexion.

Brighten up Your Skin



First off, let’s start with your skin. Beginning to take care of your complexion now serves to develop habits that will last a lifetime. Here are a few tips to help you in preparing your canvas:

Always cleanse your skin to remove makeup and oils before going to sleep at night.

Use daily gentle scrubs and try weekly purifying masks help keep pores clear and skin fresh.

Teens don’t need foundation - just dot on concealer to cover up any blemishes.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen - protect your looks for the future.

Tinted bronzers add color without covering up your natural glow. Instead of baking in the sun use a bronzer to achieve that sun kissed look. Be sure to apply it where the sun would add its kiss - cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin.

Powder or mineral makeup offers a way to brighten the skin without heavy foundation.

Blending is the key. After applying your powder and/or bronzer, go over the entire face with a foundation brush to smooth out your look.

Teens should keep make up choices simple to show off their natural beauty

Let your Eyes Shine



They say your eyes are the windows to your soul. Here are a few tips to achieve that bright-eyed look without overdoing it:

Drinking water and eating right helps to keep your eyes clear and bright

If you have problems with redness, over-the-counter eye drop can really brighten the whites of your eyes.

Don’t line the inside rim of your lower lash line - instead just use a pencil to create dots between the lashes, smudging gently for a more natural look.

Many people don’t know it, but some of what we eat, excretes back through our pores.
Lets not ignore the skin care side. This is certainly related to the primary causes of acne. If you’re not properly taking care of your skin, then acne is probably inevitable.
Teen hormones do play a part. It seems that when we hit that puberty stage, our oil glands are going wild.
Most definitely, this of course leads to oily skin, which can cause breakouts. It all has to do with your pores. If they’re clogged, then you’ll probably acquire acne.

Acne Tips

Don’t Scrub

You can’t scrub your acne away. In fact abrasive or frequent washing can lead to dry skin and irritated acne. Your skin will respond best to kind attention. Gently wash your face no more than twice a day with a mild cleanser and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. If you exercise hard and sweat a lot you may want to wash your face afterwards.

Gently Cleanse

Use a mild cleanser no more than twice a day and gently wash and dry your skin. Apply a noncomedogenic (won’t clog your pores) sunscreen.

Don’t Pop Pimples

The temptation to scratch, pick, squeeze or pop a pimple can be intense, but the consequences just are not worth it. You run the risk of pushing the bacteria from the pimple further into the skin and causing more breakouts.

Popping a pimple may also cause brown or red scars to appear that can last for months. In severe acne cases popping pimples may cause dents and pits that can last forever.

Use Only Noncomedogenic Products

When purchasing cosmetics, sunscreen or other skin care products, make sure the label reads noncomedogenic. These products, as well as those labeled nonacnegenic, won’t clog your pores and therefore won’t cause or make your acne worse.

Patience is a Virtue

Be patient. Healing takes time. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen overnight. Results are generally seen in a few weeks, but may take up to 8 weeks or more. Don’t be tempted by over night promises. So give your acne treatment a fighting chance.

Use Sunscreen

Many acne medications contain ingredients that can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet light from tanning booths. Read the label warnings, avoid tanning booths, and always use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Sun exposure can actually irritate acne even if you are not using an acne medication. So don’t make sunbathing a part of your lifestyle and always use sunscreen.

More is Not Better

If you use more acne medication than directed by your doctor you can actually worsen your acne. Many over-the-counter acne treatments contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Too much of either of these can cause your skin to become excessively dry or irritated. It can take time for your skin to adapt to new medications. Remember that it may take up to 8 weeks for any acne medication to have a noticeable effect. Use the medication exactly as directed by your doctor and if you don’t see an improvement within 8 weeks talk with your dermatologist.

Consult a Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions of the skin. If you are having a hard time treating your acne successfully, it might be best to visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to evaluate your individual skin type and recommend an acne treatment that is best for you.

Here’s the Rub

Headbands and hats can aggravate your acne as they rub against your forehead. Try to avoid these things when possible.

Don’t Touch Your Face

It’s amazing how often we touch our faces during an average day. Our hands have oil on them and of course bacteria too, both of which can make acne worse. So avoid touching your face or leaning your chin on your hand. Be sure that other objects that come in contact with your face like cell phones, telephone receivers, eye glasses, etc are clean.

Wash Your Hair Frequently

If your hair is long enough to touch your face, you’ll want to wash it as often as necessary to keep the oils away. If you can’t avoid hair sprays or gels altogether, try to keep them and your hair away from your face because they can clog pores.

Review Your Environment

Pollution, airborne grease (such as in a fast food restaurant), irritating clothing - all these can aggravate your acne. It isn’t always possible to avoid all the various irritants that may contribute to your acne. You can, however, make educated decisions that may help to minimize their impact. Loosen tight, irritating clothing or find fabrics that breathe better and don’t aggravate your acne.

What is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition which most often begins in adolescence. The term is used to describe clogged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. They are typically found on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is most commonly caused by the changes that occur in adolescence. Specifically, the hormones which prompt physical maturation also cause the sebaceous or oil-producing glands of the skin, to produce more sebum (oil). When skin cells mix with an increase in sebum, pores are clogged and acne can result. Male hormones (androgens), present in both males and females, are the primary culprit in acne. Hormone fluctuations and cosmetics can also produce acne, notably in adult women.

How Common is Acne?

Acne affects approximately 17 million people in the U.S.

More than 85 percent are between the ages of 15 and 24.

More than half of acne sufferers have lesions on the chest and back.

40 percent of teens have acne that requires treatment by a physician.

Who Gets Acne?

Teen Girls
79-82 percent of teen girls have acne.

Girls tend to be more motivated to treat their acne, including initiating a visit to a dermatologist.

Acne is more commonly limited to the face in girls.

Acne Myths

Myth #1 - Acne is caused by eating the wrong foods

Fact: There are no wrong foods. Chocolate and french fries may be considered notorious villains when it comes to acne, but after numerous scientific studies no evidence has been found to link diet to acne.

Dermatologists do advise, however, that if you notice a tendency to break out after eating a certain food, reduce or eliminate it from your diet and see if it helps reduce your acne.

So while you won’t have to give up your favorite snack, remember that a well-balanced diet is good for overall health.

Myth #2 - Acne is caused by poor hygiene

Fact: It’s not poor hygiene, it’s hormones. In fact, washing your face too often or too vigorously can actually make your acne worse.

The real culprits are hormonal imbalances that appear at puberty and occasionally at different stages of adult life including pregnancy and menopause. Whatever the age though, the outcome is the same: excess production of skin oils or sebum. Match that up to increased shedding of dead skin cells and you have clogged pores and the resulting pimples on a clean face.

Gently wash your face in the morning and evening with a mild cleanser and then pat it dry. Scrubbing or rubbing your face can lead to dry skin and irritated acne. That means delayed healing and worse, more breakouts. So treat your skin with care to help it heal. If you exercise hard and sweat a lot you may want to wash your face afterwards.

Myth #3- Acne is a cosmetic disease

Fact: It’s true that acne does affect how we look and at the same time does not pose a serious threat to our physical health. In that sense you can call it a cosmetic disease. On the other hand, acne can lead to permanent physical scarring. It can also seriously affect the way some people feel about themselves and how they interact with others. This invisible side of acne can express itself in feelings of embarrassment, frustration or depression and result in decreased self-esteem and social withdrawal.

Myth #4 - You should not wear makeup if you have acne

Fact: Looking your best can make you feel your best so you’ll be glad to know that you actually can wear makeup if you have acne. Just remember, try to use cosmetic and skin care products that are labeled noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic (won’t clog pores or cause breakouts). Some concealers contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Both ingredients help to fight acne. You might also find that tinted acne-fighting creams can help get rid of pimples while hiding them. You may have noticed more and more skin care products labeled “organic,” “all natural” or “herbal” coming onto the market. However, these cosmetics may, in fact, clog pores and make your acne worse. Stop using any cosmetic or skin care product that seems to be irritating your skin or causing breakouts. Talk with your dermatologist to see what adjustments can be made to improve your treatment and speed you on your way to clear, healthy skin.

Myth #5 - Stress causes acne

Fact: Your regular, every day variety of stress is not an important factor in acne. Rather, some drugs used to treat severe stress may cause acne as a side effect. If you think your acne is caused by a medication prescribed for stress or depression, you should talk to your doctor.

Myth #6 - You should not shave if you have acne

Fact: You can, in fact, shave. Be sure to use either a safety or electric razor and be attentive to your skin. Shave lightly around blemishes to avoid nicking the skin and inviting irritation and infection. Remember to replace your safety razor on a regular basis.

Myth #7 - Acne is a problem only for teenagers

Fact: It is true that most teenagers have acne and that many cases will clear up during a person’s early 20s. Sometimes, however, acne can persist into the 30s and 40s. A large percentage (82%) of both the men and women with severe acne reported that it was a carry over from their teen years. Others develop acne for the first time as adults. Treatment during your teen years may minimize scarring and improve your acne before you hit your 20s.

Myth #8 - Acne appears only on the face

Fact: Acne can occur on many parts of the body. It is common for people to have acne on their back, chest and neck. These areas of the body have a high concentration of oil glands just as the face does. Body acne can be treated just as successfully as facial acne.

Myth #9 - Getting a tan will help clear up acne

Fact: You may be tempted to get some rays since a tan can minimize your blemishes and make your skin feel drier, but getting a tan will make your acne worse in the long run. Sunbathing dries your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (oil exuded from the pores). In addition, sun exposed skin sloughs old cells more frequently. And that’s the formula for clogged pores and acne.

Tanning makes your skin age prematurely and can put you at a much greater risk for skin cancer. So anytime you’re going to be outside, be sure to use a noncomedogenic sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 protection level.

Myth #10 - Washing your face a lot will help get rid of pimples

Fact: Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. It’s good to wash your face each day to get rid of dead skin cells, excess oil and surface dirt, but washing your face more than once or twice a day can be too much of a good thing.

If you wash too frequently or too abrasively you can dry and irritate your skin into more breakouts. So don’t scrub or rub. Gently wash your face with a mild cleanser no more than once or twice a day and pat it dry with care.

Myth #11 - Popping pimples will make them go away faster

Fact: No matter how tempting, you should not scratch, pick, squeeze or pop a pimple. Doing so may push bacteria from the pimple further into the skin, causing more inflammation. Popping a pimple may also cause brown or red scars to appear that can last for months or worse yet, popping pimples can cause dents and pits that can last forever.

Myth #12 - Using extra acne medication will make your acne go away faster

Fact: More is not necessarily better. In fact, it can worsen your acne. Many over-the-counter acne treatments contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Too much of either of these can cause your skin to become excessively dry or irritated which in turn may lead to more blemishes. Results are generally seen in a few weeks, but may take up to 8 weeks or more. Use the medication exactly as directed, and if you don’t see any improvement talk with your dermatologist.

Myth #13 - All acne medications are the same

Fact: All acne medications are not created equal. It is important to know that over-the- counter acne products and prescription medications all contain different active ingredients. Each product or drug is designed to target a specific cause of acne and degree of severity as well as to accommodate a given skin type. Some acne treatments reduce oiliness, others decrease the amount of dead skin cells that are shed and still others attack the bacteria responsible for the breakouts, Propionibacterium acnes, (P. acnes). Some medications combine two or more acne-busting agents to attack multiple causes of acne. Over-the-counter and prescription medications come in various forms that can make a difference in their effectiveness and your comfort. They can be topical (applied to the skin) or systemic (taken orally). Oral medications are available by prescription only. Acne products and medications can come as creams, lotions, gels, solutions, pads and foam. Creams and lotions provide moisture and are generally better for people with sensitive or dry skin, while gels and solutions may be best for people who live in hot, humid climates or who have oily skin. Foam offers increased spreadability. If you have difficulty finding the right acne-fighting product for your skin, talk with your dermatologist who can steer you in the right direction.

Myth #14 - Acne medication should only be put right on top of the blemish

Fact: Spot treatment may work on reducing an existing blemish, but it won’t treat new breakouts. Apply a thin layer of your topical medication over all the areas where there are breakouts to treat and eliminate both visible and invisible lesions.
Myth #15 - Oily skin is the main cause of pimples

Fact: Oily skin is just one of the causes of pimples. The other contributing factors include rapid and irregular shedding of dead skin cells, the presence of a normal skin bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and inflammation.

The hormonal onset of puberty signals the onset of acne. Hormones cause the sebaceous glands to exude oil through the pores and increase the rate at which dead skin cells are shed. The accumulating skin cells and oil stick together and form a soft plug that clogs the skin pore. This mixture of oil and cells makes a perfect environment for the growth of a normal skin bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). The bacteria multiplies inside the clogged pore and causes the inflammation that you experience as redness and heat.

Myth #16- Blackheads are caused by dirt

Fact: That is not dirt you are looking at and it cannot be scrubbed away. Whiteheads and blackheads are simply pores that have become plugged with a mixture of oil and dead skin cells. Whiteheads reside just below the surface of the skin while blackheads are enlarged plugs that have pushed through the skin’s surface. The material inside the pore turns dark when it is exposed to the air.

Myth #17 - You must let acne run its course

Fact: Acne can be treated and you can have healthy skin. With all the acne products available today there is absolutely no reason to endure acne or to allow untreated acne to result in scars. If you are frustrated with the acne treatments you’ve tried, talk with a dermatologist to help you find the right therapy and get you on track for clear skin.

Myth #18 - Acne is contagious

Fact: Acne is a result of hormonal influences and is not contagious.

Myth #19 - Acne can’t be controlled

Fact: Acne can definitely be controlled. There is a wide range of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription acne medicines currently available. And while some OTC products may be more effective than others, dermatologists have acne treatments that are available by prescription which may heal existing blemishes and treat new ones. With a little patience and attention, you may enjoy clear, healthy skin.

Myth #20 - If the pimples do not clear up in a day or two, the medication is not working

Fact: Be patient. Healing acne takes time. It is important to be realistic when you are trying to find a successful acne treatment. Don’t be tempted by overnight promises, you want to look for the best treatment.

Simple whiteheads or blackheads can be cleared up in days or weeks. More serious lesions may take longer to heal.

Ever wondered how the girls in magazines and on-screen always look picture perfect? Because they have a team of makeup artists following them around! Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that luxury, but we can learn how to do our own makeup like the pros. Read ahead for 15 great tips used by makeup professionals.

1. Moisturize! If your skin is dry, makeup will look flaky. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, look for an oil-free moisturizer. It will make your skin look dewy and fresh without adding oil.

2. Use the right tools. You don’t need a ton of expensive brushes, but it is worth it to invest in one fluffy, round tip blush brush. This brush is designed to make your blush application look natural. You’ll need another good brush if you use loose powder. Use sponge tip applicators for an opaque eyeshadow application and soft bristle brushes for a smokier eye look. Finally, those cosmetic wedge sponges that you see in the drugstore really are the best thing for smoothly blending your foundation.

3. To cover blemishes, first run a small makeup brush back and forth over a concealer stick, then dip in loose powder. Use the brush to dab the concealer and powder onto the blemish, and it will stay covered!

4. Use different shades of foundation to contour your face. Your primary foundation should exactly match your skin tone, but then use slightly lighter and darker foundations to emphasize your natural contours. This should look natural, so don’t go more than one shade lighter or darker, and be sure to blend. Use the lighter foundation to highlight the bridge of your nose and your cheekbones; use the darker foundation to shade the sides of your nose and the hollows of your cheeks.

5. For longer-looking, luscious lashes, use an eyelash curler. Remember to curl before applying mascara; otherwise, you’ll lose lashes and end up with clumpy mascara.

6. Drawing thick dark lines all around your eyes will make your eyes look smaller. To avoid this, don’t close the lines—line only the outside half of your bottom lid or don’t line the bottom lid at all.

7. If your eyeshadow tends to disappear by lunchtime, apply a little foundation and powder to your lids before putting on eye makeup.

8. If you can’t decide which colors to buy, go with neutrals: browns, peaches, and plums look good on everyone.

9. White eyeliner on your lower lid will help to open up your eyes. This is especially great for those mornings when you don’t look very awake!

10. When applying blush, be sure to tap off the excess blush from your brush. Apply in soft strokes or circles to the apple of your cheek (unless you’re going for the 80s punk rocker look—then by all means streak it thickly across your cheekbone).

11. Lip liner will help your lipstick last longer and will keep it from spreading outside of your lips.

12. Pale lipsticks (like frosty pinks) make most people’s lips disappear! If you want to wear pale pink, use this color for eyeshadow; wear a lipstick that is at least as dark as your lips’ natural color.

13. Adding a little gloss to just your lower lip will help your lips look pouty and “ bee-stung”.

14. The way to look tanned and glowy is not to use a foundation that is darker than your natural color, nor should you apply a heavy bronzer all over your face. Instead, use eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick in bronze and golden brown tones. You can also use a little bronzer (gently brush over cheekbones), but use it subtly and blend. You don’t want a makeup line at your jaw.

15. Rather than applying more powder during the day, which can end up getting cakey, use oil-absorbing blotter sheets. You can buy these in any drugstore.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be a pro yourself in no time. Oh, and one final tip that makeup artists swear by: practice, practice, practice!

Whew! That’s a LOT of info! Some of it is repeated in both areas. It might not be such a bad idea to cover the important items more than once. It helps it to stick in their memories.

Tags: Acne, Acne Facts, Acne Treatment, Class Ideas, Know Your Product, NaBloPoMo, Party Plans