Howard Murad's Blog, page 16
February 20, 2016
S.O.S. (Save Our Skin): Seasonal Hydration
By Alyssa Mahachek, Global Education Coordinator
Winter’s harsh weather can wreak havoc on your skin—especially your skin’s moisture level. Your summer moisturizer is just not cutting it in the hydration department. Save your skin, and re-evaluate your seasonal hydration regimen now.
When looking for a super-hydrating moisturizer in the colder months, sometimes the word “hydrating” gets paired with a heavy formula. “No, thank you,” says my thirsty pores. I use Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisturizer because it is super lightweight and provides 24-hour hydration. This moisturizer contains Hyaluronic Acid, which enhances your skin’s ability to attract and retain water for intense, long-lasting hydration.
My tip for plump, youthfully smooth skin is to pair that moisturizer with Murad’s Hydro-Dynamic® Quenching Essence. This new product was inspired by Korean beauty, and it happens to be my favorite Murad product. The reason I love it is because it’s weightless and leaves my skin extremely silky. I suffer from dry patches during the winter, and this has become a staple in my regimen. Glycolic Acid is one of the main ingredients, which evenly exfoliates and promotes skin’s natural renewal.
When pairing these 2 products, it is all about layering. First, cleanse your skin with your favorite Murad cleanser, and then apply the Hydro-Dynamic® Quenching Essence evenly over your face and neck. Next, reach for Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisture and massage it into your face and neck. Your skin will be left supple, smooth, and impeccably hydrated.
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Hydro-Dynamic® Moisturizing Duo
$150.00
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Alyssa Mahachek is a skin specialist who loves all things beauty. She pursued her passion by moving from Chicago to sunny Los Angeles to attend the FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), where she graduated with a degree in beauty marketing. Staying in touch with the top-trending beauty blogs and vloggers keeps her at the helm of the latest and greatest on beauty shelves.
The post S.O.S. (Save Our Skin): Seasonal Hydration appeared first on Face Forward.
February 18, 2016
Nature’s High-Performance Moisturizer: Hyaluronic Acid
Regardless of your skin type, once you reach adulthood, your skin becomes a little drier every day. How you respond to that loss of moisture may be the single most important factor in determining how old you look. For people with skin that is naturally less oily, dry-skin-related issues are often apparent at an early age. They can begin to experience symptoms such as dullness, rough texture, flaking, cracking and tightness as early as their 20s. People with more oily skin tend to see different symptoms of water loss and see them a bit later, typically in their 30s or 40s. Common symptoms include fine lines, wrinkles and loss of volume. But no matter when you begin to see signs of persistent dehydration, restoring lost water is a central component in any anti-aging skincare program. Fortunately, there are some amazing super-hydrators available to help you to replenish your skin.
Moisturizers help to renew skin with 3 classes of ingredients: water, hydrophobic agents that seal water into the skin’s surface, and hydrophilic agents (also known as humectants) that attract water and create a reservoir within the skin to help keep moisture at an optimal level. One of the most important humectants in high-performance skincare is Hyaluronic Acid, a long, elastic molecule that is naturally abundant in young skin. Hyaluronic Acid is a component of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF), the water-soluble compounds responsible for the wettability, water-holding and absorbing powers of the skin’s surface. It also plays an important role deep within the skin and throughout the body where it binds with water to form a slippery gel that provides cushioning and lubrication. It is part of the synovial fluid that keeps our joints comfortable, and it also forms part of the intercellular matrix—the watery medium between cells through which nutrients and cellular waste products flow. Because each molecule of Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, it allows topical moisturizers to provide the sustained supply of water needed to keep skin plump, smooth and well hydrated.
In addition to the ability to enhance the moisturizing power of topical skincare, the natural plumping properties of Hyaluronic Acid have also made it a popular ingredient for injectable wrinkle fillers. New Hyaluronic filling sphere technologies, however, now give topical anti-aging moisture formulas the power to deliver results comparable to injections.
Beyond its remarkable power as a topical hydrator, Hyaluronic Acid is also used to give skin an exceptionally beautiful finish—what skincare chemists call the “after feel.” If you are looking to take your anti-aging hydration strategy to the next level, be sure that the moisturizer you select includes this remarkable substance.
Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement. Click here to learn more about Dr. Murad.
The post Nature’s High-Performance Moisturizer: Hyaluronic Acid appeared first on Face Forward.
February 15, 2016
How to Create a Flawless, Natural Look: Pro Tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist Violeta Meyners
All professional makeup artists will tell you that the secret to achieving a flawless face is properly prepping the skin for makeup application. In this video tutorial, celebrity makeup artist Violeta Meyners shares her secret weapon when it comes to mastering a flawless face: Murad’s bestselling Invisiblur™ Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30.
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Invisiblur™ Perfecting Shield
$65.00
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Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips
$24.00
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The post How to Create a Flawless, Natural Look: Pro Tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist Violeta Meyners appeared first on Face Forward.
February 12, 2016
New York Fashion Week: Get the Glowing Skin Look
By Alyssa Mahachek, Global Education Coordinator
It’s that time of year again when the world’s top designers come together for the greatest show on earth. Yes, New York Fashion Week is here. Whether you are model-obsessed or just interested in the latest trends, this year is all about glowing skin, and we just can’t get enough.
“Eating your water” with a diet rich in fruits and veggies, exercising, and managing stress are all essential for a healthy complexion. And don’t forget to treat your skin to high-performance skincare.
Our Advanced Active Radiance® Serum is incredible for getting your glow on. In a Murad-sponsored study, users saw brightness, clarity and radiance improve by 60% in less than 1 week.
Follow these steps to get a beautiful, all-over glow:
Mix 2 parts Advanced Active Radiance® Serum with 1 part of your favorite primer or highlighter on the back of your hand. After you’ve combined both products, use your foundation brush to apply the mixture to your face in even strokes, and blend as needed. The result is a clean, radiant, lit-from-within look.
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Advanced Active Radiance Serum
$90.00
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Alyssa Mahachek is a makeup and skincare junkie who loves all things beauty. She pursued her passion by moving from Chicago to sunny Los Angeles to attend the F.I.D.M (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), where she graduated in Beauty Marketing. Staying in touch with the top trending beauty blogs and vloggers keeps her at the helm of the latest and greatest on beauty shelves.
The post New York Fashion Week: Get the Glowing Skin Look appeared first on Face Forward.
Seal It with a Kiss: How to Make Your Lips Look Fuller
Professional makeup artists will tell you that one of the questions they get all the time is “how can I make my lips look fuller?” The key is properly prepping your lips before the color even goes on. Celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest has one go-to product she uses on all her clients to achieve the perfect pout: Murad’s Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips. Nikki shows us how it works and shares her winning technique in this video tutorial.
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Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips
$24.00
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The post Seal It with a Kiss: How to Make Your Lips Look Fuller appeared first on Face Forward.
February 11, 2016
New York Fashion Week: Get the Model-Off-Duty Look
There are some bright, new faces gracing New York Fashion Week, and they’re influencing beauty and fashion trends on and off the runway. This new generation of social media starlets turned models—classified as “Instagirls” by the media—have mastered the effortlessly beautiful model-off-duty look. So how do they do it? These style goddesses keep it simple.
Model-off-duty skin is not just for “Instagirls.” You can easily get the natural-glow, I-slept-8-hours look too. This season, your go-to face should be natural, clean and, most importantly, quick and easy to achieve.
Follow these steps for this highly coveted look:
First, reach for your favorite daily moisturizer, like Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30. This moisturizer is super hydrating, rich in antioxidants, and it doesn’t feel heavy or thick.
To get the look, mix 1 part moisturizer with 1 part foundation on the back of your hand. After you’ve combined both products, use your foundation brush to apply the mixture to your face in even strokes, and blend as needed.
Mixing foundation with a moisturizer gives your skin an effervescent radiance to help you easily achieve natural, flawless model-off-duty skin.
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Essential-C Day Moisture
$60.00
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The post New York Fashion Week: Get the Model-Off-Duty Look appeared first on Face Forward.
February 9, 2016
#LoveYourSkinSweeps
The #LoveYourSkinSweeps is well under way! Only a couple days left to fall in love with your skin and enter for a chance to win $1000-worth of brush-care essentials from Sigma Beauty and skincare essentials from Murad.
Click here to enter to win! This sweepstakes ends February 13, 2016. A winner will be chosen and announced by Sigma Beauty on February 16, 2016 on Instagram and contacted directly.
Makeup artist Kathleen Ty shares a couple more tips and tricks for using her favorite Sigma and Murad products, which happen to be part of the prize package. Here’s what she had to say:
Sigma’s Brilliant Shimmer Cream: Holy Grail of all things glow. I’ve used this as a shadow and a highlighter, and if I’m going for that dewy look, this is my go-to cream. It’s a cream base shimmer, and I love this stuff. I literally will go to town with the Brilliant Shimmer Cream. It’s easy to blend and perfect for beauty or editorials. I am a huge fan of this, especially when you’re going for the no-makeup makeup look with a hint of dewiness. My brushes are all over this stuff!
Advance Active Radiance® Serum: I am an avid user of this serum. This goes in and out of my kit. It’s one of the steps I use prior to makeup application. It’s smooth and gentle for any skin type. Great for any combination skin. I apply this day and night. I tend to have hormonal breakouts that leave a bit of discoloration, and this helps with the appearance and texture of my skin. It’s great for prep and everyday use.
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Advance Active Radiance® Serum
$90.00
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Kathleen Ty is a professional makeup artist and hairstylist working in the city of Los Angeles. Her passion for makeup artistry started at a young age . Always evolving in her craft, Kathleen continues to excel in the field of Make Up and Hair by opening herself to new thoughts and ideas passed down from her mentors as well as peers.
The post #LoveYourSkinSweeps appeared first on Face Forward.
February 8, 2016
Meet Amber Milt, Murad’s New QVC Expert
We’re proud to announce that Amber Milt is Murad’s new QVC expert. Amber comes to us with over a decade of on-camera experience, covering beauty, lifestyle and fashion for many reputable programs. She says she’s thrilled to be representing Murad and spreading Dr. Murad’s message of living younger. Recently, we had a quick chat with Amber about her new duties.
What’s your favorite thing about working for Murad?
The products are truly amazing, and Dr. Murad believes in the people who make them. I was a fan of Murad products before I was hired, but after meeting Dr. Murad, I’m hooked. He’s cultivated a family within the company, and I’m really thrilled to be a part of it. As for QVC, what’s better than hanging out with some cool gals talking about products you love?
What brought you into your current field, and what is most rewarding about what you do?
I started off as a local news reporter and loved connecting with people. Then, I got the opportunity to cover fashion and beauty, which I’ve been obsessed with ever since I read my first Cosmo. Murad allows me to combine the best of both worlds and talk with people about the things I love. It feels great to help someone discover the product that finally clears up their skin or makes them feel younger. Looking good is feeling good, and I get to help people do both.
How do you embrace Dr. Murad’s message of ‘Living Younger’?
Laugh, laugh, and then laugh some more. With friends, family, co-workers, cab drivers… whoever! It’s hard not to feel young when you’re having fun, so I think it’s important to keep that in mind even when those everyday stresses of life hit us head on. I like to think laughter keeps me young, even if it’s not so friendly to my wrinkle lines. (Good thing I work for Murad now. Note to self: order a bottle of Intensive Wrinkle Reducer®.)
Which Dr. Murad insight is your favorite?
There are so many good ones! If I had to pick one I’d go with, “Give yourself permission to be successful.” I think many of us tend to focus more on our shortcomings rather than our triumphs. If you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to be successful, I think it’s important to stop and celebrate the small victories along the way, and Dr. Murad understands that.
What is your favorite/must-have Murad product and why?
Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisture—hands down! I live in New York City, and my skin gets so dry in the winter. Sometimes I’m afraid to smile because I think my jaw will crack right off. I spent the better part of my life seeking out that perfect moisturizer, and I’m so happy I get to tell the world (or at least the people watching QVC) that I‘ve found it. I love that it sinks right in without a heavy, gunky feeling. I can use it at night and not look greasy, which I know my husband likes.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, what Murad products would you recommend to our readers to enjoy a little extra pampering and help them look and feel their very best?
I’d say any of them that allow you to eat chocolate while using them. Okay, I’m kidding. But you can use the Eye Lift Firming Treatment while doing other things. I even got my husband to do it with me! It made for a great time because it’s hard not to giggle at one another with the eye pads on your face.
Any additional comments you’d like to share with us about your life at Murad?
I feel like I’ve been welcomed into the Murad family with open arms, and for that I’m so incredibly grateful.
Welcome to the Murad family, Amber. We’re so excited that you’ve joined us! Be sure to tune in to QVC on Tuesday, February 16th 2016 at 9-10 pm EST to check out Amber in action as Murad’s new expert during Tuesday Night Beauty.
SHOP THE STORY
Intensive Wrinkle Reducer
$150.00
Shop Now
Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture
$72.00
Shop Now
Eye Lift Firming Treatment
$68.00
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The post Meet Amber Milt, Murad’s New QVC Expert appeared first on Face Forward.
February 7, 2016
Winter Skin FAQs
By Jen Harmatz, Director, National Retail Education
I love to chat with people about skin and beauty; I could do it all day long. (In fact, I have been told if there were a “Chat Olympics,” I would win every event.) One of my favorite conversations to have is that the skin is constantly changing. Many things affect this change; it could be hormones, stress, what we put into our bodies, or environmental and weather variations. It’s so important to change up your skincare products seasonally, especially in the winter.
In the winter, temperatures and humidity levels drop, causing all kinds of dry skin issues. Inclement weather, like rain, snow and especially wind, just makes matters worse. Once at an appointment with a new esthetician, she asked me if I had lived back East. I had; I lived in New York for 10 years. When I asked her how she knew, she told me that broken capillaries from cold, windy weather look different than the ones caused by hot weather!
Your skin is constantly barraged by moisture-robbing elements, from the dry, cold air outside to the dry, recycled air in your car, office and house. The heated air inside actually strips even more oils from your skin than the cold outside.
To battle all these things, we need to change up the way we hydrate. Look for deeply hydrating serums, weekly treatments and a moisturizer with SPF. Yes, it’s still important to wear your SPF. Even though you might not see the sun for days, the UVA and UVB rays still penetrate that cloud coverage and will damage skin.
Most of us start taking hotter showers when it’s cold, and though it feels good, it’s not doing you any favors. Long, hot showers strip oils from the skin, drying you out even more. So take a tip from us here in California, and take a shorter shower.
Shower scrubs can also distress skin and make it rougher, so use a soft wash cloth or your hands. After getting out of the shower, pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer within a few minutes of getting out, while skin is still damp. This will seal water into you skin.
Humidifiers are fantastic to use during the winter time. Not only will they keep your skin soft and moist, but you also won’t wake up with a sore throat from all that dry heat.
For those dry, flaky hands, carry around a hand cream to apply after you wash your hands. Hands have fewer oil glands and their skin is thinner so you will notice the effects of dryness and cold quickly. Here’s a simple trick I like to do in the car: once the car is toasty warm, apply some hand cream on the backs of hands and rub them together.
I love to layer hydrating formulas during this time of year to make sure I am properly moisturized. An essence designed to hydrate your skin can be a much-appreciated addition to your regimen. I also like to layer moisturizers. To me, there is no such thing as being too moisturized, especially during the winter!
Jen Harmatz is a seasoned makeup artist and skin specialist who has worked on the GRAMMY Awards and the Oprah Winfrey Show. She knows from experience that perfecting the “canvas” lets you put your best face forward. She has created education initiatives to empower people across multiple channels to improve their skin, life and overall well-being.
The post Winter Skin FAQs appeared first on Face Forward.
February 4, 2016
#TakeBack10 with Eye Lift Firming Treatment
Many people name “lack of time” as their primary reason for not treating their skin to the high-performance skincare that it needs to look its best. With the launch of our new, powerful eye treatment, Eye Lift Firming Treatment™, we’re inviting you to #TakeBack10 by multitasking during the 10 minutes it takes you to treat your eyes and to share selfies and stories that capture what you’re doing while wearing Eye Lift Firming Treatment™.
No matter what type of lifestyle you lead, you can always use 10 extra minutes in your day. Maybe it’s 10 minutes to do a few sets of sit-ups, or paint your toenails, or call your best friend for a catch-up session.
Once you apply the professional-strength formula, and the eye pads for enhanced penetration of ingredients, Hyaluronic Acid spheres penetrate deep into the surface layer of the skin where they attract moisture and fill up to plump the surface layer. Additionally, Firming Polymers and Oat Kernel Extract lift and firm the skin. The result is a youthfully smooth, “filled” appearance.
Treat your eyes to Eye Lift Firming Treatment™ and share how you #TakeBake10 with the hashtag. Tell us about it @MuradSkincare.
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Eye Lift Firming Treatment
$68.00
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The post #TakeBack10 with Eye Lift Firming Treatment appeared first on Face Forward.
