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  • Facials/covid
  • Covid-19 + other Policies
  • Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
  • Waxing + Makeup Coaching
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  • Enduring Beauty-A Blog
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Beauty is more about connection than vanity

There is no perfect way to do a pandemic

12/2/2020

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I say this not to take us off the hook for our shared responsibility but rather to refrain from judging ourselves and others too harshly. We just haven't had the experience to react and behave flawlessly. Also the recovering perfectionist in me needs to hear it.
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Our culture loves an enemy to direct its rage (undigested trauma) upon so this virus is getting the treatment! As big thinker/writer Charles Eisenstein says, “If there is one thing our civilization is good at, it is fighting an enemy." In this same jaw-dropping essay he says and asks “Covid demonstrates the power of our collective will when we agree on what is important. What else might we achieve, in coherency?"
It's a long essay so make yourself some tea and block out some time. It is worth it. I think he is wise.
I hope you are well and able to connect to your loved ones. Each of you have ventured out in your own way. I respect everyone’s pace. I have found that each reintroduction may bring up some anxiety but with practice I have found more ease. Grocery stores for example. In April and May I was doing pick-up and delivery. Now I am not only back in the stores but slowing down, reading labels and bagging my own groceries--where they will let me. What are you doing now that in April seemed unthinkable? That is resiliency!
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Like me you may have once thought the reminder that others have it worse is useful under times of stress. Well intended but I find it not helpful as a strategy to manage stress day to day, moment to moment. I suggest this IChill app, not flashy or advanced, just a simple and easy way to introduce strategies that you can use, in real time in the moments you need it--so unlike that old shaming mindset.
The above logo is the property of The Trauma Resource Institute, the owner of the above mentioned IChill app.
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If you aren’t already, join me in saying Physical Distancing in place of Social Distancing. This is an important distinction. My goal as the weather cools down is to bundle up and toughen up. Keep walking even when it’s cold, keep meeting with friends in my garage or outdoors when the sun or a fire can warm us or we’re lucky enough to have an unseasonably warm day. I know that keeping connected socially is important. What are you doing for yourself in these challenging times? What are your resources? Could I again be a resource for you?
​Please reach out. 614-321-9202.
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Know thy Disinfectants

5/20/2020

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​I recently found this article online that matched my distaste for Quaternary ammonium compounds, otherwise known as "quats". Though ubiquitous in homes, healthcare and salons, they do not have a good profile for safe use--linked with hormone disruption and fertility issues and of course not earth friendly! We know that healthcare and salon settings require powerful disinfectants but why use them at home? Wondering if your household cleaner contains "quats"? The article outlines all the names to look for on your label as well as making a case for getting them out of not only our homes but also our schools where children are entrusted in our care. (I don't even want to get started on my heartbreak for our children right now.) It persists on surfaces so the exposure is not limited to just the person doing the cleaning.

Of course my skin business complies with the State Board of Cosmetology’s rules.  I am happy to have found a new, safer EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant in time for reopening my business. It is called Rejuvenate and is made with Activated Hydrogen Peroxide. It is Green Seal and GreenGuard certified. This is what I will be disinfecting my work stations and all frequently touched surfaces with in the building. Some smart beauty business person/people saw the drop in sales of what they were formerly selling and pivoted--fast!

Consumer labels are confusing. For example don’t assume all Chlorox products contain bleach. Many contain quats so if you are cleaning up after C-diff they will not be effective. It has to be bleach, with the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite. Also I learned that the splashless Chorox bleach is not a disinfectant. It has to say disinfecting on the label. If you go this route, mix at the ratio of 4 teaspoons per quart of water. The contact or wet time needs to be one minute and the solution needs to be replaced after 24 hours. See CDC guidelines for details. Always read labels. The wet or contact time is also the “kill” time which is true for quats as well. Bleach is problematic too. If, after considering the risks, you are going to use these products, know that just spraying and wiping will not do the job.

I already felt we were becoming a "too clean" society and I wonder if after this initial Covid-19 season, we will see a revenge of "super bugs", resistant to everything we currently have. Do your part and get them out of your home if you can.



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Sensitivities to Mascara

1/15/2020

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It seems more and more of my clients and friends are developing sensitivities to eye color cosmetics, usually mascara and/or eyeliner. Have I found a mascara that is safe for all to use? No. Mascara has several problematic ingredients: shellac (maybe listed as polymer on label) in one study on contact dermatitis was found to be the key sensitizing ingredient. Another probable correlation exists with nickel allergy and mascara (and curlers). Nickel won't show up on the ingredient list because it results as an impurity in a raw material used to produce another ingredient.  We know the thinner skin on our eyelids allows chemicals to go into the skin at a faster rate making contact dermatitis common around the eyes. This same article states that sweat allows chemicals to penetrate even easier.  All mascaras have some kind of pigment, even the "natural" ones. That is how they darken your lashes so if you are sensitive to those you'll have a harder time. Then there is the possibility of reacting to the preservatives. Preservatives are crucial in a formulation like mascara, and even with them you need to pitch yours every three months.
Take homes:
1.) The more you use a product the higher the chance you will develop a sensitivity to it. This makes sense because you don't hear this as much with younger people. Do you really need to wear mascara every day? Definitely don't exercise/steam or sauna with it. Be sure to remove all of it every night. 
Don't be stubborn and rely on the old "I've always used this and it's always worked for me." Things change and YOU change.
2.) You won't find a mascara to move to just by shopping cleaner brands or reading labels. You'll have an easier time if you are a cosmetic chemist but most of us it will be trial and error--or trial and learn as my Dad says. Especially considering raw materials (the ingredients in the ingredients) can be big unknowns. I have an earlier post about the FDA's role in cosmetics. Use your best sleuthing skills. If you also react to your eyeliner or other product, see if you can find a common ingredient.  Some brands have started carrying sample or travel sizes, so take advantage.
3.) Keep me posted on your trials. We can learn from each other and maybe (just maybe because we are all different) shortcut someone's tedious process. Meanwhile, if you can't go natural, curl those lashes to open up your eyes. If you have no nickel allergy use a metal crimper or try one of the heated models, like this one from blinc.
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November 13th, 2019

11/13/2019

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Beauty Rituals for Every Body

8/8/2019

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I love the simplicity of summer. Hair loosely fashioned on top of my head. A cute dress. No socks.
Meals are easier; fruit and vegetables abound, my husband’s running the grill and if we have a late dinner it doesn’t feel like bedtime.


I like my beauty routines to be simple as well.
These are my favorite family skincare and first aid staples.
All, except the hair towel, I retail.


  1. A bar of really good artisan soap. This was a hard one at first. Beauty school taught us that bar soap was bad. Generalizations such as that can rarely be true. (I believe that statement itself may have been a generalization) Soap made from plant oils infused with skin loving herbs, such as this one from Infuse Organics was a game changer for me. I love that there is no wasteful packaging. I mostly use on my body but it is kind to the face, as well. For those of you that like to cleanse your face in the shower this is a one and done. However, if you are only cleansing your face in the morning, we need to talk about a pre-cleansing oil or a creamy cleanser you can use (mostly without water) with slow intention and self-massage at night. I really like the ritual of washing away the day before sleep. "The day, however it may have been, is now over and tomorrow will again be imperfect but new."
  2. An ayate exfoliating cloth. If you ever loved a loofah only to see, weeks later, the mold grow, this will bring you back to the joy of shower exfoliating. A loosely hand-woven cloth of agave. Isn’t agave neat? I mean, tequila, a low glycemic index sweetener and a washcloth! You do so much for us agave. It dries between uses if hung up in the shower and also can be laundered with your towels. I can get around 9 months of use from one. I use it with my bar soap all over my body--a bit too abrasive for the face, neck and decollete though. Your body moisturizer will be more effective if you first slough off the dead cells. I find scrub products too messy and potentially hazardous for weekly use. Falls are the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury related deaths. Just ask my husband why we have no throw rugs! https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/older-adult-falls
  3. A microfiber hair wrap. I comb my hair with a wide toothed comb in the shower while the conditioner is on. My hair stylist, bringing a bit of slow beauty to hair care, taught me this. After rinsing and getting out of the shower, I give my hair a gentle squeeze and wrap it up so I can move on to moisturizing my body with my hair out of the way. Meanwhile the wrap is gently drying my hair some. I also use it when I am using a deep conditioning treatment. This newer, wiry grey hair of mine needs soothed and I, for the first time, have become a user of such products. Any recommendations?
  4. Plain jojoba oil. I towel off in a way that looks more like blotting than rubbing. We want to intentionally leave some of that water there. I pour about a teaspoon of the oil in my palm, rub between my hands and apply to one leg. Repeat on the other side and I split a similar puddle size between my arms. Over time you will figure out the puddle size you need for the parts of your body. Use a little more on your chest and get what you can on your back or enlist a helper. (This can make the difference of itchiness or not in the winter for me) The key is to do your moisturizing (oil/lotion/cream) within 3 minutes of toweling off. That’s not much time, so get in the habit of doing it straight away. This is advice from a dermatologist, to keep in the skin the water from showering or bathing. Water and oil, our barrier is made of this. If you aren’t yet over 40, get in the habit now because this all matters more and more as we age and or skin degrades. Jojoba is chemically a liquid wax (now remember kids, chemical is NOT a bad word) and very similar to our own sebum and has a long shelf life to boot. I also use it to remove eye makeup.
  5. Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel. Inflammation from eczema, acne, rosacea is soothed. Razor burn, ingrown hair, tender waxed areas are no match for this antibacterial yet hydrating magic. If using on your face, think of it as your treatment layer if your skin is dry, as you will need an oil or cream on top. All around first aid item for any boo-boos; burns, bites, stings etc. Lovingly gift this to a man in your life that thinks skin care is girly. The simple green bottle, herbal aromas and refreshing gel texture will have him thinking you are a genius for knowing his wants so well. It is the perfect aftershave.
  6. Mantle Skincare (my private label) Lavender Clay Masque. Another first aid family product. I’ve sent so many clients home with a dab of this for spot treating small areas post extraction and also to help draw things out of the skin. It is that drawing and drying that makes it a great choice for ingrown hairs, pimples, stings and bites. Insects not only poke us but they leave behind a little of their own goo that lingers and irritates.
  7. Balm Bar--another stellar Infuse Organics product. How I use it: lip balm (in the treatment room too) and hand balm. I adore the eco push-up tube for quick slathering of my lips. Bonus if you rock climb or play guitar, while softening your skin it will not remove your calluses. Another all around soother--scratches, bites etc. So many wonderful butters, herbs and essential oils. I rub the stick on my dry (clean please) neglected cuticles. It really heals so much. Unlike the above clay, this is invisible on the skin so it can work hard for you in public just as well as in the privacy of your home. Balm Bar is also loved by dudes. In fact, it was the formulator's father insisted she share this product more broadly.
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Hydrosols: The misty part of the facial

10/8/2018

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Hydrosols are the water by-product from steam distilling essential oils, but they aren't just water, they are better because they contain the chemical constitutes of the plant with all of its active phytonutrients. By misting with a hydrosol after I've removed your mask I am rehydrating your skin. Following with a facial oil or moisturizer, while still damp, I am recreating the top layer of the skin, the acid mantle, which is made of of lipids (oil) and water. The acid mantle is critical to healthy skin. It is why I named my private line Mantle Skincare. I expect I'll see more dehydrated skin once it cools off outside and the heat goes on inside. Hydrosols are also in many of my facial mists I retail for home care. Take one home to add to your regime. It may be the ticket for balanced skin, boosting the results from your moisturizer and possibly allowing you to use a lighter one.
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A Word About Magnifying Mirrors. Caution.

6/6/2017

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If you or your child has a lighted magnifying mirror BEWARE. It is exponentially easier to go too far with eyebrows and skin. You are viewing yourself at an unnatural range. Trained artists know that you must take breaks from intense focus and step back from your art and view it from a more distant perspective. 

​This is key to remember. I know strong mirrors can be helpful and necessary to see hairs but SOME PEOPLE should not have these tools.

​If you or someone you love starts overdoing with eyebrows or habitually picking at skin, it is time to consider letting that accessory go and scheduling an appointment with me.
 
What do I recommend for at home? I like my small round suction cup magnifying mirror attached to my bathroom mirror. It isn’t high magnification; I can not sit and use it, thereby shortening my time in front of it. I even have it in a bathroom that I don’t use to apply makeup. I may do a quick check in it after I am done getting ready, to brush off a hair from a makeup brush or clean up a mascara smudge, but then I get on with my day. You guessed it, I have learned the hard way that I am better off without a high magnification mirror.
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Mindfulness

3/30/2017

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Worrying about age and its impact on our appearance does not allow us to be present or mindful but rather compares how we look today with how we looked in our youth (the past) or how we fear we will look in the future. I absolutely believe better care of the skin can improve its appearance but I avoid the term anti-aging for this reason. Who wants to be against our very destiny?
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Ways to use and think about your Dr. Alkaitis products

4/13/2016

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Find your skin condition on the Dr. Alkaitis site and follow their recommendations, which like mine, allow for flexibility and experimentation. Listen to your skin and tweak. Sometimes you may do one thing in the morning and another at night or you may alternate days. Remember these products are adaptogenic. The intermingling of ingredients adapt to your skin’s unique needs.
 
Yes, it is recommended to use the oil at night on oily, combination and blemished skin to balance oil production. It is lightweight and will not clog pores. It is a luxury to use this oil while giving yourself a facial massage. (Something I especially recommend for non-fragile mature skin).
 
Their site has great suggestions for mixing and alternating products. It is not a hard fast rule that you must tone after cleansing. The toner is recommended for large pores and for soothing sunburn specifically. If your skin is inflamed or red (not from sunburn) skip toning and apply the Gel pre-moisturizer instead.
 
Have dry skin and have the Gel in your travel kit?
Use it as a first aid product on anything you tend to grab an antibacterial product for. It has the word Soothing in the name! If you were mixing the Oil and Toner and the Toner has run out, mix the Gel and Oil together as a beautiful serum layer during the day. Serums are applied after cleansing and before moisturizing.
 
Cleanser notes:
Cleansing should not be rushed so keep the water off and only turn it on to wet fingers periodically and at the end to rinse.
 
This cleanser is different! It might replace other home exfoliating products as it is excellent at removing impurities and invigorating skin. I occasionally rub some between my fingers and spread undiluted on dry skin. (Do not do this if you are sensitive or are inflamed with rosacea or acne. Use wet fingertips instead.) Begin wetting fingers and slowly emulsifying the soap so it stays fluid on the skin. Keep moving it about. When it won’t glide, wet fingertips again and move it about again. Don’t rush and keep away from eyes. Now, after a minute or two of the above pattern, rinse thoroughly, ending with a cool splash and pat dry. Your face will be tingly with a rush of blood.
 
Note: Mineral sunscreens and/or makeup can be removed first with an Oil Cleanser or Jojoba Oil and wiped off if the Dr. Alkaitis Cleanser doesn’t remove adequately. Never use the Dr. Alkaitis Cleanser to remove eye makeup.
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Cleaning House and Getting Unstuck

11/18/2015

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The Beauty Sort-Out

The Beauty Sort-Out is 90-minute service that is a makeup application and discussion using your cosmetics and brushes from home with products from my kit, some of which I retail. Brand names that I sell include Lavera, Mineral Hygienics, Glominerals and Blinc. Be introduced to makeup, brushes and techniques that complement what you already have while gaining clarity about what is working and what is not. We all know it doesn't matter where the item was purchased or how much you paid, for that matter. The criteria; does it agree with your skin and serve a purpose toward the greater good of your look?

​I will also cover best practices for preparing the skin with oils, serums and moisturizers and sunscreens, including the order of layering multiple products.
 
This playful interaction will expand your range and address challenges brought on by various skin conditions, including aging, acne and rosacea. I believe that your skin and beauty rituals need adjusting from time to time, just as it is necessary to change your nutrition and ways of moving and exercising the body. Many women are stuck doing what they have always done and can benefit from some tweaking.
 
Enjoy what department and makeup specialty stores do not offer; a clean and beautiful private room, skin care advice from a mature esthetician, and the eye of an artist who holds a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts).
 
Proper technique for washing and caring for makeup brushes is demonstrated on one or more of your brushes, as time permits.
 
Pack your bag and get creative with me!
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    Author

    Amy Linville is an artist and esthetician that believes simple, sustainable and non-rushed daily skincare and beauty rituals are the foundation for finding comfort in your skin and looks, no matter your age.

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