LET'S TALK ABOUT SKIN BABY!

SKIN.

Comes in various shades.

Pic courtesy of Google.

Can be dry, oily or combination.

The skin layers.
Pic courtesy of Google. 

Becomes hairy in certain areas of the body that we then have to pluck, shave, wax & laser - or not.

Has 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than 1,000 nerve endings attached to it. (Statistics taken from Google). Melanocytes are cells that give us our skin colour.

Sometimes has the need to purge and leave breakouts, especially before an event!

We paint on make up to cover up.

We should be slapping on SPF to protect.

So why are we neglecting our largest organ of the body?

Why do we skimp on skincare but spend 100's of dollars on make up?

Pic courtesy of Google. 

And why is it that once premature ageing has set in, we panic?

Skin needs to be nutured as soon as we hit puberty.  Hormones play a huge role when it comes to our skin's behaviour.  At birth - skin is normal; although we may be presented with birth marks and conditions that are out of our control.

At puberty, males especially will notice the oil set in, large pores and breakouts. An increase in the hormone androgen is to take responsibility.  Although a male hormone,  it is also prevalent in females. An increase of facial hair on a female could be a sign of too much androgen.

Girls will notice breakouts, especially on the jaw line and below the cheeks just before and during their period. Hormones are to blame! Lifestyle, cleanliness and poor diet will also attribute to problem skin.

Pregnancy and skin! You will either be glowing or your skin will go crazy. Those hormones are working overtime.

Menopause.....don't get me started!!! What the hell, breakouts again? Moustaches on woman???? Dryness, itchy and pigmentation to add to the list.

CLEANSING should be done every night to remove make up and excess oil. Not sometimes ..... but EVERY night and morning.

EXFOLIATE only once a week, or you will strip the oils on your skin, which in turn will produce more oil. Vicious circle!

MOISTURISE to hydrate and lock in moisture. If you are too dry, chances are your fine lines and wrinkles will be accentuated.

Remember to always wear SPF SUNSCREEN when outdoors.  Sun damaged skin will AGE you. Rubber-like skin is not a good look. Hyperpigmentation will set in too.

Once you establish your skin routine; add on your serums to nourish the cells and rejuvenate your collagen and elastin- the building blocks that give your skin plumpness and stretch.

This is me having a DMK ENZYME TREATMENT. 

Add your eye cream to nourish the soft skin under the eyes. Include a masque - but don't just slap it on without cleansing and exfoliating first. This will give the the full benefit of penetrating further into the skin layers.

Make up by me (Sminka Ink Make up by Sandra).
Skin is beautiful and well looked after.

CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY. You must do your skincare regimen every single day to visibly see the difference and to feel how great your skin is

Me. I love my skin. This pic was taken after a treatment at Miracle Skin Therapy Camden. 

WHERE TO NEXT? Go and see your beauty therapist to give you a skin consult.  For those of you in Sydney; come and see myself and the amazing skin consultants at Miracle Skin Therapy Camden. We will prescribe your skin what it needs, in order for it to at it's best. Your make up will then love you for it and look so much more natural.

Make up I did for bride Hollie. We designed a skincare plan 2 months prior to her wedding, to get her skin in shape. Make up was able to glide on nicely.

SKIN. It's your responsibility to nuture it.

Happy days.

SK💋

You can find us at MIRACLE SKIN THERAPY
Shop 1, 90-100 (Whiteman's Arcade) Argyle St Camden.

TRIED, TESTED & ENJOYED BY THE LIPSTICK FILES.

So many amazing products have landed on my doorstep. They are gifts from me to me. No freebies here my lovelies. I actually spend money to make money in this industry. In order to truly appreciate beauty and hair products, one must invest in some trial and error. So here we go, Sandikay's latest little treasures I've tried; oh and visited and read.

My stash!

PRIORI SKIN REGIME
When your skincare no longer performs to your standards; it's time to introduce active ingredients into the equation. Active ingredients are the perfect recipe to combat fine lines and wrinkles in order to build collagen and elastin, that age has defied us. Once we hit age 25, our skin decides to have a break from performing at its optimal health. It's like it has decided to retire from looking so firm and plump. How rude yeh? Enter, active ingredients - to assist in rebuilding the collagen and elastin that our skin has decided to abandon.
Priori is a skincare brand that I use on my clients, in the salon that I work in. I love it so much that my girls use it too - great and gentle enough for all skin types and conditions. The milky cleanser is safe enough to use am and pm. It's well known for the AHAs it includes. What's an AHA you ask? Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Think of it as a vacuum cleaner for your skin. It picks up all the dead skin cells that have landed on the skin surface. It gently exfoliates  - removing the debris and leaving a clean slate for serums and moisturisers to absorb better. Not to mention how great make up will sit now that new skin cells are exposed.
The Eye cream is a must for those dark circles and puffy bags that have moved in and made themselves comfortable without an invitation. The secret though, is consistency. You MUST use everyday and or night to get visible results. If you get lazy, try doing it at night, as this is when our skin cells rejuvenate. It's a YES from me.

ALYA PINK CLAY MASK
Think hydration, brightening and fresh skin. That's what this baby delivers. Once a week, after I've cleansed and exfoliated, i brush on this mask. Pink clay is known for it's gentleness on all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skins. It assists in reducing inflammation, associated with acne and overall irritation. Available online www.alyaskin.com  A must have in your beauty cabinet. Oh and best applied by brush.

EVO HAIRCARE PRODUCTS
Think; great smelling, good for the environment and free of petrochemicals and SLS's which is a bonus for our overall health. Oh and how can I forget to mention - is amazing for my hair. I currently use the shampoo, heat primer and hairspray. The smell is divine too. Yes I know, I've already said that. But take my word for it and try it. Great holding power for my tresses.

BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS
Not Bobby Brown the singer; rather the amazing Make Up Artist from the USA. Her products are the bomb. I got to attend a product knowledge workshop some months back, held at the Pro Make Up store in Mosman. Lip liners are so smooth and the Vitamin E cream smells delicious - subtle hints of citrus. The eye cream is top notch and the foundation has become a favourite of my eldest daughter; who was lucky enough to try it thanks to her brilliant mum. Lol. Too far? Ahhh well, it is true though!

CHANEL No. 5 PARFUM
So much exquisiteness in one bottle. I was fortunate to be gifted this beautiful scent by my dearest cousin. She knows me too well, or it's the fact we are both Virgos and born 3 days apart. We have that 'sisterly' connection that has always hovered over us. This perfume is soft and sweet, with hints of floral goodness. So feminine, yet bold and empowering. Just the way I like it.

FAVE NEW DESTINATION - discovered a few years back, during working my magic for Bridal Make up.
I've been a fan of Bendooley Estate for years now, but recently took my two teenaged daughters for lunch and a perusal of the Book Shop that has been made famous for its amazing library of old books. My crab linguine was delicious, followed by a peach billini and a degustation of desserts that were to die for, or in my case, forgo my diet. All this goodness whilst the crackle of the fire place warmed our hearts and bodies of course. It was FREEZING outside. The Southern Highlands truly are magnificent.

Road tripping

Always so inviting

Books for days. And yes I did buy a few!

DELICIOUS 

Toasty and warm

LATEST READ - AM I DOING THIS RIGHT? BY TANYA HENNESSY
OMG. I cried and I was only on Page 2! I couldn't put it down. It was hilarious.  She is one funny chick. I first discovered this beauty on Facebook. She does parodies on beauty and hair salon encounters.  She hits the nail on the head and represents all us artists with what we are all really thinking. This book doesn't dissapoint. It's real, raw, witty and the best medicine to make you laugh and pee your pants a little lol. What's even more amazing, Tanya liked my instagram post in regards to my lunch time antics. See, she is genuine!!!

And there you have it. Venture out and try new things; products, destinations and enjoy reading the old fashion way - buy a book.

SK💋

PANIC AT THE DISCO 💥

Hands up if you have ever experienced a panic attack? 🙌 Yep. I have. It's been years since I've had an "attack"...... it happened driving through the M5 tunnel, on my way to do a make up job for a well known Haircare Brand. These days Ive taught myself to breathe it out and change my thought patterns.

Anyone who has experienced a panic attack can honestly tell you it's like you're having a heart attack. Tightness in the chest. Sweat pouring down from your head. Feels like ants are actually crawling on your face. And you basically think this is it!!! YOU'RE DYING!

I don't wish this on anyone. But i must request those who are a little arrogant and non-believers, to respect those in this state and stop telling us to 'get over it'.

Us humans are quick to judge others. Im guilty of this too and if you can't admit to this then I suggest you STOP reading now. Adios!

If you are stilling reading......phew....I haven't lost you.

Panic attacks are associated with Mental Illness. Funnily enough, it isn't a contagious disease (insert sarcasm) as some people may have been swayed to think differently through misconceptions. Anyone could be suffering in silence and you wouldn't know.

Here is the definition that Google Dictionary tells us about Panic Attacks.

panic attack

noun

noun: panic attack; plural noun: panic attacks

a sudden overwhelming feeling of acute and disabling anxiety.

See, it's a "noun". Not an adjective or a simile. It refers to 'something', 'a person' or 'a place'. See Google's definition below.

noun

GRAMMAR

a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things ( common noun ), or to name a particular one of these ( proper noun ).

Panic attacks are a funny thing. It literally came out of nowhere the very 1st time it hit me like a tonne of bricks, back in 2010. Looking back now and after scheduled meetings with a counselor at that time; it was a build up of so many insecurities within myself and my ambition to constantly please everyone around me. Family. Work. Friends. My brain just could not take it anymore!

BOOM! Enter PANIC ATTACKS. The counselor opened up a can of worms. So many things had been bottled up and pushed back in my subconscious.

It's taken me 8 years to share this publicly. Was I embarrassed? At first; you bet ya!! I was being treated for a mental health condition. I bet most of you reading this that know me, had NO IDEA!!! I was still 'normal' wasn't I?

My motivation in writing this blog today, is to reach out to any of you who might be going through this. I'm no doctor and please don't read too much into it. This is my personal experience. My journey of late which is decluttering my life; has also seen my doctor take me off my meds! Yes! Am I cured for life? Probs not. No one will ever have answers to that question. But I'm happy NOW!

Please know, there is help out there. There is light as the end of the tunnel. You are human! You are allowed to experience these weird feelings. For anyone who has continued to read this, even though you are still sceptical; just know this, I am normal. The following quote ~ from Alice in Wonderland ~ is my mantra.

Pic taken from Google Images 

God Bless

SK💋



Im writing this piece whilst waiting at the Endocrinologist, for my diabetes quarterly review. Right next to where I'm sitting, are patients waiting to see the specialist dealing with Mental Health. Coincidence??? Hmmm pretty sure the universe is telling me something!

For professional advice,
contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

WHAT I WOULD TELL MY 16 YEAR OLD SELF.

This week we celebrated our third child's birthday. It was a milestone - turning 16.

Sixteen! Wowsers.....I remember my 16th birthday. We had a 'getty' as the young of today call it. We called it a get together with a few friends. We had pizza, wine and cake. Birthday cake is always essential. Wine. Underage drinking was kinda normal in our household. The croatian family dynamics always included some vino during Sunday lunch, regardless of our age. 

If there was a moment to step back in time, there would be a few home truths I would tell myself. Right my wrongs. What would I tell my 16 year old self?

• Less is more Sandra.........that fringe really was not necessary. The proportions were just uncanny. The ozone layer may have began to debilitate because of this craze. I was partially to blame. 😱😱😱
• 
  

• Boys did not like you if they teased you. They simply disliked you. They really were being mean to us. Those boys turned into little old, bold, overweight men now. #sorrynotsorry
• A boy crush was a normal emotion and we shouldn't be ashamed of having feelings for another human. If my 16 year old is reading this now, STOP! This does not apply to you. YET. Not until your 20. 👀👀😜

Happy birthday Claudia. Sweet 16.

• Wanting to pursue a career in artistic flair is a real job. Going to Uni was not the be all end all. University does not define my intelligence. 

My freelance make up brand has evolved.
University was not for me. I began studying Communications .

• High school would be the best social life of all time. That is all.
• Thinking I was overweight is ridiculous. Size 8 is better than size 18. I should have worn that skimpy bikini. Those tight jeans.....oh wait, I did wear tight marble washed jeans. 
• FMB boots should have made it onto my wish list. God only knows they don't make them for larger width calves and thighs now. 
• I could have worn g-bangers, allowing them to peer over my jeans........nana undies it was from day dot. 😇😇😇They are more comfortable I guess. 
• Midriff tops are to be worn pre-baby only. 
• Wearing leggings as pants would only be acceptable till the year 2000; they are only to be worn as exercise apparel now. 
• One day my daggy trackydacs would be acceptable as 'active wear'. Velour would be made popular by J-Lo. 
• Salt n Peppa would forever be etched into our brains that our children will be taught choreography at their dance schools to this music.
• Serving your child alcohol was only normal within the home. Bad parenting was the norm.
• Being nice to everyone pays off as they appear from time to time in 2018 and they still like you!

My 16th birthday celebration &
Her 16th birthday 'getty'.
1989 vs 2018

So much to reflect on. Oh one thing I forgot to mention; Red Lipstick is forever in! 💄

Chanel lippie in Red is always a good idea.

My message to all 16 year olds today; make your mark now. Be nice to your parents and respect yourself always!!

SK 💋

Changing mindset & losing unwanted weight!

Life has thrown many obstacles my way over the last few years and I'm sure it is nothing out of the ordinary that perhaps you have gone through too. It's like our life cycle rides the roller coaster of emotions, not knowing what is waiting for us at the end. Happiness, fear, uncertainty or grief; each of these emotions can smash into a million fragments, just waiting for us to put the pieces back together again.

Pic from Google images 

I find myself questioning why sometimes I feel sad for no reason at all. Home life is great, kids are great and driving me mad which is normal and my career is on point. I can't say that I'm depressed; rather my body feels depressed. No energy and feeling lethargic for no reason. Health professionals suggest exercise. Ummm.... really! I have no energy to do simple tasks like brush my teeth and they want me to go for a walk. F@*k that! Even that wasn't making sense to me.

Now if I'm being totally honest, this hasn't only happened once, but seems to reoccur every 3 to 4 years. I don't recall signing up for this roller coaster hell as I know it. So you would think that I would know how to handle it all when it decides to vist again. Nope!!! I really have no answers but I do know I'm not alone in this constant battle. When it decides to rear its ugly head, it's like it's hitting me for the very first time.

How we decide to deal with our emotions really depends on how we perceive everything around us. Recently I have had friends and family tell me how great I've been looking as I have lost a little bit of weight. " How have you done it" they've asked.

Pic from Google Images

Honestly there is no diet. No surgeries. And certainly no gym - I hate exercise. Do I still eat CAKE..... hell yeh. All in moderation. And ...... I no longer eat my family's leftovers, cause I didnt want to throw food away. It all comes down to mindset. I'm 44 (don't say that out loud) and I have type 2 diabetes; I'm on daily insulin injections; I take 6 tablets daily and I have 4 children - who I want to be around for in the future. Now that's a wake up call if I ever got one.

So I decided on my own, that I need to fix this. Doctors have been telling me for years but I was too stubborn to listen. That is the rebel in me defying all professionals lol. But the decision had to be made by ME. I'm the only one who can steer this ride.

Weight loss at my age is not easy. It's a journey rather than a destination. How do I finally get it now but when I was going through hell in my head; I could not see or think clearly!!!

The last 3 months has been a journey of decluttering my life; decluttering the house - yes I'm a hoarder. Decluttering my emotions; decluttering my excess weight and decluttering people who have taken advantage of my kindness. Sound familiar? I can guarantee that you too have been down this road. The weight off my shoulders was literally falling off. Letting go of negative thoughts shifted the negative build up in my body and released the excess baggage I was carrying.  I haven't gone mad trust me. I just see and feel things differently.

Pic from Google images 

I'm no longer eating cause I'm bored. I use my time to write, do marketing for my business (yes on FB and Instagram - don't judge me) and go on mini adventures. This is my way of healing and learning to respect ME again, cause let's face it, if you can't love yourself how do you have the potential to love others? Deep yeh?

That's all I've done to shift this unwanted weight. It's still hard work. But am I happier? YES! And healthier and fitting into jeans I haven't been able to wear in years (insert happy dance). Patience is also practised. It's not going to be fixed immediately.  But the journey becomes less painful knowing there is a positive outcome waiting for us.

If I'm able to make just a handful of readers smile; knowing that no one is alone when feeling blue, then I choose happiness for good. Write down your thoughts in a journal. Seeing your goals written down reinforces our brains we are on a mission.

And that brings me to the end of today's blog. So eat the cake, drink champagne, put on some lipstick and flutter those lashes peeps. Happy thoughts all the way!!

SK 💋

EVERYTHING BEAUTY. PART II ~ L TO Z

Hello my darlings.

Hope you all enjoyed my first entry last week, after being absent for some time. It's good to be back. Writing helps me think creatively and I enjoy sharing my beauty tips, tricks and everything inbetween. So let's get stuck into it. Here are my beauty vibes for L to Z.

L is for LUXE products.
Think Payot, Hydropeptide, Ole Henriksen, Thalgo, LaMer. AMAZING! So rich in nutrients and active ingredients that come with a hefty price tag. Are they worth the $$$? You bet they are. They are carefully formulated to build collagen and elastin in concentrated amounts.

M is for MAKE UP FOREVER
One of my favourite foundation brands I use on my clients. My go to product is the HD (high definition) liquid foundation. Specially formulated to give a fresh glow that doesn't look white in photos from flashback; rather a great natural finish. Great for those not wanting that heavy coverage, however it is a buildable liquid if you prefer a fuller coverage.

N is for NAIL POLISH
An accessory for your nails, both fingernails and toenails.  My faves are O.P.I, Smith & Cult, Rimmel CND & Essie. Protect you nails by using a base coat - see also U is for UNDERCOAT.

O is for OXYGENEO
OMG...you have to try this amazing facial treatment.  It's a deep exfoliation process that also infuses a topical serum that is full of peptides, hylaraunic acid and Vitamin C -  aiding in collagen and elastin production; and it oxgenates in order to plump the skin leaving it with a youthful, soft glow. And.... you can experience this amazing treatment by visiting the salon I work at ~ Miracle Skin Therapy, located in Camden NSW.

P is for PEPTIDES
What the hell are these you ask? Our body produces amino acids and peptides are a chain of amino acids; that are the building blocks of proteins. Protein and peptides are structurally very similar (think chemistry formulas). This ingredient is beneficial to fight visible signs of ageing - fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, pigmentation and sun damage (premature ageing due to environmental conditions) - think leathery looking skin.

Haha....Magda from 'Something about Mary'.

Q is for Co.Q10
You would have come across this super ingredient, whether you have seen it advertised in magazines or seen it plastered all over advertising campaigns on beauty products.  It stands for Coenzyme 10 - another molecular scientific formula.  It's almost like teaching a chemistry class! 😉😁 it is an antioxidant (assists in fighting free radicals- pollution, environmental conditions, smoking, sun damage etc). Other antioxidants you may be familiar with are Vitamins A, C and E. CoQ10 helps bring energy to the cells, to assist with cell damage and to build the cells up again. Great for anti-aging.

R is for RED LIPSTICK 💄💄💄
Oh my.....think Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood Glam & SEXY. The red lipstick is the original lippie to hit the market. Here's a fun fact....even during the Great Depression, sales of red lipsticks DID NOT decline. Finding the right shade for you is determined whether you are a cool shade or warm shade. A true red is a cool red - blue based. A warm red is more of an orange-red colour, perfect for the warm toned skin. No excuses now peeps - strut that red lippie!

S is for SMINKA INK MAKE UP BY SANDRA 😉😍
Yes, this is my baby. Celebrating 10 years in my little freelance make up business. Creating loads of different looks over the years, especially BRIDAL Makeovers, brings me so much joy when I see my clients looking at themselves in the mirror and smiling with what they see. Check out my Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/Sminka-Ink-Make-up-by-Sandra-145320738895828/  and my Instagram Accounts- @sminka_ink & @Sandikay73.

💋💋💋My brand new logo to celebrate 10 years of Sminka Ink make up by Sandra.💋💋💋

T is for TARTE COSMETICS
These cosmetics are the bomb! Especially the eye palettes. Amazing pigment and great colour choice. Available online and at Sephora.

U is for UNDERCOAT
Not for walls silly. For your nails.😁 Undercoats protect the nail bed staining from coloured polishes. They also allow polishes to glide on nicely and prolong the wear and tear of the polish on your nails.

V is for VonBlü Lipsticks. 
An Australian brand of matte lipsticks that don't feel dry on your lips. They are vegan too. We love them at Miracle Skin Therapy.

My pic I took at MST

W is for WATER
Yes Yes Yes....water is a must for skin hydration. Both internally and externally.  We need water to wash away impurities on our skin. We need water to flush out toxins in our bodies. H2O all the way. 👌

X is for XANTHOCOMIC 
(as per mentalfloss.com) I could not think of anything beginning with X. 😂

Xanthos was the Ancient Greek word for “yellow,” and as such is the root of a number of scientificwords referring to yellow-colored things. So, if you’re xanthocomic, you have yellow hair; if you’re xanthocroic you have fair hair and pale skin; and if you’re xanthodontous, you have yellow teeth. Think Barbie....yellow hair fashionista 😜

Y is for YOUNGBLOOD
A make up range that is great for sensitive or reactive skin conditions. Available from stockists at selected Hair Salons or online. So if you find your current make up irritates your skin, give this range a go. Not tested on animals!!

Z is for Z-PALETTES
A great space saver for all your eyeshadows, blushes and lipsticks. It has a magnetic base so that your products won't move around and get damaged.

Ta Da. There you have it. Happy reading lovelies, until next time.

SK 💋


* All pics are Courtesy of Google Pics unless stated otherwise.

ALMOST 45 AND FINALLY FEELING ALIVE!

Forty Five!
FORTY FIVE!


If I say it out loud and write it down a few times; I'm hoping it sinks in. Wtf!!! Only five years to 50. Halfway to 90. (Insert anxiety).

What is a forty five year old supposed to feel like? Well, how much time do we have?? Will I qualify?

* Aching bones. ✔
* Crosses legs with every sneeze. ✔
* Gazes into mirror on a daily basis, lifting sagging boobs, sagging chin & squeezes the tummy rolls whilst thinking, "I'm getting old. I need to lose weight. I seriously need a magic wand". ✔
* Sings along to 90s and millenial r'n'b and thinks she owns it. (think Salt n Pepa) (imagine car ride with 2 teenagers in tow shaking their heads in disgust). (Me thinking....'I'm a cool mum, not a regular mum'). ✔
* Describes hair colour as naturally brown with a few sparkles. Ok, I'm pretty much 100% grey. Don't believe me? Ask my hairdresser. ✔
* Tries to make white in style. As in White,  I refer to my Skin on my legs. Think albino!! And.....I do spraytans too. ✔

* I'm going to be a 'mother of the bride'. Yikes ✔
* I'm going to be a MOTHER INLAW.  😲 ✔
* Gets a kick out of making people feel good about themselves. ✔
* Tries to figure out what makes me feel good about myself. Struggles to compliment myself. 🤔 ✔
* Is looking for appraisal from my family when I finally cook a dish worth bragging about.  ✔
* Can admit I'm a hoarder/clutterer.  Apparently I'm a ' Knowledgeable clutterer, a Sentimental clutterer and a Just in Case clutterer, according to The Living Room TV show. 🤔 ✔
* Can finally put my health first to live a longer, happier life. I want to live to 103. 100 so I can receive my birthday wishes from Lizzie (the Queen); except she won't be around for that long. Maybe I can send her a 100 birthday card instead. ✔
* The extra 3 years are for doing absolutely fuck all. Maybe catch up on Netflix that I haven't got time to watch now! ✔
* Still can bust a move to today's music....think Cardi B, Drake, The Weekend & Kendrick Lamar. HAVE I LOST YOU YET?? DON'T JUDGE. (insert my teenagers dis-owning me right about now) 😁😆🤣 ✔
* Being able to actually admit to all of the above! ✔

Yep, I think I'm ready to turn 45 in the next 3 months. Watch this space! ✔

SK 💋