Women Skin Care and Beauty

“It took me a long time to feel accepted for the skin I’m in,” says Trenesa Stanford-Danuser, 35, a vice president of global communications at the New York City-based cosmetics company Origins. While she has always prided herself on the quality of her skin (a flawless complexion that she credits to her mother’s genes), she was also aware, during her formative years, of the lack of options her skin tone was afforded within the beauty world. “I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by empowering, beautiful women in my family,” she says, “but it was frustrating to see our beauty so underrepresented.”

Her turning point

“It’s ironic,” says Stanford-Danuser, who is married to husband Chris and mother to a 4-year-old daughter, Dylan. “I’m part of the beauty industry now [13 years and counting], so I’m helping to amend the ideal of beauty rather than just getting frustrated by it.”

The one change she made

“The best thing anyone has ever told me,” Stanford-Danuser says, “is that the things you do when you’re young impact your life when you get older.” But she didn’t fully appreciate that advice until she reached her late 20s. “One common misconception is that women of color never need to worry about wearing sunscreen,” she says. “But the truth is that everyone–no matter what the color of her skin–can experience sun damage.” Her beauty must-have, in addition to daily application of sunscreen: Origins A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian ($47.50; origins.com), a serum rich in skin-perfecting botanicals like white tea.

Her beauty philosophy

“K.I.S.S. Keep it simple, sister!” Stanford-Danuser says. “I like to keep everything natural. I rarely wear foundation, but always apply a touch of blush, mascara and a fabulous lip gloss.” Her favorites: Origins Pinch Your Cheeks in Brown-berry ($10), Fringe Benefits Lash-Loving Mascara ($13) and Liquid Lip Color in Bonfire ($13.50; all from origins.com).

4 ways to Shape your beauty

Never go to bed without washing your face. It clears away makeup and grime–and refreshes your complexion for the next day.

Always apply a moisturizer. “I started using moisturizer later in life,” admits Stanford-Danuser, who now understands its benefits: keeping every skin type hydrated and protected.

Love the art of bathing. “When you’re taking a bath it frees you,” Stanford-Danuser says. “It’s permission to not have to do anything but take care of yourself.” Two of her favorite bath/body products: Origins Peace of Mind Tension-Releasing Vapor Bath ($22.50) and Cocoa Therapy Body-Buffing Scrub ($25; both from origins.com).

Respect your health. “There’s no statute of limitations for change. You can make conscious choices about nutrition and exercise to help you live a more healthful life–and have a more youthful appearance,” says Stanford-Danuser, who is a new devotee of Andrew Weil, M.D. (author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health; Knopf, 1997), and has been a vegetarian for the past 17 years.

Articles by Valerie Latona at FindArticles.Com - http://www.findarticles.com