As I sit here by the window watching the bustle of Saturday morning in the heart of Portland I am inspired to share this with you. 

I encourage wearing Tamara's Beauty Bar's Vitamin E Broad Spectrum SPF 30 on your face, neck, and decolletes every day. I'd like for you to reapply every two hours, but I know it's not realistic, so at least apply it in the mornings. "I'm not going out in the sun!" - you say. That is not why I want you to wear it. I want you to wear it even if you're staying inside all day. 

You can still be exposed to UVA rays indoors. UVA and UVB rays affect the skin differently. Many building and car windows block UVB which are the rays that let some of you know you've had exposure by leaving the sting of sunburn behind. UVA is sneaky. It penetrates deeper and causes aging. You don't always know you've been exposed, and most windows do not block UVA. Aging happens slowly. Fine lines and changes in pigmentation are the signs. Aging can not be repaired or reversed. Products can only lessen the appearance of signs of aging. 

Aging is not the only reason I want you to wear my facial sunscreen. I want you to wear it to protect yourself from melanoma. Even if you don't wear my brand. Find a sunscreen you can trust. Ingredients are important! Broad Spectrum is important. The active ingredients in my brand are: Octisalate 5%, oxybenzone 4%, homosalate 10%, and octinoxate 7.5%. These are delivered to your skin in a mixture of vitamin rich ingredients that nourish your skin. I love it.

I sincerely hope that this message encourages you to wear your sunscreen.

I've been working away in the Park Avenue location and let me tell you, it's delightful. Clients are saying they love it and I believe them. I love it here. 

It is so great to have my clients enjoy this space. I am so happy to be pampering people one at a time, no interruptions. 

You're next - come on down. You deserve it.

Tamara

In March I'll be opening a brand new studio for Tamara's Beauty Bar. We've been working to create a warm and inviting space. I think it's coming along nicely. 

Recently I've been doing a great deal of soul searching about my level of joy. I feel a calling to do something more with my career to serve cancer patients in the Northwest. Through a bit of research I found more inspiration. I have registered for a 3 day intensive program to become a Certified Oncology Esthetician. This program requires recertification every two years, which is fantastic. I'm so excited to be able to adequately care for friends and loved ones who have been touched by cancer. I am looking forward to adding this specialty to my existing services. I'm still here to take care of my existing clients and hope you will all support me as I follow my passion.

Paul is looking forward to this 3 day program as well. It is in San Francisco. He's looking forward to spending a long weekend helping me study. Oh, and of course he's looking forward to exploring San Francisco as well.

Fall in love with every part of yourself,
Tamara 

I find that I use the beginning of each new year to take stock in my current level of happiness. I'm a very happy person, by choice. Time to consider what my goals are for this year. My relationship is better than ever and I intend on continuing to practice being present during conversations and actively listen to my partner. 

My clients are wonderful. I love the busy days the best. My only concern for this year is if the space I am in is all that I need it to be. At this moment I do not feel that it is. I love being downtown, however I would like more space. I have an image in my mind of an open airy space that is comfortable for all of my clients. Currently I feel cramped, unable to keep it as clean as I like it, and struggle for getting to the shared sink area. I am considering a move, not far, but to a space that suits me better.

I hope that your plans for 2011 include taking steps toward making your life the life you are meant to live. 
Cheers!
Tamara

I have been waiting somewhat impatiently since before my opening day (Sept. 1, 2010) to get my hands on this product. Months of being on backorder and thousands of people in front of me on that list waiting for this incredible product. What product you say... well I'll tell ya. I know you're rolling your eyes, but I love this product. 


Say hello to Shellac by CND.  It is a hybrid nail color. Shellac paints on like polish – base coat, color, top coat – and is cured in a UV light so there is zero dry time. The colors are hypo-allergenic, and “3-Free” – no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. Shellac comes in 12 varieties of shades (I currently have 7), from pretty French pinks and whites, to siren red and rich darks. The formula is thin and flexible like polish, so it not only looks natural, it provides strong natural nail protection with a resilient mirror finish that resists dullness and chipping, even during the most rigorous activities. Trust me I'm hard on my own nails. Unlike traditional nail enhancements there is no roughing up of the natural nail before applying this product. It is the perfect way to grow out your nails, curb your biting habit, and be the envy of your girlfriends. I'm encouraging those of you who would very much like to transition from those clunky and smelly acrylics to come try this out. 


If you're a DIY polish diva, I think you'll still be amazed. I truly believe this is the reason to go back to getting manicures again. They will last and you're going to love the way your nails respond to this product.  


Can I remove this product myself you may ask. It is best removed by a professional. If you do not like the product I will remove it for you free of charge.  I am that confident that you will love it. Removal is simple and quick with the right tools and will not damage your natural nail. 


I look forward to hearing from you soon.


~ Tamara

As Americans we are bombarded by mass media telling us how to care for our skin. Don't fall for it. Their intention is to get you to use more product so they can sell you more.  I offer a very good skin care line, but will not sell you more than you need.

We over wash and over scrub our skin. The beauty world is full of fancy products that dazzle and amaze us. Some of them produce actual results. Many just smell nice and make you feel pretty. Both serve a purpose. I will suggest some products that are very important for daily use, some that are weekly. My intention with this post is to set you up on a manageable routine that will produce results.


Simple daily routine

Each night:
Choose products for your skin type (dry, oily, combination, aging, etc.). Perform each step on face, neck, and décolleté.

• Cleanse, rinse with luke-warm water. 
• Use a gentle toner on cotton pad over entire area. (Avoid eyes) 
• Spot treat for blemishes. 
• Apply eye treatment. (This is delicate skin, use gentle tapping motions)
• Apply moisturizer.
  

Each morning:

• Rinse face (no cleanser) with warm water.
• Use a gentle toner on cotton pad over entire face. (Avoid eye area). 
• Spot treat for blemishes. 
• Apply eye treatment. (This is delicate skin, use gentle tapping motions)
• Apply moisturizer. 
• Apply sunscreen.
  
• Apply makeup. (I recommend mineral powders with SPF.)

Throughout the day as you like:

• Spritz with moisturizing spritz.
• Reapply sunscreen. (If you wear makeup, I recommend touching up with a mineral powder with SPF)

Weekly exfoliation:
Once a week - or twice if needed include this step in your night time regimen:

• After gentle cleansing, use gentle exfoliant followed by toner and moisture.