Fade Out: How to Get Rid of Sun Spots

The title of this post really should have been "Sun Spots Suck" because, well, they really do. The most frustrating part is that the little dark marks that are starting to show up on your face aren't a result of how you care for your skin now. It takes years for melanin clusters to form, so they've been in the works for awhile.

There's a spectrum of products on the market to help fade sun spots and hyperpigmentation, from drugstore brands to prescription-only creams. We talked to a dermatologist who advised us to look for products that contain at least 2% Hydroquinone, known for its fast-acting ability to fade spots, as well as Vitamin C. 

Murad Rapid Age Spot Serum, $60

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF, $163

Verso Dark Spot Fix, $150

Peter Thomas Roth De-Spot, $75

Here are a few tips for treatment:

• Start early-the pigmentation of spots moves deeper over time. If you start treating new spots early, they will diminish in as soon as 2 months.
• Be diligent & patient- Results from treatments can take up to 6 months to a year for older spots. If you are looking for a quick fix, ask your derm about laser treatments.
• Wear sunscreen- UV exposure only makes the spots worse. Apply SPF 50 every morning and more if you are outside for extended periods.
• Avoid rough scrubs- you can't scrub a sun spot off (we wish!). In fact, using gritty scrubs can irritate your skin and make the spots worse.

Have a great weekend,
K&M

Three Cheers for the Graduate: Our Modern Gift Guide

This morning Megan and I got the opportunity to mix up our schedule and shop for the viewers of KTVU Mornings On 2.

We love working with clients of all ages as they move through transitions in life. One special group we work with frequently is new graduates.

For the show we put together some of our favorite gift ideas that balance practicality with modern luxury. They are perfect tokens for celebrating your grad and sending them off for success in their next chapter of life.

Be sure to read below, some of the brands are offering limited time promotions based on the feature so you can gift generously.

A big thanks to the KTVU family for the warm welcome and making everything so fun!

Stay Stylish,

K&M

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Washio

• An on-demand dry cleaning and laundry delivery service. It's great for new grads living in a city, especially when so many apts. don’t have laundry facilities.

• How It Works: A Washio ninja will pick up your laundry and dry cleaning and in as little as 48-hours will return your clothes cleaned and ready-to-wear. 

• Washio offer gift cards perfect for a recent college graduate price range $25-250. 

• Available in Boston, Chicago, LA, Oakland, SF, and DC 

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Blue Apron
 

Instead of gifting your grad with a grocery gift card why not give more. We love that Blue Apron delivers step-by-step recipes and seasonal, pre-portioned ingredients to your home. They make it easy, fun and you learn the basics of cooking along the way. 

• Two person ($9.99/serving or $59.94/week) for three meals a week
• Audience Gets Two Free Meals with mention of KTVU feature

 

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Chamilia Stacking Rings

A modern take on the charm bracelet. We love that this gift is personal and celebrates milestones in life. For example, a birthstone ring can be given on a birthday a crystal pearl representing Wisdom can be given at graduation.

• Part of the Swarovski brand, 100% sterling silver and great quality
• Can be worn different ways to reflect personality
• Amazing price point ranging from $35-$70

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Cuyana

This brand is in line with our “Less in More” approach to style. You don’t need a million things to look stylish, just a few quality beautiful pieces. 

Classic Leather Ziparound Wallet, $125 is made with 100% Italian pebbled leather. 

Travel Wallet, $185 designed to be a thoughtful travel accessory for the grad on the go --It transitions from a passport and ticket holder into an effortless evening clutch. 100% Argentine pebbled leather.

• If YOU mention KTVU you will receive complimentary live monogramming in their Union Square Shop through May 15 (this Sunday)                                                    

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DODOcase
 

Our other Leather Pick is from another great San Francisco company, DODOcase. Their SF made designs have a vintage feel with book cloth detailing reconfigured for a modern use.

Lorna iPhone Wallet Case $64.95
Combines what you want in a wallet while protecting your phone. 
It's perfect for High School Grads with space for holding ids, and transit passes.
The Lorna is made out of premium Pergamena Leather which comes from animals who have died naturally or been raised for food in North America. The leathers are vegetable-tanned using natural and biodegradable dies in an environmentally sound process.  

iPad Pro 9.7" Two Tone DODOcase $64.95, Protection + Functionality
Built into the book-bound cover, this case features an elastic loop to secure the Apple Pencil or other stylus. The DODOcase for iPad Pro is sleek, slim, and durable - the perfect case for your professional & creative needs. 

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Everlane

Based out of SF, Everlane has a “less is more” philosophy that we love. The company designs and produces all of its own goods so you can get quality products for less without the middleman. 

Modern Snap Backpack, $68 (most like this retail for $180+) is a dependable companion for all of your graduates journeys, this bag is:

• Water-resistant 
• Leather detailing
• Two side slip pockets for easy access to a water bottle, sunglasses, or other on-the-go items
• Plus, padded interior to protect your notebook laptop compartment fits 15” Macbook
•  Smaller version can comfortably fit a 13” Macbook

Fashion + Technology: A Night @ The MET

Here at Canvas, we dedicated last month to exploring the crossover between technology and fashion by playing with online delivery services and exploring how technology is affecting how people shop and the clothes we wear

We couldn't think of a better way to end our Tech & Fashion series than with this year's Met Gala, themed "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology." While a number of dresses missed the mark, there were a few standout dresses that truly merged technology with fashion in ways we haven't seen before.

One of our favorite's was Claire Dane's Zac Posen dress made from fiber optic woven organza that glowed in the dark. We also loved Karolina Kurkova's Marchesa x IBM dress that changed colors based on people's reaction to it on social media. And last but not least, Emma Watson wore a Calvin Klein x Eco Age dress that was made of 100% sustainable materials. 

You can read about (and see) all of these amazing dresses here. And stay tuned for our final post on our experiences during our Tech & Fashion series.

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Face Time: Our Spring/Summer Skincare Regimes

The change in seasons means a change in our skincare routines. Warmer weather calls for a lighter moisturizer and higher SPF. We each have different skin needs, which leads to different skincare routines. Here's a round-up of the products we've come to rely on to keep our skin glowing. 

Megan:

Taking care of your skin is so important, especially as you start to get older. I wish I could go back and tell my 20 year old self that SPF5 was not actually sun protection and that tanning beds weren't going to make me look healthier. Now in my 30's, I have become meticulous about my skin care routine. It's taken (alot of) trial and error, but I've finally found the products that work best for my sensitive skin that's still prone to breaking out at times.

I always wash my makeup off at night. I use the Oil of Olay skin brush with Skin Tx Foaming Gel. Then I tone with MAC Lightful C' Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion. After I apply an Vivierskin TMR anti-wrinkle serum to my forehead and eyes. I finish with Whole Foods organic coconut oil for hydration. In the morning it's the same routine, except to I moisturize with bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. It only has SPF30 (50 is recommended), but I love how it evens out my skintone and makes me look slightly dewey.

Kimberly:

Healthy radiant skin is the foundation to any good look. Finding your right routine to get you there can be a bit of a journey. 

When I was working in buying at Sephora I was exposed to a wide array of brands to test. This was a game changer for my sensitive skin purchasing habits and I now advocate to sample any product before purchasing to guarantee it is a good fit.

The biggest change in the last year to my skincare regiment hasn't been the products as much as the technique (double cleansing + moisturizing). Every evening I remove my eye make-up with Laura Mercier Dual Action Make Up Remover, and follow up by cleansing my face twice with Dr. Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk (patting dry between washings) and finish with Aseop Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream. This small change made a difference in breakouts and retaining moisture.  

In the mornings I repeat this routine, but follow moisturizing with Sephora  Instant Depuffing Roll-on Gell (if needed) and finish by applying TiZO3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen spf 40.  Once a week I add in a treatment with Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (Original Formula) to help add glow back my complexion and reduce any uneven pigmentation.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Self-Portrait of a Lady: A Snapshot With Designer Han Chong

This week Megan and I were invited by Cusp to attend a meet and greet with London based designer Han Chong at the SF Neiman Marcus Store.  We have been following this up and coming designer and jumped at the chance to ask him about his designs and try on a few Self Portrait pieces ourselves.  

We immediately fell in love with his current collection full of romantic designs and beautiful open lace work.  The cuts are best suited for petite and narrow frames, but a few fit and flare silhouettes would be stunning on curvier gals. Han said that he always keeps the female form in mind when designing and adds adjustable ease at key points to allow for better fit. For example, many dresses have lace up backs that add a little edge and functionality.

Keep your eye on this guy! Not only are his graceful designs accessible (in comparison to many designers) but he is honest about his creations and so approachable.  We hope he enjoyed his first trip to SF as much as we did meeting him!

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Strategies To Love Your Body Now... And Always

At Canvas we are firm believers that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. We encourage each other to exercise, meditate and take time to nurture ourselves. We also always try to do the same with our client. With so many pressures around us, it's important to remember that nobody is perfect and no body is perfect.

That's why we really appreciate Refinery29's current series promoting positive image.  With summer around the corner, they have posted a number of articles on body acceptance. One of our favorites is "7 Expert Strategies for Improving Your Body Image." One of the tips suggests setting a get ready timer if you tend to focus too much on your appearance in the morning and always end up being late.

There's so much more to this conversation than just these articles. So we want to hear from you... what is your favorite strategy for maintaining a strong body image and nurturing yourself from the inside out?

xox,
K&M

The Ultimate Guide To Removing Stains (your life just got easier)

It's Murphy's Law - you buy something new, wear it once and somehow manage to get a stain on it that won't come out. Coffee on white seems to be a big one at the Canvas Office. 

This stain charts has to be one of our favorites. The person that created it is pretty much genius in our book. White chalk for oil...who knew?

Posted by B As/Is on Tuesday, October 27, 2015

We recommend that you bookmark this chart, print it and keep it handy for those summer stains that are guaranteed to happen at some point.

And now that we all don't have to live in fear of ruining white, here are a few of our favorite white pieces for Spring (click on the image for more details).

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Marie Claire Reviews Rent The Runway - And We're On the Same Page

It looks like we aren't the only fashionistas to take Rent the Runway for a spin and review our experience. Marie Claire's April magazine has an article featuring their fashion editor's experience with the subscription-based clothing service.

With our Technology + Fashion series is wrapping up this month, we loved reading what Marie Claire's editor Brittany Kozerski thought. It turns out her experience was more or less in line with ours.

Her conclusion: "Besides money, it saved me time and closet space by refreshing my wardrobe without having to shop. ...here I could test drive accessories without having to commit."

Pick up the April edition of Marie Claire to read the article in full.

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Tech + Fashion Update: Are We Loving Style Delivery Services?

Megan's Update:
After canceling my Le Tote subscription, I decided to try out Stitch Fix. To get started, you fill out a style profile to give them a better idea of your preferences. I've heard that it can take a few deliveries to get into the groove and I agree.

A screenshot of the style profile survey.

Stitch Fix is different from Le Tote in that 5 items are selected for you by a Stitch Fix Stylist and you decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back. I am disappointed that they don't send you complete outfits, so while some of the 5 pieces may be great you aren't getting all of the elements to create a cohesive look. Plus, the quality wasn't what I'd expect given the price of the items.

My conclusion: It's fun it you don't have time to shop and want to add one-off pieces to your closet. But buyer beware- you may end up with a closet full of pieces that don't match, which will require you to shop more.

Kimberly's Update:

I've continued to use Rent The Runway Unlimited and have had a good overall experience. The premise I still love--having access to on trend designer pieces without having to shell out thousands. The last delivery was positive and I ended up keeping several pieces and wearing them to different events.

My pain point however, continues--it takes too long to sort through their filters and there are bugs in selecting Unlimited items from the site. There is also limited opportunity to give feedback on specific items without calling customer care. For example two of the items from my last order should have been taken out of rotation due to wear and tear and over dry cleaning. There were set in stains and the pilling was so intense on one sweater that I actually had to pullout my sweater shaver before wearing it. 

If you are looking to change up our wardrobe frequently with new pieces it is going to take a lot of time and planning to get what you want when you want it. Returning items takes about 3 days in the mail before you can order a new item and then 2-3 days to ship out a new item. 

This service is perfect if you have a few special events on your calendar or want enjoy a few new staples for a season.

Stay stylish, 

K&M

The Best (& Most Healthy) Nail Salons in San Francisco

Awhile back, we blogged about the best non-toxic nail polishes of the season. Taking it one step further, the San Francisco Department of the Environment just released a list of the healthiest nail salons in the city. Titled "Pretty Shouldn't Stink" all of the salons on the list use less toxic products, safer practices and have better ventilation.

Below are some of the salons on their list. Click here to see their entire list (with a handy map included). 

Castro Nail Salon, 431 Castro St., 415-252-1657

LUX SF, 490 Hayes St, 415-255-4589

Rendez-Vous Nails, 3247 Sacramento St, 415-474-2205

Sophia's Beauty Lounge, 3420 Cesar Chavez St, 415-285-9777

Stay Stylish (and healthy),
K&M