Seeing a professional for your eyebrow shaping needs is ideal, but due to changes in everyone’s economic status, many are trying to achieve the perfect arch at home.  If you are going to attempt to shape your own eyebrows, let me at least give you some helpful hints and tips to get you started in the right direction.

The Tools:

There a few necessary tools /products you will want to have by your side before you begun:

1. Eyebrow brush: before you begin, you’ll want to give your eyebrows a good brushing.  This will help you better define the current shape of your eyebrow.
2. White eyeliner pencil: In order to achieve a shape that’s right for your face, you’ll need to do a bit of measuring (don’t worry, no rulers needed, I’ll explain below how to measure). Once you finish measuring, you can use the white eyeliner pencil to color in the hairs that should be removed.  This way you have a guide to follow.
3. Tweezers: If you’re doing this on your own, tweeze, don’t wax.  The tweezers will help you stay accurate, so you can precisely choose which hair(s) should be removed. Remember, removing even just one hair can change your brow…so choose wisely!
4. Toner: Take a cotton ball and toner and cleanse your eyebrows first. This will remove any excess oil and make-up and allow you to have more control while you tweeze.
5. Aloe: you might be a little red afterwards, and Aloe is Mother Nature’s best remedy for sensitive skin.

How to Shape Your Eyebrows for Your Face:

1. To measure where your eyebrow should begin, imagine an invisible line running from the inside corner of your eye to the outermost point of your nose.  Hold your white eyeliner pencil up for a more precise look.  Any hairs that fall outside out of this line should be colored white so you know to remove them.
2. To measure where your arch should peak, hold your pencil so that it becomes a straight line running from the outermost point of your nose to the outermost part of your iris.  This is where your arch should peak.  Color any hairs white that you want to remove.
3. How thick should your eyebrows be?  This depends on the shape of your face.  There are a few rules of thumb to go by.   For a round face, generally a more dramatic arch can draw attention away from the roundness.  Long faces should stay away from high arches, which only make the face appear longer.  Instead, your eyebrows should be flatter with less of an arch to give the illusion of a shorter face.  If you have a very angular face with prominent jaws, stay away from eyebrows that are equally as angular.  Keep eyebrows more round to soften the sharp angles of your face.   Start by only removing a few hairs.  You will see that just removing a little bit already makes a difference.  After you remove a few, take a step back and look at your whole face in the mirror.  See how the shape and thickness suits your face. It’s always best to do less and wait a few days. If you still feel you want them thinner, remove a few more hairs again.

The first thing I do when I see a client for eyebrow shaping at my NJ spa is study their face straight on.  I observe their facial features and take a mental measurement of the structure of their face.  Remember, eyebrows do not come in a ‘one size fits all’ strategy.  That is why I do not recommend people bring in photos of eyebrows that they want.  So try to avoid cutting out pictures of your favorite celebrity’s eyebrows and duplicating them.  Chances are, these eyebrows will not look good on your face.

If you have more specific questions, you can always email me at info@dayspaexpert.com

Follow more of Valentina’s advice at www.valentinachistova.com

About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world’s leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Valentina is the owner and director of skin care for Aquamedica Salon and Day Spa in Long Branch NJ.

Seeing a professional for your eyebrow shaping needs is ideal, but due to changes in everyone’s economic status, many are trying to achieve the perfect arch at home.  If you are going to attempt to shape your own eyebrows, let me at least give you some helpful hints and tips to get you started in the right direction.

The Tools:

There a few necessary tools /products you will want to have by your side before you begun:

1. Eyebrow brush: before you begin, you’ll want to give your eyebrows a good brushing.  This will help you better define the current shape of your eyebrow.
2. White eyeliner pencil: In order to achieve a shape that’s right for your face, you’ll need to do a bit of measuring (don’t worry, no rulers needed, I’ll explain below how to measure). Once you finish measuring, you can use the white eyeliner pencil to color in the hairs that should be removed.  This way you have a guide to follow.
3. Tweezers: If you’re doing this on your own, tweeze, don’t wax.  The tweezers will help you stay accurate, so you can precisely choose which hair(s) should be removed. Remember, removing even just one hair can change your brow…so choose wisely!
4. Toner: Take a cotton ball and toner and cleanse your eyebrows first. This will remove any excess oil and make-up and allow you to have more control while you tweeze.
5. Aloe: you might be a little red afterwards, and Aloe is Mother Nature’s best remedy for sensitive skin.

How to Shape Your Eyebrows for Your Face:

1. To measure where your eyebrow should begin, imagine an invisible line running from the inside corner of your eye to the outermost point of your nose.  Hold your white eyeliner pencil up for a more precise look.  Any hairs that fall outside out of this line should be colored white so you know to remove them.
2. To measure where your arch should peak, hold your pencil so that it becomes a straight line running from the outermost point of your nose to the outermost part of your iris.  This is where your arch should peak.  Color any hairs white that you want to remove.
3. How thick should your eyebrows be?  This depends on the shape of your face.  There are a few rules of thumb to go by.   For a round face, generally a more dramatic arch can draw attention away from the roundness.  Long faces should stay away from high arches, which only make the face appear longer.  Instead, your eyebrows should be flatter with less of an arch to give the illusion of a shorter face.  If you have a very angular face with prominent jaws, stay away from eyebrows that are equally as angular.  Keep eyebrows more round to soften the sharp angles of your face.   Start by only removing a few hairs.  You will see that just removing a little bit already makes a difference.  After you remove a few, take a step back and look at your whole face in the mirror.  See how the shape and thickness suits your face. It’s always best to do less and wait a few days. If you still feel you want them thinner, remove a few more hairs again.

The first thing I do when I see a client for eyebrow shaping at my NJ spa is study their face straight on.  I observe their facial features and take a mental measurement of the structure of their face.  Remember, eyebrows do not come in a ‘one size fits all’ strategy.  That is why I do not recommend people bring in photos of eyebrows that they want.  So try to avoid cutting out pictures of your favorite celebrity’s eyebrows and duplicating them.  Chances are, these eyebrows will not look good on your face.

If you have more specific questions, you can always email me at info@dayspaexpert.com

Follow more of Valentina’s advice at www.valentinachistova.com

About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world’s leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Valentina is the owner and director of skin care for Aquamedica Salon and Day Spa in Long Branch NJ.

Question: My parents gave us a Gift Certificate to Aquamedica for couples massage. What is Couples massage and how it is different from regular one?

Valentina: A couples massage is a great way to enjoy a massage with your significant other at Aquamedica. 

In a regular massage, you go to your own private room.  In a couples massage, you both go to the same room( it will be quite a bit bigger than a single private room), disrobe together and then lay on your own table while two therapists come in and work in you individually.  

After the service, you can then compare notes on how your massage was and can bask in the immediate afterglow of the massage.  

For some, it might be distracting to have your sweetie right next to you as you are getting your massage, especially if they are very verbal and expressive, it could end up distracting you as you are trying to drop into the relaxation of the experience.  It might be fun to stay overnight nearby without having to drive or take the train home such as Cedars & Beeches B&B, which has special romantic packages for couples.

More About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Question: My friend is having a Sweet 16 party at Aquamedica Day Spa. Do you think it is an appropriate age to bring kids that age to the spa and what services you think will be appropriate?

Valentina: As long as your friend is accompanied by an adult it is a great idea to have a spa party for teens at Aquamedica.

You might want to prepare them for the experience by discussing what they will be wearing, turning their cell phones on silent so as not to disturb other guests and speaking in soft voices inside of Aquamedica. You don’t need to used low voices in the salon area though.

Teen girls love to be pampered and feel beautiful. Teen Spa Parties are designed to do just that. Teen parties introduce our youngest beauties to the joys and benefits of spa therapies like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Specifically designed and tailored to meet the needs of young women, Teen Spa Party Packages are the perfect opportunity for girls to enjoy special time together, laughing, sharing secrets, and telling funny stories as they sit back and enjoy some well-deserved TLC.

This is a wonderful way to help teens realize that looking great comes from within. Teen Spa Parties at Aquamedica are not only fun and rewarding, but they also show teens that when you feel beautiful, you project an unmistakable aura of beauty on the outside as well. It might be fun to have a sleepover nearby without having to drive or take the train home such as Cedars & Beeches B&B.

More About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Question: My girlfriend gave me $150 Gift Certificate to Aquamedica Day Spa.  I’ve never been to a spa before.  What will be the best service to have for a man that works in the construction business?

Valentina: If it is your first time at a spa, then you might want to consult with the therapist before your treatment. 

Do you want a service that is invigorating? Detoxifying?  Purifying?  Or just relaxing? 

Do you have specific areas that you are concerned about, such as low-back pain or calluses on your feet? 

A deep tissue massages i

 It's just as important for men to take care of their skin as it is for women. There are various facials designed specifically for men who need extra care for their faces. This facial is wonderfully relaxing and fantastic for keeping a man's skin in optimal condition. A man's skin is different than a woman's and for that reason, the products used need to be different to have great results. The staff at Aquamedica will analyze your skin, help you understand what's good for your face, recommend a quick and easy regimen, and we'll tell you why. Soothe away shaving irritation and minor skin eruptions. You'll feel relaxed and your skin will feel smooth and stress-free. (Please be sure to shave before your appointment at Aquamedica.) 

You might to consider just having a hair cut so that you can continually evolve your look with new trends and styles. Just like the shoes and clothes you wear, the way you style your hair may say a lot about your sense of fashion and personality. If you're looking to revive your hairstyle, consult Aquamedica hair artists about the latest and trendiest men hairstyles.

More About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Question:  I’ve heard quite a bit from my girlfriends about planning a bridal party at the spa as opposed to a night out on the town...Why I should I opt for a day at the spa instead?

Valentina:  There are lots of different options for bridal parties these days that suit various lifestyle preferences and budgets.  Since brides these days are getting married at an older age, it might be more appropriate to have a bridal party at a spa instead of at some of the local bars.  Often when you have a night out, you have to factor in the cost of a limo as well as dinner and drinks.  If you are inviting any future in-laws or co-workers it might be awkward to be getting buzzed in front of them. 

 If you go to a spa together, there are no worries about being tipsy in front of your future sister-in-law.  A day at the spa, such as Aquamedica can end up being much less expensive depending on how many treatments each person gets.  Even a manicure can be as low as $20.  You can have lunch delivered at Aquamedica, which will often be much less than having a dinner out somewhere.  It usually is a more intimate and bonding experience to go to a spa together since you will be relaxing together in the tranquility spaces and can just enjoy each other’s company without having to make conversation the entire time. It might be fun to have a sleepover nearby without having to drive or take the train home such as Cedars & Beeches B&B, which has special packages for bridal parties.  

More About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Question: Hi Valentina, I do not live in NJ but I have followed your blog postings on waxing so I wanted to ask you something about the Brazilian bikini wax.  I am considering having the procedure done for the first time to surprise my fiancée.  Will I be able to have sex after I get waxed?  And when the hair starts to grow in will it bother my fiancée when we have sex? I know when I shave the stubbles can be scratchy.

Valentina: I definitely do not recommend having sex within 24 hours after your first Brazilian wax.  Until you get used to the procedure, your skin will be red, tender, and perhaps a little swollen.  Sexual intercourse, friction or tight clothing immediately after your waxing can irritate the area.  So plan to have your Brazilian wax a few days before the actual surprise. 

As for stubble, the nice aspect of waxing versus shaving is that the hair grows in softer.  When you shave, you cut the hair at the skin’s surface.  The hair then has a flat, jagged edge.  It’s course when it begins to pop back through the skin’s surface again.  Waxing removes the hair from the root, so a new hair must re-grown.  The tip is soft and pointed, not stubbly.  Also, in time, less hair will grow back which means less frequent visits for your wax appointment. 

Valentina was voted ‘Best Wax in Monmouth County’

Read the review: 
Posted by Jessie at http://tahtequ.notlong.com

“I was recently laid off (another one bites the dust!) from my job in NYC, where I enjoyed my regular brazilian wax at a day spa near my office. Although I was reluctant to try a local place, but I am thrilled with Aquamedica Spa. Valentina is wonderful. She makes you feel comfortable straight away, and the best part: she. is. fast.

I will definitely go back for my regular appointment, and I can't wait to try some of their other spa services.”

More About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.

Question: Hi Valentina, my teen daughter is just starting to develop teen acne.  We’ve tried a few acne creams but it doesn’t seem to be helping yet.  Should she start getting facials? She is only 14, is she too young?  What else can we do to help clear up these pimples?

Valentina: Thank you for writing.  Unfortunately, acne is a common occurrence for most teens as their bodies and hormones change.  The good news is that we can help prevent and treat acne, and I recommend that you start right away, 14 is NOT too young to start an effective skin care regimen. If left untreated, acne can worsen, causing embarrassment and even leaving permanent scaring on delicate young skin.

The first thing to understand is what acne is and why it develops in the first place.  Then we can select proper treatments that can help.

As teen hormones change, the skin’s sebaceous glands begin to produce more oil (sebaceous oil) which often becomes clogged within our pores.  In most cases (about 40%) of teen acne can be treated with a proper skin care regimen.  The best start would be to have your child visit a skin care specialist so that they can determine their skin type (oil, dry, combination). Once their skin type is determined, they can help you select the right products for treatment.  

There are several ways to attack and combat acne.  First is with the use of salicylic acid.  This is a common ingredient in most OTC acne treatments that helps naturally exfoliate the skin’s surface, lessening the chance for pores to become clogged.  Another remedy is benzoyl peroxide.  This ingredient helps kill bacteria that festers within pores as oil, dirt and bacteria settle in.  Benzoyl Peroxide also "dries up" existing skin blemishes.  A cleanser specific to your skin type is also recommended, along with a toner that helps kill bacteria and encourages shedding of the skin cells.  Then, either a salicylic acid or benzoil peroxide based treatment can be used to prevent further breakouts.  Regular teen facials are also recommended to remove any impurities that cannot be treated with OTC creams. 

Because everyone’s skin is so different, there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment for acne. If you live in the NJ area, I recommend that you come see me at Aquamedica Salon and Day Spa.  If not, send me an email and we will see what we can do to get your child started on a proper teen skin care regimen.

You can visit our menu of teen spa services

More About Valentina Chistova

Valentina Chistova is a world-renowned aesthetician and beauty expert whose experience encompasses all facets of skin care and body treatments. Internationally trained, educated and certified, Valentina has devoted more than twenty years to her profession. Throughout her successful career she has provided services to many celebrities, including Mrs. Globe 2001, famous socialite and entrepreneur Ivana Trump, well-known KTU radio personality Michelle Vassage and Olympic figure skating champion Galit Chait Prior to opening AQUAMEDICA in Long Branch NJ, Valentina also consulted with leading dermatologists, providing skin care regimes for their patients.

Valentina is a member of the National Cosmetology Association and a CIDESCO candidate (Comite International Desthetique et de Cosmetologie Desthetique), which is the highest degree of beauty therapy certification available in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Valentina completed a rigorous training program with the Spanish organization Wontersaf, one of the world's leading centers for trichology, capillary diagnostics and scalp and hair treatment to combat hair loss and other hair dysfunctions. Valentina also holds a Registered Nursing Degree from Kharkov State University and Cosmetology degrees from the Kharkov Medical Institute in the Ukraine and the Capri Institute of Cosmetology in New Jersey.