Posts Tagged ‘skin’

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Top 10 Bride Beauty Tips

November 19th, 2010

If you have an upcoming wedding, event, photo shoot, or simply want to look good going to the grocery store, the following tips are for you! Following these tips will allow your skin to be as prepared as possible as well as recover easily from the daily rigors of looking beautiful!

1. SKIN CARE

I cannot stress the importance of taking care of your skin. Start a simple skin care routine at least 2 months prior to your wedding/event and stick with it. If your budget allows it, get monthly facials to rejuvenate and deep clean your skin. Ideally, it’s best to begin receiving facials six months prior to your wedding/event to up to a week prior to your wedding/event.

2. MOISTURIZE MUST, MUST, MUST!

Skin that lacks moisture will have a dull and dry appearance. Moisturized skin looks and feels the best, makeup settles into the skin beautifully, and it minimizes the appearance of pores. A good moisturized face will help you achieve that supple, dewy look that is so beautiful! The best moisturizers have the least amount of ingredients/chemicals. If you're using acne products, you can still use a great natural moisturizer over your acne product. Let the product settle in the skin for about 15 minutes and then layer your moisturizer on top.

3. EXFOLIATE

A face that hasn't been exfoliated will not absorb moisture properly and will not be a good canvas for makeup application. Exfoliate at least 1-2 times per week. If you do not have an exfoliating product in mind, I personally prefer M.A.C. Cosmetics Microfine Refinisher.

4. FACIAL WAXING

If you are going to wax (especially before your wedding/event), keep in mind what it does to your skin. Wax tends to take the first layer of your skin off along with the hair and at times even causes a rash. Foundation has a hard time adhering to skin that is freshly waxed. With that said, if you are going to get any type of facial waxing done, do so a week in advance. Once you arrive, I will be more than happy to tweeze the stray hairs that have since grown to ensure a smooth, sleek look.

5. FACIALS

DO NOT get a facial less than a week before your wedding/event. Facials are meant to deep clean your pores and bring all dirt, oil, and toxins to the surface for easy removal. Because of that, some people experience flare-ups, bumps, or redness right after the facial. Allow at least a week for your skin to recover prior to your wedding/event.

6. STRESS RELIEF

If you want to glow, you need to feel it. Begin a stress relief program six months prior to the date. Take time out to do something non-wedding/event related. Do yoga, read, exercise; anything you enjoy to put your mind at ease and keep stress to a minimum.

7. CONSULTATIONS

Make sure you book your hairstylist and makeup artist well in advance and have trials with both. Be sure to bring pictures of hair and makeup you like to your appointments, as well as your dress, and wedding colors so the stylist or artist can have a better idea of how you want to look on YOUR SPECIAL DAY. That way, come your wedding day you can relax knowing what you'll look like.

On that note, don’t make any drastic changes to yourself immediately preceding your wedding/event. Make sure you have enough time to undo whatever you did if you so choose. Don’t cut, color, or style your hair differently right before your wedding/event because you will hate it. Don’t change products you use for skin care, such as, cleansers, moisturizers, detergents, lotions…what if you have an unknown allergy to one of these new products and end up with a horrible rash? It’s best to avoid change during this time period unless recommended by a doctor.

8. DRINK LOTS OF WATER

By lots, I mean, TONS! Being hydrated will help you look better, feel better, and give you more energy. It also keeps your skin clear and radiant. Try to limit your alcohol and sodium intake right before the wedding/event as well. Alcohol will dehydrate you and sodium will make you bloated. Not good.

9. PREPARE A BEAUTY EMERGENCY KIT

For touch ups and anything that might go wrong, an emergency beauty kit is essential! Be sure to include the following essentials: Bottled water, aspirin, oil blotting papers, band-aids, breath mints, clear nail polish or hairspray for stocking runs, cotton swabs, eye drops, tissues, hairpins, hem tape, nail file, mirrored compact, safety pins, straws, hand towelettes, and quick drying glue. If it is for your wedding, entrust this kit to one of your bridesmaids the day of to keep on her at all times. Be prepared for any surprises so it won’t ruin your special day.

10. GET A MASSAGE

I suggest getting a relaxing and calming massage the morning of your ceremony/event. It’s a great way to prepare for the day ahead.

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Posted in Do It Yourself Skin Treatments, General Treatments, Skin Tips

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Cleansers and Skin Types

September 26th, 2009

Plants in nature are perfect for providing excellent skincare, with the right food products from your local supermarkets you can cleanse you skin just as well and for a much cheaper price than store bought cleansers. The great benefits come from the fact that you can be sure there are no harsh unnatural chemicals.

Cleansers are used to wash away pollution, makeup and the days accumulation of grime and dirt from your face. Cleansing is also necessary to help remove and avoid the build up of blackheads, dead skin cells and to help clean pores. If you leave your skin unclean it becomes a perfect breeding ground for pimples and breakouts as oil glands on the skin are clogged up with cellular waste and dirt. Read on for the different variety of natural cleansers available for washing both your face and body.
» Read more: Cleansers and Skin Types

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Posted in Do It Yourself Skin Treatments, Face Creams

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The Foods You Eat and the Effects on Skin – Fats

August 12th, 2009

While it is true that genetics plays a fundamental role in the beauty of our skin the fabulous news is that what you put inside your body, the food that you eat plays a very important part in your overall health and on the way your skin looks. Eating right can not only help you to radiate beauty from the inside but it can also make you feel better too!

Research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition states that the number of wrinkles caused by sun damaged can be minimized by certain diets. This research revealed that better skin quality (taking into account smoking and age) which is more resilient to ordinary sun exposure correlates with a diet that is rich in olive oil, antioxidant veggies, beans, lentils and fish. On the other hand severe wrinkling is more evident in people who consume refined sugary foods like ice cream and soft drinks, margarine, butter, full fat milk (not skim milk, cheese or yogurt) and processed red meats.

Not only is a healthier diet great for preventing wrinkling and for a better quality skin all round it can also help with skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema.

The fats found in fish and linseed are great for skin smoothness and hydration. The body converts these fats into a chemical called prostaglandins which helps control the smoothness and hydration of skin cells as well as blood clotting, blood vessels. There are 3 main types of fats: Omega-3, Omega-6, saturated.

Skin care that starts from within is better than any skin care product although skin products can assist with the beauty that comes from within.

Good Stuff For Healthy Skin - Omega 6:

Omega 6 is an essential fatty acid that comes from vegetable seeds and oils. It can help improve eczema, improve circulation and lower blood pressure.

Vegetable Oil is a great source of Omega-6 Fatty acids

Vegetable Oil is a great source of Omega-6 Fatty acids

The Best Stuff For Healthy Skin - Omega 3:

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid found in linseed bread, walnuts, fish, flaxseed oil and breads that contain linseed. Skin roughness and skin scaling can be dramatically reduced through the intake of flaxseed oil over a period of 12 weeks or longer.

Walnuts are a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids

Walnuts are a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids

Foods like ginger, garlic onions, brightly colored vegetables, sardine, salmon and trout are great for improving the moisture of the skin and reducing skin inflammation. The more moisture you have in your skin the less prone to wrinkling it will be.

Other Skin Food Articles:

Skin Food -Protein

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Posted in Foods for Healthy Skin, Wrinkles

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Homemade Facial Moisturiser for Oily Skin

August 11th, 2009

Home made Facial Moisturizer that is great for oily complexions.

This moisturixer is great for balancing out oily skin and can also be used as a very light night cream. With this moisturizer do not massage it onto the skin, just apply gently to the face and neck.

You will need:

  • 4 1/2 tbsp of almond oil
  • canola or safflower oil
  • 1 oz (30g) of cocoa butter
  • 1 drop of camphor
  • 3 tbsp of basil tea or rosemary
  • 3 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 2 drops of bergamot

Directions:

  • Melt the cocoa butter in a saucepan and add the almond oil and safflower/canola oil.
  • Remove mixture from the heat and with a dropper add the basil tea or rosemary one drop at a time while stirring very slowly.
  • Let the mixture cool off before applying the essential oils.

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Posted in Do It Yourself Skin Treatments, Face Creams, Skin Recipes

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Homemade Facial Cleansers

August 11th, 2009

Making your own natural home made facial cleansers is quite easy and all you need is a few ingredients which can be sourced cheaply from your local supermarket. This is a great natural alternative to expensive store bought facial cleansers.

With all these facial cleansers mix all of the ingredients into a thick and smooth paste. Apply the paste onto your entire face and slowly massage with slow circular motions then leave to dry naturally before rinsing it off.

Oily skin:

  • 1 tsp lemon peel
  • 1/2 tsp milk powder
  • 1 tsp barley meal
  • 2 tsp of warm water.
Use lemon peel in a home made facial cleanser

Use lemon peel in a home made facial cleanser

Dry Skin:

  • 1/2 tsp milk powder
  • 1/4 tsp of sugar
  • 1 tsp almond meal
  • 1 tsp of warm water
Almond Meal is a great ingrediant in home made facial cleansers

Almond Meal is a great ingrediant in home made facial cleansers

Sensitive Skin:

  • 1/2 tsp of ground orange peel
  • 1 tsp almond meal
  • 1/2 tsp milk powder
  • 1 tsp rose water
Rose water is great for sensitive skin

Rose water is great for sensitive skin

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Posted in Do It Yourself Skin Treatments, Face Creams, Skin Recipes

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