Happy Valentine's Day!

Since it is Valentine's Day, I thought I would share this body scrub with you all. It will leave your skin super soft and energized. Try it but don't eat it. Or at least try not to eat it. 


Mocha Coffee Body Scrub:

1/2 Cup Raw Sugar
1/2 Cup Coffee Grounds
3/4 Cup Coconut Oil (Hard)
2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
You may add a few drops of Vanilla, Hazelnut or Almond extract to give it your favorite coffee scent. 


NOTE: Try to use Pure/All Natural extracts or essential oils that won't agitate skin. Last thing you won't is a skin reaction.


May your hearts be just a little extra full this Valentine's Day. Blessings and Love to all. #Valentinesday2016 #skinscrub #skincare #diyskincare 


As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!




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Oatmeal...It's not just for your belly

Oats (Avena Sativa) 

We all think about food as a source of sustenance that we intake to survive. We eat because we have to  and because we enjoy it,  some foods more then others. I love food and am willing to try all ethnic types of food at least once. Food keeps us strong from the outside in providing the body with much needed nutrients and vitamins. When done right, your bod can thrive, becoming strong and healthy from inside out. However, did do you know that you can nourish your body, particularly your skin from the outside in with food?

Yes, it is true. Certain foods when placed on the skin can aide in healing, rebuilding and nourishing it. If you have been reading my blog long enough, you know this already. If you're new to the blog, (Welcome!)here you can benefit from some of the DIY remedies and treatments that I have posted for skincare.

Food is an amazing thing and elements of nature can absolutely help the skin from the outside in. Sunburn? Everyone knows that Aloe is great for soothing sunburn. They even use it in hospitals for burn victims. It's that powerful. From inside out, it's great for those dealing with stomach issues among other things. 

Oatmeal is a great way to nourish yourself at breakfast because it fills you with less for a longer period of time, proven to help lower cholesterol and aid in increasing lactation for breastfeeding mothers. However this grain isn't just for eating. It is used in many skin care products, from your soaps to lotions and more. It's scientific name is Avena Sativa or colloidal oatmeal. "Colloidal Oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal. It is often used to relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to poison ivy or insect bites. It can also be used as a soak, compress or wet dressing. When oatmeal is used in cosmetic and personal care products (rather than OTC skin protectant drug products), it may be called Avena Sativa (Oat) " Learn more click here 

Popular brands that use Avena Sativa in their products, Aveeno (Most known for using Oatmeal), Kheils, Dove. JĀSÖN and way more. Why do they use it? What is it that they know about Oatmeal for skin care that more of us are learning or already know?

Well here are some of the top reasons:

it has anti-inflammatory properties, helpful for even the most sensitive skin types

contains saponins, a cleansing agent, and can therefore be used as a mild soap

is moisturizing and helps remove dead skin cells. i.e. skin scrub (exfoliant)

it can help treat acne, eczema, rosacea and rashes

After all this, are you still not convinced? Well here is a DIY recipe that you can try to see just how wonderful oatmeal on your skin can work. 

Oatmeal Olive Oil Mask

2 Tbsp Organic Oatmeal  (Ground into fine powder. I use my coffee grinder.)
1 Tbsp Organic Olive Oil  

Combine into a paste and brush a think coat onto skin in upwards motion
Let dry completely and rinse with Luke warm water. You can use a cloth if having trouble taking mask off. Just rub off with gentle upwards circles.
Follow with your favorite skin toner & moisturizer.

Even before you put your moisturizer on, you will notice your skin softer and brighter. Any redness you had prior should be less noticeable or gone. This mask can be used daily to ease dryness or inflammation on face. This winter has done its best to dry out my skin but I have been combating it with masks like this one. If you are worried about your skin being to greasy from Olive Oil, you can substitute with Plain yogurt. However, I find that the Olive oil works well especially when followed with the skin toner afterwards. 

Alternative mask check out past post Oatmeal Fig and Papaya Mask

Hope you try it out and let me know what you think. Have an issue with your skin? Drop me a line with your question. I am happy to help solve your skin care issue. 

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Until my next post,...

Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

It's the most wonderful time to PEEL!

The holidays maybe the most wonderful time for kids but to us adults, it can be frustrating and time consuming. With all the planning, decorating and shopping one can get overwhelmed. So why not take the focus of the major To Do Lists and give yourself a pampering treat. The holidays are fine but I don't want to look broken down and aged. Who does, right?

With that said, I have taken sometime to give myself a gentle peel, twice in the past two weeks and am recruiting others in my circle. I peeled my husband for the first time ever. For the longest time, I told him "You are like my personal billboard. If you walk around with wrinkled, marked and pimpled skin, what will people think of my skills as an aesthetician?" Nag, Nag, he always refused, but I finally got him to do it. To start him off, I did a very gentle Salicylic peel with one pass. Not sure he could handle anything else. He has oily skin and enlarged pores so to start I thought this would be a great fit. It's still a struggle for him to wear sunscreen so I went easy to start.. He seriously doesn't get the importance of sunscreen. Trust me when I say, he won't leave the house without his Aveda Pomade in his hair, but sunscreen, always forgets. 

In any case, I am in peel mode. Planning to peel my sister in the next coming days. Already gave her a peel at the start of the season. She is brave and a seasoned pro to peels, so I am going full force on her. She will look like a twenty something soon enough. LoL! She looks younger then she is already so shouldn't be to hard. Maybe they will start carding us again M. (Small inside joke. HAHA!)

Now not everyone can afford to go out and get peels every month. If you have minor skin issues, for example small dark spots, fine lines starting to show, you can use items right out your fridge to give you gradual but effective results. 

Prefered brand for me.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR PEEL

Ingredients:

1Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic is best)

1Tbsp Lemon Juice (Fresh is best)

Tools:

Small Clean bowl

Gauze, fan brush or cotton round (Either will do)

Mix and apply with gauze, fan brush or cotton round, starting from the neck up in a gentle upward and out motion. Avoid getting to close to eyes or using on open cuts, abscessed/ recently popped pimples. It WILL burn. 

Leave on for about 10 minutes. You will feel a tingle on your skin. If you feel pain, remove at once with warm water. If your face still has a "burning" sensation you can use water and baking soda to stop the acid effects. (1 TBSP baking soda to 1 cup Water. Stir and apply.)

It is the holidays, why not drink a cup of Hot Apple Cider while you wait for those ten minutes to pass. The aromas of the Cider will help you forget how stinky the vinegar is too. Always follow with a serum or moisturizer. Do I have to remind you to wear your sunscreen? Wear your sunscreen unless your going to bed of course. 

This should leave skin tight, glowing and will gradually shed within the next few days. You can repeat ever two weeks or until you have achieved the results you are seeking.

However, if you a results now kind of person see your dermatologist or Aesthetician and see what kind of peel they recommend for you.

Happy Peeling and happy holiday prepping.

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Post Thanksgiving Mask

My inspiration for mask.

Manuka (Raw) Honey

So I hope we all survived Thanksgiving better then most turkeys did. As I enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie, it was more like I scarfed it down because I had to rush home with kids. 2/3 were crying because they were so tired. In any case, I thought of a relaxing Pumpkin Mask that would be wonderful for the skin.

Nutmeg - Anti-inflammatory/Acne reducer

Pumpkin Puree

Try 2 tablespoons of Pumpkin Puree mix with 1 tablespoon of raw honey(I love Manuka Honey) and a pinch of Nutmeg.  After washing your face, use this as a dual scrub/mask for about 10 minutes. Gently scrub skin in a circular motion from neck up to forehead. Try not to lick it off your face until then. You will be tempted but don't do it. Then wash off with Lukewarm water and pat dry with clean cloth. Follow with toner, serums, moisturizer and SPF for daytime. 

It's a great mask to moisturize skin, reduce inflammation from perhaps to many eggnog's and heals acne inflammation or pain. You could add a bit more nutmeg to left over mask and you can use as a body scrub. Waste not, want not. 

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share and Subscribe. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Product Review: Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask

While wandering the product aisles, I have often seen these little pouches for facial masks but never grabbed one to try them out. Since I had some time, I grabbed one and new that at one point I could try it prior to jumping into the shower. Considering that now a days shower time is the only alone time I get anymore, I try to fit in a quick pampering session in.

Their claims:

 - Restores radiant skin

 - Contains natural ingredients

Made with natural, botanical ingredients, Freeman Feeling Beautiful products help you look and feel your best. This enzyme mask, with Pineapple extract and AHA's gently exfoliates while lightly moisturizing, leaving your skin soft, supple and younger-looking. 

Key Ingredients:

Pineapple Extract  - Contains the enzyme bromelain, which can break down the connecting layers between skin cells to exfoliate skin. However, bromelain used alone is a more effective source of exfoliation, and does not have the irritating properties of the pineapple.

 

Sea Kelp - Rich iodine, mineral, anti-oxidant and natural anti-inflammatory aspects, kelp is believed to moisturize, soften and help skin retain its moisture.  Kelp also contains elements that help remove toxins, soothe and can easily penetrate the skin for instant hydration. It also aids in keeping skin smooth. This nourishing extract has no adverse side effects and works well with other antioxidants and vitamins such as Vitamin C and E.

 

Alpha Hydroxy Acid - Similar to microdermabrasion - erasing fine lines and giving the skin a smoother appearance
Note: It is important to note that the effects depends on the percentage of AHA used. The higher the percentage the better and longer the effects last. Consumers use an AHA of ten percent or less. Trained professionals, Dermatologist or Estheticians can give a AHA treatment like a Glycolic peel ranging from fifty to seventy percent.

The Freeman Beauty lab is a familiar name in home beauty products that has been developing products for over 30 years. With that much time in the business you know they must be doing something right. Right?

The packet I chose was the Freeman Beauty Feeling Beautiful Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask in the travel size for $1.99. This is a great way to try out a product before committing yourself to a large tube or tub. Following the instructions I cleansed my skin then while my skin was damp I gently scrubbed the mask into my skin and let stand for a few minutes before washing it off.

My final thoughts:
I have to say that I liked it. The product gives you a gentle exfoliation, slight tingle and it does leave your skin feeling refreshed and prepped for serums, gels or lotions. I don't think it left my skin glowing but I did feel refreshed. By refreshed I mean that it did the job of scrubbing away the dead skin cells on my face and neck. There by allowing my skin to absorb my Vitamin E serum afterwards much faster.

So if you are looking to fit in a Microdermabrasion like treatment, I suggest you try this. One packet can be used 3 times. I would use this every other day and I say it works for all skin types except for skin with extreme acne or lesions. Be sure to gently rub skin in upward circular motion from decolletage to forehead. Trust me it matters. Scrubbing up and down harshly can lead to damaged skin and scarring.

Check out the attached link to the Freeman website where they currently have a promo code for 25% off on their products. Happy shopping!

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful! 

Ordinary Bar of Soap

While training to become an Aesthetician, I had a teacher once ask "Would you use the same bar of soap that you wash your butt with?" Seriously, that is exactly how she posed the question. This changed the entire way I look at skin care and the products I would use from now on.

So ask yourself, do you use the same bar of soap to cleanse your face that you use on your body? I am sure some of you reading this do. However, I like to think that most of my readers are educated enough in skin care to know this is a major no, no.

Here is why.

Your basic bar of soap even if it has added moisturizers is stripping the skin of its natural oils and moisture. Especially if you like to shower with hot water. You leave the skin dehydrated and dull from having washed away natural oils. A necessity in order to get rid of the daily grime that accumulates through out the day. This can easily be remedied by using an exfoliater like a loofah in the shower followed by a creamy moisturizer  or oil for the body. I recommend exfoliation and moisturizing all year round but you can change the thickness of your moisturizer by season or need of your skin.

However, for you face you want to be a bit more gentle. Since you technically should be washing your face at least twice a day, morning and night, you want to be careful not to dry it out. Also, the change of season needs to be factored in as well. Your basic bars of soap that are not produced for the skin can leave skin itchy and dry. So focus on buying facial cleansers that are mild and moisturizing. I recommend Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which works well for all skin types.

If you prefer a bar of soap, then try Neutrogena® Naturals Face & Body Bar. It gently cleanses, conditions and softens your skin without over drying. This way your covered head to toe by one product. It is important to say that I do recommend that you use a loofah for your body and a gentle cleansing cloth or pad for your face. Otherwise, I just think thats gross.

Be sure to use a body oil directly after showering while skin is still damp to lock in moisture and a thicker facial cream to lock in and provide long lasting moisture through out the day. And an extra thick night cream for body and face will help your skin replenish at night. Look for one with humectants that will bring moisture directly into the skin, i.e. aloe.

Hope you all find this helpful.

As always,  Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful!

Pumpkin, it's not just something to eat

It's that time of season when pumpkin is in high demand. Did you know that Pumpkin is great for your skin? It has a number of benefits ranging from wrinkle-fighting properties that help slow down the aging clock. Its rich in antioxidants and vitamins C, E, and A that cleanse, nourish and hydrate your skin.

Below is a Pinterest article on a wonderful Pumpkin Sugar scrub for the body.

http://www.tothemotherhood.com/2011/09/pumpkin-sugar-scrub-recipe.html?m=1

Also, here is a yummy Pumpkin facial mask by Bethenny Frankel. So good you'll want to eat it and the best part is that you can.

Bethenny Frankel's Pumpkin Mask

2 cups canned pumpkin

4 tablespoons Greek yogurt

4 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Combine ingredients. Smooth onto face. Rest for 10 minutes, then rinse off mask.  Follow with normal toner and moisturizer.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful!

Move into the next season

With Fall here and Winter fast approaching, it is time to prepare your skin for the current season  and coming winter season. After a long summer of taking in the sun and lounging at the pool, one should consider repairing their skin from possible sun damage received and prepare for the coming cold season. So how does our skin benefit from the season changes and what to do to prepare your skin to move into the next season?

Fall is absolutely Exfoliation season. The leaves shouldn't be the only thing shedding, you should shed some skin too. You can exfoliate in a few ways. You can get a professional treatment that exfoliates by Microdermabrasion, Laser, DermaPlane, Chemical Peels, etc. You can make or buy your own scrubs at home which is cost effective and in some cases less evasive. Exfoliation is important because it prepares the skin to absorb serums and lotions to hydrate and repair skin by shedding old dead skin cells.

For clients that have dry skin, I recommend microdermabrasion, mild chemical peel (Glycolic), a gentle scrub or using an exfoliation puff. The last two can be done at home daily/weekly. Reducing minor wrinkles and hyper pigmentation.

For Oily skin, I would add to the above options a Chemical peel (Salicylic/Jessner), which can be more aggressive but more effective in treating the appearance of large pores, hyper pigmentation and fine lines. As well as using at home exfoliants like a microdermabrasion scrub or exfoliating puff.

Now the second thing you want to be diligent with is moisturizing. For dry skin complexions you want to use a cream rather then a lotion. You are going to want to keep moisture in and a thicker cream can do that for you as the winter approaches and through out. For Oily skin, it is still very important to moisturize. But you want to be sure that you use an oil free lotion with oil control. Both should contain humectant ingredients that allow moisture absorption like Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E.

Lets not forget the importance of serums. They can add a boost to your skins needs that are easier absorbed into skin just after exfoliation and prior to moisturizing. There are also serums that focus on specific needs like fighting wrinkles, redness, acne or hyper pigmentation.

Speak to your skin care therapist or dermatologist for more treatments that will work best for you.


An all-star cast of the cosmetic industry's top peeling agents team up with the power of nature to create the ultimate exfoliation experience.

As Always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!