TIS THE SEASON...TO KEEP YOUR SKIN IN CHECK!!!

Ahhh here we are again the wonderful holiday season is upon us! For most of us this means we will be running around and planning celebrations with dear loved ones, family and friends...this we all know can be exhausting! But as we do every season we power through which can cause imbalance in the skin... here are some of my favorite tips to stay looking(and feeling)your most fabulous...consider it my gift to you!

TOSS BACK THE WATER...alcohol gives us that warm fuzzy feeling inside but sadly severely dehydrates our skin cells and tissues, this dryness can feel tight, itchy and uncomfortable and make imperfections like fine lines and wrinkles look more apparent. Properly hydrated skin is important all year around but especially when you are keeping a busy schedule and later nights then usual, when the skin is hydrated it appears and looks more supple, softer and that perfect holiday glam look your going for will look effortless!
I suggest tossing back a glass of water for every 1-2 cocktails you drink, if you can manage to get some lemon in the water the natural electrolytes found in lemon will help your skin cells absorb the water more efficiently.

PUFF PUFF...so often it is the delicate skin on our face to get affected first when we our keeping a busy(and fun filled!)schedule. The delicate thin skin around our eyes will manifest  with puffiness, dark shadows and/or mild circles; these are signs of being tired and over indulging. Using an eye gel around the eyes that is based in anti-inflammatory ingredients like Cucumber, Aloe Vera and Arnica is great for calming, soothing and hydrating the skin, reducing the puffiness. My trick for dark shadowing/mild circles is using a eye brightener pencil, I LOVE BENEFITS “EYE BRIGHT”, it is a bright light pink pencil that highlights the skin around the eyes. You can also take a small amount of white or iridescent eye shadow and apply around the eyes, the concept here is to bounce the light off the skin as oppose to cover up the the dark hues. If you are really motivated you can perform figure eight massage movements around the eyes with gentle pressure while laying down to move around any stagnant fluid that can cause inflammation and darks hues.

A QUICK PICK ME UP...when you are running low on time and need to look your best I suggest taking 10-15 minutes to apply a treatment based facial mask, I will often do this if have just under and hour in between work and an event. Choose a mask that has brightening and hydrating qualities and just a hint of exfoliation. Be sure you wash all your make up off apply a thin layer for 10-15  minutes, rinse off, apply moisturizer and presto you  are ready to go! If you want my recommendation the best take home beauty treatment mask it would be hands down PANGEA ORGANICS MATCHA GREEN TEA MASK, it is like a mini spa treatment! Consider adding a BB CREAM to your regimen this season, they are multi tasking skin care wonders, providing the skin with long lasting hydration and the most perfect radiant glow...B KAMINS just launched a new one this month that has become one my new “cannot live without products”.  A bold lip is also a great way to pick up a tired face and add a bit of flair on the fly...my new obsession this season is CHANELs #307 L’IMPATIENTE, it is the  most perfect Ox Blood Red, it goes great with the fall colors and gives you lots of spice and everything nice! 
A few more one off tips that are crucial this time of year: be sure you are getting good sleep, take your probiotics to keep your immune system strong(and help break down all that food!), drink your green juice...this is a great way to not only get all the nutrients you need but also a great way to drink a meal before be indulge in other amazing ones...
AND SHARE TONS OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS  WITH ALL THOSE AROUND YOU...keeping a healthy loving vibration and low stress does more for the health of your skin then anything you can find in a jar!

GIVE AND RECEIVE EVERYDAY...AND ADORE ALL THOSE AROUND YOU!!!

LET THE HEALING PROCESS BEGIN!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I wanted to draw attention to how to take care of the skin post a severe illness or trauma to the body. I know that in a time like this the last thing one may be thinking  is "what does my skin look like" well its more then that! As I have mentioned in the past the skin  in the largest organ of manifestation which means it will reflect and changes or imbalances in our bodies. When our bodies are ingesting high doses of medication, or potentially exposed to things like chemotherapy or radiation the entire organ system of the skin is affected inside and out. I am going to give you a few helpful tips to support the healing process...and to help you remember how to adore yourself from head to toe!
HYDRATE...it is common for the skin to present with signs of dehydration, this is due to the lack of water present in the skin cells. Add a toner or facial tonic to your skin program morning and night to replenish the water back into the skin,  I love Rose Water as a basic facial toner. Avoid toners with harsh alcohols that will only strip or deplete the skin and look for toners that are simple in terms of ingredients, pure and basic. The focus is on getting water back into the skin.
REPAIR...in the skin care world there is a concept of "trans epidermal water loss". Basically what is happening is the water contained in your skin cells and layers of your skin is escaping through tiny micro cracks on the surface of skin. The barrier of the skin needs to repaired to eliminate future water loss. Look for serums or moisturizers that are rich in ceremides, these are small molecules of vegetable lipids that will "seal" the cracks and repair the barrier of the skin. Ricebran extract is a wonderful softening agent for the skin and will help heal traumatized skin tissue.
RENEW...if you read this blog regularly then you know I am a huge advocate of exfoliation and the wonders it does for the skin. In this case exfoliation is crucial to shed away the built up dead, dry and ashy skin so the skin can not only renew itself with new fresh skin cells but more importantly product absorption. Stay away from harsh chemical exfoliants during this delicate healing and repairing phase, use a gentle mechanical face polish or scrub that will not further irritate the surface of the skin. If this process is too much for the skin look for renewing or exfoliating serums with indigents like extracts of Lemon, Orange and Billberry to exfoliate.
PROTECT...keeping the skin at a neutral pH will help prevent the skin from irritants, bacteria or inflammation during this process, look for a cream based cleanser that is moisturizing and healing rich in ingredients like Castor Oil, Urea and Vit  E. I suggest avoiding petroleum based anything..always but especially when the skin is in a recovery process. If washing the face is too stimulating take a small about of cleanser on a cotton round and wipe it all over face and neck.

In terms of the skin on the body I suggest using a gentle soap rich in oils like Olive, Almond ad Coconut. A few times a week perform a full body dry brush exfoliation using upward movements towards the heart, follow with a full body application of pure Jojoba Oil, in fact I recommend this oil application at least once a day.

The paraban issue is a tender topic in terms of breast cancer...the studies go back and forth. I say avoid them, they only are in a product to preserve the shelf life...most reputable companies at this point have eliminated them and replaced.

I dedicate this blog to my Mother, Italia. She is Breast Cancer Survivor going on 6 years...she is my rock and represents the purest form of selflessness, over flowing compassion and unconditional love. I give thanks she is still with us.

SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE LIGHT THAT IS SELF CARE...I ADORE YOU!

TIME TO STEP IT UP...a skin care guide for your 30's

OK lets get real about what is happening as we get into our 30s...its ok...we are just changing! The freshness of our 20's is long behind us and we need to add a few more steps to our lifestyle to keep up! Of course I want to bring to focus to what you should be doing in terms of skin care to address the early signs of aging as well as how to start thinking prevention so you can maintain you stunning youthful glow.
If you are already not in the habit of having a daily skin care routine this is the time to start...the magic lotions and potions in the jars don't work unless you use them! As we age our skin needs more attention beyond just the basics...allow me to shed some light.
Lets start with EXFOLIATION...the act of shedding or sloughing off dead skin not only renews our texture, increases product absorption and radiance but in terms of the aging process exfoliation aids in cell turnover which ensures we have the freshest and newest cells flooding the surface of our skin...the result is youthful looking skin.  I suggest an exfoliation a step up from the regular scrub or polish you may have been using in your younger years, look into exfoliations or at home peels that contain AHAs and BHAs in a concentration of 10-12% that can be used everyday or 2-4 times a week, products like these will boost your exfoliation aspect of your routine and transform the entire terrain of the skin!!!! Its amazing and you will be hooked...which is the point. Be advised if you are doing treatments like this ONLY USE IN THE EVENING AND ALWAYS FOLLOW WITH AN SPF 30 IN THE MORNING.
Are you an Eye Cream person....if no then you best start! Understand my point is not to freak you out but only scare you into not letting your skin go down hill. I started using eye cream twice a day at age 21 and have not stopped since, I can see a noticeable difference in the skin around my eyes compared to those my age. The skin around your eyes in very thin and delicate, it does not hold moisture and oil as well and is prone to stress due to expression. Look for an eye cream that has a texture that is highly nourishing but easily absorbs into the skin to provide ultimate hydration and protecting from the skin drying out. If the skin if properly hydrating it will be more supple, plump and fine and wrinkles will look LESS APPARENT. When shopping around focus on ingredients that will bind water to the skin like Hyluronic Acid and Anti Oxidants to protect from future signs of aging. My little trick is I apply a small amount around my eye along the orbital bone under make up after I moisturize and then a tiny bit extra over my make up to give me long lasting hydration throughout the day. If you add one thing to routine after reading this make it EYE CREAM, the key is prevention!
The word SERUM has been thrown around since the 90's and every skin care company has a least 1-2 to choose from...they indeed are an important part of a prevention based routine. Serums are essentially concentrated formulas of ingredients to target specific concerns, you need a tiny amount 1-2 a day under you moisturizer to boost your routine. Since this blog is focused of what you should be doing as the skin is changing in our 30's lets highlight ingredients that can balance the skin and prevent signs of aging. Look for serums that contain oils that are easily absorbed by the skin, like Jojoba, Apricot and Almond oils these ingredients not only feed your skin but will ensure that the serum properly penetrates into the layers of the skin. I cant stress enough the importance of Anti Oxidants, my favorites at the moment are Vit C, Resveratrol. Pomegranate, Acia and Goji Berry...these little wonder ingredients help protect your cells from damage, creating a longer cell life and stronger healthier skin. The beauty of serums is they are multi tasking products, a few drops will a long way....its a no brainier ADD ONE TODAY!!!
Confused??? Skin Care is not easy...if you are ready to take your skin care to the next level schedule an appointment for a facial to get expert advice or visit your local skin care boutique to get some one on one guidance on making purchases....
STAY TUNED FOR MY ADDITION OF SKIN CARE CONSULTATIONS...get a one on one with yours truly...your very own SKIN CARE GURU the divine alchemist!
BE THE BEST YOU CAN ALWAYS SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

GLUTEN FREE...EVEN IN SKINCARE?

Hello Dear Ones...yes I have been away for a bit, busy summer schedule has kept me tied up but here I am again back to serve you another dose of wisdom from your very own skincare guru :) So much of what I offer here in this blog is based on conversations with folks as well as what is current and on trend so I am not surprised that many people have been asking about leading a GLUTEN FREE lifestyle and how that may effect what they are using in terms of skincare and makeup...here's the scoop:
First it is important to highlight that your skin is a protective barrier to your organs inside your body and most often considered to be the first line of defense. If you were to ever test your skin you would see that the results for vitamin, nutrient and anti-oxidant contents are very low, why, because our skin is the last organ to receive anything we ingest internally and this is why it is so important to "feed" it externally. Now, how does this translate to what you put on your skin verses the effect it has on your insides...the exact same way. You have 7 very thick layers to your skin, what ever you are applying topically is being absorbed by these layers and utilized to treat the skin cells and tissues...that point being made you would have to be absorbing a significant amount of gluten topically to effect you internally. Yes, all ingredients we apply to the skin gets into our bloodstream and cycled through our body but the point is the amount of gluten that would have to be applied would have to be substantial.
Now as I have to make a disclaimer if you have a extreme high intolerance to gluten and would like to ride on the side of caution you can do a small patch test with the product in question along your jawline, if you do not react in 24 hours you should be fine. I do want to stress that it is important to be familiar with your level of sensitivity and be aware of what may trigger you most. Moderate to extreme cases of gluten allergies can be set off by the tinniest trigger, so although I am providing you with the info above please be aware of what works for you.
BE AWARE.KNOWLEDGE IS POWER..

BTW...if you are looking for totally Gluten free make up options I do adore Mineral Fusions
http://www.mineralfusion.com

Any good local esthetican can advise you on ingredient technolgy in terms of skin care.

BE STUNNING!

JUST SAY NO...TO INGROWN HAIR!!!

Ok, so lets face it sometimes there are aspects of the beauty culture that are not so pretty...ingrown hair happens to be one of them! Ingrown hair is common and can occur at random or on a regular basis and will manifest in all different parts of our bodies where we grow and then try to remove hair. By definition ingrown hair is a hair that will curl itself back into the hair follicle, when this happens the hair gets embedded back into the skin and continues to grow, this can lead to bumps, redness, irritation and sometimes even infection.  Most traditional methods of hair removal like shaving, waxing, tweezing and threading can potentially lead to ingrowns. If any of these methods are not done well or too aggressive the hair is usually broken at a sharp tip or an angle causing the hair to not easily break through the skin and curl back into the follicle. So....how can you prevent ingrowns....first I  must say if you are getting waxed and having consistent ingrowns sad to report your wax tech is not doing a great job and you should move on. If waxing is your preferred method of hair removal be sure to exfoliate before your appointment. Use a sugar scrub, the texture will not only help rid the skin of built up dead skin which can make it hard for the hair to break through but sugar is also a natural occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid which creates are deeper exfoliation. If you prefer to shave you can also use the sugar scrub method first, do not press the razor too hard on the skin, shave against the hair growth, shave towards the end of the shower when the steam has softened the skin and avoid shaving the same area more then once....this will only cause more irritation and bumps. In terms of treating ingrowns there are simple solutions, whether it is done at home or in the treatment room a few extra steps after your method of hair removal can help you avoid these annoying and unsightly ingrowns. Use an astringent like Witchazel on the area that has had the hair removed, this will help tighten the pore and keep the skin from bacteria and infection. In between your preferred method of hair removal exfoliating  the skin regularly will help minimize the ingrowns, again I love the sugar scrub or a scrub that has Gycolic and/or Saliyic acid, a loofah or dry brush will do...just do something! Although I do not advise popping or breaking the skin when an ingrown is out of control and infected, see a doctor or esthetician. if you must apply a warm compress for 3-5 minutes, use a sterile needle, be sure to squeeze the skin till the hair pushes itself out and apply an astringent to clean the area. Remember just like picking your face will cause marking the same applies to other areas of your body...so don't go bananas!!! If ingrowns are something chronic for you, you can always consider laser hair removal or threading as it tends to be less aggressive. Whether it is winter or sunny summer the point of hair removal is to be clean, soft and smooth...find the method that works best for you and take good care of your skin.
LOVE YOURSELF FROM HEAD TO TOE, INSIDE AND OUT....I know I do!
***just want to shout out my new favorite waxer in the Portland Oregon area, Ginny at Blooming Moon Wellness Spa on N. Killingsworth, she is a master of her craft...go see her and tell her you heard about her here!***
BloomingMoonSpa.com

THE BB CREAM BUZZ...

One of my most favorite things about this industry is the constant new fun products and trends that are hitting all year round...the latest and greatest are BB Creams! Formulated originally in the 1950s by a German dermatologist to give skin light coverage and a healing boost post surgery, BB Creams found their fame in Korea in the 1980s becoming known as "an actresses best friend" and soon became a beauty crazy among women in Asia...and now we ladies in the western world have to become OBSESSED! The basic idea behind BB Creams are "skin care meets make up" with the wonders of an SPF, the goal is to give the tissues and cells of the skin what they need in terms of ingredient technolgy to function the best it can as well as provide light coverage and protection against the sun. As I am new to this craze I have just started experimenting but have to say I am pleased with all aspects of the Boscia BB Cream SPF 27 PA ++ :)
This the perfect time of year to ad a product like a BB Cream to your daily regimen.
ADORE YOURSELF Baby Baby!!!

TO TONE OR NOT TO TONE???

When recommending an at home skin care regimen to clients they often question is a toner really a necessary step...well indeed it is! So, what does a toner really do? First and foremost if you can find a toner that is designed to keep your skin at a neutral pH or pH balanced which is roughly 5.5 this will ensure your skin is functioning the best it can, retaining its moisture and being protected from microorganisms and environmental pollutants that could cause irritation, possibly infection and even kick start the aging process! Second, toners are a wonderful way to get water back into the skin. We all have a specific balance of oil and water in our cells depending on our skin types...every skin type will benefit from more water. Skin that is well hydrated looks plumper, fine lines and wrinkles will be less apparent and the skin will have that wonderful "dewy healthy glow". Third, and the most unknown but most useful fact about toners is they help prepare the skin for the next phase of your regimen. Visualize your skin layers are like a sponge, when a sponge is dry it is unable to effectively absorb anything but if you moisten the sponge and "bring it to life" it can absorb things more efficiently...this concept translates to your skin. If you apply a product like a serum or moisturizer to skin that has been treated with a toner first the skin cells in all 7 layers of your skin are "awake' and can absorb the ingredients to the maximum giving you the best results...good for your skin and your wallet! Toners are also great to set make up and quickly refresh your look if you are in a rush.
Now how do you make a choice for which one may be best for you: this all depends on your skin type and its needs(if you are unsure of your skin type it is a great idea to book a facial treatment). Typically skin that is dry(lacking oil) and/or dehydrated(lacking water) will benefit from toners that are Alcohol free, based in water, Aloe Vera or Witch Hazel with other active ingredients like Latic Acid, Cucumber and Rose.  If the skin tends to be more combination, oily and/or acne prone look for a toner based in Alcohol(pharmaceutical grade) Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lemon Balm or any fruit acids, this is will eliminate excess oil production and calm the over productive oil glands.
There is no wrong or right way to "use" a toner in terms of application. I like to both apply it to an cotton round a swipe over my face and neck as well as spritz it all around! I will say this if you are someone who is has chronic acne and the skin is in a state of being open and exposed avoid swiping the cotton over the open skin to spread bacteria use more of a patting technique.
Here are some of my beloved facial toners and tonics:
http://www.skin-one.com/norskinlotno.html
http://www.qoriintiherbals.bigcartel.com/product/vetivert-shamanic-hydrosol
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=319507&catid=185625&aid=338666&aparam=319507
http://www.bkamins.com/en/kits.aspx
http://isunskincare.com    ***really love all the toners she offers***
http://www.pangeaorganics.com

SUN KISSED...SEXY & SAFE!

As we approach the the time of the year when our exposure to sun is increased I wanted to share some helpful facts and some of my favorite skin care focused sun care products to help you make an educated choice. First, I will be the first to admit I HEART THE SUN and a nice bronze look, as my time in the industry has taught me that I  must stay protected while soaking up the lush warm rays. As a rule of thumb I urge you all to have a MINIMUM of SPF 30 on your face ALL YEAR ROUND, this will help slow the aging process and protect your skin against marking and hyper pigmentation. When having full body direct exposure to the sun apply a minimum of SPF 30 and reapply every 2 hours, below is a good break down of exactly what SPF is, what it does and what you should be looking for in terms of ingredients when shopping around.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen refers to products that allow the Sun's rays to penetrate the skin but filter some of the radiation in the ultra violet spectrum. The UV rays get altered to a safer wavelength and are released. The chemical interaction between the sunscreen and UV allows the sunscreen to absorb the UV before it penetrates the skin.

Sunscreen offers protection from UV-A and UV-B, however sunscreen ingredients have the ability to deteriorate at a faster rate once exposed to sunlight, hence some radiation is able to penetrate to the skin. Some sunscreen products offer no protection against UV-A radiation whatsoever. Products often contain a mixture of physical and chemical block ingredients.

UV Protection

SPF

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and shows to what degree a product prevents sunburn. Since sunburn is caused by UVB radiation, SPF rating give no indication of how well a product will protect you from UVA radiation (responsible for skin aging and skin cancer). A higher value means you get more protection. As sunburn is caused by UVB radiation SPF is only a measure of how much UVB is blocked, not how much UVA. So while you may be using the highest SPF available, you are still completely vulnerable to UVA radiation - which causes skin cancer and skin aging. For protection against both UVA and UVB rays you will need a 'broad spectrum' product.

What SPF should I use?
When choosing an SPF rating, keep in mind that doubling the SPF value doesn't mean you get double the protection. SPF 15 will block the majority of UVB rays, SPF will block more, and anything over SPF 30 doesn't really protect you much more than an SPF 30 product.

SPF 15 blocks roughly 93% of UVB.
SPF 30 blocks roughly 97% of UVB.

Broad Spectrum

Sunscreens that prevent at least some of both UVA and UVB rays from damaging your skin are called 'broad spectrum'. When choosing which product to buy look for one which states either "broad spectrum" or that it blocks both UVA and UVB. Even though a product may display the term 'broad spectrum' it may not block all UVA and UVB radiation, check the ingredients to find out more.

Sunscreen Effectiveness

How well you are protected depends on what product you use and how you use it. If you are constantly going in and out of the ocean or pool, sunscreen may need to be re-applied after every dip depending on how waterproof it is. Heavy sweating and toweling off can also wear off a sunscreen.

Application

General instructions that apply to most sunscreens (this may be different for the products you use, so always read the instructions.
- apply to dry skin
- make sure to cover your face, ears, neck and shoulders
- apply 15 to 30 minutes before going in the Sun
- re-apply after toweling off, swimming, or heavy sweating
- re-apply roughly every 2 hours 

Expiration

If a product has past its expiration date it may offer no protection at all, and may even be harmful. Some sunscreen will last for only a few months before opening. Other will last a few months after opening, and some will last for a year or more either way. Always check the description and date on a bottle before using it.

Sunscreen Ingredients

The active ingredients in sunscreens can be physical, chemical, or a mixture of both. Some ingredients have been proven to be harmful, such as PABA. Which is why you may notice some brands stating 'does not contain PABA'. PABA was very common in sunscreens in the past, but has been largely abandoned by manufacturers because of it's harmful affects.

There are thousands of sunscreen products available, they differ in look, feel, and scent, how they rub in, but they mostly use the same ingredients. Here is a list of some of the most common sunscreen ingredients and how they protect you.

Physical Sunscreens

A physical ingredient sits on your skin's surface forming a protective barrier and doesn't have the ability to be absorbed into your skin. Light is either absorbed into the ingredient or reflected away from your body back into the atmosphere similar to a mirror or tin foil.

Physical Sunscreen Ingredients

Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide offers protection from UVB and short UVA radiation, but not long wave UVA. Titanium dioxide is also non-irritating.

Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum protection (UVB and most of UVA). Arguably the best broad-spectrum protection available.

Chemical Sunscreens

Some of them absorb (soak up) the ultraviolet light as it tries to pass through them Chemical sunscreens are not immediately effective, requiring a 20-30 minute delay after application before it becomes effective, whereas physical sunscreens are immediately effective. A chemical sunscreen ingredient absorbs sunlight to prevent sun damage but is also absorbed into your skin. Some people experience allergic reactions and burning eyes when perspiring.

Chemical Sunscreen Ingredients

Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)
PABA protects against UVB but not UVA. It was discovered to have harmful health effects and so its use is highly discouraged.

Avobenzone
Extensive UVA and limited UVB.

I am a huge fan of finding sun care products that are combining active skin care ingredients to yield a protective and maintaining effect on the face and body, these products are an especially good way to approach your daily sunscreen regimen....THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITES:

http://www.colorescience.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=brush30

http://www.bkamins.com/en/sun-care.aspx

DON'T TOUCH IT!!!

Please my people if you take one piece of advice from me...please do not pop your pimples, pick your face or squeeze anything!
First, lets discuss what is really happening when you get a pimple that has a white head. Basically acne is caused by a build up of dead skin, bacteria and inflammation under the skin, a infection brews under the 7 layers of skin which will cause the skin to become tender, itch, red and inflamed. As with any source of infection that happens in our bodies white blood cells rush to the infection site to kill off the bacteria. Once this battle is won and the infection is over the white blood cells must travel up through the 7 layers of skin to the surface to be eliminated through the pore. This is why you can watch the pimple grow. I know it is tempting to pop it and watch it disappear but most likely you will wake up the next day with it back in full force and maybe even it has multiplied....the infection was broken under the skin and released into the blood stream which causes more breakouts. Not only can you spread more bacteria and prolong a breakout but picking at the skin or popping pimples can cause scarring and marking on the skin, which in some skin tones can be permeant.
Here are some easy and helpful tips for treating breakouts:
I love using a mixture of white clay, warm water and Lavender essential oil to make a spot treatment. Make sure skin is clean, apply a small amount of this mixture to the breakout, leave on for 20-30 mins(or overnight )rinse with warm water, making sure not to break the skin, dab with a drop of Tea Tree essential oil.
You can also apply Lavender essential oil on its own as a spot treatment.
Both of these above will treat the bacterial and inflammation associated with acne.
There is also a spot treatment on the market by Bkamins, they make a clear drying, odorless Benzoyl Peroxide based spot treatment in both a 5 and 10% that does wonders. You can apply up to 3 times a day without over drying or irritating the skin.
If you must pop....PLEASE do the following:
-make sure your hands are clean
-do not use anything sharp to break the skin
-wrap your fingers in tissue
-if you are squeezing and pus and liquid are coming out, gently squeeze till the liquid runs clear, this will indicate you all the infection is out.
I know not the most sexy topic but this advice will you keep you looking your sexiest!!!

SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN

This may seem a little off my blog concept but I do enjoy sharing recipes of products we use everyday that can easily be made at home, in this case I'm talking mouth wash! This recipe below only takes two weeks to make and will give you a spicy and clean feel to your mouth.

1 tablespoon of cinnamon chips

1 tablespoon of whole cloves

1 teaspoon of anise seed

1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

1 cup of vodka

Take all spices in a clean glass jar, pour the over the mixture, cap and shake daily for two weeks.

Strain and pour into a dark glass bottle.

THIS IS A CONCENTRATED MIXTURE.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of mouth wash into 1 cup of water, gargle, and rinse.

Yeilds 16 treatments

ANTI AGING WONDERS

Besides knowing its important to take good care of your skin its also important to understand key ingredients to treat certain concerns(support your local esthetician!). Anti aging its super hot topic right now, has been and will always be, SO lets chat about three major player ingredients that are being talked about right now.

The first two ingredients are know as ANTI-OXIDANTS, an anti-oxidant helps fight free radical damage(extra negative ions floating around the skin cells causing them to become unstable break apart and die, free radicals are caused by sun exposure, environmental pollution and unhealthy life style habits like smoking) free radical damage can lead to signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin, the anti-oxidants protect the skin. Anti-oxidant are naturally found in fruits like grapes, pomegranates and give thanks RED WINE!!!!

---Vitamin C, the only type of Vit C that can be absorbed my the skin is L-ASCORBIC ACID, if you are in the market for a Vit C based product look for this as the key active ingredient. Vit C is great at brightening the skin and helping to fade any dark spots caused by sun damage, or acne scarring. Using a serum of Vit C in conjunction with a gentle chemical exfoliant is a great place to start to treat hyper-pigmentation. Vit C also helps to stimulate collagen to minimize wrinkles.

---Resveratrol, another potent anti-oxidant found in the skin of grapes, peanuts and berries, it too can also brighten the skin as well as acts as an anti-inflammatory, keeping the internal structure of the skin calmed and soothed.

The final ingredient I would like to share are the all mighty peptides. Peptides are long complex amino acid chains that strengthen and maintain the firmness and elasticity of the skin. Visualize that your collagen and elastin fibers(which gives your skin the firmness and helps to keep it from sagging) are braided together, over time this braid will loosen due to many factors such as sun exposure and pollution. Peptides come to the rescue like knights in shinning amor and tighten the braided give strength to the skin, lifting and firming it.

GO BE HEALTHY AND FABULOUS!

CRAY CRAY for a BLAST OF COLOR

I recently moved to the pacific northwest and I'm living in my first full on rain season...I am sorta loosing it!!! So besides lots of colorful veggies and fruits I am bringing color into my life thru my everyday look...its working! SO I JUST HAD TO SHARE MY TWO NEW RECENT DISCOVERIES:::
two amazing shades of matte lipstick from MAC....Korean Candy and Quick Sizzle! YUM!!!
Korean Candy is a wonderful Geranium shade blending the perfect tones of orange and red, Quick Sizzle happens to be in my opinion the most perfect shade of hot fusica pink, reminds me of my first lipstick I was allowed to by when I turned 12.
BE PLAYFUL, BE COMFORTABLE, ADORE YOURSELF!

kiss kiss

NAILED FROM HEAD TO TOE!!!

If any of you know me personally you know I"m obsessed with my nails, not only the shape, length, color, crazy inspired art but most important the health of the nails and the skin surrounding them. I have a ritual I try to do on the regular to both my hands and feet to keep the nails and the delicate and often ignored skin healthy and looking fabulous:
-Start by taking off any polish with a non acetone based remover, if you are a regular nail polish wearer you probably use pure acetone(thats ok I have done it too!)
-Rinse hands and or feet with warm water to remove any residue left my the nail polish
-If you file, shape or cut the nails do so now
-Take a bowl and fill half way with warm water, squeeze the juice from a half of a fresh lemon and add a few drops of non detergent based soap, some like Mrs. Myers hand soap, and a dash of baking soda. The purpose of this mixture is to soften the cuticles, brighten and whiten the color of the nails and eliminate any lingering bacteria trapped under the nail beds or in the delicate skin. Soak in this mixture for 5-10 minutes, if you are a fan of essential oils you can tincture this mixture as well
-Removes hands and feet pat dry(if you are focusing on the feet this would be a good time to file or scrub away any dry skin on the heels and pads of the feet with a foot file or pumice stone)
-Using an Orange Wood Stick or a cuticle pusher, gently push back the softened cuticles. If you desire to cut or trim just work on the excessive skin being sure not to cut too close to the actual nail bed
-Using a carrier oil like Olive, Grape Seed or Jojoba gently massage a into the hands and feet focusing on the cuticle and nail area
If you would like to polish wait 15-20 minutes to let the oil fully absorb in.

I find this treatment is great all year around and does not take much time at all.

DIVINE ALCHEMY!!!

PUCKER UP!

I'm a fan of an exaggerated lip, I've been known to put bold red lipstick on just to go get a cup of mid-day coffee. Bold and colorful lips are very Hollywood to me, remind me of my Grandma Emma and is the easiest way to jazz up a look your not %100 about. Let talk about our lips, they get a lot of attention but maybe not enough to ensure they are healthy and serving us the best they could. Our actual lips are some of the thinnest skin on our face, they are prone to becoming dry, irritated, bruised, burned, chapped and rough. Chronic dry lips is are sure indicator you are not drinking enough water so lets start with that being a basic easy step to keeping our delicate lips healthy. If you are a person who loves using lip balm or chap stick take a look at what is exactly in that little tube you can't live without....here are two major ingredients you should always AVOID: Alcohol, this acts as a great solvent for other ingredients but does noting but strip the natural oils in the tissues of our lips. Petroleum, this is one of the most common ingredients used for its ability to help a product spread and feel smooth on the skin, in this case the lips. Yes, Petroleum feels nice, silky and smooth on the surface but what happens over time is it actually "suffocates" the skin causing it to become dryer(if you are one of those people who is ALWAYS applying lip balm this may be why) and to boot Petroleum is a non-renewal resource so once we have no more that's it! Look for a product that has more ingredients like Coco or Shea Butter, Almond, Coconut or Tanamu Oil, these ingredients are not only super moisturizing to the lips but will also protect and heal the delicate skin. A few winters ago I got into the habit of weekly exfoliating my lips, it takes a 5 minutes and makes a world of difference. Start by making sure you have no residue on the lips and they are dry, take your ring finger dip it oil(Almond or Olive)then dip it sugar, I like the raw sugar cause its free of dyes and has a courser cut, GENTLY rub into your lips for 60- 90 seconds, rinse off and follow with a nourishing salve or balm. This little step will get rid of dry, dead skin and allow the properties of the salve or balm to penetrate deeper to heal from the inside out. Back to lipstick...I learned a great trick for applying lipstick from dear friend and added a little twist to it. To keep your lipstick from running and lasting longer first make sure the skin AROUND THE LIPS is moisturized and supple, this will make sure any tiny cracks around the lips are sealed, next prime the lips with a balm or salve, next apply a liner if you do, then a dab the lips with baby powder to help the lipstick set better, then apply your lipstick and finishing steps like gloss, shine or if your a product geek like me I set my lipstick(and all my make up with a spritz of toner)....then go put those juicy lips to work!!!

SPIDER VEINS...not so pretty!

In my practice I get a lot of questions about spider veins, many women myself included have issues with this very problem. Spider Veins are dilated pre existing small blood vessels. These small blood vessels can become dilated due to several things, the ones I find to be the most common are: lifestyle...ex if you are living in city and your on foot most of your day pounding the the pavement, condensed pressure of airplanes, standing for extended amounts of time with not enough support from your shoes or the floor your standing on, wearing pumps...sorry ladies! Our vascular system is fragile and prone to becoming dilating and erupting if too much pressure is placed on it. There are very simple and user friendly remedies to help prevent and alleviate spider veins...my most favorite would be the classic "legs up the wall pose" this will help release the the pressure on the walls of the small blood vessels as well as encourage the blood to flow up towards the heart. Topically you can make an oil blend of 1 tbsp of Juniper essential oil, promotes healthy circulation and acts as an anti-inflammatory mixed with 8 oz of Almond or Jojoba Oil, shake up vigorously and massage into affected areas.

You can also treat the condition on an internal level by taking a tincture or capsule of Horse Chestnut, this is a plant remedy that has properties to help strengthen  the walls of blood vessels protecting them from dilation and swelling.***if you a re taking other medications please consult your health care provider*** With any of these remedies the key is to be consistent to see a change in the condition at least once a day to see any improvement.

ALL THINGS JUICY!!!

I was blessed this holiday season with a gift of a new juicer... and since I can not enough fresh goodness into my system I wanted to share some skin focused juice blends you can use as a part of a treatment series or just use when needed or desired. The great thing about juice and our skin is that we do not have to use tons of energy to break juice down and extract the beneficial properties, this is important because our skin is the last aspect of our organ system to receive anything from what we eat(this is why it is so important to "feed" the skin topically)so the properties of the juice  really reach the layers of the skin from the inside out. HAPPY JUICING!

SATIN SKIN
5 carrots
1/2 apple
1/2 inch slice of ginger

BLEMISH BUSTER
3 carrots
4 sprigs of parsley
3 kale leaves

BODY CLEANSING TONIC...great for everyday recipe
4 carrots
1/2 cucumber
1/2 beet with greens

*ADD 1 TLBSPN OF FIBER TO ANY OF THESE TO AMP UP THE CLEANSING BENEFITS
*IF ACNE IS CHRONIC ADD PROBIOTICS TO YOUR DAILY DIET TO BALANCE BACTERIA GROWTH

BYE BYE DRY SKIN

This post comes from a recent text conversation from one of my biggest supports!

Beating dry skin is just not about loading on heavy moisturizers to cover the ashy dry look or feel of the skin.  Alleviating dry skin is imperative too healthy skin maintenance, it allows the skin to breath and function better, retaining its own moisture as well absorbing and attracting natural occurring moisturize in the air. The first step needs to be a form of exfoliation or shedding of the dry(and dead)skin.  My most preferred method of this is would be dry brush exfoliation(you can buy this at your local pharmacy or health food store) Using upward movements gently brush your skin from head to toe. This will not only remove any built up skin but also stimulate the movement of your lymph, circulation and ama(a thin layer of toxins that gather on the surface of your muscles). Following this you can apply a medium that will hydrate and moisturize the skin. I suggest using coconut, sesame or jojoba oils, these are consider to be "bio available" this means your skin will easily absorb them drawing them into all 7 layers of the skin for a true deep nourishing level of hydration and moisturizing. Now if you want to make something like this part of your daily regime do these two steps BEFORE you get in the shower. The idea behind this is that the pores of the skin respond to the warmth created my steam and water, they open up more and the oil is penetrated into the skin...yes it does sound divine!

You can use this as a daily treatment to keep the skin moisturized, radiant, firm and healthy or just in the colder months when you may experience higher levels of dry skin.

ADORE THE SKIN YOUR IN!