MY TOP 5 SKIN CARE AND BEAUTY HABITS TO START NOW...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! IT IS TIME TO GET INTO THE GROOVE!!!!
The beginning of any new year is a great time to start and adapt new habits and routines to improve your lifestyle and quality of health, as your skin care guru here are my TOP 5 TO START NOW...and make them last forever!

1. DO NOT GO TO BED WITHOUT WASHING YOUR FACE! This may seem like a no brainier but it always surprises me the amount of both men and women who go to sleep without removing their make up and washing their faces. Not only is it essential to remove the surface debris and any build up that accumulates throughout the day but we must allow our pores to be clear and breath. As we sleep at night our skin cells "breath" rest, repair and flush out toxins, if we do not allow this process to be facilitated by clean clear pores and surface to our skin the result can be dryness, sallow or problematic skin. So even in your most tired or tipsy state I urge and encourage you to wash that beautiful face of yours!

2. OUT WITH OLD IN WITH THE NEW...Skin care and make up like anything else with a shelf life expires after a certain period. The standard with skin care is 1 YEAR OPENED 2 YEARS UN-OPENED, be mindful of how long you have had something on your shelf, once a product expires the benefits and effects will do nothing for your skin and your are essentially wasting your money. On a side note from your skin care guru if you are not using a product within a year you either don't love it enough to use or are just not using it enough to to yield a specific benefit. In terms of make up, most powder based cosmetics will tend to last till they are gone...the key is keeping your brushes clean(wash at least once a month with anti bacterial soap and allow to dry completely to avoid mold). Liquid based make up and mascara have about a 3 month shelf life, keep them out of direct light or any heat sources.

3.  MINIMIZE TO MAXIMIZE...I am true believer of having a smaller regimen that is easier to do morning and night then having tons of products in your bathroom that you are either not using enough or not really sure what they are meant for. An effective regimen should be anywhere from 1-5 steps and products: Cleanser, Exfoliant, Serum, Eye Cream and Moisturizer. I suggest supporting your local esthetician and creating a regimen that is formulated with active ingredients customized for your skin care program, work with her to prioritize what you need the most and build the rest of the regimen when you can.

4. HYDRATE TO TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME...This is a no brainer and a common theme throughout most of my skin care advice. Drinking water is essential to the most optimum function of our whole bodies and systems as well as does wonders to the look and feel of our skin. With proper hydrated skin we can absorb ingredients in our products more effectively and improve the over tone, function, respiration, texture and appearance of our skin.  Drink and be merry!!!

5. GET SMART, READ MORE...Begin reading the labels of your skin and body care products more carefully. Eliminate ingredients like alcohol, parabans and petroleum's. These are considered "filler" ingredients and do nothing to benefit the skin and take away from more active ingredients that can be delivered deeper into the skin yielding a higher result. Stay tuned or next months blog breaking down the "top ten ingredients to avoid"...the three listed above are a good place to start.

I know new habits and routines are overwhelming to start as well as to keep, my goal here is to give a few easy and beneficially tips to jump start your way into adoring the skin your in!

From my brave heart to yours I wish you  a healthy and abundant 2013!

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!!!