SPRING TIME BODY PREP...BIKINI BODY READY!!!

Greeting loves! I don't know about you but I am getting ready for my summer, with lots of mini trips planned there will be multiply bikini outings and I am getting my body bikini ready!!!! Beyond diet and exercise this is also the time of the year I start to shed my winter skin and prep it for the warmer months ahead.  I like to step up my exfoliation routine and add a few more steps to help smooth the texture of my skin.  The recipes below are easy and can be made with ingredients from your local health food store and/or your kitchen, they don't take much time at all and make you feel like a Queen!

SALT OR SUGAR GLOW

2 CUPS COARSE SEA SALT OR BROWN CANE SUGAR

1/2 CUP GRAPESEED OR OLIVE OIL

OR

1/2 CUP WATER

6-8 drops of essential oil of choice(optional)

place all ingredients in a bowl and exfoliate the entire body from toes to chest. Shower off, apply additional body oil or moisturizer if desired. 

can be done 3-5 times a week, is a prep step before big events or potential bronzing activities!

CELLULITE BODY WRAP

8 DROPS OF GRPEFRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL

2 DROPS EACH OF THYME, FENNEL, LAVENDER, GERANIUM & JUNIPER BERRY ESSENTIAL OIL

2 CUPS ALMOND OIL

CELLOPHANE OR SARAN WRAP

turn up the heat in your bathroom or bedroom, mix all ingredients together in a squirt bottle, exfoliate skin using a dry brush or loofah, knead oil mixture generously into legs, thighs, arms and bootie. avoid face and neck. wrap your arms and legs with the cellophane or saran wrap from the bottoms up. sit comfortably for 20 minutes, remove wrapping and shower off with cool water. 

can be done 1-3 times a week

COFFEE GROUND SCRUB

EQUAL PARTS COFFEE GRINDS & WATER TO MAKE A SCRUB

best done in the sauna or steam room or even a heated bathroom. scrub areas of the body that present with fat deposits or cellulite in circle like motions. be sure not ot over scrub or irritate the skin. rinse off in cool shower.

can be done 1-3 times a week

Prevention and maintenance of the skin is more then half the the battle, if you can get these into your routine you will be thanking me!

Hope to see many of you poolside!

I adore you...you should too!

SPRING MAKE UP TRENDS....get sprung!!!!

Hello Loves....spring has sprung for sure!!!! I love this time of the year, flowers and trees are all in bloom, we get to dust off our favorite lighter fabrics and shoes, get ready to start new projects and shed what may no longer be serving us....and for me I love to step into spring with bold brigth colors and fun new expressive make up. SO LIBERATING SO FUN!

TOP 5 TRENDING SPRING MAKE UP LOOKS:

 DEEP SANGRIA LIPS AND CHEEKS....I love this as I hate to give up my bold sophisticated deep looks of the fall and winter. By using creams and glosses you can still carry over the boldness of the color on to the cheeks and lips without so much heavy pigment. Pick a sheer deep color in a cream like texture to brush  along the cheek bones to get a dewy look with just the perfect hint of pigment. A sparkle deep gloss on the lip gives you the effect of bold color without the heavy feeling of lipstick and just enough hint of glimmer to compliment the lightness of the season.

 ALL OVER BRONZE...who does not love the look of a fresh bronze goddess? Use a brown pencil to line the lid before applying a light shimmer shadow to give the eyes a perfect illuminated but not frosty look. A lite dusting of bronze on the cheeks, along the bridge of the nose center of the chin and forehead (places where the sun naturally hits) will do wonders for your natural golden summer look. We are seeing a lot of pale natural shimmery lips on the red carpet this season, this look is a great way to stay natural looking with a twist and to step up your look. Use a natural pencil to fill in the soft edges and the lips, bolt and fill in with your favorite shimmer lip....to make that look last longer lightly brush your face powder over the lips to make that lipstick stick!

TWO TONED NAILS....the classic french manicure is getting an update! Two toned pink and red nails are fun, sexy and hot this season. Use a basic opaque pink as your base with a tip of your favorite red, orange, fuschia, berry or grapefruit shade to give your ordinary mani a trending look. A great mani and nail art is the perfect way to accessorize  a simple spring look.

THE ORANGE EFFECT....I never imagined I could pull off this shade but now I'm addicted! The brightness of these shades give your look a warm sunny glow and does not need any help to give a big impact. Use these tones brushed lightly on the apples of your cheeks and on your eye lids...goes great with a gold liner...you will feel absolutely radiant!

FULLER THICKER DARKER BROWS...I am obsesses with brows, mine, yours and everyone elses! I am so happy to see this trend return more and more over the last few seasons. Fuller and thicker  brows frame the face and when made darker by powder or gel they truly pop off the face enhancing your full made up look or perfectly complimenting your pure natural look.

Have fun with these, make up is great way to express yourself,  uplift your mood and can add tons of dimension to any look your going for. Give yourself permission to reignite your sexy this season, find inspiration everywhere and of course be sure to ADORE YOURSELF!!!!

THE TOP INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN YOUR SKIN AND BODY CARE

Well here it is the blog post I have been promising for the last month!!!
the top ingredients to avoid...
Let me first state that ALL THESE INGREDIENTS are FDA APPROVED as well as being harmful. I have defined each ingredient below so you can see that adding them into any formulation does very little for the effectiveness of the product and can easily be done away with and/or replaced by ingredients that cause no potential harm.

1. butyled hydroxytoluene:a yellowish white crystalline solid used to prevent deterioration of mot cosmetics, eyeliners, eyeshadows, blush and foundations. declared carcinogen

2. ethyl/butyl acetate:clear liquids with fruity odors normally added to nail lacquers. toxic when inhaled
3. coal tar:black viscous liquid derived from coal used in shampoos and skin care products. declared carcinogen

4. cocoamide DEA/lauramide DEA:waxy solids used to thicken hair and skin care products, also used as a foam agent. declared carcinogen

5. diazolidinyl urea:a fine white powder used to keep hair and skin care products from spoiling, inhibits bacterial growth. is a trigger for most causes of dermatitis and skin allergies

6. formaldehyde:colorless gas dissolved in water used in nail hardening products and hair straightening products. Used in skin care as a preservative. declared carcinogen

7. parabens(methyl,ethyl,propyl,butyl):used as a preservative, inhibits bacterial and fungi growth. declared a carcinogen

8. petroleum:colorless, yellowish semi-solid that protects the skin and prevents water loss by forming a barrier. highly comedogenic

9. phthalates:used as a solubulizer, increases the texture and flexibility in personal care products. hormone disruptor

It is a general rule of thumb that you if you can not pronounce it do not put it on your skin....I subscribe to this to some extent. There is a very major difference between products that have synthesized or pharmaceutical grade ingredients verses toxic and harmful ingredients...more on that difference to follow in the future! The point I more want to stress through sharing this information is that you can choose to have to personal care products you love but not have to include toxic harmful preservatives and what I call "filler" ingredients; cheap usually toxic ingredients that enhance the texture, look and feel of the product...and essentially do nothing else. Look for alternative ingredients like Vit E and Rosemary extract that can be used as the perfect non toxic and effective preservative and nourishing butters and oils like Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil to give the product a wonderful luxurious feel and benefits your skin.
I would also encourage you all to remember that your skin in the largest organ of absorption, the average women puts 91 chemicals on her body before she leaves the house in the morning!!!! Many if not most of those are totally unnecessary....START READING YOUR LABELS of your skin and body care just like you read the labels on the food you eat.

GET SMART, GET SEXY AND STAY BEAUTIFUL!!!

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.