Do you know what day it is today?

It is LipšŸ‘„Appreciation Day!

Our lips do so much ā€¦

They chat!

They help us eat!

They šŸ’‹ Kiss!

They are sexy!

They pout!

They laugh!

They cry!

They bite!

They look stunning with an array of lipstick šŸ’„ colors!

They shine!

I so love ā¤ļø and appreciate mine!

Are you a ā€¦ Candle ā¤ļø Lover?

I am too! I surround myself with them in my home and in my business too. All types of candles give me a high. Battery operated, electric plug ins and the traditional candle. They are a part of my Self-Care Sunday or nighttime beauty rituals.

However I have become pickier when I buy them now..I found a brand on Instagram that I had to tell you about. The brand is called Lā€™oil. Created by a woman (Lexi Brown) of course. This artisan candle maker said the L is for Lexi. The oil will n the name represent the oils used.

I love ā¤ļø supporting small business owners and indie brands.

Her candles are made with all- organic soy natural with šŸ’Æ cotton wicks. Choose from an array of scents. The best part they have a 30-34 hour burn time.

Her fragrance oils used are lab tested (phthalate free, SLS + SLES free, paraben free and not tested on animals.

Vegan lovers youā€™ll love that Lexi says they are vegan too.

My favorite candle is the one with the lip šŸ‘„ shaped vessel, so adorable and so sexy! It looks great as decor, on your or to enjoy in your bathroom or at your dressing/ makeup table.

The sweet apple cinnamon makes me swoon! So warm and inviting. And my space smells divine! I love her candles so much i featured them with me on TV šŸ“ŗ on First Coast Living on NBC12 this week.

Check out her fun brand on Instagram.

@loilbylexi

Lā€™oil by Lexi on Instagram

What is Clean Beauty? Really!

Itā€™s so confusing to most women and men too! Was it ā€œdirty beauty beforeā€ one of my clients asked me..

Well hereā€™s my answer in a nut shell ā€¦

No skin care and makeup were not DIRTY the industry just advanced and technology changed through the years. The ingredients are getting safer and better.

Clean beauty is skincare and makeup free of harmful chemicals.

But know thisā€¦ it is made with natural components but also use synthetic ingredients that have been declared safe.

When it comes to makeup I donā€™t think you need a lot of products to feel clean and pretty. We all want to be attractive but it doesnā€™t have to take so much!

Here are just some of the ingredients in skin, makeup and nail polish to avoid. Google them to learn more.

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

Aluminum. Parabens, oxy benzophemone, one, Formaldehyde, phthalates, carmine,benzophenone, cylic silicones, triclosan, toluene and more.

But donā€™t drive yourself crazy reading labels and and taking a deep dive!!!

If you know youā€™re allergic to some ingredients. Just avoid them completely.

Photo by Bryan Schneider on Pexels.com

But Donā€™t forget even people who use clean beauty products can have issues with those ingredients as well.

Do you use ā€¦ Makeup Wipes?

In a rush, in a pinch and for travel I do tend to use them too. So, I wanted to share a ā€œbeauty hackā€ I love to do. I didnā€™t always do it. But once Covid hit and things were on limited supply I started to do this.

Use the makeup towelette. Follow up with soaps water washing your face!

When itā€™s time to remove my makeup I take the towelette wipe out of the package. Next I grab a pair of scissors, fully open the wipe and CUT it in half. I then I wipe away the makeup and the long day away!

The half wipe towelette removes makeup just as efficient (unless youā€™re wearing theatrical or lots of makeup.) Then since I am also a soap and water girl I follow up and wash my face with a dash of Dove cleansing soap bar. Or use your favorite face wash.

Doing this step after using the makeup wipe makes MY face feel cleaner.

Doing this makeup wipe beauty hack saves you money$$$

Itā€™s better for the šŸŒŽ planet.

And youā€™ll feel good šŸ˜ too!

Letā€™s celebrate Earth Day every single day and save money too one step at a time!

PS

Using makeup wipes on your face is not great for the skin on a daily basis. Rubbing that paper like cloth can scratch your face. Over time too tough on the skin. So,use and choose them wisely!

Recipe to ā€¦ Nail it!

My nails have been so brittle, thin and peel a bit. When I get a manicure & pedicure they look lovely BUT I wanted a bit more length again. Iā€™m not into press on nails, faux nails šŸ’… or gel nails but they do look good on most women.

So I had CVS monies. You know the money $ you earn from shopping there. I cruised down the dietary supplements and vitamin aisles. I picked up a bottle of the CVS Health brand for Hair, Skin & Nails. 80 assorted gummies in fruit flavors. Not too sweet and a serving is 2 a day.

Iā€™ve been on them a half a month and Iā€™m in love ā¤ļø!

My nails are stronger, longer, not peeling, healthier looking and Iā€™m happier too!

So to keep the self care rolling Iā€™m doing my bi-monthly at home nail treatment too!

All you need is:

1 1/2 Tbs. of Jojoba

3 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil

Pour both in a small glass bowl. Both have anti-bacterial properties.

Essential Oils are your best friend!

Photo by Mareefe on Pexels.com

Dip your hands in and rub around your cuticles and nails. Do not rinse hands afterwards.

Add your favorite hand lotion and enjoy the beauty potion!

Photo by Linda Prebreza on Pexels.com

Then I like to put on cotton gloves I only use for hand treatments. I leave on for 20 minutes or overnight is even better.

Your nails are hydrated and your cuticles will look so much better. You can do this treatment to your feet too. Just rub it in like above too. But do your nails, heels and soles of your feet too!

*If you need to add more Jojoba add it.

But if you are allergic or do not like one of the above oilsā€¦Please skip my tip!

I hope youā€™ll try my professional recommendation. Your nails, hair and nails will look better!

Minty Facial Steam

I was looking for a refreshing recipe and felt in the mood for mint. So I went to my personal recipe box for food, beauty and fun. I made a yummy cool Mint Julep drink with fresh mint. I also prepared a fresh facial steam.

Mint Juleps ā€¦ are so šŸƒ refreshing!

I wanted to detox my pores a bit and give them a breather from makeup, pollution and more.

What you will need for this recipe:

1 bunch of fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves

1 gallon bottle of water poured into a pasta pot (pretend youā€™re making pasta)

1 glass Pyrex like bowl

Bring water to a boil and allow it to cool a bit. Pour this water into a bowl.

Crush up some great mint in your hands to let the aromatics come out.

Place the leaves on top of the water.

Place a tea towel over your head allowing your face to be uncovered.

Keeping a safe distance allow the steam šŸ’¦ to reach your face.

Youā€™ll start to notice a bit of moisture to your facial skin and feel like youā€™ve been ā€œworking outā€. Thatā€™s good!

Your pores are getting a workout,dead skin will slough off a bit and your your skin will love you for it all.

You can enjoy this facial steam once a week. I like to do it for at least 10 mins. until the water cools to lukewarm and your face is glows & dewy.

*

Do not put your pretty face in the steamy water. Just near it and allow the steam to rise and meet your face.

Have you ever tried a recipe like this?

Enjoy!

No Tricks Just an Awesome Glow!

Look what I found?

I am so excited to discover this protein bar called Glow Beauty Fuel.

Look at this chart above that clarifies itā€™s features and benefits. My body and skin is going to really glow.

The bars come in three great flavors:

šŸ’Cherry Grazie

šŸŠOrange dream

šŸ« Chocolate Mania

Does not taste like cardboard. just plain delicious.

Created by a woman.

This Halloween I shared these with all my besties and served a Beautiful Witches Brew!

I love šŸ§”šŸ­šŸŽƒšŸ‘» Halloween! How about you?

On the go? Give your Lipsticks šŸ’„ some ā€¦

Much needed attention. Your cosmetic bag is longing to be touched!

Stranded at the airport, waiting in the car šŸš˜ pool line or even at home. Use your time wisely and give your lipsticks some LOVE.

Grab those lipsticks & quickly disinfect them!

If you happen to get a Purell wipes, towelettes from a restaurant after your meal or have some rubbing alcohol disinfectant pads. get out your lipstick tubes and lipgloss wands and disinfect those tubes!

Itā€™s kind of satisfying and fun to do!

1. Take the top off.

2. Roll up those tubes. Be gentle not all the way. Only up to where youā€™ve used the tube.

3. Swipe and wipe the lipstick itself all around.

4. Next wipe the tube packaging itself. You know lots of germs šŸ¦  are waiting for you there too.

5. Allow them to evaporate and dry and close the lids.

Youā€™re all set, a quick disinfect and good to go! Safely! Protect those pretty lips!

* A great idea after you have a cold or a fever blister too!

Hi Handsome!

I get it. Guys want to look good too!

Today on River City Live TV in sunny Florida I am sharing a few answers to viewers skincare and lifestyle questions.

You can watch a video clip and read MORE on http://www.News4Jax.com after they post it on their site after the show. Click River City Live.

But here are some highlights from my beauty report:

Guys especially bearded ones are looking for a rescue for razor bumps on the face and neck. I found a great new product to help with that. It is washable and reusable.

They are called the Dermasuriā€™s Face & Neck Exfoliator for Bearded Men. This mitt helps prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Both of these mitts are made with a unique and gentle fabric texture to wash and exfoliate the face. All you need is hot water and this and youā€™re on your way to better looking skin!

Healthy skin is so in!

The other is their Deep Exfoliating Mitt Face Scrub. You may use daily or a few times a week.

Got acne? Iā€™d go for a washcloth and a gentle face cleanser.

Do I really need a sunscreen? I work indoors and do not spend a lot of time outdoors. Just running errands or taking a quick walk in the neighborhood gives you sun. The sun is always on! Rain or shine.

Yes, everyone needs a sunscreen to shield themselves from the harmful sun šŸŒž rays!

Rain or shine or shine it is always on!

Come back from more!

Time to Shine a Light on …

Asian American Pacific Islander month.

Heading into the long Memorial Weekend is a great to time to unwind…I want to share a few fun ideas and ways to celebrate the month of May.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander month.

There are many beauty brands that you can explore when you surf and shop online over the weekend.

It is also Skin Cancer Awareness month. A great time to visit the beach or for outdoor activities. Make sure you wear sunglasses outdoors and slather on sunscreen and protect your families skin too. The new spray sunscreens like AAPI founder of the Banish brand Daisy Jing created a product called The Defender a mineral sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF50 an easy choice to use.


Cook up a storm this weekend!

This long weekend is also a great time to curl up to a good book on the beach and or in bed and learn something new. New York Times best-selling author Kimberly Snyder has just launched a book You Are More Than You Think You Are -filled with  Practical Enlightenment for Everyday Life.

Chef and TV co-host of The Good Dish TV show Daphne OZ has a new cookbook called Eat Your Heart Out. I am in love ā¤ļø with this cook book.

She calls it a “reset yourself” kind of book I call it delicious and FUN! Healthier meal recipes for the whole family. Yummy snacks and delights too.

Cook up a storm this weekend and enjoy a delicious weekend and add a new cookbook to your kitchen library. Easy read and easy healthier recipes too.


*While these authors are not Asian they do have unique books to buy and enjoy over the weekend, summer and beyond.

Give yourself, your sweetie or bestie a “Self-care” at home treat or two:

The Qi a wellness brand rooted in a time-honored Eastern ritual. AAPI founder Lisa created an aromatic wonderful brand of TEA that is a flower tea. NO tea bag. No tea leaves.

Who knew sipping whole flowers šŸŒø was possible and so pleasurable?

My favorites so far are Shangri-La Rose and Chrysanthemum.

Vegan,sustainably sourced,no preservatives.hand-picked,organically grown they work directly with small family farms across Asia.

Sipping tea will never be the same for you!

ESW Beauty founded by Elina Wang just launched new and UNIQUE raw juice cleanse face masks.

Kale, spinach, pineapple, kiwi, ginger,pear, watermelon and more. They have a variety of delights for your skin.

Deep Detox those Pores, Brightening,Moisturizing, Soothing and more.


Beia Beauty
has new wipes to keep you fresh all summer long founded by Brittany Lo. Great for travel.

Have a fun and relaxing long holiday weekend this Memorial šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø Day!


Check out Tik Tok my Tik Tok for more about these amazing founders and female authors.

My Tik Tok is:NoreenKissYoung