Wanna feel …cool as a cucumber?

So do I.

The temperatures are soaring across the country on my trip to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago it was in the 100’s most days. In Florida we are so HUMID and in the 90’s. Los Angeles 112? It is a melting pot of hot. So, here is a way I like to keep cool with the cheapest vegetable around…the cucumber!

Did you know? It is composed of 95% water,but also contains,vitamins B1,B2,B3 and B12? hese vitamins help soothe the skin from any irritations,reduce swelling,and prevent water retention.It also contains ascorbic acid ,folic acid and polysaccharides (a hero in hydrating your skin) and has super powers.

Today it is going to be another hot one!!! So, I am going to make cut them up in a few small chunks and fill an ice cube tray with them and make “cuke cubes” my cool and refreshing version of ice cubes. I like to sprinkle a smidge of sea salt on top. Once frozen I like to pop one in a glass of seltzer water and or Perrier or Pellegrino water. So refreshing and when the ice cube melts enjoy that lovely cumber.

Yes, you can also enjoy them like a cracker alone. Or embelish with some yumminess on top. I also like to make those cool cucumber eye pads out of them simply by cutting a slice and lay one on each eye for at least 10 mins. and let it’s beauty benefits soak in and calm those tired peepers!

I also highly recommend doing a Cool Cucumber Facial!  All you need is to scoop out the inside pulp of the cucumber and place that on a freshly cleaned face with a fan brush or baby spatula. This is mask is  really an awesome feeling skin treat. I leave the mask on at least 15 minutes and lay down.

Cucumbers are not only great for a tray of crudites at your next party but great for sunburned skin,help plump your skin,tightens the pores,helps with elasticity of the skin that leads to skin sagging.It also balances the PH level of the skin and gently lightens thus brightens and gently exfoliates the skin.

This pulp mask on a clean face is a wonderful…NO chemical skin care! And FYI other skin therapists/estheticians like me use this mask on their clientele too.

So now you see you can enjoy the cucumber in your salad,in a drink and on your face and neck!

 

 

 

Magical YUMMY Cranberries!

Cranberries…not everyone loves them… you understand,love or hate. But I love them! How about you? Do you like cranberries? Rethink them and don’t just eat them this time of year enjoy this  delicious beauty any time of the year.

At the top of the list…They help your body get rid of free radicals those nasty culprits that contribute to the aging process inside our bodies. And cranberries also do so much more!

They  help prevent dental problems like Gingivitis and gum disease.

Fights cancer like breast cancer cells.

Treat urinary tract infections.

Help relieve skin conditions like Dermatitis,acne and Eczema.

Strengthens the immune system.

So, add these sweet and tart delights to your food menu and enjoy!

*They also make  pretty amazing decor. You an make an ice mold with them for your holiday or new years eve party by simply making a mold of them with some rosemary.

 

 

Because you asked…MY Skin Care Rituals!

The most common question I get asked is what are  MY daily skin rituals?

So, because so many of you have asked I decided to share it with you.

#1 I take care of my skin!

NO secret there. I never go to sleep with the end of the days makeup on. No matter how tired I am or how much champagne I  might have enjoyed at a beauty event or at a party that evening.I always remove my makeup and wash my face well.

My main goal is to have healthy looking clear (blemish free skin) skin and also want to be healthy from within!

I love to spray my face with rosewater during the day.I also set my makeup with it.

I don’t wear lots of foundation.I apply it where I need it. I am not fond of looking at a couple of  sunspots I got from sunbathing when I first moved to Florida.I like an even looking  complexion.

I am a “water girl”…I drink tons of it!!!

I drink bottled water and also enjoy drinking a special water called All Beauty Water. I rarely drink soda or other sweet drinks.

After I wake up I drink a cup of hot water with a squeeze of lemon.This is my go to!!!

My mother taught me this since I was a little girl.She drank this daily. Then I drink either coffee or aromatic jasmine tea. Sometimes depending how my day is going to be I drink  Italian coffee with a pot I bought in Italy I got addicted to it on trips to Italy.

I take Belle + Bella   Probiology  capsule probiotic daily.It really helps me to maintain healthy skin from within…the gut~

I also love to drink my collagen and wear it too with NeoCell‘s new collagen supplement in powder form and my standby Beauty Infusion powder skin supplements by NeoCell too. Just add them to water,sip and go! My skin LOVES it and it shows.

Since moving from NYC/NJ to sunny  Florida for my husband I have gotten smarter and learned to love adding a sunscreen to my beauty skin routine.After meeting countless women with weathered sun damaged skin,I simply had to.

I also learned a good pair of sunglasses “sunnies” are a healthy addition to my fashion/SKINcare wardrobe.”They protect your eyes as well as the skin around your eyes where squinting wrinkles form.

I love to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. I buy them almost on a daily basis.Fresh is BEST! They do wonders for your skin.I love to visit Asian market and stores and farmers markets or shop at Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s.

I love supporting small biz farmers vegetable and fruit stands when I travel too! This weekend I am going to enjoy steamed veggies,yummy salads with edible flowers,I’ll make some blueberry sangria and a bit of naughty.Not sure what that naughty will be.

When I want to eat candy I love Sweet Pete’s in Jacksonville Florida or shop Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC or pop in the Sugar Factory in LV…but since  sweets age your skin faster I put myself on pause and eat a Beauty Burst by NeoCell.It is like candy for your skin. It has wonderful bonuses  for skin,nails and my hair and tastes like a StarBurst’s chewy candy.Taking vitamins never tasted or feels so good.

Since I LOVE natural I am going to make my skin a treat! I use this mask before I put on makeup. I vary using different fresh recipes I have created through the years.

An Oatmeal & Coconut Milk Face Mask

Try this recipe if you like to D.I.Y.face mask:

3 ounces of ground oats

1 1/2 ounces of coconut milk

Optional: Grind a small vanilla bean into the oats.It will smell amazing!

Mix dry with the wet ingredients and add a dash of fresh whole milk if it is not moist enough.

Apply to a clean face and leave on about 10-15 minutes.

The Beauty Benefits?

Great for all skin types including sensitive skin. It adds moisture to your complexion and gently exfoliates dry flaky skin too. I prefer to leave it on 10 minutes or so. Rinse mask off with  warm water and a washcloth. Add any one of the  moisturizer’s on my shelf and apply Young Eyes eye gel.

I also will slice some cold cucumbers and place one of each on my eye lids and rest my eyes. I truly think music is healting to the soul and calms the spirit.My fav’ is listening to the beautiful music of George Skaroulis “Sanctuary or David Young’s “Bliss”. If you don’t know their music you need to!

Hope you enjoyed a peek inside my skin care rituals.

I embrace my not so perfect lovely face. Do you?  What do you do?

*Due to your requests and inspired by the site Into The Gloss too. I hope you enjoyed the rituals I do.More on my skin rituals to come .