If you have breast cancer…or any cancer

Here are some tips to make you feel a little better and to look beautiful. I hope you enjoy them and will use them.

Your skin will go through many changes. Take time for a quick shopping trip to update your beauty regime.Use a skin care regime that is more hydrating.Chemo and other treatments will make your skin drier.

Even if you are not a lipstick,lip gloss or lip balm girl …you will definitely NEED something on your lips to keep them moisturized. Be READY for kissing and look better too.

There is NOTHING like a little color on your face.
Some days you may not feel like it and must simply stay in bed but the times you feel up to it… It can be as simple as 1,2,3.
You don’t have to use foundation. Use a tinted moisturizer.Perk up your eyes with a little eyeshadow or eyeliner.Add some blush to your face. Forehead,cheeks and chin.If you want the feel of mascara…use CLEAR mascara.

TREAT YOURSELF to something like a luscious pink nail polish like OPI’s MOD FOR YOU!

Use an organic/vegan body lotion or hand cream that makes you feel pretty,smells YUMMY and makes you feel good.If you are not into much fragrance at this time use a fragrance free one or even olive oil or coconut oil will do the trick.

Oh the many moods and ways your body will change.If you are always HOT. I have been hot flashing since I was 5 years old. I am almost always HOT. Try HOT GIRLS PEARLS to keep your body cooler.These beautiful gems around your neck or on your wrists will feel cool and refreshing. So cool I even wear them to the beach for a stroll to keep cool.
Visit their website for more information.www.hotgirlspearls.com

Cancer is a sneaky disease and a club I too did not want to join. I did not want to be invited.PLEASE do yourself and your family a favor.Get a skin care exam for a check up all of your body for skin cancer (starting as a teenager)

Get a mammogram if you are of age or your doctor recommended.Preventative maintence makes you prettier and live longer.
Just a reminder MEN get breast cancer too.Remind him to go for a check-up!

If you’d like to see more tips like these and me in action check out the video go to http://www.firstcoastnews.com click on THE CHAT

A sneaky disease!

I did too!Breast cancer or any other kind of cancer can not only changes your body it can really change your mood and skin. From dehydration to red splotches, dry patches or no hair.

As a breast cancer survivor, myself. It can happen not only IN your breast you have to worry about, it appearing ON your breast. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. Not very common for women. It is mainly found in men, especially ones who work and play outdoors without a shirt.

I found a spot that looked like a beauty mark on my right breast out of the blue. It was never there before so I immediately booked an appointment with my dermatologist. After a biopsy, my doctor advised I get Mohs surgery. It was a long painful ordeal and the morning of the surgery, yet another spot popped up right next to the other one. I was a mystery to them, as typically dark haired women do not get it.

THIS is my column featured in the Florida Times-Union newspaper thought you might enjoy it. http://www.jacksonville.com

Beauty pearls of wisdom from one girl to another:Have a mammogram and a complete face and body skin check up too.

Cancer is a very sneaky disease. It has many members and a club that I did not want to ever join. While my results were Sqamous cell carcinoma and not Melanoma, they were able to remove it all. It could have been worse.

Pretty Pick-Me-Ups:
When you have breast cancer or any kind of cancer even applying makeup or brushing your hair can be a chore. You just do not feel like primping!
When you are not up to your usual beauty routine, here are some tips to help you feel and look the best you can…quick!

· Simplify your routine! You do not have to apply a full face of makeup. Skip the foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer or a light formula foundation. Apply with a sponge that is damp, not dry, as it will make your skin look better. Even a moisturizer will do the trick too.
· Buy a rich, decadent face and body cream. It is important to keep hydrated via drinking water and moisturizing your whole body, including your face.

· Your makeup needs some staying power, as your body chemistry is different now. Try some rice powder, it sets makeup, makes it last longer on your face and helps the colors true.

· When you have cancer, your skin loses its luster. Try out a shimmer face powder or stick. It will make your skin have a luminescent finish.

· Buy pretty lip-glosses, lip balms or lipsticks. I believe lipstick is magic and helps bad days become better. A swipe on the lip and not on your hips is a beautiful thing!

· Find a beautiful hand mirror and don’t use a 5x or 10 x magnification mirror do not scrutinize your every pore.

· A tinted brow gel is great if you lose your brows.

· Make blush your BFF as it is really going to boost your looks and adds color to your face!

· Buy yourself some pretty sheets or loungewear. I wore a yoga pants set; it felt so much nicer than just wearing a nightgown all the time.

· Surround yourself with a scented candle. Lavender soothes and calms you down, vanilla makes you happy, rose and citrus scents offer the feel good factor.

· If you can add baths to your life especially if you are a shower gal, go for it. A massage therapist once told me, and it stayed with me forever, a bath in Epsom salts can do wonders for your health. It is an old fashioned healthful addition to your bath water. Float your cares away. It really relaxes your muscles and detoxifies too.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Now is the time to take extra care of your body, mind and spirit!
Stay well and be strong…YOU are Gorgeous and an amazing woman!

I love to hear from you…if you need me call or e-mail me. I care about you and your beauty health too!

STAMP OUT breast cancer!

Pink!

Buy a stamp or a sheet of stamps and support a pretty cause to STAMP OUT  breast cancer as .10 of each stamp purchased will go for Breast Cancer Research.

Now, I only wish the stamp was as pink as the Post Office in Jacksonville Florida was today. I bought my sheet now it’s your turn.

Spread the pretty cause word!!!

I am a breast cancer survivor~

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month and a time you should make sure to book your mammogram. It’s also time to let you know not all breast cancer is in the breast. It is ON the breast. I am a breast SKIN  cancer survivor. I joined a club I didn’t want to join, has tons of members and no annual dues.

It all started with a brown spot like a cupcake chocolate dot decoration small and round but raised. I found it on my breast. I had no idea this would lead to SKIN CANCER called Squamous cell carcinoma. The day of my surgery ANOTHER spot appeared on the same breast. Hours in the operating room with Mohs Surgery a special kind of surgery just for this. $5,000.00 WORTH OF SURGERY and medical bills,terrified, I did not think I’d make it later. I am telling everyone I can tell or who will listen!

BE AWARE and BEWARE!

It can come from a bad sunburn when you were a child, a suntan booth or baking like a chocolate chip cookie in the sunshine!

Skin cancer is very sneaky…one is basal cell, the next type is Squamous cell and the last and most deadly is melanoma. It can pop up out of no where and look like a beauty mark…some may be but most likely will be some form of skin cancer. Wear sunscreen girls and guys! PROTECT your face and body. Get a check up yearly especially if you live in a tropical climate with lots of sunshine. While I love the sun… and sunbathing. I don’t ever want to go through this scare and health drama again.

I don’t feel very pretty anymore especially with my scars.

But I am happy to be alive!!!

I care about you and your skin health too! Take care of yourself. GUYS too!