Oily, Dry or Combination skin…

Which one are you?

It’s January and a new year. It is time to refresh your skin care routine. But first you need to do a check in on what your skin is looking like and doing at this time.

Wash your face, look in the mirror in good lighting or better yet I like sunlight in the morning. Discover what your skin FEELS like and see.

1. Do your pores look large or small? Larger pores are typically associated with oily skin. Smaller pores are associated with skin on the dry side.

2. Does your T-zone get shiny? Look Greasy? EspecIally in the midday? This is typically and most common with combination skin a most common skin type.

3. When you press with your thumb on your forehead does it leave a white spot with a bit of redness around it? This usually means you have sensitive skin issues at this time.

This skin care quiz was created by my colleague Victoria Tabak who owns Nature Pure Labs.

Victoria and I both agree for you to keep in mind your skin can change at any time. And your skin will change as you age as well. It’s just a matter of time. Because you’ve messaged me on this I thought I’d share this quiz this year with you.

Stress, the change of weather, exercise regime and your diet all affect your skin and type.

After you do this analysis. Meet with a skin care PRO and look into the possibilities on what they recommend for you. If you prefer to shop for yourself in your local drug, grocery or big box store that’s fine too. Just make sure YOU are buying what’s right for YOU! Your skin at this time too.

FYI

Sometimes you can be all three. Skin care isn’t one size fits all.

Bathe yourself (mentally) in soothing light!

The magic of salt lamps!

I’m lining myself up for a better, calm and stress free new year. Adding to my decor. I’m not all about making new year resolutions anymore. How about you?

I have added more salt lamps to my spaces from a mini one by my computer 💻 to ones in other rooms of my home.

Salt lamps and Pink Himalayan salt lamps are so cool to look and calming to the spirit. Especially after a stressful or long day at work! You know what I mean.

Do you know many salt lamps are imported from ancient Polish salt mines? Poland was on my bucket list in spring 2020 until Covid arrived in our lives. Since my mom is of Polish descent I really wanted to travel ✈️and visit that part of our beautiful world.

Did you know there are salt spas in Poland that have wonderful powers for our health?

I have grown to love ❤️ the beauty of surrounding myself with salt lamps in my business and in my home. They illuminate your room or corner of the room with peachy, golden yellow and slightly red hues. The benefits are endless. Purifying and clearing the air in your space is just one of them. I love the ambient light they give a room. And so relaxing to gaze at in a room. Maybe it’s time you added a salt lamp or two to your home. They used to be pricey. But not anymore. You can find them now even at big box discount stores.

I have read about the healthy benefits of salt therapy and about the spas and salt mines in Poland. I so wanted to go! There are a few salt caves and spas that are in Poland and the one I hope to go to one day and visit is in a town …Wieliczka, Poland. They say spas and resorts offer therapeutic treatments like breathing salt infused air and incredible facials.

They say… Salt lamps also may help with people with allergies, aging skin, respiratory issues and so much more.

Let the light 💡 envelop you and take it all in with this calming therapy for your space, mind and spirit.

Ho! Ho! Ho! 🎅🎄

Did I ever tell you I use to be a Santa’s Helper at the mall? I loved ❤️that job!

Counting down to Santa’s arrival and the beauty of Christmas Eve! I took care of my last client. Shipped the last holiday mail order 📦 and closed my business doors. I wish the holiday season was like before. But it is not the same for brick and mortar businesses. Although we are trying to hang in there. Again this holiday it was hard to speak to people with face masks 😷 on and not hear them clearly or most of all see their lovely smile!

I want to take this moment to say I hope you have a HAPPY Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I know many people celebrate it tonight and go to church tomorrow. I know every family has their own ritual. Blessings to you and your family and friends too!

Put something cozy on and take time and chill and sip a cup of cheer.

What are you serving Santa tonight? A delicious cookie 🍪? A cocktail 🍹? A glass of milk? Do tell!

I’m serving him a hot chocolate with a chocolate marshmallow bomb inside. And a home-made cookie.

I believe in ❤️ Santa!

Dull dry skin … needs this!

The skin on my lips is peeling. My eyes are getting drier and my skin feels tight. Yes, I get it too not just you!

So here is a simple recipe that works wonders without spending a lot.

All you need for this skincare recipe is:

1 container of unflavored organic Yogurt.

I personally prefer Greek yogurt.

Easy Face masks awaits you in your kitchen!

Apply a spoonful on a clean face. Do this recipe when you have time to spare and don’t rush it. It’s more fun and better that way. Stay away from your eye area. But you can go near the skin on your 👁 area example: lines around the eyes. Some people call them “crows feet” … I don’t.

Leave this treatment on your face at least 15 minutes.

Rinse well with luke warm water and a washcloth.

Next apply your moisturizer.

Yogurt benefits your skin by gently exfoliating it, brightening to the skin and makes it look better.

Say Bye Bye to dull and dry skin.

*Then have a bowl of yogurt with fruit and a a dash of granola. Great for your gut and tastes refreshing too. 😋 Yum!

As you can see I love ❤️ to use store bought skin care with produce and other foodie items from my kitchen.

Take care of your skin and it will take care of you!

Holiday gift ideas…

I featured on TV some awesome products to give to your bestie, loved ones and to save in your gift closet.

Photo by Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com

Here are the rest of the gift ideas I shared on River City Live in sunny Jacksonville Florida.

http://www.rivercitylivetv.com http://www.news4jax.com

I love to give gifts and enjoy making my own glam boxes and fill them with a few treasures and maybe a few chocolates or home-made cookies at the bottom of the box as an unexpected surprise!

Peter Thomas Roth skin care has a fun gift collection of face masks! Mask-A-Holic box has an array of different masks that do different things for your skin. From hydrating to clarifying to gentle polishing. They even have some hydrating eye patches boxed and ready to give which is a great stocking stuffer.

Beauty Blender that infamous hot pink beauty sponge has a variety of new gift sets one to hang from a tree. It comes with a ribbon to hang and inside a faux ice cream cone. So stinking cute! Bounce on!

Vasanti Kajal Eye Kit is a smooth and silky collection.

Banish has a collection of skin care that was created for teens and people that have acne or pesky breakouts and possible scaring. This unisex brand comes in a black sleek packaging and one set even comes with a plush Banish Warrior head band to wear when you are about to wash your face. Guys not just for the girls will benefit and love this too.

Beia Daily Hydrating Setting Mist spray is a woman owned brand that makes the makeup look great, skin hydrated and last longer.

Majenye is a line of crystal infused,clean and eco-friendly self care like whipped body souffles,relaxing bath salts,candles and more. This is a black-owned business.

Unwrapped Life has a line of soaps with zero waste. Packaged in paper bags NO bottles and fancy packaging. From hair to toe! They also have soap dishes to protect the bars and drain and dry with no mess or fuss. Unisex.

HOPE Fragrances is a luxe collection of fragrances created by Audrey Gruss. It has an interesting back story that you should read about on her site or in social media. A great cause too to bring awareness to Depression.

So gift yourself this holiday season and cross off all the others on your list with a few of the above gift ideas. Self-care has never been more important and we need to pamper and take care of ourselves and those we love and care about too.

Whipping up some beauty!

DIY Recipe for your hair:

Have fun in the kitchen and whip up some face and body care. I featured these recipes on TV 📺 yesterday on River City Live on http://www.News4Jax.com

Check out the video clip.

FYI

If you are allergic to any other the ingredients below. Please skip that ingredient. If you have very sensitive skin do a patch test on your inner wrist.

I have super sensitive skin. I do not have any problems with any of these delightful DIY treats. 😍

Coconut 🥥 milk by the can is so softening and gives you a healthier sheen. Use it before you shampoo and then pour a cup on your ends and rub a comb through your hair. Leave on at least 15 minutes.

Women from exotic countries love this hair trick!

Canned Coconut milk or coconut oil both work!

Hi 🍯 Honey! Face Mask Recipe

Local honey makes a skin softening and soothing face mask for women or men. Yes, it’s a bit messy and you might want to eat it and lick 😋 the leftovers. but it is a quick wonderful mask. Apply on clean face and leave on at least 10 minutes. I also like to do this mask on my neck.

A little honey goes a long way!

Rice 🍚 Water Face Mask for uneven skin tone

Raw White rice for your skin? Yes, please!

Oats for your bath? Why not?

Milk & Oat Bath Body Recipe

Fill a bathtub with warm water. Place a sachet (muslin or organza bag both work)

Filled with a cup or two of raw oats and some powdered milk.

* You can substitute the powdered milk for a small bottle of water.

Soak your cares away, dry skin and itchy skin away! Soak in the bath until the water 💦 cools. Your skin will feel amazing.

Nail & Cuticle Hand Bath

All you need is some olive 🫒 oil, avocado 🥑 oil or other favorite oil. I like to soak my hands in this oil bath. Do this for at least 10 minutes.

* Rub the extra oil on your toe nails and feet.

Instant mani & pedi fix !

End these spa like treats from your kitchen with a martini 🍸 or a glass of bubbly Prosecco or champagne 🍾

My husband likes to join in on the pampering self care fun too!

Dirty !

They had me at “dirty” (naughty me!) but it all fit when I saw this eye lash cleaner on my recent trip ✈️ to guest speak at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference.

I never really thought about or heard of a lash cleaner for strip lashes or lash extensions before. I thought you just rinsed them with a dash of soap and water. But then I walked the trade show floor after my class at the Spa show…. And discovered something.

Everyone seems to be batting their eyes with lashes especially now that we’re wearing face masks 😷 or covers and no other makeup. The emphasis for some are just on the eyes. Not me I must add a dash of it all and can’t forget a luscious lipstick.

So with that comes the need for a little TLC whether the lashes are real,faux strip lashes or lash extensions.

Clean, fluffy & hydrated lashes!

Dirty Lash lash cleaner to the rescue!

Blue agave juice cleans and moisturizes. While plant extracts protect the lashes from pathogens..

Safe to use… easy to use…

Will not deteriorate lash glue

Will not strip natural skin oils

Oil free

Kills sebaceous bacteria

Conditions the hair

*No sting! No alcohol! No Triclosan

Have you ever tried this product? Just curious. I think it is a much needed winner. Especially nowadays. We can’t be too clean can we?

Stay safe and healthy, Beauties.

I ❤️ this nail lacquer!

My summer beauty crush is a nail polish. I love getting a mani & pedi and enjoy touching my nails 💅 up between my manicure appointments so I can look my best.

While shopping 🛍 to pick up some milk and and a few other things I discovered of all places in The Dollar General an end cap display of nail lacquer. A few colors caught my eye.

I can’t wait to buy MORE!

They have 18 show stopping colors!

Twisted 🌷 Tulip nail lacquer!

Maybe I needed a frost, no I needed a matte. So I chose Twisted 🌷 Tulip! Perhaps like my personality. It is Maybelline FAST gel nail lacquer. Yes, Maybelline every teen on a budgets dream.

It went on my nails smooth and looked flawless instantly. Best part besides this beautiful hue. It is so FAST drying! I am in love! And I almost forgot I’ve had two coats on for a week. Not a dent or chip. Color is shiny and still looks amazing.

And by the way, for years I have been able to only use OPI nail polish because I am allergic to other nail lacquers.

No your nail bed doesn’t break out nor do you necessarily get a rash. Your eye 👁 lids and under eyes can get itchy and irritated. And can even get raw red from scratching or rubbing.

Did you even know you can be allergic from the ingredients in some brand nail polish?

It’s not over. There’s still more summer left! Maybe it’s time you discover and try a few and play away!

You’ll most likely fall in love with it too!

Like the brands tube goes… Maybe It’s Maybelline!

Is Lipliner 💋 Gone Forever?

💋

I don’t think so! Do you?

What do you think?

Do you use one? Or have you ever used one. Please share!

Have you started to use a lipliner now that many of us are no longer wearing masks everywhere?

I love ❤️ lipstick 💄 & lipliner! They are like TWINS for the lips to me since I’m one I like that sound of twins even more.

💋Using lip liner makes our lipstick last longer by shaping the lips with it and makes lipgloss NOT run.

💋It gives shape and definition to our lips.

💋It makes thin lips look fuller.

💋It makes very lips look smaller.

Depending on the lipliner mood you’re in and the look you want to create that day.

I hope lip pencils aren’t gone forever and that since were masking up less. We will continue wearing them.

Packing is exhausting!

Especially after a year and half of NO airplane ✈️ travel. not sure what to really expect this travel trip! But two flights and flying with a mask 😷 on is going to be a bit of a challenge. But I know I’ll make it. This pandemic isn’t quite over.

I’ve spent ALL day packing my luggage 🧳 , unpacking and planning my trip. Packing my clothes and beauty supplies for my class requires precise packing as it must conform to weight limits and that’s always a task for a woman! Namely me.

Don’t ya just love 💕 my luggage? I got it from TJMaxx before the pandemic and it’s so cool 😎 rolling it around. I’ve been doing the happy dance with it during the pandemic. Waiting for this time to happen and travel on an airplane again!

I’m excited to get away and guest speak at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference again. Alongside the International Beauty Show. Both shows are absolutely amazing.

I get high when I fly! Because I love to fly!

I can’t wait to meet my class of beauty professionals,dermatologists,plastic surgeons and spa owners. The show attracts beauty and wellness professionals from all over the 🌎 world. It’s going to be different this year with social distancing and on and off face masks in 108 degrees.

But I know it’s going to be FABULOUS!

Stay tuned I’ll share my work and play adventure!

If you’re a beauty PRO maybe I’ll see you there!