Prettier Healthy Skin from inside and out!

They say “You are what you eat” and it is so true!

This week on TV on River City Live I featured some ideas for snacking,face and body masking and for GLOWING skin! I hope you will enjoy them too.

I try and eat the right stuff and love most fruits and veggies. But sometimes I am looking for a little cheat drink that gives me energy and can help give my skin a boost over time. I discovered an easy recipe that actress Reese Whiterspoon shared on Instagram last year. I am kinda addicted and make and drink this recipe weekly. IF you have not tried it its worth looking into. Even my husband enjoys it.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

All you need is:

2 HEADS OF ROMAN LETTUCE

1/2 CUP OF SPINACH

1/2 CUP OF COCONUT WATER

1 WHOLE BANANA

1 WHOLE APPLE

1 WHOLE PEAR

1 WHOLE LEMON

SCOOP OF ALMOND BUTTER (optional)

Mix all of the above to a Vitamix type blender for easy blending.

Sometimes I like to make a smoothie/ drink what I call “Everything but the kitchen sink” I simply pull out whatever leftover vegetables and fruits I have on hand and put it in a blender with a juice I might have leftover or some bottled water. It usually turns out quite delicious!

If you are really pressed for time, Dole makes some delicious options in the freezer aisle of a mix of fruits and greens blend. One of favorites is made with mango.banana,apple,pineapple and spinach.

Stay hydrated for plump happy skin for face and body. If you are not a water drinker snack on cucumbers or drink coconut water. Add a cherry in the glass or an umbrella and make it a fun ritual. you look forward to.

Photo by Tamanna Rumee on Pexels.com

Celebrities just like I love using produce for prettier vibrant skin and a healthier body. Like a strawberry face mask with fresh strawberries or they use it as a teeth whitening treat.

Photo by Jenna Hamra on Pexels.com

Avocado masks are also good for your hair or face and neck. So nourishing.

Spinach is a rock star for skin and body! My friend Victoria Evelyn founder of the Chocolate Skincare Factory brand happens to be both a pharmacist and an esthetician recommended to me another way to get my greens for my on the go lifestyle! Simply keep on hand fresh bag of spinach in your fridge and pop a handful as a quick snack. I even take a mini snack bag with me on the road or on the run. Be like POPEYE and eat spinach.

Photo by Rodolfo Quiru00f3s on Pexels.com

I love baby tomatoes! I pop them like candy. Really! There is a magical ingredient in tomatoes that research shows may protect our skin from UV damage from sunburn. Naturally I have to protect my skin with a SUNSCREEN from a tube but I also eat these and also make Italian dishes with tomato paste which is loaded with lycopene. Since I have had a bad sunburn before I really never want to feel that again.

I also love a banana mask for dry elbows and knees. All you do is mash a banana and put it on those dry dull areas for the body. Or you can use it as a soothing hydrating face mask too.

Photo by Any Lane on Pexels.com

If you crave a little crunch…mini baby carrots are a great go too instead of potato chips! Although I really love a bag of Kettle Chips! Your eyes and skin will love you too.

Grapes are hydrating bites of love that keep your skin looking good too.

Nuts and dried fruits are good for you snack too! You haven’t lived until you have tried dried cherries! I love them as a sweet treat alone or in a salad.

Whatever you do…always remember your health is #1.

And so should your skin be too!

Day 24 of MY Beauty Secrets

Today while running a few quick errands I came across two women I could not stop looking at! While the were waiting on me at the cash register I was mesmerized by their lovely personality! They really seemed to love their job and happy to even have one.

I also noticed a high frost all over one of the employees faces. She shimmered, sparkled, glowed, gleamed,glimmered and looked like as shiny as the TIN Man off the Wizard of Oz movie. It was everywhere!

Inner corners of her eyes, up her nose, on the tip of her nose (She did not cover her nose with her face mask 😷 properly) and all over the apple of her cheeks. Her brow hairs even got in on the shimmer action! She too was a lovely pretty young woman who clearly overdosed on the makeup. Mainly foundation.

My beauty secret here is ALWAYS make up your face with good lighting or a sunlit window. Blend, blend,blend. Less is truly more!

And if you don’t feel like you are good at doing your own makeup 💄 or feel you’re not sure of the color choices that are right for you! Consult a beauty or skincare PRO.

When it’s safe to get an appointment for a makeup lesson. As most of us professionals are following CDC guidelines and not doing face to face or Lip 👄 to lip 👄lessons.

Play with highlighters and shimmer with caution and a soft touch!

I think she has been watching a lot of YouTube videos! The makeup distracted me from her true beauty.

My next stop the girl had so much foundation on even with a mask. Her forehead, cheeks, lower jawline and neck I could see on all sides of the face. Her foundation was a Tan Orange. I so wanted to blend that down or give her a complete makeover right there on the spot.

YOU can look pretty in your makeup!

A little bit of color goes a long way!

But sometimes you simply need a helping hand.

STOP the insanity!

It’s time to hang around the house,go to the mail box or take a walk with a little color on your face,lips and nails!

I see in social media some people have NOT put on makeup or a lipstick in approaching a month! As a professional Make-Up artist and Skin Therapist I find this so sad!🙁

As I mentioned before my mantra is ” A woman without lipstick is like a day without sunshine” So, please pretty please at least put on some lipstick 💄 or at least a lipgloss 👄

I promise you’ll not only FEEL better. You’ll look better too.

Tomorrow is a new day if you didn’t do it today.

Take the time to get a little dolled up! WHY you say? For who? For YOU and those around you.

Because you need to! Perk yourself up! Brighten that complexion! Give those cheeks a pop of color!

If you don’t want to do any makeup at all and I haven’t convinced you enough on that go do something good for your hair.

If you don’t want to go all the way with foundation and more. At least put a tinted moisturizer or BB cream on. Add a little blush to your cheeks, put on little mascara and lipstick.

While you’re at it apply a nude or metallic hue to your nails. They don’t require a lot of work or precision to apply. Just swipe and you’re good to go!

These nail polish shades also don’t show chips as fast.

As for your hair...

Give yourself a hydrating treat by mixing tap water in a spray bottle with a bit of conditioner added.

Shake the two together.

Spritz on dry hair and rinse after 15 -20 minutes. Take a bath or shower and wash your hair. No need to condition your hair again.

Give a bit of the blow dryer and you’ll have shiny happy better looking brush and go hair. Even if you’re just going to your living room. 😁

I know we’re all restless … we’re all in this together and need to keep our spirits UP and look our best waiting and staying home.

Photo by Shiny Diamond on Pexels.com

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

Essie’s Spring Collection Is the Ultimate Pastel Pick-Me-Up — StyleCaster

Since we all need an a visual pick me up…here are some new nail polish hues to swoon over. I knew the pastel hues would be on trend. Just knew it. Just like I felt the blue shade of the year released by Pantone.

Can you guess what is my favorite?

It’s looking like now we’re going to be in quarantine, washing our hands and staying six feet away from others, for…a while. While there are way more important things than our nails, it’s nice to keep them up and keep ourselves busy. Essie’s nail polish collection for Spring 2020 features gorgeous pastel hues that will…

via Essie’s Spring Collection Is the Ultimate Pastel Pick-Me-Up — StyleCaster

How To Give Yourself The Best DIY Manicure — StyleCaster

I couldn’t have wrote this any better. Enjoy this blog post.

No one will be able to tell that these cuticles aren’t first class.

via How To Give Yourself The Best DIY Manicure — StyleCaster

LOVE you Lavender!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Lavender is an aromatic delight that relaxes and soothes us just right!

To some people it may be an acquired taste OR scent. I so love sipping lavender tea. Lathering up with lavender scented body lotion and enjoy it’s relaxing properties in a lavender bubble bath.

One of my fave’s I featured on TV in Las Vegas this week was a steamy water facial bath.

• First wash your face.
• Next boil some water.
• Then pour the water into a glass bowl or you may leave it on the stove with the burner off and get ready to clean your pores with this steamy aromatic treat. I like to add a couple of drops of lavender essential and sprinkle in a few lavender buds.I favor the brand  Aura Cacia for my essential oil treat.
• Next, place a lightweight tea towel over your head and bend over allowing the steam to reach your face and the towel will help the steam not to escape. Do this for at least 5 to 10 minutes for it to help open your pores and release the dead skin build up and clogged pores. It’s like a workout for your pores!
• After you’ve sweat it out and enjoyed the steamy facial…rinse your face with a gentle complexion bar soap or cleanser.
• Pat dry and place a smidge of moisturizer on your face. And a dash of eye gel.
• Go to bed with a refreshed face and skin. Wake up with happier skin.

 

• 

Another all time treat I like to D.I.Y. is to make bedtime sachets to tuck inside my pillow cases. The one above is for Sweet Dreams and a good nights sleep. Add a drop of essential oil i lavender will make it even more aromatic.

If relaxing dried lavender isn’t your thing, try this D.I.Y. by preparing a mix of dried mini rose buds or fresh rose petals. Add a drop of rose essential oil to the sachet. The rose scent is soothing to the spirit and have you resting in no time.

I adore playing in my beauty kitchen and my bathroom which I affectionately call my beauty lab/apothecary. My husband LOVES being my tester and my clients in my beauty cottage love when I share my beauty secrets and potions with them too.

I hope you’ll take time to smell and maybe take a bite of the edible flowers and whip up something with lavender too!

 

 

Makeup Artist’s secret…

When it comes to makeup and washing your makeup brushes many of you would rather apply makeup. Same is true for washing your makeup brushes. So, if you’re looking for a quick clean fix …try this!

Instead of washing them with brush cleaner and going through a cleansing ritual after each use….

Simply rinse the one you use with water and then kill any bacteria that may be dancing on them with a spritz of good old witch hazel. I always keep a spray bottle of witch hazel on hand (and label it so I know what it is) Next, take the brush and rub into on a paper towel gently back and forth. Place in a brush holder and let it dry.

If you like to use witch hazel you can wash your brushes thoroughly weekly with a dimes worth of glycerin soaps and a tablespoon of witch hazel. Depending how many brushes you are washing you will need to double this recipe. Rinse your brushes well. Allow them to rest on the edge of  counter top over night.

Once a week wash them like you usually do …Or you can use my other brush cleaning recipes from previous blog posts.

Always  remember …If you want a pretty looking and clear complexion you MUST wash your beauty tools and makeup brushes. No one is going to do it for you so…Just do it!

My nail polish mystery…

I am trying to get to the mystery of my nail polishes!

For the past few months I have picked up some awesome shades at my fav’ stores at fabulous discount prices.Like you I was thrilled to get a deal!!!

I bring it to my nail tech,get a mani & pedi and the polish is off and chipping in a few days! It doesn’t matter what brand but they are big names.Never happened quite like this before.Very discouraging when you want to look polished and pretty.The deal here is that it does not happen to me for full price polishes.

Is this happening to you?

Is this a case of OLD and not so fresh batches of nail lacquer that gets shipped to stores for a quick sale?

I am beginning to think it is.

PS

I love ESSIE and a few other brands I have got a deal on too.Note this is no reflection on them. Just where and how I am buying the various polishes.

 

Pretty Nail Paint

Another fabulous and fun gift. I shared this with you last year and bears repeating this year! Custom a nail polish collection and name it after them too!

I love mine…you’ll love yours! OR they will love theirs too!

A very special cool gift!

Pretty Please Nail polish will jingle her bells!

I Feel better and Pretty!

It is that time of year where we all seem to THINK PINK and are reminded of Breast Cancer Awareness month.I just went for mine and I feel so good.It really doesn’t hurt and it is quick and good for your health.
Afterwards I treated myself to some beautiful colorful bras. Take care of yourself if you don’t who will?

Have you had a physical lately and booked your mammogram dahlings?