Foodies!

Posted on April 30, 2023 by Noreen Young

I love ❤️ to eat! Especially foods that not only nourish my body and fill me up but that are great for my skin.

Today let’s chat sweet potatoes!

Sweet potatoes 🍠 are filled with antioxidants, selenium minerals like copper and super rich in vitamin C.

Eating them can actually help with dry skin and wrinkles. Vitamin C creates collagen which helps to keep your skin firm, plump and reduces the appearance of dry skin. Doctors say they can even give your skin a healthy tint. Just by eating them regularly.

You can also enjoy them as a face mask. Yes, I’ve tried it! I do it too.

What you will need for this food recipe:

1 boiled sweet potato

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt (not sweetened)

Whip or mash the two together. Cool. And apply this simple mask on your face. Keep away from the eyes. Leave on at least 15 minutes.

Yogurt exfoliates the skin and the sweet potato softens the skin. I love this mask after a day at the beach or at the pool. It really feels good!

Rinse well with a warm washcloth and follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

If you’re looking for a light lunch, snack or a side dish for any meal… here’s an awesome recipe all my guests enjoy!

Creamy Sweet Potatoes with an Asian Twist

What you will need for this food recipe is:

6 large sweet potatoes 🍠 Peeled and cut into large chunks

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

1 Can of coconut 🥥 milk (14 ounces)

Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a small saucepan, simmer the coconut milk until reduced by one quarter.

In a large pot of water that has been lightly salted boil the potatoes until very tender. Drain and transfer to a food processor or mixer. Add coconut milk, nutmeg and mix together.

You’re done! No butter needed. Really!

However, if you’d like to add a few pats of butter go for it! And or a dusting of cinnamon sugar. Beyond yum!

A cozy comfort food ANY time of year.

This makes a casserole dish full and feeds quite a few people or you’ll have leftovers. That’s good too. So delicious!

Enjoy!

Please note: if you are allergic or can’t eat sweet potatoes skip these recipes.

Attn: Boss Babes in Beauty!

Posted on April 23, 2023 by Noreen Young

If you’re in beauty and a licensed beauty PRO or student in beauty school you need to know about and attend this amazing long standing show!

Or if you’re a spa, medi-spa and plastic surgeon you should be attending this IECSC show in the one and only Las Vegas this June!

I so enjoy sharing my expertise and inspiring others ! I hope you’ll register or have a member from your team to attend my fun and educational class.

Thousands of estheticians, makeup artists , spa and salon owners will travel from around the globe!

It is THE place to be June 25th and 26th! The show floor is massive and so exhilarating. So much to explore and see!

It’s time to think about doing something for YOU and your solo practice or spa business. Be the best at what you do and see new trends and learn something NEW.

See you there?! ✈️

*If this show is new to you think about joining us and register for my class too.

Read more about all the show has to offer:

http://www.IECSC.com #LVSpaShow

Recipe to … Nail it!

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Noreen Young

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. I’m not into press on nails, faux nails 💅 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.

I’ve been on them a half a month and I’m in love ❤️!

My nails are stronger, longer, not peeling, healthier looking and I’m happier too!

So to keep the self care rolling I’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 oils…Please skip my tip!

I hope you’ll try my professional recommendation. Your nails, hair and nails will look better!

Food & Fun finds from my trip to NYC!

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Noreen Young

34th Street Herald Square is the center if it all. Macy’s where I used to work early on in my beauty & fashion career is THE place to stop. It is their flagship store where it all began. You know it from the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade.

Macy’s has so much to offer from beauty, to fashion to fabulous food and drinks! There is something for everyone!

They evdd we n have their own Merch shop as well as I Love ❤️ NY gifts and fun finds.

Seventh Avenue and around the corners is Fashion Ave. You’ll see all kinds of businesses and racks of fresh made clothing and boxes of handbags and shoes zipping in and out of the street into the buildings. This is where a lot of the fast fashions are made! It also where up and coming designers get discovered.

If you are a creative spirit and like to make things and see… on these streets by Macy’s you’ll see the Garment districts novelty suppliers. They will even sell to you if you have the money. From sequins, glitter, to decorative ribbons and the most amazing and unique buttons and more! You just have to explore!

This district and shopping in the different neighborhood boutiques and stores in Soho, the Village and other shops in downtown NY. You’ll have a ball! Just give yourself time to explore!

Uptown is yet another Mecca of shopping and fashionable fun. There’s even a thrift store that is filled with designer clothing and accessories. NYC has the most amazing shopping.

This area of NY is where you might even bump into Sarah Jessica Parker as Sex and the City shoots there and she lives in the area.

A trip uptown cannot be complete without a stop at Bloomingdales Dept. store where I worked in the cosmetics department. You never know who you might see visiting the store. I’ll never forget seeing one of my first celebrities. Actor Sylvester Stallone of boxing 🥊 movie fame stopped to shop my cosmetic counter and had a few haircare questions. It was pretty exciting.

Chinatown is yet another section of NYC you need to visit. Send Chinatown some ❤️ LOVE. They need your business. It is “lit” right now with so many new eateries, bakeries, drink spots and delicious street vendors.

Chinatown gift shops, decor and more is yet another reason to shop there. So many unique things.

By the way, actors George Clooney and Brad Pitt have been there in Chinatown shooting a movie! I’m a fan!

The “Hells Kitchen” area is home to some awesome places to shop and eat. One of my favorites in the area is The legendary Little Pie Company bakery. Never disappoints.

As you can see I always fit in time to taste and enjoy all the city has to offer when I guest speak at spa bad wellness shows. The International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa conference was even more wonderful this year!

Pack a travel journal,a pen and wear comfortable shoes and clothes to explore all that New York City has to offer.

It was so great to not only educate but also reconnect with my beauty community. The show is EXCLUSIVE to beauty professionals, estheticians, makeup artists, massage therapists,nail techs, spas, salons and beauty business owners.

The fashion & beauty forecast I saw was Color IS Going strong in fashion. And Makeup is either bold or minimal. SKIN continues to be IN. Healthy looking pretty skin!

Lip Blushing!

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Noreen Young

I recently had a chance to speak with Melannie Miller AKA … Mae Mae Ink on Instagram @MarMaeInk about her side hustle business as a tattoo artist.

This beauty so intrigued me! A mom of twins and two more. She is not only gorgeous she is quite artistic in many ways.

So I simply had to have her on my blog as a guest interview. One of the hottest services in beauty right now is a service called “Lip Blushing”. Since I am mad about lipstick 💄 and painting 👄 pouts I had to chat about it with her. Let’s learn about it together!

Melannie is a professional tattoo artist and I had to know what exactly is Lip Blushing?

It is a type of semi-permanent cosmetic procedure achieved by depositing pigments in your lips using small needles. Basically your natural lip shade but enhanced.

Tell us about the process?

We will first establish the color match and once we have our color I will prep the skin by cleaning your lips and the surrounding skin gently then I will apply a numbing cream then put cotton swabs in between your lips and teeth to make the canvas more firm for the procedure then I will line your lips with a lip pencil to establish an even shape that goes with your natural shape then from there I will begin depositing your color match ink into your lips.

How does somebody prepare for the service before they see you? Or is no prep needed?

We ask that you use a safe lip scrub 3-4 days out of your appointment and once more before coming in to remove any dead or dry skin.

How long does it take for someone to get their lips blushed? Or are there several visits.

It takes up to 2 hours for the whole procedure to insure an even tone and shape. This procedure will last up to 2 years.

What is the healing time? How will someone look afterwards? Is there a bit of a down time?

Is it painful?

It takes about a week to heal and you will go through a few peeling stages which is complete normal, when you leave it will be a bit red and you shouldn’t feel much discomfort due to the numbing cream we apply before. There isn’t any down time we just ask you keep them moisturized at all times during the healing process and to avoid spicy foods or heavily seasoned foods for the first 24 hours.

Is it a unisex art & service? Yes it is! Anyone can come in for any of our permanent make up services provided.

I hope you enjoyed my guest and all the information on this trending lip enhancing beauty service.You can find her on the gram @maemaeink

If you happen to live in Jacksonville Fl and the metro area you’re in luck! You may reach her at:

Fantasy Tattoo in Orange Park Fl

To book an appointment 904-866-2330

Questions on her beauty enhancement services via email:maemaeink@gmail.com

Not sure and want to learn more? Give her a call to explore the pretty possibilities.

Put Yourself First!

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Noreen Young

I know it’s easier said than done but the last few weeks I have stopped to take some peaceful breaths and breathe. I took some time off from blogging.

I MISSED you and posting but I have enjoyed getting caught up with myself, my house and my life. I really enjoyed it. Even the quiet times.

As we’ve started a new year I have HOPE even though the world seems to be crashing down around us. So much going on. Ever changing. It’s a different world 🌍 we’re living in.

And I am looking forward to what lies ahead. My guest speaking and event calendar is getting pretty full already. But I promised myself to take time to enjoy ALL the beautiful little things in life. You know… there are so many.

How are you? I hope your holidays were lovely and that you started the new year well. If you have any beauty, skin or wellness questions I’m here to help.

Is The Weather Wreaking Havoc on Your Skin?

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Noreen Young

Here are 3 ways to make your skin look better when it’s so cold 🥶 outside.

To start with you have to exfoliate and I am in love with a gentle exfoliant found on Amazon. It is called Cure Natural Aqua Gel It works wonders FAST and is so gentle! It can even be used around the eye area to kiss the driest skin cells “Bye Bye!” If you don’t own it. You need to. It comes from Japan and I discovered it in my travels.

Another alternative to the above product is to try this method. Use a luke warm wet with water washcloth “pressed” against the face. I like to work in sections. Doing this gently lifts up the tight, dry and flakey skin cells.

When you are washing your face. Don’t use a deodorant bar use a creamy soap. face wash or oil cleanser. Work in circular motions as doing this will help lift up dirt, oil, pollution and dry patch skin.

Another quick fix is a sheet mask. You know those little wonders found almost everywhere and originated from Korea. There are so many to choose from!

I am in love ❤️ with them and so is my skin!

Make sure you leave them on as long as you can. Not just 10 minutes. I find the longer the better! 20 Minutes will do! They will soothe the driest parched skin.

I hope these skin care tips help you. And. while you’re at it invite your sweetie to join in on the fun too!

Use up every bit of the masks juicy hydrating goodness!

Green Smoothie for Shopping 🛍 !

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Noreen Young

I know we are all under pressure to manage our TO DO list this month. Wether holiday shopping or simply doing what you need to get done. We need energy. And not sugary things. Sip your fruit and veggies.

So I wanted to share one of my many smoothie recipes that I enjoy with you.

What you will need for this recipe:

1 cup of frozen pineapple

3 handfuls of fresh spinach

1 frozen banana

1 cup of coconut water

A few pieces of fresh mint leaves

1 squeeze of fresh lemon

1/2 cup of water (optional)

Place all your liquids in the blender. Add your green 🍃 leafy veggies, blend for at least 25-30 seconds. Lastly add fruit and herbs. Blend until smooth.

Pour into a tall glass and enjoy. It is even more delicious when you share it with those you ❤️ love!

I like to play with this creamy refreshing recipe! If you don’t have one fruit or veggie substitute with another. It’s so much fun and better than buying them. Do it yourself and know what’s in it!

Wrinkles, sun spots and more!

Posted on September 18, 2022 by Noreen Young

Did you know research shows that our cars … not just a day at the beach 🏖 are causing cases of skin cancer, wrinkles, sunspots and more?

And it appears our side windows are the culprit too .

So if you DRIVE your car around town to work, carpool and more… the LEFT side of your face is getting older than your right!

And cloudy rainy days like we’re having for weeks now in Florida are also a problem.

If you don’t want to age your skin faster. Wear sunscreen even into the fall and winter too.

You know what to do! Male or female. No matter what skin color you are too! Apply a shot glass of sunscreen. Face, neck and body.

I love ❤️ sunshine 🌞 but I also want to be sun smart. You need to take care of your skin too.

Rescue that winter skin!

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Noreen Young

I am in Chicago and suffering from winter skin. My skin is usually combination and on the oily side but NOT here this time of year… it is so parched! Thirsty for attention.

The winter season has taken a toll on our skin. Dry,flaky and at times sand paper like skin. Winter weather accents our lines under our eyes and on our skin more. My hair to my toes needs a rescue!

How about yours?

First you need to remember is DON’T over wash your face OR SCRUB. You will only do it harm and deplete any natural oils that you have that make your skin glow. If you do it will be tight and dry and your makeup will NOT glide on like butter on warm toast. BE GENTLE.

Next tip move into a cream cleanser or gentle NON-deodorant soap bar like DOVE or goat milk soap. They are so much kinder to your skin.

Rosewater makes and amazing skin refresher and won’t dry out your skin. I like to apply it on a flat cotton pad but I also love to carry a mini spray bottle filled with it and carry it in my purse to spritz throughout the day for a PICK ME UP.

You can make your own rosewater with a D.I.Y. but I love to keep it simple on this one and buy a bottle of it. Did I mention the soft scent of rosewater is so calming to your mood and soothing to the skin.

Next tip is to try something called SLUGGING where you apply on clean skin a coat of Vaseline all over your face. Leave it on as long as you’d like but I prefer 15 minutes tops for myself. It will REALLY soften those dead skin cells and make your tight and dry skin happy again. Rinse with a warm washcloth and follow up with a dash of a soap like mentioned above. I like to remove any oily residue.

IF the thought of slugging turns you off…

NOT TO WORRY you can accomplish this with a rich jar of face cream.

Another tip I like to do is apply a Gel or Paper SHEET mask. Oh my what a high I get from these masks. So luxe and soothing to the skin. They started in Korea and finally have made it to the USA now American cosmetic brands are copying these formulas and making them too. I use them around the eyes,on the hands,on the feet,on the hair. THEY truly are magic.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Of course drinking water or coconut water is yet another way to help your body and skin look and feel its best!

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

These tips should help you and your skin too for a quick rescue! Spring will be here before you know it.