Day 21 of MY Beauty Secrets

Working in Manhattan on photo shoots and on special events taught me a lot! One of the beauty dilemmas I saw when we had an early call on set was… the models had puffy face and eyes And dark bags under the eyes especially when the sun 🌞 hadn’t even come up yet.

So besides using 🥒 cool cucumber slices, chamomile and anti-inflammatory eye gels on the lids and under the eyes and face there was another trick I discovered and have used on myself and on my VIP clients and the girl next door!

The answer was cold tepid 💦 water. Splashing the face with water at least 8 to 10 times works magic!

It’s especially good to do once you get out of the shower. It deflates and wakes up the face! It also appeared to make the pores appear smaller.

Also, they would not serve them coffee and donuts. They would serve them a cup of warm lemon water. It made them tinkle a lot !

There’s something wonderful about that water!

Better than a face primer! Water! 💦

And drinking it actually made the face and the body look skinnier and flatten the tummy too for photographs or on an event location appearance.

I never forgot that trick… so simple and so effective!

Next time you have someplace special to go to or get your photo taken and more. TRY this model and photographers trick!

Mist Up!

I love facial mists they make my skin feel awesome and dewy…giving it a glow. Great for all skin types but… especially good for dry or aging skin. You will too!

Here is one of my favorites anti-oxidant rich and skin loving.

What you will need to make this recipe:

1 4-ounce spray bottle

1 teaspoon of organic rosehip oil

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10 drops of lavender essential oil

4 drops of  Rose Absolute oil

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3 1/12 ounces of distilled water.

Place in a bottle with a spray. I prefer glass if possible.And I enjoy the brand Aura Cacia for some of these products.

This face mist may be used over or under your makeup. Use don’t just let it sit on your beauty counter. Shelf life is about a month. Hint: My husband loves it too. So refreshing and the lavender makes you relaxed.

Do you have a DIY recipe you’d like to share with me? Please DO.

 

 

Shine on!

Hair looking dull and lifeless this winter?

Try this quick beauty recipe mix.

What you will need:

1 part apple 🍏 cider vinegar

10 parts of water 💦

Pour in a spray bottle.

Spray and mist on damp hair.

The vinegar scent will disappear as your hair dries and your hair will LOOK glossy and come back to life!

Style on and carry on.

SUGAR Please!

Happy 1st day of summer!

As the summer begins you want to EXFOLIATE your skin. Dead skin cells mount up on your hands,feet and body and your skin needs a bit of TLC attention. This will also help you get a better even tan. I love doing this before I apply my sunless tanner. Your skin will be smoother and tan faster and more efficiently.

It really WORKS!

Sugar & CITRUS Scrub

2 tablespoons of  white or brown sugar

1 orange zest

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

2 tablespoons of sunflower oil or apricot kernel oil

Mix all of these in a small bowl and on a clean body. I like my body to be slightly damp. Rub in circular motions and slough off your tired looking winter skin. Your skin will turn a little pink and have a flushed look. That’s a good thing. You are bringing blood to the surface and helping circulation.

Rinse well with luke warm washcloth. Next, apply your fave body lotion.

Lemon Love Water

Follow this D.I.Y. treatment by drinking  a half a gallon of water with a slice or two of lemons. Drinking this will eliminate toxins and flush and clean you from the inside.

Sip it throughout your day.

I hope you will enjoy this refreshing skin loving treat,be more hydrated and kiss your dull skin…GOODBYE!

Sugar,Sugar

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LEMON LOVE!

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Hotel Room Beauty!

I LOVE to travel. Travel changes our lives!

So recently I stayed at one of my fave hotels that you can always count on…Hampton Inn. While I love staying at a luxury hotel, I also love a good basic hotel. I look forward to staying there, know what to expect and know where everything is at the hotel.

The best part when time allows or I get to check in early or have a morning or night turn my room into a spa. Here is what I like to do and perhaps turn you on to some of these ideas too.

I always pack epsom salts, a luxe bath bomb and a mini bottle of bubble bath. You never know when you might just have time for a relaxing foot soak or bubble bath.

 

I also pack a hair conditioning treatment and turn the hotels shower cap and a blow dryer into a salon like treatment to my hair.

 

Next, I go to the hotel’s coffee pot and hot water carafe refreshment stand and get some hot water, lemon or lemon packet and pour myself a up of hot water. Drinking hot OR warm) lemon water is wonderful for hydration as well as for digestion especially at the beginning or end of the day.

I also get a kick out of the adorable paper cups and cup holders they have for guys and gals. Too cute!

 

Next, I love to wash my face before bed and treat myself to a face mask! Feels so good.

Sometimes I have forgotten to pack my makeup remover so I LOVE that the hotel as they usually have Makeup Wipes for us in the bathroom. So awesome and of course to the rescue!!!

I hate and HATE going to sleep with makeup on and have not done it since I was around 20 years old after a late date. Ya gotta clean your face girls!

They also have a variety of newspapers I can get caught up with on the national and international news in print.

When time allows I like to use their special soaps that look like this. The soap bar works wonders for deep cleaning makeup brushes in a pinch. Especially if they get really dirty while you’re making up on the road or you traveled with them dirty and have some sprare time to refresh and clean them.

It also makes a nice bath bar. I love to rub those soapy bumps on my butt and thighs! Revs up circulation too!

I also like to use the honey packets from the breakfast area for tea as a hydrating skin softening treat in my room and add rest in a cup of hot chamomile tea before bed.

As you CAN create a spa in your room and pamper yourself when you travel for work or play too. Take care of your body and it will take care of you!

Happy Travels!

PS

My husband benefits from the above too. HE too has gotten in on the action!

 

Sometimes the best things in life are small!

I love my life in the beauty industry!

I wear many hats in my life in beauty. I so love being a small business owner in America and being the designer of my indie beauty brand. I also am passionate about educating at spa and beauty shows across the country.

BUT my fave thing to do is making women happy that means YOU too!

So, I promised I will share what’s in my mini fridge by Cooluli the 4L classic…that I featured on TV in  my beauty segment on WJXT the other day.

The possibilities are endless! You are only limited by your imagination.

But first…

I am a Northern girl who moved to Florida for my husband. But being MADLY IN  LOVE I soon discovered Florida is VERY VERY hot,steamy and humid. Not a winning combination for my hair and skin. I GET REALLY HOT! They say Southern girls don’t sweat they glisten. Well that’s proof I am a Northerner as I sweat. From hair to toe! So, I am always looking for ways to keep cool.

Skincare

These are a few of the things I store in my mini fridge I dicovered on social media and Allure magazine’s beauty editors Instagram page.

I love exploring all the options we have in life and this fridge is one of them!

I don’t keep all these products in my mini fridge but I do whenever I need to. I rotate my as needed. Using them out if the fridge feels refreshing and amazing!

Serums

Eye gels

Sheet masks for the face

Neck Sheet masks

Eye sheet masks  OR eye pads

Lip gel or sheet masks

Cool Eye masks

Mud or clay face masks

Great for all skin care, especially organic and natural skincare

Beauty products containing active ingredients, such as vitamin C and retinol.

Perfect for eye creams designed to de-puff or for treatments that care for sensitive or  irritated skin.

Gua Sha

Jade Facial rollers

Rose Quartz Facial rollers

Light moisturizers

My Rosewater Kisses –  Why keep your rosewater or setting spray next to your Dijon mustard and more and so far from your bathroom or vanity?

Melted lipsticks and makeup from below from my purse or tote from hot summer days to firm them up.

Eyeliners

Lip liners

Cream blush

Highlighters

To chill my wash cloths!

Water

My Energy shots

Green Juices or Smoothies

Keep your products at your fingertips with a mini fridge.

AND chocolates…yes,I went there. I love to chill Hershey’s Kisses and other chocolates in it and eat them cold while doing my makeup for an evening out on the town.

Did I tell you it even warms food?

I even love to use it to warm my face or hand towels!

Cooluli is your answer to efficient and adorable skin care
organization. Isn’t it adorable? And if you want it in another color or larger size they make that too!

Check them out at: http://www.cooluiusa.com

Keep your products at your fingertips with a mini fridge.

Keeping your beauty faves cool can prolong shelf-life, plus the cooling sensation
soothes and refreshes. Chill out with Cooluli  !!!

Keeping your skincare routine in chill mode definitely revs up your up your beauty game! And a game-changer when it comes to convenience. Portable and light weight too! I travel with it on makeup assignments too!

People will stop you and ask where you got that from?

Gals will be pink with envy!

Guys love it too! (Great gift idea)

Enjoy chilling or warming and get yours too!

PS

If you’re a mom it is great for Baby bottles,formulas…and medicine that needs refrigeration.

Cool Yourself Off!

 

Baby it’s so HOT outside! And my COMPLEXION is not seeing perfection. My pores hate me and appear to be the size of swimming pools and my skin is pretty shiny in some areas and tight in others. How about you?

I have always LOVED doing a form of Cryotherapy since I was a little girl! Only the treatment had not come out yet and entered the beauty universe. Here’s how I did it. When it is hot like this I  take water fill an ice cube tray and freeze them. If you want to add fruit or flowers inside before you freeze them…go at it. It makes them prettier too!

Next your freshly clean face is ready for a cooooool delight.I apply an ice cube (I sort of warm up a few seconds in my hand so no freezer burn face) Roll around and go up and down. I do not do the eyelid. This icy treat will chill you down quick! If you are hot on the neck and breast area roll a fresh cube there too.Use until you are done with the cube or save to use another time in a bowl in the freezer.

Using  ice cubes will tighten your skin and pores, refresh your skin and cool you down.

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Follow this ice cube treat with a HYDRATING tall glass of water with fresh mint (spearmint or peppermint) and fresh lemon slices. The key here is not to drink it iced much or no ice at all.The digestive tract does not like REALLY ICED water or drinks. In order to detox your system from all the sweet drinks and coffee you had all week. TRY this room temperature way. In the winter we will try something else but this is great for our bodies especially nowadays in this summer season.Skip a plastic straw that’s what I do… however,I’ve discovered the beauty of paper straws and reusable straws.

 

The lemony with a hint of mint water is a nice refreshing way to drink water and I love to serve it to my husband,family and when company comes over. ENJOY!

 

 

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Hello Sunshine!

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Have you been spending time baking like croissants in the sun?

Or have you been  spending time doing different things in all places in the sun this season.

If you  have… perhaps a sunburn has come your way or worse yet …sunburn,red as a lobster,blistering and dreaded peeling.

Recently I showed  TV viewers simple home remedies you can do when you have had too much fun in the sun! So, I am sharing them with you. I LOVE THE SUN but got burned a few times. One was pretty bad. I also enjoyed the tan from a tanning bad. I cover up NOW and have never done it again. Really! Once you get skin cancer you never forget it. Neither does your skin. Your skin always remembers how you treat it and will show it too!

• Apple cider vinegar: Take a bath in it. It will make you feel so much better. Fill a tub with luke warm or cool water and a cup of the apple cider vinegar.
• Baking soda:Make a cooling paste with it and some water or take a refreshing bath in it with a cup of baking soda.
• Fresh aloe or Aloe Vera gel are so cooling and take down the redness and heat from the burn.
• Stay Hydrated with water,coconut water,sports drink or a skin loving drink called All Beauty Drink.
• Cool Milk compresses on a washcloth or a cotton gauze pad work wonders.

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• To calm the heat of your body from the burn fill a mini spray bottle with lavender oil and water. Shake it up and spray on the burn. You’ll cool off immediately!

• You’ll FEEL BETTER and cooler in no time with my tips and easy home remedies and hopefully not blister and peel. If you do. Here’s what to do! An oatmeal and water bath will help with that itchy skin.

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Word to the Wise: Wear a SHOT GLASS worth of sunscreen. You”ll still get some color. Just be SMART and more protected. You don’t want face and body sun spots and those not so pretty wrinkles!

 

Planning a Trip?

Tis’ the season to vacation and or maybe just a getaway even if it is just for a weekend.

As I fly for business and pleasure often I have learned a lot through the years.

The number one thing is to make a list on what you want to pack and what you want to take. I like to make a list. Then I start pack what I need and buy what I do need. Some tings I remove after packing some things stay. Pack according to the trip you are taking. A two day beach getaway is different than a trip to Europe for 2 weeks.

Lighten Up!

• Travel with smaller sizes or kits. If you like the IMAGE brand and are a fan of their facial treatments you’ll love to know they have travel kits. Sunscreen included!
• Or you can buy small containers and fill them with what you want to take. Examples: sunscreen,foundation,moisturizer,hair spray and more.
• Pack things in smaller zip lock bags of various sizes. NAIL POLISH and some other liquids will open and spread all over the place like on your clothes so keep them contained.Personally, I pack a back up bottle of nail polish (in case my nails chip and need  a touch up) in my purse NOT in my luggage. I take it on the plane zip lock bag that has any liquids I want to take.

I’ve even had this happen to me when traveling in the car. Keep nail polish and liquid foundation upright and in a sealed plastic bag.

• Choose a color theme for your makeup wardrobe. Don’t bring ALL THE MAKEUP you own and think you have to have with you. Examples: pinks and plums,nudes and bronze and so on.Don’t take every makeup brush you own either.Keep it simple.
• Pack a mini FIRST-AID kit and more filled with aspirin,band-aides,Tums,nail file,mini clippers,toothpicks and sewing kit. YOU decide what you want and may need.Don’t pack your medicine in your luggage you check in. Take it with you on the plane.
• Bring snacks for the plane. You never know how long you may sit on the runway. Cheese and crackers,bananas,nuts,gummy bears or mini chocolate bars. I’ve been waiting for take off for up to 3 hours and had no food or drink. Until you are up,up and away you need to have something to snack on.
• I like to travel with an empty bottle of water. I fill this when I get in the airport after security or when switching airplanes. I use the fountain with filtered drinking water next to the water fountains usually depending on the airport you are at. Water bottles are expensive and you can pay up to $4.00 a bottle. This bottle comes in quite handy.
• Pack your medicine and beauty supplements wisely. No need to take the RX bottles with you. (label the contents in the pill pack.)
• Bring a scarf to wrap around you if you are cold on the plane. They don’t have blankets for everyone unless you are in first class.
• Down size to a smaller handbag. That big Birken bag or other purse may be nice but by taking a smaller bag you will travel lighter and love not having to carry so much with you!

I featured the above and more on TV today. If you want to watch the video go to http://www.news4jax.com  click on River City Live.

 

From the garden to your glass!

I love to make fresh water prettier and taste it too by using awesome herbs and or flowers.

I prepare them in a pitcher, serve it by the glass in old time jars (from an antique mall) or in a gorgeous goblet. Today my recipe is with rosemary, mint and flowers.Organic or home grown is best. I rinse the herbs first and clip what I want to add to the water.It is so fun and refreshing too. I don’t use ice. I use fresh bottled water that is room temperature. I allow the herbs to mesh with the water and infuse it with the aroma and flavor. My fave’s are mint,rosemary,peppermint,fruits,veggies and flowers. If you want to use ice in it once this is infused and prepared of course you can do so.

As for flowers I buy  flowers that are edible and I buy them at Whole Foods Market just for decoration no infusion needed but they do make a lovely addition. Most of the box mix contain marigolds and pansies. So colorful!

And the best part? YOU can actually eat them.

If you’re looking for a fun thing to or to do with your family or sweetie this summer…this is a wonderful thing to do together and tasty too.

PS

I also like to place them in an ice cube tray one flower per cube space and freeze. Pop on in your next drink or add flower cubes to your festive summer punch bowls. So FUN to do and pretty to look at while you sip away. Please note: these flowers are edible. read the box from the store. AND I do not eat the rosemary etc. only the flowers that are edible. Or you can just look at them and enjoy the colorful sight in your glass or pitcher.