Monday, March 31, 2014

Excersize Your Way to Clear Skin!





Physical activity is crucial to human health. Working out can not only impact your metabolism, weight and mood; but can actually clear your blemishes and prevent new ones from forming! Doing cardio and building muscle will improve circulation and bloodflow to heal the skin, and sweating is a great release of toxins. Always remember to drink plenty of water to rehydrate yourself. The mopre water you drink, the better you will look and feel. Drinking more water will cause your body to let go of excess fluid retention and water weight and replenish your cells.

Working out can be a hassle, but once you find the right activity for you it can become a passion! Here's How:

  • Try Youtube! There are countless fitness gurus who post great workout videos that are short and you can do anywhere! http://www.blogilates.com/workout-video-index/ is one of the most incredible sources for quick workouts that you don't even realize you are doing!

  • Turn on your favorite up-beat music and dance like a maniac!

  • Check out your local parks or trails and go for a hike!

  • Shovel some snow, rake your lawn, swim, canoe, get outside and enjoy some fresh air and fun!



Sunday, March 30, 2014

Why you have to STOP POPPING PIMPLES!




Please everyone, STOP POPPING YOUR PIMPLES!

Picking at your face will cause scars, redness, broken vessels and more acne. trust me, It might be tempting to scoot up to the mirror and mess with your blemishes, but your face will be so much more prone to breakout and it can be very damaging to the skin. Most acne scars are from picking gone awry. Yes, sometimes it is just impossible to walk around with a big whitehead and your only option is to pop. There is a right way and a wrong way to pop a pimple if you must.


Dermatologists will tell you the following:

Clean your hands and the area. Don't use dirty hands, don't pop a pimple covered in makeup or oil.

Use hot water on a warm cloth to help open the pore.

Be gentle, and careful.

Pop only once. This is the most important rule. each time you go back and pick at the same sore you are increasing the risk of scarring and making the healing time much longer.

Apply a topical medicine or acne cream to the pimple.

Then leave it alone! Let your skin heal itself, and try not to touch your face. Keep it clean and drink plenty of water.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Bare Minerals Blemish Therapy- Does this stuff really work?

blemish therapy b m
 
I'm always curious about makeup that claims to conceal AND heal, generally I don't believe the hype. This product wound up in my hands after a makeup trade with my little sister. it claims to heal; your acne with salycilic acid, while concealing the blemish. I love Bare Minerals and truely think they have the best mineral products on the market !I always get compliments on my skin when I wear the Original Bare Minerals Foundation. It gives your skin a super soft- focus look that is almost airbrushed.
 
However...
This product might help a little with the healing process, it doesn't do a great job of covering or feel very smooth on the skin. I never reach for the Blemish Therapy and find it drying. It made my skin flaky around the blemish as the day progressed and I would't repurchase. I'd stick with the original Bare Minerals because the formulas are more hydrating- I would go with the original concealer instead of this, or just let your skin breathe!
 
 
 
 

Tarte Maracuja Oil for Acne

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Maracuja Oil Review

Morrocan Argan Oil, evening Primrose Oil, Coconut oil... It seems like oils are the future of skincare! The truth is that these plant oils are some of the most ancient beauty elixirs and have been used for natural healing remedies for centuries and beyond.

When maracuja oil popped up, I knew I had to try it! It doesn't cause breakouts and truely does hydrate the skin and create a gorgeous glow. There is a bit of a greasy residue left over, but I found using it right after I washed my face before bed worked best because it would absorb quickly. I would not reccomend wearing this product under makeup beacsue everything would start slippin and slidin'. This isn't going to cure every imperfection you have, but it will rejuvenate and plump the skin while moisturizing. I would reccomend this product for people with dry or combination skin, who are not extremely prone to break outs. I love how it makes my skin feel after a long day in the sun!

The real magic of this oil is how long it made my eyelashes, I used the wand on my eyelashes more than my face, and holy moly something happened! The product is a little pricey but comes out in sample sizes with value kits.

A big pink thumbs up for Tarte's Maracuja Oil!

Tanda Zap- Zap Away Your Zits!

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Ever dream about zapping your zits away?

This sneaky tool is straight out of the future! It uses heat and subtle vibrations to open pores, and a high- tech blue light to zap away and kill bacteria. It runs on AAA batteries and is set at a good price point. You just press it to the area you are tyring to target and wait for the light to stop. It feels warm with a slight vibration and is not painful. The tanda Zap is great at reducing swelling and redness. I am telling you- This little gadget really works! It will make you look and feel like you just stepped out of the dermatologist's office.

Victoria's Secret Angel Makeup- Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Review

garnier b b cream

Want to get clear, hydrated skin WHILE wearing makeup?

Want makeup that covers almost everything and makes you look like a dewy Victoria's Secret model?

I know a secret...

 The secret is that the BB Cream from Garnier is flipping amazing! it has become my most-loved product and has healed my skin over time. This is the only foundation I have worn for the past two years. Although you may be used to caking on a heavy full-coverage foundation and concealer to cover your acne, with the right tools and technique this Beauty Balm will tranform your skin and actually look natural- that's the best part.
 
The very best way to apply this product is with a small stippling brush, I prefer the one from realtechniques. It works perfectly because it buffs the product into the skin but the dual fibers can be used to dab on extra over blemishes. It looks so natural and stays pretty well throughout the day on its own. If you use a primer under this BB cream and set with a powder it will last all day.  Go easy with this stuff, a little goes a long way. I usually only use what is left on the cap after shaking the tube a little.  
 
It gets better...
So this stuff comes in 3 different formulas so it will work for ANYONE. Anti-aging, oil-free and the original skin renew. This product has no scent and has a primer built in! If you have dry skin the original formula is wonderful and the oil-free is pretty universal. I rarely use a powder to set this product because I love the dewy glow it gives. It contains SPF and skin-loving ingredients.
 
The Downfall;
The "light" shade isn't very light and the "dark" shade isn't very dark. Despite the lacking color range, the product does buff out and blend with most skin tones.. its kind of magical!
 

 
 

Friday, March 21, 2014

How To Wash Your Face The RIGHT Way

Is your skin raw, irritated, imbalanced and dull?
Do you wash your face religiously and still break out?

Here are some tips I've gathered from dermatologists and experience!

1. Choose a gentle cleanser that removes dirt and makeup. The key here is finding a gentle cleanser that does not further irritate the skin further! The skin our face is so sensitive- treat it like a baby's butt. I find that using  Gentle, natural cleanser or or one with no sulfates or parabens meaning it will not foam makes my skin balanced and naturally beautiful. Also using only my fingertips helps me to be gentle.

2. Gently exfoliate 3 times a week. Exfoliation is the process of removing dull, and flaky skin from the surface to reveal fresh smooth skin beneath! Try to find a gentle exfoliant or make one at home using baking soda and water. I reccomend staying away from washcloths to scrub the skin because these can harbor bacteria and be too rough. (If you are set on a cloth, try the Norwex Antibac Cloths.) Always follow up exfoliation with drinking a tall glass of water and applying an oil free face moisturizer.

3. Begin with warm water, rinse with cold water. It's as simple as this; warm water opens your pores to get bacteria out, cold water will constrict them and make them tighter to keep bacteria out.

4. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel. Again, be gentle when absorbing excess water and make sure your towel is clean and not contributing to acne. If your clean towels are still irritating, try a laundry detergent for sensitive skin or switch to paper towels.


 
The most important tip... Don't forget to SMILE!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Does Tanning Cure Acne?





Ever look in the mirror after a day at the beach to find your pimples have vanished and your skin is even and glowy?


 The sun can work wonders for our skin, bodies,even mood! It gives us essential Vitamin D and can also dry up acne and create the illusion of more even toned skin. The sun can heal acne, but not cure it.

The problem with tanning to cure acne is that the results are not long term. Over time, over exposure to sun will damage the skin and cause wrinkles, sunspots, dryness, even cancer.

Slather on some SPF and don't forget to reapply! The sun in moderation is so good for us and may even clear up some pesky zits. Remember to use a suncreen on your face that is oil free or noncomedogenic meaning it will not clog pores. If ingredients in facial Sunblock is still causing breakouts, look for makeup with SPF included. If you are outside all day and plan to be sweating, you are better off without makeup on your skin because it can run and mix with sweat and oil. Most drugstore skincare lines have a sunblock made specially for the face, neck and chest.

Stay away from tanning beds. The rays are more isolated and risk of burning is very high. The sanitation of sunbeds is also cause for concern and I have personally broken out on my back and shoulders from unclean beds. If you are going to lay in a bed, consider cutting down your time or using a bed with less rays. Always use a high quality lotion when indoor tanning and eye protection.


Miranda Kerr wears sunscreen ;)

Is Coffee causing your Acne?

Here's something to sip on before you have your next diet coke or cup o' joe: Your caffiene intake could be drying out your skin, increasing acne and deepening wrinkles!


Hydration is the KEY to resiliant, healthy skin. Water is essential to flush toxins and promote cellular regrowth. This means that drinking more water can help clear acne and heal blemishes quickly and naturally from the inside. Too much caffiene can dry out your skin. Although Caffiene is a diuretic, too much coffee can cause your body to hold onto excess water because of dehydration causing inflammation and puffiness.

A little caffiene never hurts, in fact, it can actually promote better circulation and increase your metabolism and energy. If you just can't kick the cup, increase your water intake as much as possible. A small cup of coffee light on cream and sugar or cup of green tea or earl grey is a great option to beat those morning blues... and continue to work toward  a healthy glowing complexion.

 
mmm... Don't forget to indulge from time to time. Coffee has a lot to offer!