Thursday, December 19, 2013

6 Days of Beauty!


The old expression "Fake it until you make it" comes to mind when I think of facial illuminator.  The right illuminator can:  give you the look of glowing healthy youthful skin, highlight your features and even camouflage your imperfections. 

The trick is picking a moisturizing, realistic illuminator.  I like Josie Maran's Argan Illuminator   because not only is the color natural but it is also infused with argon oil.  It leaves your skin feeling moisturized and hydrated (which is essential to healthy skin) and leaves skin with a long lasting subtle glow.  I am also fond of Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up! liquid to powder precision stick.
 Josie Maran - Argan Illuminizer
For an overall glow, I mix one 1/2 of a pump of Josie Maran's Argan Illuminator, avocado oil and my Smashbox foundation and blend well.  The result is subtle all over natural looking illumination.  I use Whatt's Up! under eye brows, on top of brows and to frame my upper lip.  The secret with both of these applications is BLEND, BLEND, BLEND! 

Illuminator also works well for body applications such as: your decollage and collar bone. I have even used it on my hands diluted with moisturizer. So why not be a bit more illuminating from head to toe? 


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

7 Days of Beauty!  

If you’re searching for an instant gratification product that also yields long term results, then glycolic acid just may be right for you. 
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that is naturally found in sugar and grapes.  It is used in chemical peels, acne treatment and for exfoliation. Glycolic acid works its magic by breaking down substances that bond dead skin cells together allowing them to be rinsed away.  This leads to “instant gratification”  by exfoliation and long term results of:  reduction of fine lines, skin clarity, visible improvement in scars, and lessened skin discoloration.
Over the counter glycolic acid usually contains from 3%--10% acid in a cream or lotion base.  I suggest starting off VERY low at around 3% and checking skin sensitivity.  An excellent option is Peter Thomas Roth’s cleanser.  I like the idea of using glycolic acid in the form of a cleanser because it is not adding an additional step to your skin care routine.  If you prefer cream, Reviva Labs makes an excellent 5% cream. If you choose a stronger form, try starting off using every other day and working your way up to daily use.  In my experience less can be more with glycolic acid, especially if you have sensitive skin.  
 
So,  if you like instant gratification and long term results as much as I do, glycolic acid is your acid.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

8 Days of Beauty!


If I was stuck on a dessert island and could only take one skin product with me, hands down it would be coconut oil!

Coconut oil is one of the most versatile skin loving products in the world! So versatile that I had to take a fair amount of time actually thinking of all of the ways I use it. I think I captured most of them but I am sure there are more.
 

Eye Makeup Remover--coconut oil serves as the most gentle skin loving makeup remover. It moisturizes the area while melting away stubborn makeup. It is also a better alternative to synthetic chemical laden makeup removers.

Under Eye Moisturizer and Concealer--I mix coconut oil with my liquid concealer and the results are amazing. The coconut oil does decrease the coverage a bit but layering can add additional coverage. I also carry some of this moisturizer in my makeup case to re-hydrate my under eye. It really makes a big difference in the overall look of my under eye area.

Facial Moisturizer/Night Cream-- a little goes a long way but the payoffs are big. The natural fatty acids in coconut oil reinforce skin's natural lipid barrier.

Lip Moisturizer--I use coconut oil on my lips as much as I can. I use it under my lipstick and before bed at night. Once again, fatty acids to the rescue, creating a soft lush barrier.

Hair Moisturizer--Coconut oil works excellent as a leave in conditioner or as a treatment conditioner. To use as a leave in, simply rub a small amount in your hands to warm up and focus on ends. To use as a treatment--add a few minutes before showering and shampoo and condition as normal.

Feet Moisturizer--Coconut oil's anti fungal properties and softening fatty acids make for a superb foot moisturizer. If you add peppermint essential oil you're in for an invigorating, refreshing  treat. For an exfoliating treat try mixing coconut oil with coarse brown sugar.

Frizz Tamer--once again a little goes a long way when using to combat frizz.

Deodorant--I mix coconut oil with lemon and rosemary essential oils and use as a healthy fresh underarm deodorant.

Mouth Rinse--Coconut oil is excellent for oral health. Coconut oil moisturizes gums, kills bacteria and kills germs that cause bad breath.

As if all of the above wasn't enough, coconut oil actually has health benefits when ingested orally and is a potent source of nutrients.  So while I hope I will never have to choose only one dessert island treat--if I did it would be coconut oil--LOTS and LOTS of coconut oil.

Monday, December 16, 2013

9 Days of Beauty!


I am especially passionate about today’s post because 2 of my best friends were deficient in Vitamin D--thankfully their progressive doctors noticed it and began immediate supplementation.

I must admit I never really paid much attention to Vitamin D. I remember hearing about it as a girl when my father would explain to me how solar ultraviolet-B radiation from sun light stimulates our body to produce Vitamin D.   He was way ahead of his time, because over 30 years ago he suggested "Getting sunshine responsibly" also knowing that too much sun had negative effects. I really started to pay attention when a co-worker suddenly looked radiant and younger. I asked her what she was doing differently and her answer was "Nothing." I pressed on because I knew she had to be doing something different . Eventually, she casually said, "Well I have started taking Vitamin D." Bingo! That was it. I started researching and was blown away with the overall health and skin benefits too.

So what can Vitamin D do for your skin? For starters a number of studies have shown that vitamin D is very important in maintaining healthy skin. If levels are low your skin may become thinner, more fragile and begin to sag from lack of adequate support. Dryness and wrinkles will be accentuated due to loss of moisture. So while many people shun the sun and cover in sunscreen thinking they are protecting their skin, they are actually accelerating the aging process. The key is responsible sun bathing which doesn't take long at all, 15 to 20 minutes a day is  usually enough to produce 10,000 iu's of Vitamin D.


The jury is still out about correct dosage. There are different schools of thought as to how much we need. I suggest getting your levels tested by a doctor before beginning supplementation and following your doctors advise as to proper dosage. If you have availability to sunlight it is definitely more advisable to get your daily dose of D through simple sun exposure. This way you can rest assure that you will not take too much of a good thing. Don't forget about food as a natural source. There aren't a whole lot of food sources high in Vitamin D--probably because your body was built to manufacture its own, but I have listed some below. Depending on your age, you may want to consider supplementing, eating foods high in Vitamin D and  responsible sun exposure because Vitamin D production naturally declines with age. This is especially important for the elderly.

  • Salmon (especially wild-caught)

  • Mackerel (especially wild-caught; eat up to 12 ounces a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury)

  • Mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet light to increase vitamin D

  • Cod liver oil (warning: cod liver oil is rich in vitamin A; too much may be bad for you)

  • Tuna canned in water

  • Sardines canned in oil

  • Milk or yogurt -- regardless of whether it's whole, nonfat, or reduced fat -- fortified with vitamin D

  • Beef or calf liver

  • Egg yolks

  • Cheese

 Vitamin D is implicated in many serious diseases such as: Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Rickets, Infectious Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis and the list goes on and on. Below is a link to Dr. Michael F. Holick's (the worlds leading expert on Vitamin D) book "The Vitamin D Solution". I highly suggest you consider purchasing his book or exploring other well respected experts. In the words of Christiane Northrup, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Wisdom of Menopause--"This information can save your life. Really."
 http://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Solution-3-Step-Strategy-Problems/dp/0452296889/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387239278&sr=1-1&keywords=the+vitamin+d+solution

Sunday, December 15, 2013

10 Days of Beauty!

3rd Day of Beauty!

Vitamin C increases collagen production...need I say more? Consider this your call to action or better yet, your SCREAM TO ACTION!

Most of us are familiar with the health benefits of Vitamin C and while it is essential to good health, I would like to focus on the skin care benefits. Vitamin C helps prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photo damage and also helps to improve overall skin clarity. What many people don't realize is that skin clarity is a major factor in overall appearance and topical use of vitamin C will boost skin radiance and overall brightness.

Think of collagen as the glue that holds or supports body tissues. Collagen gives skin its strength, protecting it from wrinkling and sagging. Collagen naturally decreases with age, life style choices, sun exposure and genetics. Thankfully there are many ways to combat this natural progression, and when it comes to natural approaches vitamin C is a superstar.

Vitamin C works beautifully both topically and orally and I suggest using both methods. Vitamin C comes in many differently forms and it can get a bit confusing. I suggest Vitamin C Ester for both oral and topical application. Vitamin C Ester is a water soluble form of vitamin C and is easily absorbed into the skin. There are many high quality vitamin C supplements and skin care products on the market. I use Perricone MD, but there are also many other quality brands such as Jason C Effects Pure Natural C-Lite Skin Tone Balancer that you can expect excellent results from.

Vitamin C's skin enhancing effects can be noticed fairly quickly, so once again, consider this your SCREAM TO ACTION!

 


Saturday, December 14, 2013

11 Days of Beauty!

2nd Day of Beauty

I could not wait to write this post today because I am extremely passionate about Avocados—both the oil and the actual fruit.
Avocados are a climacteric fruit (the banana is another), which means it matures on the tree, but ripens off the tree. Avocados are an excellent source of vitamins A, D and E, high in antioxidants and are also chock full of omega-3 fatty acids.   Avocado oil is able to penetrate the skin with its thin consistency; it is also thick enough to serve as a protective barrier on the skin and provides skin with deep moisture.   Avocado oil contains sterolins, which are natural steroids and are effective in boosting collagen production, and treating age spots. 
 

My love affair with avocados began as a small child and continues until today.  My father loved avocados and would eat them at every meal if he could.  He preferred a simple salad of avocados, olive oil, vinegar and onions.  My father always had beautiful skin and I am sure that one of the reasons was his diet.  While he was not a vain man, he certainly knew the health benefits of food and spoke to me about it often.  As a young girl, I must admit, I really didn’t pay much attention.  I started to really take him seriously in my late 20’s when I became concerned about how I would age.  As I looked at my father and noticed the vibrancy, smoothness and lack of wrinkles in his skin; I knew he was on to something and began to think and act seriously about what I put in and on my body. 
My Amazing Dad, Hector Abelairas
                                                            
Several months ago I purchased a bottle of pure avocado oil and started using it faithfully. The difference in my skin is notable and I am now an avocado oil junkie.  I use it on my face, under my eyes, all over my body, my hair and my nails and I must say I am thrilled with the results.   I have even mixed it with my foundation and the results have been a soft, smooth, dewy complexion.
 
So far I have been writing about the amazing benefits for your skin, but there are a whole bunch of other benefits that touch your overall health.  Consider purchasing avocados when they are in season and also getting year round benefits by purchasing avocado oil.   I recommend picking up food grade organic cold pressed avocado oil at your local supermarket, health food store or online and separating it.  Use some of it for cooking (as it can be used as both a cooking and finishing oil and has a very high smoke point) and some for personal use for head to toe beautification!  

Friday, December 13, 2013

12 Days of Beauty!


We are deep in the Holiday Season and I don't know about you but my skin is certainly showing the effects of this joyous season.  Things like stress, cold weather, lack of sleep, overeating and holiday cocktails certainly do show up on our skin…our body’s largest organ.
As a gift to skin everywhere I am offering the 12 Days of Beauty and will blog each day offering a new skin loving scientifically backed tip for restoring and creating beautiful skin! 
Today’s suggestion is Aloe Vera Gel.  Not only will this healing gel moisturize your skin but did you know that aloe vera gel improves blood circulation and has properties that are harmful to certain types of bacteria and fungi?   As if all that that wasn’t enough, aloe vera gel can significantly improve facial wrinkles and elasticity when taken orally! To find out more about the science visit the below link:  http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/aloe-gel-significantly-improves-wrinkles-and-elasticity-photoaged-human-skin 

I have personally experienced aloe’s healing effects during my teenage years and continue to use it daily.  When I was in my early teens I used an at home facial tanner improperly and burned my face very badly.  Luckily, we had an aloe plant and my father told me to apply it daily.  I saw relief from the angry red and purple burn on the first day of use.  Within a week I was almost back to normal.  For me, aloe is a miracle.  I still use it daily as a conductor for my microcurrent facial toning device and I am super pleased with the way it makes my skin feel and look.  So why not further explore the amazing benefits of aloe … I think you will be very pleased.