The Case for Exfoliating Your Eye Area

Things are going pretty well with this updated skin care system that I've been implementing.  The Korean layering method infuses my skin with various nutrient rich serums, which keeps it glowing.  And moving my favorite skin care products to the shower adds that level of consistency, brining great results.

Yesterday, I glanced into my sun visor mirror to see how my skin looked in natural light.  Skin looked decent but I noticed that my eyes weren't as fresh and bright as the rest of my face. Sure, my first thought was to attribute it to not being in my 20 anymore.  Maybe father time was finally catching up.  But the logical side of me wanted to get to the route cause of the issue.  "What's missing from my regimen that's causing my eyes to look like this?"  The response was immediate.  I was exfoliating all of my face except my eye area.

Now I'm sure that everything you've ever heard or read has warned you repeatedly to avoid exfoliators near the eyes.  They say the eye area is delicate and fragile, like a newborn baby duckling.  You're only supposed to use the lightest touch with the tip of your pinky finger, if you ever go near your eyes.  I understand where they're coming from. We want to protect the eye area as much as possible.  But are we missing on a huge opportunity by staying away from the eye?

Let me first address the idea that the skin around the eye is too fragile for exfoliation.  I'm of the belief that any part of the body that's neglected will start to atrophy.  If we don't use our muscles, they shrink.  When astronauts go weeks without walking, they lose bone mass.  I think that part of the reason why our eye area shows our age so quickly is because we allow it to atrophy.  I've read online accounts of people who claimed to have thickened the skin around the eye area through a vigorous massage technique that includes pinching and rolling of the skin. They say the skin responds well as blood flow to the area increases causing increased collagen production.  The result is a brighter, more youthful looking under eye area.  We layer mascara, concealer,  and eye creams without much thought of how to properly remove all the unwanted build up.

So I looked online and found several articles urging us to exfoliate our eye area. So we can enjoy youthful glowing skin over our entire face!  This morning, I nonchalantly walked into the bathroom to experience this for the first time.  Keeping in mind that if I happened to get an exfoliant grain in my eye, my day would be absolutely ruined.  For this reason,  I purposefully chose not to use any products that are too grainy.  Because, Fresh sugar scrub is extra thick, the likely of any sugar grains going astray is minimal.  Please, never use an exfoliant that has crushed almond shells (or anything of the sort) near your eyes.  If something goes wrong, water can't dissolve it like with a sugar grain.

First I massaged my skin with oil to loosen dirt below the surface.  Then I dampened the skin with water and scrubbed with a tiny bit for Fresh exfoliant. As I got near the eye area, I used a high level of caution.  In fact, I didn't really go near my eyes with the scrub, I just remained in the area surrounding the eye (outer orbital bone). But it was closer than I'd ever gone before with granules.

That's when I decided to use another means to really exfoliate the under eye.  With my eyes firmly shut, I grabbed the Clarisonic and proceeded to cleanse my face. This time I also scrubbed my upper and lower lid (eyes closed).  I even allowed the electronic brush to remain on the eye for a few moments before moving to the next eye.  I emerged from the experience completely unscathed.

As I began to layer on the serums, I made a conscious effort to apply Misha's Essence serum and my glycolic acid serum to the under eye.  After I was done, I looked in the mirror to assess the results. The difference was noticeable right away. I also look forward to the cumulative benefit as well.    Exfoliation allows you to put your brightest, freshest skin on display, it only makes sense to exfoliate your entire face.  If you feel weird about using scrubs near your eyes, try a brush, a mild chemical exfoliant like Cure Gel or an exfoliating serum to see what works best for you.

Instagram Beauty Secrets Part 7.

Who's ready for another round up of Insta-Beaty secrets?  For those of you who new to this series, it's basically where I stalk scour feeds in search of random sharing of their favorite beauty tip/product.  I'm not talking about the paid posts for teeth whitening or "skinny teas."  These are the real products they use everyday and swear by.  Let's get started.

@astrog1rl

Astrog1rl's Instagram feed is filled with flawless faced selfies. It's no wonder why people would bombard her with questions on what she does to create her everyday face.  Here's what she had to share:

"I get asked everyday what foundation I use so I thought it would be best to just make a post.  I use Makeup Forever Mat Velvet foundation #80 then I use Makeup Forever Duo Mat #218 powder as a finish.  This is the best foundation I've EVER used and yes I tried MAC (it's too heavy IMO).  This is just right for normal/combination/oily skin types."

I'll throw my 2 cents in and agree with her on Makeup Forever foundation.  It gives decent coverage while looking natural.  Since adding it to my regimen, I've never looked elsewhere. That is....until now.  I have the HD Foundation (which is perfect) but I like the idea of a mattifying foundation since I don't use a powder at the moment.  Especially now in the warmer months when oil production is sky high.  

 @sharshar_xo

Sharshar is a living testament to the lesson we learned on going to bed greasy.  Her flawless skin prompted lots of questions from her followers on what foundation she used to create her natural glow.  Here's what she had to say:
"For all the lovely ladies asking me what foundation I use. I don't wear any makeup.  I use this on my face and body twice a day."

We've heard that coco butter is notorious for helping to even out skin tone.  It makes perfect sense that this young lady keeps it simple by using something every day that promotes healthy and vibrant skin all over.   If coco butter is too heavy for you, we've seen great results from people who use coconut oil on the skin day/night.  Play around with it and see what works best for you.

@themelyssaford

I always get a excited when a celebrity shares her beauty secrets.  Today were featuring Melyssa Ford who never shared her go-to skin care products.  Looks like she's loyal to a certain brand.

"These are truly some of my favorite products.  I get questions on what I use on my skin and my two favorite [product] lines are Origins and Olay.  I don't believe in spending a grip of money on designer skincare when these two lines are more than comparable.  And Origins smells so yummy!  Please give them a try!"

If you've been on Instagram for any length of time, you may have run across before and after photos of fiber lash mascaras that use tiny fibers to create dramatic extra long lashes.  Well, it looks like I may have stumbled upon a DIY version to create extra long lashes.  Take a look.

This is a simple and quick beauty tip for fuller, longer lashes: After applying the first layer of mascara, apply a thin layer of baby powder onto the wet lashes. You can apply to the whole lash or the roots (for a fuller and thick look) or just the ends(for a longer look). You can repeat this step again for an even fuller/longer and dramatic look. Hope this was helpful 😛💁🏼 @ashleymartelle #BBLU #TazsAngelsBeautyBar 💕

A video posted by Taz's Angels Beauty bar (@tazsangelsbeautybar) on May 17, 2015 at 12:19pm PDT

Lily Ghilichi is known for going full glam on a daily basis.  She makes no excuses about wearing big hair and a full face, thanks to her personal team of make up artists.  Most of her page consists of advertisments for her or other products, but recently, she shared this little nugget.

" I get SO many questions about my under eye concealer. Ladies, this truly is THE BEST concealer I've ever used, it has changed my under eye life.  It's by @tartecosmetics and I'm obsessed."
Sounds like Tarte Creaseless Concealer is worth checking out. 

@thisissymphani 

After taking a break from WEN Honeyfig and going back into the world of shampoos, I learned that one of my favorite brands, Biolage,  has a cleansing conditioner for coarse hair.....and now I need it.  Don't get me wrong, I still love Keracare's SLS free shampoo, but I really miss the hydrating power of using a cleansing conditioner.   At first I was like "Nadege, you don't need another shampoo" but then @thisissymphoni said this:

"This is my new fav conditioner. It's a cleansing conditioner. Non stripping, no harsh salts, no parabens.  It makes my hair feel so clean and soft afterwards."

The reviews are awesome so it's secured a VIP spot on my list of Craves.   I'll pick up a bottle on my next visit to Ulta.

In the shower | Taking your beauty ritual to the next level.

Typically, if you were to peek inside my shower, you'd find several bottles of random shampoos, conditioners, and protein treatments.  But something happened the other day, that would change all that.  There I was, taking a shower, just like any other day, I dipped my fingers into a jar of TreeHut's Brown Sugar scrub to conduct my all over body exfoliation when suddenly, by accident I start scrubbing my face.

The instant I realized what I was doing, I freaked out.  Thoughts like, "these grains could be to large and could scratch your skin" flooded my mind.  But after the panic subsided, I realized that scrubbing my face with it wasn't the end of the world.  Then it hit me like a light.  Why don't I keep my face scrub in here?

Keeping shampoos and conditioners in the shower seemed to make sense.  The only problem was that I only use those products 1-2 times a week.  But, on the flip side, there are beauty products that I should be using daily, that'll bring much more value if they were in the shower with me.  So I switched out my hair products for those that benefit the skin.

Texture shot of Treehut Sugar Scrub vs the finer grains of Fresh Sugar Facial Scrub.

First on the list was the jar of Fresh's Sugar Scrub. You've heard me mention it several times before. This stuff is ridiculously expensive and worth every scent.  Fresh's umbra clay bar also made the list of products moving into the shower. It's a clay mask shaped like a bar of soap.  Great if you want a simple daily clay mask in an easy to use form.  I alway find that the damper my skin, the easier it is so apply, so using it the shower is a no-brainer.  Then I grabbed my bottle of Palmer's Coco Butter Moisturizing Body Oil off my dresser and moved it to where it makes more sense.  The only time I use it is after a shower so why not keep it in the bathroom to apply while my skin is most damp?
Here's how it all went down.  After jumping in the shower, I grabbed the clay bar, applying it all over my moistened face. While waiting for it to dry, I scrubbed my body with soap and a Salux cloth then proceeded to exfoliate my body using the sugar scrub.  After shaving, I check on the clay mask which only dried 85% because of the moisture in the shower (or because I go through my shower routine pretty quickly. That was fine by me, I just need it to draw dirt and oil to the surface in preparation for the cleansing routine.  I removed the mask by gently applying Fresh Sugar scrub to my skin using gentle circular motions.  What I love about this scrub is that it leaves behind traces of the natural oils on your skin, so it never feels dry or stripped.  Finally, I grabbed the Clarisonic Pro brush for a proper cleansing.  After I scrubbed my feet, I was done and ready to go. But before I left the bathroom, I rubbed a little of the coco butter oil on my damp skin to retain all of that lovely moisture.

Once I got to my dresser, I began the ritual of beautiful skin.  Here's the thing.  When I applied the glycolic and hyaluronic serum to my skin, I felt a slight tingle.  This wonderful little tingle is a sign that my skin was properly exfoliated enough to let the product do its job.  The smirk on my face said it all.  This could be the thing the completes my skin care regimen. Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?  Now I can actually exfoliate every day without fail (extends left hand in the air to give you a high five). I woke up this morning after trying the full routine for the first time last night and I couldn't stop looking at and touching my skin (sorry Lady Dee).

I'm still debating on whether I'll use the exfoliating scrub twice a day or just once.  I've got a small collection of facial scrubs and Fresh is the only one that could be used 2X a day without scratching or over drying my skin.  I'll test it out and see how it goes.  The reason why this is so awesome is because I've already developed rituals that are engrained. Therefore pairing these new actions, with what I already do, should be quite easy.

On thing I'll need to do is create a little more space and organization in the shower.  It's a wonderful beauty ritual and should be presented as such. That's why I've got my eyes on these teak wood shelves to display everything in a neat and attractive way.

What beauty items do you keep in your shower?

PRP | The anti-aging vampire facial that can also grow your hair

I throughly enjoy learning about the unique and unusual treatments out there.  Ever since I've learned to conduct a basic facial at home, I'm no longer intrigued by your run of the mill spa facial.  I'm on the lookout for treatments that have an immediate and powerful impact to the skin.  The last treatment I indulged in was the HydraFacial.  It's a simple series of steps with the ability to infuse moisture deep within the skin.

Now, more than ever, I'm looking for treatments with the power to go deeper that the skin's surface. Right now I've got my eyes set of the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) facial.  The first time talk of this treatment came into the main stream was when Kim Kardashian let Oprah (and the whole world) in on her beauty secret.  Images of her bloodied and bruised face flooded the internet and the procedure world become known as the vampire facial.

"So worth it. And now my face is beyond smooth and healthy." @morganhardman sharing her results from the Vampire Facial

So here's how it works.  You sit comfortably in a chair while the specialist draws blood from your arm.  That blood is then placed in a centrifuge that spins it around, the separating platelets.  These platelets contain "growth factors" that rejuvenate the cells in our bodies.  The platelets and growth factors are in concentrated form (to 4X the normal levels) and ready to be re-injected directly into problem areas for maximum results.  This process activates new stem cells and stimulates collagen and elastic.

A video posted by Morgan Hardman (@morganhardman) on Apr 3, 2015 at 11:51am PDT

\timulation results in a volumized face, lifted cheeks and filled in under eye hollows.  Because collagen production takes time, the full results of the facial could take several weeks to actualize.  This process has been applied to treat traumatic injuries. Many professional athletes use this to regenerate injured areas of the body.  Not only is PRP therapy creating youthful skin and bodily healing, it's also used widely to help stimulate the regrowth of hair.

Those growth factors in the platelets, when injected into the scalp, feed the hair follicles which allow for the growth of healthy hair. This procedure is widely used in conjunction with hair transplantation to increase the success rate.  The treatment thickens the hair and reactivates stagnant follicles.  I watched a couple of videos on Youtube but got a bit freaked out by the needle injections to the scalp.  I think I'll stick to scalp massages and using my rolling bed of needles.

source

I'd love to use this treatment in areas where I'm plagued with deep acne scars.  I'm positive that I'll make more progress on these stubborn scars by focusing on deeper layers of the skin instead of working only on the epidermis.  As a matter of fact, a skin specialist once recommended a treatment for me that involved breaking up scar tissue, by using a needle, and attacking the scar from the bottom up.

 The PRP facial pretty pricey at between $500-$1,000 (but closer to the $1,000 price point), especially since multiple sessions are recommended.  But the cost might be worth it, especially if you continue to see improved results long after the procedure has been performed. If the price tag makes you a little squeamish, you may opt to employ the derma roller which helps rejuvenate the skin by creating micro trauma to the skin, causing new collagen to form as the skin heals.  You don't get the benefit of the nutrient rich growth factors but, hey, it's a start.

Beauty Benefits of Watermelon

As we know, Hot summer is knocking our door and we have to prepare ourselves to fight with different types of summer problem's like sun tan, sun burn, sweating, dehydration etc.

Image source : xtremerain.com

Watermelon is a main seasonal fruit in summer season. Watermelon is one of the beneficial fruits that gives both skin and beauty benefits. Mostly, we are enjoying watermelon in form of juices, salads,etc. Only eating watermelon not keeps us hydrated but also helps us to get smooth, flawless and beautiful skin.

Watermelon contains about 92% of water content and rich in vitamins like vit. A, B6, C. Its helps in hydrating our body as well as our skin layer, it also repairs and protects it from various skin ailments. 

Watermelon is rich in natural dietary fiber that prevents constipation and facilitates the flushing out of toxins from our body. 

Watermelon can rejuvenate and revitalize our dull and affected skin. It also prevents acne's effectively because it minimize excessive secretion of oil.

image source: lifehack.org

I always take full benefits of this fruit and i suggest you should also include watermelon in your summer diet to stay healthy and hydrated or either apply on you face as a face mask to look beautiful and younger. There are some beauty benefits and tips for you to get youthful skin easily in this hot summer season.

Beauty Benefits of Watermelon-

Watermelon act as a different type for different use. The beauty benefits of watermelon are - 

As a Skin Toner 

Red juice of watermelon is a natural astringent that changes the appearance of your skin as well as toned it.

You can massage your face and neck with fresh watermelon slice directly. Or you can add 1tsp honey in it and mix well. Apply this on you face for 15 min. 

As a Anti-aging mask

Watermelon is a rich source of anti oxidants which reduce free radicals from the body and prevents all signs of skin aging. 

You can take 1 slice of watermelon and 2 tsp avocado paste, mix it well. Apply this paste on your face and neck.Leave it for about half an hour and then wash it off with Luke warm water.

Watermelon contains fiber and water while avocado is rich in healthy fats. 

Mixture of both together helps to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and improve the elasticity of your skin. Watermelon juice on the face rejuvenates and revitalizes the dull skin.

As a Moisturizer

Dehydration can lead to dry and dull skin. If you have dry skin then add the watermelon in your diet. Watermelon contains 92% water in it that keeps our body and skin hydrated. 

You can apply watermelon with yogurt, mash watermelon and add 2 tbsp yogurt to make fine paste. Apply this pack on your face and leave it for 15 min. Wash it off with water. It keeps your skin moisturized, hydrated and glowing.

As a Cleanser and oil remover 

Watermelon is a rich source of multivitamins. These vitamin helps in reducing the size of our skin pores and minimizes the excessive oil secretion from the sebaceous glands.

Take 1/2 cup watermelon juice and some crushed mint leaves, mix together and fill this mixture in a ice tray and freezes them. Rub this ice cubes on your skin. It helps in reducing the open pores in your skin and cleans the impurities from the skin pores. It also giving cooling and soothing effect on your skin in this hot weather.

As a Exfoliator and scrub

Take a 2 tbsp watermelon pulp, 1 tsp sugar, 2-3 drops of lemon. Mix it all. Apply this paste on your face and rub it gently in circular motion before bath. You can store it in the refrigerator for a weak.

This cool scrub removes dead skin cells and , make your skin smooth and spot less. You can also be prepared this scrub by mixing the pulp with gram flour.

As a Anti- acne mask (Cures acne)

Watermelon provides relief from acne or pimple itching and irritation due to its cooling property in it. It help in reduces oil secretion and close open pores in your skin. So, this cures acne but you want best result then use it daily. Take a watermelon juice in a cup and simply dab a cotton ball in it. Apply it on your face. Leave for 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water.

As a Sun tan and Sun burn remover

Sunburns and Sun-tanned skin can be treated by using watermelon. Take a equal quantity of watermelon pulp and cucumber pulp. Mix it well in a bowl. Apply it on your face and neck. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with cold water. This cooling face pack will help to soothe sunburns and reduces tanning.

You can easily get the watermelon in this season. Include this in your summer diet and daily skin regime. Follow these beauty benefit tips and get clean, fair , flawless and youthful skin.

Happy Summer !!!

Craving | Dr Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense (the even skin sunscreen)

My current wish list is pretty short.  And on top of that list is an new and better sunscreen.  You see, ever since I've been practicing the Korean layering regimen, come to expect quite a lot from each product in my routine.  All the serums are doing a bang up job of addressing my various skin issues.  But I feel like my sunscreen needs to work a little harder to contribute to my overall goals.

Sure, the one I currently use is high SPF and does a decent job at blocking out the harmful rays (I suppose), but I'm ready for the next level of sun protection that addresses uneven skin tone.  I know that the simple act of wearing sun protection daily does have positive effect on managing dark marks. Yes, I understand that sunscreen is vital to helping promote perfectly even skin.  But, now that we've ventured into the world of BB & CC creams that boast of having multi-level benefits, I expect my sun protection to do the same.

Which is why I have my eyes set on Dr. Dennis Gross' Dark Spot Defense SPF 50.  It's a paraben free sunscreen that claims to moisturize, prevent and minimize hyperpigmentation while loading the skin with beneficial antioxidants.  I'd love to complete my skin care routine with a product with multi-level benefits.  It appears to be a fairly new product because there aren't that many reviews online.   This one is from a happy customer.

WOW!!

I have been looking for a face lotion with high SPF and this does above and beyond that. Not only does it not leave a greasy mess on your face after you apply it or if you start to sweat, it has vitamin c and e which is vital for your skin in order to prevent signs of aging. I would recommend this product!

I'm not an expert in ingredients but I saw a few things that caught my eye. Glycolic acid to help lighten dark spots via exfoliating the dead skin cells.  This super sunscreen contains plant oils such as  olive, evening primrose,  and echium oil (which boasts of omega 3,6, &9).  Not to mention vitamins C + E which load your skin with antioxidants and black rice extract which is also rich in antioxidants. I also appreciate that it contains glycerine which I suspect will help provide a moisturizing quality to the formula.  My current line up of sunscreens are too drying for my taste. After reviewing all this sunscreen has to offer, I just don't get that excited about what I currently use.  I need something that compliments this new skin care regimen and helps take my skin to the next level.

I suspect it won't be long until I have this product sitting on my dresser.

RAVE | Missha's Time Revolution First Treatment Essence.

After discovering the amazing Korean Skin Care regimen, my skin hasn't been the same.  But deep down I knew, without a facial essence,  I was missing out on one of the most important steps of this skin transforming routine. Since  facial essences were a bit foreign to me, I did a little research to uncover what made 'em so special.

Facial essences draw their potency from fermented yeast.  What I appreciate about these products are that the active yeast makes up a very large percentage of the total ingredients (80-90%).  SK II patented their fermented yeast formula after discovering elderly brewery workers with youthful , well preserved hands.  After digging into it further, they attributed the eternally young hands to the active fermented yeast.  The formula was patented and the rest is history.    

Multitudes rave about SK II.  I've read various accounts of how people's swear their skin will never be the same after coming into contact with the magical essence.  I've always wanted to try it but the $150.00 price tag freaked me out a bit.  Then I just so happened to stumble on an SK dupe by the name of Missha First Treatment Essence.  I couldn't believe how affordable this was compared to it's counterpart.  My first thought is because the ingredients probably sucked.  But, in actuality, Missha is also filled with fermented yeast, just a different variety (from the same family).  Missha's yeast comprises 80% of the ingredients unlike SK II which boasts of being comprised of  90% active yeast.  It sounds like SK II may have the upper hand but, if you look a bit more closely, Misha's ingredients also include natural extracts like beet root, rosemary, and other botanicals that could have soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities.  

What really made me take the leap was Missha's social proof in the form of a higher review rating on Amazon.  No more excuses.  A couple of days later, my package arrived.  First impressions--the bottle was much larger than I expected.  Enough to last quite a while.  Facial essence application comes immediately after washing so it's essentially a toner.  Toners, as many of us in America know it, can have a drying effect. But Asian facial essences remind us that layering a hydrating miracle water, after cleansing to seal in moisture, is logical.  Why did we ever think it was ok to strip the skin of moisture immediately after washing?  Actually, I apply a coconut based vinegar to my skin directly after washing my face because I have to. Without it my dermatitis would flare up.  Apply this directly after toning bring all the balance back to my skin.  And it happens instantly! The watery consistency makes it really easy to apply by hand.  Another option is to apply with a cotton pad, but I'd feel bad throwing away a cotton ball soaked with youth promoting active yeast.  Nope, I want every ounce of that stuff on my skin.

Of all the products in my multi step routine, this is my absolute favorite.  I layer all the serums and creams  out of obligation. Missha's Facial Essence is the only one that I look forward to applying.  I absolutely love how my skin feels immediately after application.  Moisture levels are instantly regained.  Interestingly enough, I actually have a watery "hydrating lotion" with the same consistency as Missha's Essence but doesn't compare in the level of moisture it imparts. It's not just moisture, I feel like the treatment essence improves the overall appearance of my skin.  I absolutely adore this product.  It's just so calming, hydrating and nourishing. And the price point is so right (I'd actually pay more for it).

I'm really looking forward to experiencing long term benefits from applying this on a daily basis.  In the back on my mind, I wonder if I should still try the SK II just to make sure I'm not missing out.  Maybe I'll experience SK II one day but just to put my mind at ease but, honestly, I can't see how it can be any more amazing than this.  

Skin Care Inspo | What Taylour Paige does every day for flawless skin.

A while back, Instragram suggested that I take a look at a recent picture posted by actress Taylour Paige.  I had no idea who she was at the time, I just saw her as a beautiful person with super-amazing skin.

I was hungry to learn more about her skin care routine.  Was she one of these women who just has naturally flawless skin or did she conduct any specific ritual(s) to contribute to her even-toned skin and healthy glow?

Her Instagram page didn't provide any clues so I dug a little further.  Lucky for us, StyleBlazer sat her down and asked for the details (video below).  When asked what her favorite hair product was, she mentioned a brand (WEN). When asked about her favorite skin care product, she shares a process (exfoliation).  

We can now officially add Taylour to the list of flawless skinned people who exfoliate everyday along with Chilli formerly of TLC,  Atlanta Housewife Cynthia Rowland, and probably countless others who have perfect skin but haven't publicly disclosed their routines. 

 If you voyage through Taylour's Instagram feed, you see a pic of her as a child in which she appears to have beautiful skin.  The first self defeating thought that flashed through my mind was "she's always had good skin, it's genetic."  Perhaps, but if I remained satisfied with that flimsy explanation, maybe I wouldn't have come across the video where homegirl says it with her own mouth that she exfoliates daily.  I mean, we all had great skin when we were in elementary school. But as adults, we gotta take things more seriously.  

In exfoliating daily, Taylour is showing off fresh healthy skin.  It glows naturally because, without dry skin covering the surface, it easily reflects light.  I've also learned that she's a professional dancer which probably means that she sweats frequently and drinks a ton of water.  Exfoliation, sweating and hydration are the cornerstone of beautiful skin.  

After watching the video, I reached for my jar of Fresh's Sugar Facial Scrub.  Once the exfoliation session was completed, I proceeded with the multi-step Korean Skin Care routine.  This time, there was a huge difference.  Suddenly, I could feel tingling when I applied the glycolic/hyaluronic serum. Why? Because the dead layer of skin that blocked my products from penetrating the healthy cells was no longer an issue.  Instantly, my skin care products became more effective and my skin hasn't been the same since.  

If you don't have a kick-butt exfoliator that does wonders for your skin, put that on your to-do list.  Fresh's sugar scrub will always be my fave.  On the weekends, I'll mix it up with a chemical exfoliant. Or maybe I use Dr. Gross' Alpha Beta Peel at night as a mild chemical exfoliant gentle which is enough to use daily.  When I hear people mention daily exfoliation, I assume they are using some sort of scrub.  But if your skin isn't up to the challenge, you can do it 3-4 times a week. Another option is the super gentle Cure Gel exfoliator (written about in this post), which does the trick with very little irritation to the skin. 

I finally tried the 10 step Korean Skin Care Routine (and fell in love).

Once upon a time, a coworker invited a group of us to his home for dinner. When we arrived, we were immediately blown away at the lengths his wife went to create a traditional Korean feast for us.  After a few minutes of introduction, we all sat down for a wonderful evening of food and laughs.  Months later, I ran into his wife again, this time, I got down to business and asked her a question that was on my heart since our first meeting.  You  see, his wife had the most flawless skin I had ever seen.  I absolutely needed to know her skin care secrets.

When the opportunity came, I gently pulled her to the side and asked the important questions.  She received the compliments I gave her in a generous and humble way.  She then proceeded to tell me that she once had troubled skin and saw improvements after using an egg based soap.  Once I got home, I got to researching for this soap made with real egg whites.  While on the hunt, I discovered the level of seriousness that Koreans place on their skin care regimens.  I learned that a traditional daily regimen could involve as many as a dozen steps!  After seeing this video of Michelle Phan layering product after product onto her skin, I became bewildered and slowly backed away from a multi-step routine.  There was no way that I was going to invest that amount of effort day after day.  It just seemed excessive.

In the back of my mind, I couldn't deny the amazingness of Michelle's skin.  It was flawless perfection.  That was a few years ago. I wasn't ready to take my skin care routine to that level.

Youtuber Steve Jan

But when the student is ready, a teacher (re)appears.  Just the other day, I stumbled upon this video of a 40+ year old man with the skin of a teenager.  His bare skin glowed like that of an angel.  He too had a multistep routine that included layering of various products for enhanced results.  There was no denying the quality of his skin.

Finally, I gave in and tested process for myself.  After double cleansing with the Clarisonic Pro, began my journey into multistep skin care.  First I added a little coconut cider vinegar to a cotton pad and applied as a toner.  The acidic nature of the vinegar calms my skin and keeps dermatitis flare ups at bay.  Next I layered serum after serum starting with Snail Bee Essence, then Truth Serum Vitamin C booster. Finally, once that dried, I layered the Glycolic and Hyaluronic acid serum hybrid purchased from MakeUpArtist Choice.  Actually, I'm not sure what order I used the serums but either way, it's the first time I've ever done such a thing.  By the time I finished the process by adding eye cream and vitamin C moisturizer, my skin glowed.  I stood in front of the mirror in awe of what I was seeing.  Who's skin was this?

Now that I've tasted the wonders of a multi-layering, multi-step facial routine, how can I ever go back to the old way of doing things?  In fact, my first thoughts were of how I needed to add a facial essence and a hydrating serum for night time.  I've been eyeing SK II facial essence for a very long time. I may finally take the plunge. But first, I think I'll try the cost friendly skin essence available from Missha which is less than half the price of SK II and has higher reviews.   It makes me giddy thinking about it.  And to think that I was patting myself on the back for how little effort I was putting into my facial routine while still getting by.   After years of dealing with horrendous acne, I was happy to not have to fuss with a rigid regimen.  But I was sacrificing the opportunity to have the skin of my dreams because I decided to get a little lazy.

For those of you who want to dabble in the labor intensive, skin transforming Korean skin care regimen, here's a quick breakdown.

STEP 1:  Pre-cleanse | Typically means the removal of makeup using a makeup wipe, cleansing water or cleansing oil.

STEP 2: Cleanse | Use a gentle cleanser to throughly remove dirt and oil.

STEP 3: Exfoliate |  Removing dead skin cells helps absorption of serums and creams.

STEP 4:  Tone | Bring the skin back to it's proper pH balance.

STEP 5: Essence | Promotes healthy cells by promoting cell turnover and removal of toxin.  Makes skin brighter and healthier.

STEP 6: Serum | Applying a concentrated serum to address skin needs.  This may require using several different serums if you have multiple concerns.

STEP 7:  Mask | Not necessary for every day but adding a sheet mask to the routine can help target specific areas such as moisture balance, brightening, collagen boosting etc.

STEP 8: Eye Cream | To promote youth in the eye areas.

STEP 9:  Moisturizer | Hydrate the skin all over

STEP 10: Night Cream for intense repair.

Honorable Mention:  Massage |  To promote blood flow to the skin. You can do a separate massage routine or incorporate massage as you layer on each product.

Ten steps sure seems like a lot to contend with but the pay off is high.

The step by step guide to recreating flawless, glowing summer skin

Not long ago, I post an article sharing the story of a friend of mine who lives a wonderful life of travel and new experiences.  In that post, I used the image above of a gorgeous young lady enjoying a fruity drink beachside.  A couple of comments came in about the amazingness of her skin.  I'd have to agree. It was her stunning skin tone that led me to utilize this pic.

Since I don't know her personally, and can't ask about her skin care secrets, we can do the next best thing.  We can study and learn from her.  After a few minutes of reflection, I identified some of the characteristics of her skin that most stand out.  And, most importantly, how we can replicate these traits so we too have amazing, glowing skin.

Hydration + Exfoliation
In order to get to her level, we must first start with the basics of healthy skin.  Don't skip these steps because they're crucial to creating ideal results.   Healthy skin, fundamentally, is hydrated and exfoliated.  Water is an absolute must.   Remember that water provides the body hydration but it provides our cells NUTRITION. We want to feed our skin cells with water.  Nourished cells are the cornerstone to beautiful skin so make sure you start there.  Become one of those people who drink tons of water.  You'll be happy you did.

Once the nourishment is in place, then it's time to slough off all the old dry skin cells sitting on the surface.  Please refer to my world famous post on creating a smooth even toned body.  Sweat and slough should be your motto for summer 2015.

Your skin is hydrated and exfoliated. Next on your list is to take your skin to the level of becoming reflective.  Take a look back at the pic above. Notice how her skin easily reflects light on high points such as her knees, shins, shoulders, nose, forehead and lips.  That's exactly what we want.  Proper hydration and heavy exfoliation will help you get there.  But if you need a little more help, there are dozens of products on the market that can help you to get your shine on.

You can go the natural route by using a little coconut oil or coco butter oil to make the skin stand out. If you want to further enhance your warm undertones, invest in some bronzing products to bring out your summer glow.  Some of my favorites are Gleam Body Radiance in deep gold (this stuff is perfection on the face or all over body).  For the face, my favorite glow enhancing products are Giellea's Eye Am Glam (which was reported to be created by Kim Kardashian's former make up artist), MAC's Mineral Skin Finish, (light subtle glow), and MACs Lustre Drops, if you are looking for something a little bolder.

Here's a tip, try blending liquid bronzing products like Lustre Drops/Gleam, with your foundation.  This will recreate that perfectly even toned skin and subtle glow like she has.  Another option for creating that even toned, warm skin is to fake tan.  Celebrities do it before red carpet event. Women of all shades enjoy ultra even toned, glowy skin from pre-event tanning sessions.  But if tanning isn't your thing, stick with regular exfoliation to fade dark spots.

 Lastly, take note of how her jet black hair contrasts with her chocolate brown skin.  If you really want to go all out, consider enhancing your hair color to create additional contrast, which will really make your skin stand out.  Jet black hair also reflects light which further adds to the over look.  Oh, an make sure you sport sunscreen daily to keep new dark spots from emerging.

Top 5 Egg Face Masks for Wrinkles:- Anti– Aging Face masks

Wrinkles are a natural process of aging. With the time, our skin get saggy and loose. Proper anti- aging skin care routine is so important after 30s. 

As you all know that major factor of wrinkles is aging, as you get older, naturally your skin becomes less elastic, natural oil production in your skin is decreases due to this your skin appear more dry and shows fine lines. Decreases fat in deeper layers of your skin. This causes saggy and loose skin and fine lines are more visible. 

Always keeps  your skin hydrated. Moisturising is very essential for our skin and the use of creams which contains collagen or vitamin E can help to restore our skin’s elasticity and reduce wrinkles. 

Another main cause of wrinkles is Sun Exposure, U.V. Rays speed up  the aging process, U.V. Rays damage your skin connective tissues due to this your skin loses elasticity, strength and flexibility. Your skin begins to saggy and premature wrinkles. 

Generally, we spends hundreds or even thousands to get younger and wrinkle free skin. If we starts anti- aging regime early, the chances of wrinkles is less. Your skin would remain tight and firm for a longer period of time. 

Anti- aging regime in parlour is very costly, or even not possible to take these surgeries, face lifts and cuts. These some times very mess up our facial features. My mother always uses homemade natural Face packs and her skin looks so younger. If you used these anti- aging Face-packs on the regular basis, you will get good result.  

Eggs are rich in proteins, but egg white in particular are great to tone and firm your skin. It  helps to reduce the appearance of large pores on your skin and makes your skin smooth. 

Besides, eggs acts as face  lifter, it also great for cleansing purposes and remove lot of impurities if you use it as a mask. If you used egg in face mask, it can help in reducing fine lines and restore your skin elasticity. 

Eggs are especially used for skin tightening. So, use these anti aging face masks and soon you get the result.

Top 5 Egg Face Masks for wrinkles 

Pure Egg white face mask

You can use directly egg  on you face, first separate egg whites from yolk. Apply fresh egg whites to your face and neck, leave mask for 20 minutes. Wash it off with Luke  warm water. Egg whites helps in reduce wrinkles and contracts your saggy skin.

Egg-white with  honey face mask

Take egg white, 1 tbsp honey and mix it well. Apply this mixture on your face and neck. Leave it for 15- 20 minutes, rinse with water. This face mask provides moisture to your skin and toned your skin.

Egg-white with lemon juice face mask

Take egg white and mix 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice. You can also add few drops of honey in it. Mix it well and apply it on your face. Leave it for 20 minutes, than wash it off. It makes your skin soft and remove dark spots from your face.

Egg- white with yoghurt face mask

Take egg white, 1 tbsp yoghurt,  few granules of brown sugar. Mix all the ingredients well. Apply this mixture on your face and neck. Gently massage your skin and leave it for 10 minutes. After that, wash it off with cool water. This face mask removes  dead skin cells and tightening loose skin. 

Egg-white with oatmeal face mask

Take egg white, 1 tbsp oatmeal and make a paste. Apply this paste on your face, wait for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water. By using this face mask, you feels the skin tightening.

For beautiful and firm skin, you would love to try these best egg face masks , but  for better result used on the regular basis. After all, you all know the beautiful, tight and firm skin is the key to timeless beauty.

How to get Rid of Chapped Lips- Natural Home Remedies

Lips are the important part of our face, beautiful lips attracts people's and enhance our personality. Mostly all women loves red lipstick on her lips but due to improper care of lips, causes redness of lips with soreness and peeling which is very embarrassing. It makes a person self- conscious. 
 

     

Chapped lips hurts a lot and sometimes bleeds too which is very painful. Chapped lips are a common problem, it's common symptoms are redness, dryness, cracking, flaking, tender or sore lips.

Causes of Chapped lips

•Deficiency of vitamins, iron or essential fatty acids

• Allergic reaction to some products

• Dehydration

• Excessive licking of lips

• Exposure to sun

• Excessive Smoking

• Change in weather

The best way to get rid of chapped lips is by taking proper care of it. Always apply sunscreen on your lips before stepping out. Never lick or bite your lips. Never peel the dead dry skin from the lips. In your daily routine, two times in a weak exfoliates your lips by using a soft toothbrush, to get rid of the deposit of dead cells that will cause more drying and flaking. When you feels your lips becomes dry apply good moisturizer on it, always keeps your lips moist. 

Image source: reflectionsatstlukes.com

Drink sufficient amount of water daily, dehydration causes dry skin and dry lips. Take diet with full of nutrition like, carrots, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables. Daily at night, apply lip balm and lip cream.

Store bought products are good but in our home there is a lot of ingredients present which are very effective in chapped lips. They are chemical free natural products and helps to make your lips smooth and beautiful.

Natural Home remedies to cure chapped lips-

Honey

image source: healthyfoodhouse.com

Honey is a great moisturizer and has antibacterial properties to treat chapped lips. Rub few drops of honey to your chapped lips 2-3 times in a day. After 15 minutes, wash it off with cool water. Honey is an anti-septic that kills the germs and infection present on your lips. It provides moisture which helps in heeling of your dry chapped lips.

Aloe Vera

Apply Aloe Vera gel on your lips daily to cure chapped dry lips. Aloe Vera has amazing healing properties and antioxidants. It provides moisture and cooling effect to your chapped sore lips. It also minimize the redness of your lips. It makes your lips soft and smooth when you using this daily.

Sugar 

Sugar is a good exfoliating agent, if your lips starts to chapped than you can use this daily to cure it. Take 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp honey and mix it well. Rub this on your lips gently, it helps in removing dead skin cells from your lips. Than wash it off with water. Exfoliating process helps in dead skin cells off your chapped lips will help restore their natural softness and color very faster.

Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil is very effective in treating dry chapped lips. Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser that can heel your crack lips. Take some drops of coconut oil, apply on your lips several times daily. Coconut oils provides relief from soreness and itching on your dry cracked lips.

Milk Cream 

Milk cream is rich in high fats and moisture that can quickly cure your chapped lips. You can use directly milk cream on your lips or mix little aloe vera gel in milk cream. Apply milk cream with the cotton ball on your lips, leave it for 15 minutes. Then wash your lips with Luke warm water. Daily use will prevent your lips from becoming chapped and dry. It makes your lips soft and smooth.

Avocado

Avocado is very beneficial for our skin, it is widely used in many skin products. Avocado is a natural moisturizer which restore your lip moisture and cure your chapped dry lips. Make a smooth paste of avocado and apply this paste on your lips. Leave it for 10- 15 minutes and then wash it off with water.

For beautiful attractive lips, add these natural homemade remedies in your daily skin regime.

Enjoy life !!!