Be your own kind of beautiful

Improve your Skin by eating

Here is a list compiled of foods that will boost the beauty of your skin.

1. Low Fat Yogurt- low fat dairy products are packed full of Vitamin A which is amazing for your skin. 

2. Berries- Plums, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. These berries have antioxidants which help protect our cells from free radicals.

3. Salmon- Our skin needs essential fatty acids. Omega 3 and Omega 6 are vital for healthy glowing skin. Along with salmon, flaxseed, walnuts and canola oil also are contain the fatty acids.

4. Green Tea- This drink has anti-inflammatory characteristics. It works as an antioxidant and anti inflammatory agent that works to keep bacteria away and fight off free radicals.

5. Water- Hydration is our skin’s best friend. Water can flush out toxins inside the body and have an all over cleansing effect.

6. Avocados- High in B-complex vitamins and essential oils. It works as an anti-inflammatory agent and soothes redness.

7. Mangoes- This fruit is packed full of vitamin A which will help repair skin cells. Also, they are low in calories which is always a plus.

8. Almonds- Vitamin E in almonds are great for moisturizing your skin. Also helps to prevent damage and premature aging. 

9. Cottage Cheese- A great source of calcium as well as an essential mineral for youthful and glowing skin.

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

Spring Cleaning for the Skin

Happy Spring Everyone!

Spring time is a wonderful time of year where the weather welcomes you to put away your winter coats and trade in your Uggs for flip flops. However, our skin sometimes gets stuck behind. Dry and scaly skin, rough spots, undernourished skin on the body and face. We tend to neglect our skin during the winter time because it is less exposed. A good moisturizing treatment will definitely do the trick. 

A good moisturizing technique to cure those scaly heels, elbows and knees is petroleum jelly or any type of salve. Just slather it on and watch it work its magic. For stubborn heels, after applying the jelly put on socks to lock in the moisture.

Another great thing to get your skin Spring time ready is to exfoliate!!! A good head to toe exfoliation will really work wonders for the skin. You can get a good sugar body scrub to make you skin silky smooth. Don’t forget about your face!! Facial scrubs do wonders. I recommend Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant. It is a rice powder that when mixed with water turns into an amazing scrub. It is gentle enough to do it every day but powerful enough to make a significant difference.

If you have slacked off on your skin regime, this is the perfect time to start it up again. Remember to cleanse, tone and moisturize DAILY. You can get awesome skin regimes if you look below on my previous blogs!!

Happy Thursday :)

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

BLOG REVAMP :)

Hello All!!

So I haven’t been blogging lately and I apologize for that. I am going to try and stay on top of my blogging as much as I can!!! I will aim for 2 blogs a week. Skin regimes, Facial Scrubs, Make up tips will be coming your way soon!

Hope you are all having a good week!

-Rachel Hoadley L.E 

Is Your Skin Thirsty?

When do you decide if your skin just needs to quench it’s thirst or if you truly have ‘dry’ skin.

A lot of the time when our skin is starting to feel tight or look rough and flakey we assume it is the effect of dry skin. However, a good amount of the time or skin is just dehydrated.

So where is this difference?

Dry skin is defined as a lack of oil production in the skin where as dehydrated skin is a lack of water. When you have dry skin, you have an imbalance in your body that results in a lack of essential oils. Malfunction of absence of sebaceous (oil) glands. When you have dehydrated skin, your skin has literally been stripped of its moisture. Dehydrated skin can be the result of an improper diet, sun, wind, heat, dry climate, not drinking enough water, some medications and stripping beauty products.

What does this mean exactly?

When you find your face feeling ‘dry’ from a lack of water.. simply loading on moisturizer isn’t going to help. You need to up your water intake during the day to replenish the water in your body. This is something that most people neglect to do.

When your skin is thirsty for some of that H20, give it some. :) Drinking enough water and watching your caffeine and alcohol intake can really make a difference.

Exfoliating, using mild oil-free products and a healthy diet and exercise lifestyle can really make a difference in your skin.

Our skin does so much for us, the least we can do is keep it healthy and hydrated!

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

New Year, New You.

The New Year is a time of reevaluation, revamping, and reorganizing yourself! Most of us make resolutions at the end of the year to try and accomplish in the upcoming year. If we stick to those resolutions or not, is a whole other story. :P

This year make a resolution to better yourself! What better way to kick start that self conquest than to take care of your skin. Nothing is more powerful than feeling confident in yourself. With clear skin, you will have an advantage.

Skin Care Regimes can be obnoxious and time consuming. Sometimes, they can even be considered overwhelming. However, with self discipline and a little bit of will power you will be able to stick to it and achieve amazing results.

Below are a couple examples of skin care regimes that you can start for the new you!

THE BASIC

A lot of the time, we don’t have a lot of time. Constantly being rushed out the door and getting home just early enough to eat a quick dinner and hop into bed. With crazy schedules, your skin is the last priority on the list. Here is a skin regime that is simple and easy to follow for those busy bees :)

• Cleanse- Depending on your skin type, get a cleanser that works for your skin. (Dry: Moisturizing cleanser; Oily: Foam or Gel Cleanser; Acneic: Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide; Sensitive: try Cetaphil products.) DO THIS TWICE A DAY. It only takes about a minute to wash your face in the morning and night. Take those 2 minutes in your day to wash your face and you shall see a difference.
• Tone- Any astringent will work. Witch Hazel is a good natural toner you can use on a daily basis. Do this whenever you like to set your skin’s natural pH back to normal and to kill bacteria that you encounter during the day.
• Moisturize/Sun Screen- Never skip this step! It is always important to keep your skin hydrated and protected from UV rays.

THE SKIN-A-HOLIC

Ever met those people who are constantly obsessing over their skin? Well now you can be just like them. With this skin care regime you can be just as addicted. (in a good way of course!)

• Cleanse- 2x a day (See above for what type cleanser is recommended for you.)
• Exfoliate- 3x a week (Homemade or store bought scrubs will work. You can see my previous blogs to get scrub recipes, or ideas of what to use. <What I do is leave my exfoliant in the shower and use it in there. That way is better, the steam from the shower opens your pores and you are more likely to slough off dead skin and dirt.>)
• Mask- 1x a week (Depending on your skin type use a mask at least once a week. Hint: Clay masks are great for oily skin types and contracting pores.)
• Drink your Water- (Cannot stress this enough!!! 1/2 your weight=ounces of water you should be drinking daily)
• Pore Strips/Extractors- Pore strips can help loosen up black heads and clogged pores mainly on the nose and chin. Extractors, although not recommended for use by those who are not properly trained, can help get out stubborn black heads.
• Tone- As much as you would like 
• Moisturize/Sun Screen- All day, everyday :)

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST

This is for those who are all about using the all natural method. Fruits, veggies and grains are all used in this regime.

• Cleanse-1-2x a day. There are many natural ingredients that you can use to cleanse your face. Here are a few that you may use:

1. Yogurt Cleanser: Yogurt contains natural alpha hydroxy acids which gently exfoliate while avoiding irritation to your skin. Use organic, full fat yogurt for the best results. 
2. Honey Cleanser: Apply to face diluted with some water. Honey is a natural moisturizer. It also contains antibacterial and anti inflammatory ingredients which will help with acne and other skin rashes.
3. Olive Oil Cleanser: This method uses olive oil mixed with castor oil. Steam your face first allowing your pore to open up. Apply mixture to face and then gently removed with warm wash cloth.
4. Oatmeal Cleanser: Grind oatmeal in blender and add water. Apply to face and then wash off.

• Exfoliate- 3x a week. Natural exfoliates are simple to make. You can use honey and white sugar, or brown sugar. Salt and olive oil makes a nice scrub as well. You can look up more extravagant scrub recipes as well if you do not want to use the simple scrub methods.
• Mask- 1x a week. There are a variety of ingredients that you can use to make facial masks. Depending on skin type and what benefit you want to achieve, the possibilities are quite endless. Honey, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Egg yolk, yogurt, tomatoes, cucumbers, oatmeal.. are several ingredients that you can use in a facial mask.
• Tone- Witch Hazel and Apple Cider vinegar are great natural remedies that are considered antiseptic.
• Moisturize- A drop of olive oil will do the trick.

THE GLAMOUR GODDESS

The Glamour Goddess is a lot like the Skin-a-holic regime. However, you also add in 2 facials with an Esthetician or Dermatologist a month. This also includes treatments such as: chemical peels, microdermabrasions, and the use of electric current (galvanic, tesla high frequency)

I hope you all get off to a good start this year! Choose which regime best fits your lifestyle, or make a combination of them. As long as you stick to it! :) Happy New Year everyone!!!

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

Being happy is good for your skin

As crazy as this might sound, it has been scientifically proven. When you are happy, your blood vessels open up and your heart pumps more blood and you give off that amazing ‘glow’. When you smile more and stress less, your body will release serotonin (happy hormones) through out your body. With less stress, you are less prone to break-outs. So all of you guys doing that last minute Christmas shopping, take a breather!!

(SIDE NOTE:Break-outs along the jawline and chin area are considered ‘hormonal-break outs’. A lot of the time, women experience this type of break out more so than men.)

HAPPY SKIN TIPS

• Maintain a well balanced diet. (When you eat healthy, you feel good)
• Exercise regularly. (Exercising released endorphins)
• Smile as often as possible. (Smiles are universal)
• Pamper yourself. (You deserve it!)

Enjoy yourself, have a healthy life style and REMEMBER to drink your water :)

 ”Some people are so stressed trying to be perfectly flawless…. but I’m so HAPPY to be perfectly flawed.” 

“At the end of the day, its not about being pretty & popular…its about being happy and healthy.”

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

Skin Vitamins

Vitamins are essential for glowing, healthy skin. Here are a list of the vitamins that you can use to feed your face and body :)

Vitamin A

What it does internally- Necessary for normal growth, development, and renewal of skin cells; keeps skin tissue, red blood cells, and immune system healthy; antioxidant.

Best Food Sources- Egg yolks, milk and other dairy products, fish oil, margarine, liver

What it does topically- Even out skin tone; diminishes fine lines; enhances epidermal turnover; may make skin more elastic; used in prescription drugs to treat acne and psoriasis; may stimulate renewal of skin cells.

How it’s labeled- Retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl proprionate also known as Retin-A, Renova

Vitamin B

What it does internally- Necessary for protein metabolism; building red blood cells; immune function; hormone synthesis; venous system function

Best Food Sources- Poultry, fish, whole grains, dried beans, bananas, meat, dairy products, leafy green vegetables

What it does topically- Regulates oil secretion and prevents extreme oiliness; decreases tendency toward blemishes; prevents scaly skin and dermatitis; may aid in collagen formation

How it’s labeled- Biotin, niacin, PABA

Vitamin C

What it does internally- Necessary for collagen production; not synthesized by body and needs to be provided by food; neutralizes free radicals

Best Food Sources- Citrus fruits, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, fortified cereals, berries, melon, peppers, potatoes

What it does topically- Helps heal scar tissue, cuts, and bruises; protects against UVA/UVB rays and may stimulate collagen production

How it’s labeled- L-ascorbic acid, magnesium, ascorbyl, ascorbyl palmitate, phosphate

Vitamin D

What it does internally- Necessary for development of skin cells; promotes calcium absorption

Best Food Sources- Egg yolks, salmon, liver, herring, fortified milk

What it does topically- Moisturizes and conditions skin, may encourage normal tissue development; used in over-the-counter medications to treat eczema, dry skin, and diaper rash; used in prescription drugs to treat psoriasis

How it’s labeled- Ergocalciferol

Vitamin E

What it does internally- Necessary for growth of healthy tissue; an extremely stable antioxidant

Best Food Sources- Wheat germ, nuts, vegetable oil, green leafy vegetables, whole grains

What it does topically- Conditions and moisturizes skin; inhibits free-radical damage; helps heal burns, inflammation, cuts, and irritations; may minimize formation of scars; protects against UV damage; improves skin tone; enhances moisture retention; should not be taken before surgery because it inhibits absorption of Vitamin K, which helps blood coagulation and reduces bruising

How it’s labeled- Tocopheryl linoleate, tocopheryl acetate, alpha tocopheryl, alpha tocopherol

Vitamin F

What it does internally- An essential fatty acid that is a building block of the surface skin

Best Food Sources- Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, blackcurrants, safflower oil, borage seed oil, linolenic acid

What it does topically- Helps maintain barrier function of the skin; treatment for acne; moisturizes skin

How it’s labeled- Lineolic acid

Vitamin K

What it does internally- Helps promote blood clotting

Best Food Sources- Green leafy vegetables

What it does topically- Reduces bruising; may help relieve dark circles under eyes; treats actinic purpura in aged skin, and may help make broken capillaries fade

How it’s labeled- Vitamin K

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

Home made Gingerbread Body Scrub

Continuing with the holiday theme I decided to share a great recipe for an exfoliant. This mixture will leave your skin feeling soft and it smells like gingerbread cookies, um double win?! I think so :D

Things you will need:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• glass mixing bowl
• wooden spoon
• plastic wrap
• glass/ceramic container (you can get a small mason jar)

Mix all the ingredients into the glass bowl. Make sure that you use a wooden spoon to stir up the scrub, metal spoons can have an effect on the fragrance of it. Cover the mixed scrub with the plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge over night. Transfer the scrub into the glass or ceramic container and enjoy your very own home made gingerbread body scrub. Make sure that you put a date on your scrub, since it is home made it doesn’t contain preservatives and will only last a little while.
Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

-Rachel Hoadley L.E 

Pumpkin Pie Facial

During the holiday season, pumpkin pie is definitely one of my favorite desserts! The aroma of the freshly baked pumpkin pie always gets me in the Christmas spirit! And now, not only can you enjoy the yummy taste of pumpkin pie, you can reap the benefits of it’s high vitamin A,C and zinc.. ON YOUR FACE :D

Pumpkin pie facials are good for all skin types, especially those who have sensitive skin or have suffered from environmental damage. Pumpkin soothes your skin and moisturizes it giving your face an amazing glow!

Pumpkin Pie Facial 

2 teaspoons of cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed.

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon milk (can be whole,skim, or soy)

For Dry skin

If you want a stronger effect for dryness you can try adding these ingredients:
1/4 teaspoon heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

(The heavy whipping cream adds extra moisture while the brown sugar will exfoliate any flakiness)

For Oily Skin

Afraid it might leave you a little too oily? You can try adding the following:

1/4 teaspoon apple cider

OR

1/4 teaspoon cranberry juice

(These ingredients will regulate your pH balance) 

Mix the ingredients that you have chosen works best for you, apply to your face. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the pumpkin pie goodness that is on your face :D

-Rachel Hoadley L.E

Chapped Lips got you down?