A clear, glowing complexion is at the top of every woman’s beauty wishlist. Right now, you probably have some of the gentlest yet effective skin care ingredients sitting around the kitchen. Foods are often the source of  skin care ingredients but have you ever considered just putting the raw version on? These inexpensive and natural beauty fixes straight from your kitchen will nourish and brighten the complexion. Want to here how to achieve this? Before I get to these special formulas a few tips and tricks to support for total radiance!

Beauty Tricks: First things first, if you want to  have beautiful glowing skin you must have efficient digestion and elimination. Both are central to health and beauty; good looks will not be possible without optimal functioning.The mouth is the first organ of digestion, being the first place where food enters the body.

• Upon waking in the morning, prepare a warm cup of water with the juice of half a lemon and a dash of cayenne pepper. Drinking lemon juice regularly will aid the bowels in eliminating waste more efficiently, control constipation thus creating a more alkaline state in the body and supplies nutrients that assist in detoxification and digestion.
• Use a tongue cleaner/scraper to clean any bacteria from your tongue. The tongue is the mirror for the condition of the intestines. It’s important to get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth before you eat anything.
• Chewing well and thoroughly to taste food is also essential to good digestion. Flossing and brush the teeth to keep them strong and clean. Avoid soft drinks, sucking candy or chewing sweet things that stick to your teeth . They not only erode the protective enamel of the teeth, but leech precious minerals out of the body.
• Gargle each day to clear mucous and soothe a sore throat using a pinch of salt and turmeric in a cup of warm water.

Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being, but the outer fabric of your body as well. The healthier the foods are that you consume, the better your skin will look. Read this Halloween Post from last year and follow these food rules to keep your body and skin beautiful. You can wake up your taste buds and spark up the skin with herbs and spices. Cooking with herbs and spices will enhance the flavor of healthy foods without adding fat, salt, sugar, or calories. Most of the ones  I list  have anti-inflammatory properties as well as benefiting the digestive system.

• Ginger: Anti-inflammatory and great for digestion. Add fresh ginger to juices, teas, and pretty much any vegetable dish.
• Cumin: Supports healthy blood sugar levels and is an anti-oxidant. It’s a great mild spice for curry dishes.
• Cinnamon: An anti-oxidant and supports healthy blood sugar levels. Add to cooking and healthy sweet treats.
• Turmeric: Contains curcumin, plus it boats anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant properties. Great in curries, rice and veggie dishes.
• Rosemary: Is an anti-oxidant and has anti-cancer properties. Add to veggie pizzas and tomato-based vegetable dishes.
• Thyme: Is a natural antibacterial, rich source of polyphenols and flavonoids and improves digestion. Great added to any vegetarian meal.
• Cayenne: Destroys bacteria and enhances your immune system, improves blood flow, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, diuretic, analgesic, expectorant, and diaphoretic properties. Add to soups, stir-fries, curries and rice veggie dishes.
• Garlic: Helps to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, control triglycerides (fats) and thin the blood, reducing clotting in high-risk heart patients. It also supports general immune function, has a natural antibacterial and antifungal action, acts as an antiseptic, fights infection and contains chemicals that help to prevent cancer. Great in pretty much anything you cook!

Kitchen Treats: Face packs made of variety fruits and vegetables improve circulation, soften and cleanse the entire face. The juices of the fruits and veggies tone and provide enzymes that help balance and cleanse the skin. You can mash or pulp the fresh fruit and vegetables, then add fruit pectin, clay or oat flour to firm the mixture so it does not slide off the face.Remove with cool water and a clean wash cloth after 20-30 minutes.

Dry & Mature Skin Pack- try apple, avocado, banana, carrot, pear, grape.

Oily & Blemished Skin Pack-try cucumber,lemon, pear, strawberry or tomato.

Quick Preps To Treat:

• A mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice and applied on the face regularly to get a soft, brightening and glowing skin. Or Tomato juice with garlic paste on a blemish works wonders!!
• Applying mint juice and basil leaves  can help in brightening stains from the skin .
• Lemon juice, honey and olive oil  or coconut oil mixed together can be used as a moisturizer for dry skin.
• Turmeric powder mixed with coconut milk purifies the blood and gives a glow to the skin.
• Aloe Vera juice gives skin a natural glow and gives it a youthful appearance.
• A mixture of cucumber juice and milk works as a good cleanser.

This Halloween and beyond treat yourself to these tasty temptations! If these at home beauty tips and tricks are just not cutting it for you, maybe it’s time to seek out a professional treatment- Contact me to set up an appointment today!  When you are ready to discover just how beautiful you truly are, do not be distracted by the latest fads or quick fixes that promise to reveal some magic secret. Instead, make an investment. Go beyond only watching, or listening. Talk with a professional and discover the only important beauty secret — yours.

Happy Halloween

Claudia ~

You know the song but when temperatures rise and the skin aint looking so pretty, what’s a girl or boy to do? Exfoliation, protection and good nutrition is the main mantra to keep the skin healthy. During summer months, the skin sweats more, so clean your face frequently using a gentle face wash. Avoid harsh soaps that can make the skin rough by removing the essential skin oils. Summer is  often a difficult time for the skin; proper care is necessary not just to cleanse the pores that are purging but also protection from the ultra-violet light is imperative. The skin will form a natural protective layer and tends to thicken to protect it from the effects of the environment. This layer is made up of sebum, dead cells and perspiration which gradually dries out the skin and forms a coating on the skin clogging the pores more easily.

Summer Skincare Tips:

Exfoliation: Skin tends to become more oily as  temperatures rise, this means normal to dry skin types will likely develop into normal to oily during the summer.If you have oily skin, keep it clean by washing every time you step out or do physical activities that cause you to sweat. Choose a moisturizer with a lighter texture during the summer months; the moisturizer should still contain important ingredients that will moisturize the skin effectively. These ingredients include vitamins, humectants and botanicals. As for cleansing, more oil can lead to more clogged pores and break outs, be sure cleanse the skin properly. At bedtime, remove all make up and lightly cleanse in the morning and after any sport or exercise. A cleanser that is effective and not drying is important!  It is important to exfoliate regularly to avoid clogged pores and keep your complexion looking even. An at-home exfoliant, such as a facial scrub can be added to your beauty routine a few times a week to keep your skin at its best. However, I recommend for optimum results a professional facial treatment and with the proper care and guidelines a milder peel can be effective and safe in the summer months too.

Sun Protection: Avoid going out in the sun between 11 AM and 2 PM during the summer months, the intensity of the sun  is more and apart from generating searing heat, the suns rays also radiate high amounts of ultra-violet radiation. UV rays are intense and damaging to the skin thus sun protection is necessary to avoid long term damage and sun protection no lower than SPF 30 should be applied to the face and body to avoid the damage caused by ultra-violet light. UVA rays are the rays that cause wrinkles and skin aging, while UVB rays produce tans and burns. Look for a sunblock that is dual-spectrum, meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc and/or Zinc Oxide are powerful sun protectors that naturally reflect the sun’s harmful rays, unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays to prevent them from damaging the epidermal layer. Overexposure to the sun can also result in retinal damage to your eyes, highlighting the importance of sunglasses and hats to shield the eyes, the skin around the eyes is the most delicate and should have extra protection. Sunglasses/Hats that block sun rays are a great investment and they also reduce squinting as a result of sun glare which can cause crows feet or fine lines while the intense summer rays can cause pigmentation to the delicate skin.

For a more in depth look and to answer all your questions regarding sunblock- view my post: Are you getting the most from your Sun Protection?

Antioxidants: Antioxidants are essential for healthy summer skin because they help repair skin and combat free radicals caused by air pollution and sunlight. As the body’s first line of defense against oxidation—a chemical response that can produce cell-damaging free radicals—antioxidants inhibit potentially destructive reactions before they have a chance to snowball out of control and protect the skin from what ages it. Internally, free radicals are believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease and a host of other life-threatening conditions. Externally, evidence suggests a strong link to premature aging, suggesting that oxidative damage plays a major role in the loss of skin firmness, smoothness and luminosity. The human body produces antioxidants naturally and acquires them through dietary sources, however, environmental factors and lifestyle choices greatly increase free radical production and can quickly use up the body’s natural levels of antioxidants. When environmental threats (i.e. UV rays and pollution) and lifestyle choices (i.e. smoking, excessive drinking and poor diet) overwhelm the body with free radicals and exhaust its antioxidant reserves, it often leads to a condition known as oxidative stress. See here for Antioxidant Rich Serums that will save your skin all summer long and beyond!

Nutrition: Summer is a great season to enjoy what nature has to offer – fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to eat healthy, summer provides your pick of produce. Summer fruits and vegetables in addition to having lower calories than snack foods, offer antioxidants. Eating Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are another way to receive these skin benefits.

Fruits: Berries (Cherry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, crowberry, blueberry, bilberry/wild blueberry, black currant), pomegranate, grape, orange, plum, pineapple, kiwi fruit, grapefruit, apple and pears -this fruit has a high water content and filled with antioxidants that are needed to flush a free agent from your body. Trimming calories by taking advantage of the beneficial effects of fiber in your digestive tract.

Vegetables: Kale, chili pepper, red cabbage, peppers, parsley, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lemon, ginger, red beets and asparagus. Asparagus is rich in water and have no more than 4 calories. Regular consumption of asparagus to ensure proper hydration of our bodies. This factor also contributed to the ideal function of metabolism. In addition to taking full advantage of vitamin C and A content that increase energy and keep your immune system in top shape.

Dry Fruits high in antioxidants: Apricots, prunes, dates.

Legumes: Broad beans, pinto beans, soybeans.

Nuts and seeds: Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, ground nut or peanuts, sunflower seeds.

Spices: cloves, cinnamon, oregano

Water: Finally stay hydrated! Particularly during summer’s dog days, it’s important to make sure you remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Caffeinated beverages such as iced coffee or soda can be refreshing, but they also dehydrate the body and the same goes for alcohol. Water not only refreshes the body, it will also help you stay energized and avoid dehydration.

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.~Russell Baker

Love & Light

Claudia~

Bundle up and protect that delicate skin!! Last year we were  giving  dry skin the cold shoulder (see entry)but this year the weather has taken a whole new battle. Is your arsenal of products and strategy up for the challenge?  You still want to follow the same rules of exfoliation, moisturizing and staying hydrated but following a stricter regimen. If you use active products like Vitamin A and Fruit Acids you can still use them but have common sense to avoid them if you are already feeling irritated from the elements or change the frequency  if you are feeling too sensitized. Winter can be harsh which means dry, cold, windy air leaving the skin cracked, peeling, irritated, red and raw. A proper  skin care regimen  is a must. I share with you  some reminders  essential for your skin to survive and avoid winter damage!

Winter Skin Survival Tips:

• Turn down the heat and layer up wearing natural breathable fibers.  The dry forced heat can really  dry out your skin and body.

• No control of the heat? Most of us  know this too well living in New York! Get a humidifier- Moisture in the air will limit the amount of water escaping from your skin compared to a dry environment where water will be more readily drawn out of the skin.

• Drink Water OR Coconut Water- Drinking water will help replace daily water loss and therefore help with hydration. Coconut water is super-hydrating and fortifies the body and skin with much needed potassium and electrolytes! Avoid dehydrating foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, other caffeine containing drinks, and alcohol.

• Stay away from skincare containing harsh abrasives, chemical preservatives and synthetic fragrance. Keep mineral oil, petroleum, and coco butter off your skin and lips. If your lips are cracked and dry  look for  products that contain shea butter, avocado oil, and apricot oil. I love Jane Iredale’s Lip Drink!

• Keeping your face properly hydrated will mean adding a  face oil or serum underneath your normal moisture cream to enhance it’s richness or simply change to a richer cream. We want to enhance the NMF (natural moisture factor) in your cells. Fluid between the cells is imperative for healthy skin. It allows both what you are applying to be absorbed and waste to be expelled. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to use a re-hydrating mask at least twice a week.  See below for product suggestions.

• Change your shower routine-before the bath or shower dry brush. Dry brushing will not only remove all skin debris but it will also stimulate circulation and help flush toxins through the lymphatic system. Keep the bath or shower short and use lukewarm water. Be sure to exfoliate frequently (2-3 times x week). It will help remove the excess  surface cellular debris that the dry brushing pulled up and keep your skin soft and smooth. A sugar scrub is more delicate this time of the year. Look for scrubs with butters and oils, not glycerin or chemical additives. Purchasing a shower filter would be a smart idea too. I finally made the switch for myself and what a difference this is making! Unfiltered water contains high amounts of chemical compounds such as chlorine and fluoride which alkalize water. Alkaline water severely alters the skin’s pH causing more dryness.

• Consume a balanced diet rich in fatty acids, minerals, and green leafy vegetables most of which contain enough water to contribute to hydration. The water from fresh fruits and vegetables is more easily absorbed by our cells than drinking water and so are the nutrients they provide. Supplement if necessary with the EFAs. If your diet is not meeting your needs by taking mercury-free fish supplement. For vegetarians/vegans, you can find several algae-derived Omega- 3/DHA supplements in the market.  Example of foods rich in Omega-3: : salmon, cod, tuna, scallops, shrimp, halibut, flax seeds, walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds,  mustard seeds, tofu, kale, brussel sprouts, collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce and winter squash.

• Be sure to get enough sleep which encourages regeneration of body cells and tissues. It helps the body metabolize free radicals,which accelerate aging.

• Exercise -it increases blood flow to every single organ of your body including the skin and will always produce an improved complexion and a beautiful healthy glow.

• Don’t skip the sunscreen. You may feel like you haven’t seen the sun in days, but harmful UV rays are still making their way through the clouds. Choose a moisturizer with sunscreen built in or layer up.

• Seek out an expert for a professional facial and advice.

There is hope for your ailing epidermis this winter if you follow my simple survival tips and outsmart father frost. Check out my winter product suggestions that will keep your skin healthy all winter long.

Love & Light

Claudia~

Making sense of skincare and nutrition labels can be very complicated and scary especially when you can hardly pronounce the ingredient names. Figuring it all out is no easy task when life gets in the way and all we want is to look and feel good. So what’s the answer? You can become an educated consumer and make a  shift in your lifestyle. I will briefly explain definitions of types of skincare ingredients and rules to follow to bust the label ghosts that trick and fool you everyday and help you make and educated decision on your next trip to the market or cosmetic counter.

Skin Ingredient Rules:

Chiral: Can be derived from natural or synthetic ingredients; causes the least amount of irritation and less chance for adverse reactions. Chirally correct products are never artificial and always recognizable by receptors. This is beyond organic and even more active.

Natural/Organic: Is created by nature however, contrary to popular belief, natural ingredients can cause irritation. In fact, anything can cause irritation. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the term natural, so keep in mind that any and every company can claim its products are just that. Not all organic skincare or foods are created equal.

Artificial: Fake and foreign; may contain artificial fragrance and colors; may look or smell similar to natural ingredients but is not recognizable by the skin or body.

One of biggest misconception when reading skin care labels is that you can tell how good a product is from the ingredient deck alone. While it is important to know what’s in every product it’s the formulation that counts the most. Slight variances in the processing, concentrations and percentages can make all the difference. The list of ingredients does not tell you how labor intensive the product is to make—whether or not it was cold processed or cooked by an automatic cooker; mixed by hand or in a 500 gallon vat; or made fresh to order or pre-made and stored in drums. This will also decide the cost;bottom line a great product is not easy  or cheap to produce. Wouldn’t you rather  pay for labor and know your getting a good product and not be tricked by advertising and marketing scams or be spending your dollar  for packaging alone? If you have a question about an ingredient or product you need to contact a professional, the manufacturer or search the definition of ingredients on a reputable website such as: ewg.org. Furthermore, I learned this myself not to long ago if a company chooses to abide by INCI regulations, The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, they must use the chemical name for their ingredients. This is a system of names for waxes, oils, pigments, chemicals and other ingredients  found in cosmetics, based on scientific names and other Latin words so you may not recognize the name of a popular ingredient.

Food Rules:

The USDA’s Dietary Guidelines are due for another overhaul. The current version, called MyPyramid, is what the USDA thinks a healthy diet should look like, and every five years the government reevaluates what being healthy means. Unfortunately lobbyists have traditionally had a hand in what the USDA decides to promote in its healthy dietary formula. Shouldn’t you stop letting someone else or the government for that matter decide what you should be eating and be proactive about your health. Most people don’t think of inflammation as a catalyst for making food choices, but perhaps it should be. In today’s fast paced world, we often substitute health for convenience. By picking processed or ‘fast’ foods over natural, more nourishing choices, we create an acidic internal environment more prone to outward signs of inflammation. Inflammation is how our immune system responds to injury if you keep this in mind and refrain from eating  inflammatory foods this is a good first food rule. I’ve taken 4 other rules to follow from Michael Pollan author of The Ominvore’s Dilemma(a must read for everyone)FOOD RULES an Eater’s Manual.

#1 Eat foods high in anti-inflammatory properties:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Eat at least nine one-half cup servings of fruits and vegetables each day. The antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables and colored fruits help prevent free radical oxidation that contributes to inflammation. It’s best to eat these foods raw, as cooking destroys some of their beneficial enzymes and antioxidants.

• Healthy Proteins: Cell, muscle and tissue health depend on protein, and the best sources of proteins for an anti-inflammatory diet are omega-3 rich coldwater fish, free-range poultry and plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts and grains. Red meat contains pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid, and thus, should be consumed in moderation. Poaching and stewing methods are healthier ways to cook meat than frying and barbecuing, and replacing meat or fish with peanut butter or hummus once in a while creates a healthy change of pace.

• Healthy Fats: The fats found in olive oil, pumpkin and flax seeds, walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts are sources of essential fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid saturated and trans fats, as well as cottonseed, corn, peanut and soy oils, which contain omega-6 fatty acids that can compromise the beneficial effects of the omega-3 fatty acids.

• Super Foods/Greens: Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content. Raw plant foods are simple and contain thousands of health-giving nutrients, and conform to the biological design of the human digestive system. Super greens can help reduce acidity and restore internal equilibrium.  - Green Juice Recipes Here.

#2 Eat Food.” Easier said than done, when thousands of new products show up in the supermarket each year, all vying for your food dollar. But most of these items don’t deserve to be called food-I call them edible foodlike substances. They are highly processed concoctions designed by food scientists. Choose real food and avoid these industrial novelties.”

#3 Avoid food products that contain high-fructose corn syrup.” Not because HFCS is any worse for you than sugar, but because it is, like many unfamiliar ingredients in packaged foods, a reliable marker for a food product that has been highly processed. Don’t fall for the food industry’s latest scam:products reformulated to contain “no HFCS” or “real can sugar.” These claims imply these foods are somehow healthier,but they are not. Sugar is sugar”

#4 Avoid foods you see advertised on television. “Just like cosmetics marketers food marketers are ingenious at turning criticisms of their products-and rules like these-into  new ways to sell slightly different versions of the same processed foods. If you avoid products with big ad budgets, you’ll automatically be avoiding edible foodlike substances-Food Rule #2.”

#5 Get out of the supermarket whenever you can. “You won’t find any high-fructose corn syrup or anything microwaveable at the farmer’s market. What you will find is whole, fresh foods harvested at the peak of their taste and nutritional quality.”

Halloween can sometimes start the trend to giving in to the urge for sugar filled foods which can  last all the way through the New Year.  Breaking the rules once in a while is fine because it’s about everyday practices that will govern your quality of life and happiness. Your skin, body and pocket will agree and you can achieve effortless health & beauty for a lifetime.

Happy Halloween

Claudia~

The mythical Phoenix symbolizes rebirth. It might represent the sun which dies every night and is reborn the next morning. Among classical writers, it may represent those existing in paradise and enjoying eternal youth. Among Christians, it can represent rebirth after death. To me the Phoenix  represents a new beginning, that no matter how bad things may get you will get back up on your feet, resilient and renewed -just as are the cancer survivors it represents and the organization, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and the Rise Above with Love ™  campaign, whose mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. As a volunteer for the Look Good Feel Better ™ organization, I was privileged to helps cancer patients cope with the appearance-related side effects of their disease and to get to know some of these courageous woman and hear their amazing stories and the everyday reality that touches so many lives. Inspired I made a commitment with Fábula to support and partner with companies of integrity who share our philosophy of an all-natural approach to skincare and wellness. We are committed to organic, cruelty-free products, free of artificial preservatives and fragrance, sodium laurel sulfate, coloring and added parabens only using products and  ingredients that honor our clients health.

Jane Iredale Mineral Make-Up has partnered with these organizations and through promotions has raised more than $ 75,000 dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. There latest promotion  is a brand new version of the popular Sugar&Butter Lip Exfoliator/Plumper naming it the Phoenix.  This soft, scrumptious pink plumper is paired with an organic brown sugar exfoliator to evoke the joy and daily pleasures of femininity.

• Exfoliator and lip plumper duo restores moisture to dry, chapped lips for a smooth and moist finish.
• Packaged in a dual-ended tube and is easy to apply.
• Made with organic brown sugar and leaves lips feeling soft and light.
• Lip plumper is formulated with peptides to hydrate the lips and stimulate collagen synthesis.
• The combination of cool mint and ginger soothes and revitalizes lips, leaving them with a luscious tint of pink.
• Cruelty Free
• Paraben-Free

Jane Iredale for a full year from September 2010-September 2011 will donate $2 from the sale of each Phoenix to Living Beyond Breast Cancer a not-for-profit in support of all women who have risen above breast cancer and those who love them.

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer ~Albert Camus

Claudia~

Your skin is the largest organ of the body. What you eat effects how your skin feels and looks. Here is a quick look at foods and vitamins that can help your skin:

• Vitamin A-Strengthens skin to repair tissues, helps prevent dry skin and acne. Foods rich in Vitamin A: Eggs,whole milk,carrots,mango and spinach.

• Vitamin E-Prevents free radical damage to skin and helps strengthens skin elasticity. Foods rich in Vitamin E: Almonds,broccoli,spinach, hazelnuts, wheat germ,safflower oil and avocado.

• Vitamin C-Help’s heal wounds and damaged skin. Brightens and strengthens skin. Foods rich in Vitamin C: Oranges, guava,green peppers and sweet red peppers,kiwi, strawberries, tomatoes, brussel sprouts & cabbage.

• Vitamin D-Keeps skin tone healthy, helps relieve stress-related skin problems like eczema and acne. Foods rich in Vitamin D: Oatmeal,whole wheat, dairy products,meats, fish, sardines and liver.

• Zinc-Heals skin, helps over-production of sebum and acne. Foods rich in Zinc: Pumpkin seeds,sunflower seeds,spirulina,okra,french beans,brussel sprouts,avocado,blackberries,dates,pomegranate,raspberries and lentils.

Love & Light

~Claudia

Who doesn’t love a great tan? As a woman I enjoy that bronzed, sun-kissed look but I’ve chosen to avoid the harmful UV rays of the sun and use natural mineral powders to give my skin that healthy, caramel glow.

For beautiful make up that can stand up to the dog days of summer choose a product that is long- wearing. Skin should look sun-kissed  with a soft natural bronzer yet still be protected from harmful UV rays with an SPF.

Get The Look:

Try Jane Iredale’s  Pure Pressed Base with SPF 20 It’s  a concealer, foundation, powder and sunscreen all in one. Voted Best Makeup with SPF by EWG.org

Bronzers:

• So-Bronze 1 is a terra-cotta with tiny specks of gold that define the words “healthy glow.”
• So-Bronze 2 is a duo bronzer – a deep terra-cotta alongside a moon of a shimmery gold packed full of  shimmer
• Use the golden-bronze tones in Moonglow and the pink-copper shades in Sunbeam on eyes, lips and cheeks or as an all-over highlighter.

Cheeks:

• Create the perfect sun kissed glow with InTouch Cream Blush. This is a beautiful alternative to powder for a flush that is soft, dewy and natural.

Eyes:

• For a dramatic look that holds up-start with Liquid Eyeliner along the lash line or the Eye Highlighter, when you apply the pink side inside the ledge of eye it gives a soft, radiant effect.
• Finally brush on the PureLash Mascara for lung lush lashes. The formula thickens and lengthens with sea minerals that condition lashes all day long.

Until next time

Claudia~

Nowadays, skin lightning is just another common way of keeping that youthful glow and reducing the look of dark spots and freckles that can plague an otherwise clear complexion. This summer protect from UV over exposure and prevent these brown spots from developing or worsening. If you are battling this condition now your first steps in combating hyper-pigmentation (brown spots) is curbing the activity of the hyperactive melanocytes -your pigment producing cells in the skin. Topical skin brighteners that inhibit the melanin-stimulating enzyme tyrosinase can effectively limit over production and keep the condition from worsening. Reconsider skin lightning ingredient Hydroquinone (HQ) The industries most popular brightener has many adverse side effects including rebound pigmentation, liver, renal, and bone marrow toxicity has been reported and poses a cancer risk in high doses. Other problems that can occur is permanent staining to the skin a condition known as ochronosis, where bluish-black pigment is formed. In August of 2006 the FDA- proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of this skin lightener. HQ has been banned in almost every country but the United States.

With all the products on the market targeted to “brighten” the skin consumers are misinformed. They don’t understand product lines containing hydroquinone  should be used for a short period of time then stopped or not used at all. It will only help to eliminate symptoms, but not resolve the prolonged condition. With all the adverse reactions and side effects natural ingredients often make the best and more sensible skin lightning agents. They pose little risk of irritation safe to use and will treat this condition effectively for the long term.

Getting To The Source of Hyper-Pigmentation

• Post-Inflammatory: Easiest to treat.

• Photo-damage: Ultra Violet Radiation =Free Radicals=Melanin Protection Response. Bunching in areas of recurrent trauma. (can be treated)

• Hormone Association: Due to Pregnancy or birth control related needs chronic tyrosinase inhibition. Most “masks of pregnancy” go away within three months of delivery.

• Melasma: Can be difficult to treat.

After the source is determined and pigment production is under control, resurfacing can begin to speed fading of pigmented areas and return the skin to it’s original tone. The next step is to draw the pigment up and out. Non-Traumatic Corrective Peels & Vitamin A resurfacing treatments can accelerate cell turnover and renewal to “lift” away discoloration over time “pushing” affected skin cells to the surface where they are eventually shed. The result is smoother, denser and more hydrated even skin.

Finally, staying sun safe is just as important. Hyper-pigmented skin is extremely vulnerable and sun-sensitive and can easily be exacerbated by UV exposure. Antioxidants can also assist and reduce the free radical load and melanocyte activity. Stay away from anything that reduces anti-oxidant activity such as steroids. (Retina-A for example is in a steroidal base)

Until next time cheers to beautiful healthy skin that goes beyond skin deep!

Claudia

Although sun safety is never out of season-Summer is a reminder to be extra careful and serious about sun protection. Celebrate  sun drenched days with sweet cheeks not red cheeks and be smart, don’t forget to  protect your skin from the potential dangers of UV  rays before they happen. Nothing threatens your skin’s appearance like UV damage and over-exposure. Shielding the  skin from aging is prevention which is much easier than correction!!

VISIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS OF UV OVER-EXPOSURE:

• Skin Pigmentation – UV rays induce melanin production, stimulating hyperpigmentation, otherwise known as sun or brown spots and discolorations.
• Formation of deep lines and wrinkles – caused by loss of collagen production – Solar radiation injures fibroblasts, the connective tissues that secrete skin-rejuvenating collagen and elastin.
• Dehydration- The skin’s barrier function is impaired and moisture levels drop leading to dehydration and a leathery appearance.
• Cellular Damage – Excessive and repeated sun exposure can permanently damage skin cell DNA, resulting in skin cancer.

A FEW TIPS TO STAY PROTECTED:

• Use products  with a “sun protection” factor (SPF) of 15 or more daily.
• Reduce your time in the sun- the sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. so stay alert.
• Wear clothing that protects your body and cover vulnerable skin. A wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sit under an umbrella for extra shade.
• Allow about 15 to 30 minutes after application before sun exposure.
• Reapply, Reapply, Reapply at least every two hours.

Learn more here about the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens and to make sure you are getting the most out your sun protection! While there’s no denying that sunscreen is essential for maintaining safe and healthy skin, the debate over a chemical vs. physical active ingredients remains a source of conflict between skin care professionals and product developers. Manufacturers continue to produce cheaper ingredients, such as oxybenzone, found widely in supermarkets and OTC drugstores despite safety concerns.  Learn the facts when it comes to chemical based sun care.

Shop here for chemical-free sunblock! View here for EWG’s  2010 Sunscreen Makeup Guide

Jane Iredale’s Pressed Base Mineral Makeup  get’s high marks but remember makeup alone isn’t sufficient protection!

Until next time,

Claudia ~

This spring I’ve been seeing a lot of clients suffering from seasonal nasal allergies, early in the season. Not only watery and itchy eyes but manifesting into breakouts around the face too. This is triggered by pollen in the air. Newly blooming trees, grasses, and weeds are the culprits now in the spring and summer. Though many of you find relief in physician-prescribed medications and anti-histamines you may want to consider yoga. Practicing yoga  may help to alleviate allergy symptoms, including runny noses and inflamed sinuses,  in particular some of the breathing exercises can be helpful.

Skull Shining Breath – Kapalabhati Pranayama: cleansing, invigorating, warming, prevents illness and allergies.

Kapalabhati breath consists of a series of rapid, forceful exhalations and passive inhalations. This has long been believed to clear out the nasal passages where allergens lurk, and thus offer some relief from irritation. This is a heat-generating breath, however, so limit yourself to a single round at the start of your practice. I recommend learning this breath from an experienced teacher, as you may become lightheaded if you do it incorrectly.  It is best done at the beginning of a yoga session or before a meditation practice. In Kundalini practice, Kapalabhati breath is sometimes done while holding poses.

1. Come to sit in a comfortable crosslegged position.

2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.

3. Inhale to a comfortable level, and then exhale sharply and forcefully through the nose, drawing the belly in as you exhale.

4. Let the inhale happen passively, and continue this cycle of forceful exhales and passive inhales at a fast pace, so that the belly is pumping continuously.

5. Do three rounds of thirty breaths each, coming back to deep inhales and exhales between each round.

6. Come back to normal breathing if you feel lightheaded at any time.

Alternate Nostril Breathing – Nadi Sodhana: balancing, relaxing, and calming

1. Sit in a comfortable crosslegged position.

2. Using your right hand, fold your pointer and middle fingers into your palm, leaving your thumb, ring finger, and pinky sticking up (Vishnu Mudra).

3. Bring your thumb to the right side of your nose and your ring finger to the left side.

4. Close off your right nostril with your thumb.

5. Inhale through your left nostril.

6. Close off your left nostril with your ring finger.

7. Open and exhale through your right nostril.

8. Inhale through your right nostril.

9. Close off your right nostril with your thumb.

10. Open and exhale through your left nostril.

11. Inhale through your left nostril.

12. Continue alternating 5 to 10 times.