The Beauty Blender
Beauty guru on skincare, workouts & nutrition. All blended into one.
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The Acne Solution.
Have an important meeting this week and a little friend just also conveniently popped up on your face? It happens to all of us…at somehow the perfect (or not so perfect) time! As much as you’re tempted, DO NOT touch it!
So what DO you do…?
1. Cleanse the area morning and night, just like you would normally.
2. Apply toner or astringent all over your face.
3. Apply Benzoyl Peroxide as a spot treatment to the affected area.
4. Apply moisturizer.
Why Benzoyl Peroxide?
When you have a pimple, it is infected with P Bacteria. We need to kill that bacteria in order for it go away. As soon as P Bacteria comes into contact with oxygen, it dies. Benzoyl Peroxide is a topical product that uses oxygen to kill the bacteria under the skin. For emergencies, call your local Aesthetician for a high frequency treatment. High frequency is a more efficient way of using oxygen to kill P Bacteria.
Benzoyl Peroxide can often be drying to the skin; however, I love Jan Marini’s 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Lotion ($20). This product in particular is made with smaller molecules so the product can actually penetrate into the skin without just sitting on top and drying out the skin.
Remember:
- Benzoyl peroxide can cause sensitivity to the sun. You will be extra prone to sun damage and sun burns…so be sure wear an oil-free sunscreen!!! It is a total MYTH that the sun heals acne. The sun is causing melanin to come protect your skin and furthermore, it is causing long term hyperpigmentation problems. Wear that sunscreen!
- Retinoids and Benzoyl Peroxide used at the same time will cancel each other out. Use one product in the AM and the other in the PM.
- Benzoyl Peroxide acts like bleach, and will discolor everything it touches. Keep away from towels, clothing, pillows and bedsheets. Some people don’t like using it at night for this reason.
- Some of you prefer using more natural alternatives in your skin care routine. So for you all natural types, use tea tree oil as an alternative.
Also, many of us (myself included!) have no patience while our skin is healing and scabbing….
So what to do while our skin is in the healing process:
A great way to speed healing and soothing is by using Aloe Vera. Aloe Barbadensis, also known as Aloe Vera, used in a gel form is known mostly for it’s treatment in minor burns, wounds, rashes, sunburns, stings and eczema. Well surprise surprise…it heals acne too! Use this in the later healing stages of acne to help keep the skin smooth and supple, aiding in the healing process and preventing the skin from scarring. Aloe Vera also comes in a juice form which helps to ease arthritis symptoms, digestive disorders, ulcers, colitis, constipation and any inflammatory problems. Quite the miracle worker in my book!
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TRUE.
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Antioxidants. Yes, That Includes Chocolate
Over the last decade one of the big health buzz words has been “antioxidants”…You know they’re good for you and your skin but what the heck are antioxidants?!
Here we go…
Antioxidants are known to brighten and tone your skin. They provide that extra sun protection and reduce the roughness in your skin. They create a stronger resistance to Ultraviolet rays equaling less aged/sun damaged looking skin! That’s right, no more wrinkles and fine lines!
So how do antioxidants exactly work on the skin? When our skin is exposed to the sun, we damage our skin cells. Antioxidants protect our skin from that damage. You’re probably thinking, well isn’t that what sunscreen is for? Unlike sunscreens, antioxidants can protect your skin from the inside out by guarding your cells from damage. Think of them as little warriors protecting your face from the enemy, Mr. Sun (or maybe Mrs. Sun..who is married to Mr. Moon?? Yes, that works!). When our cells are damaged, our cells become incomplete and cause free radicals. These damaged, incomplete cell/free radicals multiply, telling our DNA to recreate these damaged, incomplete cells. Antioxidants basically work as little warriors on our skin to block the sun and prevent that sun from damaging our skin cells and as a result, aging our skin.
Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, goji berries, tomatoes…these are all great to work internally. Just like you don’t want free radicals damaging your skin, you don’t want free radicals damaging your body. Antioxidants are known to prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases. Look at the picture above for the role antioxidants play in maintaining a healthy body.
As for topical skin care solutions I recommend, any products with Vitamins A, C and E. I love my Ole Henriksen’s Pick Me Up Face Tonic as a great, easy to use antioxidant I use every morning (http://www.sephora.com/pick-me-up-face-tonic-P42337, $21). Other great options: C Esta Serum by Jan Marini, which we sell where I work. Clients love this product!
And yes, that’s right. You heard me. Chocolate, well dark chocolate/cacao, is good for you and your skin! Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants called Flavonols. So chocoholics, myself included, rejoice! Eat that dark chocolate up! A new study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology finds that eating antioxidant-rich dark chocolate can increase your skin’s natural UV protection. “The higher the percentage of cacao, the more antioxidants you’re getting,” says Joe Vinson, PhD, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton who has led previous chocolate studies. “It also helps to eat little bits over the course of a day to extend its benefits.” Sounds like a plan to me!!!
Incorporating the right antioxidants into your diet and skin care routine can have a positive effect on your skin. Making that little change, can really make a huge difference…Even if that means eating an entire dark chocolate bar to yourself! :)
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Exfoliating 101
I bet half of you don’t exfoliate your skin….. Wait, let me rephrase that: I bet half of you don’t even know what it means to exfoliate!
After months of training with a top Aesthetician in Los Angeles, I have learned so much more about skincare than I ever thought I could know.
Some of the most common problems client’s come in with are aging, dull and/or acneic skin. Now, if I could give you ONE solution that I think could definitely show results with all 3 of these skin issues, would you believe me?
EXFOLIATE!
Exfoliating removes and sloughs off dead skin cells from our Stratum Corneum, the outer layer of our skin, allowing new skin cells to come up to the surface by stimulating collagen and elastin production giving you that Neautrogena commercial fresh, flawless looking skin. It loosens the bond that holds our skin cells together. If we do not exfoliate and get rid of those dead skin cells, they create not only dull, aged looking skin, but can produce acne and blackhead buildup. Exfoliating can also reduce enlarged pores, smooth fine lines, get rid of acne scarring and allow for greater product penetration. Sounds GOOD to me! So if you don’t get rid of these dead skin cells, how can any product actually get into the skin and do it’s job? It can’t unless we….Exfoliate! If you don’t get rid of these dead skin cells, then how can our skin breath without causing inflammation and blackheads? It can’t unless we……You got it! ;)
I think as teenagers we all went straight to that St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I don’t know why or who was telling us to use this, but for some reason it seems like EVERYONE thinks of this product when we think of exfoliating dead skin cells off of our bodies. Okay now here’s THE TRUTH:
ST. IVES APRICOT SCRUB is one of the harshest, abrasive and WORST products for your skin. It is made up of walnut shells which have very sharp edges. If you were to look under a magnifying lamp you would actually see your skin cut and scratched from the product! Not good! You don’t want to be scratching your skin or doing any kind of scrub that is so abrasive! Love your skin, please! So if you remember back in January when I was talking about Skin Care 101 and my every day skin care routine, I talked about exfoliating and how I was using a Walnut Scrub by Ole Henriksen. WELL SCRATCH THAT (pun intended)! NOW I know that this product is way too harsh for my skin and is doing more damage than good. I have recently switched to a Microdermabrasion Creme which uses volcanic micro crystals to do the job (Finer Skin Institute’s Crystal Clarity. $25). P.S. this product is also great for ingrown hairs/can be used anywhere on your body.
How To Exfoliate:
Depending on what kind of exfoliant you are using you will want to either exfoliate one to two times a week OR every day. If you are the type of person that can be responsible to exfoliate every day then you want to use a gentler exfoliant like a cleanser with jojoba beads or glycolic acid in it. Rinse your face with warm water, apply exfoliating cleanser and gently massage into skin for 2-3 minutes. However, if you are someone who just wants to exfoliate once a week, then you can bump up your exfoliating to something a little more intense, such as a Multi Fruit Complex Peel/Alpha Hydroxy Acid. This product will most likely be in a mask form so you will want to let this sit for 10-20 minutes depending on what you are using. Rinse it off when done and apply your toner, moisturizer and SPF.
For that extra, extra glow: You can absolutely see your local Aesthetician for a deeper exfoliation, such as Microdermabrasion or a peel once a month. This will improve your results…the results I see with my clients are simply amazing.
Okay so besides wearing sunscreen, this is my most important and best beauty secret to achieving healthy, beautiful skin. Say Byebye old skin….Hello new, smooth, glowing radiant skin!!!!
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Be-you-tiful You.
So it’s a fact. We’re all different. We all like different foods, have different hobbies, wear different clothes, have different goals, like different people…and the list goes on and on.
We can often be inspired by something we see in a magazine or on television, but what we often forget is that our true beauty comes from right here. It is already within us. We are not going to find that beauty anywhere but from within. And how do we unlock that beauty? Do what you love. Live what you love.
Some of the things I love loving:
The Beach.
My family.
Yoga..and sunsets.
Teaching Yoga Booty Ballet!..and Instagram
My house…and my “garden”
Eating healthy…
…and healthier ;) (I made that amazing Banana/Strawberry bread…so delicious!)
Skincare/Help making people’s skin even more beautiful.
Friendz.
Last but not least. My loves, Louis & Bruno.
Just a thought…Be you today and everyday. After all, it is the simplest beauty advice I can possibly give.
Let it all in people, let zee love in. :)
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Sweat & Weight Loss
Myth: “The more I sweat, the better the workout and the more weight I will lose.”
FALSE!
Let’s start with answering this first question: Why do we sweat? Our Eccrine glands produce sweat to cool our bodies down when it starts to exceed it’s normal temperature. Sweat is made up of water and salt. Sweat serves to simply cool down your body and keep it from over heating.
Sure, sweating is great! We release toxins from our body and feel amazing after BUT just because you don’t sweat during a workout, does not mean that you are not getting a good workout. When we say “a good workout” we mean a good physical activity that burns calories and keep us looking fit and in shape. The fact is that you can exercise effectively/lose weight, without ever breaking a sweat! We lose weight when we burn calories, not sweat. In order to lose weight, we must burn more calories than we consume. Your body could care less if you sweat or not!
So remember, don’t push yourself so hard if you feel like you didn’t get a “good workout” just because you didn’t break a sweat…you’re good! You got your workout in. Now go enjoy the rest of your day :)
(Thanks Chantal for the great question and idea for this post :) )
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Take A Hike…And Wear Some Sunscreen :)
Are you fortunate enough to live in a place with good weather most of the year? I am! Even if you’re not, you can still get out and enjoy the outdoors. I mean, what’s better than getting a good workout and getting a little tan? And did you know that you can still get tan even while wearing sunscreen?!
Hiking is such a great way to get your workout in and also take a little break mentally. You can come up with some of your most genius ideas while hiking…it is great for your imagination. I instantly become more relaxed the second I start walking or get outdoors. I turn on some music and all my worries float away. It doesn’t matter if your hike is an hour or 3 hours…hike it out. Hiking can burn up to 350 calories and works every part of your body. It has even been known to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer! On top of it all, the views can be absolutely stunning…just a plus on top of it all (no pun intended) :).
Sunny Runyon Canyon hike shots for you Los Angelenos :)
Some of you might be saying…well, I’d love to be outdoors on a beautiful day…sitting in my hammock, in my backyard and drinking a Bloody Mary. I HEAR YOU! Even if you don’t work out, walking/hiking is a great place to start. Anyone can go on a brief hike…no matter how often you work out or how in shape you are or are not. AND THEN you can go home and have that Bloody Mary ;)
Hiking or not hiking, you must, must, MUST always wear SUNSCREEN! Being that I am an aesthetician, I am a huge believer in wearing sunscreen every time you leave the house and reapplying it throughout the day. Some people hate the oily feeling or think it makes them breakout. Find a sunscreen that works for your skin. I personally like a mineral sun protectant (by Tizo). Try to use one that is SPF 30 or more. Re-apply about every 3 hours. If you don’t well, your skin will age a lot faster than you would like. We are all going to get old and unfortunately get wrinkles, but don’t we all want to be that 50 year old lady with the best skin and look more like 40?! YES! Protect that beautiful skin of yours with sunscreen..especially if you already have sun damage from your earlier years or have freckles, moles, hyperpigmentation, etc. Most premature aging is caused by sun damage and every time you expose your skin to the sun without sunscreen, you risk all of those sunspots, freckles, moles to become darker and more visible/YOU LOOK OLDER! As if skin cancer wasn’t enough of a risk…Protect your beautiful faces please!!!! Even better, wear a hat!
So you still want some color but want to protect yourself from the bad sun rays? You can still get an overall tan even if you are wearing sunscreen! When our skin is exposed to the sun, our bodies produce a substance called melanin. Melanin is what darkens our outer skin layers. What you want to do is prevent your skin from getting sunburnt or having that melanin protect your skin/darkening your skin by wearing sunscreen. There have many times where I still get tan even if I have lathered on sunscreen. I have also heard several people say that when you have a breakout, “go in the sun to dry it up!”. NO!!! If anything, protect that spot with even more sunscreen. The melanin will rush to the skin, trying to protect the open wound from the sun’s UV rays…and guess what? You’ll be left with a darker, permanent scar forever.
Sunburns and tans, both BAD..but if you want and neeeed to get that color, wear some sunscreen and you will still look like you just got back from a tropical vacation. You won’t be as dark as you would like, but I promise you that dark tan is not worth the years of damage. Sunburns ruin your skin for life and unfortunately there is no cure to sun damaged/aged skin. All you can do is prevent it from further aging.
Okay, need to go to sleep so I can wake up bright and early and GO ON A HIKE. Hope you all get outdoors…you know the rest :)
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Again, Why I Don’t Eat Meat
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-red-meat-20120313,0,565423.story
The Los Angeles Times…YES, The Los Angeles Times is now even agreeing with me! Want to live a longer, healthier life? Avoid that red meat guys!!! I don’t care if you don’t want to eat healthy-fruits and vegetables-but at least, stay away from that meat. Okay okay, for some of you this might be too big of a shock and you just might need that IN N OUT burger. I get it. Cut it down to once a week or even better, once a month? :) If you think you can cut it out all together, GREAT! Restaurants world wide have started “Meatless Mondays”, which is a great way to start.
Concerned about not getting enough protein without getting it from animals? Read my post Get Your Protein On:
http://thebeautyblender.tumblr.com/post/16042263540/get-your-protein-on.
We do not need meat to get enough protein. It is a total myth and we can get more than enough protein from plant based foods! Fun fact: Studies have shown that when a person changed their diet to entirely plant based, NO MEAT, their cholesterol dropped 43%!!! (fact given in the documentary Forks Over Knives…watch it!).
Among many other reasons, this particular article lists reasons why red meat is especially harmful to your health:
- high iron and saturated fat in beef, pork and lamb
- nitrates used to preserve them
- chemicals created by high-temperature cooking
Anddd it’s just good for our planet and saves the lives of many of our little furry friends. Nerd alert!! Fact: I like animals. THE POINT IS: Eating a serving of nuts instead of beef or pork has a 19% lower risk of dying. Self explanatory people!!!!!! The less you eat, the better!
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New Beauty Obsession
I have never been big on makeup, probably never will be. I keep it real simple: blush, mascara and concealer. I think the fresh, “this is me look”, is the most beautiful and glamorous. I have always admired Natalie Portman for her beautiful skin and more natural look. That is pure beauty to me. Sure, there are days when our skin doesn’t want to be shown, when it just doesn’t feel right…and for those days, I say leave it alone. As much as you want to cake layer that foundation on, don’t! Your skin is asking to breathe! Let it be. Find out what you’re using, eating or stressing out about that your body is rejecting. Don’t cover it up and ignore what’s really going on. Half the time, it’s that cakey stuff you are putting on your face every morning that your skin is rejecting!
For those days you want to keep your makeup light and simple and don’t want to use your boring (but great) Aquaphor/plain jane chapstick, try this….!
Sugar Passion Lip Treatment With SPF 15 by Fresh gives the perfect pop of color! I noticed a freckle on my lip a few years ago and the SPF helps to protect that little guy while also giving my lips that perfect tint of color and shine…making those lips irresistibly kissable. I must also add it tastes and smells delicious!!! Yumm.
I definitely recommend!
ps. speaking of pop of color…check out my new Nike kicks!! They’re super light and bouncy…giving me just the support to do really anything! SO yes, I have two new obsessions this week :)
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Hot Yoga, Not Hot Hot Yoga
Hot yoga gets a big thumbs up in my book…but those unbearably hot yoga classes, big thumbs down. So where do you draw the line?
A few months ago I attended my first Bikram Yoga class. I walked into the room and honestly wanted to walk right out. And that I did. Being the strong little woman I am, I walked right back in and sat down on my mat ready
to die.The teacher started the class by welcoming me and casually letting me know that if I had to stop at any time or throw up, to go to the restroom. GREAT way to start the class! So, I did the class and I did not throw up. I left feeling exhausted and wanting to go straight home/never move again. It wasn’t the usual boost of energy I got from most yoga classes. I became a huge anti-Bikramite. As an open-minded person, I want to give it another try some day but for now, I’m okay :/I have now taken on a new job/new hours, not being able to attend my normal yoga classes. One of my favorite teachers in LA told me she taught a hot yoga class at Corepower Yoga. I tried it this afternoon and let me say, I loved it. It was basically my normal yoga practice with just a “little” heat. 95 degrees vs. 105 degrees is a BIG difference when you’re sitting in that room for at least an hour!!! I sweat my butt off (literally) and feel so energized and balanced tonight. Sometimes it’s the best feeling seeing and feeling that sweat drop onto your mat (too many details? sorry!). I’m going to try a Moksha Hot Yoga class next…been hearing great things. I absolutely recommend everyone tries a “hot” yoga class!!
Here are just some of the benefits of hot yoga (as if yoga in a regular temperature wasn’t enough):
- Assists your body in sweating out toxins
- Allows muscles to become warm faster, allowing you to go deeper into asanas (poses), less chance of injury, and increasing flexibility
- Assists in weight loss
- Lowers anxiety
- Boosts the immune system-the warm temperature simulates a fever-like environment in your body, elevating white blood cell production and fighting viruses and bacteria.
Remember guys, try new workouts. This goes for everything in life, try new things! Even though I thought I hated hot yoga, I found a hot yoga class that works perfectly for me. Stay open-minded…find what works for you. This is your life, your commitment to your health and happiness. It’s important. You are important. DON’T FORGET how important you are and even when life changes and things get hectic, take care of yourself and find that time to just be with yourself and do what makes you happy. Take a late night yoga class even if it means driving in traffic for longer than you would like, grab drinks with friends if you haven’t been out all week, take a night in to catch up on all your tv shows…just make yourself happy.
This post was supposed to just be about HOT YOGA, but as I find myself being busier than ever, I realize that it is important to stick to my practice because it makes me happy and there is NOTHING better than a happier me :)
Happy weekend everyone! ENJOY!!!
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