Winterize Your Skin

I'm not sure if you realize it, but winter is quickly approaching and that means our skin will get drier! However you can combat that now so you're ahead of the game when winter is officially here! Here are a few tips

1)Exfoliate-Exfoliate-Exfoliate. I can't say that enough! When your in the shower, incorporate a loofah sponge or exfoliating gloves in your routine. Use it up to 3 times a week with a moisturizing shower gel.  You will find that the scaly skin you had in the past will not exist!

2)Moisturizer Switch. The products that we use in the summer may not offer the level of moisture your body needs during the winter! If you used lotions, go to something more moisturizing such as pure shea butter.

3) Fight Chapped Lips. Wear a protecting lip balm! The skin on our lips is thinner and therefore more susceptible to damage and wind burn.

4) See a Specialist.  Seeing an Esthetician to perform hydrating skin treatments is a great way to infuse great ingredients along with moisture to keep the skin balanced. 


























5) Hydrate Your Body inside and out.  I can't stress it more....DRINK WATER!!! Its the most important thing you can do to improve your skin's moisture level and its ability to retain moisture! You should drink water based on your weight. 




Here's how to calculate it 
Body weight divided in half
Your answer is then divided by 8 and that will tell you how many 8 oz glasses you should consume!










6) Vitamins. Last but not least.... Take a multivitamin and an omega-3. It will help keep your immune system in good shape and produce positive results relating to your skin

Breast Cancer Awareness and Action Month! This is not your Mother's Disease

I want to take the time to discuss this disease-Breast Cancer!  There was a time when I thought that it was an older woman's disease, something I wouldn't have to worry about until I got to a certain age! But I'm finding that women in their 20's and 30's are just as suseptible to developing tumors as well.  Another victim that is falling prey to this disease is men, so with that being said, this affects everyone!

Here are some statistics:

• About 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.

• For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.

• Compared to African American women, white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, but less likely to die of it. One possible reason is that African American women tend to have more aggressive tumors, although why this is the case is not known. Women of other ethnic backgrounds — Asian, Hispanic, and Native American — have a lower risk of developing and dying from breast cancer than white women and African American women

• A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.

• About 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

I lost both of my grandmothers to Breast Cancer so I have to be vigilant and stay on top of my monthly self exams.  I go for my 1st mamogram next year and I'm going to schedule the appointment on my 35th birthday to remind myself that life is a gift and its my responsibility to myself to be aware of my circumstances!

If you are not able to participate in a breast cancer walk, donation, or any type of event, I ask that you start with you.  Do a self exam by setting a regular time to examine your breasts a few days after your period ends, when hormone levels are relatively stable and breasts are less tender.

PRINT THIS OUT!!!
http://www.healthywomen.org/sites/default/files/ShowerCard.pdf

There is love to be found on the information superhighway!

Today I had the opportunity of meeting with a bride where I did a makeup consultation.  As we went through the semantics of business and applying her makeup she shared with me how she met her fiance' soon to be HUSBAND!! She was a beautiful woman of African descent by way of JAMAICA and her mate is African-American!  I chose to share that because they met each other on www.EHARMONY.com.  Now being that I am off the market, I really never looked at EHarmony's website to see what its all about. However, I will say that I did not deem it as a viable option for African Americans or individuals of African descent that were looking for others like them, because the marketing rarely uses people of color! It goes to show you the power of marketing!!!! It was refreshing to see such a beautiful couple.  You could feel the calmness and the understanding they have for each other between them. Being married for 4 years, I can say that is a priceless
commodity in a relationship.

So with that being said, I think that maybe the information superhighway is the way to go when looking for your life mate!  When you really think about the premise of the website, it does make sense!!! Where you might think its unconventional to meet someone that way, it actually is probably better. You are asked a series of questions, and if you're honest in your response, it would match you with someone compatible! What is unconventional, is actually going to a bar, club, party, or social function and finding someone that's actually compatible with you!

So, in closing, meeting my client today renewed my hopes for sistas out there!!! You can meet a nice guy that is compatible with you! Stop looking for love in all the wrong places!! Best Wishes

Eat Your Way To Beautiful Skin

I know you've probably thought that good skin can only be achieved through skincare or just having good genes! Well I'm here to tell you that there is another way!!! You can eat a few key foods that aid in making you more beautiful inside and out!!! Here they are (drumroll please)


#8. Beans, Beans good for your heart, the more you eat them, the more you...... A great protein source, legumes help repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. During digestion, protein breaks down into amino acids, the building blocks of cells. Amino acids help to speed the repair and regeneration of skin cells and collagen. 


#7. Walnuts. Looking to add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet but not a fan of fish? Walnuts are a rich source of Omega-3s, which help put shine in your hair and aid in making skin smoother and younger looking.


#6. Pomegranate. When applied topically, this antioxidant-rich fruit may help skin create more collagen, while speeding healing.


#5. The Incredible Edible Egg. Protein helps repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs, a complete source of protein, also contain biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against dry skin. 


#4. Pump the brakes on aging with salmon. Salmon contains astaxanthin, a carotenoid that improves skin elasticity, so you'll have fewer fine lines.


#3. Tomatoes. A German study found that lycopene-rich tomato paste helped participants prevent sunburn when they combined it with olive oil, daily for ten weeks. Besides being a great source of the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are considered a high-carotenoid fruit. These nutrients may help slow down cellular damage from free radicals.


#2.  Sip your way to healthy skin. Green tea's high on the list of skin-friendly beverages thanks to its impressive storehouse of polyphenols. Aim for four cups throughout your day.

AND the #1 food 

#1. Avocados and they're not just for eating! A good source of biotin, avocados help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails. When applied topically, they can hydrate parched skin.

I'm in Love with the Clairsonic

I am absolutely in love with this gadget! I purchased it a few weeks ago, and I have found that it not only gets my skin cleaner than ever, but its helping smooth out my skin.  The Clairsonic is a must have, especially if you find yourself with clogged pores from time to time or constantly.  The great thing is that you can continue to use your current skincare products with it!  I have recommended it to my clients and have found excellent results.  If you need a gift idea for a friend or family member, this is definitely it!! Men you can use it also!!! The goal of it is to get your skin as clean as possible and it does!!! It has two types of brush heads (normal and sensitive). This can be used on the face, neck, decollete' and other areas of the body that may need a little extra attention.

Ugh...Adult Acne

I can remember developing adult acne, and I wondered where it came from and what could I do to get rid of it! 25% of men and 50% of women have it! The causes of adult acne are unknown, possible causes include hormones, cosmetics, and stress and an increase of resistant bacteria. Women in particular often experience premenstrual flares, often around the mouth and on the jaw line. So what is one to do? In my skin care product travels, I have found that this new product is working! the BLEMISH + AGE DEFENSE Serum is something I recommend, especially if you find that your skin is out of control and your big day is around the corner!!!

• Inhibits excess sebum production
• Reduces acne causing bacteria, P acnes
• Prevents hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation or UV exposure
• Decongests clogged pores
• Diminishes surface indicators of age

See me First!!!!

In my daily travels I'm bumping into people that ask me questions about their skin and I'm beginning to notice a pattern!!! The pattern is that when someone has an issue with their skin, they automatically think that they should consult a dermatologist. Not to kick in the backs of those wonderful MDs that took 8 years to study and work on the skin, however, one shouldn't discredit the knowledge of a good esthetician either!

Seeing an esthetician can really help you determine the need for a dermatologist and the cost that comes along with it! We are able to treat the Epidermis layer of the skin and will let you know if you need to see a Doctor and it will cost you a lot less too!