Bridal Skin Series | Bridal Beauty Countdown

The International Dermal Institute has the most informative classes! I love heading over there when they have guest speaker events. The last class I attended was called Perfecting Bridal Skin. I learned the best way to incorporate services for brides-to-be, and how to address their skin concerns head on. There was also a live demonstration on prepping and applying bridal make-up which was a ton of fun!

Being that wedding season is quickly approaching, I'm going to break up all of the bridal information into a few separate posts since I have so much new information to share!

First thing I want to talk about is developing a game plan and scheduling your treatments for the big day. Whether you are the bride to be or a member of the bridal party, you are going to want to look and feel your best! Looking good doesn't just happen over night; trust me, it takes time. Planning is everything!

Here is a basic countdown on what you should be doing to make sure you are looking your best for the big day:

12-15 Months Prior

At-Home Skincare Regimen

Solidify your skincare treatment plan. Remember, consistency is key! I cannot stress how important it is to get on professional at-home products. Experts agree that 80% of the results you see on your skin come from what you are doing day to day, at home on your skin. Let's be clear on what are considered professional products; just because you are purchasing an expensive product, does not mean it is going to address specific skin concerns you might have for your big day. Professional products cannot be purchased at department stores due to the fact that they contain active ingredients that are not suitable for a multitude of skin types. Get in touch with your esthetician so she can point you in the right direction as to which products to use. 

Laser Tattoo Reduction

Laser tattoo reduction lightens and removes tattoos without damaging the surrounding tissue. It is scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Please keep in mind that it takes time to remove a tattoo, and rate of removal depends on several factors.

6-9 Months Prior

Laser Hair Reduction

This treatment permanently reduces unwanted hair. Scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Remember, the lighter your skin and the darker your hair the better the results will be. My favorite areas to treat with laser hair reduction are the underarms and the brazilian area. Who doesn't want to be hair-free for their wedding and honeymoon?!  

Cosmetic Injections & Fillers

This may not be for everyone, but if it is, make sure you schedule your first treatment 6-9 months prior to the big day. Injections like Botox or Dysport can help you achieve a wrinkle-free look just about anywhere on your face. Between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes to minimize crow's feet are popular injection sites. Clients also request to have the lines around their mouth and their necks treated as well. Also, something to keep in mind, when Botox and Dysport are injected into the underarms and hands it reduces excessive sweating. Facial fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse are available to enhance your lips and cheeks, replace lost volume in the face (due to aging), smooth wrinkles, and fill in scar depressions (including acne scars).  

4-5 Months Prior

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

This treatment helps removes age spots, moles, angiomas (red spots), rosacea, acne lesions, and spider veins. Common treatment area include the face, neck, chest, arms, and upper back. IPL works best in a series of treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. 

Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels

These non surgical treatments are great at treating uneven skin tone and texture, or discolorations caused by acne or sun damage. These work best in a series of treatments, usually spaced about 4 weeks apart, over the course of a few months.

4 Weeks Prior

Spray Tanning
A major pre-wedding no-no is sun exposure! Nothing ages and dehydrates the skin more than the sun does! Spray tanning gives your skin a nice healthy looking glow. Having a good tan accentuates your features and is also very slimming. A nice even tan can minimize the appearance of stretch marks and varicose veins and blends any imperfections. Try spray tanning at least one month prior to the big day so that there are no surprises.

Eyelash Extensions

This is a wonderful treatment to consider! Not only will your new lashes look great in pictures, but you can keep them fluttering worry-free on your honeymoon.

Trial Run for Hair and Makeup

Request a trial run for your hair and makeup. If you plan on spray tanning, make sure you are the color you plan on being on your wedding date as you are on the trial run.

Last treatments in all of your series.
Last appointment for injectibles, if using.

1-2 Weeks Prior

Any facial done within two weeks should be for cleansing and/or hydrating only.

Do not schedule a facial any sooner than one week prior to the wedding.

Practice stress management techniques.
Keep your pillowcase extra clean.

Stay away from dairy and sugar.

Avoid wine as much as possible.
Hydrate! Water! Water! Water!

4-5 Days Prior

Hair Removal

Get all remaining hair on your body waxed, including your brow, to prevent redness or irritation on the day of.

2 Days Prior

Spray tan, if that is something you have planned on doing.

Fill eyelash extensions, if you've decided to have them.

1 Day Prior

Deep-conditioning treatment on hair.
Exfoliate and moisturize your entire body.
Manicure and pedicure.



No matter what regimen you decide on remember to talk to your esthetician and/or skincare professionals and thoroughly communicate your needs and concerns. I hope that you'll use this countdown all the way until your wedding day as a helpful guide of when to schedule your beauty treatments!

So... What are your favorite ways get wedding-ready???

Lightening Lift Peel

As someone who suffers from an uneven complexion, I am particularly drawn to the Lightening Lift® peel by IMAGE Skincare. It is made up of an organic aloe vera gel base and contains a 50% blend of Lactic and Kojic Acid. Lactic acid is an AHA exfoliator, while Kojic acid is a skin lightener and tyrosinase inhibitor (reduces hyperpigmentation). Several other ingredients also make this peel attractive including echinacea angustifolia stem cells that stimulate the synthesis of new collagen and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). A botanical blend of coffee and peppermint aid in cell renewal and balance. Essential oils like eucalyptus and ylang ylang help detoxify and oxygenate the skin. Natural skin brighteners like luminescene, bearberry, licorice, and mulberry are used to enhance this peel as well. Lastly, a natural protective complex made up of mallow extract, arnica, green tea, comfrey, and blackberry help nourish the skin.

As someone who personally takes an interest in essential oils and natural products, I believe this peel is an excellent choice. I personally loved the way it felt on my skin. It is hydrating, brightening, lightening, and tightening. I feel like it significantly reduced my fine lines. It is a great superficial peel, perfect for those who are not interested in treatments that require downtime. I personally did not have any irritation whatsoever from this peel. It is perfect for a first-time peel, and for preventative anti-aging. It should be a top choice for those seeking younger looking, even toned, illuminated skin. The Lightening Lift peel should be done a total of 6 times, at 2 week intervals, for optimal results. It can be left on the skin anywhere from one to ten minutes, depending on the clients tolerance. It is also one of the most cost effective chemicals IMAGE has to offer, which is also a big plus for clients who want great looking skin on a budget!

An Introduction to Chemcial Exfoliation

A chemical exfoliation, also commonly referred to as a chemical peel, is when a chemical solution is professionally applied to the skin in an effort to remove the outer layers of the skin and address different types of skin conditions.

Popular ingredient choices for chemical exfoliations are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA's). AHA's and BHA's dissolve dead skin bonds, stimulate cell renewal, fight hyperpigmentation, liquify excess oil in pores, and clear up acne. They also help to minimize fine lines and refine pore size. These acids allow your skin to better receive the benefits from your home skin care regimen. Although these acids are all similar, different acids help target certain skin conditions more specifically.

Prepping your skin is crucial to the success of your chemical exfoliation. Two week prior to receiving your exfoliation you should begin using a glycolic based cleanser to prepare your skin for an professional grade exfoliation. You should also discontinue use of products like Retin-A and hydroquinone two weeks prior to your service. Properly prepping your face will produce a more uniformed penetration, and contribute to faster cell turnover. It also decreases your risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

There are many different types of chemical exfoliation, varying in strength of active ingredients. They have key differences such as pH level, how much skin is removed, and how deep the chemicals penetrate.  When considering a chemical exfoliation it is important to consider two main factors: the pH level of the product and the percentage of the product. The pH level indicates how deep the product will penetrate. For example, the lower the pH, the greater concentration of acid. The percentage of the peel determines how effective the product will be at breaking up the intercellular glue.

There are four different depths of chemical peels: very superficial, superficial, medium, and deep.

Very superficial peels exfoliate the stratum corneum (top layer of the skin) and include manual scrubs, gommage, enzymes, microdermabrasion, and very low percentage AHA's and BHA's.

Superficial peels are usually made up of: AHA and BHA peels (which include glycolic, lactic, tartaric, malic, mandelic, and salicylic acids), Jessner's Solution Peels, and low percentage trichloroacetic acid peels (TCA).

Medium depth peels penetrate deeper into the skin to and typically take longer for redness and peeling to subside. They include:  70% glycolic acid peels, 35-40% TCA peels, and the Obagi Blue Peel.

Deep peels are usually derived from Phenols, C02 lasers, Levulan, and dermabrasion. Results are nothing short of incredible; drastically reducing hyperpigmentation, scarring, and deep lines. This type of peel can look and feel very painful; swelling, scabbing, and peeling are typical. These procedures are done in a doctors office under general anesthesia or twilight sedation. They require a significant amount of down time as well.

It is normal to have some redness, followed by dryness and itching. Peeling may also occur before your healing process is over. After your peel you should avoid touching your face until the following morning. You should wash your face with a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin. Avoid using washcloths or anything abrasive on your skin for 5-7 days after your treatment.  Strenous exercise should be avoided for 24-48 hours. It is also recommended to avoid wearing makeup until peeling subsides, or using a mineral based makeup if necessary. Sunblock, like always, is an absolute must! Results and post care do vary depending on the type of treatment, so it is important to follow the advice of your esthetician or doctor.

What Ingredients Are Best For Me?
Glycolic Acid - Targets thicker, oiler, congested, pigmented, fine lines, anti-aging

Lactic Acid - Targets pigmented, dry, dehydrated, fine lines, anti-aging

Malic Acid - Targets mature skin; anti-aging, firming, toning

Tartaric Acid - Targets mature skin; strengthens collagen and elastin, firming and toning

Mandelic Acid - Targets sensitive, acne-prone, pigmented skin

Citric Acid - Targets pigmented and uneven skin tone

Salicylic - Targets acne, uneven skin tone, oily, fine lines, texture

Jessner - Targets fine lines, wrinkles, photo damage, firming, toning, texture, dehydration

TCA - Targets mature skin; strengthens collagen and elastin, maintains 3-dimensional alignment of dermis (deeper layer of skin), scars, folds, wrinkles, texture, and tone.

The PicoSure Laser for Tattoo Reduction & More

Tattoo reduction is on the rise, and having a laser platform proficient in removing tattoos as well as being able to effectively provide additional skin treatments is an excellent investment as a clinical esthetician, in my opinion. I couldn't be more excited to be getting training on this! It is estimated that approximately twenty percent of people with tattoos regret at least one of their tattoos! Laser technology has come a long way over the years. It is much less painful now, and significantly more effective. the It's no wonder that there was a forty-three percent increase in the number of tattoos reductions in 2012; and those numbers continue to rise.

Tattoo reduction lasers work by delivering short, powerful pulses of energy to the tattooed skin, which shatters the ink into particles. The body's natural immune system then responds by flushing away the shattered ink over the course of several weeks. PicoSure utilizes extraordinarily short pulses; a picosecond, or one trillionth of a second in length. Other lasers utilize nanotechnology, which delivers pulses in nanoseconds, or one billionth of a second. Until PicoSure was developed, Q-Switched lasers were considered standard for tattoo removal. Q -Switched lasers use photo-thermal energy to break up the tattoo ink, which cause heat and injury to the surrounding tissue. The photo-mechanical pressure wave technology utilized by the PicoSure laser enables tattoo ink to be broken into smaller particles. This translates to faster clearance with decreased recovery times.

The PicoSure laser platform has a combination 755nm/532nm wavelength to treat a full spectrum of colors, and it is currently the only platform in its class to provide that type of coverage. The 755 wavelength reduces purple, brown, and black ink. This includes stubborn blue and green tattoo ink as well. The 532 wavelength also effectively reduces red, orange, and yellow tattoo inks.

The same photomechanical laser technology safely be used on the décolleté, face, hands, legs, and more to treat various types of skin conditions. The PicoSure laser can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne scars. The PicoSure laser also effectively treats conditions associated with pigmentation in the skin, such as hyperpigmentation and freckles. All of which are in high demand by today's consumers.

Exfoliation Products

I'm back from a blogging hiatus! With the holidays, traveling, work changes, school, illnesses, and significant injuries to both my kids; things have been a little super crazy around here. I'm glad to report that everyone is okay and that my little family is finally getting back on track.

Now that I am back, I wanted to talk about exfoliation, and how important it is to incorporate it into your skincare routine. Surprisingly, it is one of the most commonly overlooked steps in what I consider a healthy daily skincare routine. When you exfoliate your skin, you are removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells. You will see immediate results; your skin will instantly look brighter and healthier. Aside from the instant gratification of exfoliation, it has long term effects as well. When you exfoliate you allow for additional products (ie. serums, moisturizers, etc) to penetrate your skin deeper. You will also notice that open comedones (aka blackheads) also decrease over time when you incorporate an exfoliant into your daily skincare routine.

My exfoliant of choice is the Iluma™ Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder by IMAGE Skincare. The Iluma line is new to IMAGE and is an excellent choice for those of you who wish to lighten, brighten, and illuminate their skin tone. The new line includes a cleanser, lightening serum, bleaching serum, brightening crème, brightening eye crème, hand lotion, and body lotion. The line utilizes Vectorize-Technology™ and includes active ingredients such as peptides, plant extracts, stem cells, and lightening agents.

Vectorize-Technology™ is currently only available from IMAGE Skincare, combining the active ingredients mentioned above into one molecular sphere. This sphere has many layers that are both water and lipid (oil) soluble. As the product penetrates the skin, the sphere "peels" and releases the ingredients into the skin in a time-released fashion for up to 48 hours. This is beneficial by allowing for deeper product penetration into the skin, as well as an accumulation of active ingredients which increase product efficacy.

The Intense Brightening Exfoliator Powder is a micro exfoliating powder that is good for all skin types, but especially beneficial for clients concerned with a loss of radiance or dull skin. It helps buff away dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin that is ready to absorb additional products better. It is gentle enough to be used up to twice a day, morning and evening. It can be used on both face and body as well.  To use the exfoliant, simply shake a small amount of the product into wet palms. To activate the product, rub hands together to form a light foam. Gently massage the product into the face, avoiding the eye area. The exfoliant can be left on for 5-20 minutes for added benefits, if desired. You can also mix the exfoliant in with your cleanser as well. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

This exfoliant uses many high end ingredients that nourish the skin. Coconut milk powder that is rich in protein and vitamins is used to aid in the regeneration of skin cells. Pumpkin is considered a powerful enzymatic exfoliant and is used to exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities while delivering vitamins and nutrients to the skin.  The Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder utilizes a protein peptide complex, that includes whey protein and lactic acid, which aid in cell regeneration and correct uneven skin tone. The ingredients also include licorice extract, a natural skin lightener, and green tea leaf extract, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Ethyl ascorbic acid is a stable and water soluble form of Vitamin C that has been added to increase product penetration, diminish dark spots, and nourish the skin with antioxidants.

In conclusion, I find this product to be superior to other similar daily exfoliators, due to the quality of the ingredients. Dermalogica® has their Daily Microfoliant® which is also a very good exfoliant. Both can be used daily, are in powder form, contain licorice extract, and are applied in a similar fashion. However, the Microfoliant uses a rice-based enzyme as the main exfoliating agent, while the Iluma exfoliant uses a pumpkin enzyme. The Mircofoliant uses salicylic acid, while the Iluma exfoliant uses lactic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) which addresses acne. Lactic acid, in contast, is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and is used as a skin brightener and to help increase cell turnover rate while improving texture of the skin. Both products have their advantages, and what may be preferable for one client may not be for another. For me personally, I deal with hyperpigmentation and fine lines; therefore, I am more drawn to the Iluma exfoliant. However, for a client with less mature skin that is more acneic, the Microfoliant might be preferable when considering a daily exfoliant.


Disclaimer: Exfoliating isn't for everyone. Those with skin conditions such as inflammatory acne, cold sores, and warts can make symptoms worsen by manually exfoliating the skin. Please consult your skincare professional or dermatologist. 

Ingredients That Fight Hyperpigmentation

What do kojic acid, lactic acid, l-ascorbic acid, malic acid, and glycolic acid all have in common? Well, aside from the fact that they are all acids, they are all ingredients that are commonly used to help treat hyperpigmentation. All are also naturally derived and relatively gentle on the skin if used properly.

Kojic acid is naturally obtained from mushrooms that are native to Japan. It is a natural skin-lightening agent and also classified as an antioxidant. It works by limiting skin’s production of melanin, what gives our skin it's unique color. Kojic acid works by suppressing an enzyme necessary to produce melanin.

Another natural ingredient used to treat hyperpigmentation is L-absorbic acid.  More commonly known as Vitamin C, it is a powerful antioxidant. It can help reverse damage from the sun and stimulates collagen production for tighter skin. It also slows the production of melanin, or hyperpigmentation. One detriment of l-absorbic acid is that it undergoes chemical changes upon exposure to light, heat, or air, becoming inactive. Therefore, the product needs to be used relatively quickly to be beneficial.

Malic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is naturally derived from apples and used to exfoliate dead skin cells, treat melasma, and aid in the treatment of acne. Malic acid also promotes the production of collagen and reduces sun-induced signs of aging after months of daily application. While able to correct photo aging, unfortunately it concurrently makes skin more vulnerable to hyperpigmentation.

Another AHA, lactic acid is naturally derived from milk. It is a skin brightener, that helps to increase cell turnover rates, and improve the texture of the skin. The regular use of lactic acid may also help with product absorption rates as well. Commonly used in chemical peels, lactic acid is relatively mild and requires little to no downtime. It is suitable for both dry and oily skin types, and does not have a photosensitizing effect.

Glycolic acid is also an AHA, and naturally derived from sugar. It has the smallest molecular structure of all the AHA's making it most effective for treating fine lines, acne, blackheads, dullness, oiliness, and of course - hyperpigmentation. Like lactic acid, it is also commonly used in a series of chemical peels. It is a transparent, colorless, water-like liquid. It is considered a mild to moderate peel, and strengths come in varying percentages, that usually range from 30% to 75% concentration. It is said that glycolic acid is slightly more aggressive than lactic acid.

All of the ingredients listed above need to be used in conjunction with sunscreen to prevent further hyperpigmentation and sun damage and to maintain desired results.

Sugar Scrub

I love a good sugar scrub because they are moisturizing, exfoliating, and help improve circulation. They are effective in both smoothing the skin, and helping reduce cellulite and bumps. You can use the scrubs on your body and feet to reveal silky soft skin. There are many variations of sugar scrubs, and they are amongst the most simple DIY beauty recipes to make. If you are new to making your own products, this is a fantastic one to try to get your feet wet.  It's virtually impossible to mess up a scrub, and it only takes minutes to make. Sugar scrubs are sold in stores for much more money they are worth in my opinion. Afterall they only costs pennies to make. Convinced to give it a try? Go ahead; get your scrub on! 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar, preferably organic
• 1/2 cup avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Essential Oils:

• 20 drops of essential oil of your choice (I used Orange for this scrub)

(You could also completely omit the essential oils. I only use therapeutic grade essential oils.

Please avoid using fragrance oils, as they are chemical fakes & can cause irritation & allergic responses.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Use 1-2 tablespoons as needed in the shower or bathtub.

I have found that while showering the water rinses the product away too quickly. Therefore I personally prefer the bathtub, because I have better control of the scrub.

After your body is wet, simply apply and scrub, scrub scrub!

I like to scrub all over, rubbing harder on the rougher parts of your skin.

Then simply rinse and admire your soft exfoliated skin.

Don't forget to follow up with a good moisturizer.

Nerdy Extras:
Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), encouraging cell turnover & exfoliation. Sugar also has natural humectant properties, thus are very hydrating. Additionally, brown sugar is softer than granulated sugar, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin.

Avocado oil contains protein, fats, antioxidants, & potassium. It has antioxidants like Vitamin A, D, & E help moisturize the skin & keep it soft & supple. It helps relieve dry, scaly, itchy skin, & aids in collagen production. It's highly moisturizing making it an excellent choice for dry & aging skin, & for those with eczema & psoriasis.

Orange essential oil is antiseptic & anti-inflammatory. It has been shown to increase the ability to absorb vitamin C, aid in collagen production, & increase blood flow; all of which are essential for the skin. It is also helpful at soothing dry & irritated skin, & excellent in helping to remove calluses.  In addition it also has aromatic benefits, as it is very relaxing & uplifting.

Honey is a natural humectant loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, and healing compounds that nourish, cleanse, and hydrate the skin.

Humectants draw moisture from the air into the skin & ensure it's retained it in the layers of the skin where moisture is most needed for penetrating, long-lasting hydration.


FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Scalp Stimulating Deep Conditioner

Many men and women face the unfortunate problem of thinning hair. Hair loss has many causes including aging, stress, illness, genetics, pregnancy, and menopause. The majority of shampoos and hair products out there contain synthetic materials which can also contribute to thinning hair.


For those with thinning hair, or those who generally want healthier hair, below is a list of ingredients to avoid if possible:

• Propylene Glycol - May cause dry skin and skin irritation.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Laureth Sulfate - Cleansing/foaming agent that may corrode hair follicles.
• Oleyl betaine - May cause dry hair and scalp.
• Mineral oils - Clog pores and may inhibit healthy hair follicle health.

It may come as surprise to those of you who know me, but I have thinning hair. You wouldn't think so by looking at me, because thankfully I have fairly thick hair,  So far it is not very noticeable. But seriously, I lose ...SO... much hair!!! I'm pretty sure it is due to genetics in my case, but it bothers me, so I decided to try to fix my problem with an at home scalp stimulating deep conditioner. I was hesitant at first, because rubbing oil directly onto my scalp sounded like a greasy mess. I'm so glad I tried it though, because the results were amazing! My hair was not greasy at all. In fact, my hair actually had significantly more body at the root. I could see the difference after only one treatment. The shaft of my hair was so smooth and revitalized.

Below you will see a before and after picture of my hair. Both pictures were taken first thing in the morning with no product in my hair. I washed my hair at night and put my hair up in a bun, so both pictures show my hair completely natural and air dried. Don't judge me!. Pictured on the left is obviously my hair before the treatment, and pictured on the right is my hair after the treatment. My hair looked and felt so much better! Who knew homemade hair products could work so well?!

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces Coconut Oil
• 3 ounces Jojoba Oil

Essential Oils:

• 9 drops Clary Sage
• 6 drops White Fir
• 3 drops Rosemary
• 3 drops Cedarwood

(I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients and blend in a blender or a food processor until well combined.

Store away from the light in an airtight container.

I like to apply the conditioner once a week on dry hair, before getting into the shower. I start by massaging small amounts of the product into my scalp. Once I feel like my scalp is saturated I apply the product very gently to the shaft of my hair. I then put my hair into a high bun and let is sit for a minimum of thirty minutes. Once I'm ready, I get into the shower and shampoo and condition my hair like usual.

There you have it! An easy and effective homemade conditioning treatment for pennies on the dollar!

Nerdy Extras:

Coconut Oil is an excellent conditioner for the hair and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It is made up of saturated fats, vitamin E, vitamin K, and Iron. It also softens the hair and conditions the scalp.

Jojoba Oil loosens and removes hardened build up on the scalp. Many scalp related problems, including hair loss, are caused by a hardened build up of sebum on the scalp which clogs hair follicles and creates scaling. If the build up is not removed, it can eventually interfere with the hair follicles ability to function properly. This is why jojoba oil makes such a fantastic base for do it yourself hair treatments; it cleans the hair follicles and allows the hair to function normally. Additionally, jojoba oil won't make your hair greasy if you have oily hair, as it naturally regulates the amount of sweat your hair follicles are emitting. Many people assume because they have an oily scalp they don't need to condition it. This is not the case, and the reason why many people with oily hair have flaky scalps. Jojoba oil also is an excellent moisturizer for dry hair. It really is great for all hair types.

Clary Sage is a very interesting essential oil with many uses. In this case, it strengthens hair follicles, which significantly reduces the amount of hair loss.

White Fir Essential Oil is said to have natural cortisone-like effects that often stimulate hair regrowth.

Rosemary Essential Oil stimulates the hair follicle; which as a result enables the hair to grow longer and stronger. It has been known to help treat and prevent dandruff and flaky scalps.

Cedarwood Essential Oil reduces dryness and hair loss by promoting healthy hair.

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Natural Brow & Lash Enhancement

Once upon a time I would over-pluck my eyebrows. I have fairly thick eyebrows naturally, and of course always wanted them thinner. The grass is always greener, right? Anyway, I have been trying to grow my eyebrows back out for years. I had been penciling in little bald spots in my eyebrows to give them good shape. Then I stumbled upon a little beauty secret; castor oil. Castor oil not only helps regrow eyebrows, but it also helps lengthen your eyelashes as well. It is very inexpensive, all natural, and extremely effective. Some people are turned off by it because it tends to be a little thick and sticky. I don't mind, because it actually works!!! I've been using it for a few months now, and I no longer have to pencil in my eyebrows! I was in shock after I got my eyebrows waxed last time. There was no lecture on letting them grow out. They looked perfect! My lashes are even starting to get longer. Woo-hoo!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 teaspoon Castor Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E (or approximately 5 capsules)

Essential Oils:

• 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 4 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

(You could also omit the essential oils, and still get excellent results with the Castor Oil.

I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:

Acquire some clear empty mascara containers. You could always just up-cycle your old mascara tubes and wash them out really well. Another option is you could use an empty jar and a disposable mascara wand. If you choose to go that route, make sure you store the wand somewhere sanitary. In my opinion, it was just so much easier and much more sanitary to buy the containers.

Add the castor oil and vitamin E oil to the empty mascara container and stir gently. Depending on the size of the container you are using, the measurements I listed are to be used loosely. The container should not be more than half full, otherwise it will overflow.

Put in the essential oils, if you have them, and stir gently.

Remember, consistency is the key! Apply once daily for optimum results. I apply the serum at the end of my night-time beauty routine on clean dry lashes. I brush the serum on like I would mascara, and apply to the top and bottom lashes. Then I use the same wand and brush my eyebrows with it. Making sure to remove any excess product, as the eyebrows need less product than eyelashes.

And you're done! You now have your own homemade eyelash and eyebrow growth serum!

Nerdy Extras:

Castor Oil is a natural source of vitamins (including vitamin E), minerals, proteins, and fatty acids that help lengthen and thicken hair. It also helps, soften, moisturize, and seal hair. It is high in ricinoleic acid, which has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This helps keep fungus or bacteria from inhibiting hair growth. It is also able to penetrate the pores and follicles that produce hair.

Vitamin E provides additional fatty acids and antioxidants to help speed hair growth. It also acts as a natural preservative by extending the shelf life of homemade products.

Lavender Essential Oil is helpful in minimizing hair breakage and promoting hair growth.

Rosemary Essential Oil supports healthy hair growth and strength by stimulating the hair follicles. 

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Instant Sunburn Relief

I know summer is winding down, but the warm season is still upon us. The temperatures have been at an all time high in so many areas this summer. Here in Scottsdale, the UV index is very high, & sunburns can occur quickly if you are not careful. 

Here is a super simple tip most of us already know: Aloe Vera is a great treatment for sunburn!

Try these simple frozen Aloe Vera cubes to help relieve those painful sunburns. The cold cubes help pull heat from the damaged skin, while the aloe soothes your sensitive sunburn.

Ingredients:

• Aloe Vera Gel

Essential Oils:

• Lavender 

Using the Lavender essential oil is completely optional. I omitted it in this recipe to save time. 
I only use therapeutic grade essential oils that are safe for consumption.

For more information on how to purchase these oils, please feel free to contact me.)

Instructions:
Using Aloe Vera in gel form, gently squeeze from bottle into ice cube trays.

A little bit of Aloe goes a long way, so use smaller silicone trays, if possible.

If you don't have any, just fill a traditional ice cube tray up about 1/4 of the way.

Place trays in freezer and leave in for a few hours, preferably overnight.

That's it, super simple!

Once frozen, you can store them in a plastic freezer bag and keep them frozen until needed.

When removing the cubes from the freezer, try and move fast. The Aloe melts pretty quickly.

You'll now have some soothing Aloe Vera gel ice cubes in the freezer waiting for you the next time you need instant relief from a sunburn.

If you want to add lavender essential oil to the gel you can add two drops of lavender to about a cup of Aloe Vera gel (in a glass or metal bowl), mix ingredients together, then spoon into the tray.

Nerdy Extras:

Aloe Vera Gel is an herbal remedy that naturally uses the plants moisturizing properties to soften the skin.

Using Lavender Essential Oil for sunburn can help ease the pain and assist your skin in the healing process.

A sunburn can be a nuisance, but in most cases it can be easily soothed with cold compress and aloe. However, even the most minor of sunburns can cause serious long-term damage to your skin. Your chances for Melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) increase by 80%  if you sustain five or more sunburns in the same area, especially during youth. The best way to avoid sunburn is to wear sunblock and reapply as often as the manufacturer recommends, if not sooner. You can also protect your body from the sun with hats and protective clothing.

If not careful, sunburns can be severe. If your skin is blistered, accompanied by a fever, or does not seem to improve within a few days, you may need to seek medical attention. Your doctor may want to you start treating the sunburn with a corticosteroid cream, or possibly prednisone. 

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."

Beauty

Beauty isn't everything, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't important to me. As much as I believe that inner beauty is infinitely more important than physical beauty, and as much as people like to say inner beauty is all that matters, it is just simply untrue in the socially archaic society we live in. Now, I'm not saying we all need to be bombshells. We don't need to be in perfect shape, have perfect make-up, perfect hair, and the perfect wardrobe. Although, that would be nice, ha! I'm just saying that we should strive to have our outward appearance reflect who we are inside. People can sometimes fail to give you a chance to show your inner beauty if your outer beauty doesn't live up to their standards. Sad, unfair, unjust, but true. People tend to put their trust into someone who, at the very least, looks like they pulled themselves together enough to make themselves presentable. After all, if you don't care enough to make yourself look professional (or whatever look you are going for), how could you expect anyone to treat you that way? That being said, intrinsic attraction, that of inner beauty is what makes or breaks it for us in our lives. After the initial state of attraction, inner beauty is what keeps that relationship intact on a long-term basis.

Making time for yourself with a busy schedule can be downright overwhelming, even seemingly impossible at times. Good news is, I'm going to post simple, practical, and quick beauty tips on this blog. As women, we are often natural caretakers, and tend to fill our time with other important things that need our attention; putting ourselves last. This is not only unfair to ourselves, but unfair to other people in our life. Having "me" time keeps me sane and helps me cope with my current stresses. There are many ways I like to indulge in "me" time, but I have to say that beautifying is near the top of my list! My guilty pleasure is locking the bathroom door and indulging in an at-home spa treatment. Sugar scrubs, facial masks, and deep conditioners are just some of my favorites! The boys in my house cannot wrap their minds around what I could possibly doing in the bathroom for that long. All they know is that when I come out I am in a fantastic mood. When I pamper myself, I feel good about myself, and when I feel good about myself, I let inner beauty shine more freely! ... what could be more beautiful than that?