You ever spent hours on your hair creating a style for the week for it only to get frizzy and a total mess warranting a do-over the next day? Keeping a style intact for a couple of days is a dream and a lifesaver for many who just do not have the time to keep […]
The weekend is here. Saturdays are the perfect time to incorporate beauty related activities that we didn't have time to squeeze in during the week. This week I came across a tip that I can't wait to try today. It's a simple tweak to the way I traditionally sheet mask that can really pay off big time.
I stumbled on this idea after reading about someone's beauty ritual online. The woman stated that she utilizes sheet masks specifically after a shower.
Why?
Because after a long, hot shower, our skin is thoroughly cleansed and our pores have had ample opportunity to open up thanks to being immersed in steam. The results, for her, have been heightened because the ultra-hydrating sheet mask serum penetrates even deeper.
I'm trying this today! But I'm debating whether I should actually follow her strategy of masking post-shower or should I just use a facial steamer to create a similar effect. If you don't have a facial steamer handy, perhaps you can experiment with a tea facial steam, aka the laxative facial. I'm even thinking of taking the process one step further by cleansing first then using a mild exfoliating toner (or other exfoliating product) followed by a few minutes of steaming and finishing the facial off with a hydrating sheet mask.
Doesn't that sound heavenly?
By adding the exfoliating component, it's like we're creating a very modified version of the Hydra Facial. If you recall, the two main components of the Hydra Facial is proper exfoliation of the skin followed by an intense rehydration. That's my end goal because when we hydrate after exfoliating, we enjoy greater results.
Who wants to try post-shower masking this weekend and see if it's as amazing as it sounds?
They are the bane of our hair growth journeys; single strand knots and split ends. We know that if it werent for these pesky little things we would most likely keep the lions share of our length. So let’s take a closer look at the phenomena. Single Strand Knots Knots form during the manipulation of very […]
You keep your hair conditioned and your scalp clean, keep your ends in tip top shape, and manipulate your hair as little as possible. So, why has your hair stayed at the same length for well over a year? Well, if you’ve gotten into the habit of trimming more than you’re growing, that’s a fair […]
Just weeks ago, I talked about how the Hydra Facial was, in my opinion, one of the most effective facials on the market. Why? Because it's like getting two skin treatments in one. First, your skin is manually exfoliated with the help of a powerful pen like suction tool. Once all of the dead skin cells are magically whisked away, your bare skin is primed and ready for the hydrating serums which seem to penetrate deep within the surface.
Days after a Hydra Facial, you'll stop randomly upon seeing the reflection of yourself in the mirror and wonder "what have I done differently to my skin?" Then you'll remember that you made the wise decision of treating yourself to a Hydra Facial and now you're reaping the wonderful benefits.
The only drawback to the Hydra Facial is the price. A session can set you back around $100.00. If you're not a celebrity, that's quite a lot of money. You can slip that $100.00 back in your walled because today, I learned a way that we can enjoy this skin transforming facial free of charge. Turns out that Sephora has partnered with the makers of the Hydra Facial to create an in-store spa experience for their customers. It's called the PERK Hydrating Facial and it's absolutely free of charge! The only caveat is that one must purchase $75.00 worth of product to receive the free facial. When I heard of the $75.00 purchase requirement, I was like "oh, I was gonna do that anyway, cause that's how I am."
Seriously, $75.00 is a small price to pay for a free facial, especially if you had the intent to stock up on your beauty faves. You might as well take advantage of this wonderful offer. If you check out the video below, you'll see that the Sephora reps use a modified version of the traditional Hydra Facial machine. It's a bit more portable. My only wish is that, one day, the makers of the Hydra Facial will create a version of their machine that novices like us can use at home. Until that day comes, I plan to take full advantage of this wonderful free offer.
Currently, this service is available in only available in certain Sephora locations. Prior to your visit, you must book your facial appointment via their stores and services page. You're required to purchase $75.00 worth of items on the day of the facial. I can't wait to try this and see how the Perk Facial compares to the Hydra Facial. Based on the video, it appears to be pretty similar, except the Perk Facial comes with a free gift.
I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for the day when a company launches an at home Hydra Facial machine. Until then, Sephora is going to be seeing a lot more of me.
A couple of years ago, I was really passionate about making my morning smoothies. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to layer in a bunch of nutrient dense ingredients into one, easy to consume, beverage. In my quest to make the most powerful smoothie imaginable, I was always in search of the next super-ingredient. One of my favorites was hydrolized gelatin.
Initially, I bought this gelatin because it provided so many beauty benefits. Plumper skin, thicker hair, longer nails, less cellulite to name a few. When I incorporated gelatin in my smoothies, I realized that it kept me fuller, longer. This is part of the reason why many claim that gelatin helps with weight loss. But that's not the only reason. Apparently, gelatin helps boost metabolism while activating hormones that suppress our appetite.
I could go on and on about the wonders of consuming gelatin. But today, I want to discuss how to incorporate it into our healthy hair routine. In my original post on gelatin, I briefly mentioned how it could also be a great addition to your conditioner mix. But somehow, I forgot to try this out. Then, years later, I happen to run across an article where Brazilian model, Duda Almeida revealed that she adds gelatin with her favorite conditioner to give her hair an "incredible glow."
Gelatin is another form of hydrolyzed protein, so I get why it's a great addition to a conditioning mask to fortify the strands. But, Duda alluded to the fact that her gelatin conditioner mix also makes her hair shine. Now I'm interested. Apparently, gelatin hair treatments not only strengthen the hair, it also directly impacts the outer appearance. Shinier hair is just one of the wonderful side effects. Others boast of healthier, more defined curls.
Keep in mind that gelatin is a protein so you are essentially doing a protein treatment if you incorporate it into your wash day routine. This means that we must take precaution to avoid protein overload. For instance, you don't want to go overboard with gelatin because a little goes a long way. If I add too much of it to my smoothie, I notice the difference. Same goes for the hair mask. Next, you want to make sure to replenish your hair with moisture following the treatment. For my first go around, I plan on mixing it into the most hydrating conditioner I own. Apply the same rules you have in place for whenever you do a protein treatment.
There are a few gelatin hair mask recipes floating around online. Some are very simple with 1-3 ingredients. But since we want to make sure to protect moisture levels when incorporating protein, I thought I'd share this one from Naptural85. She does a great job of layering in several moisturizing ingredients that balance out the protein. Check out how shiny and healthy her hair looks afterward.
I'm bringing gelatin back into rotation in a major way. It's the perfect little secret to help us get ready for summer. Healthier hair growth, shinier strands, younger skin, boosted metabolism, reduced cellulite......does anything else compare?
I need to put some serious attention to my evening skin routine. Now that I no longer deal with sporadic breakouts, I just don't feel the need to work as hard. But this way of thinking is highly flawed. Currently, my skin is doing ok. But if I maintain a disciplined skin routine, I could take it from good to great!
Luckily for me, I stumbled on a video that provided some serious inspiration. Beauty & lifestyle influencer, Hannah Bronfman gave Harper's Bazaar a glimpse of her current evening routine and I picked up a few tricks. Let's discuss.
I'm always so intrigued by people who have complex, multi-step night time routines. Deep down, I'm aware that nourishing and treating the skin at night can pay off in a big way. So much happens to our skin while we sleep. The power of all those nourishing products is enhanced as the skin undergoes a renewal process overnight.
I know for a fact that Hannah is serious about her health & beauty routine. And, luckily for us, she's always sharing her latest finds. Today, we'll learn a few tidbits from how she cares for her skin before bed.
In the first few seconds of the video, Hannah informs us of her hectic travel schedule. She then lets us in on her first nightly ritual, a cup of "nighttime tea." Since she doesn't share what she's drinking, we're left to speculate. Perhaps she's enjoying a cup of sleep enhancing tea to ensure she gets plenty of beauty rest. Last winter, I started drinking a cup of tea before bed and it was so beneficial. The cup of warm liquid served as a trigger reminder that it was time to wind down for bed. It also provided a source of antioxidants for my body to utilize during the rebuilding and repairing phase that occurred overnight. Sometimes I would combine bamboo tea for its silica content with ginger tea to promote healthy digestion. Once warmer weather came around, I let this habit fall by the wayside, but thanks to Hannah's reminder, I'm, definitely bringing it back into rotation.
TOWELS ON THE FACE ARE A NO-NO
The first part of Hannah' cleansing routine that grabbed my attention was when she grabs cotton pads to dry her face. Not too long ago, I warned everyone to stop drying your face with towels. I offered up several suggestions as alternatives. Never once did I think about drying one's face with cotton pads. I may give this a try thanks to Hanna's suggestion.
EXFOLIATE & MAKE YOUR SKIN GREAT
Hannah then reaches for a product that she affectionately refers to as her beloved. Lotion P50 is a cult luxury product that is loved by skin enthusiasts worldwide. Basically, Lotion P50 is an acid-based exfoliating toner. Lactic acid is the hero ingredient that promotes gentle skin exfoliation. But it also contains some nifty plant extracts that make it soothing and nourishing to the skin. Apparently, this stuff has the power to transform your complexion. According to Hannah, it's really helping to diminish her hyperpigmentation. But did you also notice the way in which she applied the magical toner? She strokes her face with toner in an upward motion as one would when applying an anti-aging cream. As a matter of fact, she applies every single product in a very deliberate manner. Lotion P50 is a French product that's really hard for us to get our hands on in the states.
CIRCLE YOUR EYELIDS
I love the way she applies her eye cream. Hannah circles her entire eye with the product so she doesn't miss a square inch. I'm guilty of only focusing on my undereye leaving the eyelid to fend for itself. We mustn't forget that our eyelids will get droopy and thin over time. We've got to show it some love too!
Overall, her routine is simple yet effective. Hannah has bouncy skin that always appears plump and hydrated. Although her skin isn't perfect, she's got some great habits that keep it looking healthy at all times. I picked up a few tips that I can apply ASAP. I'm also looking forward to studying the nightly routines of other healthy skin enthusiasts to see what else we can learn.
You ever spent hours on your hair creating a style for the week for it only to get frizzy and a total mess warranting a do-over the next day? Keeping a style intact for a couple of days is a dream and a lifesaver for many who just do not have the time to keep […]
They are the bane of our hair growth journeys; single strand knots and split ends. We know that if it werent for these pesky little things we would most likely keep the lions share of our length. So let’s take a closer look at the phenomena. Single Strand Knots Knots form during the manipulation of very […]
You keep your hair conditioned and your scalp clean, keep your ends in tip top shape, and manipulate your hair as little as possible. So, why has your hair stayed at the same length for well over a year? Well, if you’ve gotten into the habit of trimming more than you’re growing, that’s a fair […]
