Gluten Free Coconut Flour Carrot Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Gluten Free Coconut Flour Carrot Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Effective Basics

Here are a couple of the best general basic cleansers.  Sometimes when starting off it can be difficult to understand your skin, difficult to figure out what is causing your skin issue.  In this case I always go back to the basics.  Starting with cleanser.  On a profession level a consult is done so there is some other specific advice that is given based on each individual.

So back to cleanser....If  a rough cleanser is being used usually you will have to go safe for a while.  Safe as in using Cetaphil.  Many people wonder why this is recommended so often.  This is due to the fact that it will not disrupt the skin.  Cetaphil keeps everything neutral and doesn't get in the way of anything else that is being used to treat and improve your skin. This is not designed to change anything in the skin.  Just to balance things and keep it neutral.  Maybe you have oily skin and are over stripping it this can cause more oiliness.  Try Cetaphil for a while to balance things out.



The other that I really like a lot is CeraVe.  It is designed to strengthen the skins barrier.  This is #1 for anyone that claims they have sensitive skin.  Living in Florida I find myself recommending this a lot.  One reason is because people here have a lot of sun damage and this may have thinned the skin and made it sensitive.  Also people here love the very expensive high grade retinols, this too ends up thinning and promoting sensitive skin.  There are alternatives to these retinol products that work wonders.  Also a great sunblock goes a long way. Click photo for some detailed information as to how it works

None of these have a fruity smell, color, or an exotic ingredient.  Those fruity smells and colors may contribute to your damaged skin.

Your not Cleansing Pots and Pans

I say this because there are so many people that cleans their skin like it doesn't need to be cared for.  Like it's armor.  Yes when it come to skin care many people act as if they are washing pots and pans.  Scrubbing, Rubbing, Harsh Chemicals, Rough Textures.  None of this is necessary, Please stop, it has never worked out well for anyone.  This will effect texture, oil production, fine lines will become deep lines, skin sensitivities will develop, loss of elasticity.


Some people take better care cleansing their car and clothes then the skin.  They make sure they have the correct washing powder that will prolong the paint or fabric and ensure that it will make things soft or shiny.  Hey you invested hard work and time in order to get those nice things right.  Well you have to live with your skin forever.  You see it everyday and so do others.  So great care should be taken with it as well.


As you take a step back and learn ways to be gental and learn natural solutions to great skin, pay attention to what you are doing.  Pay attention to how your skin reacts to things.  Natural or Organic does not mean your skin will not have a reaction, you may have an allergy or your skin may need to adjust.  Natural or Organic does not mean you can be a little more rough or over use, many times if the product is formulated correctly, they are more potent and you may need to use less or use less often.  Maintain and care for yourself the same way you would your new car.  So that it looks good longer and you don't have to spend more time and money to repair it later.

What's in my Cabinet

Double Duty - Things you may have at home you can use on your skin.  When it comes to wellness having  some good base products that you use inside can also help outside.

I like a little DIY skincare every now and then.  DIY skincare ingredients are very helpful when trying to maintain healthy skin, when you can't make it to your professional treatment, when you don't want to pay for products that have more filler ingredients then performance ingredients.  I believe in going straight to the source when you can.
I don't want people to be in a state of mind to believe these are going to cure your skin of any problems you may have, but it can sooth or improve it.  Reason is because you may have been using the wrong things before, had allergic reactions to other ingredients in the products, or just not getting the right dosage of the helpful ingredients.

One helpful ingredient is Manuka Honey.  It is known in New Zealand as the "Wonder Honey" of the Tea Tree.  Does it have to be Manuka Honey? No.  It does have to be Organic or Raw Honey.  Anything that isn't Raw or Organic has been processed and stripped of the benefits your looking for.  Manuka is the one I like the best due to it's potency.  In general Honey is a great humectant for dry skin, a great antibacterial, and great for inflammation.  I even use it on breakouts as a spot treatment.


Make a Mask = this is great for all skin types, dry, and acne can really benefit.  Add a 1/4 juice of a lemon for brightening the skin

1tsp of Manuka Honey - antibacterial, humectant
2 tbsp Plain Organic Greek Yogurt - probiotics, enzymes, softness
allow to sit for 15-20min

This is a good base and there are so many things you can add and variations.  Target what you are trying to treat.  Already have a mask you enjoy, just add a 1/2 tsp of honey to it.  I add things to my products to enhance them when I need that extra boost. 

Toners, Do You Need Them?

I get asked this question a lot.  Usually within the conversation they mention that the person at the make-up counter told them they needed a toner.  For years toners have been needed to balance the pH of the skin due to the use of the harsh ingredients in your cleansers.  Those ingredients throw of the pH and then you need to re-adjust.  The other idea is that toners help remove the remaining dirt, make-up, and oils.  Well all I have to say is if you need to do ANY of this you need to change your cleanser.  A harsh cleanser can damage the skin and cause an imbalance.  If the cleanser is not removing dirt, oil, and make-up the way it should then why waste the money and additional time.

We are far to busy to add extra steps to our routine.  I don’t mind a toner that has a performance ingredient.  Maybe an acne line that uses a toner that has some salicylic or some herbal ingredients to sooth and calm.  Hydrating toner for extreme dry skin.  Also very oily skin may need a little extra help. Other then that if you feel you really need to get additional dirt and oil Witch Hazel for all general use or Rosewater for dry skin and it is also good with killing bacteria these will do the trick.  Many of the toners contain Witch Hazel anyways, along with alcohol and other harsh ingredients that do nothing to assist with better skin health.  So just go straight to the source and leave out the other unnecessary ingredients.  I deal mostly with professional products verses over the counter.  I understand not everyone can afford to buy an entire profession kit, and they don't even always need to, but investing in a good cleanser goes a long way.

Improve your Aging Skin Now

Many women have waited to improve aging skin, or have not been using effective products.  If your skin is showing signs of aging over the counter products will not do it.  They can help maintain, but not improve.  Fine lines will turn into deeper lines, Loss of firmness will turn into sagging when left untreated.  It will cost far more to improve the skin from deep wrinkles and sagging skin then it will to prevent, upkeep, and to reverse some of the beginning signs.  I see it all the time where a client comes to me and says, well I just didn't take care of my skin, but now I don’t like how it looks and would like to fix it...Give me Good Skin.  Fortunately I have options that are natural and effective.  Options that will not damage the skin we are trying to repair.  While also provide nutrients and vitamins to give the skin a healthy look and texture.  We work on maintaining the health of our internal organs through vitamins and mineral.  Many times we forget about the external one that people see everyday.  We try to mask our flaws with makeup rather then correcting or improving them.  I love when I have clients that say they can finally go without makeup or very little makeup.  Makeup is not the answer to flawless skin.  Plus great skin will allow for the makeup to sit and look better.  Since you are not using as much it will also last longer.

Great Black Bean Burger Video

Awesome I enjoy alternate ways to cook foods and I enjoy black beans.  I enjoy meat as well, but I don't eat it all the time and a good alternate is much needed & great for the body.

Breaking Out at 30

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.~Andy Rooney

So now you are 30 or are close to it and now breaking out with acne.  What?  Why? I never had this as a teen.  Well it is common for many women to have acneic breakouts around this age.  It is considered adult acne.  We as women go through so many changes in life hormonally.  We have to deal with more then just teen puberty and each stage has it’s obvious issues that are very difficult to mask.  So the first thing to remember is it is normal.  The second thing DO NOT go out and purchase a whole line of  acne products to treat it.  You may need the use of one acne product but not an entire line.  Most acne lines are designed for oily/acne skin.  These breakouts are more hormonal then anything and sometimes concentrated to one general area rather then all over.  You can usually stick with adding good cleanser or a spot treatment.
Here are some general basics:  
1. Make sure you are using the correct products for your skin
2. You may need to see your aesthetician or a dermatologist depending on the severity of breakouts.
3. I don’t recommend BPO as it is drying to the skin and when we are at or closer to our 30’s we don’t want to over dry the skin.  If you are ok with salicylic and/or glycolic, maybe a good cleanser that contains a little of both but not too harsh.  One I really like is Murad AHA/BHA cleanser has a good balance and is not harsh on the skin.
4. Ensure proper vitamin, water intake.  Vitamins and staying hydrated are always great for the skin.
5. If necessary consider a series of light peels, to breakdown what’s going on under the skin
6. Just wait it out.  If it isn’t too bad it will usually go away on it’s own with time.

All acne isn’t created equal so a good rule is to always find out why you have it, how it appears on the skin and what it responds to as in Foods, Products, Hormones for example.

Vitamins and the Skin

Do you want to keep your skin young, smooth and supple. There are different ways of doing this internally and externally. Internal use of vitamins is as important as topical use of vitamins for the skin. The proper vitamins and amount can help bring nutrients to the skin. This can in turn help with conditions such as acne, or dry skin. Many types of foods are available to help keep your skin beautiful and glowing. These vitamins include A, B, C, D, E, K and others. Each of the vitamins are very important for the skin and your overall health. 

Here are some of the nutrients in the form of vitamins that your skin will love:


VITAMIN A: (also very necessary topically, in other forms)
For dry, flaky and rough skin.
 Source: All red and orange fruits and vegetables such as papaya, carrots, red peppers, mangoes, apricots, tomatoes, oranges, spinach

VITAMIN B:Can help the skin retain moisture
Source: Cashews, walnuts, green veggies, potatoes, lettuce, pineapple, wheat germ, oatmeal, broccoli bananas

VITAMIN C: - (also very necessary topically)
A great healer also to brighten, and tighten the skin and an excellent antioxidant. Great for dry skin, hyperpigmentation, inflammation and toning the skin
Source: Citrus fruits, lemon, guava, pomegranate, tomatoes and celery

VITAMIN D: 
Essential for good teeth, nails and hair, and bones
Source: Fortified milk products, oily fish, egg yoke and exposure to sun, i.e., the healthy rays before 9 am and after 5 pm
VITAMIN E: (also very necessary topically)
It is a regenerator and helps rejuvenate cells. Prevents premature aging and dry skin
Source: Wheat germ, nuts, olives and avocado
VITAMIN K: 
great for healing the skin
Source: ALL green vegetables

Also some great food sources in general to add to your everyday diet:
Red pepper
- collagen production & vitamin C


Avocado 

– Vitamin E, good source of fat


Shrimp 

– Iron rich protein for hair and nails, & zinc


Sweet potato 

– New cell turn over, Beta-Carotene


Kale 

– Vitamin C, K & beta-carotene


Wild Salmon 

– Omega 3 fats, keep toxins out & good stuff in


Wheat germ 

– Vitamin E & zinc


There are so many more to list, but this is a good start.

Bella Lucce Unique Product line

Finding a great product line isn't easy but when you do you just want to share it with everyone.

One of my favorite Bella Lucce.  What makes this line so great is it's unique blends and ingredients.  The line is very fragrant without containing harsh chemicals. This makes it so it isn't harsh on people like myself who's alergies are triggered by the chemicals in many other fragrant specialty bath and body products.  You will still need to be cautious if you have a fruit or floral allergy or sensativity of some sort.

• Certified 100% phthalate-free.
• This product is 100% natural.
• This product uses only natural hydrosols, absolutes and/or essential oils to create its distinctive aroma.
• All of our products are created by hand in America. 
• Bella Luccè never tests any of it products on animals and the product collection is certified "cruelty free" by PETA.
• This product incorporates natural botanical extracts.

This months featured facial comes via the Bella Lucce skin care line.

Asian Crushed Pearl Signature Facial:

Unearth ancient secrets from the Orient that date back to the Ming dynasty. Borrowed from the beauty rituals of the famed geishas, these exotic ingredients are revered for their ability to brighten the complexion, boost circulation, restore suppleness and improve overall skin condition. The end result is a luxurious facial that harkens back to the days of the famed Geishas while helping ward off environmental damage and slow the aging process by neutralizing dangerous free radicals. 

Ingredients include:  Crushed Freshwater Pearls, Shiitake Mushrooms, Powdered Wasabi, Rice Bran Oil, Green Tea, Gotu Kola, Coconut Milk, Adzuki Beans, Black Sesame Seeds, Bamboo Powder and Ginger Root

This unique blend and relaxing facial will leave your skin with a healthy glow.

Learn more about company & products http://www.bellalucce.com/

contact me for any additional information.

Brow Shape

This is an important subject.  Why?  Because the shape of your brow can change your look.  It can make you look Crazy, Messy, Excited, it can even age you.  So Please-O-Please ensure you are getting the brow that fits YOU as an individual.  Not a brow that fit’s a trend or what you seen on someone else.  I like to take an approach were I do more tweezing then waxing.  Many brows are overly waxed.  These days thin lines are just not cute & it is very hard to grow that hair back.  Especially the older you are.

Also I get very irritated when I see the brow filled in with the wrong color powder or pencil for your brow.  Even if you have to mix colors please ensure they match because it is noticeable.  When filling in the brow strokes should be used, these stokes are to be similar to natural hair strokes.
1.  If you don't know how to do your brows then don't, you don't want to over pluck nor shave.  Like I said the older you are the thinner or less hair you may have to begin with.
2.  If you need to fill in or if your brows are too light.  Use the correct color pencil, gel, powder whatever you choose, it still needs to match the hair.  An alternate option is having them tinted.
3.  Don't allow you stylist, esthetician, nail tech, cosmetologist, whomever is doing your brows, to over wax to the point you have thin lines.  Unless thin lines are what you like, but many people prefer to have a great natural look that frames the face well.
4.  There are many things that people say help grow the brows.  I have heard Castor oil, black castor oil, Vitamin A, Ingesting more protein, multivitamins.  My opinion they all seem to work pretty well anything that can help the hair grow usually helps the brows grow also.  It is hair and has a shaft, but has been plucked, waxed many times to the point it is possible it may not grow back in some areas.  Another good reason not to over do it.


I will do a post on this in the future, but just to add.  Permanent Makeup  if you have had your brows done in the past & they are fading you will NEED to get it re-done.  If you plan on doing it in general make sure you choose someone that does a quality job.  It is noticeable if it isn't quality, so it is worth the investment to get it done right.

Zen Med Review

Well I had the opportunity to try out the products from Zen Med product line for Acne.  With the many different reasons people have acne I love to be able to try products on my clients to see how effective they are.  Zen Med caught my attention due to the natural ingredients and herbal ingredients that will not harm the skin, so long as there is no allergy.  It is not easy to find a product with these types of ingredients and is effective.  A acne kit comes with a Facial Cleansing Gel, AHA/BHA Complex pH 3.5, Botanical acne mask & spot treatment, and an Oil-free day lotion.  These products are great for someone with mild oily skin and mild acne just to help balance the skin.  Sometimes acne breakouts are due to over doing it.  So a great way to keep that neutral balance is a product like this.  You would have to first know your skin type before choosing this products.  As it is more so for a specific type of breakout.  If your breakouts are heavy, hormonal, bacterial this may not be the best option.  If they are light, or you are causing your breakouts by over stripping the oils from your skin, this is great for the breakouts and to balance the skin and it's pH.  I really enjoy the mask and many people can benefit from it's use, even just as a spot treatment.

Are you doing too much?

Question: Why do I need so many skincare products? This is a question I receive many times.  The Answer: You don’t.  I always ask my clients what they are using, the answer I hear the most is..... I use a make-up remover, I wash, exfoliate, tone, moisturize, prime before make-up, then the same at night using a night cream.  Well most of these steps are very unnecessary if you are using a quality product.  Plus many people do not need a night cream. 

1.Your cleanser should remove make-up, cleans and tone and some are even exfoliates. 

2. If you need a corrector, after cleansing this is the time to use one.  You may need a corrective to target acne, fine line, firming etc.  You may need one during the day & a different one at night or the same one two times a day.  This may be one or two items and you may be able to mix them together to create on step.

3. SPF during the day, many moisturizers now contain spf and moisturizer at the same time 15 or higher for everyone.  Also there are many available that are makeup primers and do a pretty good job.

At night you may just need a really good serum, or hydrate as needed depending on your skin type or condition.

So investing in quality skincare products can save you time and money.  Money because you may spend a bit more, but you have less steps, better ingredients, better formulation, and you will see the results you are looking to achieve.  This way you will not keep spending your money on a different product each time you go shopping.  Less products = Less Clutter = Less stress & Money money to spend on other things.