You Are What You Eat and Other News.

A wise man once said, "You are what you eat."  True, true.  Right, right.  Most of this have put the twinks and Doritos down to adopt this way of thinking.  My question to you is, if this is something you believe, then why the heck do you put weird chemicals on your skin and hair?  Are you familiar with the term transdermal?  As a little refresher, allow me to give you the true definition of transdermal:  

Pharmacology . (of a medication) applied to the skin, usuallyas part of an adhesive patch, for absorption into the bloodstream (dictionary.com).  Key words to note are "for absorption into the bloodstream."  

What exactly does this mean to us, darlings?  I will tell you.  When adhering to our regular beauty regimes on the daily, we generally use 12-14 beauty products per day, which equates to about 550 chemicals daily...ouch.  What do we do with our beauty products?  Once we apply product onto our skin and hair, we are rubbing them directly into our skin and scalps, thus, directly into our bloodstream.  So, next time you use a beauty product, you should look at the ingredients.  If there just so happens to be a laundry list of ingredients you cannot pronounce, remember you are putting those things, mainly chemicals, directly into your bloodstream.  My philosophy is to do the best I can when it comes to cosmetics and skincare.  I do my best to avoid products with ingredients I cannot pronounce, after all, I am what I put on my face and body.  

There are plenty of alternatives when it comes to home recipe beauty care.  I make my own facial masks, moisturizers and exfoliants and you can too.  To get started, try these simple at home recipes.

Oatmeal Honey Facial Mask

1/2 c. ground oatmeal

2 T. honey (organic if you have it)

1/4 c. plain yogurt

Leave on your face for ten minutes, then wash off.  Feel free to use 1-3 times a week to uncover a fresh glow.  I love this mask and use it frequently.  Feel free to throw in a few drops of essential oils although it already has a pretty pleasant aroma.  

Brown Sugar Coconut Oil Exfoliant

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. virgin coconut oil
2 T. honey 

essential oils

If you have sensitive skin, this may work better as an all over body scrub versus  a facial scrub.  My skin is a little on the sensitive side, but I still use this as a facial exfoliant.  I would also probably steer clear of this if you have super oily skin because of the coconut oil.  I personally have an oily t zone, but it works fine for me, especially in winter.  Sometimes I follow this one with the oatmeal honey facial mask.  Your choice.  Dazzle 'em if you dare.  I would recommend that you do not use this facial scrub more than once a week.  

Last but not least, are you tired of promising your first born to pay for your facial moisturizer? You don't have to any longer.  Use 100% virgin coconut oil, which by the way, is a super food, so you can eat it too.  Cook with it, whatever you want.  Or, feel free to use 100% virgin olive oil if that is to your liking.  Both work great.  I would recommend putting them on under your eyes and apply directly to your dry or wrinkled problem areas once a day before you go to bed.  They are natural, on the cheap, cheap and I would eat them.  You really can't go wrong.  

Ta ta for now.  I have more where that came from, darlings.

High Gloss, Sauce and Beating the Winter Uglies

Okay, so I realize since this is the inaugural posting of my new blog, it has to be good because it will set the tone for each and every post this day forward.  I have so much to share and I am not sure where to start.  I guess I can start with my recent beauty purchases that have contributed to a totally fresh, new look for myself.  Let me just tell you, I love it!

I recently moved back to a cold climate from sunny Florida, where I can have a dewy complexion and sun kissed skin year round, so it has been quite the transition.  Chicago winter can make a cute girl resemble a dried out, chubby biscuit, but don't worry.  We can definitely tackle that among other things.

First, hit the gym fat asses.  I know it's cold and hard to motivate yourself, but at the very least, run on the treadmill a couple times a week for 30 minutes each time.  You will feel better about yourself when you release those endorphins girls.  Trust me.

Second, I just have to share my new products that have contributed to my newly found winter hotness.

Here's my list of must have beauty for winter survival:

1.  Laura Mercier mineral pressed powder in rich vanilla.  $35 at Bloomingdale's.   I have been on the hunt for the best mineral foundation.  I've tried so many different ones and they all have their pros and cons.  You have to go mineral.  Regular foundation doesn't let your skin breathe for one.  Also, you want to improve your complexion, not harm it over the long term which is what you are doing when you purposely rub chemicals into your face day in and day out.  Okay, you get it, but mineral foundation doesn't provide you with enough coverage, right?  I hear you, lady.  After trying numerous mineral foundations, I am in love.  Also remember, it is all about the proper applicator, so if you try this coverage and it isn't working for you, don't forget to change up the applicator before you give up completely.  I use a sponge.  Some people prefer a brush.  If you opt for a brush, you want to go for sable or another high quality brush, not a low quality beaver hair brush that is designed to fall apart within three months like one very popular mineral makeup company uses that I know.

2.  High Beam by Benefit Cosmetics., $24 at Sephora.  Hello J-Lo glow!  Glow away with this sassy little product.  This illuminator is the best way to combat dull winter skin.  High Beam is perfect for pinky skin tones and Moon Beam is for those with olive/yellow skin tones.  I apply three dots on each cheekbone.  I swipe both brow bones and the bridge of my nose.  Don't forget to blend.  I can't let you wander around town looking like a clown!

3.  Lorac cover-up, $18 at Ulta.  I chose the yellow shade.  Coming from someone who has used many concealers to cover up her under eye circles, I want you to know it's fabulous.  I put this under my Laura Mercier mineral powder and apply with a brush so that I gently apply the product under my eye.  I don't want to do damage to that delicate skin if at all possibly and a brush allows it to go on more carefully.

4.  Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Sugar Sugar, $14.50 at Clinique.  Ever wonder that one little trick to make yourself look younger? White eyeshadow!  Apply it in the corners of each eye at the very minimum and line your eyes if you are really feeling sassy.  Why white?  It brightens the eyes, making them look bigger and dare I say, more doe-eyed.  I put a little on my brow bones as well to open up my eyes a little more.


5.  Ulta Lash Extension Lengthening Mascara in jet black, $10 at Ulta.  Now here's a mascara for a girl on a budget. Have you ever been complimented by a stranger on your lashes?  Me either until I used this slender pink product.  If you buy now, you can buy two and get two for free.  Can't beat that.

6.  Blush Bourjois in 33 Lilas D'OR, $8 on sale at Ulta.  Here's the perfect little shimmery pink blush.  Apply a little to the apples of your cheeks and you are good to go.  Everyone likes a little rosy on the cheeks.

7.  Benefit lipgloss in Who Are You Wearing, $13 on sale at Benefit.  This is a passion fruity pinky colour that completes the winter rosy glow look that we have put together today.  I personally prefer to line my lips beforehand with a neutral pink liner. We can get into liners another day.   Looking hot and glossy, ladies.

As far as the 'Sauce' portion of this post, I'm referring to red wine.  Red wine warms you up in the winter and is a fantastic antioxidant.  Drink in moderation for the full effect--we don't need you to create another vice next to your beauty vice, darlings.  Pick up a nice AND economical bottle such as Rex Goliath red zinfandel for $5.49-$7.99 a bottle, depending upon your store of choice.  I've found it for $5.49 at ABC Liquors, so maybe you can too.

I bid you good day as I must hit the gym.