This 5.5oz shea butter soap is for all the lavender lovers out there. Lavanda is made of sweet, crisp lavender essential oil and dried lavender flower buds for a wonderfully relaxing aroma.
Lavender has a beautiful floral scent and is said to be very calming, and soothing to the senses. This bar would be a great way to unwind after a long day.
Here’s is ” Your Everything Guide To Skin. All you need to know from A-Z.” Continued. This is a series of post I started last week from article I read in Elle Magazine, so if you miss tips A-L make sure you go back and check them out! Here are tips M-O, enjoy!
m. – MINERAL: Big news in makeup, mineral formulas consist of natural substances like zinc oxide, ultamarine, and titanium dioxide. Sine the particles don’t penetrate skin they offer cover with low risk of irritation.
n. - NIACIN: A derivative of vitamin B3, niacin helps the digestive system convert food to energy and assists nerve function. But skin care gurus love it because niacin breaks down into nicotinic acid, which stimulates the release of leptin, a hormone that’s been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation. Applied twice a day, a niacin-enriched product could fade brown spots and other discoloration over time, and since it’s gentle niacin is well suited for delicate faces.
o. - OIL: When it comes to creating the perfect skin cream, water and oil truly do mix. It’s the ratio of these two ingredients that makes some textures feel thick and other slip on the light and airy. But not all oils are created equal. Occlusive versions such as mineral oil lay on the skin to create a protective barrier, while lighter formulas like jojoba seep into skin’s cracks and crevices
Make sure you check back for more skin care tips, everything you need know from a-z coming soon!
I started a series of posts on Thursday from an article I read in ELLE Magazine “Your Everything Guide To Skin. All you need to know from A-Z.” Here are tips E-I for the 2nd part of this series on skin care, Enjoy!
e. -ESSENTIAL OILS: Plant-derived oils such as sandalwood and rose can create the aroma behind your beloved eau de perfum an offer countless remedies: De-stress instantly in a lavender infused bath; dab on tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, to banish breakouts.
f. - FAT: It may be loathsome when you’re trying to squeeze into your skinny jeans, but facially speaking, fat is a major ally in turning back the clock. When injected the springy cells plump up the complexion, pushing out wrinkles, and lifting sagging skin (plus, doctors harvest the fats cells from the butt and thighs – a win-win situation.)
g. - GRAPES: Grapes are the main source of the antiaging powerhouse resveratrol. When taken internally, this ingredient triggers health effects similar to a low-calorie diet and is believed to help prevent diseases including diabetes and cancer, as well as ward off weight gain and increase endurance. Found within the skin and fruit, resveratrol offers several complexion benefits when applied topically – amped-up collagen production, protection from from UV damage, and defense against loss of eleasticity.
h.- HUMECTANT: By drawing water from the air and the skin’s surface, humectants keep the underlaying cells bouncy and moist. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most widely used; others include glycerin, urea, and panthenol.
i.- ICE: Sure, it soothes a twisted ankle, but ice – or a chilled cloth or a straight-from-the-fridge mask -is also the best way to calm overstressed skin ( and depuff undereye bags). Cool compresses constrict capillaries , forcing clood redness and inflammation away from the skin’s surface.
Coming Soon tips J-M, you don’t want to miss these!
In the mail the other day I got my Elle Magazine, and in this month issue was a great little “tear out” section titled “Your Everything Guide to Skin. All you need to know from A-Z.” It had a lot of great tips in it so I thought I would share them with everyone in a series of posts. For the first set here are tips A-D
a.- ANTIOXIDANTS: The Pac-Men of skin care, antioxidants – such as vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and those within green tea and grape seed – gobble up the free radicals produced by factors like sun exposure, pollution, stress, and cigarette smoke, neutralizing their skin-weakening powers. Dermatologist trumpet the virtues of the face saving ingredients, both as a part of a healthy diet that reinforces tissue from the inside and as a key step in a daily skin care regimen.
b.- BODY BRUSH: An age- old cellulite buster, a dry natural-bristle body brush raises blood flow to the epidermis, revs up lymphatic drainage, and exfoliates dead cells.
c. - COLLAGEN: Along with elastin and hyaluronic acid, collagen provides the mesh framework that keeps skin plums, lifted, and wrinkle free. A strong, fibrous protein, collagen is multitasking antiager. In addition to preventing collagen breakdown by diligent daily application of SPF, you can help your body generate more of the good stuff by using topicals: Ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C are proven collagen builders.
d. - DHA: The active ingredient in self-tanners, DHA (dihydroxyacetone, if you want to get technical) reacts with the uppermost layer of dead skin cells, turning them brown, Results last about a week – less, if you exfoliate.
Make sure you check back Saturday for E-I. All tips courtesy of Elle Magazine ” Your Everything Guide to Skin. All you need to know from A-Z.”
Our skin naturally sheds the top layer of skin on a regular bases. 
This can result in a build up dry flakes which can leave your skin looking dull. This dry flaky skin mixed with your body’s own natural oils can cause clogged pores which blocks moisturizers from penetrating into your skin. This makes it impossible to achieve the smooth beautiful skin we all desire; instead you’re left with dry dehydrated skin. One simple addition to your morning routine can turn all this around, exfoliation.
Benefits of exfoliation include:
* Improve the texture of your skin, making it more vibrant.
* Help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
* Reveal healthier-looking skin below.
* Remove pore-clogging dirt and skin cells shed by your body.
* Help prevent acne outbreaks by keeping skin healthy.
* Allow moisturizers to penetrate your skin more deeply.
* Helps maintain your tan when you exfoliate before applying sunscreen.
Material you’ll need to get started:
Follow these simple steps for a perfect manicure.
First start out by clipping and filing your nails. It is important to file your nails before your soak because wet nails can become softer and tare more easily. Never seesaw file your nails as this can cause peeling and split. After you have achieved your desired length and shape fill your soaking bowl with warm water and antibacterial soap, for extra dry cuticle add a few drops of oil to your water. Soak your hand for approximately 5 minutes. Next gently push back your cuticle. If you wish your can put a cuticle remover/softener on prior to pushing them back, you can then use a nail brush dipped in water or rinse and towel dry your fingers before moving to the next step. After pushing back your cuticles you may cut any loose dead skin, take care not to clip live cuticle as this can cause infection (this step is completely optional). You can now buff your nails with a 2 way or 3 way nail buffer, this helps smooth out ridges and provides a great shine, which unlike polish will not chip and can last for weeks. Next massage cuticle oil or cream into your cuticles this step is important to do every day as it helps prevent hang nails and cracked cuticle. Finally you should apply lotion to your hands and arms. If you are apply polish place a small amount of nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to a lint free nail wipe or paper towel and remove to oil from each nail. This step is very important because polish will not stick to an oily nail. Apply a base coat two coats of color and a top coat. Follow this procedure 2 times a week for healthy beautiful nails and hands.
Check out this great manicure box by Sparetime Crafts, this box comes in many colors and patterns, with custom orders available.
