Tag: skincare

Skincare is a Sham!

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I was scrolling along the other day on FB and ran across a video of a woman claiming to be the dermatologists worst nightmare.  She had a very well put-together video showing how she only used water to “wash” her face and how skincare is just a scheme to make money.  I watched the whole video to see what kind of examples she provided and why she felt she was the expert.  I was not impressed.

Her claims were that for hundreds of years we haven’t needed any skincare and have been just fine.  She even went on to say skin repairs itself and that by using skincare, we just become reliant upon it and the skincare industry preys upon women to buy into the claims of healthy and youthful skin.  She never did give any credentials so as far as I know, she was some woman with a fancy camera who needed attention.  Some of what she said was true, but let’s get into this a tad more, shall we?

For hundreds of years women have used anything from egg whites to avocado to help the texture and appearance of their skin.  I found a separate article for you to check out at your leisure to highlight some of the odd things women have been doing for years.  Click here to view it!  We have all heard about ancient beauty secrets of the Greek, Chinese, and Egyptians, right?  I wonder if she missed history class.  A simple Google search or a trip to the hardly-spoken-of library will produce tons of different trick used for centuries for your skin, hair, nails, and of course the ancient cosmetics!  Egyptians had some amazing makeup and I don’t think department stores were a thing during Cleopatra’s reign, but maybe I’m wrong?

Healthy skin DOES repair itself.  However, we live in a time with more UV rays than ever, pollution, and frankly most us of have a poor diet and with age it breaks down naturally.  Hundreds of years ago, even just around a hundred years ago, diets consisted of mostly vegetables and grains that were grown without any additives, pesticides, treatments, etc and we only consumed meat on special occasions.  Now don’t get me wrong, I am a self-proclaimed Meatatarian, so I am not suggesting we do away with meat in our diet.  I also am not saying you must consume meat, I love my vegan friends!  But what is a stark contrast is the way our veggies and meats are raised, handled, and distributed.  Even with organic farming on the rise, they still use pesticides and deal with elements that just were not present a hundred years ago.  Also, with trendy diets popular, adding or restricting types of foods can affect your skin as well.  Let’s not even get into the amount of water we consume, or should I say don’t consume…

Pollution has become part of our world whether we like it or not.  Years ago there were no power plants, gasoline cars, smoke stacks, you know, icky stuff making our air quality bad.  These pollutants not only affect the air, but anything that comes in contact with it, like our skin…and of course our lungs when we breathe it in but you get my point.  These pollutants we deal with wreak havoc on our skin because it not only is our largest organ, but the largest exposed one!  Our skin is the first point of contact with pollution so of course this causes problems.  Pollution is more detrimental to our skin than our own genetics in some cases and we now have a line specifically for that.  Check it out here!

With all the pollution and global warming has come stronger UV rays.  Sunblock or SPF is skincare and I think most of us can easily agree that we must protect our skin daily from these harmful rays (except my sister who is a sun goddess and refuses sunblock of any kind, but she knows it is bad).  Even in winter, our skin is susceptible to the harmful rays and thanks to science, we now know it causes advanced premature aging and sometimes sadly, cancer.  And not to bring up old stuff, but a hundred years ago the paler your skin, the higher your social class so they knew avoiding the sun was important, they just didn’t have a remedy for UV rays at that time.  I recommend a good day cream like Anew for your daytime wear on your face which is exposed really year round.  You should also protect any exposed skin like arms or legs during the warmer months with a good SPF for the body.  I love this one for the kids and I.

Another difference is we now have the science to not only discover skincare issues ranging from loss of collagen to plaque psoriasis, we have the science to create products to target and treat such issues versus smashing an egg on your face or slathering in guacamole.  Now, understand this, just because it is from science doesn’t always mean it’s not natural.  Loads of products are available that are completely or almost completely natural.  There are also loads of products that a super-smart scientist cooked up but if it’s available to be purchased you better believe it has been tested, tested again, and retested.  And while some folks like to spread bad info, most beauty companies have stopped animal testing for a while now.  I am proud my company doesn’t (check out this info to back that up) and I am equally proud that so many other beauty companies have done away with this practice as well!

Oh and I almost forgot, she never washed her face and boasted using water only.  With all the things I have listed, plus the fact most of us use cosmetics of some kind and cook (yes when you cook oils, residue, and even smells from the food jump onto your skin and clothes) I hardly think water alone will remove that residue.  Now, soap is bad for your skin, particularly your face.  Wait, but I just said water alone is bad and now I am telling you soap is bad, too?  Yes, soap will strip healthy oils and bacteria from your skin causing more harm than good.  However, there are cleansers for your face and body that are soap and alcohol free but will clean dirt, grime, makeup, and yes, food residue without stripping it down!  My favorite for my face is this great foamy wash!

So there ya have it, my two cents.  I suppose it may not change anyone’s mind, just like that fun video claiming skincare was a sham didn’t change mine, but I wanted my voice heard just like hers was!  If you are with me on skincare, check out this fun quiz to see which products suit you best!  As always, any feedback is welcome and encouraged!

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Where has time gone?

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I cannot believe I sit here next to my Christmas tree that is now bare underneath for one of the last times this year.  How is 2018 almost over?  How is there only four full days left of this year?  What a whirlwind it has been!  I suppose time flies when you’re having fun, right?

But honestly I feel all over the place!  I keep getting on the healthy train and then jumping right off every time my schedule goes awry, which has been a constant issue this year!  It’s all been great distractions but distractions nonetheless.  So much free traveling this year, and some business trips as well our annual family vacation to the beach.  I swear I have been on a plane more in the last two years than I have in my entire life, LITERALLY!  Before my business, I had only been on a plane once for a business trip with my old corporate job.  I have been on one three times this year and only paid for one of those flights thanks to my little home business!  I will be boarding another in just a few weeks to an invitation only leadership kickoff in San Antonio, Texas, to which of course I have never been.  We are staying at a beautiful resort and I cannot wait to see old friends, make new ones, and learn lots of awesome things to help myself and my team!  But in the meantime, I started back on the healthy train and am trying to be better about my own skincare routine.

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So I got the full system again, but this time with the new Power Greens added in because let’s be real, I don’t eat a ton of veggies!  At least I know with this I can get all my veggies in as well as manage my cravings with the pea plant protein shakes!  I wish I had started this a tad bit sooner since I will see all my peers soon in Texas, but shoulda-coulda-woulda, right?

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So remember how I mentioned I was all over the place…so this is what has taken place with my skincare corner (and cosmetics I suppose).  I just love trying new things and we had so many new fun products this year!  I actually use everything pictured, just not all at once.  I tend to use the same regimen for about two weeks then switch one or two things up, especially as seasons or temps change.  Right now I am loving my super hydrating Hydra Fusion products!  They have the lightest but pleasant fragrance and feel so good on my skin and under makeup!  They were made with some wonderful ingredients to really boost plumpness and get needed hydration into your skin and retain it!  We have an under eye depuffer that has a ceramic tip and feels so good going on tired eyes before bed!  Also, the gel moisturizer is so light and airy but leaves skin so soft and supple!  We now also have a day lotion with SPF 50 that is great with or without makeup!  SPF is so important year round; just because it is cold out doesn’t mean the sun stopped having rays…be smart and use an SPF daily!  I love day creams and lotions with SPF added and our foundation and primer also has SPF so I feel confident going outside everyday that my face is protected!  I always add my Wrinkle Corrector to my skincare routine in the winter because it is super luxurious and acts as a wrinkle fighter PLUS moisturizer so it’s like a double whammy deal!  I love deals, don’t you?  And one of our game-changers this year…THE UNLIMITED LASH SERUM!!  Made with botanicals and peptides but free of those nasty things like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and a fraction of the cost of other lash serums, this little number has been a life changer for some!  Women who haven’t had lashes in years for various reasons documented growth and can now feel confident batting their eyes!  I used it not only on my lashes but on my brows because they were so thin and sparse, partly because I am blonde but also from some ill-advised over-plucking!

Very soon, and I mean so soon I can taste it, we have even more new body and skincare advancements coming and I.can’t.wait!  The best part of it all, it’s all affordable enough the hubby won’t question you and you can stock up without feeling guilty!  Be sure to register on my site here you don’t miss any deals!

Did the holiday spending seem all fun and games until you saw your credit card balance?  Click here to learn more about how you can start earning and having fun on my team!  Be sure to share if you enjoyed this!

Dry and bitter…

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No, that is not my attitude!  Although I realize I have been gone for a minute, I am actually hydrated and sweet!  But the weather outside is frightful, dry, and you guessed it, bitter cold!  Some folks love the winter months and I normally do until we hit single digits, especially for more than one day!  We even got snow-in Georgia-in December.  That just doesn’t happen.

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I grew up in the south where December may still yield short sleeves and flip flops so when we got over a foot of snow before Christmas I was in shock!  And even worse than dealing with our power going out and the endless amount of wet clothes the kids kept throwing off is the extreme dry skin!

I normally have oily skin so if my skin gets dry, you know the air is bone dry.  Weird how cold wetness can make the air feel so dry!  But as you burn fires and run the furnace indoors, that sucks the moisture right out of the air!  So how to you combat it?  I mean, we can’t have dry skin because dry skin leads to premature wrinkles and who needs that?

A non-drying cleanser with no soap and no alcohol is a great start.  This is my favorite here.  Then, this is a great time for a gentle but regular exfoliating to keep any dry flaky skin at bay.  I love this daily scrub and it is very gentle but definitely creates a soft smooth face!  Plus, a good exfoliation only aides in the use of treatments and moisturizers.  These items can get soaked up by dry or dead skin before making it to your face so exfoliation is double important!

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After a soft cleanse, I have switched up my routine to the Power Serum to help not only even tone and minimize pores but to give my treatments and moisturizer a boost!  I am loving the Advanced Wrinkle Corrector right now because while most products don’t do double-duty, this does!  It acts as a clinical treatment AND a moisturizer all in one jar!  And to be so awesome, it’s not harsh and doesn’t have a terrible medicine smell!

Of course the whole routine is complete with the Eye Lift Pro to keep my lids lifted and those crows feet at bay!  I hope you are staying warm and enjoying the weather like I am, from inside by the fireplace with some hot coffee early and chilled wine later!  Maybe if I change it to a margarita I can pretend I’m at the warm beach??

If you loved this, jump over to my closed VIP Customer page on Facebook here!  If you love the products and want to save money on them or start your business with me click here to get started for only $25 or reach out to me!

Smooth like a baby’s bottom!

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My skin is sensitive, combination, and generally just aggravated with me.  I love to try different foundations all the time, spend time outside, rub my face when I am thinking really hard, and my diet is, well, very poor!  Because of this abuse to my face, I do try to care for it by using gentle soap-free cleansers, this one is my favorite.  I also have carefully selected a skincare regimen to keep my skin moisturized while also attacking some of the signs of aging that I brought on with years of tanning and smoking, both of which I no longer do!  I love my AHA cream every few days, my Line Eraser, and my Ultimate.  I also love to exfoliate using my gentle Refining Daily Scrub 2-3 times per week.  It’s perfect for all skin types and the little beads are rounded so they don’t irritate the sensitive skin on the face.  But I was saddened this morning to find I had run out of the RDS even though I thought I surely could squeeze a few more uses out!  You only need a pea size for your face, so I assumed I could push some down but apparently I had used it all.  I had that tube over a month, but still, sadness….

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While I have come to love my RDS because of the gentleness, I was pleased to find I had a tube of the Clearskin Pore Penetrating Invigorating Scrub in the shower!  I had totally forgotten about this little gem when I started using the Anew Clean items.  But the invigorating scrub is just that…INVIGORATING!  It definitely feels more scrubby or almost sand-like than the clean line, but it also leaves this cool sensation on your skin when you rinse it off!  So I put a pea size of this in my hand and gently rubbed it on my clean face.  Amazing!  Super soft feel and that burst of cool after the scrubbies is the perfect combination to refresh you, especially in the morning!

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Now, exfoliating is serious business and you can actually harm your face by doing it too often.  Also, you want to rub longer, not harder, if you feel you are in need of a good sloughing.  Rubbing too hard will only irritate your skin and leave it blotchy and tender.  While exfoliation is good to get dead skin off and leave your skin smooth, you need to follow it with a great moisturizer as it can be drying.  Drying leads to lines.  Lines make you sad!

If you need help choosing a regimen try my online skincare tool here or reach out to me directly!  I love consults!

If you love skincare, makeup, jewelry, or fashion, learn how you can start your own journey with me today by clicking here!

 

Sunny days

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Well, we had a pretty wet and cloudy start to the summer!  But, even though we have had a good bit of rain showers and thunderstorms we have had a decent amount of sunny days!  I know I send the kids outside anytime I see a break in the clouds because it’s hard to say how long it will last!  I try to get some vitamin D as well and like most moms I am all about the Bug Guard and SPF!  I also use a day cream with SPF and during the summer months I switch to a day lotion with SPF 50, the Skinvincible, for my face to stay moisturized, keep my foundation looking good, and keep the bad rays away!

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I also must use shades outside because my eyes are super sensitive to light, the curse of the light blue eyes!  But even with my sunglasses, I tend to squint when I am outside.  I also have been laughing a lot this summer!  It’s been so much fun with the kids and friends and my biz that I have been gut-laughing a lot!  But with all this sun-squinting and laughter, I have to be mindful of that delicate skin around my eyes and the dreaded crows feet!

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But Anew to the rescue!  One of the staples in my regimen is the Clinical Eye Lift Pro Dual Eye System!  This is part of our clinical line but specially formulated for the skin around your eyes.  But better than just an eye cream, this one packs a one-two punch!

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There is a cream for under the eye, around the top of the cheek bone, and next to the eye area to keep the lines at bay and fight any existing ones.  But there is also a super special gel that you apply to the top of the lid and brow bone.  This gel keeps that area lifted and tight giving super definition to the upper eye and brow!  I also learned a trick from a very successful and ageless rep that if you keep this product in the fridge, it is very refreshing after a long, hot day! It will have all the normal benefits, but also has a fabulous cooling effect on those tired eyes when it’s cold!  So do yourself a favor and check into adding this little gem to your skincare routine to tackle those stubborn areas around the eye instead of trying not to smile or go outside!  Click here to grab it or click here to take the skincare quiz to find the best products for you!  Happy summer!

No Time for That

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I think it’s fair to say we are all guilty of spewing the ole, “I don’t have time for that,” line, especially when being asked to do something we don’t want to do.  But from time to time, I have to evaluate what I am doing that leaves me with such little time.  For instance,  I told hubby I didn’t have time to put the laundry away, I was just swamped.  However, as I replay the day in my head I recall scrolling FB for quite some time after making my necessary calls and texts in the morning….

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I hear people constantly saying they need extra money, but when I approach them with my fabulous opportunity the most used rejection is, “I don’t have time for that.”  Those same people continue to complain about their financial situation while also posting on FB how they binge watched three seasons of their new favorite show in two days and send me requests for extra lives on games I didn’t even know existed.  I get it, those games are addictive and that is exactly why I don’t play them!  I have folks say they don’t have time for a skincare regimen.  Well, it takes all of a minute to wipe your makeup off with our wipes and another minute to throw on some moisturizer but hey, if you want to deal with the deep wrinkles later because you didn’t want to head to bed a few minutes early, that’s ok, we have a cream for that, too!

I began my business while I was working a FT job and my kids were one and five.  Yes, I had to fit it into an already hectic schedule, but at the time we needed a little extra for bills so I made it work.  Over time, the business turned into something so much more for me.  It became an opportunity to not only be home with my children, but continue to contribute to my household financially.  Eventually, with some planning, scheduling, and lots of great people along the way I left that job.  Now, do not mistake the term “work from home” as “chilling at the crib”.  I still have to work, I just get to do it when I want.  And when I say work I mean talk on the phone with friends while collecting their orders or chatting with a new team member about how they can earn some extra or make a plan to be home with their children.  So, next time you are about to complain about your situation, stop and think about how many hours you spend on TV, FB, or the worst…Pintrest…If you have 5-10 hours a week, you have time to build a business.  And for $25, what do you really have to lose?  Curious, click here and complete the form!

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Ready to face the summer?

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Winter can do a number on your skin, particularly your face’s sensitive but exposed skin.  While we all hopefully were using our moisturizers in the cooler months, everyone can still do with a little TLC on their face to get it summer ready!

Dry cooler air or even the constant change from cool to warm can create uneven tone and dry patches.  That leads to dull looking skin and very poor foundation application!  If your foundation looks splotchy, uneven, or gritty it’s not the foundation, it’s your skin!  Some gentle exfoliating, treatments, and a good moisturizer can bring that summer glow out and prime skin for the warmer summer foundation shades!

First, toss out any facial cleanser that has soap in it.  Soap is drying and will strip away all the good oils on your face.  Even if you have oily skin, you don’t want to damage and dry out your skin.  The chart above shows the different cleansers we offer, but anything that is soap free will do just fine!  My favorite is the Rich Foaming Cleanser because it’s light but leaves a great clean feel with a soft fragrance that isn’t overpowering!  Click here to read the details on it!  We also have a Daily Scrub that is great for a gentle exfoliation, but I recommend that only every other day or every third day.  If you notice a lot of dry patches or unevenness, I would recommend adding the Retexturizing Peels.  This was a Redbook MVP for skincare in 2016!  The complete details are on the site, but it gives a professional-like resurfacing treatment at home and you will see a difference even on the first one!  Better, brighter tone and more even skin surface can be seen after the first treatment and only gets better as you continue using it!  This is strong, though, and does contain several acids so you do not use it daily!  If you use any acids on your facial skin, be sure to use a good moisturizer with an SPF during the day to prevent any redness or irritation.  I have switched to a lighter strength moisturizer to prep my skin for the season change since I am doing more treatments.  The Vitale Day Cream has SPF 25, is a bit less oily as it is for more youthful skin, and has a light pleasant fragrance unlike some strong skincare regimens!  I will switch back to my normal one after I finish this jar.  If you’re not sure which regimen is best for you, click here to use our Skincare Advisor to help you!  It’s a short but fun quiz!  However, I am also always happy to do a skincare consult so feel free to reach to me!  Skincare is my favorite!  I hope you find the best regimen to get your ready to face the summer!