Introducing Nude Skincare

With the changing of the season to warmer, summer days, I found that my skin was oiling up like crazy and I was breaking out terribly! Not good since the wedding is less than a month away.

current skin care regiment:

• facial cleanser: Shiseido IBUKI gentle cleanser

• toner: Shiseido Eudermine revitalizing essence

• Retin-A: doctor prescribed

• moisturizer: Shiseido IBUKI refining moisturizer enriched

Note: Retin-A causes mild acne breakouts. While I was experiencing this, the acne I was beginning to have was far worse than my typical break outs from the Retin-A. Retin-A is a type of cream that uses Vitamin A to help skin renew itself and treat acne. Need some acne help? Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription.

Shiseido is a great company that produces quality products, however I felt that while Shiseido in general kept my skin clear, it didn't do anything to enhance it. We are of course always looking for that product that makes our skin glow and look healthy.

So I went to my local Sephora to see an alternative to my skin care regiment. Walk in sales associate and the introduction of 

NUDE Skincare

who they are: the brainchild of a natural food entrepreneur and a fashion-conscious global activist, NUDE Skincare believes that nutrition is as essential for the skin as it is for the body. The precisely balanced diet of omegas, minerals, probiotics, and antioxidants in NUDE Skincare nourishes your complexion with the active, healthy ingredients that your body naturally craves. The result? Fresh, luminous skin.

what I got: NUDE is definitely a premium product and can be pricey. Rather than diving head first into this investment, I purchased their Essential Skin Radiance Kit which includes a full size Perfect Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes and a good sample of their ProGenius Treatment Oil and Cellular Renewal Moisturizer. 

why it's "good": Packed with omega 3 and 6, the cleansing oil deeply cleans and eliminates impurities and even the toughest waterproof makeup, without stripping the skin. The ProGenius Treatment Oil contains 100% pure, active plant oils, and is rich in omega 3, 6, 7, and 9, delivering a deep and long-lasting skin cell nourishment for instant radiance. The Cellular Renewal Moisturizer helps repair cellular damage and supports natural cellular renewal while deeply nourishing the skin.

"research" results: In a self evaluation conducted by NUDE on 30 women, ages 20-69 using NUDE for 28 consecutive days, they saw 100% hydrated skin and 90% saw soft and comfortable skin. they also saw an increase in skin luminosity and nourishment, smoother skin with better elasticity, and skin that was better protected.

my results: I have been using the kit for a week. While a week is definitely not enough time to see dramatic results, I have seen some results I am very happy with. My skin manages oil a whole lot better! Who would have thought that applying the ProGenius Treatment Oil (oil on top of oil) would help remedy it? I'm less shiny and my skin is more balanced throughout the day. Additionally, my acne started receding (but again, this can be due to the Retin-A). The drying that the Retin-A was causing has been remedied and the acne scars I have are healing at a better rate than before. 

verdict: I'm pretty happy with this set. I will update you once its been a month. But for $52 for this kit, its definitely something worth trying.

How To Take Care of Your Hair in Chlorine Water

With the summer months quickly approaching (finally), you'll probably find yourself in a pool at some point in hopes of trying to cool off from the summer heat. However, you may not know that taking a dip in your backyard pool or at a pubic recreational center can not only cause damage to your skin but also to your hair as well. Have you ever heard of the theory that blonde hair can turn green from the chlorine in pools? Well, it's the truth - speaking from experience. Here are some ways to protect your hair in chlorine pools this summer, so that you never have to worry about a hair faux pas.

Wet it First
Think of your hair similar to a sponge - when you put a dry sponge in water, it soaks it all up, but when you put an already wet sponge in water, it only retains some of it. The same theory can be applied to your hair. Jumping in a pool with your hair completely dry will make your hair absorb more of that chemical-filled water. So, take the time to soak your hair prior to taking a dip to ensure that you are receiving the least amount of chlorine possible.

Braid It
I am not 100% sure why this works, but it is recommended by a lot of salons, hair stylists, bloggers and friends. Braiding your hair is said to to avoid absorption of the water more than if you were to throw your hair into a pony tail or to leave it down. This makes sense as a lot of boat ropes are braided. So, give yourself a quick french braid or pig tail braids prior to dunking in.

Don't Get Wet
While this can sometimes be hard to do, depending on who you are swimming with, avoid the damage that chlorine causes by simply not getting your hair wet. Throw your hair up into a high bun and keep your face above water. Although, it isn't sometimes as simple as this as there is splashing and waves and all sorts of other things that can make your hair wet, but it is definitely an idea.

Use Chlorine-Pool Hair Product
There are a variety of hair products that can be applied prior to jumping into a pool, as well as after - a prevention and treatment. Definitely take advantage of these, as they can be the surefire way to keeping the moisture in your hair without the chlorine.

These tips are extremely simple to follow and will save your hair from becoming dry and brittle. Swimming in a chlorine filled pool once in a while won't do much damage, but doing so often can absolutely make your hair pay the price.

Photo Credit: http://www.aquagear.com/blog/how-to-protect-hair-from-chlorine/

Introducing New Facial Cleansing...Powders???

We've all heard about dry shampoo: a dry powder that cleans hair without the use of water. But how does it work? Dry shampoo absorbs the oils for your scalp and hair, making it look and feel freshly washed without the need to shower. Sounds like a busy girl's go to hair product right? 

Well busy girl, time to meet your go to facial product: 

Facial Cleaning Powders

But what are facial cleansing powders? This new product offering works very similar to the way dry shampoo works; the main difference is that facial cleansing powders require a little bit of water. 

The product begins as baby-powder like consistency or chalky dusk and then transformed into a lightweight, slightly sudsy liquid cleanser when water is added. Not cool enough? Think of it as total Harry Potter magic: changing one thing to another. Hermione Granger would totally approve. :)

How to use: Wet face and hands. Shake a small amount of cleanser into hands and rub lightly to create a light, creamy lather. Gently massage directly over face in a light but circular motion. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. 

The great thing about this form is that after wetting, the product becomes a fine-grain cleanser that gently exfoliates the skin while cleansing it. This is great for every skin type and even better for those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. When people choose to use an exfoliant, they often opt for the harsher ingredients that irritate the skin. The fine-grains and the use of healthy ingredients such as pulverized minerals, botanical enzymes and plant-based exfoliators within facial cleansing powders provides the right amount of gentle exfoliation for daily use.

Here are some brands that have created their version of this new innovation:

Amarte Daily ExfoliPowder ($35): Amarte manufactured their dry powder version to include licorice extract and sulfur to create a balanced and radiant complexion. These two ingredients work as natural brighteners, evening out skin tone and reducing pigmentation. 

E.L.F. Mineral Face Cleanser ($8): While wallet friendly,  this product packs a punch with its abundant use of natural ingredients: aloe, green tee, jojoba avocado, and sweet almond extract. 

Diptyque Poudre Pureté Radiance Boosting Powder ($58): While pricey, this product is worth very penny. Diptyque's Radiance Boosting Powder boasts the use of white clay (purifying), rose petals, jasmine, and neroli flowers. A user of this product says that "The effect was immediate! My skin looked bright, plumped, elastic and clean. What I did after that was to wipe my face with a cotton pad with some more of the Infused Facial Water on… and nothing else. I went to bed and when got up my face was still bright, plumped, elastic and clean… No excess oils, no redness, and more important – no allergic reactions. After two days my skin was still feeling fresh and healthy."

Try it out and tell us what you think!

The Different Kinds of Bangs

Bangs. They certainly aren't an easy thing to decide for many reasons. The first one being that you never know if bangs are going to look good on you unless you've worn them before. Then, if you decided to take the plunge, you have to figure out what kind of bangs are going to look best and that you want to wear on your head for weeks to come. Oh, bangs. They're so complex but absolutely amazing when done correctly. Here are the different kinds of bangs that are most popular within today's hair cuts.

Sleek Side Swept Bangs
This style of bangs has been trending for years now. I remember pulling off this look back in high school, and I still have them today. I would be a fool to tell you how long that is, but it has been a significant amount of time. Let's just put it that way. The bonus is that you can do so much with side swept bangs, and apparently, they'll never grow out of style. Fabulous, right? Ideally, this style works best with layered hair, but everything from a short pixie cut to long, luscious hair works.

Parted Bangs
It is important to not get confused because parted bangs isn't parted hair... It's parted bangs. So, you still have hair covering your forehead. The only difference is that it is 'parted' and wispy across it. I kind of explain parted bangs are full bangs, only choppier and, as mentioned, wispier.  You can also pin these back or to the side or wear them straight down your face if you really want.

Full Bangs
It wouldn't be fair for me to reference full bangs and then not mention them. Think back to your Hilary Duff on Disney days. Those are full bangs. They are thick and straight across at your eye brows and are, well, full! It takes a certain face and person to be able to pull this look off, but if you can, you're one hell of a hair diva and will steal the show every time you walk into a room.

Rounded Bangs
Rounded bangs take the full bangs and side swept bangs and combine them together. They are blunt and similar to the straight across the forehead look, only they have a very small curve that goes down the side of the face, offering a very symmetrical, layered look. This style is definitely for the bold and brave.

Wispy Bangs
Parted in any way that you want, wispy bangs essentially take the volume out of your bangs and makes them light and flexible. They can fall down over your forehead, or part to the side or even in the middle. They can also be clipped up, back, and to the side as well. Versatile at it's finest! Oh, and these bangs are easy to pull off for almost anyone.

So, if you are eager to 'switch things up', try a different bang style. These are only a few of the most popular styles.

Photo Credit: http://hairbyf.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/different-types-of-bangs/

Beautifying Mom

Hello ladies, I hope you are all enjoying this Friday. I know i'm definitely enjoying it, it's my mom's birthday, but it is also Mother Day's weekend. So, today I would like to share with you ladies some gifts that you can give to mom that will beautify and make her feel rejuvenated, but most importantly make her feel special and appreciated . Here are some ideas.

Skincare: Okay, what women does not like skincare products? Well, try getting mom some anti- aging creams or body products. These items are essential to for any women. And mom's definitely appreciate it when their kids buy them these type of pricey products.

Salon and Spa: Okay, what better way to pamper mom then to take her out for a Salon and Spa day? Get her a massage to relax, her hands and toes done? Or perhaps she wants to get her hair done? Let her do that. These is a wonderful mother-daughter date. It's a day in where you can also pamper yourself. And, may I add that sometimes you can find a type of deals on a groupon.

Jewelry: Okay, when I say there us no way you can go wrong with jewelry, I mean there is no way you can go wrong with jewelry. During this time of year there are so many things that come out that say MOM on them. I personally find a locket to be the most suitable piece of jewelry because it does not require you find  a ring size or a writs size. And it is extra nice when you can add a picture of a memory you and your mom have shared.

Alright, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a lovely Mother's Day. Make sure you all show your mama's how much love and appreciate them, Moms do a lot for their kids, so it is essential for their kids do something nice for them. Xoxo, until next time.

Photo Citation:http://mixmasgift.com. 9 May,2013. 

Home Cures For Split Ends

Are your poor locks split and distressed? Have you tried to get rid of those pesky split ends by purchasing serum after serum, investing in the thriftiest to the most expensive hair care products, or chanting during the 3rd full moon of the year wearing a funny headdress? Us too! To no avail!

The path to healthy hair is an ongoing battle and while health is always a long term task, the difficulty can be reduced. This begins with your day to day habits in your styling routine.

It's time to say 

good bye to split ends

or at least the frequency that they appear. 

Compliments of Freedigitalphotoes.net

Hair Meet the Prince Charming of Brushes

Make sure you choose your brush wisely. A cushioned paddle brush with flexible bristles will easily detangle your hair. Typical hard plastic brushes and bristles will cause tugging and ripping of your hair. Weakened hair near the scalp will mean weakened hair as it grows out. The right brush is key! 

Use Your Brush Correctly

Did you know that it's better to brush from tip to root? Weird right? This tip to root method though decreases the tangled clump from resulting at the ends of your hair. When you brush from root to tip, you cause every clump within your strands to tangle at the end. Now, you find that you are tugging and yanking away at your ends inflicting damage. Carefully brush in sections from tip to root and your hair will be singing quite happily.

If you want to brush while your hair is wet, opt for a wide toothed comb instead. A brush can be too harsh on delicate wet hair. The wide toothed comb will glide through your hair, lightly and easily detangle tangles, and reduce the chances of any breakage or damage.

Shampoo Your Scalp, Condition Your Ends

Shampoo should be reserved for your scalp only. It's a big no-no to scrub all your hair in one big pile. One big pile + scrubbing = lots of tangles! This also causes unnatural bending and rubbing, causing the development of split ends. The ends should receive the secondary cleaning when you rinse the shampoo with water.

This relationship flips when you condition. Condition should be reserved solely for your ends. Condition at the roots can cause clogging of the follicles and clogged follicles is no good. Apply conditioner to your ends, allow to soak in 5-15 minutes, and then rinse.

Trim Often

If you find that you get split ends often, regularly trimming is important. Split ends continue to split all the way to the root. So nip it in the bud and trim, trim, trim.

How to Survive a Bad Haircut

So, you did it. You took the plunge and visited a new hair stylist, and now... Your hair has paid the ultimate sacrifice - your hair is too short. This is every girl's worst nightmare. Our locks are our pride and joy and when some hair dresser decides to get a little 'scissor happy', it can seriously put a damper on things, including our incredibly good looks, right? How humble! Although your hair is lacking a few inches, you don't have to be hiding under your covers until it grows back. These follow tips will help you survive a bad haircut, and remember ladies, confidence is everything!

See Your Regular Stylist
This is a really bitter situation because you already paid a hair stylist, and now you have to pay your 'regular' or more experienced one to have it fixed. However, the results can be priceless! If there is anyone who knows how to fix your butchered haircut, it is someone with incredible experience as a professional hair stylist and better yet, one that has worked with your hair previously.

Head Bands and Hair Ties
This is the key tip to bad haircuts that you really just want to toss up, get it off your face and forget that it ever happened. Invest in some chic head bands and hair ties, and no one will ever know that you are suffering from a hair cut tragedy. These items are also extremely affordable, so you don't have to break the bank and you can also get a variety of styles that will work fabulously with your entire wardrobe. Oh, and don't forget about hair clips either! There is a ton of potential that comes along with those cute little barrettes.

Set a Trend in a Hat
Hats are always on the trend list, so do a quick search online and find out what the latest hat trends are for this season. Your fabulous look will definitely have you forgetting about the bad hair cut that has been bringing you down. Plus, no one else will notice your butchered hair cut either, because they'll be captivated by your trendy and totally haute look. Heck! Even if it's a baseball cap - anything is better than a bad haircut, right?

Rock It
As mentioned previously, confidence is key and I think you should rock your new do. You might have to go to a more professional hair stylist first, just to fix up some loose ends (no pun intended), but once you have a decent haircut, wear it with confidence, regardless of how much you are secretly cringing inside. Confidence is the key and can fool anyone that your new hairstyle is one that you were waiting to rock.

Note to self: Avoid that hair dresser moving forward. Of course, you wouldn't be silly to trust that person again, right?

Photo Credit: http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/bad-haircut-how-to-deal/