Essential Foods for Healthy Winter Skin!

Winter is coming, and I have some winter skin beauty tips to share with you from Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine and proclaimed as the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News.

As the temperature drops, skin loses its natural moisture when faced with the cold, dry air found in winter climates. While the products you use for the transitioning weather conditions are helpful, there are natural and less expensive alternatives that will have your skin thriving without breaking the bank.  

1.     Olive Oil helps to provide your skin with healthy, unsaturated fats with anti-aging benefits. It is rich in vitamin E, and can be used to treat and prevent dry skin naturally.

2.     Avocado contains fats which help to lubricate the skin and protect it from damage, and also promote clear, youthful skin. Avocados also contain anti-aging foods properties.

3.     Oatmeal contains a large number of antioxidants, along with vitamins and minerals that improve skin health. The fibers in oatmeal also help slough away dead skin and prevent redness when applied topically.

4.     Sweet Potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, which help to lock in moisture, give your skin a healthy glow and protect it from damage.

5.     Carrots contain the carotenoids beta carotene and lycopene—both of which help shield your skin against UV damage.

6.     Grapefruit contains carotenoid, which will make your skin smooth. When buying grapefruit, opt for one with a red-pinkish hue because these colors are from lycopene and it means the fruits are loaded with carotenoids. People who have higher concentration of lycopene have smoother skin.

7.     Broccoli contains vitamin C which synthesizes collagen, a protein that keeps the skin firm helping to protect from wrinkles.

8.     Spinach and dark, leafy greens like kale are filled with iron, omega-4 fatty acids and vitamins A, B and E, which protect skin and improve your immune system. The phytochemicals and folates also help hydrate skin and keep it healthy.

9.     Coconut Oil is rich in fats and helps provide lubrication and also help prevent acne thanks to their antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

And a couple tips from me....

Mix a little oatmeal with some warm water until it forms a paste and then spread all over your face avoiding your eyes. Leave on until it starts to dry and then rinse off with warm water. It's a great exfoliator that will leave your skin feeling super smooth!

Coconut oil is great for chapped winter lips. Rub some on and your lips will be kissably smooth in no time!

Surya Brasil Henna Cream, Healthy Hair Color Review

I first became familiar with Henna hair color as a teenager. My mom let me use it to dye my hair because it was a better version of hair color, natural without all the added chemicals. I could experiment with my hair color as teenagers often do, without any harmful effects. Plus being semi-permanent it would eventually wash out after several shampoos so I never had to commit. Recently I was sent some Surya Brasil Henna Cream for review. I had been meaning to dye my hair after I noticed a couple of gray strands pop up, I thought this was the perfect test and reintroduction to Henna hair dyes. 

Surya Brasil Henna Cream is the winner of the Best of Natural Beauty Awards.  If you are wondering what Henna is, it is a flowering plant that has been used to dye skin, hair, leather and wool for centuries. Surya Brasil Henna Cream is derived from the Henna plant and formulated with added botanicals and natural extracts to create a hair dye that not only colors but nourishes your hair. 

This anti-oxidant rich semi-permanent hair color infuses hair with lush, vibrant color while nourishing and conditioning with sustainably harvested botanicals. Every shade of Surya Brasil’s sophisticated natural color contains vegetable extracts including herbs and fruits from Brazil and India, which offer a simultaneous coloration and deep conditioning treatment for the hair as well as intense treatment for the scalp. While coloring gray on first application, Surya Brasil Henna Cream Color does NOT contain ammonia, PPD, parabens, peroxide, resorcinol, heavy metals, artificial fragrance, mineral oils, GMO’s or gluten. Like all of Surya Brasil’s products the Henna Cream is 100% vegan and cruelty free.

·        Covers grays and changes your hair color using natural ingredients instead of chemical dyes

·        Colors and conditions using a sophisticated blend of vegetable extracts, herbs and fruits

·        Boosts hair growth

·        Strengthens hair and improves elasticity

·        Locks nutrients into hair and encourages a healthier scalp

·        Helps reduce dry scalp conditions like dandruff

This stuff is really easy to use too! The Henna cream comes in a bottle that does not need to be mixed. You simply open it up, use the plastic gloves that are included with the dye and apply from roots to ends. You leave it on between 30 to 60 minutes depending on how rich of a color you want. My hair was a brown and I wanted it a very dark brown so I used the dark brown shade and left it in for 60 minutes. The result was a deep dark brown almost black. It also completely covered up the gray strands and left my hair super soft. Best of all there was no icky chemical smell! Since my hair is short I did not need the entire bottle but what is great about this Henna Cream is you can replace the cap on the bottle and use it again when you need to. Surya Brasil Henna also comes in a powder version that includes 8 different shades. 

You can purchase these online and they currently have a sale going on from now until November 27. Using the code BLACKFRIDAY you can get 40% off your order of $30 or more. 

he featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or PR company representing them. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by  anyone.

*Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal Alerts* Kneipp Products

It's that time of the year again, can you believe it?! Thanksgiving is next week and than it's time to start your Christmas shopping. Unless of course your like my sister and you already did all your Christmas shopping. I myself like to focus on one Holiday at a time. 

Here is my first Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals I have to share with you, this one is for Kneipp all natural bath and body care. 

Starting on Black Friday and going on through Cyber Monday

·         Everything in store and online is under $15, excluding gift sets

·         To purchase a Family Loyalty Card, you get an additional 5% off

·         Free Shipping all weekend long!

They have some great products for that Girly Girl on your Christmas list!

Happy Shopping!

Pomegranate, the Superfood!

Did you know that November is National Pomegranate Month? Aside from being a fun and delicious fruit that is totally good for you, pomegranate is also good for your skin. 

The antioxidants in pomegranate oil fight the free radicals and outside damage skin endures daily. Plus, it helps brightens lackluster skin and leaves a glowing radiance.

Here are 5 products that contain pomegranate and all its benefits!

• Dear by Renée® Pomegranate Hydrating Mask  

This unique gel-based formulation is infused with Vitamin E and Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil to soothe redness, improve skin tone and brighten the skin. It is highly effective in alleviating stressed, sensitive or irritable skin. Clinical backings show results in just FOUR weeks--GUARANTEED!

• ZSS Clear Skin Supplements  

These powerful daily supplements help detoxify and balance your skin without over-drying. In combination with other leading antioxidants and vitamins, pomegranate seed oil is an active ingredient for its amazing antimicrobial properties.

• jane iredale Pommisst Hydration Spray 

A refreshing facial mist that hydrates, conditions and protects all skin types. It features the added benefit of pomegranate extract, a powerful antioxidant and UV protector to reduce redness and inflammation.  

• Mehron Celebré Pro-HD™ Correct-It Palette

This multi-use cream palette is ideal for neutralizing and correcting varying skin tones, discolorations, sallowness and dark circles. The fragrance-free blend is infused with the power of pomegranate to protect and moisturize the skin with wear.

• G.M. Collin Hydramucine Optimal Gel 

The unique, ultra-fresh formulation is designed to balance the natural oil secretions of normal to oily skin experiencing dehydration. A recognized pioneer, G.M Collin is the first to combine pomegranate extract - which stimulates the skin's natural channels of hydration - with bamboo, water lily and lotus to increase water retention in the skin's cells.

Have a happy pomegranate month! 

Jared The Galleria of Jewelry Grand Opening Temecula!

This one is for all my locals. Jared The Galleria of Jewelry will be opening it;s first location in Temecula! The grand opening will be Saturday,  November 18 at 10am and will include a ribbon cutting and appearances by Temecula Chief of Police Lisa McConnell and titleholders from the California Regional Pageant. Guests also have the chance to win a pair of 1 carat total weight Leo Diamond earrings valued at over $3,000. In addition, the first 200 guests will receive a complimentary gift valued at over $100. A donation will also be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

The new location will be located at 40825 Winchester Rd. at Winchester Market Place in Temecula, California. If you live nearby be sure and visit and join in the festivities.