Tag: skincaretips

I Doubled My Water Intake For 7 Days And You Won’t Believe What It Did To My Pores

Published on by Lee5 Comments

We all know models drink a lot of water and that’s their trick for flawless skin. I’ve heard it from every supermodel or beauty icon I’ve ever chatted with, but you know, you always think, how realistic is that?! As if I’m going to carry around a gallon of water and actually drink it all. But honestly, I see a lot of similarities in people who drink a lot of water; literally no pores, their skin heals better, and it looks more youthful. It’s everything I want my skin to be.

I could see the reverse on people I knew didn’t drink a lot of water; the lack of hydration showed in their skin. Their skin was like mine, a little porous, thicker, a little wrinklier, and it didn’t have that same healthy-looking, even complexion water guzzlers had. I did a little research, and there’s a reason drinking a ton of water can work wonders for your skin, not to mention it’s crucial for replenishing new skin cells, so I was convinced to at least try drinking more water.

The Challenge:

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a huge water drinker, so I set out to double what I usually would, and drink anywhere between 2.5 liters and 3 liters of water a day. Truly, I didn’t expect miracles, but I really couldn’t believe what happened to my skin.

Day 1: At the end of the day I tried to examine everything about my face to see a result, but I didn’t notice anything, my skin was the same. My pores didn’t look smaller, and makeup application was the same, I just peed more!

Day 2: Again, I didn’t notice a difference. I wanted my pores to look smaller, but I couldn’t tell if they did. I was determined to persist!

Day 3: This is when I really started to see a difference in my skin. My pores were the first thing I noticed, they just looked smooth, not gone, but smoother, and that even showed in my makeup as well.

Day 4: Okay, so this is the day I realized water is my thing, water is going to become my habit – this is the new me! My skin looked SO much smoother. My pores were definitely tighter, and my makeup looked better.

Day 5/6: As the days went on, my skin continued to look smoother and more youthful. My skin was looking less dull and less tired.

Day 7: By day 7, my skin looked flawless with foundation. Obviously, I wear the right moisturizers, primers, and foundation specifically for my skin but the pore problem had definitely diminished by 60-70%, which for me was pretty shocking.

Now, it’s been more than two weeks, and although I still don’t have that glass-like skin I would love, I’m officially hooked on drinking water. I actually believe models now when they tell me the secret is lots of water and it’s no surprise their skin looks ahhhhmazing! I mean, think about it, our bodies are made up of 60% water (I know, pretty crazy), so when you’re dehydrated or don’t drink as much as you should (less than 1.5 liters a day) your body doesn’t function the same way. I now realize that I never drank anywhere near the amount that we all should, and just by increasing my water intake to 2.5 liters has made a huge difference to my skin, so imagine if I drank more!

The Bonus:

It’s not just your skin that will thank you for the extra moisture, drinking lots of water is a natural detox for your body. Not only does extra water help the kidneys to flush out toxins in your body, but it’s massively beneficial for weight loss – not just because it’s a natural appetite suppressor. Water helps your body to metabolize fat (turn it into energy) but when you don’t get enough, it can’t. That’s because your liver turns fat into energy for your body (yaaaas liver!), but when the kidney doesn’t get enough water, it can’t function properly, so the liver helps the kidney flush out toxins instead of doing its usual job. The lesson? Lots of water = happy kidney = working liver = fat burning.

The Result:

I really couldn’t believe what a difference drinking so much more water would have. Not only does my skin look better, but I’ve started to sweat more too, which is a good thing! Sweating helps your body remove dirt and pollutants from your skin and unclog your pores; it’s your skin’s natural way of detoxing – hence the reason for steam rooms and saunas at the spa! I also started to drink warm lemon water in the morning, which is also a brilliant way to cleanse your body and flush through your digestive system. Even having mint leaves with my water helped encourage me to drink more water, to the extent I’m now completely obsessed with drinking water. It’s what everyone talks about, but nobody ever does – a bit like sunscreen – but it’s made a huge impact, and I promise if you try it, you’ll see a big difference, both before and after your makeup.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

5 Miracle Foods That Will Help You Detox – Fast!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

As much as we all love a burger, we know it’s not going to help us get that glossy skin and beautiful mane we lust after. Sure, now and again it’s no harm, but no matter how much money you spend on miracle products, if you’re not taking care of what you put into your body, your newest potion is never going to reach its full potential. These five superfoods, however, will make you feel beautiful from the inside out and I swear in just a week, we’ve been able to notice a difference in our hair and our skin. Plus, by eating healthy you’ll have more than just extra energy and great hair, your concentration and mood will improve too. These five ingredients are so good you’ll want to bathe in them – and btw, I have the recipes so that you can:

Chia Seeds – The Glow-Getter 

Don’t be fooled by their size, these tiny seeds are literally full of beauty-boosting minerals and antioxidants. They’re super high in Omega 3, so they’ll give you the ultimate glow while reducing any inflammation or dryness. The amazing seeds also increase your blood circulation, thereby giving you more even skin. You can sprinkle the seeds on pretty much anything, from your yogurts and smoothies to your salads. I love mixing them with almond milk and honey for a delicious breakfast snack with fruit.

Chia Seed and Lavender Face Mask DIY:
My favorite Chia Seed DIY will gently exfoliate your skin leaving you feeling baby soft with a J Lo glow. Mix 2 teaspoons of Chia Seeds with 4 tablespoons of water, then add 2 drops of lavender oil. Massage it onto your face and leave the mix on your skin for 10 minutes, then just wash away with warm water.

Medjool Dates – Acne Banisher, Youth Booster

Medjool Dates are desert plants, originally from the Middle East. Most Medjool Date Palm Trees sold in Florida come from California fruit producers that are selling off the older, less productive cultivars to make room for newer, better fruiting cultivars. Plus, there aren’t well adapted here because it rains more in Florida than California. Dates (the fruit) can be produced in North Florida and South East US if planted correctly. It is best to choose cultivars that are more tolerant of humidity and rain.

Luckily, Target sells Medjool– I’m obsessed! But, not just because they’re mega tasty, they’re also a rich source of fiber, which will support your metabolism and help you debloat. In the Middle East, some like to use them to break their fast during Ramadan, as they’re great energy boosters – making them an ideal snack (just stick to a few though as they’re high in sugar). Medjool Dates are also a great source of copper, which helps your body absorb more iron allowing your skin to produce more collagen. Dates can even help reduce redness and will work as an anti-inflammatory, so if you’re acne-prone, ditch the crisps and grab a date!

Medjool Date and Honey Mask DIY:
De-pit 3 to 4 dates and blend with 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey (both rich in vitamin B) to formulate a thick paste. Spread this mix on your face and leave for 10 minutes before washing away with water. Your face will feel SO smooth.

Avocado – The Hair Helper

Avocados aren’t just for your breakfast Insta Story, they’re a beauty miracle ingredient too! Avocados are full of fatty acids and proteins, and whether you use them on your hair as a mask or you just eat them on toast, they’ll give your locks killer shine – Adriana Lima swears by it. The vitamin B and E content will also strengthen your hair follicles and help the strands remain strong and healthy, preventing split ends from forming.

Avocado and Coconut Hair Mask:
For the ultimate hair mask, mash one ripe avocado (if you have shorter hair you can use half and eat the other), and mix it with one egg yolk and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage it into your hair (from root to tip) and then wash it off 20 minutes later. Just make sure you shampoo your hair thoroughly or you could get a little oily at the roots.

Lemons – The Detox Queen

Whenever you ask a model how they start their day, I swear the answer will be with a cup of hot water and lemon. Lemon is an incredible detoxifier and cleans your digestive system so that your liver can eliminate waste more efficiently. It also boosts your lymphatic drainage, which will help get rid of any puffiness around your eyes and toxins from your body. And the best thing about a detox drink is that it can seriously help clear up your skin, so say hello to that glow!

Lemon, Honey, and Green Tea Face Mask: 
This face mask will revitalize your skin and cleanse your pores, leaving your skin super radiant. Mix the juice of half a lemon with 1 teaspoon of honey and the contents of one green tea bag (brew the tea first, and then take the leaves from the tea bag). Apply it your face and wash it off 15 minutes later with warm water.

Figs – The Beauty All-rounder

Figs don’t get the hype they deserve but we love them! Just like lemons, they’re an incredible detoxifier as the seeds inside the fruit will help cleanse the digestive tract of mucus and toxins. This is so important as when it’s blocked, it prevents essential nutrients getting into your skin. It’s also full of antioxidants that help fight free radicals, which cause fine lines and wrinkles to form. A great source of vitamins C and B6, figs can help even out your skin tone and regulate hormone activity, combatting breakouts. I love to snack on them, but make sure you limit your intake to just a couple as they’re high in sugar.

Fig and Oatmeal Mask 
For an amazing exfoliator, blend 5 figs with a teaspoon of powdered oatmeal and a teaspoon of milk. Once a smooth paste is formed, massage it into your skin, leave it for 15 minutes and wash it off with warm water and a soft washcloth.

Let me know if you have any other fav healthy foods that are also great for DIYs!

Everything You Need To Know To Get Rid Of Blackheads

Published on by Lee1 Comment

There are so many amazing things in life, but blackheads are not one of them, in fact, they’re annoying AF. Plus, every time you think you’ve gotten rid of the little sucker, it comes back with more in its place. Lucky for me I don’t have that problem but you know who do – my MOM. And because I’m constantly getting asked about how to get rid of blackheads, I thought I’d do a roundup of all the tips, tricks, and hacks as well as some hero products that save the day whenever your blackheads pop up again. The first thing to remember is not to worry about them – no one really notices them besides yourself. So, here’s everything you need to know…

What causes blackheads?

A blackhead is a pore that’s blocked with oil, dead skin, and debris – ew! This blocks the pore and prevents the gland from secreting the debris, which then causes the wax plug to be pushed toward the surface of the skin. This then oxidizes causing the contents of the pore to turn black – et voila, you have a blackhead!

But sometimes, what looks like a blackhead is, in fact, a tiny hair or sebaceous filament, which are a combination of sebum and skin cells. So be careful, because that one ‘blackhead’ you’ve been trying to squeeze all week could be a hair. This is why you should avoid squeezing your blackheads (we know it’s tempting) as you’ll only bruise the skin, and it could even trigger a breakout.

How to get rid of them?

Use blackhead-busting ingredients:

When it comes to getting rid of blackheads, these skin saviors will kick ass:

Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is your secret weapon when it comes to the keeping blackheads at bay. It’s super effective as it’s able to penetrate deep into the skin, dissolving the ‘glue’ that binds the debris together, and exfoliating the inside walls of your pores. I love the Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Facial Scrub with 2% Salicylic Acid, $4.47, as it exfoliates skin to lift away the trapped dirt, oil and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. As it’s amazing for unclogging pores and removing impurities.

With regular use, this exfoliating facial cleanser helps reduce the number of blackheads allowing for clearer, healthier-looking skin. Its unique formula contains natural micro-scrubbers for surface skin exfoliation. Made with 2% salicylic acid, it contains a proven acne medication that is known to treat and clear blemishes and blackheads. Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub is recommended for daily use and features a gentle, oil-free formula that is suitable for all skin types.

Retinol: I know the prospect of using a retinol may seem a bit much, but many of the best skin specialist’s that I came across suggest incorporating a retinol-based cream into your regime from your 20s. If you’re not familiar with retinol, it’s a vitamin A derivative that boosts skin cell renewal. Retinol thickens the deeper layer of your skin and helps decrease oil production, which helps tighten pores and keep blackheads at bay.

Clay: Clay is an amazing purifying and extracting ingredient, which makes a clay mask ideal for combatting and preventing blackheads. Clay will extract oil and purify pores, while gently exfoliating the skin. I’m obsessed with the L’Oreal Clay masks; they have different masks to cater to different skin concerns, but with all of them, you can literally see the oil being extracted from your skin – totally gross but also super satisfying.

Tools and DIYs

Use a cleansing brush: If you’re prone to getting blackheads, you could consider getting a cleansing brush. This will intensify your cleansing routine, and help remove any dead skin, oil or debris from your pores. If you’re prepared to make the investment, the Soniclear Petite, $89, is amazing or Soniclear Elite, $149 which is a bit pricey but it is so worth it! Although if you have sensitive skin, limit yourself to using the brush just twice a week, and don’t use too much pressure.

Steam: A gentle steam can do amazing things for your skin. Most importantly it will hydrate your skin and open your pores so they’re more receptive to other topical products that you apply.

Silk Cocoons: Silk cocoons are a super easy way to exfoliate your skin, leaving your skin feeling soft but more importantly free of dirt, oil, and bacteria! They feel like cardboard when dry, but the silk balls contain sericin, a protein that is hailed for having anti-aging properties as well as great exfoliation power. All you do is run the ball underneath some warm water or soak it for a couple of minutes to soften it, then pop it on your finger, and using small circular motions, gently pass it over your skin. Do it twice a week to keep blackheads at bay. You can buy a pack of them here, $6.45.

Bioré Limited-Edition Deep Cleansing Pore Strips: These pore cleansing strips help extract any dirt or oil clogging your pores by extracting them. You can get them on Amazon here, $5.64.

Let me know if there are any other skin issues you need help with, or want me to discuss in the comments below.

6 Reasons Why Sparkling Wine Is Healthier Than You Think

Published on by Lee1 Comment

We can’t deny it – during the holiday season, we love a festive cocktail, a good glass of wine, or a glass of bubbly.  We are all for making healthier choices, we do believe there is room for a little indulgence even if you live the healthiest lifestyle. It’s all about having that balance and following the rules of moderation!

There are certain alcoholic drinks that are deemed “healthier” than the rest (i.e. the lowest in calories), but we have to admit, we have a soft spot for a glass of sparkling wine. So kick up your feet and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine after work and with friends; it may be surprising to learn that sparkling wine has more health benefits than you think!

Fewer Calories

A glass of sparkling wine can contain as little as 80 calories, while a glass of wine, beer, or hard alcohol can contain over 100!

Here’s a little cheat I learned, mix sparkling wine and sparkling water over ice. With this low-calorie drink, you won’t feel deprived when you’re craving a glass of bubbly!

More Filling

Like other effervescent drinks, when you drink sparkling wine, you’ll be able to feel fuller quickly without having the temptation to indulge. I am especially a fan of Prosecco, like Riondo Prosecco, since it’s super affordable and light-bodied with notes of apple and pear. For an antioxidant kick, mix in some fresh pressed juice. Find more Riondo Prosecco Cocktails here.

High in Antioxidants

Just like red and white wine, sparkling wine is loaded with antioxidants that can help fight free radicals, improve heart health (more on that below), protect nerve cells from damage, and reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidants can also help prevent you from getting sick as well!

Detoxifies and Evens Out Skin

If you have any leftover sparkling wine, you can incorporate it into your beauty routine.

For those who have oily skin, soak a cotton pad with sparkling wine and use as a toner all over your face. The antioxidants will detoxify your skin while the tartaric acid will even out any discolorations on your skin.

Heart Healthy

Thanks to the antioxidants in sparkling wine (i.e., polyphenols), you’ll reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and heart attacks.

Improves Memory

After a night of heavy drinking, we usually blame alcohol for memory loss, but research shows that drinking one or two glasses of sparkling wine a week can help with memory loss, even dementia.

What Is Your Favorite Sparkling Wine🍷 ?