Supernatural Botanicals

It’s mid February and your skin hasn’t seen the sun in months.  In fact, your skin probably hasn’t seen the light of day since August  if you live in an area that experiences seasonal changes.  Pretty skin is still under all those layers of clothing and dry skin, you just need to know how to perfect gorgeous skin year-round.  The major culprit of ugly winter skin is lack of moisture.  One of the easiest ways to add moisture to your skin in seconds is by applying a great body oil to your skin directly after your shower.  If you are a bath-person, simply add the oil to your bath water.  It’s quicker than applying lotion to every square inch of your skin, and it instantly gives your skin a moisturized, sexy look.   It also makes your shower smell like a spa!  The benefits of aromatherapy are monumental.  How do you keep your skin looking sensational in the winter months?  It’s a question I get all the time.  This is it…this is the secret.  Simply smooth your favorite body oil (mine’s Beach and Grapefruit) all over your skin directly out of the shower or bath, then pat dry with a towel.  Of note, use a product that doesn’t leave your skin dripping in oil; rather, use a great skin-absorbing oil.  Higher quality oils will be absorbed by the skin better and more quickly than a mineral oil, for instance, will.  And it’s nice to know that you are sporting sexy skin under those layers!

If you paint your nails often, you know that one of the big draw backs is the slight discoloring it gives to your natural nail.  Not to worry, there’s a cure for that.  You probably have some left over Ginger Ale from your holiday parties.  Put it to good use by creating a nail soak.  Ginger Ale contains soluble salts that act as preservatives or emulsifiers.  These naturally bleach your nails.  Simply pour some Ginger Ale in a small bowl, and submerge your nails for 10 minutes twice a week.  Watch your nails naturally bleach right before your eyes.

Via Pinterest

Although many basic rules of makeup application stand the test of time, certainly, makeup application goes through its fair share of trends.  Donna Mills, the 1980s glam queen, gave us The Eyes Have It.  It’s her 80s version of all things glam.  Check out this hilarious look at old school Donna.

It’s the middle of August…enter the dog-days of summer.  If you haven’t been vigilant about keeping your hair conditioned, chances are, the sun has had its way with your hair, crisping it from the ends up.  Try this summer hair trick to keep hair super-healthy and pretty.  Put the sun to work for you.  Simply use a half-dollar size amount of conditioner and run it through your dry hair.  The conditioner will act as a layer of protection from UV rays, and the heat from the sun will help the conditoiner soften your hair.

Jessica Alba’s interview with Lucky magazine this month depicts some major truths that no one is talking about.  Jessica says that she’s on a 1200 calorie a day diet, and says she’s “basically starving”.  And we applaud Jessica for admitting the obvious.  Because you really do feel like you are starving yourself when you drop down to 1200 daily calories or less.  Trying to have a personal trainer or an actress convince us that 1200 calories a day is plentyyyyyyy is simply not true.  Of course,  if you can tolerate it, it will pay off with a lean body like Jessica’s…so there are some benefits.  Here’s what Ms. Alba says about her routine:

On her meal plan to shape up after the baby:

“I have a hard time with portion control, so I have 1,200 calorie meals delivered. But I also work out, so basically I’m starving—it sucks.  I drink a lot of water.”

Working out everyday for even just 45 minutes is good for my mental state. But getting dress and actually doing it is the worst. It’s hard to get motivated.”

If you workout regularly, you’ve probably had an injury or two.  That, however, is not a reason to give up your workouts until you feel healed.  In fact, as you are healing from an injury, you should not stop exercising.  Activity delivers oxygen and nutrients that help your body repair itself. Sure, take it easier.  Consider training with less weight and intensity, but by all means, don’t stop exercising.

There’s definitely an art to achieving perfect-looking beachy waves in your hair.  The look requires second-day hair…meaning that you haven’t washed your hair for two or three days.  Dirty hair, believe it or not, gives the hair more oomph.   Don’t worry, if you’re not comfortable spacing out your shampoos, try this in your hair to achieve that second-day look.  Instant oomph…trust.

Here is a step by step guide to achieving sexy beachy hair.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwXRG5-Vt7w

Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid, which is the main ingredient in acne-fighting agents found in over-the-counter acne fighters.  But if you want an all natural approach, utilize those strawberries and yogurt in your fridge.

Strawberries are a natural source for salicylic acid, and yogurt is extremely smoothing to the skin.

Simply mash 1/4 cup of fresh strawberries and 1/4 cup of yogurt or sour cream until smooth.  Liberally apply to acne-prone skin.  Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with water.  Then, simply watch your clear skin emerge.  It’s as simple as that.