Beauty Blog » Skin Care

Not everyone likes the smell or taste of ginger.  The natural root though is so amazing and fantastic!  One of the purest sources for antioxidants, its great for your body and skin…well Origins thinks so at least, and I am in total agreement.  I would say for the last three, four, maybe even five years, Origins has been pushing their line of Ginger essences and infused products. The products are geared mostly towards body care with scrubs, body washes, and creams all infused with the scent and ingredient of ginger, lemon, lime, and bergamot. As a fan of stealing unwanted beauty products from my mother’s medicine cabinet and bathroom shelves, I happened to find a brand new tub of Origins Incredible Spreadable Scrub…

This scrub is a $26 value and my mom didn’t want it!  So, I took it and used it all…the results on my skin were awesome!  Not only did it leave my skin smelling fresh and sweet, but my skin was glowing, thanks to the sugar, salt and olive oil ingredients in the scrub.  So, now I knew I liked this line Origins has been offering for what seemed like forever.  I ventured out and picked up the Ginger Gloss, a smoothing body oil that comes in a small spray bottle.  This was $18.50 and worth every penny!

It smells wonderful and not only can I use it on my skin without getting oily hands, but I also spray it lightly in my hair for some extra sheen and fragrant locks.  If you are a fan of natural, aroma-therapeutic scents…this is the way to go.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more body scrubs and body oil.

There was a time where I wore liquid face makeup on a regular basis.  Then I would switch it up and wear powder, or an all-in-one type of cream.  I’ve tried many formulas and shades and more recently just gave up and stopped wearing any face makeup.  I guess I just got lazy, but when I do use it, I opt for liquid and I use it sparingly, only dabbing some on my cheeks and nose.  I was stuck on L’Oreal’s True Match with an SPF 15…I love this stuff, but now if I were to go back I would try something different.  The trick with foundation is of course finding a shade that matches your skin tone.  This can be difficult.  If you stock up on your goods at the beauty counter, then a makeup specialist can guide you in the proper direction.  If you are cruising the aisles at your local drugstore, you have to use your best judgment in choosing the best shade for yourself.  This summer, I would recommend going with a tinted moisturizer.  Stila makes a good one with sunscreen in it…

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15: $34

By choosing a tinted moisturizer, you lower your chances of picking a shade that is way off since the pigmentation is less concentrated.  For those of you who need more coverage, there are of course a slew of other options, but as a former beauty consultant myself…this is my top recommendation.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more tinted moisturizers.
Discounts on Stila Cosmetics.

My next beauty buy will probably be an eco-friendly, natural sunscreen.  I’m opting for that over tanning oil this summer since I am not getting any younger and would love to save my skin!  Natural sunscreen isn’t any more expensive than your typical Coppertone and Banana Boat formulas, and they probably smell better and have less harsh chemically infused ingredients.  Here are a few that have a definite appeal factor…

Alba Botanica Facial Sunscreen: $5.24

This is made for sensitive skin and has ingredients like chamomile, green tea and aloe vera.

Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen: $16.31

This is great for adults and children and is 100% chemical free.

Don’t forget! You have to re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours while in the sun, it rubs off easily with sweat, clothing, water, etc.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more sunscreen.

“Less is more” is a pretty good motto to stick to when considering your summer wardrobe.  It should also be something to live by when it comes to your makeup products and what you’ll be using on your face in the warmer months.  My skin gets really dry during the summer, especially on my face.  It also needs some serious exfoliating almost every other day after being in the sun and slathering layers of sunscreen on for protection (this sometimes clogs the pores too.)  Picking a nutrient rich moisturizer is a good idea for the summer, if you have an oilier complexion then go for something lighter.  The regular face exfoliation will keep your skin glowing and moisturizer will glide on.  Many think and are used to heavier, grainy scrubs but a dermatologist informed me that these may actually end up causing damage to your skin and pores because they are too abrasive.  A great, natural exfoliating tool that has always worked wonders for me are these small little cellulose facial sponges.

Eco Tools Cellulose Facial Sponges: $5.99

Use these with your normal face cleanser for gentle exfoliation.  Your skin will feel extra fresh and soft afterward so don’t layer on heavy foundation, instead moisturize and keep it simple with blush.  Those with drier complexions may want to go for a cream blush for a dewier look, the opposite applies for oily girls…I would stick with powder.  If you do opt for cream, definitely go with the Stila Convertible Color Compact $25, sephora.com

This stuff is the ultimate all-in-one product.  Peony and Petunia were my favorite shades, and all I would ever need to do is dab a bit on my cheeks with my fingertips and also dab a little on my lips, sometimes topping with a clear lip gloss for extra shine.  I would finish with mascara and that’s the extent of my summer beauty routine…keeping it simple never felt so good!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more facial sponges.

A friend of mine makes her own all natural skin salves.  Amazing!  I was and still am in awe of this talent she possesses in creating her own moisturizing skin salves from her apartment here in Los Angeles.  I don’t have the details on the exact process or ingredients she uses but I was inspired to go out and hunt down some of my own little recipes for natural beauty remedies and perhaps try concocting a mixture of my own.  After just eating an entire small carton of strawberries from the local farmer’s market, I thought it appropriate to seek out a formula that calls for strawberries and I found a good one for exfoliation:

The Strawberry Hand and Foot Exfoliant:

• First you will need 8-10 ripe strawberries, two tablespoons of olive oil, and one teaspoon of course salt such as sea salt.  You could probably even substitute this with some of the Epsom salts.  I highly recommend Walgreens Apothecary Natural Mineral Epsom Salt.

Buy 2 for $3!

• Mash up the strawberries, and mix with olive oil and salt.  Apply over hands and feet, rinse, and pat dry.

For those of you who like taking indulgent baths, you know…the kind that you see offered at fancy spas with rose petals and stuff like that?  Well now is your chance to create your own!  Creating your own rose water bath is easy.  You will need one cup of rose petals, OR one half cup of rose water which should be fairly inexpensive, and one half cup of coconut milk.

Home Health Rose Water is basic and should do the trick, it usually retails for about $4.69 (Lowest price on Smarter.com).

Add all ingredients to a warm bath and sink in!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Epsom salt.
Discounts on Home Health products.

Part of the fun of indulging in beauty products is actually using them…and I can’t think of a more fun beauty product than face masks!  I like to have what I call “Shag” nights every once in a while with the gals where we sit around in pj’s, apply face masks, drink beer and watch one of my all time favorite films…”Shag”.

These are good times.  The last time I had one though, the girls and I tried out an all natural face mask that came in a powder form you mixed with water.  It was clay of some sort, and the results weren’t pretty.  Making the mixture in the palms of our hands made a huge mess and I was left with little crumbs of clay face mask on my hardwood floors.  Then after we all washed it off, our faces were itchy and burning!  Needless to say, I never used that stuff again!  I haven’t masked at all for a while actually and felt now that I’ll be able to sun my face in the warm weather, it would probably be a good idea to cleanse my pores with a good face mask.

I don’t think Loreal makes any eco-friendly facial masks yet…I’m sure they will one day, but in the meantime there are a couple of great choices that will keep your face and your conscience clear.  Korres, a Greek, Athen’s based company are purveyors of homeopathic remedies and natural products for the skin.  Korres has created the Wild Rose Mask ($27), made with wild rose oil, a natural source of vitamin C.  The mask has a brightening effect and will instantly repair fine lines and imperfections, and it will leave your face smelling of flowers.

Juice Beauty is another green company that is successful in making eco-friendly beauty products.  If you tend to have dry skin or your in need of some extra moisture in the warmer months, try the Green Apple Hydration Mask ($31)–made with certified organic apple, lemon, and grape juices.

If you really want to get adventurous, you and your girlfriends can make your own face masks at home from natural ingredients. Some good combinations include: avocado, honey, and brown sugar–bananna, oatmeal and honey–and honey, oatmeal, and avocado. The oatmeal and sugar are going to be the exfoliators, and the rest will serve as moisturizing elements. Choose your mixture, mash up, and apply to a clean face. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You may also tone and moisturize as you normally would.

Image Source: paperdollsmag.wordpress.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more facial masks.
Discounts on Juice Beauty products and Korres products.

When you want to put your best face forward, but you wake up and look in the mirror and it looks like you can carry some change around in those bags under your eyes….what do you do to get rid or mask them for the time being?

Check out this video that thoroughly explains exactly why you get dark circles and what common misconceptions there are regarding the cause of dark circles (it’s not because you’re tired).

YouTube - Watch Get Rid of Dark Circles

Here is the product suggested by Gember found on Smarter.com:

Clinique All About Eyes Rich Cream: $28.50

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more eye cream.
Discounts on Clinique products.

Utopia is defined as an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.  Origins has created a new product which is said to bring your skin back to it’s perfect, youthful state. Youthtopia Age-correcting serum with Rhodiola helps restore firmness and elasticity to reduce fine line and wrinkles.  After 7 weeks you are guaranteed to see results.  See the amazing results for yourself.

75% of people tested agreed that their skin felt firmer

73% of people tested saw younger-looking skin with fewer lines

You will pay $50 for a small bottle, but for facial utopia I think this serum is worth a try.  What product do you find works best for reviving your skin’s youthful state? 

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for Origins

One thing that I can be proud of or that runs in my family is that we have good skin. I sometimes wish I had the ability to tan but all things considered I did not get such a raw deal in the skin department.

In my family the ladies have really fair (porcelain, but not scary albino white) clear skin. But hands down my Grandma has unbelievable skin considering she’s pushing the 80 marker. What I mean by that is that her skin is still clear, and while of course not super taut anymore it’s still firm enough not to have that creepy Crypt Keeper vibe, or when older folks skin looks like its hanging off the bone.  Plus her skin is sooo soft. It’s almost hard to explain but when you kiss her on the cheek your lips feel harsh in comparison to her cheek. If that’s how my skin looks when I am that old, I shall be happy.

I asked her once what her secret was, honestly she does not have one.  She said that all her life she has only ever used one thing - Pond’s Cold Cream. You can buy Pond’s just about anywhere and it only costs 5 bucks!

It is a little old school in the sense that you need to apply the cream cold onto your face and then gently tissue or towel off afterward.  So if you are fan of foaming or sudsy products you may not dig this. But I will say this, it does leave your skin surprisingly soft and it really does pick up all the excess makeup around your eyes without damaging or stinging the delicate skin around your eyes.

All I am saying is that after 50+ years of use my Grandma looks 60ish and her face is softer than a baby’s tooshie! :)  I’m giving it a whirl…

To shop for discount Pond’s Cold Cream - Click here!

I am actually a wax girl myself, but there are times when you are in a pickle and need to get rid of the growth stat!

Also, let’s face it waxing can get pricey and some women just don’t need to do it in order to achieve silken smoothness. I am not one of those women. The reason I choose to wax is because whenever I shave I tend to get bikini razor burn. I think my bikini skin is too sensitive or I just wasn’t doing it right.

Well time heals all wounds and I have learned a tip or two since then. Check out these tips and spare yourself the bumpy, ugly and not to mention embarrassing mess.

Tips on how to shave your bikini area:

1. Always use a new razor.
2. Shave as soon as you get into the shower/bath. Do not “soak” in water as this gives time for your skin to absorb the moisture and swell up.
3. Shave the bikini area first so that the razor is sharpest.
4. Apply your favorite shaving gel, home-made secret mix, etc. Give it plenty of time to sit on the skin before shaving.
5. After shaving, apply an after shaving treatment that contains lidocaine.
6. Avoid friction from tight clothing or human contact immediately after shaving.
7. If bumps surface, don’t squeeze them or pick at them. Use Neosporin or similar product to heal them faster.

* Infant’s diaper rash cream will get rid of razor burn quickly — apply it over an existing rash or where you fear one might develop.*

 Product Tips: 

I pooled my girlfriends and they came up with the following suggestions:

Razors - men’s razors are apparently nicer - try the Mach 3 - has more blades and gives a nice, clean shave.

or my sensitive skinned ladies suggested…

Shick Intuition Plus Razor - it apparently provides sensitive skin with shea butter, aloe and vitamin E. I think it creates it’s own lather so you don’t need to buy a separate shaving gell or foam.

That should help. Also, if I missed any key tips to avoid or treat bikini razor burn - feel free to share your tips with the rest of us!