Watch Me...

Info to know

http://blog.tataharperskincare.com/making-strides-with-the-safe-cosmetics-act/

It's about time consumers are aware of exactly what they are putting on (and in) their bodies! No more hiding harmful 

ingredients behind vague descriptions and dishonest labeling.

Yay for progress!

Discover Arcona

I have long been a devoted Dr. Hauschka skincare brand lover, and I will always love their products! So it very rarely happens that a new skincare line can wow me into changing up my entire daily routine...but it has happened this week.

I just happened to stumble into the most fantastic beauty boutique the other day, on Robertson Blvd. called Evolue (www.evoluebeauty.com). The gals that work there are very knowledgeable and told me all about Arcona, the L.A. based holistic skincare line. Apparently this line has been a cult favorite amongst Los Angeles locals and starlets alike since the 80's. All the ingredients are pure and organic, and the special something about this line that really drew me in was the weight of each product. They are packed full of skin perfecting vitamins and enzymes but are so lightweight, they feel like water! It gets absolutely scorching during the summer out here, so any products that are truly effective but feel weightless are very much appreciated.

I tested each product in the store, but while I use up what I have, I'll replace things with Arcona's items one at a time.

The first product in the line I bought was the Cranberry Gommage.

This is their scrub for oily/acneic skin. Since I moved back to L.A.  a few months ago, my skin has been congested, irritated and angry! All my usual tricks were falling short of really fixing the  blemishes (darn those milia, so difficult to get rid of!)until I brought home my Arcona scrub several nights ago. One use, and my skin was immediately clearer, softer and more calm. My usual red cheeks I get from most scrubs weren't there at all! I am hooked on this stuff. I've been using it for 3 days now and there isn't a blemish on my face. 

I can hardly wait to bring home the rest of the line!

Here are a few famous complexions that have Arcona to thank for their absolute radiance.

Pretty...

Much...

Flawless!

So excited to continue with Arcona...

Pretty pretty

I adore these videos! So simple and easy to replicate.

Green Smoothie Recipe of the week

Ingredients: Organic baby spinach

Virgin cold pressed coconut oil

Unsweetened shredded coconut

1 can Vitacoco coconut juice w/ pulp

Cinnamon

Directions: Fill the blender 3/4 full with baby spinach. Pour Vitacoco over the spinach, use the whole can. Add 2 tbsp. coconut oil, a few shakes of cinnamon and 1/2 cup of shredded coconut. Blend very well and drink up! 

This smoothie is full of calcium and phytonutrients and coconut oil is antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and oh so soothing for the gut. It's a wonder-drink for your skin and hair!

It's probably what Niki and Krissy were drinking when this photo was taken...

Dehydrated vs. Dry

One of the subjects we talk about a lot in esthetics school is determining whether a person has dry skin, or dehydrated skin.  

Essentially, dry skin is lacking in natural oil, and dehydrated skin is lacking in water. Dry skin is usually genetic, it is a skin type, and responds very well to topical treatments like creams and lotions. Dehydrated skin can feel tight and look flaky, and many people mistake this skin condition for dry skin. Dehydrated skin can be normal & dehydrated and oily & dehydrated. Dehydrated skin must be combatted from the inside, as well as the outside. Of course both dry and dehydrated skin benefit greatly from deep cellular hydration, but dehydrated skin cannot be remedied without it. If you are not sure what your skin type and/or conditions are, visit your local esthetician to have them take a closer look. (If you are in VT. go see Eros Bongiovanni in Montpelier, http://www.holisticafacials.com/  she is excellent! If you are in Los Angeles, come see me! Email me for an appointment.)

There are two ways that I love to hydrate my body, and they are both very effective.

First, coconut water. 

Pure coconut water (not to be mistaken for coconut milk, the kind used in thai food) is naturally full of electrolytes and will hydrate you much more quickly than a bottle of water. It contains about 70 calories per bottle, but is fat free.

I use this as a base for my green smoothies most of the time, but if I'm really feeling parched, I'll drink it on its own.

Doctors will feed coconut water to people who are severely dehydrated as a way to hydrate them very quickly. 

I'd replace all gatorade and pedialyte with coconut water as a much more healthful, and sugar free option!

Up next, Physica ReHydrate Tincture.

Physica Energetics are an amazing line of homeopathic remedies that I was turned onto while living in Carmel, Indiana. I met with a fabulous naturopath there who uses them for all of her clients. 

One of the products they make is a tincture that you add to your bottled water to help your body better absorb and hold onto the water more easily. I add about 10 drops of ReHydrate Tincture to every bottle of water I drink. 

Visit www.physicaenergetics.com to find a retailer. If you are living in Los Angeles, they sell the line at the little independent vitamin shop in the Malibu Ralphs shopping plaza. (That place also makes incredible raw food treats, sells Dr. Hauschka and every vitamin and supplement on the planet! I highly recommend their coconut smoothies!)

Other quick suggestions? Eat loads of watermelon and cucumber for extra hydration.

So keep your skin healthy and glowing this summer and hydrate!

P.S. I love these tips from the gorgeous and fabulous Tata Harper for her favorite summer drink, sure to keep you all a-glow. 

http://blog.tataharperskincare.com/recipe-cucumber-mint-beauty-elixir-2/

Ooh-la-la-lashes!

I have often had friends and strangers compliment me on my eyelashes. It's very flattering indeed! But I have to admit, these babies have taken a bit of work. So I would love to share with you all just how to achieve your longest, healthiest most gorgeous lashes, completely naturally!

Let me quickly say that unless you are going through health issues that cause your eyelashes to fall out, I do not believe anyone should be using products like "Latisse." (Shame on you, Claire Danes!! Promoting harmful products to people who don't need them...)Those lash growing formulas are only for people who truly have a medical condition.

First, an eyelash curler can do you wonders! Here are my 3 favorites...

#1 Paula Dorf Eyelash Curler

http://www.pauladorf.com/p-95-curl-up-eyelash-curler.aspx

$18 but has replaceable cartridges. My favorite of ALL time! (If you are in VT, finds yours at Mirror, Mirror in Burlington)

#2 Shu Uemera eyelash curler. 

Pretty great, but does NOT have replaceable cartridges, so bummer for them! Too wasteful to be my #1. $19 

http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/accessories/eyelash-curlers/eyelash-curler.htm

#3 Good old Revlon. For those on a tight budget, I think it's $7 and it DOES have replaceable cartridges. It's my last pick because  it's a tad easier to pinch the delicate area around the eye with this one, but as a last minute fix it works pretty well.

How to curl: Place the eyelash curler at the base of your eyelashes and clamp down gently, hold of 3 seconds. Move the curler out toward the ends of your eyelashes in tiny increments, and stop to clamp along the way. The idea is that you want your eyelashes to curl in a smooth curl, not stick up at a 90 degree angle.

Second suggestion for long lashes: Biotin (vitamin B7).

Take 5 mg. of this vitamin with your green smoothie daily and notice your hair grow healthier and faster within 3 weeks! It also strengthens your nails and is great for your skin.

Third magic lash lengthening suggestion: Dr. Hauschka Volumizing Mascara. I have used this mascara non-stop for 3 years. It honestly gives your lashes catwalk volume and length, but it is packed with vitamins for healthy lashes! Better than Diorshow, BadGalLash and Great Lash put together.

https://store.drhauschka.com/b2c/ecom/ecomEnduser/items/itemDetail.aspx?&page=&store=&itemNum=VM1&siteId=1&bulkexists=0

 I admit, at $30 it's an investment. But it is more than a mascara, it is a lash treatment! 

You might just end up looking like this

Do you have any other tips for lash growing naturally? I want to hear them! Leave me your comments below...