Skincare Superstars

Hello beautiful friends,

Today I wanted to give some love to my favourite skincare ingredients. They are not all created equally, so whatever your skin woe is, there is guaranteed a special ingredient out there to help you on your quest for amazing skin.

First off, we have....

Vitamin C - This is the stuff. The holy grail if you will. It's anti-aging, it reduces hyper pigmentation and it gives your skin the antioxidants it needs to defend itself from free radicals. It's pretty much good for all skin types except for those of you who are extremely sensitive. If you are sensitive, it could be a little too strong for your skin to handle.

Niacinamide - Also known as Vitamin B3, this is a fantastic ingredient to look for if you have oily or acne prone skin. It's also amazing for evening out your skin tone and getting rid of any post-acne hyperpigmentation.

Retinol - Or Vitamin A. This is an anti-aging superstar. It helps speed up your skin's turnover, resulting is newer, younger looking skin. It's fantastic if you want to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. It's also an amazing ingredient if you want to treat acne and/or scarring.

Hyaluronic Acid - Probably one of my favourites! It's carries up to a thousand times its weight in water, so its excellent at hydrating your skin. If dewy skin is your thing, hyaluronic acid is your best friend. It's fabulous for anyone with dry skin and also works wonderfully for those who also have sensitive skin.

And to round out this episode of skincare superstars, we have...

Liquorice extract - This is a plant extract that packs a powerful punch. It's not only calming and soothing to red, sensitive skin, it also works wonders when it comes to creating a more even, luminous skin tone.

And there you have it folks. Hopefully, when you shop for skincare products, you'll be sure to look out for these types of ingredients! They're truly the best of the best. But remember, first and foremost you need to ensure that you stick with a good routine to truly reap the benefits of your skincare.

Love,

Tabitha

The Cool Drink That Gives You Beautiful Skin

Hey guys!

As important as skincare is, I believe that true skin health comes from the inside. In order to have beautiful skin, you take care of your body, which means eating a variety of clean foods, working out, and getting enough sleep. Having this mentality means that I am always scoping out cool new superfoods or recipes that claim to be amazing for both my skin and health. My latest obsession?

Chlorophyll Drinks.

Chlorophyll is what gives green vegetables their colour. This plant pigment is absolutely amazing; it both heals and detoxes your body. It helps in normal blood clotting, and can also prevent and aid in the healing of diseases such as cancer, fibromyalgia and arthritis. It is a potent anti-inflammatory, and it also helps to deodorize your body (SO cool). Honestly, whenever I drink it at night, the next morning I wake up and my breath is so much noticeably fresher.

It also contains so many properties that make it amazing for your skin. It's chockfull of antioxidants, for one. It also promotes detoxification, which is amazing for your body, your weight and also clears your skin. It's highly alkalizing, and also balances your hormones. It truly does it all.

The way I take chlorophyll is I mix one tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll with a full glass of water and have it in the morning before anything else enters my body. On days when I really want to detox, I'll have it at night as well before bed. You can also mix it into smoothies if having it with water is too unbearable, although I've found that the state has really grown on me!

My skin has improved so much by regularly taking chlorophyll. I highly recommend trying it out if you haven't already!

An important reminder....

Hey guys!

Today I wanted to touch upon a factor that has a very strong influence on the health of our skin. We always take so much time to perfect our skincare routine with the right products, while drinking the recommended eight glasses of water that we forget about one very important thing; our mental health.

Stress can negatively impact your skin in the worst way. If you are stressed, I can guarantee you that it will show up on your skin and not just in the form of a few breakouts. Stress can cause blotchiness, dull, lacklustre skin and can also be a trigger for both eczema and melasma. A few years back, I was going through a very stressful time in my life; looking back, I had the worst eczema flare-up of my life. It was horrible and made me very self-conscious which in turn stressed me out further. It's truly a vicious cycle. Eventually I got sick of feeling sorry for myself and being unhappy, so I decided to take action. I read a few self help books that deeply resonated with me, and I started to take the time to relax, take care of myself and not allow the little things to get to me. My flare-up cleared up in literally one week. My skin looked clear as day once again. Since then my skin has remained calm and eczema free because I ensure that I am doing what I need in order to be happy and stay balanced. Yoga as well as stretching is a great way to de-stress. Meditation works amazing for many as well, as does intense exercise (cardio and/or weight-lifting). It's important to stay active not just for your health but to also keep those endorphins up. Even so, exercise isn't the only thing you can do to stay relaxed. Just be sure to take the time to unwind doing something you love. That can be reading, cooking, knitting, video games, vacations, staycations, whatever.

Take care of YOU.

Love,

Tabitha

Get That J-Lo Glow

Hello Lovelies,

I don't know about you guys, but lately, I'm all about glowing, healthy skin! I didn't always believe in that glowing look. When I was a teenager, my skin was at it's oiliest, which always made me reach for anything that would make me look as matte as possible. I was famous for wearing nothing but concealer and powder. Since then, I've refined my skincare routine, thus balancing my skin. Now, whenever I attempt to wear anything too matte, it always makes my face look dry and dull.

The best way to achieve glowing makeup is through glowing skin. This means using a quality cleanser and moisturizer that suits your skin type. Drier skins need thicker moisturizers that are maybe even enriched with some beneficial plant based oils. Oily and combination skins tend to do better on lighter moisturizers and gel-based creams. Serums and organic oils can also be very helpful when it comes to achieving a healthy complexion. Skincare is the most important factor that contributes to glowing skin!

Next, you have to perfect your base. Use products that will even out your skin tone. If you have relatively clear skin, you could probably get away with just a luminous tinted moisturizer. If you have blemishes, I would suggest going with something less dewy and going for a light coverage foundation with a natural satin finish. After, simply use concealer to spot conceal those blemished areas. Don't put it all over! You want the clear areas of your skin to look as natural as possible.

After that comes the fun part; Highlighters!

In my experience, I find that the most natural highlighters are the ones that come in the form of creams and liquids. If you have really oily skin, however, definitely go with a powder formula.

When it comes to Blush, be sure to keep it superlight and slightly shimmery. Soft pinks and peaches are best to achieve a natural glow.

Last, my secret weapon....Facial Mists! They lock your makeup in place, and give your skin a dewy, lived in look. Plus they're awesome for your skin.

And that's how to achieve a flawless glow that will leave your looking fresh and radiant all summer long :)

My Favorite Ways to Relieve Stress

Hey guys!

Today I wanted to talk about a few of my favorite ways to relax and relieve my mind and body of any stress I may be holding on to. We live in a busy, fast-paced environment with all of us trying to do ten things at once, so it's only natural to become stressed out. The downside to stress is that it can weigh heavy on the way we look, especially when it comes to our skin. When I'm stressed out, my skin looks dull, broken out, and overall a little temperamental. Stress can even make you hold onto excess weight! Not fun at all.

I think that its crucial to take a little time for yourself and do whatever it is you need in order to feel balanced back to your natural self. It allows your mind to calm down, and thus calms your skin down, and regulates your body's natural rhythms.

Here's what I do to relieve stress:

Read - Reading is absolutely one of my favorite hobbies! I love books, and immersing myself in a fantasy or romance always relaxes me. I typically like to read a little before bed; it's great for helping to prepare your body for sleep as well.

Speaking of sleep....Get more - This is so important. Even if it's just one day a week, try to dedicate some time to either sleeping in later in the morning, or going to bed earlier. It makes a world of a difference. When I'm well-rested, there's nothing I can't do. Things always seem a little more difficult to overcome when you're constantly tired.

Exercise - one word; endorphins. They make you happy, thus relieving stress. I literally just did thirty minutes of cardio, and my mood is pretty darn chipper right now. It also gets your blood flowing, which will help your skin. Yay!

Yoga - This one is a little predictable, and I do apologize, but what can I say? It works! Stretching is so relaxing, and yoga in itself really does relax my overactive mind.

Essential Oils - Aromatherapy people! This has been a proven way to reduce stress for a long time. My favorites are blends with vanilla, citrus and coffee bean. I mainly use those at night. Eucalyptus and mint are really great during the day because they're both relaxing and energizing.

And there you have it! These things never fail to both relax and ground me.

What do you do to relieve stress?

My Take on Makeup Wipes

Hello Loves,

Today I thought that I would talk a little bit about a beauty product that tends to get a bad rep. So yes, I'm talking about makeup wipes. So many skincare professionals bash them, but I don't believe that they're as terrible as so many people make them out to be, so long as you use them the correct way.

Do I use makeup wipes? Yes I do.

Although, when I first tried out a makeup wipe, I will admit, it was horrible. It was Yes to Cucumbers, and I think the fragrance in the wipes gave me a bad reaction, because I woke up the next morning completely broken out. I was pretty devastated. Needless to say, that prevented me from going anywhere near a makeup wipe for a long while.

However, I planned on going on a trip for a week, and I knew that I wasn't about to pack along my ginormous bottle of micellar water. So I went for the Simple Kind to Skin makeup removing wipes, and I LOVED THEM. I decided to try these specific ones because they are completely fragrance free and don't contain any harsh chemicals.

These are my absolute favorite!

I think that makeup wipes are incredibly useful to just toss in your bag and use on the go. If you're at school or work and decide that you want to make a quick stop at the gym, makeup wipes have you covered (because you should never workout with your makeup on). I like using them for that exact purpose because after my workout, I can head home and immediately shower, and properly cleanse my face. So I think that they're great at getting the majority of your makeup off, but in no way should they replace an actual cleanser. They will never remove everything and give your skin the proper clean it deserves. They're great to use as an add-on, an extra step to ensure you've taken all your makeup off.

Bottom line: I would never use a makeup wipe instead of skincare and call it a night.

They're great mid-day to give your face a pick-me-up or remove makeup because you don't want to over-wash your face. They're useful for the gym and traveling. And that's pretty much it in my opinion. So while they can definitely act as a last minute life-saver, I don't really consider them to be an actual skincare product.

What do you guys think of makeup wipes? Love or hate?

Mixing and Matching Skincare Brands?

Hello Lovelies,

Today, I thought I would chat about my thoughts on mixing and matching skincare from different brands.

From the time that I was thirteen and started using skincare, my mom would always have me buy every item from the same line. I was then using cleanser, toner and moisturizer and it was literally all Aveeno and nothing else. When I forayed into Neutrogena, again everything had to be from the same company. She firmly believes that one should try to use one skincare line only, because she believes that each product is formulated to best work with their sister products. It does make sense to me, but lately, as I've experimented with different beauty products, I've developed a different opinion.

I found this one on the web. Each and every product is from a different brand. 

I think that in every skincare brand, you will always find a few hero products that stand out. One brand may be known for their rich eye cream, another for their unique brightening cleanser. Every company has hits and misses, so why sign yourself up for the misses just to justify using the hits?

Why not just use all hero products, whether they're from the same brand or not?

I remember loving this one moisturizer from the drugstore that contained vitamin E. It was an amazing gel cream that I used for two years as a teen because it truly served every skincare need I had at that age. That cream was literally one of three products (all moisturizers) that that brand created, so it of course mismatched with the rest of my routine as I couldn't go out and buy their cleanser, toner, sunscreen etc. And it didn't matter one bit. I even tried a no-name brand that was the copy-cat of that particular cream when it was sold out one day, and that worked just as well. A quick note on no-name brands; if you're on a budget, they can be a lifesaver. You're getting an almost identical product for a way cheaper price. That's a score in my books.

So my final verdict? I say mix and match however you please. It makes the process more fun, and experimenting with different products and combinations may lead you to your very own customized routine that works best for YOU.

Go forth and do you. Mix and match to your heart's content.

Love,

Tabitha

Makeup Must-Haves for a Fresh Face

Hello lovelies,

I feel like this blog post is the one that probably best epitomizes everything that my blog is about. When it comes to beauty, I like seeing people who look like the best versions of themselves. A full face of makeup has never been my thing, not that I think there's anything wrong with going full glam. But even for you ladies who go all out, sometimes we all need a fall back look that's going to be simple and fresh. Something that will effortlessly highlight all your best features in a short amount of time. Here are the things that I believe are a must-do for this minimal natural look we all love and crave.

First of all: Moisturizer. This will plump your skin, and leave it looking smooth and hydrated. It's all about that base. Any basic hydrating moisturizer will do.

Next, if you get oily, feel free the apply a little bit of pore minimizing primer to any areas that tend to get shiny. If you're dry or your skin is a little dull, I suggest applying a little bit of a luminous primer along the top of your cheek bones for a subtle glow, or all over for super dewy skin.

We're now moving on to makeup, but here's a quick note; do make sure that your brows are groomed and shaped to your liking. It makes such a huge difference.

For your makeup base, you need to really customize it to your skin. For dryer skin types, I would suggest going with a tinted moisturizer. For those of you that are more oily, I think a light dusting of mineral powder is perfect. Both keep your skin still looking like skin. If you have any blemishes or imperfections you want to cover up, spot conceal those areas while still keeping everything else fresh. You don't want to cover up those areas that are clear and beautiful.

After that, move onto your brows. Focus on filling them in closer towards the tail end of your brows to keep them looking more natural, and always use a spoolie to blend everything in.

At this point, feel free to apply a little bit of eyeliner if you feel the need, but I suggest sticking with a pencil and only applying a thin line. If you don't like eyeliner feel free to skip this step.

Next is mascara! Just go to town and apply lots of your favorite mascara. I LOVE mascara.

Mow lets move onto cheeks. If you have skin that's naturally pink or red, you may want to skip this step, but everyone else can always benefit from a pop of subtle color. I suggest using a cream or gel blush because they tend to be more natural. Keep the color light! Peaches, pinks, and even coral is super pretty.

Next I suggest setting everything with a light dusting of translucent powder, just to keep everything in place and keep it from breaking up on your face or sliding off. If you opt for a powder blush instead of cream or gel, apply it after your setting powder.

Last, lips! The fun part. Lip stains are always beautiful, but glosses are fabulous with this look as well. I suggest sticking to pinks, peaches and nudes. If you can match the color to your blush, even better. It will create a cohesive glow.

And that's about it!

The whole thing takes five minutes or so, and leaves you looking fresh and polished. It's definitely my go to look on an everyday basis. What's your go-to makeup? And if you have any great product suggestions, feel free to share them! :)

Should you have an Extensive or Simple Skincare Routine?

Hello Lovelies,

Today we are going to talk about skincare routines! Since the time that I developed such a keen interest in all things beauty, I have been very interested in learning about the skincare products that people with fabulous skin use on a daily basis. I absolutely love visiting various blog sites that interview celebrities on their beauty routines. Between all the different products they list, it's hard to determine what you really need that will truly make a visible difference in your skin. It actually starts to become rather confusing, especially with all these new innovative products that have recently been released. Essences, sheet masks, face mask primer...Do we really need all this stuff?? What really made me begin to reflect was learning about the 10-Step Korean skin care routine. 10 Steps. It sounds daunting and kind of crazy at first but then you look at the skin that these Korean women have and it all starts to seem like it wouldn't actually be that hard, especially with those kind of results. They GLOW.

But then again, I think that there's a lot to be said about keeping it simple, and not going product crazy. So here's my take on what I believe is essential to a skincare routine.

Cleansing is an absolute must for anyone and everyone, no matter your skin type. People with dry and sensitive skin would probably benefit from gentle cleansers, like oil cleansers or lotion cleansers. I think these are great for people with combination and oily skin as well, but I do believe that they could also benefit from going in with the infamous double cleanse, whether that be with the same cleanser, or following up with a water-based cleanser that yields a deeper clean. You should also take into account how much makeup you wear. If you do wear a good amount of makeup, I would suggest using a makeup remover first, whether it be with a balm or micellar water.

Toner is a step that some find crucial yet others find useless. I say give it a go, but if it doesn't seem to do anything for your skin, you probably don't need it. I personally find toner very beneficial because I think that it really does help your other skincare products absorb much more nicely.

Next would be essences and serums. These are great if you have any skin concerns you want to address, whether it be acne, dullness, wrinkles, or discoloration. Serums and essences penetrate super fast, which is what makes them so effective. If you have skin that doesn't need the extra help, then I don't think that this step is completely necessary. Many women with awesome skin just use moisturizer and that works perfectly for them.

Moisturizer is next, and this is the step that is crucial. Moisturized skin is protected skin that results in skin that is hydrated, healthy and overall balanced. Even people with oily skin need to moisturize. If you don't, your skin will lack moisture and will try to compensate by producing more oil which will result in breakouts. Be sure to find a moisturizer that best suits your skin! Gel moisturizers are lovely for younger skins as well as people with oily and combination skin. They rock in the summertime as well, since they tend to be lighter. Richer cream type moisturizers are typically better for skin that is dry or aging or eczema-prone.

Next is eye cream which is a great step to include in your skincare regime if you are in your twenties or older. Teens don't really need eye cream. If you have a moisturizer that is thin enough, you could also probably get away with using that under your eyes as well. Some moisturizers will state that they are suitable for the eye contour area, which I think is brilliant as it takes away the need to buy two separate products.

This last step is the step that I think is the most important. I'm talking about sunscreen people, and there's no way to get around it. Even kids should wear it every single day. I'm sure you know the drill by now. Never skip sunscreen. It should be worn every day, year round, no matter the season.

After those steps everything else is extra. Exfoliation is a great thing to do a couple times a week, and if you want to, I think adding in a face mask is great! I think the one thing you should take away from this is that whatever works for you is what is best. If you wash your face with cetaphil and moisturize with jojoba oil before slapping on some sunscreen and that's working, keep on doing that!

Bottom line: Don't feel the need to complicate a process that is already working for you. 

I tried to get into a more extensive skincare routine once, and it didn't work out that well for me. People with sensitive skin generally have better luck with keeping things as simple as possible because then there are less products and ingredients that could possibly cause irritation. I use micellar water to remove makeup, cleanse with a lotion cleanser, tone with grape water and then moisturize with a basic, no-frills moisturizer. During the day I add sunscreen. And that's it right now. And my skin looks the best that it ever has.

I would love to hear your take on what's essential within a skincare routine, and what you have found to work best for you. It's always interesting to discover what works for others!

Until next time, beautiful people! :)

BEST EVER Eye Makeup Remover

Hello Lovelies,

Today I am going to share with you guys my absolute favourite eye makeup remover. Before I found this, I always struggled with finding the perfect product that would be strong enough to remove waterproof mascara, but gentle enough to not irritate my eyes, or pull my lashes. I don't have too many lashes to begin with, so I'd like to keep the ones I have thank you every much. I'm sure many of you can relate. I tried so many drugstore ones, from Nivea, to Loreal, to Almay. None of them really did the job that way I wanted them to. Some were sufficient, but nothing to really right home about. Until I found my magical product of course.

My absolute favourite product to use for eye make-up removal is...(drumroll please)...

Grapeseed Oil!

All natural, super nourishing, and most importantly, GENTLE. It's amazing stuff. I bought a huge bottle with 473 ml for $15 from the health store, and my life has been changed. It takes off my eye makeup effortlessly, and after I've washed my face, my eye area actually feel much softer and more moisturized. My eye lashes look amazing too. I think they've actually even grown a little, which thrills me to no end. The brand I use is Now Solutions. I've been using this oil for about two months now, and I have probably used about one tenth of the bottle, which is crazy. You can even use it to take off your face makeup, which I love to do. It's a slightly astringent oil, so it won't make you break out, and will actually help to nourish your skin. This is great for any of you who suffer from dry skin. 

What I also love about it is the fact that it has pretty much no scent. I'm very sensitive to fragrances, and I have absolutely no problems with grapeseed oil whatsoever.

Oils in general are all fantastic when it comes to makeup removal, so if Grapeseed oil isn't the one for you, maybe give coconut oil a shot. I've jojoba oil is amazing as well.

Have you ever tried removing your makeup with oil? Let me know :)

Why Body Wash Rocks

Hey guys,

Today I wanted to take the opportunity to spotlight on of my favourite beauty indulgences; body wash! I absolutely love body wash. I think it totally outperforms soap, and I can't believe that I had been using plain old dove up until a few months ago. Here are the reasons why body wash is so awesome.

1. The scents - One of the reasons why I love body wash is how much more potent the fragrances are, and how much longer they last on the skin. I personally love to go with body washes that contain all-natural fragrances, but honestly, just go for whatever works for you and makes you happy. There is nothing better than smelling wonderful after a shower. You can even customize scents depending on what time you shower; perhaps you want something fresher, or more minty in the morning to wake you up, and something more soothing, like lavender, for night time showers. The possibilities are endless. My personal favourite scents are vanilla

2. They don't melt in the shower - One of my biggest pet peeves with bar soaps is how they always begin to melt just sitting in the shower, which means they don't last nearly as long. It bothered me so much that i would keep my soap in a plastic container and take it out of the shower when I wasn't using it. Now, I'm sure that this works perfectly fine for many people, but I tend to be somewhat forgetful, which would result in me forgetting to bring in my soap. And no one likes that moment where you have to trek across your bathroom in the middle of your shower to grab something, thus leaving a huge puddle on the floor. *Sigh.*

3. Typically more moisturizing - Bar soap is known to sometimes be somewhat stripping on our skin, so if you happen to suffer from dry skin, body wash is probably the best way for you to go. More moisturizing ingredients are usually included in body washes, from Shea butter, to coconut oil to cocoa butter.

So there you have it guys! I know a lot of you are probably adamant about remaining faithful to your trusty bar of soap, but why not try something different? It's all about finding the right body wash for you that fits your needs, so a little trial and error may be required before you find your perfect fit.

Do you guys prefer body wash or bar soap? What's your favourite?

Keeping Your Skin Calm And Reducing Redness

I've always been a sensitive-skinned babe. It's not fun at all, but it's something I have grown to live with. Incredibly cold or hot temperatures affect my skin, spicy foods are a huge no-no, and I need to thoroughly read the ingredients on every product before I even think about buying it. It's important to take care when it comes to what we put on our skin and what we do in our daily lives if we want to ensure that our skin remains happy and healthy. It may seem as though red, sensitive skin is out of our control, but let me tell you; it is absolutely controllable. Here are the ways I keep my skin calm and clear.

1. Chug Water - I know, I know, I know. You guys have probably heard this one dozens of times, but it really truly does work. Try going above and beyond and drinking even more than the recommended eight to ten glasses. Hydrated skin is far less susceptible to irritation and sensitivity. Try herbal teas as well; they're great for keeping you hydrated while additionally providing antioxidants.

2. Take Lukewarm Showers - Hot showers are notoriously terrible for drying out your skin. On that note, cold showers too can be too much of a shock and therefore irritating. I recommend taking lukewarm showers. They're great for your skin, and once you start, I guarantee you'll notice a huge difference.

3. Try Camellia Oil - I have recently become addicted to Camellia oil. It's an oil derived form green tea flowers, and it is really such a beautiful oil. It is nourishing, calming, reduces redness and even promotes wound-healing. I really like this one from Pure + Simple, a great company based in Toronto.

4. Avoid Harmful Chemicals - One of the best ways to ensure that you're skin remains calm is to stay away from chemical laden products that contain harsh ingredients which will only strip your skin and further irritate it. I suggest avoiding products containing sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, artificial fragrances, mineral oil and products with lots of drying alcohol. Perhaps try going more natural; your skin will thank you.

5. Avoid Harsh Essential Oils - While I do believe that natural products are very effective for those of us with sensitive skin, I believe it's also important to steer clear from natural products with astringents ingredients, such as peppermint, lemon, ginseng, or high amounts of vitamin C. These ingredients may be natural, but they too can irritate your skin, and are better suited for those who have normal or oily skin types.

6. Clean Up That Diet - Try to limit your intake of processed foods, fried foods and excessive amounts of meat, dairy and sugar. These common foods can trigger rosacea, eczema and acne, so if you want you complexion to remain calm and clear, do try to reduce your intake of these foods. Instead, try to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and clean proteins. You are what you eat.

7. Don't Smoke - Need I say more? We should all know by now how smoking is not only detrimental to our health but also to our skin.

8. Ditch The Alcohol - Drinking alcohol creates inflammation in the body, thus inflicting inflammation to our skin. You've probably noticed how red people can get when they consume too much alcohol. Theres nothing wrong with a glass of wine here and there, but try not to drink to excess if you want to improve your skin.

So there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed these tips to help keep your sensitive skin happy! What do you guys do when you want to reduce redness and keep your skin calm?

Natural Eczema Remedies

Hey guys,

January is always bone-chillingly cold! The air is dry, the wind is gusty, and snow is literally everywhere. Even with these cold temperatures, I can't help but love winter. It's perfect weather to curl up with a book and a nice steaming mug of peppermint tea. It's also the perfect time to wear thick chunky sweaters with comfy leggings pretty much everyday. Yup, I love winter alright. However, I hate what it does to my skin. It makes me so dry, and can sometimes even make my eczema flare, which is a common winter skin woe. I hate the idea of constantly slathering myself with steroid-filled hydrocortisone, so after endless trial and error, I found a few natural, EFFECTIVE ways to alleviate my eczema. Here are some of the remedies that worked wonders for me!

1. Shea butter - This is easily one of my favourite eczema remedies! Shea butter is rich in vitamins A,E and F and also in fatty acids, making it wonderful for healing scars and accelerating your skins renewal process. It can heal not only eczema, but also burns, sores, psoriasis and other irritations you may randomly develop. It can get a little greasy, so I suggest using it mostly at night. Make sure that you get unrefined Shea butter, as it is much more effective.

2. Coconut oil - Coconut oil in anti-inflammatory, ant-fungal, anti-bacterial and is also known for its high level of antioxidants. It is rich is nutrients and lauric acid, both of which will help to soothe your skin, combat itchiness and deeply moisturize. Like Shea butter, it too is amazing at healing damaged skin, which is why it is so excellent for those of us who suffer from eczema. Not only can you apply it topically, you can also take it internally by incorporating it into your everyday diet, which will help to treat your eczema and dry skin internally. I personally love spreading coconut oil on toast! It's also amazing as a healthy baking ingredient.

3. Camellia Oil - This stuff is golden. Seriously. This oil is cold-pressed from green tea plants, and is the best oil I have ever used on my face. It is incredibly moisturizing and incredibly calming. It soothes redness, heals irritations and is generally wonderful for all skin types, whether your skin is sensitive, mature, dry, or acne-prone. When it comes to treating eczema, I use camellia oil fro treating any on my face, and use the above two for treating any on my body, like my arms or elbows.

I hope that these remedies work with helping you to alleviate your eczema, or even just very dry skin!

What do you use to help combat eczema?

The Unexpected Causes of Your Breakouts

Breakouts suck. I break out, my friends break out, pretty much everyone on this planet has had a breakout at some point in their life. Most people credit it to teenage hormones, but if that were the only cause of zits, why do so many people break out in their adult years? The truth is, there are many unexpected things that could be causing you to break out that you never even thought of.

1: food allergies - I believe that food affects our skin very strongly. So while you may be eating all your fruits and veggies, there could be other things that you're eating  that could be causing acne, such as dairy and gluten. These are two huge food allergies that many don't think about. You could possibly have an intolerance or food allergy to something which in turn could be causing you to breakout. If you think your eating habits may be the culprit, try an elimination diet where you cut out certain foods one at a time and see how your skin responds.

2: Your phone - Your phone harbours tons of bacteria; think of all the places your phone has been! And that's what your putting against your face. Try to clean your phone more often, or better yet, use earphones or an earpiece when talking on the phone. You may notice a huge difference in your skin.

3: Your hair styling products - Yes, your favourite hairspray or curl cream could be behind what's causing you to break out. Especially if you constantly have your hair down, which could be irritating your skin if your hair is constantly brushing against your face. When applying hairspray, take care to cover and avoid your face. Also, perhaps give more natural hair styling products a try. Coconut oil is probably the best conditioning treatment out there that works really well as a styling cream as well.

4: Your pillowcase - your pillowcase gets dirty like everything else, so imagine the repercussions of putting your clean face against a dirty pillowcase every night? Especially if you use hair products that may transfer onto your pillow and thus your face. Try washing your pillowcases more often, and try sleeping with only clean hair.

And there you have it! Sometimes acne can be caused by the things we never think of. I hope that this post has been helpful to you. Let me know in the comments of any other unexpected things that could cause breakouts! Good luck!

My Morning Glow Booster

I always look kinda puffy when I wake up in the morning. Even so, when it comes to my skin, I always feel as though it looks its best in the morning.

So you've just woken up, hopefully you're well-rested, and you want to do whatever you can to maintain that fresh-faced glow. I have found a surefire way to start your morning right and give your skin a boost of essential vitamins and minerals. So what is this fabulous secret?

A green smoothie of course!

(Isn't the colour so beautiful??)

Seriously, though. The day I started drinking green smoothies for my breakfast, I started noticing an immediate difference in my skin. After drinking it, I swear I look more radiant, and the long-term benefits are extreme. My skin is much clearer, and if I do get a zit, it heals much faster, and the discolouration left behind fades much more quickly. Plus, you feel absolutely amazing. Combining fresh fruits with greens is super cleansing in the morning, and I truly believe in starting your day off with a pure, healthy breakfast.

You may miss your morning cereal at first, but in no time, you will be addicted; addicted to feeling great and the awesome beauty benefits!

So get creative and make yourself a green smoothie using your favourite greens and fruit. If you're wary of tasting the greens, try spinach. It's fairly mild, and when blended with fruit you can hardly taste it. Kale is an amazing option too, as is chard, collard greens, arugula and romaine. As far as fruits go, use whatever you want! My go-to recipe is lots of kale, an apple and frozen mango, all blended with cold water and the juice of 1/4 of a lemon. It's incredibly refreshing, and absolutely delicious. Feel free to add some chia or flax seeds as well for an added dose of omegas.

Green smoothies are an absolute game changer when it comes to your skin. You'll never know until you give it a shot!

If you already drink green smoothies, what are you favourite recipes?

DIY Fruit Peels

Today I am going to share a form of exfoliation that is not as well known as most types. We all know the importance of exfoliation; it helps to remove dead skin cells, thus renewing your complexion, making your skin softer, smoother and more youthful. Exfoliation is also critical for those hoping to fade any dark spots and marks from the sun or past acne. One of the most common ways to exfoliate is by using a manual scrub - these scrubs contains ingredients like ground walnut, sugar or jojoba wax beads, and when used in a circular motion they help to buff off dead skin. You can also exfoliate through intense professional peels, and while these yield much more drastic results, they're often expensive, and also pose the risk of being too irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin. So if you're tired of your usual scrub but don't want to shell out the money for an expensive peel, why not try a DIY fruit acid peel?

These all-natural peel are great for those whose skin cannot handle physical abrasion from typical scrubs. All you need to do is mash up some fruit and leave it on your (clean) skin for about ten minutes and voila! You skin will feel silky and much clearer. The reason this works as well as it does is because fruit contains live enzymes which actually work to digest dead skin cells, making this method of exfoliation much more gentle than having to scrub them off. Also, it's much more gentle than typical peels which use glycolic or salicylic acid to eat away at dead skin cells. These acids are not natural and are thus much more irritating, and can make your skin much more sensitive to the sun. 

You can use many different kinds of fruits - citrus fruits are much stronger, so unless your skin can tolerate it, definitely dilute these fruits with other gentler fruits. Citrus fruits include lemon, lime, orange,  kiwi and pineapple. These offer a stronger peel. For a milder peel use fruits like banana, peach or papaya. With these gentle fruits feel free to kick it up a level by perhaps adding the juice of a citrus fruit. One of my personal favourite fruits to use is strawberries. These gorgeous berries make my skin super soft. Also, feel free to mix your fruits with some equally beautifying raw honey, which is both moisturizing and anti-bacterial, making it great for acne-prone skin. 

This is a super fun DIY facial treatment that can yield powerful results when used regularly. I suggest using this only once a week as too much exfoliation is never good. So good luck, and be creative. You never know which fruit will be your favourite! 

Bare-faced Beauty - Go Makeup Free

I absolutely love makeup. I think it's so fun and empowering, allowing you to play up your best features, change your look and make a statement. However, I firmly believe that we should take at least one day a week to go make-up free. Here's why:

1. Let your skin breath - Many don't particularly believe that skin needs to breathe, but I beg to differ. No matter how healthy or natural your makeup is, it can't be good to constantly have makeup caked on all day, every day. You need to allow your skin to do it's thing and allow some fresh air to hit your face. You don't want to risk clogged pores.

2. Confidence booster - I know it sounds weird, but I truly believe that going without makeup is an essential practice that contributes to healthy self-esteem. Makeup is powerful stuff - it can completely alter your face, and I think that it's important to know that we can all still be just as gorgeous bare-faced as we are all dolled up. Going makeup free more often will help your become more comfortable without all the makeup, so that you don't always feel the need to make up your face every time your step out of the house. I mean, let's face it, sometimes there's no time, or there's an emergency and we don't get the chance to do our makeup. Being comfortable in your own skin is sexy, and you'll be much happier for it.

3. Some occasions simply don't call for it - Which occasions do I mean? The gym, for one. Or yoga class. You should strive to never work out with makeup on ( unless it's mascara or a cute lip colour). The beach too; You should be able to dive into the ocean without worrying about your makeup melting off of you.

So do yourself a favour and dare to go bare! You're beautiful, so embrace all that you are in your natural state.

My makeup free days are sundays - do you have a designated makeup free day?

Good Luck!

The Magic of Contouring

Today I am going to talk about an amazing way you can use makeup to fake gorgeous skin. Flip through any magazine, see any celebrity on the red carpet and they all look flawless; what are they doing that makes their skin look so freakishly magical? Well, let me tell you. It's all in the way their makeup is applied, relying heavily on the use of contouring as well as Highlighting. Here's a great example of a makeup look that has employed these techniques:

And another:

See how their skin looks as though it's glowing from the inside out? It's all achieved by using bronzer and Highlighter to contour and sculpt their faces.

Bronzer should be used in the areas you want to recede, like the hollows underneath your cheekbones, your temples and the sides and top of your forehead to create a sharper, slimmer face. You can also use it along your jaw for a slimmer jawline. Highlighter should be used on the areas you want to bring more focus too, like the top apples of your cheeks to create a plump glow, as well as your brow bone and inner corners of your eyes to bring more light into your face and make you look more awake. Also try applying it to your cupid's bow to create the illusion of fuller lips.

Be sure to find the right bronzer. Blondes should use a lighter bronzer than a brunette would use, and be sure you find a bronzer that's the right tone for your skin tone. Certain bronzers have more golden tones, while others are more rosy or even more coral. Also, determine whether you want a matte bronzer or a shimmery bronzer.

With Highlighter, most basic ones are flattering on all skin tones, but certain tones do work to illuminate certain complexions more. Women with dull complexions would look beautiful with a pink-toned highlighter, and those with super pale skin may want to try out pale highlighters that resemble moonlight as opposed to gold. For the most part though, I do believe that gold is beautiful on most skin tones.

So guys, remember to just take your time and try out different products to see which ones suit you best. And I also suggest you watch a couple makeup tutorials on contouring if you're not familiar with the proper way to contour. You don't want to look like an oomph loompa after all!

Here's a great tutorial on how to contour!

Have fun!

Chug That Water for Clear, Hydrated Skin

I know, I know, I know. You've probably heard this dozens of times, but if you want good skin, it is essential to drink tons of water throughout the day. The recommended amount is eight glasses a day, however, I will go even further and recommend at least twelve if you really want to see a difference.

I felt that it was important to remind you all how important it is to drink water because as of late, I have been noticing just how little water everyone around me drinks. It's common sense, yet it's very easy to forget. So yes, carrying around that heavy water bottle sucks, but it's worth.

Instead of buying plastic water bottles, I suggest you find a stylish reusable one that isn't too heavy. It's better for the planet and having it around will remind you to drink up - the more you drink the lighter the bottle will be!

So while that's easy enough, many had told me that the reason they don't drink enough water is because they don't actually like the taste of water; they find it too bland or "boring." I totally understand, so here are some great ways to spice up your water.

1. Detox water - slice up fruits and veggies to create your very own infused water. It tastes amazing and  the added nutrients from the fruits and veggies will work wonders on your skin, and even help control cravings and stabilize your weight. Some great fruits to use are lemons, limes, strawberries, oranges and apples. Cucumbers are also great to use, as is mint for more of a refresher.

2. Sweeten with stevia - once you've got your detox water, you may choose to add some stevia for some guilt-free sweetness. Once of my favourite combos is lemon, strawberries, stevia and mint - it's like healthy strawberry lemonade!

3. Have some tea - The best ones are green, white and herbal. These are great as there are so many different kinds - you'll never get bored of trying new teas! You may love raspberry tea, or mint tea, or nettle tea; the possibilities are endless. Teas are also a great way to warm up in the winter.

With so many wonderful ways to stay hydrated, theres no excuse! Drink up that water and watch your skin glow!

Ditch Dairy for Clearer Skin

When it comes to skin, the better you eat, the better it looks. When I began to eat clean about a year ago I noticed an immediate difference; my skin was clearer, glowing and if i did break out, it would heal much faster. Eating whole grains and tons of fresh fruits and veggies will definitely help, but the best way to clear your skin for good is to ditch dairy.

Growing up, we always hear about how we need to drink milk and eat dairy for calcium and healthy skin, but in truth, that grilled cheese sandwich could be doing a lot more harm than you thought. And all that yogurt thats supposed to be healthy is actually...bad for us? Yup.

We are the only species that drinks the milk of another species; when you think about it, it's a rather weird concept. Most people in the world unknowingly have trouble digesting lactose and casein - the sugar and protein found in cow's milk. Most skin problems arise from poor digestion, so of course dairy is aggravating to skin. In addition, it is also very acid forming, and we should be striving to eat more alkalizing foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Dairy is very clogging, so if you suffer from acne, you may want to try eliminating it from your diet.

I know it's hard; I definitely struggled at first! But now I never crave the stuff, whether it be milk or cheese, or even ice cream. Plus, there are endless alternative available such as:

- almond milk
- coconut milk
- hemp milk
- rice milk

Use these for your cereal, oatmeal, coffee, even in your baking. I assure you that they are all delicious, especially almond milk which is my personal favourite.

For cheese, there are great non-dairy cheese's available. You can also buy coconut yogurt and even coconut ice cream! So don't fear - it's not that bad!

So if you are doing everything you can for your skin and it's still not clearing up, maybe it's time you looked to your diet. Give it a try, and see how your skin does.