Tag: Beauty Tips

Beauty /

Pamper Mom on Mother’s Day – Epsom Salt Treatment

Moms deserve all the pampering in the world, and with Mother’s Day approaching, you might be interested in an inexpensive way to create an at-home spa for mom.

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Photo from Runner Unleashed.com

Just get some Epsom salt, and it will help give Mom a well-deserved break. Doctors say it might even improve her health!

Here’s how:

For pampering

Epsom Salt can be used to create the ultimate at-home spa, and it’s something several experts and celebrities recommend to help look and feel better. A relaxing bath or exfoliating treatment will leave your skin radiant and glowing.

Tips include:

  • Glowing skin exfoliating treatment: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.
  • Microdermabrasion Facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.
  • Bathtime Bliss: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.
  • Pedicure Perfection: Dissolve a half cup of Epsom Salt into two quarts of warm water. Pour the water into a container and soak your bare feet for fifteen to twenty minutes. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent. Massage the entire foot with Epsom Salt concentrating on the heels and ankles to remove any dry, rough spots. Then, rinse your feet off with clean tap water and dry them thoroughly.
  • Homemade bath crystals: Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 TSP of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container.

After Exercising/Boosting Magnesium Levels

Tips include:

  • To ease muscle pain and fading bruises. Add two cups of Epsom Salt to warm water in a standard-sized bathtub (double the Epsom Salt for an oversized garden tub) and bathe three times weekly, soaking for at least 12 minutes.  Also can be used to make compresses.
  • To soothe feet aching from a tough workout or a long day, add a cup of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water and soak them.

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Those soaks could also boost your body’s level of magnesium – a nutrient that experts say helps your body produce its main source of energy and impacts at least 300 enzyme systems. Over the past century, experts say the amount of magnesium we consume in our diets has dropped by about 60 percent, but here are some tips from doctors and researchers who say soaking in Epsom salt can increase your body’s level of magnesium:

You can get Epsom salt at most pharmacies and supermarkets.  You can learn more at www.epsomsaltcouncil.org or www.facebook.com/epsomsalt

Don’t forget to purchase a nice mother’s day gift from www.stelladot.com

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Motions Hair – Treat & Repair {Color Care} Products

Motions has launched a new collection of hair care products.  The brand focused on healthy color treated hair with a set of cleansers and conditioners.  For an intense treatment, ladies can also purchase the deep conditioning masque for all hair types.

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Treat and Repair Color Care

From my experience with Motions Treat & Repair products, the shampoo helps to retain moisture without completely drying out my hair.  The conditioner works wonders (after washing) making my hair much softer than before.  I also want to share that both products smell great throughout my wash and a few days afterwards.  It was clear that a professional product was used on my tresses.

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Wearing a turban to protect my tresses

That’s a tip we can’t forget; there’s a lot of hair products out there but are they professional or salon quality?  Trust me ladies, that makes a difference in the health, styling, and growth of your hair.  Although it’s easy to grab a $3 dollar masque while picking up medicine, love your hair and help it to look it’s best.

Motions products can be purchased at your local beauty supply store.

[youtube height=”480″ width=”853″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF59em6Xd6U[/youtube]

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Accessories /

iHeartRadio & Kids’ Choice Awards: Steal the Stars’ Looks

From Jennifer Hudson’s bold lips to Ariel Winter’s blue highlights, celebs rocked the red carpet at the iHeartRadio and Teen Choice Awards. Want to steal the looks from some of the most stylish celebs of the weekend? We’ve got you covered!

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Greer Grammer
Recreate the actress’ lovely locks with Topganic’s Design & Sculpture Hair Styling Cream for volume and shine that lasts. For Greer’s full brows, fill in those arches with Gerard Cosmetics’ Brow Bar to Go.

Topganic Design & Sculpture Hair Styling Lotion with Obliphica Oil from Russia, $11 via www.topganic.com

Gerard Cosmetics Brow Bar to Go, $28 via www.gerardcosmetics.com

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Ariel Winter
Add a playful pop of color to those tresses like Ariel Winter’s blue highlights, with Mia Beauty’s Clip-n-Color. For the Modern Family star’s pretty pout, opt for Gerard Cosmetics’ nude lipgloss.

Mia Beauty Clip-n-Color, $8 via www.miabeauty.com

Gerard Cosmetics Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss in Nude, $24 via www.gerardcosmetics.com

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Jennifer Hudson
Love Jennifer Hudson’s bangs, but don’t want to commit to the face-framing fringe? Mia Beauty’s Clip-n-Bangs offer temporary style for those that don’t want to chop their locks. Recreate J-Huds’ bold lip with Gerard Cosmetics lipgloss in Wild Orchid.

Mia Beauty Clip-n-Bangs, $15 via www.miabeauty.com

Gerard Cosmetics Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss in Wild Orchid, $24 via www.gerardcosmetics.com

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Iggy Azalea
Step up your look with a pretty pony like Iggy Azalea did at the Kids’ Choice Awards with

Mia Beauty’s Clip-n-Pony and Tonytail.
Mia Beauty Clip-n-Pony, $30 via www.miabeauty.com
Mia Beauty Tonytail, $8 via www.miabeauty.com

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Atlanta /

Jami Svay Top Five Valentine’s Day Beauty Tips

Whether it’s a hot date planned with your beau or a girls’ night out, this Valentine’s Day make sure to make a statement with these top five beauty tips. Celebrity makeup artist Jami Svay has worked with Meghan Trainor, Brooklyn Decker, Angie Harmon, among others and top fashion brands Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Perry Ellis, to name a few.  She provides tips to create the perfect Valentine’s Day beauty look.

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1. Kiss and makeup…

Ditch the traditional “red” lip and go for a more kissable look like a
delicious nude color. Try: Philosophy’s lip shine in Coconut Frosting it
gives a hint of shimmer with a mild sweet taste.

2. Run your fingers through my hair or maybe not…

Loose the hair spray for the night. Nothing is more un-sexy than hard mane.
Touchable, soft hair is always a “do”. Try: Garnier’s Texture Spray for body
and bounce without the crunch.

3. Give it a glow…

For a quick J-Lo glow add a few drops of liquid luminizer to your
moisturizer. Try: Stila’s All Over Shimmer liquid.

4. Got a private beach…

Nothing says red-hot like bronzed skin. Use along the perimeter of your face
& jaw bone for a more realistic application. Also pick a brand that doesn’t
have too much shimmer. Try: Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer

5. It started with a wink…

Seduction begins with a good mascara! Give your eyes a bambi-like fringe
using lash fibers. It coats & builds on the ends of your natural lashes,
giving the appearance of falsies. Try: Loreal’s False Fiber Lash Mascara

About Jami:

Jami Svay (pronounced s-why) believes having your
makeup done is more than just lashes and liner. It’s beauty therapy.

She excels at finding and highlighting a client’s best
feature. “If I can make someone’s day by making them
look good, then so be it,” she says.

The makeup artist and creator of Tastee Cosmetics, a national line of organic lip products, has been in the beauty business for more than 10 years, working in salons, as a cosmetics representative and as a model.

She decided to forgo college dreams of being a fashion designer once she realized that makeup artistry combined her love of color and fine art.

Building on a personal philosophy of “Everyone has something beautiful, just enhance it,” Svay’s impressive client roster belies her versatility. She has worked on a range of celebrities, including Brooklyn Decker and Michael Jordan.

Svay has traveled to New York, Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles to do makeup on editorial spreads and runway shows.

She has done work for Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Perry Ellis, Essence and Real Simple magazines, among others.

Beauty /

Nitika Chopra Shares Natural Remedies for Winter Skin and Hair

Harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures require a little extra care in your beauty routine. You can make a big impact with just a few simple ingredients. Nitika Chopra, host of “Naturally Beautiful” on  Z Living TV network has broken down the basics to keep your skin baby-soft and your hair moisturized all winter long.

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Nitika Chopra

1. Coconut Oil – Once a week in the winter, treat your hair to a coconut oil hair mask. Just before bed, apply organic coconut oil to your scalp and the ends of your hair with a cotton ball. Wrap your head in a towel, cover with a shower cap, and leave it in overnight. It keeps your hair super healthy and makes it soft and shiny. The next morning, rinse it out with just a little bit of shampoo (no conditioner necessary!). Use less coconut oil for thinner hair.

2. Rose Water – Your beauty routine should be a sensory experience. I live in New York City, so I love to feel peaceful, relaxed and calm. One of my favorite ingredients is all-natural rose water. You can use it as a toner just after cleansing. It’s perfect in the winter because it fights inflammation and takes away redness and puffiness.

3. Avocado – Avocado is really your best friend. The fruit is rich in Vitamins B, C, E and K. Mash up an avocado and use it plain as a face mask. It helps skin retain moisture, which is great for fighting wrinkles. Eating avocado, especially in the winter when we can have vitamin deficiencies, is also great. During colder months, it’s natural for us to crave creamier comfort foods, and avocado has the perfect consistency.

4. Sugar – I’m also a huge fan of sugar scrubs because they are so luxurious and easy to make. Take brown sugar and your favorite oil (olive is a good option) and add an essential oil for natural fragrance. Lavender is soothing, while peppermint is more energizing. Pick the one that fits your mood!

5. DIY Spa – Just remember to test a small amount of any DIY spa recipe on the inside of your wrist before you use it on your face or body.

Nitika Chopra, a certified life coach, is the Founding Editor-In-Chief of on-line lifestyle magazine YourBellaLife.com and a life-style contributor to the Huffington Post. Nitika’s unique point of view stems from the challenges she faced growing up in a traditional Indian home, without a traditional Indian cultural bone in her body, all while battling a debilitating skin condition that covered her body from head-to-toe for years. To overcome several low points in her life, she found a spiritual voice within her and became passionate about the power in small steps and infusing every day activities with spirit and possibility, regardless of one’s faith. Nitika uses this positive outlook to help people realize their own inner beauty and shares them with thousands of people who subscribe to her magazine. In 2011, Nitika was invited to speak about healing one’s authentic soul wound at the prestigious REVEAL conference hosted by Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation. She is extremely active with her on-line community of thousands sharing her life-experiences with them in order to aid young women in their difficult life challenges and help transform them from hopeless to hopeful. Nitika is host of the show “Naturally Beautiful” on Z Living TV. Growing up, Nitika battled debilitating health problems that made it difficult for her to walk with ease for many years. This challenge, among others, fueled her passion for helping individuals and has made her an empathetic resource.

Beauty /

Three Beauty Rituals You Should Continue Year Round

Let’s face it, now that the motivation of tiny bikinis and warm summer afternoons has passed, our normal beauty routine tends fall behind. However, regardless if you’re hitting the slopes or in hibernation mode this winter, it’s crucial you keep up with a few beauty rituals regularly. Below are three beauty rituals our industry pros say you should be continuing ALL year, no matter what the season may be:

Don’t Skimp on Sunscreen. Don’t be fooled by lower temperatures, overcast skies or rainy days. UV rays are just as strong when hitting the slopes as they are on the beach. “The easiest way to prevent sun damage and protect your skin is to apply an SPF of at least 30 every day – not to mention, look younger. Reapplying every 2 hours if in the sun is critical as well” says Dr. Nussbaum, Dermatologist and Brand Spokesperson for Sebamed.

Use Hair Masks Regularly. Do you color your hair, straighten it a few times a week or use a lot of hair spray? Adding chemicals, applying heat or using products are habits that we all find hard to kick, and can come with some unwanted side effects. Anna Urban, CEO of AVIVA™ notes that “you should be applying a hair mask like Aviva’s Hair Rescue Renewal Masque 1-2 times per week to repair damage and restore elastic, while replenishing the moisture which often depletes from dry summer heat and the cold winter air.” ($29.95, AvivaHair.com)

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Wax Even Through Winter. Let’s face it, as the temperature drop we are inevitably becoming a little bit lazier with our normal waxing routine and the motivation for tiny bikinis and warm summer afternoons pass. Noemi Grupenmager, founder and CEO of Uni K Wax Centers notes that “maintaining regular waxes year-round will benefit you in the long run because waxing weakens the hair follicle, causing hair to grow back slower, lighter and thinner over time. Dry, winter hair is more likely to break when waxing, causing it to grow back faster and thicker, so you want to keep skin hydrated and healthy (ie. drink lots of water and exfoliate regularly.)”

Beauty /

New York Fashion Week Beauty Life Savers: What’s In Their Bag

It’s no secret that the new collections and upcoming trends take center stage at New York Fashion Week. However, the beauty looks seen on the runways are statement-making in their own right and set the stage for trends to follow. To achieve the perfect look, it is key for stylists to turn to key trusted products. Here are a few items that they can’t live without during Fashion Week:

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Supersmile Quikee: Let’s not forget about one of the most important accessories for a model: her smile! This pocket-sized, no brush/no rinse whitening tooth polish, now with more whitening power and a fresh icy mint flavor, effectively removes stains, significantly whitens teeth and freshens breath. Perfect for a backstage smile tune-up, the Quikee ensures all models are ready for their close-up! ($18.00 at supersmilestore.com)

Jane Iredale Zap & Hide Blemish Concealer: This dual-ended stick conceals and calms breakouts. Zap is a clear Blemish Balm packed with anti-inflammatory botanicals that may be used as a spot treatment day or night. Hide is a highly pigmented Blemish Concealer that camouflages imperfections and any post-breakout redness. ($26, shop.janeiredale.com)

G.M. Collin Anti-Aging Instant Radiance Eye Patches: Provides quick relief from tired, stressed out eyes, and immediately reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and fatigue. Place one pad over each eye in between shows or in a cab when headed to event. The unique mixture of active ingredients sink into the skin, leaving the eye area hydrated and rejuvenated. The ultimate 20-minute vacation for eyes! ($50, GMCollin.com and Spa Locations)

Sebamed Hand & Nail Balm: A great way to keep hands hydrated and a longer lasting manicure. Developed by dermatologists, this mild, deep-moisturizing formula relieves dry, chapped hands and naturally maintains the strength of nails against breakage, while keratin promotes natural firmness and elasticity. Apply before, during and after each show to keep hands soft throughout fashion week! ($12.99, SebamedUSA.com)