Essential Steps to Beauty Program

There are many products out there making claims to give you a flawless look, true beauty comes when you take care of the basics. Here are a few keys I have found to be useful to me in creating a beautiful look. Even the best make-up cant hide the dreadful things going on inside your body.

1. Skincare - I cannot stress this enough, take care of your skin. Clean it , Moisturize it, and Sunblock it! If you do these three things daily you are on your way to beautiful skin.

2. Exercise - Exercise gets your blood pumping and sweating is good for you. Added benefit is it helps with weight control.

3. Detox - We eat a lot of processed food and we need to clean the plumbing from time to time..your body gives you signs when it needs detoxing...for instance breakouts, bloating, constipation ect...need I say more! Fasting is a good way to detox, all natural detox are available at health food stores . If you have health problems consult with your doctor before starting any type of detox program.

4. A good Multivitamin goes a long way. Taking vitamins aid in nutrition not replace it. Nothing could every replace good veggies and fruits. With that said eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

5. Limit sugar intake which includes -soda, bread, pasta, and candy

6. Flossing - Yes Flossing is good for you, getting rid of the bacteria in your mouth with can lead to infection and sickness...need I say more.

7. Colon Cleansing...I cant stress this enough; this goes along with Detoxing but I had to put it in its on category. You MUST clean you colon, and I believe as often as possible. You don't want that NASTY stuff lingering around in your body.

8. Go to the Doctor get a physical and regular check ups, it is so much easier to take care of potential problems early.

9. Blow your nose, clean your ears and clean your nails. Did you know that these two simple things could be life changing. Clearing your air passages in the morning allows you to breath in freely without strain. Ear cleaning well I will let you figure that one out! Its nasty just do it. It is important to wash your hand before and after you go to the bathroom - did you know that you could be putting bacteria on your unmentionables from other sources. Your nails is a happy home to many types of bacteria that is why it is not a good idea to put your hands on your face and in your mouth before washing them.

10. Make an appointment to Laugh everyday. I watch the comedy channel just to get in a good laugh.

Hope this helps! God bless you!

HOME SPA - MUD MASK

Mud Masks have many positive benefits, I think that everyone should give one a try. For me personally it relaxes me and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and smooth. Here are a few benefits of a facial mask. Try one on your home spa day!
Benefits of a facial mud masque:

Absorbs excess oil, Aids in shrinking large pores, Clarifies skin's texture,Eases tension lines on face and neck, Helps to dry up pimples, Reduces appearance of blemishes , Relaxes tired muscles, Removes dry cells and impurities, Replenishes vitamins, minerals and moisture ,
Rinses away blackheads

Mineral Clay Masque. Queen Helene? offers a very effective product, The Original Mint Julep Masque, which goes on green and just zaps the oil from your skin. These are just a few of the countless facial masque products out there.

I personally use a Mud Mask 3 times a week, and I have noticed significant changes in my skin. Everyone is different. If you have sensitive skin you may need to use one less. Listen to your skin, if it burns, itches are irritates discard use. As always follow the directions on the package they are not there for deocration.

Beauty Start Within

Did you know that beautiful people have attractive personalities? A persons attitude really effects how you percieve them. Someone that may look good on the outside and may act like monster on the inside. When you meet a person with a bad or negative attitude no matter how beautiful they are you begin to notice their flaws. I dont know about you but when I see someone by "socieity standards" that is not considered attrative however they have a beautiful personality I tend to notice things about them that are attractive. Which leads me to the following conclusion that true beauty radiates inside out. You can put makeup on a Monster but its still a monster. So be the person you love to be around, and let your beauty shine from inside out. Love You and Take Care

HOME SPA - MOISTURIZER

Moisturizer are a must for EVERYONE even if you have oily skin. If your face shines like a disco ball you still need a moisturizer. Moisturizer and oil are not the same thing (oil/water). I thought for years that I did not need a moisturizer until I understood its purpose. First our bodies need water, we are made up mostly of water(60%). We need to drink, and wash our bodies with water our bodies LOVES IT. Moisturizers are designed to trap water. After you wash your face while it is still moist put on your moisturizer. Think of it like this--you cant trap water on dry skin. So after you shower --while you still have beads of water on your skin apply your lotions, moisturizers, even lip balm

If you have oily skin you need to look for an oil free moisturizer that works for you. If you have combination skin like myself you can use an oil free or a regular moisturizer. The main purpose of using a moisturizer is to keep you skin hydrated and it also prevents your skin for becoming dry, cracked and wrinkled. A moisturizer with humectants attracts moisture, while one with emollients locks in the moisture.

HEAT WAVE DRYNESS AWAY. A soothing tip for dry, stressed-out skin: Scoop some of your moisturizer in a microwavable bowl and heat for 5 seconds before you apply it. The heat helps the moisturizer penetrate faster and deeper into your skin for enhanced results. (Peter Lamas) I thought this was a great tip. You can also use warm olive oil and apply it to dry skin in the winter this is a great treat for dry cracked skin. (good for the feet too)

Moisturizers I have used
Clinque
Cetaphil
Oil of Olay
Loreal FUTURE E moisturizer

There are a million moisturizers out there, be patient and you will find one that works for you. Even though I believe in saving money, I have not found a homemade one that I liked using. Do what works best for you. And remember to massage it into your face, this is very relaxing and it allows your moisturizer to penetrate into the skin. Wait a few minutes before you apply any other product this will give the moisturizer time to do its "thang"

Places to look for moisturizers - Drugs Stores, WalMart, Mall Makeup Counters, and Spas.

Hope this helps.

HOME SPA - SCRUBS

Here are some Facial Scrubs for those of you on a Budget.

The Purpose of a facail scrub.
Why should you use a facial scrub? A facial scrub is to designed to remove a layer of dead dry skin which can make your skin look dry and dull. With that being said it is not necesary to do this all the time there is a such thing as over doing it. Once every two week or once a month is fine. With continuous scrubbing all you will eventually end up doing is irrating your skin. There are always exeptions to the rules...wearing heavy make up and using a lot of product on your face will cause build up so you may choose to do a scrub more often. If you want to scrub once a week or daily choose a very mild/almonst non abrasive scrub and apply a thick moisturizer to your skin. If you have sensitve skin this is something you may not want do very often. USE common sense...

Always follow the instruction on package. If you choose to use homemade products approach with caution and make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. I have tried all of the scrubs listed and there are many many more. Do your research and find out what works best for you.

Here are a few I have tried and liked

Good Cheap Drug Store Brands all under $10.

Queen Helena Facial Scrub - Great
Olay Gel Scrub--This is gentle and nice.
St Ives Apricot Scrub
Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub with Bursting Beads
Neutregena Pink Grapfruit

Please note because of the consitancy of a scrub there is a tendancy to have little paricles of the scrub left on. The best way to get all the product off the face are the following

1. Take it off in the shower and let the water run directly in your face as you rub off the access

2. Use a soaking wet towel and lean over the sink and splash water on your face as you try to remove the excess.

I do not use a scrub in the morning, only at night so I can take my time and get my face totally clean. And all that I dont get off at night I can do in the morning.

Homemade Scrub Recipes - There are many, many reciepies online however these are the cheapest and easiest to make with everyday household products.

Baking Soda and Water1 part water (Distill Water or Ionic Water)2 part Baking Soda. Mix the two together until you get the consistency you want.

Strawberry Facial Scrub:Make a mixture of 1 tsp brown sugar and 2 mashed strawberries. Brown sugar will remove dead cells and strawberries.. I put this in the blender for a few seconds to make it smoother.

Aspirin *(cheap non coated aspirin) Mash about 5 aspirin and add water until you get the consistency you like.

Hope this helps leave a comment.

HOME SPA - PEDICURE

This is about giving yourself a Pedicure. I love getting a professional to do but sometimes your money and time may prevent you from going to a professional. Here a few things you can do. You will need about an hour to give yourself a good pedicure. You will need
Foot Spa*** Nail File/Clippers*** Nail Polish *** Nail Polish Remover *** Foot Soak *** Foot Lotion***Foot Mask *** Orange Stick*** Cuticle Oil***2 Large Towels ** 1 Small towel *** Music/TV Show or Book.

Lets get started. First remove all the polish from your toe nails. After you remove your polish cut and file your toenails into the desired length and shape. Please keep in mind that you don't want to cut your nails too short. Soak your feet in your Foot Spa and go over them with the nail brush making sure each nail gets clean . Using cuticle cream or vitamin E massage around the cuticle. With an orange stick push the cuticle back (the cuticle is the skin that surround the sides and top of the toenail). Next, with your pumice and begin scrubbing the dead skin off of your feet...please note please try not to over do it but try very hard to get off as much as you can without hurting yourself. After cleaning your feet place them back in the water to wash and apply foot mask(follow directions on label)..after that dry your feet and apply a base coat on your toes allow to dry and then apply your nail polish and top coat.

Foot Spa - Soak your feet
High End - Prosepra Foot Spa Reg. $59.99 Macy's
Mid Range - Ho Medics - Bubble Bliss
Foot Spa with Heat $19.99 Walmart
Dirt Cheap - Swing your feet into your Bath tub or bowl/ bucket that will fit your feet

NAIL BRUSH - Small hand held brush to clean finger and toe nails

NAIL FILE / NAIL CLIPPERS - Trim and file (Always file in one direction) when filing your toenails I prefer using an emery board instead of a metal file. I personally think that metal files are too harsh however if you like them be sure to keep it clean and don't share it with anyone..The only thing I use a metal file for is to clean up under my nails. Be very careful not to trim your toe nails too short the should be cut to your personal preference but most say that you should stop cutting when you get close to the skin. Please do not peal off your toe nails! If you or someone you know is diabetic please be very careful when putting a sharp object to their feet.

NAIL POLISH- Base Coat, Nail Polish and Top Coat
The purpose of the Base Coat just like a primer it gives you nail polish something to adhere to with out it the oils in you toe nail will not allow your polish to last.
Top Coat - A Top Coat Keeps your polish from chipping.

FOOT LOTION - ( is thicker than regular lotion) You can purchase a cheap foot lotion or use Vaseline and/or a thick creamy lotion. Make sure you take the time to massage the lotion in order to keep you feet nice and soft. If you use Vaseline, try using a hot towel after applying the Vaseline this will leave your feet soft. If you don't want to use the hot towel you can always opt to apply the Vaseline and put on thick socks.

PUMICE - use a pumice to scrub off all the dead skin

FOOT SOAK - Soak you feet for 20 to 30 minutes you have time relax... This allows dead skin to loosen up so it will be easier to remove. ** Tip pour less than 1/2 cup of milk to the water to soften up dead skin.

*FOOT MASK - This is optional this is something that you can buy at a WalMart or the dollar store..it something that is just a little extra to make your pedicure special. Each mask serves a different purpose, it could be to relax, sooth or cleanse.

HOME SPA - FACIAL

I recommend that you create a daily cleansing regime for your skin however an at home facial is good for those of us who can afford to go to the spa and have a professional facial. It is recommend that you have a facial once a month, since I don't use harsh products I do it once a week or every two weeks. Listen to your skin, if you have very sensitive skin I would limit facials and only choose products I am familiar and comfortable with. BE Patient you will go through a trial an error phase; you may have to try several products before you find the one that works best for you. I WILL BE WRITING SPA RECIPES which will list different inexpensive recipes you can use for your spa treatment). Please use all your products according to the directions - they are there for a reason.

How to create an at home - spa
*Optional - but it would be nice to have

1. Music - soft/relaxing*
2. Towels - 2 large 2 small 2 medium
3. Candles*
4. Fountain*
5. No Kids or Sleeping Kids (LOL) *
6. Products (Cleanser, Scrub, Mask, Moisturizer)
7. Steamer*
8. Herbal Tea*
9. Massager*
10. Heating Pad *


The Set Up Give yourself 2 to 3 hours ...

--Create the mood with Music, Water Fountain and Scented Candles - of course choose music and scents that you LOVE. Suggestions Lavender and Vanilla. (This is optional but nice to have)

--Bath Time - this is the time to pull out the body scrubs, loofahs and the bath fizzes. Exfoliate your skin invest in a bath brush and brush your skin prior to getting in the tub. Use your sponge to wash; this is a great time to try relaxing liquid soap. (Tip Epsom Salt is great for relaxation and its cheap)

--Once your bath is complete get in the shower and give yourself a good rinse after you get out the shower load on the moisturizer while your are still damp.

--Wash your face with your cleanser

--Next use a facial scrub to really clean our your pores.

-- Steam you face (5 to 10 Minutes) - This works wonders

-- Apply favorite mask

-- Apply moisturizer

--Relax, Relax, Relax