7 Ways to Use this Most Perfect Product to Create "Crazy Soft Skin!"

Months ago, I walked into Sephora with one plan in mind...to find the perfect skin highlighter that would give me the most natural glow.  My current collection of highlighters all have some type of golden tint.  The product I wanted would contain no glitter or shimmery hue.  What I had in mind was a product that would replicate the look of dewy skin.

Before walking in, I said a silent prayer to myself in hopes that the sales rep would know exactly what I wanted.  The first person I spoke to was no help.  Lucky for me, she enlisted the help of a peer who led me to the product of my dreams.

Friday Feeling // How to Prepare for Your Best Weekend Ever!

Fridays are the best part of the week.  What makes them so great is their association with a potentially awesome weekend.  You're off for two days and you have complete freedom over the next 48 hours.  Friday is the perfect time to make plans....better yet, Fridays are perfect for setting intentions.

The reason why we want to be intentional is because those 48 hours will fly by.  On Sunday night, you want to feel refreshed & rejuvenated before the start of the new week.  Let's talk about how to do that.

Model Leomie Anderson has Poreless Skin Because of This....

I was scrolling through my phone, checking out old pics, when I came across some screenshots I captured from Leomie Anderson's IG story.  I hadn't seen these pics in a while and I was once again blown away by how flawless her skin was. 

As I zoomed into the pictures for a closer look, I was absolutely astounded by how poreless her skin was.  Not one flaw in sight.

Of course, the next thought that came to mind to dissect her skincare routine.  As luck would have it, there are at least two videos online detailing her skin reggie.  Years ago, before becoming a Victoria Secret Angel,  Leomie shared a skin favorites video on her little known YouTube channel.  The most recent video has a much higher production value but her regimen has pretty much stayed the same.

After analyzing her skin routine, I realize that her perfect skin isn't really just a result of hitting the genetics jackpot.  She uses a few specific products that work hard for her skin.

You vs. You. [The Art of Overcoming Mediocrity.]

Happy Monday! Ready to start a new week?  Today marks the beginning of a new month but chances are that not much has changed in your life from last month and the one prior.  I can say this with confidence because I believe that most of us (including myself)  are operating in a state of mediocrity. 

That statement might offend some folks.  But, if you fully digested this message, you would probably agree with me.  When most of us think of the word mediocrity, we often associate it with a negative connotation.  It's viewed so negatively that we rarely think of our lives as mediocre.  I'm here to explain why & how you are living a mediocre life and exactly how to break free of it.

How to Make Your Paper Sheet Mask Perform Like a Fancy Hydrogel

Cold, dry weather will be here before we know it.  If you're like me, you're already planning to tackle dry skin with the help of a hydrating sheet mask.  Have you noticed that sheet masks have been evolving lately? It appears that the paper-based masks are being replaced for ones made of gel.

These newer masks are often referred to as hydrogel.  At first glance, you can easily spot the difference between these and their paper-based counterparts.  I made the correct assumption that gel masks would probably run a bit steeper than your run of the mill sheet mask.  After contemplating whether I should invest in a few gel masks, I realized that I already discovered a sheet mask hack that could work even better.

Three Ways to Walk for Flatter Abs

In an ideal world, I'd be able to get to the gym 3-4 times a week.  But sometimes my schedule doesn't permit. Whether we work out regularly or never make it to the gym, there is on exercise that all of us do every day.  And that is walking.

You may not think of walking as a legit exercise but there are countless testimonials on Youtube that paint a different story.  There are entire weight loss journeys based on the simple premise of getting fit one step at a time.  Today, come to you with additional strategies that transform every day walking into a tummy trimming workout.

This is how I exfoliate my scalp now....and it's magnificent!

The moment when summer transitions into to fall, I'm hit with the realization that soon I will be battling my greatest enemy--dryness.  Low humidity weather hates me!   My skin gets obscenely dry and itchy. My lips are dry, my cuticles are dry.  But none of that compares to the level of dryness that occurs to my scalp.

I don't just experience dry scalp.  Low humidity weather actually causes my seborrheic dermatitis to flare up.  This type of dermatitis induces the skin to peel on the face.  Worst of all, it completely takes over my scalp.  Think of it like a bad case of dandruff...on crack.

My hairline usually suffers the most.  It gets so bad that I lose hair around the area where flaking is present.  Typically, the hair loss isn't permanent but who walks to walk around with a sparse hairline?

This year, I'm not having none of that! I've come up with an ingenious plan to keep my scalp as healthy as possible this fall & winter.

How to Take Inspiration From Others to Create Massive Successs

In the day and age of social media, we're constantly bombarded with inspirational quotes, images, and testimonials.  In fact, a lot of these public online figures purposely utilize the strategy of living an aspirational life to draw you in. 

It's easy to crave a lifestyle that resonates with you and based on carefully crafted images.  But I want to talk about what it will take to bring that lifestyle into reality. 

The Beauty Essentials You Should Be Keeping In Your Office Drawer.

When I got my first real job in corporate America, I couldn't wait to work my butt off and climb the ladder to success.  Working towards promotions meant taking on more responsibilities which also translated to more stress.

I remember coming home, some days, looking like I had gone through it.  Once I realized what was happening, I decided to put a stop to it. I had to devise a strategy to keep me looking polished & refreshed all throughout the workday.  

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I made a few changes to my workday routine and it made a world of difference!  This was years ago. If I were to go back into the workforce, I'd make it a priority to execute a mini-beauty and wellness routine throughout the workday.  

Here are just a few beauty habits that I'd incorporate.

Beyonce Has Mastered The Anti-Aging Makeup Look....Let's Discuss

Remember when you were younger and you couldn't wait to start wearing makeup.  It seems like nowadays younger girls are highly skilled at makeup application thanks to the beauty guru boom on Youtube.  Many of the self-taught, self-proclaimed makeup artists were wearing a full face beat while still in their teens.  They're able to get away with it because their youthful faces, combined with layers of makeup, created an interesting contrast. 

They'll soon realize that once they enter their 30's and beyond, a full face of heavy contoured makeup will have the opposite effect that it once had.  I'm starting to notice that celebrity women who are no longer in their 20s are leaning towards "no-makeup-makeup."  The reason for this is because everyone looks younger when wearing a fresh face. 

Recently, Beyonce released a series of images to celebrate another year of life.  In one pic in particular, she looked much younger than her age.  I'm sure photo was retouched to show Beyonce in her best light.  But that doesn't take away from the fact that Beyonce has perfected the clever strategy of using barely there makeup looks to appear forever youthful. 

You've OverIndulged on Sweets...Now What?

Although I don't have as much of a sweet tooth as I used to, overindulging on sweets is still very much a concern for me.  I noticed that, as I get older, my body doesn't respond to sugar the same way it used to.  Once upon a time, I could feast on sugar confections without having to worry about gaining weight, enduring any sugar crashes or headaches.  Nowadays, I really feel the effects of consuming too much sugar.

My theory is that, as we get older, our cells aren't as efficient at properly removing the high levels of sugar from the bloodstream.  Simply put, the older we get, the more obvious the consequences from a sugar overload.  I'm not ready to give up all sugar just yet, so I asked myself if there's anything I can do to minimize the negative impacts of sugar on the body. 

I came up with a few strategies that can really help word off some of the worst side effects of too much sugar.

How To Turn Your Daily Cup of Tea into the Ultimate Anti-Aging, Beauty Brew.

Not long ago, I shared a timely reminder from Halle Berry to incorporate a certain food into your diet as a part of your anti-aging and beauty regimen. Her favorite youth-inducing food just happens to be bone broth.  I'm sure Halle consumes lots of freshly brewed bone broth on a routine basis.  Bone broth advocates recommend that we indulge in this superfood every day.

That's a wonderful idea in theory but is it practical?

I love a homemade cup of broth as much as the next guy but it's really time-consuming.  After spending a few moments in reflection, I think I finally came up with a suitable alternative that will easily allow me to get my dose of collagen every day.

Work Hard, Play Hard. The Recipe for a Successful Life?

I spent the better part of yesterday binge watching vlogs of a young couple who have a 7 figure net worth.  Their wealth comes from a variety of sources.  He was once a professional extreme sports athlete that drew endorsements from well-known brands. He then went on to launch a successful travel bag company.  She's a high earning influencer with over 1 million followers.

Their daily vlogs share a glimpse of their lifestyle.  I'm sure that most of their audience tune in to see their luxury lifestyle and travel adventures.  I took the opportunity to look for what I call "success clues."  I wanted to find any takeaways that I could apply to my own life.

Therapeutic Hobbies That Cost Less Than Your Psychologist

*Guest Post Written by SL Thomas of http://BeautyBiche.com
Founder of https://TheBICHE.com "The Beauties In Color Here Everyday"
Instagram: iamslthomas*

There's no shame in admitting that we don’t feel our best 24-7. Some days we are excited to get up and start the day and other days we can feel our energy level and ability to smile more difficult than it seems. “Smile, it isn’t that bad” someone says. All you're thinking is, 'How can I smile when life keeps throwing me monkey wrenches?' But guess what? Those people are correct. Life really isn't that bad when you think about it because every circumstance is temporary.

After reading multiple self-help articles and quick therapy sessions with psychologists in the office break rooms, I've learned that the best form of therapy is engaging in hobbies that you love. When you do what you love, it takes your mind off of the areas of life that cannot be controlled. That being said here are my top 4 endorphin releasing hobbies that could almost count as therapy.

[style obsession.] The Above Ankle Length Dress

A section of my closet is dedicated to a small collection of maxi dresses that I've collected over the years.  For some reason, I'm drawn to them.  Once I find one that fits, I'm pretty much going to buy it.

So now I own a decent amount of maxi dresses that I barely wear. I couldn't figure out why I suddenly lost interest in my beloved dresses...until now.

Quench Your Hair's Thirst With This Ultimate Moisture Mister

Fall is still several weeks away but I'm already thinking about how much I'm not looking forward to the drier air. At first, the lower humidity feels like a much needed break from sweltering temperatures. Eventually,  I'll start to notice the effects of the dropping humidity as my skin and hair begin to suffer.

I know what's coming so I'm planning ahead.  This year, I'm a little less apprehension about maintaining moisture levels in my hair because I've just stumbled on a product that moisturizes my hair like none other.

Leverage. The Key to Your Financial Breakthrough

 

Now that I've entered a new decade in life, I find myself thinking more about my financial future.  Recently, I was reminded of a conversation I had with a former co-worker which may hold the key to my next breakthrough.

She shared her words of wisdom during a time when her job position was in jeopardy.  After working for the company for nearly a decade, she was about to be fired with very little notice.  Instead of being overcome with feelings of uncertainty and anxiety at the thought of losing her job, she was filled with a sense of peace.  Before her last day, she explained that she was looking forward to having her life back.  When I asked how she was able to be so positive about this transition she said the following "if you have an apple tree, you have to make sure that you plant some of the seeds back in the ground so you can always have more apples."  I knew exactly what she was referring to.  It was an illustration to explain that it was foolish to spend an entire paycheck without setting aside money for the future.

I'm a pretty decent saver.  So I didn't really view her advice as new information. I've always saved a portion of my earnings for a rainy day.  But, then I realized that her planting seeds analogy could have an even more powerful meaning.

Go To Bed Greasy with this and Wake Up with Even Toned Skin

It won't be long until fall arrives again.  Soon we won't have the luxury of high humidity summers to help keep our skin soft and supple.  We'll have to gravitate to oils and other emollients to help seal in moisture.

One of my favorite traditions for fall and winter is to practice the habit of going to bed greasy  to wake up somewhat hydrated.  Going to bed greasy is a foolproof way to keep the skin looking healthy and young. But it's time to level up by using oils that can actually address skin concerns.

Halle Berry's Secret to Eternal Youth is Finally Revealed!

A couple of winters ago, I went public with my newfound love for an up and coming superfood.  Unlike most superfoods on the market, this one isn't an exotic fruit found natively in an exotic jungle.  Arguably, it's one of the most nutrient dense superfoods known to man.

Bone broth has lots to offer from a nutritional support perspective.  What's interesting is how bone broth is emerging as one of the most powerful anti-aging foods available. You'll be hearing a lot more about bone broth now that one of the most beautiful women in the world swears by it as her beauty secret.

[lifestyle design.] How My Friend Quit Her Job and Traveled to 9 Countries in a Year.

A longtime friend and I were catching up one day when she informed me of some exciting news.  Her friend, Kisha, made the life-changing decision to quit her high paying career to travel the world while building her business.  I was overcome with joy after hearing the news.  I had spoken with Kisha a few times and knew of her desire to leave corporate life. 

Once Kisha aid goodbye to her high-level marketing position, she jetted off to Africa.  I assumed that she would only be there for a little while before returning to the states to launch her marketing company.  I was wrong.  Over the course of a year, her getaway turned into an adventure.  I followed along on Instagram as she traveled from country to country meeting fellow entrepreneurs while experiencing the local culture.  The more I followed her journey from afar, the more I wanted to know the intimate details of how to live a life of travel while building a brand.

I felt compelled to reach out to her for an interview after speaking with another woman who expressed an interest in living a similar lifestyle.  I think many of us would like to experience long-term travel at some point. But that type of lifestyle may seem out of reach.  That's exactly why I reached out to Kisha to see what we can learn from her experience.