Daily Muscle Activation // A Key Anti-Aging Strategy

Today I want to talk about a really important topic.  I've discussed this before but it's time to bring the conversation back once again.  As I prepare to celebrate another birthday, I've made a commitment to incorporate wellness habits that will serve me well as I age.

I mentioned in the article on lymph massage that I've been on a mini-weight loss journey.  As of this morning, I've lost 5lbs.  Pretty good right?  As the weight comes off, one thing becomes increasingly clear. My body is changing.  Yes, it's getting smaller....but something else is happening behind the scenes.

I'm losing muscle.  And I've been doing so for over a decade. Sure, I'm able to fit in the same pair of jeans that I wore years ago, but my body composition is now very different.  Although I'm considered a slim person, I'm fattier than I used to be.

I'm not fat per se,
I'm fatty.
Does that make sense?

Manifesting Everything You Desire in Your Spare Time

When I was younger, I noticed that television commercials would urge viewers to develop skills to launch a new career in their spare time.  They made it seem so easy to earn a degree simply by reallocating excess time.  The idea of taking on a huge undertaking in just a few minutes a day didn't seem realistic.  

But, this morning I read about a manifestation story that completely supports the theory of changing your entire life....in your spare time. This guy was able to impact his life in a major way.  He did so by supplementing his day with activities that attract abundance.  Thanks to his efforts, he was able to manifest "a ton of money."  

Let's talk more about what he did and how we too can manifest in our spare time.

Mirroring Your Muse. The Process That Led to My Glo Up

One of the most popular articles I've written was that time I shared how I became pretty and it changed my life.  To this day, that has been one of the most effective experiments I've ever done.  Today I want to touch a bit more on the process I took to actually facilitate my glow up. 

There's an At-Home Device That Injects Hyaluronic Acid Directly into the Skin without Needles

Hyaluronic acid is great.  I've written several articles on how much  I adore this moisture-inducing powerhouse.  I've even amassed a small collection of wonderful hyaluronic acids products that do a wonderful job of moisturizing.   Applying hyaluronic acid topically is pretty awesome but there are a slew of folks out there who swear by HA injectibles to create the look of firmer skin and ward off wrinkles.

For most people, HA-based fillers are expensive and unattainable.  Others aren't comfortable with injecting fillers into their skin.  If you fall within one of these two categories, you may want to pay close attention to what I have to share.

Using the "If/Then" Strategy to Help You Reach Your Goals.

Let's face it, going after your goals isn't easy.  We start off with good intentions but have a tough time following through.  I can't tell you how many times I've made huge plans concerning what I'd love to accomplish in a week. But when Friday rolls around, a lot is left undone.

Actually, I do get stuff done, but I often struggle with incorporating NEW habits into my routine.

 Can you relate?

One reason why I often make little progress when it comes to tackling new challenges is because there's no contingency plan in case things don't go as expected.  Thankfully, I've stumbled on a solution.  It was developed by a psychologist who theorized a goal achievement method that produced a high rate of success.   I love this method because it's super easy and we can all start implementing it today!

The All Natural Alternative to Silicone that Your Hair's Been Waiting For.

Summer is in full gear which means that I'm now dealing with my arch nemesis--humidity-induced frizz.  Every summer I dream of wearing strappy sundresses and bouncy flexi rod curls.  And every year my plans are foiled thanks to super moist air.  In a short amount of time, my pretty curls mutate into a frizzy mess.

As I search for solutions, one suggestion that keeps popping up over and over again are silicone laden serums.  That's because they provide an excellent barrier against moisture.  Essentially, silicones can help keep the moisture in the air from penetrating the hair follicle.  But, on the flip side, 'cones are notorious for promoting product buildup. That same layer of protection that prevents frizz can also create a "plastic-like" layer on the hair keeping your moisturizing products from working as intended.

Silicones have been on the market forever and everyone knows about their drawbacks. So I wondered if there an alternative to silicone had been discovered.  Much to my surprise, I learned that an all-natural, plant-based silicone like oil already exists.

This Vitamin Helps Your Skin Glow while Accelerating Fat Loss.

Summer is officially in full swing.  One thing I'm obsessing about this summer is having glowing skin.  Obviously, I'll make sure to use products to combat acne.  But, what I'm really trying to do is create skin that radiates from the inside out. 

How do I plan on doing that?  By implementing a nutritional supplement that most people aren't thinking about when summer rolls around.  Not only will this vitamin give me brighter, healthier looking skin, it can also help me reach my summer body goals as well. 

I recently reimplemented this supplement into my routine and I feel like I'm already noticing the effect.  It got me so excited that I just had to write about it.

Lymphatic Massage Update // Weight Loss & Other Benefits

Yesterday was the second installment in a series of lymphatic massages that booked after seeing the transformational power of these wellness treatments.  I actually didn't intend on booking a series, but after my first experience, I had to go back for more.

Now that I've multiple experiences, I'd like to share some updates on the benefits I've received thus far.

Feature// An Aesthetician Explains How Chemical Peels Are the Key to Perfect Skin.

I'm a sucker for amazing before and after skin transformation pics.  So when I stumbled on an Instagram story featuring a woman's skin that seemed to win the battle of hyperpigmentation, I stopped in my tracks.  The pictures were shared by a someone I followed and interacted with in the past so I immediately sent a DM.  

Turns out, the images belonged to a client. My curiosity peeked.  After a few follow up questions, I realized that she was very knowledgeable of the skin care questions I was throwing her way.   Eventually, I asked the obvious...."are you an esthetician?"  Once she confirmed that skin care was her job, I immediately got excited and mustered up the courage to ask she would answer some skin care related questions....specifically on the topic of hyperpigmentation and how to address it.

If you're curious about the most effective method to even-toned skin.  Keep reading.

All The Beauty Essentials You Need for Your Vacation

 I received an email from a reader asking about tips on what beauty items to pack while traveling.  Honestly, I thought it was such a great question that warranted dedicating an entire article on the topic.

 I traveled a bunch for work and basically had to live out of my travel bag.  I've also renewed my passport and have been traveling overseas a bit more.

I still have a couple more trips to knock out this year.  Here's a list of the must-have beauty products I always have in my travel bag.

Tracee Ellis Ross Let's Us In on Another One of Her Beauty Secrets

Don't you just love it when celebrities voluntarily reveal the tools and tricks their makeup artists are using as a part of their beauty routine?

I know I do!

This week, we've been blessed by Tracee Ellis Ross.  I admire Tracee's decision to age gracefully without the use of procedures that are commonplace in Hollywood.  Without the help of botox and fillers, one can get pretty creative with alternatives that help promote similar results.

Before Tracee goes on set, her makeup artist prepped her skin by first doing a mini-beauty treatment.  Typically, you'll notice celebrities often receive some type of mask before the makeup application process.  This time was no different. Instead of a full sheet mask, they opted to focus mainly on the under eyes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on Jun 9, 2019 at 4:57pm PDT

What really caught my attention were the beauty tools her makeup artist used.  The blue orbs served as tools to help facilitate a quick facial massage.  Unfortunately, Tracee didn't tag the brand so I had to do some digging to find them for myself.

Feeling Stressed? Try This 15 Minute Activity That Makes You Feel Like You're On Vacation

Mondays can be stressful.  The thought submerging yourself back into a potentially unpleasant work environment can seem overwhelming.  I used to hate Mondays with a passion.  Lately, I've engaged in multiple conversations with friends who constantly express their disdain for Mondays. 

Sometimes it seems like our anxiety levels can get out control and we just have to endure.  Thankfully, I have some positive news to share.   It's possible to recreate feelings similar to taking a vacation simply, even while working, by incorporating one simple habit.

I Thought Oil Highlighter Sticks Couldn't Get Any Better....I Was Wrong.

I've noticed a pattern that I've been developing over the past couple of years.  Any beauty product that I find in the form of a solid stick, I want it.

It started innocently enough.   First I fell in love with the idea of acquiring concealers and other skin correcting items in an easy to carry stick packaging.  From then I learned of a moisture-enhancing stick by Korean skin brand Etude House.

It wasn't long until I was introduced to Glossier's Haloscope sticks which are highlighters that feature an oil-based core surrounded by light reflecting highlight. Of course I had to get one.

I thought I was set....but I still longed for something more.

One random visit to Sephora introduced me to Milk's oil stick which was like a dream come true.  I thought my days of hunting for makeup sticks were over. Until I learned that a better version of Milk's oil stick was in existence.

Natural Deodorant Not Cutting It? I Have the Ultimate Solution

The warmer it gets, the more I have a sense of dread of what's to come.  Not only do I have to worry about how my skin will react to the change in temperatures, I have to face my other fear.....managing sweating and body odor.

I often tell people that I hate sweating.  That's only partially true. What I really hate is feeling uncomfortable about whether my sweat is producing a noticeable scent.  Even if others don't notice, I hate wondering if will.

Add to that the fact that my husband has a sensitive nose...that makes me more self-conscious than anything.  This whole situation is compounded by the fact that I gave up traditional deodorants for natural alternatives.  The natural ones are great in theory, but they don't really perform well when it comes to sweat and odor protection.

But, today I'm here with good news.  I have officially found a solution that attacks sweating related odor at the source!  It works amazingly well and it's all natural.

[who to follow] 6 Instagram Socialites Living their Best Life of Luxury

Instagram gives us access into the lives of people that we don't typically interact with in our every day lives.  I love that Instagram is tool that allows us to experience a bit of inspiration every day.  One of the ways I fill up on inspo is by following some ladies seem to be doing it big.  These women enjoy the finer things in life and they aren't afraid to show it.

By checking out their feed, and stories, I'm whisked away to exotic locations, fine restaurants, and luxury shopping experiences.  May I introduce you to some of my favorite IG luxe socialites?