Summer Lookbook // The Flirty Dress.

I'm way overdue for a wardrobe update.  Summer's here and it's getting unbearably hot.  The hotter it gets, the less I focus on looking cute.  Comfort seems to trump style whenever temperatures rise.   I've been in search of a happy middle ground between style & comfort and I've finally found it.

The flirty summer dress is the answer that I've been looking for.  They're are so easy and laid back.  You can dress down the look with a pair of white sneakers and a crossbody bag.  What I love most about this type of dress is the flirty length combined with the cute sleeves that balance the look.

Want a more polished look that can transition from day to night?  Opt for a dress with full-length sleeves.  

I'm on a mission to acquire several of these dresses that I can live in for the duration of summer. They're feminine, care-free, and save a ton time when getting ready in morning.  In my opinion, you can't go wrong with acquiring a few flirty dresses as your perfect summer essential.

Bedtime Beauty | Try this before bed to wake up to glowy skin.

I'm in the process of overhauling my entire night time routine.  If I were perfectly honest, I really don't have much of a routine in place.  That's a huge mistake because evenings are the perfect opportunity to really focus on our self-care rituals.

So much goes on while we sleep that anything we do prior to bed seems to amplify our results.  We already know to remove our makeup and that sort of stuff.  But I recently learned of another beauty ritual that we should all consider doing at night.

Tired of the Same Results? It's Time to Up-Level

Lately been playing around with the idea of how to "up-level" my current results.  The urban dictionary defines up-leveling as to "transform or grow in an area that was previously stagnant."  Stagnancy is something I try to avoid because, in reality, nothing really remains stagnant.  As far as I'm concerned, standing still is the equivalent of declining.

For this reason, we must always be moving forward.  Yes, we should always be appreciative of our current blessings but, at the same time, we should move our eyes to the horizon towards our next goal.  Working towards our next goal sounds easy to do.  But no one talks about what to do once you hit your invisible ceiling.

What is the invisible ceiling?  It's what happens when we find ourselves continuing to produce the same results over and over again.  Maybe those results are decent, but for some reason, we can't seem to get to the next level.

Drinking Vinegars are all the rage! Let's Make Our Own

Recently I discovered and fell in love with a new brand in the healthy juice market.  I was instantly hooked on how authentic their juices were.  The taste was reminiscent of the pricey freshly bottled options from the fancy juicers.  The minute I finished my first bottle, I wanted more.  Somehow I found myself on their site searching for nearby locations that carried their full line of options.

My attention was diverted the instant I learned that Suja offered "drinking vinegars."  I didn't know what drinking vinegars were but I knew that I wanted 'em.  After reading the product description, I learned that these juice vinegars were tonics that combine the health benefits of apple cider vinegar with probiotics for optimal gut health.

Minutes later, I sourced a nearby location that sold these vinegars. Within an hour, I had my first taste.  It was pretty good.....but, in all honesty, I wanted more.

Rave // This Nutrient Rich Oil Has Taken Over My Life

Ok, guys, I have to introduce you to my newest love.  I've been on a buying spree lately and have stumbled on a few gems.  This most recent find has to be one of my absolute favorites.  The inspiration for this purchase came after stumbling on my other favorite product Etude House's Moistfull Collagen.

In their product description, they boasted of having superior moisturizing powers thanks to the help of a special ingredient.  That ingredient is an oil from a tree native to Africa. Thanks to this oil, Etude House was able to formulate one the most moisturizing facial products ever.

 I needed to get my hands on the source.  Instead of acting on my intentions right away, I let a few days pass.  As the days passed, I noticed something interesting.  People I followed online shared images of their favorite products.  Baobab oil seemed to a common ingredient in their faves as well.

via @bu.ke_products

Without thinking twice, I purchased a small bottle of baobab oil and crossed my fingers hoping that I made the right decision.

[Updated] Simone's Summer Skin Care Favorites (w/video)

I'm back with another Instagram Beauty Routine reveal.  This one's special because it's more of an update.  You may remember when I once featured Simone a.ka. @cocoaflowerr's favorite skin products.

I'm pretty sure the girl is inundated with comments and requests to share the items responsible for her amazing skin.  Luckily for us, she's pretty accommodating.  Just recently, she posted a few snaps with her current line up.  The first thing I noticed is that a lot has changed since her last reveal.  Perhaps she's switched up her routine to stay flawless for summer?

Let's check out these quick vids as Simone pays homage to the products her skin loves.

Game Changer? Take This Facial Product with You Into the Shower for Ultra Moisturized Skin.

Showers are an integral part of our beauty rituals. Not just from the hygiene aspect but also the numerous activities that you can layer into your shower routine.  We've talked about "in shower beauty tips" before.  I thought I had it all covered.  But I recently picked up another idea from a Korean beauty expert.  This one is so simple, that I wondered why I hadn't thought of it before.

The Process // How to Make Your Dream Life a Reality

I've worked long and hard on the art of goal setting & achievement.  The longer I've focused on manifesting my goals, the better I've become at it.  One thing I've realized from experience is that certain goals seemed easier to reach than others.  The ones that have taken me the longest (or that I haven't yet achieved) have eluded me because of how I perceive them.

Some of my intentions are viewed achievable and while others seem completely separate from my reality.   We are either working on our goals or fantasizing about them.  The goals that we're working on tend to eventually show up in our lives.  The fantasies, on the other hand, remain stuck in their imaginary never land.

Once I figured out the difference, I changed my entire goal achievement approach.  Instead of continuing to indulge in my fantasies, I contemplated how to draw those desires nearer to me.

Lori Harvey Reveals Her Favorite Skin Care Must Haves. Let's Discuss.

Model, socialite, and fashionista, Lori Harvey, is quickly building her personal brand.  If you don't quite recognize the name, you may know Lori as the daughter of tv & radio personality Steve Harvey.  Lori lives an interesting life which is part of the reason why I followed her on Instagram in the first place.  Immediately after following, I mumbled a silent prayer hoping that one day, she would reveal her favorite skin care products.  And that I would be there if that day ever came.

By chance, I just happened to log into Snapchat on the very day that Lori decided to bless us with a series of images detailing all of her product faves.   Let's take a look.

Forget the Spa. Here's How to Give Yourself an At Home Back Facial

Whenever I review the menu of services offered at a spa, my interest is always peaked by treatments that involve scrubbing/exfoliating the back. I've wanted to experience a back facial forever but my other skin issues have always taken priority.

But as summer draws nearer, I've realized that I can't neglect this important aspect of my self-care routine. Our back and shoulders will be exposed more now than ever. Last night I attempted my very first at home back facial and I have to admit, it was a huge success. I even received a compliment on the softness of my skin this morning so my efforts didn't go unnoticed.

I'll break down exactly what I did plus how you can execute your own variation of the back facial at home.

[Try This] The Multi-Step Cleansing Method that Completely Clears Out Your Pores

Years ago, I had a horrific acne problem.  Luckily the breakouts have diminished over time.  But one lingering concern still persists.  Although my skin might appear clear, I'm still plagued with an issue that impacts my skin almost as much as a breakout.

My pores tend to get really congested.  Although my skin may look ok from afar, congested skin is lackluster and doesn't appear smooth.  Let's be real, blocked pores are ticking time bombs that can easily develop into breakouts at any given moment.  

I've implemented a few strategies to counteract that problem.  That's why I'm so addicted to my Clarisonic.  My skin needs the deep scrubbing action.  Although the Clarisonic does a decent job, it does not compare to my ultrasonic skin scrubber.  That thing really performs when it comes to removing gunk from my pores.  

Before the skin scrubber came into my life, I used a manual technique that was excellent at clearing out my pores.  The other day, I learned of another method that somewhat mirrored mine.   This technique is so effective that people are actually boasting about seeing their blackheads removed right before their very eyes.

No lotion needed? The Supplement That Hydrates & Plumps Your Skin From the Inside Out

I've been an avid consumer of collagen supplements for years.  When I learned about how rapidly collagen levels decline starting at the age of 21, I immediately added it to my routine.  Collagen supplements have really served me well.  Within the first 30 days of regular consumption I noticed a difference.

Since then, I've graduated from collagen supplements to introducing collagen peptides into the mix. Because collagen peptides have a low molecular structure, I figured that perhaps my body would better absorb it for even more benefits.  Although I'm not 100% sure, I feel as if taking collagen has helped speed up the results of my multiple micro needling treatments.

Things are going well. But then I wondered if there was anything I could do to make it even better.  Synergistically, I needed to pair my collagen with another supplement to maximize benefits.

RAVE | Etude House's Moistfull Collagen Emulsion

After reading the findings from a NASA skin study on how to minimize the damaging effects of space travel, I decided to recommit myself to the practice of keeping my skin as hydrated as possible at all times.

In the study, researchers applied an emulsion to protect the skin from dryness related concerns.  I wasn't exactly sure what constitutes an emulsion so I skipped over to Amazon and did a quick search to find a few examples.

One of the first results was a product with over 100 reviews and nearly a 5-star rating.  I immediately wanted to know more.  What was this product and why did so many people like it?

Etude's Moistufull Collagen Emulsion is a Korean beauty product.  As you may already know, Asian women are obsessed with having moist, plump skin. Hence why there are so many layers in their beauty routine.  After skimming over a few of the reviews, I immediately purchased.

Here's short product description:

The small particles of the super collagen water and Baobab water in the Moistfull Collagen Emulsion, endlessly provide moisture and leave your skin feeling bouncy like jelly. Moistfull Collagen Emulsion has a light but firm texture that adheres moisture and nutrients to the skin.

What really sold me was the addition of a fruit extract from the African Baobab tree.  If you weren't aware, Baobab trees are known for their unusual lifespan.  Some living for over 800 years.  They survive in harsh deserts thanks to their ability to maintain hydration by storing tens of thousands of gallons of water in their trunk.  It makes sense to add this extract to skin hydration products.  Best of all, it's the 4th ingredient on the list which makes me happy.  They also included Baobab seed oil in the emulsion as well.

What makes me even happier is that collagen is the 2nd ingredient.  I know there's some debate out there as to whether topical collagen is effective for penetrating the skin but, in my experience, collagen based products tend to hold in moisture just a bit longer than their counterparts.

When I purchased Moistfull Collagen, I also decided to grab one of these mini skin moisture readers. Days later, my goodies arrived.  Immediately, I rubbed a little Moistfull Collagen in between my hands to get a feel for the consistency.  It looks and feels like a very lightweight lotion.  But when applied, it melts like water bringing a rush of hydration to the skin.  The moment I applied it, I knew that I found my newest favorite product.

Ladies, this is the perfect summer moisturizer.  It's lightweight and melts completely into the skin. There's no trace of greasiness left behind.  This is the perfect layering product.  You can use it under a sunscreen by day or layer it under a thicker cream and/or oil at night.

Sometimes, I'll randomly pull out my skin moisture meter and quickly do a reading on my face.  Whenever the numbers aren't favorable, I'll quickly apply a thin layer of Moistfull and suddenly my skin is ultra-hydrated again.  Best of all, this product is pretty affordable considering how well it works and how much product you get per bottle.  I highly recommend this Moistfull if you are looking for intense moisture in a weightless product.  Next on my purchase list is their Moistfull Collagen cream.  Can't wait to try it.

NASA has a SkinCare Division. They Confirmed this is the Key to Healthy Skin

I'm grateful for all the contributions that NASA has made to the health & beauty industry.  Some notable examples that come to mind include vibration plates and mini trampolines.  Both help rebuild bone and muscle mass because space exploration really does a number on the body.  Once astronauts return home, their bodies are ravaged by the effects of their zero gravity environment. That's when their scientists get to work on discovering ways to rehabilitate and prevent long term damage.

Obviously,  preventing the negative physical effects to the body is a top priority. Which is why rebounding and vibration plates were discovered so long ago.  But recently, NASA has also come to realize another huge issue that needs to be addressed.  Not only were there astronauts dealing with bone and muscle loss, they realized that an antigravity environment also accelerates skin aging.

DIY // How to transform your water into an Anti-Aging Beauty Tonic

It's no secret that I have a mild obsession with consuming nutrition in liquid form.  The possibility of enjoying a higher absorption rate as the nutrients bypass the digestion process excites me so much.  Last year I discovered the wonders of adding chlorophyll drops to my water. Since then, I've never stopped contemplating the idea of amassing an arsenal of powerful boosters to I can add to my water anytime.

How Being a Future Focused Individual will Transform Your Life

One of the most positive traits I have that's allowed me to create ideal outcomes is my ability to focus on the future.  I took a personality assessment once which identified one of my strengths as "futuristic."   Here's the synopsis of someone who's strength is futuristic:

The future fascinates you. As if it were projected on the wall, you see in detail what the future might hold, and this detailed picture keeps pulling you forward, into tomorrow. While the exact content of the picture will depend on your other strengths and interests, it will always be inspirational to you. You are a dreamer who sees visions of what could be and who cherishes those visions. When the present proves too frustrating and the people around you too pragmatic, you conjure up your visions of the future and they energize you. 

Currently Loving.

It's time for another quick roundup of recent beauty purchases that I'm currently loving.

NARS concealer
I'm losing count of the number of concealers I currently own.  I have a couple from MAC, some from Makeup Forever. I even have a few shades from the cult drugstore brand L.A. Girl.  Not to mention my all time favorite concealer, Kevyn Aucoin.  I had no business buying another one.  But time and time again, I kept hearing about NARS' concealer and how it was an absolute must have.  So I grabbed one.  Best decision I've made in a while.  I love this concealer for several reasons.  First, I like the packaging.  I don't have to get any product on my fingers thanks to the handy application brush.  Secondly, the packaging makes it extremely portable so I just throw it in my purse without having to worry about any mishaps.  But what makes me love this product more than anything is its formula.  NARS creamy concealer is a perfect consistency.  It offers the perfect amount of coverage. It blends perfectly into my skin with no creasing.   I love NARS creamy concealer so much.

How Enjoying Red Wine Can Promote Healthy Hair

For the past several months, I've really neglected my self-care routines.  I haven't been eating all that healthy, my sleep has been sporadic and I haven't placed my well-being as a high priority.  Since it's a new month, I thought now would be a great time to get back on track.

On a whim, I went online and purchased a round of cryotherapy sessions which happened to be on sale.  Once that was done, I started looking around for IV Drip centers nearby.  Once I learned that we could feed our bodies a cocktail of nutrients that nourish from the inside out,  I wanted in.

A friend happened to text me the other day that she scheduled an acupuncture treatment nearby.  I immediately told her that I was thinking of trying cosmetic acupuncture and maybe we could go together.  We agreed and I proceed to locate the info for the alternative health office.  But once I got on their website, I was immediately distracted by the fact that they also offered IV therapy.

Minutes later, I was on the line with a rep. But instead of asking about acupuncture, I inquired about the IV.  "Do you guys offer any beauty cocktails that benefit the hair, skin and nails?"  After a moment of silence, the woman on the other line asked me to hold on while she asked around for more info.

After, what seemed liked forever, she finally returned with some good news.  "We offer a resveratrol drip which has beauty benefits."  I thanked her for her response and politely ended the call.  My first thought was "resveratrol? Isn't that the stuff in red wine? How is that gonna benefit the hair and skin?"

Is it Possible to Maintain Muscle Without Stepping Foot In the Gym?

In the movie, The Secret, there's a scene where the Law of Attraction experts discuss the power of the mind and visualization in the reality creation process.  They discussed how athletes visualized themselves performing at a high level on the field of play.  As they created mental pictures in their minds, their muscles would signal as if the activity were actually happening.

Soon they realized that visualizing the successful execution of game moves in their minds brought nearly as powerful benefits as hours of real practice.  This is why visualization is so well-regarded  when it comes to the manifestation process.  We see it in our minds, and it feels so real.  Our belief skyrockets but, more importantly, our bodies really respond.

Today I learned that this physical response might actually help you in your fitness journey.  Let me explain.

Stop Choosing to Live In the Same Situation. Change it.

I had multiple conversations recently that inspired this post.  In both cases, the women wanted to transition from working full time to running a successful business.  In both cases, the women were holding on to their jobs a bit too long.   This was my opinion.  I based the opinion on personal experience.

Prior to taking the big leap, I lived with a high level of anxiety and stress on a daily basis.  I hated my situation and I couldn't keep it up much longer.  But I did.  I kept it up for months and made plans to keep going for another year even though each day felt worse than the last.

Nothing was going to change because I was too afraid.  But then I asked myself a powerful question that changed everything.

If You're Not Masking Like This Victoria's Secret Model, You Aren't Doing It Right

I'm sure all of us have this one thing in common.  You probably own several types of face masks. Threre's one that dries out your excessively oily skin. You have a hydrating mask to eradicate flaky skin.  There's the firming one that helps plump and tone.  Let's not forget the brightening mask to help fade away your scars. Whatever issue arises, you've got the perfect mask for it.

You've purchased all those masks for a reason. Chances are, your skin has multiple issues.  But your mask probably addresses only one.  What's a girl to do?

The answer to all of our worries is multimasking

@iammariaborges wearing L'Oreal Fask Masks

Gabrielle Union is Summer Goals. Let's Discuss

You may have seen a video floating around of Gabrielle Union, sitting poolside looking like an image of perfection.  When I envision the vibe I want to have this summer, this is what I picture in my mind.

Skin looking so flawless that it outshines the swimsuit.
Body, toned.
Hair blowing in the wind.
Face reflecting the light that hits it.

I keep watching the video over and over again.  My favorite part of the whole thing is her incredible confidence. She knows she's flawless.  This level of perfection did not happen on its own.  Gabby appears effortless, but we know that she maintains certain habits & rituals to enhance her results.

Let's discuss.

Foundation Drops | A Dream Come True if You're #TeamNoMakeup

When I began my skin care journey, I've set one clear goal.  To have skin so flawless that foundation wouldn't be necessary.  I want skin that looks just as good bare as when it's camouflaged with high-end foundation.

Every day, I get one step closer.  I'm still not there yet so foundation is still a critical part of my life. I I'd like to ween myself off having to rely on a full face of foundation in order to look presentable. Seems like I may have found a product that aligns with my dream of having skin that looks incredibly natural and flawless.

While at The Makeup Show, I stopped by NYX's booth to see what all commotion was about.  The small crowd almost prevented me from taking a closer look.  But I decided that it was worth the trouble if it meant finding that one item that would change everything.

Model Grace Mahary Reminds Us How To Get That Summer Skin Glow

@gracemahary

The warmer it gets the more I start thinking about the full manifestation of summer.  I've already begun rummaging through my drawers in search of summer gear.  The only thing going through my mind is how I can nurture a head to toe glow.  On my hit list is to one day finally experience a Korean body scrubbing but until then, I'll focus on the next best alternative.

How I came to believe that I could earn a $10,000 a month

Many years ago, I had a conversation with my brother in which I asked him to imagine what it would feel like to earn $10,000 a month.  I could see the expression on his face change as he tried to imagine the scenario.  He struggled mightily.  After a few moments of quiet and discomfort, he finally admitted that it was nearly impossible for him to imagine earning this much money a month.

Recently, I asked a few of my friends the same question.  Everyone I ask has difficulty picturing themselves earning this type of income.  I did too....at one point.  Whenever I tried to imagine the scenario, my mind drew a blank.  That's when I realized that this was a huge part of the problem.  My mind kept shutting down because it didn't believe in such a scenario actually becoming a reality.

As long as my mind couldn't picture it, I knew I would never experience it.

This Simple At-Home Treatment Will Remove Your Stretch Marks & Body Scars

The other day I was watching one of my favorite reality shows.  There was a scene where two of the main characters enjoyed a day of beauty treatments.  Instead of enjoying a leisurely massage, they opted for a more aggressive option.

While laying face down, the two women endured a full body micro needling treatment. By the time the session was over, their entire bodies were red with all the blood flow.  My first instinct was to cringe at how much pain they had to endure.  Then I wondered why they would even do micro needling over their entire bodies.

Style Edit // Summer Festival Lookbook

Coachella is currently in progress which means the start of spring/summer outdoor season.  I figured now would be a great time to collect some style inspiration for festival outfits ideas.

Using The Power of Your Mind to Create the Perfect Ending for you Life.

One thing I hate more than anything is a movie ending that's completely different from what I expected. I loathe movies that end in a manner contrary to what I wanted to see. It doesn't matter if the movie was one of the most cleverly directed features ever if the ending is not up to my standards, I completely dismiss the entire film as useless.

Even when I was young, I would become extremely upset if I were ever interrupted from a pleasant dream. Whenever this happened, I would try my darnedest to fall back asleep and create the ending that I wanted. Sometimes I would even try to create alternate endings to dreams that did not meet my expectation of a suitable experience.  My number one priority was to always create the perfect result.

3 Ways I'll Incorporate Activated Charcoal into my Daily Beauty Routine

I've been aware of the many benefits of activated charcoal for years.  But I experiment with lots of products so I put charcoal on the backburner.  Today, I happened to stumble of Biore's Deep Pore Charcoal cleanser.  I wanted to try it so bad.

But instead pulling out my credit card, I came up with a better solution.  That moment I realized that I could use charcoal in multiple ways in my everyday beauty routine.

Is Pine Cone Extract the Key to having Toned, Firm Skin?

I'm sure 100% of us would all agree that if we could prevent or avoid sagging skin, we would.  Firm, taut skin is the epitome of youth.   Modern cosmetic science has a myriad of ways to address sagging skin from surgery to fillers and everything in between.

But Japanese researchers seemed to have uncovered an all-natural alternative that may hold the key to firming skin.

10 Proven Methods To Eliminate Acne Scars For Good.

I love combing through various studies to uncover what methods really work based on clinical trials.  Today, I'm pretty sure I've stumbled on the mecca of all research papers on how to address acne scars once and for all.

Stop Your Doubts from Sabotaging Your Dreams

Back when I used to do a lot of development coaching, one strategy that I'd frequently employ is the art of listening.  I don't mean your typical listening that normally goes on in regular conversation.  I listened for the types of words used, I listened for the person's mindset, and I listened for hidden beliefs that resided in the person's subconscious.

One thing I notice that people do is sabotage their own efforts.  In the same conversation, they'll speak life on their goals and simultaneously destroy it.  The worst part is that most people have no idea they're doing it.  I think we all do it to some extent.  But to us is sounds like we're reasoning or like we're going over the pros and cons.   Going over pros and cons is a good thing, but there's a fine line between being logical and completely destroying any chance of you moving forward.

The Four Phases of Growing Your Business to Six Figures

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend.  She's an entrepreneur who's somewhat in the early stages of scaling her business.  The two of us like to discuss our short and long-term business goals.   In one particular conversation, I went off on a small tangent and elaborated on my philosophy of how a business should scale.

My philosophy isn't necessary the truth, it's just my opinion based on personal experience and studying the path of others.  Since our talk, I decided to put some more thought into my process. I felt it necessary to share because I know there is a group of you who are either working on developing your business or want to explore entrepreneurial freedom in the future.

Here are my simple thoughts on the growth goals you should consider establishing along your journey to become a successful entrepreneur.

Is This Alternative Facial Treatment The All Natural Replacement to Botox & Fillers?

Yesterday, I stopped by local skin spa for another B12 shot.  While waiting for my appointment, I had a  conversation with another patient.  After communicating for a little while, we realized that we both shared a love for micro needling.  I've received multiple needling treatments and can confidently say that micro-needling was one of the best decisions I've made.

This whole idea of leveraging needles to promote collagen production is quite fascinating. Something magical happens when the skin experiences microtrauma. This mild trauma kicks off a healing and repair process that produces healthy, younger looking skin.  

Today I'm here to bring you yet another treatment that may produce similar results with less trauma.

Gwen Stefani @ 47 years old

Yet another use for coconut oil that you've never thought of.

Who among us doesn't have at least one container of coconut oil nearby?  The number of ways that I use this heavenly oil is infinite.   Seriously, I use this stuff from my scalp to my toes.  Coconut oil works just well as pre-shampoo treatment as it does a makeup remover.

Today, I've discovered yet another use for the mighty coconut oil and I can't wait to give it a try.

How to Reach Your Goals without Taking That Much Action

We're at the start of a new month (and a new quarter).  This usually triggers me to take a look back at my previous results while clarifying new goals to focus on for the next 3 months.  This morning, as I thought about my strategy, I realized that over the years, I've utilized 2 main methods of goal achievement.

The first method is pretty traditional.  Identify what I want to accomplish, establish the right actions, then work hard until the objectives are met.  We're all familiar with this type of strategy because it's the most common.

The second method of goal achievement involves leveraging the law of attraction. It's a more indirect approach, but it works almost as well as the traditional method.  And it feels less strenuous.

3 Reasons Why You Should Trim Before Summer

A couple years ago I instituted the micro trimming process into my hair journey.  Basically, I trim minuscule amounts of hair on a monthly or every other month basis.  One positive benefit I've enjoyed from implementing this method is thicker ends overall.  Micro trimming has been really good to me.  So good that I've pretty much avoided having to do a mini-chop to salvage my ends.

While I'm grateful to have not suffered any major setbacks, I'm strongly considering doing a mini chop anyway.  I'm really trying to convince myself of why I should do a "pre-summer trim" and these are the reasons why I think it makes total sense.

Clay vs Mud. Have You Been Using The Wrong Mask This Entire Time?

Two weekends ago, I attended the Makeup Show.  This is always one of my favorite events because that's when I stock up on my holy grail beauty item.  Once I scratch that off my list, I take time to fully enjoy the entire experience.

This year, one booth in particular, had my full attention.  Their marketing banners boasted about an all natural skin product loaded with minerals that would nourish the skin instead of polluting it with chemicals.  I stood at the front of the booth and listened intently as the co-owner passionately detailed the benefits of their dead sea mud based products.  At one point during the presentation, she pulled out their "mask in a tube" and applied a little on her hand.  One of the people gathered around the booth asked "is that a clay mask?"  "No, it's a mud mask!"  Although she didn't expand any further, I made a mental note to research the difference because the level of conviction in her voice convinced me that knowing the difference was important.

Albert Einstein's Visualization Process Gave Me Crazy Powerful Results.

Since it's Monday,  I wanted to kick off another week of experimentation.  To ensure that I have a powerful week, I decided to continue my practice of visualization.  But instead of doing it in a haphazard way, I wanted to create a definite process.

My mind isn't really wired to create clear pictures.  Some people are fortunate enough to easily visualize whatever they want.  If you're one of those people, please put that gift into practice as frequently as possible.  I struggle with it.  I struggle with figuring out what to picture. I struggle with making it seem real and believable.  I struggle with staying focused and not allowing my mind to wander to other topics.

But I think I have a technique that just might help me overcome all of these obstacles

Summer Body Project | How Not to Gain A Bunch of Weight on Your Vacation

In less than a month, I'll finally get to enjoy my first getaway of the year.  Typically, whenever a beach vacation is approaching, I'll ramp up the frequency of my workouts and watch what I eat.  Usually, if I'm disciplined enough, the results are pretty decent.

Getting down to my goal weight is not the problem. It's what happens after I return.  Vacations are sometimes a double-edged sword because it means lots of high-fat meals and added weight gain.  Normally, I don't mind it all that much but this year, I have two getaways planned months apart.  What I don't want is to slim down, come back heavier, then have to quickly drop pounds again before jetting off.

The plan is to enjoy all the fun and food without having to experience a weight loss set back.

Clarisonic has entered the Anti-Aging Game with this Product Penetrating Facial Massager

I'm huge fan of facial devices.  Currently, I have quite an extensive collection of various types of facial tools.  But....like...can we ever own enough?

Essential Beauty Items that Should Be in Your Car

It's officially spring.  I love bringing in the new season by removing clutter, writing down new goals and such.  One idea that popped into my head is putting together a little kit of essentials to keep in my car.

It's gonna get really hot in my state really soon, and that's a huge factor in what items I keep in the car. Warm temperatures can destroy perfectly good products and I don't want that.  But there are still some essentials I want to keep on hand in the case of emergencies.

How to Ensure You'll Actually Do What You Say You'll Do.

An interesting thing happened over the weekend.  At the start of the year, I established the intention to "live a lifestyle that creates a desirable weight."   Ideally, I wanted to maintain a decent weight without having to work too hard for it.  The easier it was to maintain, the better.

At this point, I'm happy to say about 5 lbs away from my goal.  With 5lbs left, I decided to be a bit more intentional.  With the weekend approaching I told myself "I'm gonna eat healthy for the next few days."

Fast forward 24 hours and I'm ordering from a drive thru menu.  The following day, I place an online order for a veggie pizza.  That was in complete misalignment to the intention that I set the day before.  That's when I deiced to take a completely different approach.  Instead of putting out a weak intention and allow things to magically happend, I changed the strategy.

Struggling to lose Weight? You're Probably Missing the Obvious Culprit.

A friend and I were having a conversation the other day about our plans to slim down by summer.  Both of us started off strong and experienced decent weight loss thanks to our newly formed habits. But now, we've hit a slight plateau.

I'm sure that a lot of that is related to some backsliding in our eating habits, but there could be something else at play.

Acne Scars | The One Instance Where Your Melanin Is Working Against You

A short while ago, I watched a video of a young lady enjoying an Oxygen Facial.  Once all the steps in the process were complete, the esthetician grabbed the sunscreen.  This is a pretty normal way to end every facial. But it was what the woman said during application that peaked my interest.

As the woman was rubbing in the sunscreen, she told the happy client that the sun's harmful rays are "attracted" to dark spots.  There was no further explanation.  Once the video ended, I went on about my day like normal.  But for weeks now, her comment has stayed with me.  I had to find out if her statement about the sun being attracted to dark marks was actually based on reality.

The Process of Redefining Yourself As Who You Want to Be

Sometimes, when I'm having a conversation with someone, they'll describe themselves as having certain characteristics. In my mind I'm thinking, "you say that about yourself but your actions don't reflect it."

This weekend, I realize that I've been doing the same thing.

 After reviewing my list of priorities for this week, I noticed that most of the list is a continuation of things I haven't gotten done.  Worse yet, some have been lingering for months.  I like to think of myself as someone who takes action but, truth is, I've become an avid procrastinator.  

It wasn't always that way.  I actually was someone who took fast action.  But, over time, I created a new reality for myself.  I designed a reality where I operate as someone who continuously procrastinates. I take full responsibility because I know that it was my own doing.  

Must See // This Obagi Facial is the Greatest of All Time.

You may remember Brittney Hampton from a previous article on the topic of her favorite detox tonic.  Brittney is one of my faves to follow on social media because she's pretty transparent about her beauty routine.

The other day, I received a message from a homie on Instagram alerting me that Brittney was documenting her professional facial.  I've seen videos of Brittney's facials in the past. In fact, she's even a client one of my favorite skin centers in L.A.

But this time was quite different.  After watching the video, I concluded that Brittney was receiving the best facial of all time.