Many years ago, I came across the concept of lotion masking while researching Japanese beauty secrets on Youtube. This was well before the current sheet mask craze. The technique was pioneered by beauty expert Chizu Saeki, author of The Japanese Skin Care Revolution.

Th technique is simple, you create do-it-yourself sheet masks using products of your choice and special cotton squares.  At the time, I didn't pay much attention, but I finally purchased the infamous Japanese cotton squares and had a chance to experience them for myself.  Now I regret not getting them sooner and I'll tell you exactly why.

Yesterday, I visited the doctor for a first time in a while. This was just a routine wellness checkup. This year I turned 40 and I realize that I have to take precautions to protect my body against age-related diseases.

After completing my intake form and first-time visitor information, the nurse took me to a room to await the doctor.  A few minute later, the physician walked in.  My first impression of her was that she was younger than expected.  Maybe in her mid 30's.  When she looked at me, she seemed a bit surprised.  After confirming my name, the first words she said to me were "You don't look 40! What are you doing to look like that?  You look like you're 30!"

I smiled graciously at her comment then told her that I write about beauty and anti-aging topics. But since time was limited, I couldn't go into detail about what I think is contributing to my healthy appearance.  Since I'll probably go back to see her again in the future, I thought I'd write the post to refer her to.

Here we go.

We're in the final stretch of 2017.  Have you accepted any invites to any end of year vision board parties yet?  One of my friends mentioned hosting one this year and, unlike times past, I noticed a little internal hesitancy.  Don't get me wrong, vision board parties are great, but I feel that most of them aren't as powerful as they could be.

It's exciting to daydream about all the lavish experiences you want to enjoy someday. But how do you transform them into reality?  Vision boards are perfect for inspiration. But once we have a vision in place, we need to utilize tools to make our vision come alive.  The most practical tool available is a planner.

I've used a planner on, and off, for over a decade.  But in 2018, I want to tweak my methodology a bit.  Instead of using it as a time management tool, I want it to be the secret weapon that helps me achieve results like never before.

Not long ago I had the pleasure of experience cryotherapy for the first time.  After the lady at the cryo center explained all the details of the treatment, she asked if I had any questions.  "Yes.....uh, do you do cryo facials also?"  Sadly, they didn't offer cryo facials so I made a mental note to search for spas in my city that offered the service.

Not long after, I watched a beauty video on Youtube from a Victoria's Secret model featuring her celebrity facialist. One of the pre-runway tricks shared was to fill a bucket with ice cubes and splash the ice repeatedly on the face.  The alternative was to purchase a set of super expensive cryo-sticks which are basically hand-held tools that you put in the freezer and place on the skin. They're a decent option, but they cost over $100 and I knew they couldn't create the same impact as ice directly on the skin.

Should I pay $50 or more for a single facial cryo facial session or do I buy the fancy stainless steel ice facial sticks?

The answer is neither! Because I've come up with a nifty little hack so that we all can enjoy cryofacials for just pennies a day.

I don't write a ton on the topic of relationships because of my limited dating experience.  Although my dating life was short-lived, it was very intentional.  Looking back, I think there was value in my dating methodology.

The reason I'm writing about this out now is that I'm hearing more and more women provide dating advice that I experienced first hand.  Basically, my "dating strategy" was to friend zone every one who was interested in me.  Every last one of them. This approach had so many advantages and I'll tell you why.

As I plan for 2018, my two main intentions include experiencing additional travel along and making various improvements to my home environment.  Accomplishing both in the same year will require a substantial financial investment.  Without a defined plan, the year could slip by without accomplishing exactly what I set out to do. 

@spiritedpursuit

Whenever December rolls around, I always make a bold declaration that the upcoming year will be even more incredible than the last.  So far, I've done a pretty decent job at meeting my expectations.

How?

I place much of the credit to my annual end of the year ritual that sets me up for an amazing year ahead.

Last night, after showering, I made a bee-line to my stash of facial masks.  My husband, always curious, asks the obvious question.

What are you doing?
I'm about to do a face mask. 
 "Now," he asks.
Yes, now.

Even though we were going to bed shortly, I felt it was the most opportune time to indulge in a facial mask. This idea was partially inspired by a series of Instastories that flashed through my screen earlier that day.

Back when I read a bunch of business-related books. One subject that I wanted to constantly learn about was time management.  My mind runs at 100 miles an hour. This means that I'm constantly jumping from task to task without making much progress.

I'll never forget the time when I landed my first professional job.  The girl training me would teach me a few tasks than observe me while I worked.  After a few moments of observation, the asked me to stop jumping from one task to another so I could actually finish what I was doing.  Being all over the place feels like I'm busy but, in the end, I found myself rarely getting the most important things done.

To solve this problem, I tested out a variety of time management strategies.  Most of them produced positive outcomes. But one strategy, in particular, improved my results by leaps and bounds.

The year is quickly coming to a close.  How was 2017 for you? Was it amazing? Are you confident in what lays ahead for you in 2018? If you're fully certain that 2018 is geared exceed your expectations, may I offer some advice on how to change your life's direction?

Perhaps there are some goals on your list that you struggle to reach.  Have you ever considered that part of the reason why things aren't falling into place is because of who we are "being."

A couple of months ago, I traveled to another state to visit a friend for her birthday.  Before leaving, I was doing pretty well with my eating habits so I set an intention to return home without gaining any extra weight.

At one point a group of us went out for breakfast.  Instead of ordering fresh squeezed orange juice, I requested a cup of hot water and several lemon slices.  This warm lemon tea helped keep me from polishing off the home fries on my plate.  A friend sitting beside me was happy to lend a helping hand and take the rest.

I was proud of my self for choosing warm lemon water in hopes that it would help curb my appetite. But little did I know that this one act could also help prevent junk food related fat gain.

In the early days of this blog, one of my guilty pleasures what trying out little-known beauty and hair care brands.  I stumbled on some fine gems simply by stepping outside of my comfort zone.  It's been a while since I found a brand that inspired me to try something new.

Somehow, I stumbled on a brand that I had never heard of in my life. Then I learned that they incorporated a unique ingredient not commonly found in other hair conditioners.  Combine that with the countless positive reviews and I was sold.

The subject of healthy hair will always be a topic of conversation among women of color.  Recently, I was contacted by the editor of Un_Ruly.com  about an exciting, upcoming project.  They're currently hosting a casting call for women with relaxed hair living in New York or Los Angeles.

Those selected will participate in a video series on the topic of our hair.  I'm excited about the project and look forward to seeing the open dialogue featuring diverse women of all hair types textures.

 Previous Hair Story articles have highlighted the journeys of Naomi Campbell, Taraji P Henson, Viola Davis and many more.

The casting is open from now until December 22, 2017.  Let's help spread the word.  They're seeking women with relaxed hair to add diversity to the conversation. If you or anyone you know live in  NY or LA, and would like to be a part of this project, head over to un_ruly.com  to sign up.

The biggest challenge we have, when it comes to reaching our goals, is opposition that comes in the form of resistance.  Recently, I shared a tactic that provides an easy way to get out a rut. But what should you do if your resistance is fear-driven?

Fear & resistance go hand in hand.  You want to step into a new direction, but all of these limiting thoughts pour in, causing you to remain stuck.  I've coached quite a few people over the years and the biggest factor (I found) that keeps people from taking action is focusing on what could go wrong.

Every time I see a selfie with some girl caring for her skin with a mask, I always think to myself, "I should mask more often."  I want to be one of those people whose stay with flawless skin because of masking on the regular.

Sometimes my laziness kicks in and stops me from being great.  The easier the process, the more likely I am to actually mask at random times like before heading out.  Recently, I've been introduced to a few masks that have changed my entire routine and I couldn't be happier.

When I first learned of the merits of cryotherapy, I really wanted to try it.  I was in the midst of trying different methods of self-care so cryotherapy fell by the wayside.  Eventually, I stumbled on a fantastic value on Groupon and finally booked a series of sessions.

Unclaimed, those sessions eventually expired.  But, luckily, Groupon still allows some expired coupons to be redeemed so I eventually took the plunge.  After contacting the local the cryotherapy center I was advised to schedule two sessions back to back.
In all honesty, I was apprehensive going into the experience.  There was a reason why I allowed the Groupon to expire.  The thought of leaving my comfy home to enter an ice chamber was unnerving.  I hate cold weather. Even if the session lasted for a few minutes, I was extremely hesitant.

 I mustered up enough courage was partially due to the additional information I learned about cryotherapy benefits.  When I first heard of cold therapy, it was marketed as a pain management option. Athletes seemed like the primary target audience.  But I've since learned the value of cryotherapy goes well beyond addressing pain.  Before I delve into the list benefits, I'd love to share a recap of my first two experiences. 

Today, I'll give you a small piece of advice that will hopefully change the direction of your life.   This morning I went on a morning walk.  Typically on these walks, I'll open the voice app and record an update of various areas of my life.

This morning's update went very well.  I noticed that I've made impressive progress in areas where I struggled for months.  After a bit of reflection, I realized the reason for my wonderful progress came from applying one simple principle that changed everything.

This year, I've taken a lot of interest in learning about how our body works at a cellular level while discovering ways to increase mental focus and energy.  As a solo entrepreneur, it's absolutely critical that I consistently operate at my best.

When I'm unmotivated, tired or sluggish, I can't produce my best work.  It's imperative to have some tricks up my sleeve that supercharge my health and vitality. Every morning I run through a list of actions that I'd like to complete that day. What I'm realizing is that whether I'm productive has a lot to do with my habits leading up to that day. There are certain hacks I can implement that enhance my productivity. Today, I'll share with you my latest and most exciting discovery.

The holiday season is here. Besides the shopping rush, there's something else we have to worry about.  It's a stressful time of year because of all the events and get-togethers that'll fill our schedule.  We're indulging in sweets which means that we're slowly putting on the pounds.  Throughout all of this, we tend to forget about our skin.

Our skin is important now even more than ever because we'll be socializing more than normal. Before attending your holiday gatherings, I encourage you to try a super easy beauty tip practiced by countless celebrities.

According to the Strengthfinder, one of my strengths is having a future-based mindset.  I'm forever imagining and fantasizing different versions of my future.  This is a cool skillset to have. But it does have its drawbacks.  Sometimes, looking too far ahead could hamper the actual creation process. The future seems so far away and we convince ourselves that we have ample time to create it, so we become lax in our level of activity.

Another strength of mine is coaching others.  This is because I believe in asking powerful questions. These types of questions cause a shift in our current pattern of thinking.  And, in doing so, they have the ability to create powerful outcomes.

Starting today, I'm going to start asking myself a truly powerful question that will impact my future starting now.

Back when the liquid lipstick craze appeared on the scene, I wanted in.  These colors were bold, had a high color payoff and looked great on women of color.  The first chance I got, I placed an order for a bunch of matte lipsticks from Colour Pop.

My first impression was that liquid lipsticks were phenomenal!  But, they had one drawback.  The final look was flat and left me with dry looking lips.  Soon thereafter, my liquid lipsticks were neglected for more hydrating options.  If only there was a way enjoy the bold look of matte lip color without the negative side effects.

In my spare time, I consume lots of information on the topic of health and wellness.  The more I learn, the more difficult it becomes to ignore.  In order to be better at implementing what I learn, I'm developing a system of what I call, "the daily detox."

The premise is simple.  All I need to do is incorporate some simple steps into my everyday routine that help my body to recover from the multitude of stresses that bombard it on a daily basis.

For the longest time, we've heard the advice of drinking more water if we want to enjoy beautiful skin (and thriving hair) I'll never forget that time when I purchased a  super huge water bottle to make it easier to reach "celebrity water drinking levels."   That time in my life was magical because I noticed a real difference just from adding one habit.

Even though we know the benefits of upping our water intake, it's nice to see real-life examples of how our bodies respond to adequate hydration.  Today, I bring you a wonderful story of a young lady who challenged herself to drink at least 2 litters a day and how she benefited thanks her valiant efforts.

While checking out some Snapchat stories,  I landed on one in particular where an entrepreneur/influencer posted an email written by a super-excited follower.   Weeks earlier, the influencer shared that she was launching a set of "affirmation bracelets" on her online store.  The bracelets were stackable and contained various positive, motivational phrases. 

In the email, the young lady detailed the exciting news of what's happened since she first received her bracelets.  According to the testimony, she received a contract worth $100,000.  Prior to that, the largest contract she ever received was for $10,000.  Basically, she increased her results by 10X!  She attributed amazing results to the bracelets. We all know that bracelets doesn't have the ability to create outcomes (otherwise, all of the purchasers would have similar results).  But, her email did remind me of a powerful lesson that we all need to apply whenever we're in the manifestation process.

Once upon a time, I was a "naturally slim" gal.  For the most part, it took little effort to keep my girlish figure. Then, things changed.  It probably was a combination of less activity (working from home) and poor eating choices (constant access to a stocked fridge).  Either way, I slowly put on an extra 10-15 lbs that seemingly came out of no where.

At my height/frame, 10+ lbs makes all the difference in the world.  After experimenting with multiple ways to shed the weight, I came to the conclusion that it's critically important to incorporate a few powerful and easy to maintain habits that really work.  It's always nice to learn from others who've discovered their keys to keeping a healthy weight.  Recently, Simone shared her go-to tips via Instastory.  I quickly captured them to see what we can learn from her healthy lifestyle.

Yesterday, I had a bit of an epiphany regarding my struggle with sugary snacks.  I think I found a way to break my mini addiction. Thanks to this breakthrough, I'm about to completely transform how I relate to sugar.

After getting back into the habit of meditating, I'm taking on the role of "the observer" in my daily life.  The observer is simply where instead of doing things automatically (and without thought), you pay attention to your actions and analyze them as if you're on the outside looking in. Most of the time, we're active participants in our foolishness instead of looking at our actions from an objective point of view.

By simply paying attention to my triggers and subsequent actions, I may have finally solved the mystery of why I binge on sweets.  If you apply "the observer method", you could potentially unlock the key to breaking bad habits and replace them with powerful new ones.

I while back, while strolling through the aisle of my local Asian market, when suddenly I spotted an interesting package I knew I had to have.  It was a package of dried up little rosebuds not unlike potpourri.

But on the back of the package were brewing instructions.

These little dried up roses were meant to create rose flavored tea or rose water.  The product description contained the following sentence : "red rose can help improve a dull complexion and skin moisture."  Although I wasn't sure exactly what those words meant or if they were even true, but I needed to try it and find out.

Several weeks ago, I sat across the table from my brother. We were in his office, holding a mastermind meeting of sorts.  The topic of discussion was the present state of our businesses.  He shared his wins and his areas of focus for the remainder of the year.

When it was my turn to share, I talked about some of the great things that happened this year, but I also brought up the fact that I was experiencing a downturn in current results.  I came equipped with strategies and action plans to turn things around.  Weeks later, I'm happy to report that I've completely transformed the situation.  Month to date, I've doubled my results compared to the same period last month.

Let's talk about how I did it.

You guys know that whenever someone reveals their beauty secrets, I'm all over it.  Today, I've stumbled on a wonderful gem.  Super model, Jasmine Tookes, recently uploaded a video of her entire night out makeup look.

Jasmine is such a beauty inspiration because she rocks very wearable makeup.  Her end goal is simply to create a flawless finish.  Isn't that what we all want?

If you're dying to know Jasmine's holy grail foundation, what she applies before makeup for a natural glow and the Charlotte Tilburry lip color that's an absolute must have, keep reading.

Friday is finally here.  I have a new tradition where I plan out my weekend on Friday.  For the past couple months, I've dedicated a portion of the weekend towards improving my environment.  This mainly consists of decluttering and organizing.

 It's an annual process that began years ago.  It's a method I utilize to prepare my life for the new year that awaits.  The goal is to create a "new" environment to attract new experiences in my life.  Little did I know that what I was doing was having a real impact on my brain power.

The deeper we get into the fall season, the more I panic.  I'm already starting to feel the effects of the drier air and I don't like it.  Every winter, I suffer from this incessant itching that occurs mainly on my upper thigh area.  Since I'm not exactly sure what causes it, I'm forced to attribute it to the low humidity environment.

One of my strategies, this year is to fight against dry skin like my life depends on it.  The other day, I happen to catch an IG live featuring Teyana Taylor.  She revealed that her glowing skin was a result of her "good moisturizer."  Although I never determined the exact brand her holy grail moisturizer, I came up on some of Teyana's other skin secrets that have already transformed my skin.

Once upon a time I went to my local professional beauty school for a massage.  Since the services were pretty affordable, I inquired about also getting a facial.  Whenever I go in for a skin service, I like to ask the person which treatment they think would best benefit my skin based on their assessment.

As the student looked at my skin under a bright light, she pointed out some concerns that I was well aware of. There was some acne scarring on my cheeks and dry patches on my forehead.  As we neared the end of the consultation, one of the professors came in to observe.  The student repeated all of the concerns that she identified when suddenly, her teacher responded with "what about the discoloration to the lower half of her face?"

I was a bit stunned.  "What discoloration? What was she talking about? How come no one had ever mentioned this before?"

As we all know,  daily action is the recipe for success.  We're officially kicking off the last 60 days of 2017 and there's no better time to start a 30-day challenge then now.   I'm fully committed to putting in the work necessary to drive real results.  And, since time is limited, we have to focus on the type of action that creates our desired outcomes in the fastest ways possible.

Recently, I watched a video on Youtube that featured some network marketing folks discussing their wins.  As one of the participants shared his reason for success, I was instantly inspired to draft this post because his advice mirrored what I did to created success in my business.

Weekends are made for masking.  With a little more free time on hour hands, we have the opportunity to get more creative.

You've already grown accustomed to all the clay masks in your collection, it's time to try something different.  Seasons are changing and the air is getting drier by the day.  Those clay masks aren't as relevant as they used to be.

Try this mask instead.

I've experienced it time and time again.  After a long day of trying to get everything done, I finally get a chance to sit down and scarf my dinner.  Next thing I know, it's time for bed.  My belly's full, I'm happy and ready to drift off into dreamland.

Over the next several months, the days will grow shorter which means most of us will consume our dinners close to bedtime.  This isn't ideal. We've all heard the advice of not eating our last meal too late. But how many of us really abide by those rules?

If you knew the full impact of late night eating, I'm sure you'd think twice.

In the summer, dewy skin just sorta happens.  Once winter rolls around, we may need a little help.  So now, more than ever, I'm starting to reach for my skin mists once again.  I've amassed quite a collection but I always keep my eyes peeled for potential new additions.

It seems that I may have found the next product on my hit list. My intention was to find a facial mist that does  more than just hydrate.  Don't get me wrong, instant hydration is a good thing, but I want my facial mist to provide even more value.  I want it to leave me looking flushed and glowing.

These new facial mists, I was introduced to, might be exactly what I'm looking for.

I was on Pinterest the other day when a motivational quote appeared on my timeline that immediately caught my attention.  The message was written in bold font and said something to the effect of "this month's diet is next month's body."

We're in the last quarter of the year. And, like clockwork, I always dedicate the last 90 days or so towards decluttering and improving my home environment. Last weekend I was inspired by an image of this perfectly organized fridge.  Immediately, I wanted to recreate my own version of this at home.

I love hacks! Any little tweak that can improve my results, I'm all for it!  Today I've learned something that I have to share with you.  Recently, I've started working out again and I want to see the fruits of my labor as soon as possible.  I wondered if there was a way to maximize each workout for enhanced results, and I think I've stumbled on the answer.

What I discovered today could change everything.  It doesn't require extra time in the gym. In fact, adding one simple beverage to your daily routine could help you lose more weight than working out alone.

How was your weekend?  The highlight of my Saturday night was doing some light housework while jumping on random Instagram lives.  When the notification came in that Megan Milan was live, I decided to join.

It was pretty casual with no real agenda. She did the IG live to give a quick update to her fans and answer questions in the comments.  I sat patiently and waited for the person to ask the question that has been on my mind since I first seen a pic of her.  Megan's skin is amazing.  I couldn't believe that no one asked her to divulge her secrets.
I waited long enough, I finally jumped in her comments and asked her to reveal her favorite skin products. As soon as she read my question, her whole demeanor changed. Suddenly, her voice was full of excitement and energy like she was waiting for someone to ask.

Happy Monday.  I hope your weekend was amazing.  I spent most of Sunday organizing and decluttering.  Whenever I spend a little time organizing, I'm always rewarded. Sometimes it's in the form of a few dollars found in the pocket of a pair of jeans.  Other times, I'm reunited with a long lost item I thought I'd never see again.

Yesterday was no exception.  But instead of finding cold hard cash, I stumbled on a brand new journal that I purchased years earlier.  Apparently, I planned on taking journaling seriously again but somehow fell short.  Since then, I've sat through various seminars where people shared amazing stories about how journaling has changed their life.  They've used the journaling process to manifest wonderful results.  That's the journey that I would like to embark on.  And here's how I'm going to do it.

One of my favorite past times is driving to the other part of town and check out the rare finds at my favorite thrift store.  Thrifting became a tradition for me back in middle school when my mom first introduced me a huge thrift store that was always packed on the weekends. 

For her, it was a way of saving a few extra dollars on purchases that would normally cost much more. But I fell in love with thrifting because of the unique items that I wouldn't come across in your typical retail store.  I had an eclectic taste in clothing so the thrift store became my favorite place. A couple years ago, I purchased several amazing outerwear pieces from the thrift shop that I absolutely love. 

I'm way overdue for another trip, but this time, I've got a laundry list of exactly what I want.  Let's discuss.

Blac Chyna is known for her bold makeup looks and extensive wig collection.  Her entire brand is all about being ultra glam from head to toe.  Underneath it all, Chyna has impeccably beautiful skin.
Even without a stitch of makeup, her skin is blemish free, even toned and has the most healthy glow. I'm sure some of it is genetics.  But after studying the regimen's of women with pretty skin, I learned that most of them have at least one beauty secret responsible for their perfect skin.

 Chyna is no different.

In 2016, I invested the bulk of my money into various facial gadgets. Some of my purchases include an LED face mask, the ultrasonic face scrubber, and various types of microcurrent devices ranging in various frequencies. 

I still use my handheld microcurrent tool practically every day while sitting in front of the computer. But the ones that emit a more powerful frequency are in my closet collecting dust.  I've been too lazy to give myself a proper microcurrent facial.  But, after reading some promising results from a study on the benefits of microcurrent, I'm ready to finally become consistent.  

Hanna Bronfman, lover of Microcurrent Treatments

This weekend I received a direct message on Instagram.  The young lady was full of excitement in her message as she encouraged me to join her team to earn a side income.  I told her that I loved her mission to help others earn extra income then wished her well on her journey.

It excites me to know how easy it is to earn a side income.  The barrier to entry for some of these business opportunities is very low.  That's a good thing but, on the flip side, the journey for growing your side income could lead to a dead end if you don't take the right approach.

Here's my best advice for taking on the challenge of earning additional income while having a full-time job.

A few weeks back I ranted about the need to focus on scalp health now that winter is approaching. Promptly after writing that article, I picked up a bottle of Hawaiian Silky's Vinegar Scalp Rinse.  I love the stuff.  To make it even better, I add a little peppermint and tea tree oil for the cooling sensation and to stimulate hair growth.

I thought I had my scalp regimen down packed but, last night I stumbled on a product that I absolutely have to incorporate on wash day.