Last week, I was sitting across from my 82-year-old mother and found myself staring at her face. Something was slightly different. Her skin looked firmer, healthier-glowing a bit. I had not seen her in a few weeks so the thought of a little plastic surgery did cross my mind. She joked for years about a little nip and tuck here and there but she would tell me right? So of course, I said something. I told her how great she looked (because she did) so she had the opportunity to spill the beans. She said, “it is the cream you told me about.” I could not believe my ears that I was getting all the credit for introducing her to this wonderful organic skincare line I discovered about 10 years ago called Savor Beauty. I was excited to think that my skin may look like hers when I am her age since I use the line religiously twice a day. It truly is an amazing line and I think it works!
SELF CARE
Fifteen years ago, a fitness instructor changed my skin.
During his class, he announced to the group "what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your body." This resonated since I spent a good part of my life eating processed food and using makeup, skincare and detergents loaded with ingredients I could not even pronounce. Since that day, I try my best to use all natural organic products on my face, body, underarms, and yes - tampons, too. At the end of the day, I believe the teacher was onto something when he said take care of your whole body!
TIPS FOR TIPS
The peak season for manicures and pedicures is around the corner. When getting your nails done, it is important to follow care procedures in and out of the salon. Here are a few recommended guidelines for more beautiful, healthy nails.
Keep your Cuticles!! It may seem strange to ask your manicurist to not cut your cuticles, but many expert dermatologists advise against removing them. Cuticles are natural barriers to fungus and bacteria. If cut, you will risk exposing fingers to infection. Pushing cuticles back is your best option, so make sure your service provider knows to do this once he or she begins.
Studies have shown that vitamin B7, also known as biotin, prevents brittle nails and increases nail thickness. Foods such as green peas, oats, soybeans, walnuts, brown rice, and sunflower seeds are rich in B7.
Avoid harsh chemicals like acetone based polish remover. Acetone strips nails, causing them to become brittle. Nail polish with formaldehyde and toluene are also toxic for nails.
Moisturize your nails with petroleum jelly, cuticle cream, or vitamin E oil.
Avoid Nail hardeners. Many of these products are not proven to strengthen nails and, in fact, have been shown to cause more damage than good.
Make sure your nail salon follows standard protocols for disinfecting tools and chairs. Good technicians always take tools out of disinfectant jars, as opposed to drawers.
WINTER HAIR CARE
The winter months make the days much colder, putting your luscious locks in more vulnerable situations. Here are some Primp Tips that you can use to protect your hair from cold weather damage.
One word: static. Always condition your hair with a deep conditioner every time you shampoo.
Always bring a hat to cover your hair from wind, rain, and snow. No one wants the“dreaded hat hair,” so we recommend wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before putting that cozy beanie on.
If you can, skip a day of shampooing (even two). Your hair is less prone to drying out of you shampoo 3 or 4 times a week than if you do it daily.
Make sure your hair is dry before you step outside. Moisture in your hair combined with the cold air will add further damage to your hair by freezing it and causing breakage.
Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to reduce the chance of dry, split ends.
Use natural bristles. Brushes with natural bristles help redistribute oils from the scalp to the rest of the hair and also conduct less static than plastic brushes and combs.
It may be tempting when it is cold, but soaking in hot water does damage to your hair. Hot water dries out the hair so we suggest cool or warm water when bathing.
Limit the use of blow dryers and curling irons. If you must use them, try using a leave-in conditioner first. Diffuse it on low heat, concentrating on the roots. The less you deal with styling tools, the better off you will be.
Avoid spraying perfume in hair and pay attention to the alcohol content in hair products, such as hairspray. These chemicals tend to dry hair out and leave strands brittle.
Hydration Your hair needs it too/ Using a humidifier adds moisture to the to the air—air that is typically dry due to indoor heaters.
WINTER SKIN CARE: LOVE THY FACE
“Love your face” is what my sisters and I would say to each other when buying skincare products, especially in the cold, dry, winter months. The cold-dry air takes away a thin layer of oil that traps moisture in the skin. So, here are some simple tips we put together to keep your skin healthy and happy during the frosty months.
1. Moisturize, moisturize…. and then MOISTURIZE. Up your daily routine for all over moisturizing.
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Without proper H20, skin turns dry, tight, and flakey, making it less resident and more prone to wrinkling. It is recommended that you consume 8 glasses of water a day. Remember, your skin is the largest organ of the human body.
3. Take lukewarm showers/baths and reduce your soaking time. Hot showers and baths will strip your skin’s moisture.
4. Use gentle skin cleansers and avoid harsh scrubs. Moisturizing post bath while the skin is still damp will maximize absorption into your skin.
5. Avoid harsh face peels, scrubs, masks, and astringents that are alcohol based. Gentler skin products do less damage and won’t dry out your skin the way harsh products do.
6. Remember your sun block! During cold months, people are more prone to windburn. Windburn is, ironically caused by the SUN. Apply sun block daily; this should be part of your skin care routine year-round.
7. Dress appropriately for the winter with thick scarves and hats. Wear comfortable, loose fitting garments made of breathable cotton fabric. Avoid harsh wools or polyesters directly on your skin that can cause chaffing of the skin.
8. Mind your hands. The skin on your hands is thinner than other parts of the body and has less oil glands, making your hands more susceptible to winter drying. So, not only should you wear gloves, but you should have hand lotion with you at all times.
9. Remember to exercise. Exercise has a lot of benefits including reducing stress, which causes eczema flare-ups. Exercise is not only good for stress relief, but is obviously good for the body. Working out comes in various forms including yoga, ice skating, or running. Everyone’s routine is different; it is important to keep strong and have fun at the same time.
10. Get spa treatments. Seriously—this may be a shameless plug but it is important to PRIMP! Getting a manicure, massage, or facial keeps the body vibrant and promotes wellness all year round, especially when we are trying to fight the winter blues.
STAY BEAUTIFUL WITH THESE HOLIDAY STRESS RELIEVERS
From the first holiday carols on the radio to the full crunch of the shopping rush, the weeks around the holidays can be very stressful. We, of course, love to wash our cares away with the joys of massage, manicures, and anything beauty related! Our professionals can swoop in faster than a team of reindeer and take care of you and your girlfriends - we're just a phone call away!
We also suggest these additional stress relief tips for making it through this busiest of seasons. They will help keep the tired-looking eyes away so you look bright and fresh.
Sunlight is key! While it can be difficult to get outside during the short winter days even if the sun is shining, make the effort. Natural sunlight stimulates the body's production of serotonin and has a real impact on improving your mood and energy levels. You don't need to lay on a beach in Miami (though that would be nice!) to let the sun's power help brighten your day.
Know when to say No. Holiday parties and planning gifts and cards for everyone can be so much added work. Sometimes a gracious "no thank you" is the right answer. If you're worried about disappointing someone for not attending a holiday event, perhaps schedule a quiet lunch or dinner in January once the dust has settled. Your busy holiday schedule will thank you.
Honey and Spice. You don't need to eat them together, but both honey and spicy food can help you cope. Honey's antioxidants are great for health and the sweetness can provide a little energy boost when you need it. Spicy food helps the body produce endorphins which improve your mood.
Embrace the holidays and take care of yourself, too!