Thursday, July 9, 2009

Truly Natural Beauty Tips and Tricks

Big day coming up? Follow these inexpensive and simple tips and tricks to maximize your natural beauty from the inside out!

Tip #1) Do NOT drink the night before! If you do, make sure you have 3x the amount of water to alcohol you consume. 

Why? Here are several ways your body( and especially your face) will respond the next day:
  • The whites of your eyes and your skin will be more "yellow" due to dehydration. 
  • Your eyelashes will clump together and look smaller and less full due to dehydration.
  • Your neck/chin area and your midsection will retain water and make you look swollen.
  • Your eye skin will be more sensitive/swollen and your eyes will be more likely to sting and water throughout the day, especially if you wear contacts.
  • Your lips will absorb lip color very quickly and look more "dry" and you will have more "lip wrinkles". 
Tip #2) DO exfoliate!

Try baking soda! Here are several ways this inexpensive household essential is also a beauty essential:

  • Because it is gentle and natural you will not damage the pores on your face when you use it. You can use it every day before bedtime after your regular face wash before you use toner. How to use it: Leave your face damp after washing and then gently scrub around the baking soda for 1 min, wash it off, then you are done!
  • The baking soda will gently take off the outer layers of dead skin cells leaving your face fresh, bright and beautiful!
  • Another advantage to using the baking soda is that you will not be spending a lot of money on a new product that could make you break out. Because there are no artificial colors, preservatives or fragrances, you don't have to worry about stressing your skin. 
  • Add a little baking soda to your toothpaste when you brush! It whitens your teeth without damaging the enamel or making your gums sore or sensitive!
  • When you are done brushing your teeth, use your clean toothbrush to gently exfoliate your lips as well. This will also help your lips to not be dry or chapped and your lip color will stay beautifully!
Tip #3) "Beauty Sleep" has that name for a reason!

Yes, the ideal number of hours is 8+, but when you are planning a big event, who can stick by that? If you have to cut corners on sleep, try these tips to maximize your sleeping hours!

  • If you can sleep from the hours of 10pm-2am, you will feel more rested than if you get any other fours hours of sleep. Sleeping from 4am to 8am won't cut it!
  • Lights OUT! The darker it is, the better your body will be able to shut off and truly rest. 
  • Turn off the TV! Even though you may fall asleep easier, you won't rest better. Your brain will still be aware of the noise and light in the background and you are much less likely to get that deep, dreamless, much needed sleep.
  • Have trouble winding down? Take a warm bath-not shower, bath-about 30-40 min before you need to be asleep. As your body cools off after the bath you will become more relaxed and it will be much easier to drift off into sweet sleep. 

And as always, having a professional makeup artist and hair stylist to emphasize your natural beauty is a wonderful thing! Check out our website: www.yourmakeupexpert.com and feel free to ask any beauty "how-to" questions! God bless you!

Check back later for more natural beauty tips and tricks!