My Make-Up Style » Skin care

The UGLY Truth

Teresa — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:28:05 +0000

Oh yeah!

Over the past five months, I have become uncomfortably acquainted with the damaging effects stresses emit on the body, mind and spirit. I am pretty sure my first indicator was looking in the mirror and seeing a drawn reflection, void of expression, often tear filled eyes staring back at me. Some struggles empty your spirit as you work to find the coping strategies capable of encompassing common sense and in an act of poetic expression caring for each other, the mind shuts down or the body produces illness forcing you to sleep.

The fullness of my every minute has come to an abrupt halt leaving me in a shell shocked world trying to rebalance and find trust in the belief, although I am no longer able to control my loved ones environment because they are no longer here, I take the time to visualize an invisible protection so powerful, they are impervious to pain, abuse or any number of dangers common in our world today.

So impeccably strong is the power of a Mother’s love. Balanced wisdom grows within us as we mature and the inner strength we gain from our own Mom, reminding us of what we cannot change and must accept. I find myself comforted by simple things like, healthy self talk such as “I am safe in this moment”, “I feel good”, “I am loved” and I continue to surround myself with the beauty I create within the confines of my physical world, appreciating my home, my community and my family and friends.

For me, most daunting, have been the obvious physical changes, weight gain, unhealthy skin tone, wrinkles, puffiness, nervousness, sleep disturbances, racing heart, emotional instability and fatigue while with others weight loss amongst other irritations and numerous other health conditions can occur. How do we pull ourselves through times of struggle? Big or small, stress is UGLY and a part of our daily lives. I believe we have to create our own prescriptions for health. I suggest you consider making lists. This is how I dealt with my stress.

While in the thick of it, I think we have to let go. Meeting expectations for others becomes such a tall order; I chose to not stress myself beyond emotional break. This meant to make healthy meals but if I wanted more, or treats, I let myself have it. The worry here is becoming a victim of my old bad habits, but I told myself “this is a moment in time, let it go” and I did what I had to do. Caring for four extra people, three of which were very sick, in a home built comfortably for two, turned my world upside down. Finding time to sleep was a challenge. I even reversed my schedule and became a night care giver to my Granddaughter feeding her through an NG tube and watching for vomiting to prevent aspiration while working my day job in between massive interruptions. Unfortunately, I also let go of exercise and meditation, as there was no time. In the morning, I worked on my emotional health while drifting off to sleep, earplugs in and an eye pillow to block out all light.
A simple physical change I could make in my home was I diffused and use therapeutic grade essential oils such as citrus smells, peppermint, lavender and Frankincense to alter the frequency of the limbic system. The science of smell is powerful. My Grandchildren reminded me of this daily, I was able to change their states waving an open bottle under their little noses calming them instantly.
I understand I have high expectations; I had to let that go. To be able to work and sleep, I let my home go as much as I could stand. I decided asking everyone to pitch in became too much, so I chose what I would neglect and what they actually did do, I attempted to appreciate it while reminding myself to not be a martyr.
Finally, I showered less often and I did not take the time to shave my legs. I most often didn’t put on makeup and I didn’t take the time to care for my skin. I tried to avoid the scale and the mirrors. I didn’t have time to fuss about them.

Post Open Heart Surgery, let the healing begin.

It has been five days since my life has returned to my previous routine. Today is the first day I have felt like writing. Yesterday was the first day I took time to meditate. I have had an eye twitch for a week and I am trying to cure it by first accepting it and realizing it is a manifestation of the cumulative months of upheaval, genuine concern over family health, sadness and loss of my Father in law and the complete and total breakdown in the value of time.

It is easy to say “you have to take the time to care for yourself” but I know there are occasions when that is impossible. Today is the day I move forward in rebuilding my wellbeing, developing my prescription for health, reflecting on my gratefulness to my family, as always, who came to my rescue in moments of despair and I am celebrating in those little things, reconnecting to the blessing of breathing in ‘time’, a slower pace, smiling at the antics of my pets, the option to not cook or prepare a meal, rocking on the back deck with a glass of wine while enjoying the chirping of the birds and an occasional sweet fragrant breeze, piddling in my yard, redesigning my living space and dreaming of the life I choose to live. Rather than being controlled by chaos, give in and go with the flow.

Happiness : ) is my husband and healthy Grandkids.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

–Reinhold Niebuhr

Nice review on my favorite Sunscreen!

Teresa — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:41:52 +0000

Cellular Labratories Sunscreen Spf 55

Just a quick note with a link to a product I have become very fond of… Cellular Laboratories: De-aging Sunscreen spf55! It is wonderfully soft without the greasy feeling of most sunscreens. But if you choose to order it, I hope you will consider purchasing it from me at my make-up store. See the review now at Beauty Snob

My hands show my age…

Teresa — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:21:50 +0000

I recently took care of my son recovering from surgery and his 7 month old baby. It was wonderful being with them both for almost two weeks; however, my hands have never looked so bad! I constantly had my hands in and out of water, cleaning, cooking, numerous diaper changes, etc. Okay, I realize I am oh so inching my way toward 50, however my face does not show the stress and wrinkles my hands do. I look down at my chipped nails, wrinkled dry skin and I want to change them!

I have been reading the data about this new skin care product my company is retailing. I ordered it. When it arrived I cleansed my skin, put my toner on, applied it and I thought I saw practically instant change on my face and on my hands (believe me; I have a long way to go with my hands!)

Matriskin, a skin changer!

It is called Matriskin and it is a glass bottle, a deep penetrating, and light viscosity silky smooth product.. It seems to be absorbed quite rapidly without an oily look. To some degree it tightens and firms on application or within a few minutes, but what is most exciting is how it has been proven to change the skin over time. As usual, I will be my own Guinea Pig and will let you know.

I want to highlight what is most exciting about this product; it is considered safe for Rosacea sufferers and dramatically reduces acne in 3 days. At $150.00 per ounce, I am expecting great things! I love the ingredients listed in this product and I am looking forward to seeing a difference over time.

If you want to look over the product, here is the link for Matriskin. I would love for you to tell me what you think. If you choose to test it with me, I will send you a free gift in exchange for your testimony but, I want you to allow me to coach you on how you are caring for your skin. Please contact me privately along with a current picture and your skin regime. Cheers, to looking younger!

Stop Using ‘Natural’ Deodorants Until You Read This

Teresa — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:32:08 +0000

desc

via Stop Using ‘Natural’ Deodorants Until You Read This.

Winter Itch! Common cures for dry itching skin.

Teresa — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:39:18 +0000

Don't itch!

Your skin is one big body organ… and indicator of your health.

Supplementation is very beneficial for the skin with fish oils to improve healthy skin texture, however, I am allergic to fish. I may struggle more than most with dry skin. To compensate, I supplement myself with other Omega 3’s sources, I try to consume flax seed and walnuts and a quality consumable Aloe Vera drink daily.

Prior to recognizing there were other ways to supplement my diet, I visited my family physician. He told me that there were several things contributing to my skin condition and un-affectionately called it “Winter Itch“!

I was taking too hot showers or baths.
I needed to run a humidifier during winter heating.
Using allergy or sinus medications were poorly treating my sinus situations because exacerbating the issue, I was not using a humidifier in my bedroom at night.
Avoid detergents with strong odors opting for clear or baby cleaning products and soaps.
And lastly, after bathing, apply a non fragrant lotion while your skin is moist to retain water locking in the moisture.

So to go into these items in a bit more detail… 1. Yes, I hate not taking a pretty hot shower! I can’t help it! Nothing feels better than a hot shower or bath! But, when you want relief reduce the shower temperature, what can you deal with? Another shower or bath tip is removing the chlorine with a filter a very harsh chemical on the skin. You really need to, not to mention chlorine in shower water is really tough on asthmatics, a current epidemic especially with our children.

2. A humidifier or at least a vaporizer in your bedrooms, do you have an in house humidity tester? But let me also warn you! To avoid growing bacteria’s and blasting them throughout your home, you must routinely (weekly) clean out these units with vinegar, soaking them and letting them dry out. (I buy vinegar in the gallon size, it is a great disinfectant!) To reduce the little white particles that will float and cover your woodwork, the are minerals from you water, you may want to purchase ones that filter, you might want to refer to Consumer Reports who have some nice buying tips on their website.

3. Medications, even the ‘over-the-counter’ meds can cause you trouble. Refer to the fine print and educate yourself! You have to do this because no one else will! I like using a Neti pot, it certainly does help!

4. When skin is becoming irritated, you can get into a vicious cycle making relief a more difficult balance. Especially if you are sensitive (like me, the Queen!). There is nothing more irritating than perfums or fragrances, the things manufacturers put into your products to cover up smelly ingredients. Unfortunately not all products are very healthy either so lets make this simple. I like to recommend something very natural.

I love coconut in all forms, the oil for cooking and my skin, the flour and the raw meat. LOVE, LOVE, LOve IT!

I like to use Coconut oil (food grade). Coconut is quickly becoming one of the most useful products in my kitchen. After I get out of the shower I let it melt in the palm of my hands and rub it all over. It quickly moves into the skin and it is simple and pure.

Lastly, by no means do I want you to NOT go to the Doctor should your conditions worsen from an irritating mild case of itch. I am trying to share with you common sense daily tips but allow me to caution you, there can be many medical reasons for dry skin, so please don’t overlook the fact that you may need to see a Doctor. Stay healthy and happy this 2010 while I will continue to commit to working hard to helping you be more beautiful too!

Concerns about Revitalash staining the eyes…

Teresa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:12:09 +0000

This is an amazing product, Revitalash!

I have been concerned over comments made by blogs about Revitalash possibly causing staining in the eyes. I wrote them a quick e-mail and had a response the following morning. Please read this text copied and pasted for you below in response to my note.

Oh, and by the way, I am still loving it. My Mom is happy with her lashes, she is aging and feels her lashes are full enough to go without mascara if she chooses. (And believe me, she is a hard sell!)

Dear Teresa,

Thank you for your interest in RevitaLash® Eyelash Conditioner and for taking the time to contact us. Developed by an ophthalmologist, RevitaLash® is a cosmetic eyelash conditioner that combines a unique set of functional cosmetic ingredients to enhance the attractiveness and beauty of your natural eyelashes.

RevitaLash® has a thickening agent added to the formula, and our tests have shown that, when used as directed, RevitaLash® does not get into the eyes and, therefore, should not have any physiological effect on your eyes, including the color of your eyes. After selling several hundred thousand bottles of RevitaLash®, we have had no reports of eye color changes or “staining.” Of course, we always tell our customers: ”As a precaution, if you have concerns, we advise you to consult with your physician or ophthalmologist.”

We are proud that RevitaLash® is now the beauty industry’s premier cosmetic eyelash conditioner.
The functional cosmetic ingredients in RevitaLash® are intended solely to beautify and enhance the appearance of your natural eyelashes.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best Regards,

Amber Tobler

Athena Cosmetics, Inc.

CS Supervisor

p. 877-909-5274

f. 888-377-6233

atobler@revitalash.com

www.revitalash.com

We are available to assist you Mon-Fri 7:00a–5:00p PST.

RevitaLash® is a remarkable cosmetic innovation that within weeks will help you achieve the appearance of long, healthy, beautiful eyelashes.

Your natural eyelashes will look spectacularly Longer, Thicker, Fuller!

May I also include what I consider proper application. This formula is a thin clear product, use it once per day, (preferably after cleansing at night) and I reduce the amount on the liner applicator by pressing it gently against the rim of the container. Only put it on your top lash line and believe me, a little dab will do ya! Thank-you Revitalash, great customer service response and I am loving it!

New Model for Cancer — Dynamite!

Teresa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:25:31 +0000

Vitamin D comes naturally when we expose our skin to sunshine.

New Model for Cancer — Dynamite!.

Yes, I know this is a lot of information! Vitamin D may be a revolutionary change especially for my Northeastern friends. This information will blow your mind!

Look 7 Years Younger

Teresa — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:42:47 +0000

Look 7 Years Younger.

7 Steps with Web MD

I reject the inject!

Teresa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:32:01 +0000

I don't know who this is, but it is a great example of too much surgery and injections.

What are you doing to yourself? Injections of Botox, or fat cells, cosmetic surgery, do we really have to go there? I realize there are extreme cases that call for an exception to this rule. For the most part, cosmetic procedures are deforming.

My husband and I were standing in line at an airport and a gentleman in front of me had eyebrows about ¾ of an inch over the brow bone. This is a great example of a bad procedure, a really bad face lift. It was obvious he had a little too much work done as he had a very surprised look on his face, all the time! Poor man.

This nonsense with Botox and other injectibles makes me squirm beyond measure. We still don’t know the long term effect of injecting your face with botulism. (now that is a pleasant thought!)

Skin care products today are revolutionary. I promise you, they are cheaper than surgery! Before you consider getting cut up, do some research on what is available. Look at the science behind the product. You will be amazed at what you can do for yourself if you add this one thing, an excellent exfoliation product!

One of my exceptions to this rule is hidden lids. This can be a medical essential. I know a few cases where the lid was making it difficult for the individual to keep their eyes open, now that is a medical necessity! And of course, with issues causing disfigurement, I understand that as well. Reconstructive surgery can be a blessing.

I love Revitalash!

Teresa — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Wow, in the past week I have had two people comment on my eyelashes. I certainly have been noticing my thicker upper eye lash line. It is a simple process of applying once daily like an eyeliner. Although it is pricey at $150.00, I am extremely pleased with my results. And how can you go wrong when a company is so proud of their product, they offer a 90 money back guarantee. (I do not get any money from recommending this product. I am not affiliated with them in anyway!)

Check out . I have never ordered from this company, but they are offering a special for this product. I think I am going to try make my husband try the hair product next!