All about Toners

It's all about toners. Now that you have washed your cute little face it's time to grab the toner. Why you ask? Well toners help to remove any left over grime and left over cleanser. Toners help to hydrate your skin so choose wisely. Try to choose one that does not contain alcohol. Alcohol can tend to dry the skin out or strip it's natural oil barrier. Toners are suppose to hydrate and prep the skin for a moisturizer. You can find toners out there that have beneficial ingredients that help to target acne, wrinkles, dry or oily skin. Some of them may say "Revitalizing" or "Equalizing" those are great. 

Some ingredients to look for include

• water
• witch hazel
• glycolic acid
• aloe
• lavender
• chamomile
• AHA's

Don't forget to tone after you cleanse morning and night using a cotton ball,4x4 cotton pad or cotton round. Happy Toning.

Ditch the Soap

Why we love detergent soap

• The rich foaming lather on the skin
• leaves you feeling refreshed and smelling nice throughout the day
• your skin feels squeaky clean

WAKE UP, did you know that the skin is the largest organ of the body.

Why detergent soap is not recommended to clean the face

• soap leaves a layer of residue or "soap scum" all over the skin after washing that leaves the skin feeling tight and dry
• soap contains harsh ingredients that can be detrimental to the skin
• using soap can increase water loss to the skin, fighting it's ability to maintain a moisturized state
• over time the scum left behind can actually damage the outer layer of the skin leaving it itchy, dry and red.

So now you are probably thinking " What am I going to wash my face with?"

FACIAL CLEANSERS

Put the detergent soap behind you and opt for something more gentle. Facial cleansers remove dirt, makeup, dead skin cells, and more. Cleansers are customized to your skin type and some even carry additional ingredients to help combat acne,wrinkles and dull skin. So now you are actually treating the skin condition and getting results in return. A facial cleanser can come in a variety of different forms.

• Foaming cleansers - best for normal to combination skin types
• Creamy - best for dry skin types
• Gel - best for oily and combination skin types
• Gentle free from fragrance - best for sensitive skin types

Seasons change and when they do your skin can change as well. Hormones change too. Don't give up hope and think it's not working. Just switch things up and use a different cleanser. You don't have to go out and buy all different kinds of cleansers for every season. Go to a well known spa, department store or natural food store. Ask me or another professional. Some drug stores have beauty specialist that can help you. Tell them what you want! Don't let them sway you into buying the most expensive cleanser filled with some diamond bull crap or bird poop. Tell them what using now and how your face feels and reacts. Ask for samples I LOVE SAMPLES !! Ask to try it on. Be bold it's your skin. If you like how it feels buy it. Most cleansers range from $8.00-$30.00 depending on the brand, if it's medical grade (from a medical spa or dermatologist) or from your local pharmacy. So, "Ditch the Soap" and move on to a nice facial cleanser. Happy skin!!

Cleaning your closet Step #3

Once you have finished organizing the closet,begin grouping like with like. For example group shirts with shirts, skirts with skirts, pants with pants, then divide them by color style and fabric. Leave some space so you can look through your closet and choose what to wear.  

Now take a step back and look at what items your closet is primarily filled with. Look at your lifestyle. Do you have mostly tee shirts and jeans? Flowing tops and black pants? Sweatshirts and work out gear? Or is your closet filled with a variety of fashionable items? What items of clothing are you missing in your closet? Write a cute little list of things you need to "glam" up your already working wardrobe, keep it in your purse. When you go shopping pull out the list or pictures and ONLY look for those items.

If you are glamour challenged and have no idea where to start ASK ME!! I can make your black cotton workout pants and workout top your new "GOING OUT" outfit. I'll add a few snazzy items you need to shop for, borrow from me or sadly you already have them in your closet... and have no idea what to wear it with. BE CREATIVE , make a collage board. Use an old cork board or a new satin one from Homegoods. Tear out pictures of people or outfits in magazines that reflect a look you want. Tack the pictures up. You never know who will be in your closet, look at your board and say " Hey I just saw that at Target the other day and it was on sale". 

THINGS TO REMEMBER for 2010

1. Great style is about developing your own unique fashion personality


2. Pick key items that keep things interesting and chic


3. RENEW, REUSE, RECYCLE - smart styling that can transform what you already own into something FRESH!!!


Hope your closet looks fabulous. Happy OUTFIT GRABBING !!

Cleaning your closet Step #2

It was a full day of sorting and more sorting. I collected THREE lawn trash bags out of my closet. I haven't even got to the three extra large bins and two medium size bins I collected under our basement stairs. Not to mention I have one more bin in the attic of my parents house. Oops did I say that?  Well that will be my next step. I realized... I HATE to get rid my own clothes ! So, on to my experience. It took hours of dressing and undressing, sweating and swearing. I've even had plenty of self talks "Oh I will loose weight, it will fit" or "I'll wear that one day, I'm saving it for the right occasion". BALONEY ! I haven't done it yet so... I painfully decided to get rid of it. My closet feels so light and airy. I can know run to my closet and grab clothes that fit. Yeah no more outfit changing after outfit changing. 

Step #2  Go through all your shoes keep the winter ones out and put the sandals and flip flops away. Go through your jewelry, scarves, hats, headbands and any other accessories you may have. For those of you who are organizer fanatics Homegoods, Walmart, Marshalls and T.JMaxx have great gadgets to help you stay organized. Bed Bath & Beyond carries cool gadgets from "As seen on TV". If you don't have a lot of extra cash on hand save your money. Each week purchase a new gadget. I just purchased a few jewelry organizers and I am in love with them. Once you are done organizing then onto Step # 3. Happy Organizing !

A cosmetic explosion

Cleaning out your closet

Start this year off with a bang! First thing is first,let's start with the most disastrous thing in your bedroom. YOUR CLOSET! Step #1 Tackle one section at a time. Remember if you haven't worn it in 2 years...bag it up and donate it. There are many organizations that you can donate to:Big Brothers Big Sisters,Salvation Army,Good Will,St. Jude. Ask for a receipt and use for your taxes. If you can not bear to donate them have a swap party with some of your friends. And if you really can't get rid of something ask yourself why you want to keep it. Then let me know and we will talk about it. When you are done with sorting section by section we will move on to Step #2. P.S. I am doing this with you,my closet is a disaster. Remember do one section at a time.

You will need the following items:

• Patience
• New sturdy hangers
• extra heavy black bags
• twist ties

The project begins today.... Happy Sorting!