Eat Your Way to Gorgeous Skin

Hello Gorgeous!

Who doesn’t want more radiant healthy-looking skin? So, feed it!

The skin is one of the most powerful indicators of health. Wrinkles, dry or oily skin, acne, and inflammation are all signs of poor internal health, often brought on by consuming unhealthful foods and avoiding skin-healthy nutrients.

You may have a daily skin care routine that consists of facial cleansers, lotions, creams and makeup that helps your skin look its best, but while you focus on what you can do for your skin on the outside, you may not realize what you can do from the inside. Proper nutrition and diet can do wonders for the appearance of your skin. You really are what you eat.

The sooner you begin a healthy diet, the sooner your skin will look radiantly younger and you will feel healthier. Everything you put in your mouth is likely to affect the quality of your skin. The amazing thing is that skin can easily be transformed by making simple changes to your daily diet. Eat the right things regularly and you can give your complexion a gorgeous glow. So read on and put these edibles on your daily menu!

Research has shown that eating more of certain foods can help us to a beautiful complexion from the inside out, without resorting to costly skin care products.

Factors affecting your skin health can include: dehydration, poor digestion, nutrient deficiencies, low essential fats, stress, diet, skin care products, environmental toxins and impurities.

Vital nutrients for healthy skin include: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and lots of water.

Skin loving foods to embrace:

1. Plenty of water and herbal teas to help flush out unwanted toxins. Water is an important key to beautiful skin, since even mild dehydration can result in visible aging and dryness. Drinking alcohol, caffeine, and sodas (pop) can be dehydrating, so be sure to drink plenty of pure water for healthier skin! All teas are rich in skin-loving antioxidants, but anti-inflammatory substances found in green tea are thought to be especially beneficial. Recent studies have found that drinking green tea may be helpful for warding off skin cancer and the visible signs of aging. Drink up!
2. Fruits of all kinds – superfoods! Apples,  apricots,  bananas,  blackberries,  blueberries,  figs,  grapefruit,  grapes,  kiwi,  lemons,  melons, pineapple and strawberries. Fruit rule: enjoy fruit in-between meals as a snack, an early morning juice and always on an empty stomach. Berries including blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries and acai berries are all delicious, and they give our complexions a healthy boost with antioxidants that protect skin cells.
3. Vegetables of all kinds – we all know they are good for us! Artichokes, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, cucumber, spinach and tomatoes. TIP: darker green vegetables contain more vitamin C, beta-carotene, iron and calcium. Vitamin A found in dark leafy greens like spinach are great for clearing up acne and promoting skin repair. Vitamin-rich veggie alternatives include carrots and broccoli. Eat up!
4. Fiber-rich foods such as whole grain rice, oats, bran, and nuts can bind to excess waste and prevent toxic build up in the body. Fiber is an essential nutrient required for proper digestion of foods, proper functioning of the digestive tract, and for helping you feel full. A deficiency of fiber can lead to constipation and elevated levels of cholesterol and sugar in the blood. Nuts are high in fiber and great as a snack or as an addition to salads. Almonds provide the most fiber, but the omega-3 oils and fiber found in walnuts are vitally important for flexible, plump, younger-looking skin.
5. Essential fats in oily fish form an essential part of cell walls so a constant supply keeps skin supple and plump. Fish oils have a good ratio of essential fatty acids to keep the skin functioning efficiently. Essential fatty acids cannot be made by the body and must be obtained through diet. Symptoms that you are not getting enough fatty acids in your diet include:
   • allergies
   • depression
   • hyperactivity
   • high blood pressure

Fish that contain fatty acids include:

• Salmon
• Sardines
• Mackerel
• Herring
• Trout
• Tuna

These fish are all great for healthy brain function and the heart too! Olive oil also has good fatty acids, great for your health as well as for more elastic, dewy skin. So, switch to extra-virgin organic olive oil: it is rich in healthy “good” fats which strengthen our cell membranes, helping our skin to look nourished and radiant.

6. Vitamins for hair, skin and nails – great for topping up the nutrients in your gorgeous skin diet. Vitamins can help solve skin problems in many cases. This is because skin problems are often a result of a vitamin deficiency. Vitamins nourish your body and help it function properly. Most people can get all the nutrients their skin needs from a multivitamin and a healthy diet.

As important as it is to eat a healthy diet, your skin also needs you to not smoke, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and drink A LOT of water.

Remember to be patient. To get results, give it time. It may take three months to a year to really see an improvement in your skin so please, give it a solid chance to work and don’t give up.

XOXO

Trisha

The Best Daily Face Treatment

Hello Gorgeous!

Years ago I started getting facials regularly at a medical spa and was recommended to the product NIA 24® Skin Strengthening Complex to get on an anti-aging skin care regimen to prevent any future damage. NIA 24® Skin Strengthening Complex is a fortified cream that visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by enhancing the skin’s barrier function, accelerating repair and delivering continual moisture, ensuring stronger, better skin that’s more resilient to sun damage. At first, I was really skeptical and decided to try only the small free sample the aesthetician gave to me during one of my visits because at $85 a tube, I didn’t plan on purchasing this product as I didn’t think I needed it or that I would see results.

After just one use, I was hooked! This is the only product I have ever used that really made a noticeable difference in my skin. This product helped strengthen and repair my skin, helping prevent future sun damage and aging. I noticed an improved skin tone, texture and firmness right after using this product only once and I continue to see results in reducing and preventing the appearance of fine lines after two years of continuous use. Overall, my entire skin tone and texture improved greatly. It truly is a wonderful product and I recommend it to everyone who would like to prevent and repair visible signs of aging and sun damage.

Product Description:
NIA24 Skin Strengthening Complex is a light-weight daily treatment moisturizer delivering continual moisture as well as barrier-building benefits of clinical strength Pro-Niacin. NIA24’s patented Pro-Niacin™ molecule delivers Niacin deeply into the skin, stimulating cell’s natural repair processes, improving energy metabolism and promoting the release of leptin, a natural repair hormone. NIA24 Skin Strengthening Complex reduces the appearance of discolorations and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles for visibly firmer, more even skin tone and texture.

What is MicroNutrient Delivery?
MicroNutrient Delivery allows ingredients known to be beneficial to go beyond topical application, penetrating the epidermis in a slow, continuous-release, allowing time for the molecule to bio-convert to its working form.

Benefits:
Continuous, deep delivery of Pro-Niacin™ strengthens the skin barrier. Pro-Niacin™ is clinically shown to visibly improve skin tone, texture and hyper-pigmentation.
– Vitamin A helps to improve elasticity and skin texture.
– Antioxidants Green Tea and Rosemary restore and protect skin.
– Ceramides reinforce the skin barrier to maximize the moisture-holding capacity for smoother, firmer skin.
– Evening Primrose and Wheat Germ oils deliver moisture.
– Dermaxyl™ Peptide Complex visibly eases deeper wrinkles and expression lines.

Instructions:
Use NIA24 Skin Strengthening Complex in the morning and at night. Apply a small amount of skin strengthening complex to face and neck. Avoid eye area.

About:
Backed by over 30 years of scientific research, patented Pro-Niacin – the primary ingredient in all NIA 24 products, fortifies the skin barrier and builds stronger, healthier skin.

Where to buy:
Nia24.com
Amazon
Online beauty sites
Medical Spas

Price:
$85 (usually you can find a good discount online)

Please note that Niacin in this concentration can cause facial redness and slight peeling, so be sure to read the instructions which suggest using this product every couple of days to start with and then working your way up. Because my skin isn’t that sensitive, I was able to use this product everyday during my first treatments without any issues, but every skin tone is different.

NIA24 Skin Strengthening Complex is one of the few staples in my skin care routine. This is a wonderful product that contains ingredients that are proven to work. If you’re at an age where you’re looking to reverse or prevent sun damage and premature aging, this is definitely worth looking into and trying.

XOXO

Trisha

My New Favorite Beauty Product

This weekend I discovered my new favorite beauty product and I’m so excited to tell you about it. It’s been along time since I’ve tried something new that I end up loving, but this is definitely my new favorite product that I absolutely adore.

MAC Brow Pencil is by far the BEST brow pencil I have ever used and I have tried them all, from expensive to inexpensive. I bought the color Spiked which is a dark brown color that perfectly matches my natural brow color.

The MAC Brow Pencil isn’t waxy and provides the perfect definition to brows. It’s a thin, self-propelling, self-sharpening and defining pencil which is perfect for filling in your brows for a natural look or a more dramatic look. It stays in place all day and looks natural.

This is what the color Spiked looks like on my brows (sorry about the uneven picture, I took it from my cell phone camera myself and It’s the best I could do from my phone):

If you read my review on the Sephora brow pencil, you know why brows are so important. A brow pencil frames your face, enhancing your features. Eyebrows bring your entire look together, making you look awake, alert and instantly younger. When your eyebrows are not well groomed, you don’t look groomed, your eye area looks tired, unlifted and you don’t look as healthy as you could.

DESCRIPTION:
Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining. Confidently adds what you need: shape, color, density in one streamlined tool. Like a pen, creates its own just-right point. Provides definition, shape, deepens/fills in color, creates striking arches, easy to tote around. No sharpener needed. 0.09 g / 0.003 US oz

PRICE:
US $16

WHERE TO BUY:
MAC Cosmetics counters
MAC Cosmetics online

PROS:
Smooth application
Natural looking
Stays in place
Self-sharpening
Easy to use
Thin pencil for perfect use

CONS:
Doesn’t have a brow brush attached

MAC Cosmetics brow pencil is perfect! I cannot tell you enough how much I adore this product. I highly recommend it!

XOXO

Trisha

 

Get Your Fake Tan On and Become Tan-Tastic

Hello Gorgeous!

Everybody looks better with a tan, but dangerous tanning beds and harmful sun rays are not an option to obtain the perfect tan without ruining your skin. So what’s a girl to do? Simple…use St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse for the perfect rich-bronze tan. Simply sweep this tanner on with an applicator mitt for a beautiful even tan. It is so easy to use and you will always get flawless results. Plus, one bottle does last you FOREVER! When you put this on your face and neck, you almost don’t even need to wear makeup! You just look tan and fabulous, every time! No orange oompa loompa face either!

What it is:

A super-lightweight, easy-to-apply, velvety mousse that dries in 60 seconds and delivers a rich-bronze tan.

What it does:

This lightweight mousse delivers a rich-bronze tan and is infused with conditioning aloe vera. You will get a perfectly natural looking, streak-free tan that dries in 60 seconds. The innovative Aromaguard™ fragrance technology eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70%.

Who is it for?

Our best-selling product is perfect for anyone looking to get a natural-looking, streak-free golden tan that dries in an instant. Whether you’re a first-time tanner or a total pro, our tinted formula will ensure you know where to apply your tan for a perfect application, every-time.

Why is it different?

Infused with conditioning aloe vera and long-lasting color, our innovative Aromaguard™ fragrance technology eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70% and instead gives a beautiful subtle, yet refreshing fragrance. Never orange, St Tropez Tan always gives a beautiful, golden color.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Phthalates
– Triclosan

How to use:

Exfoliate with body polish before moisturizing dry areas thoroughly with Moisturizer (elbows, knees, ankles and feet). Help protect eyebrows and hairline with a little extra moisturizer. Using an Applicator Mitt, pump the Mousse into your Mitt, and apply with long, even sweeps from toes to top.

Make sure you’re well covered as it’s only missed areas that can look patchy. Once you’ve got even coverage wait for 60 seconds before getting dressed. Try not to get wet, or sweat, for at least six hours. Finally, shower off to reveal a perfectly golden, natural looking tan.

To maintain:

Re-apply a couple of times a week, nourish daily with Body Moisturizer and smooth your skin with regular exfoliation for ultimate results.

Where to buy:

Sephora

Every time I use this tanner, people always think I went tanning or just came back from a vacation. When I tell them it is self tanner, they’re shocked! It never looks fake.

Only apply the bronzing mousse with the applicator mitt or you will have stained hands and find the mousse hard to use. With the mitt, you can easily smooth on the bronzing mousse all over for perfect results. Also, I usually apply the tanner before bed and always wash it off in the morning as it is dark when it comes out of the bottle (don’t let this scare you)  and it does rub off all over everything before you shower. Once you shower, you will have a flawless rich-bronze tan that lasts up to a week!

Become tan-tastic and get your fake tan on!

XOXO

Trisha

Set It and Forget It

Hello Gorgeous!

One thing I do not like to do is makeup touch-ups throughout the day. Once I do my makeup, I want it to stay put, looking fresh and vibrant all day as it did when I first applied it. Believe it or not, I usually don’t have to do touch-ups, even with my sometimes oily skin.

One product that I adore and helps to keep my makeup in place all day and keep shine (oil) away is URBAN-DECAY De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray.

As your final makeup step, simply mist on this weightless spray to control oil, deflect surface shine and help makeup stay put all day.

De-Slick contains powerful temperature control technology, which keeps your makeup from melting down when it’s warm and humid, and dehydrating when its cold and windy.

What it is:
A makeup setting spray that helps keep oily complexions under control.

What it does:
This high-tech formula keeps skin looking beautifully matte all day, without clogging pores or causing breakouts. The weightless mist absorbs excess sebum and controls surface shine for up to 16 hours leaving your makeup looking fresh and newly applied.

What it is formulated without:
Parabens – Sulfates – Synthetic Dyes – Petrochemicals – Phthalates – GMOs

Price:
$29 (or buy the mini bottle for only $12)

Where to buy:
Sephora
Ulta
Urban Decay online
Beauty counters/department stores

Pros:
Keeps makeup in place all day
Doesn’t clog pores
Controls shine
Easy to use
Bottle lasts a long time

Cons:
Price

If you’re applying makeup touch-ups throughout the day, I recommend using this product to keep your makeup in place and keep shine away.

XOXO

Trisha

The Best Budget Shampoo

Hello Gorgeous!

Keeping your hair healthy is a must!

Garnier Fructis Daily Care Fortifying Shampoo is a fabulous cheap shampoo! It smells amazing and washes away all product buildup without being too harsh on your hair, which makes it great for daily use. And this shampoo goes great with any conditioner (always use conditioner after shampooing). My hair feels soft, looks shiny, and smells amazing after using this product, followed by my favorite conditioner.

WHAT IT IS:
A strengthening shampoo that boosts shine

WHAT IT DOES:
Gently cleans and hydrates and helps prevent breakage

KEY INGREDIENTS:
Sodium laureth sulfate (cleanser); vitamins B3 and B6 (strengtheners)

HOW IT FEELS/SMELLS/LOOKS:
The fruity scent stays in hair all day long.

WHY WE LIKE IT:
It’s gentle, but can get out two days’ worth of product buildup in one wash, and it doesn’t leave hair dull or dry.

AWARDS:
Best of Beauty 2011 and 2010

PRICE:
$3

WHERE TO BUY:
All drugstores

If you’re looking for an inexpensive shampoo, I highly recommend Garnier Fructis Daily Care Fortifying Shampoo. I’ve been using this product for years and it is definitely the best drugstore shampoo out there.

XOXO

Trisha

The Perfect Foundation Primer

Why use foundation primer?

Foundation primer plays a big part in making your foundation and total make-up look, which serves many different purposes. Foundation primer evens out skin tone, fills in fine lines and pores, making a smooth canvas for makeup application for long lasting results.

There is one foundation primer I absolutely adore that makes my skin glow and it is SMASHBOX Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer.

I adore this product for so many reasons. Not only does it provide a smooth, even base for my foundation, it also gives a subtle, natural glow that makes me feel good about my skin during the harsh winter months. The velvety formula delivers the perfect amount of luminosity to the skin while also extending the wear of foundation. It is definitely a multitasking face primer that is well worth the extra step (just add it after your face lotion and before your foundation). I always receive compliments when I use this face primer.

Description:
This long-awaited addition to our legendary collection of Photo Finish primers adds just the right amount of luminosity. The velvety, oil-free formula helps fill in fine lines and pores with age-fighting antioxidants, such as green tea, grape seed extract and vitamins A, C and E. And, of course, it keeps makeup looking fresher, better!

Tips:
Smooth over complexion alone or under foundation for a natural, radiant glow. Can also be used on décolleté and shoulders for a subtle highlight.

Color:
Luminizing – sheer luminous gold

What it is formulated without:
Parabens

What else you need to know:
Oil-Free

Price:
$38

Where to buy:
Sephora
Ulta
Beauty counters/department stores

This foundation primer is a must-have for anyone looking for an extra boost in their make-up routine.

XOXO

Trisha

The Perfect Self Tanner For Your Face and Decollete

Hello Gorgeous!

I absolutely love self tanner. If you buy the right kind and apply the tanner correctly, you will achieve the perfect, natural looking glow. After all, everyone looks better with a tan!

My absolute favorite face tanner is CLARINS Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint for your face and decollete. My husband even loves this stuff too! This is the only tanner I will use on my face as it doesn’t clog pores or irritate my face. Only gorgeous results with this fabulous product!

This intense self-tanner promotes that envious, natural looking tan for any skin tone (even the lightest skin). The tinted bronzed liquid (yes, it’s a liquid!) offers an easy and streak-free application, which dries quickly and gives a deep, luminous color that looks so natural. You will see immediate bronze color that will deepen and develop over time. The vitamin-packed lasting formula will keep your skin soft and give it a rich, tanned appearance that never looks fake or orange. It has a light floral scent and it doesn’t irritate the skin.

This is the only face self tanner that lasts more than a day on my normal to oily skin. It also makes makeup look amazing when applied after face lotion and before foundation.

Description:
Intense in the bottle, subtly golden on the skin. Upon application it promotes the beautiful, sunny radiance of a sun-filled vacation. Hour after hour, its tropical tanned color intensifies but remains very natural-looking. Makes it possible to intensify or to maintain the tanned color you want simply by renewing application. Also leaves skin soft and hydrated, tanned and toned, skin looks so healthy.

What it is:
A self-tanner for face and décolleté.

What it is formulated to do:
Offers a rich, tropical color with mistake-proof results thanks to the unique cotton pad application method that makes self tanning fast and easy. The tinted formula allows you to see exactly where product has been applied, which makes for a mistake-proof, streak-proof result.

Price:
$34

Where to buy:
Sephora
Beauty counters/department stores

Pros:
Natural looking color
Easy to apply
Lasting results
Doesn’t clog pores
Streak free formula
Great for all skin types and tones

Cons:
Can be messy (it’s a liquid)
Price (even though it’s worth it)

This is definitely a great face tanner and I highly recommend it! It will give you a perfect dewy, natural looking glow.

XOXO

Trisha

The Best Lip Gloss

Hello Gorgeous!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you had a fabulous day!

While shopping in Sephora today (only my favorite store ever), being spoiled by my husband, I decided to try a new lip gloss (i am a total lip gloss addict). This little impulse buy is the BEST beauty buy I’ve tried in a long time and is currently my new favorite gloss. I purchased Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in bare pink. (there are lots of other colors to choose from too)

And WOW! This lip gloss is absolutely perfect! I adore the light pink color of this gloss. It’s not sticky at all or thick, very pigmented, and It’s so pretty! It has a very light, barely there scent and no taste to it. This gloss doesn’t settle into lip lines like most light pink glosses do and the light pink color isn’t too pale or milky making the color so universal. It doesn’t settle in the corners of lips at all. And it has no glitter in it! It’s so smooth and moisturizing, I just love it! Once the gloss wears off, it doesn’t dry out your lips at all. This is without a doubt, the perfect light pink lip gloss! I just wish I would have tried it a long time ago!

Here is a picture of the ‘bare pink’ lip glace on my lips (without lip liner):

DESCRIPTION:
This sheer, high-shine gloss can be worn alone or layered over lip color to add a touch of luster to lips.

Laura Mercier Lip Glacé is a high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss that makes lips appear fuller, virtually enhancing any skin tone by creating a subtle contrast in texture. Containing the Laura Mercier Lip Complex, Lip Glacé hydrates and protects lips, leaving a wonderfully smooth surface. The non-sticky formula plumps and conditions lips, adding a glamorous touch without looking too heavy.

Pros:
Hydrates lips
Non-sticky
Pigmented
Doesn’t settle in lip lines
Gorgeous color
Doesn’t dry out lips

Cons:
Price

Price: $24

Where to buy:
Sephora
Beauty counters/department stores
Laura Mercier online

I am so impressed with this lip gloss in every way. I highly recommend it as you will not be disappointed!

XOXO

Trisha

An Eyebrow Pencil Is Necessary

Hello Gorgeous!

In case you didn’t know, eyebrows are the hottest new feature to focus on. And for good reason… Eyebrows are one of the most important features on our face. Properly shaped brows can give the illusion of a facelift because the correct brow shape can really lift the eye and slim the face. And well-groomed brows make you look polished and bring focus to your eyes, while badly groomed brows can make your overall look messy. And there is nothing pretty about barely there, thin, and overly-tweezed brows.

So what’s a girl to do? It’s simple, use an eyebrow pencil and turn your sparse, skimpy brows into perfectly natural, polished beauties!

An eyebrow pencil is absolutely necessary to pull off beautiful, perfectly-defined eyebrows. Once the brows are properly shaped, using a pencil to fill them in is the key to gorgeous, natural looking brows (if you don’t have it, fake it!).

One of my favorite affordable eyebrow pencils is Sephora’s Retractable Brow Pencil – Waterproof (I use the color Midnight Brown which matches my brows perfectly). This brow pencil is the absolute answer for less-than-wonderful natural brows. It stays put all day and it looks very natural.

What it is:
A collection of a long-wear brow pencils with a wingtip comb.

What it does:
These retractable pencils create fuller looking, perfectly-defined eyebrows. To dispense color, twist the pencil and the always-sharp tip comes up. Easy-to-hold, it gives you perfect control to create precise hair-like strokes. Use the comb tip to brush brows and blend. Available in four natural-looking colors, each long-wearing formula stays put without smudging.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens

What else you need to know:
This product is made without mineral oil, preservatives, or animal-derived ingredients.

Suggested Usage:
-Give eyebrows shape with the bristle brush.
-Apply the brow pencil.
-For fine eyebrows: trace a dotted line inside the brow and then brush for even results.
-For natural eyebrows: dot small oblique lines where eyebrow is missing and then brush.
-With excessively short eyebrows, lengthen the brow lines making sure to keep them symmetrical.

Price: $12 (a total beauty steal)

Pros:

– Self-sharpening

– Long lasting

– Affordable

– Natural-looking

– Creates perfectly-defined eyebrows

– Easy to use

Cons:

– The wingtip comb (it doesn’t really do anything and I prefer a spoolie brow brush)

I love this brow pencil because it goes on super smoothly, it’s self-sharpening, very affordable, and super long-lasting! The pencil always gives a very thin, natural-looking line with no drawn-on looking brows and it is so easy to use.

An eyebrow pencil is a must have beauty product for all women and should be added to your daily makeup routine. You will be amazed at the gorgeous results a brow pencil will give.

XOXO

Trisha