The Natural Way to Minimize Pores!

Pores are tiny hair follicles in the skin. They may take on a larger appearance when they are clogged with dirt or oil. They can also become larger due to the increase of dead skin cells that gather at the base of the pore. The most effective means of minimizing pores naturally is to keep them clear. This includes regular cleansing, exfoliating and care. Whether you choose to make your own skin care products at home or buy them, you can naturally reduce your pores with a few quality ingredients. Oats, cucumber, sugar, mint and even steam are some of the recommended components to look for or include. Here are a few suggestions for how to minimize pores naturally.

1. Clean your skin with a mild, all-natural soap. Cleansers with oatmeal, goat milk or cucumber are recommended for clearing pores.

2. Exfoliate the skin with an all-natural scrub. Whether you make your own or buy one, some good choices for exfoliating include ingredients such as sugar, whole oats or strawberry seeds. These items have a gritty texture that works well for removing dull, dead skin cells. Look for these and other exfoliants in natural skin care products or homemade product recipes.

3. Use an all-natural toner to deep clean your pores. Avoid products that contain alcohol or peroxide because these can dry your skin.

4. Try opening the pores with a steam bath. This can be done by boiling a pot of water on the stove and then putting your face directly over the steam for approximately 15 minutes. Or you can run hot water in the sink, place a towel over the back of your head and put your face down to catch the steam in your face as it rises. The towel will hang down the sides of your face and help trap the steam. The steam will help open the pores and clear away any residue.

5. Drink plenty of water every day. Hydrated skin not only has a more healthy appearance, but also assists in healing itself.

6. Mix a solution of apple cider vinegar and crushed mint leaves. Combine 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of each into a small glass bottle. Let the solution sit for 1 week then strain out the mint and add 1 cup (236 ml) of filtered water. Use this like a toner, preferably at night because it does have a strong vinegar odor.

7. Try a solution of baking soda and water. Stir 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of baking soda with a small amount of water until a paste forms. Apply this paste to your skin and allow it to dry for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

8. Apply ice directly to your skin for a quick fix. The cold will naturally shrink your pores temporarily and allow you time to apply make-up or sunblock without it getting deep into the pores and causing them to clog. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse away any make-up or sunblock as soon as you can.

9. Avoid smoking and second hand smoke whenever possible. Smoke reduces the amount of oxygen, blood and nutrients flowing to the skin. This inhibits the skin's ability to repair itself naturally

I did this because my birthday is coming up in 3 weeks and I want my skin to be in tip-top shape! Try some of the tips and let me know the results. I tried the baking soda clay mask and it really is miracle in a box. I immediately saw a change in my pores. Hope you all enjoy!

How To Keep Your Hair Color From Fading!

1.  Use a good deep moisturizer 7 to 10 days before coloring to prepare hair for the color. Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair at least 24 hours before your color (this is especially important if you use styling products with silicon because they will prevent the color from adhering to the hair). Do not wash your hair within 24 hours of coloring because the color will not take to the hair as well. Furthermore, do not use the clarifying shampoo after coloring because it can strip the color from your hair.

2. Do not shampoo your hair until at least 48 hours after the color is applied to avoid stripping the color. When you do shampoo and condition, use products that are specifically designed for color treated hair. Shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair have ingredients that are designed to protect your color rather than stripping or dulling it. I prefer Park Avenue Color Protecting Shampoo& Conditioner. My stylist also advised not to shampoo my hair every day but only when necessary to protect the color.

3. This one is a little difficult for me because when I take my shower the water is hot enough to boil eggs most of the time. However, in order to protect my color I have learned to shampoo and rinse in cool water rather than hot water. The hot water opens the hair follicles and dulls the color. Cool water will keep hair color much brighter and true than using hot water.

4.Speaking of showers, the chemicals in your water can dull and strip hair color. My stylist suggested that I invest in a filtered showerhead and she was correct - my hair color does last longer and is brighter than before.

5. Heat not only damages your hair but it also damages your hair color. I dry my hair on a medium heat setting and I use John Frieda Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray to protect my color and hair when using a flat iron or other heat styling tools. This is essential to keeping your hair color from fading.

6. Protect your hair from the sun to make the color last longer. Purchase hair products that have UV protection. Wear a hat if you are in the sun and cover your hair when you are in tanning bed

7. Avoid using hair spray if possible because this will dull your hair color. However, make sure that you use products to enhance the shine and appearance of your hair color such as BioSilk Silk Therapy (I cannot live without this product for my hair).

8. There are color enhancing shampoos on the market that are designed to boost your hair color by depositing small amounts of color on your hair. I have tried some of these and found that they actually turn my color brassy if I use them every time I shampoo. Therefore, use these only once a week or every other week to give your color a little boost. Pick a shade that is closest to your hair color for best results.

The Benefits Of Olive Oil!

So I tweeted earlier that as you get older your skin starts to sag and someone replied saying that Olive Oil keep yours skin looking radiant so I did some research and this is what I found!

The olive tree is an evergreen tree in the Mediterranean region. The tree grows to 9 meters tall and takes 15 years to bear fruit. Olive oil has a heavy texture, and can vary in color from a pale golden yellow to dark green. The purest form is "extra virgin," and it is lightest in color. Olive oil has many antioxidant properties. Olive oil absorbs UV radiation and appears to assist in repairing cells and in preventing cell damage. Olive oil is soothing and healing to all skin types

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Olive oil is a fantastic source of vitamin E. Consuming olives or olive oil has been associated with such health benefits as reducing blood pressure, decreasing growth of some cancers, lessening the severity of asthma and arthritis and may actually help maintain a lower weight. Using olive oil externally on your body can also have benefits. Olive oil is now found in many skin care products. The vitamin E found in the olive oil is the key ingredient.

For hair care, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to your hair conditioner. Shake well before each use. Use conditioner as usual. Olive oil will provide not only a beautiful shine, but also manageability.

Olive oil can also help with the area around your eyes. Nightly, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Gently dab on the corner of your eyes, your eyelids and under your eyes. Use caution not to get the oil in your eyes. You can also do this to your eyebrows after tweezing or waxing to provide moisture and soothing relief.

For lip care, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Rub across your lips to provide moisture and shine.

Similarly, take a small amount nightly and rub into your nails and cuticles. This will give a beautiful shine to your nails and keep the nail beds and cuticles soft. Make a sugar scrub and use it on your hands nightly to keep hands hydrated and soft.

For foot care, use 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a warm footbath. Soak for 10 minutes, then pat dry. You can also use sugar scrub on your feet daily.

Use sugar scrub daily in shower for continued soft and hydrated skin. You can also use olive oil in a massage
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Beauty Ad Campaigns For 2013

It's the new year and the girls are here to SLAY! Here's a look at a few of my favorite beauty ad campaigns.

Katie Holmes looking SNATCHED darling for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics 

The ad, released Monday, is promoting the brand's new Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks. It shows Holmes posing for the camera with smoky eye makeup, loose waves in her hair and wearing a bold statement necklace.

The cream shadow sticks will be available in stores in February. Holmes is wearing two shades, violet plum and bark, in the ad, according to Glamour .

The beauty industry was taken by surprise when M.A.C. Cosmetics debuted its latest spokesperson, Jelena Abbou, a Serbian-American female bodybuilder with the kind of ripped physique more likely to be found in Muscle Milk ads than high end cosmetics campaigns. For those within the female bodybuilding world, however, it made perfect sense. "A lot of us use MAC," Monet Colbert, a makeup artist and former bodybuilder, tells Yahoo Shine. "It's designed for theatrical stage performances." That means it holds up under the double white lights designed to capture every muscle striation--and if you're not prepared, every wrinkle. 

Your favorite Harry Potter chick Emma Watson pretty in pink for Lancome In Love SS13. Emma Watson may be taking another break from acting as she prepares to return to Brown this month, but she certainly isn't neglecting her contract with Lancome.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower actress, 22, proves that a pop of bright color will be the look for next season in the beauty giant's latest campaign.

Little Miss Nicki Minaj looking PERCHED in her 3rd (that's right 3rd) M.A.C. Cosmetics lipstick for Viva Glam. Can't knock her hustle especially when her legs look like that!

Who doesn't love Selena Gomez ? Well now your nails can look like hers with her new collaboration with Nicole by OPI

it promises to deliver shades that are "sweet and spunky" and "flirty and fun." Of course, Gomez herself fronts the campaign, which is a soft and serene interpretation of the pop sensation.

The campaign featuring Dolce Gabanna favourite and natural beauty Scarlett Johansson, is shot by Mert+Marcus. The image sees Scarlett in an intimate moment, relaxing amongst sating sheets, disrobed as if enjoying the warming rays of the morning sun bursting through the window. A true image of relaxation, happiness and glowing natural beauty.

Dolce Gabbana Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation comes in 18 shades to suit any woman’s complexion who wishes to achieve that golden glow, from Caucasian to Asian to dark skins.

Emma Stone for Revlon's Shanghai Collection  Inspired by Chinese cinema, this look is all about high-impact colour made wearable. She looks BEAT!

Sammy B Look Book S/S 2013