Cut 10 Minutes Off of Your Beauty Routine

Who has the time anymore? You've got deadlines to meet, breakfast to make, children to run around after and a partner that barely gets your attention. Now you want to forfeit your morning beauty routine?! It's not going to happen. I'm going to give you some tips that will have you looking gorgeous and out of the door 10 minutes earlier.

Save a Skin-Care Step

Instead of using a separate astringent or toner to smooth your skin, wash your face with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. This ingredient breaks down and removes dead skin cells to keep your pores clean.

Go for the Bronze

Woke up late? Grab some bronzing powder instead of your usual multi-step makeup. Using a large brush, sweep bronzer all over your face to create a warm glow. Then dust a little extra on your cheekbones. With a small eye shadow brush, dab some on your eyelids and brows. You can even mix it with clear gloss for bronze-toned lips.

Enter the Neutral Zone

Neutrals don't show mistakes as much as bold colors, so you have a little leeway if you mess up while you’re rushing. Plus, taupes, tans, mauves, and browns blend naturally after a few minutes as your skin warms up. Find your perfect neutral: Choose one that’s a shade deeper than your natural eyelid or lip color.

Lash Out!

Nothing wakes up your face like mascara, but it's hard to apply neatly when you’ve got to run. Think about eyelash extensions, where a professional adds individual lashes to your real ones. The process is painless, and voila! You’ll look well-rested without any makeup at all. Extensions last up to two months, with touchups every few weeks.

Fake a Manicure

Don't waste time fixing chipped nails every morning. Instead of wearing colored nail polish, apply a clear nail strengthener every few days. It looks neat and polished, but it won't chip! And the added dose of vitamins and minerals will make your nails shinier.

At the end of the day, the fact remains the same, that if you don't make time for yourself you'll end up unhappy and unhealthy. The unhappy and unhealthy version of you is of no use to anyone. Love yourself!

Beauty Pick of the Month - MIRA Konjac Beauty Sponge

I absolutely love a facial sponge to break up the monotony of my skin care regimen, so when Freebees PR gave me a MIRA 100% Natural Fiber Konjac Beauty Sponge, I couldn't wait to use it. Stay tuned for a full beauty review on this sponge in February. For now, here's a bit of information on the product and where you can find it!

MIRA Konjac Beauty Sponges are deliciously gentle, soft as silk and packed with antioxidants, helps clear blackheads, blemishes and acne, gently cleansing pores and leaving a healthy, glowing and clear complexion.

MIRA Konjac Beauty Sponges are rich in moisturizing health-giving minerals that nourish skin with a soft skin sensitive exfoliating action that clears away dead cells and excess oils and grime.

MIRA Konjac Beauty Sponges are lovingly made from the finest selected natural materials. MIRA has selected the Japanese Konjac plant to create a new skin cleansing “must have” that is ultra-soft, hydrating and 100% natural. MIRA is the premium brand for pure Konjac beauty products.

MIRA Konjac Beauty Sponges features include:
* No preservatives
* No Coloring
* No Additives
* Suitable for all skin types
* Promotes blood circulation
* Effective anti-aging dynamics
* Exceptional for Atopic skin (Hyper-sensitive skin)
* Eliminates dirt, excess oil, bacteria, blackheads and blocked pores
* Moisture rich and naturally alkaline
* Non-abrasive
* Naturally deep cleanses
* Naturally moisturizes skin
* Soft and gentle to use
* Effectively balances PH of skin
* 100% Bodegradeable
* Removes make-up easily
* Eliminates acne causing bacteria

Discover the awesome beauty power of MIRA!

 

Purchase your own MIRA Konjac Beauty Sponge at the following places: 

takealot.com

kalahari.com

4 Tips for Younger Looking Hands

At a certain point, looking younger starts to sound pretty good. Most of us already employ night creams, day creams, sunscreens, and exfoliating scrubs to keep our faces looking dewy-fresh. But don't overlook the biggest age indicator of all – your hands! Washed, dried, and exposed to the elements, your hands have worked hard for you – and it likely shows.

To keep your hands looking as young as you feel, follow these handcare tips >>

Age Spots Aren't Forever

Here's a new twist on the old Golden Rule: Treat your hands the way you want your face to be treated. Moisturize frequently, use sunscreen, and minimize exposure to the elements. Using a moisturizing, "anti-aging hand cream with brightening ingredients," such as "kojic acid, mushroom extract, vitamin C, and licorice," to fade any dark spots you may have. This cream should be applied twice a day.

Home Remedies That Work

It's important to keep your hands clean, moisturized, and exfoliated. You can accomplish all of this at once with a once-weekly homemade scrub. Just combine equal parts sugar and olive oil, and massage it into your hands. If your hands still feel greasy after wiping off the scrub, feel free to wash them afterward.

Low-Cost Hand-Care Products

Anyone can have healthy, youthful hands with diligent maintenance, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune! I recommend using Vaseline Intensive Rescue Healing Hand Cream nightly and Boots Protect and Perfect Hand Cream with SPF 15 each day. Use a hand cream with higher SPF on days you anticipate greater sun exposure.

Prevent Your Hands From Aging

I've said it before, but it surely bears repeating: the best way to help keep your hands from aging is to keep them out of the sun and to wear SPF on a daily basis. If you drive a lot, wear gloves. UV rays come right through your car windows, and a cute pair of gloves could make all the difference!

At the end of the day, skin cancer is a real threat! Let's protect every part of our body that we can.

New Year, New Skin Care Regimen

In the past, I was just happy if I remembered to wash my makeup off before bed. Now that I'm in my early 30's, I'm taking my skin a little more seriously. Seriously enough that I like to have a morning and evening skin care routine. Before we get to that, I want to show you all what my skin generally looks like. I suffer from the normal hyperpigmentation that most women of colour deal with, along with the dry skin and the occasional blemish. My goal is to correct and control most of this so that I remain with youthful looking skin as I age.

Skin Care Regimen 2015

Morning Regimen

• Prep and Pre-Cleanse
• Use a makeup remover to get rid of stubborn eye makeup and foundation
• Use a gentle oil cleanser to remove excess sebum
• Final Cleanse
• Use a mild foaming cleanser to prevent blemishes and acne
• Toner
• Serum
• Vitamin A
• Wrinkle Serum
• Eye Cream/Serum
• Moisturizer
• SPF 15 or better

Nightly Regimen

• Prep and Pre-Cleanse
• Use a makeup remover to get rid of stubborn eye makeup and foundation
• Use a gentle oil cleanser to remove excess sebum
• Final Cleanse
• Use a mild foaming cleanser to prevent blemishes and acne
• Exfoliate
• 3 times a week
• Toner
• Serum
• Vitamin A
• Wrinkle Serum
• Eye Cream/Serum
• Thick Night Moisturizer

Do you have a skin care regimen that you want to share? Leave a comment below detailing your system and help some ladies out!

Setting Your New Years Skin Care Goals

The new year is such an encouraging time for everyone. It marks new beginnings and gives everyone "permission"to start a fresh. I know that many of you have a vision for your skin, but how exactly do you expect to achieve them?

This will be the very first year that I set goals for my skin, because if you don't make a plan, you plan to fail.

1. Keep Your Goals Clear and Concise

Most things that are overly complicated tend to be discouraging. If your discouraged then you probably wont follow through with your plans, and you'll find yourself in the very same place in the following your. Below are a few examples of how you should set your intentions for your hair.

• "I want to reduce the size of my pores"
• "I want to improve the moisture levels in my skin"
• "I want to create a night time skin care routine to combat wrinkles." 

2. Be Realistic

When you understand your particular skin type and genes, you will be able to make realistic goals for your skin. Expecting to have flawless skin throughout your 40's and 50's when you spent excessive amounts of time in the sun in your 30's, may not be realistic. Aim for the realistic and hope for the magical!

3. Keep a Skin Care Journal

A skin care journal is so helpful and necessary. You'll want to record the current state of your skin and begin to keep track of the techniques and products you have tried throughout the course of the year. By the end of the year you should have a clear idea of what your skin likes, dislikes and needs. Tracking your journey will also make it easier when you make next years goals, because you'll have a clear understanding of what is truly realistic.

4. Stay Focused

We often set goals and never follow through with the plan. Keep your goals at the forefront of your mind by leaving notes for yourself in the places that you go to everyday. For instance, a sticky note on the bathroom mirror that reminds you to apply your spf in the morning with a picture of your skin care goal will keep you focused and encouraged.

Do you have any goal setting tips? Leave me a comment below or send your response to admin @goodhairdiaries.com with the Subject: "Setting Your New Years Skin Care Goals" and I may feature your advice on Good Beauty Diaries.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!!

I am so grateful to be able to bring you more health and beauty tips in 2015. I thank you all for your support in 2014. 

Makeup Monday: No-Makeup Makeup

We've all seen the "Stars Without Makeup" photos. Celebs cruising grocery stores, salons and coffee shops without a stitch of Stila or CoverGirl. But the new "bare-faced" is different. Instead of unaltered realism it offers glowing perfection. And recently celebrities have been rocking the look on red carpets (See gallery at left). New York City makeup artist Victor Amos explains the appeal:  "Natural makeup is youthful and glowing," he says. "It's an aesthetic we all find attractive." But don't let the radiance fool you, the look is far from au naturel. Amos breaks down the steps to achieving "the new nude" below.

Step 1: Moisturize

"This look is all about radiance so the more you hydrate your skin the better off you'll be. Pat on a dime-sized amount of (Malin + Gotez) SPF 15 Face Moisturizer. It absorbs quickly and protects your skin from sun damage with SPF and anti-oxidants."

Step 2: Prime

"So often women skip this step, but primer is a must because it helps makeup last all day, sops up oil, and minimizes the appearance of pores. Try Whip Hand Cosmetics Set the Stage Primer: It's super light weight so if you're not typically a primer wearer, you won't feel like you're wearing an extra layer of product."

Step 3: Even Out Skin Tone

"Apply concealer under eyes to buff out dark circles then use aBeauty Blender or your fingers to work in liquid foundation. Temptu S/B Foundation contains silicone, which locks in moisture and gives skin a natural glow."

Step 4: Bronze

"Bronzer contours your face while still looking natural. Dust Givenchy Cruise Healthy Glow Powder in Extrême on the apples of your cheeks, forehead, and chin—anywhere the sun would hit."

Step 5: Highlight

"A brownish highlighter, like MAC Cream Colour Base in Improper Copper reflects light to accentuate your features, but looks natural, like you simply have lit-from-within skin. Tap this powder on the bridge of your nose, cupid's bow, and tops of cheekbones."

Step 6: Set It

"A lot of my clients have oily skin, so I've tried just about every transluscent powder on the market. Jurlique Citrus Silk Finishing Powder is by far my favorite. It goes on completely sheer. I promise it won't leave your skin looking ashy. And it helps makeup stay put all day long. I love it!"

Step 7: Emphasize Your Eyes

"This Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad (in Golden Mink) is pricey, but if you're a natural makeup girl, you'll never need another shade. Plus the pigments are so saturated, a little goes a long way! Sweep the dark brown shade on your lid and blend up to the crease. Pop the champagne color on the arch of your brow to define it—but don't get heavy handed. Too much shimmer in this area looks unnatural, not to mention tacky." Beauty Editor Insight: New nude doesn't mean boring. Swipe on black liner to create beautifully contrasted eyes. I've found the most natural looking liner is a black gel applied with a teeny, tiny brush, like Sephora Pro Bent Liner Brush #23.

Step 8: Hydrate Lips

"Dior Addict Lip Glow is a flattering pink that adjusts to suit your lip shade perfectly. Plus its moisture-rich formula leaves your lips soft and smooth."

Source