Start by increasing your daily water intake. Did you know that many times when you feel hungry you are actually dehydrated? The Mayo Clinic website recommends that women drink 9 cups of water a day. Sodas (even diet!) don’t count! Sodas also have a negative effect on bone density in women. So, your first rule is:

1) Avoid sodas and drink 9 cups (2.2 liters) of water a day.

A little sun exposure is great for boosting your Vitamin D levels, but you should still protect your skin in order to avoid not only a sunburn now, but also cumulative damage in the future. Rule number 2:

2) Limit sun exposure and use a natural zinc oxide sunscreen.

Yeah, you’ve heard it. You are what you eat. Salmon, nuts, berries, whole grains and green tea are all great skin enhancers. Plus, green tea counts toward your daily water intake. So, rule number 3 is:

3) Eat a variety of tasty healthful foods and your skin will thank you for it.

And finally, the delicate skin around your eyes is the first area to show age. Drink plenty of water, limit sun exposure and protect your skin, eat well, and rule number 4:

4) Find a good natural eye cream you like and APPLY IT EVERY DAY.

So far, I’ve tried Tom’s of Maine. It works for about 4 hours and after that it’s as if I never used it. Recently, I went to the new Lush store and purchased their Aromaco Solid Deodorant. The salesperson talked me into also purchasing some Coconut Deodorant Powder to use in conjunction with the Aromaco. My feelings are mixed. The solid deodorant smells really strongly of patchouli and it dries out between uses, so I have to keep a knife in the bathroom to shave it down so it will glide over the skin. But it works all day and the coconut stuff seems to extend its effectiveness. Here’s a video about it:

Mainly I’m just experimenting. What are you doing? How do you stay sweet-smelling and have you tried any alternative deodorants?

(by Amanda Q. @ImtheQ)

An aesthetician is a professional who has been trained in the art of cultivating and maintaining individual beauty. She is not there just to slap some mud on your face and play a few New Age tunes while you relax at the spa. She has studied a wide range of skin conditions, skin treatments and methods for maintaining real, natural beauty. Like your hairdresser or personal trainer, you will benefit from having a long-term relationship with an aesthetician that you trust.
I have a few suggestions for how to develop a relationship with an aesthetician who will not only help you look beautiful, but will help you nurture your whole self:
Ask for referrals…
Not all aestheticians are the same. Obviously there are some who have far more education and experience and if you are considering building a long-term relationship with this person you want them to be dependable, reliable and knowledgeable. Furthermore, spa treatments are very personal so it’s important that you like the person you are comfortable with and even enjoy being around. When you’re looking for an aesthetician it’s a good idea to ask friends or family for referrals. You can also read online customer reviews, or ask the aesthetician if they have references.
Don’t Be Shy!
Make notes of any changes in your routine, diet or lifestyle before you meet with your aesthetician. Write down concerns that you have and bring your notes with you so you don’t forget. Skin changes, burns, scars, allergies—there are lots of things she should be aware of so that she can provide you with the ideal treatment for your skin type.
Don’t be shy! Most aestheticians are happy to share their knowledge with you and because they love their work, they’ll be glad to talk to you about the treatments you are receiving. Ask questions and let her educate you. You’ll not only have amazing skin, but you’ll learn a lot in the process.
Tip
This should go without saying, but remember to always tip your aesthetician. Typical rates range between 15-25% of the total amount of the services provided. This is a good way to let her know that you appreciate the care she puts into her services, and it is a part of her regular income which she relies on to make her living.
Be a Regular
You will benefit most by seeing your aesthetician regularly. In turn, she’ll get to know you and your skin type better and will be able to fine-tune her services to you the more often she sees you. Schedule your appointments in advance and make every effort not to miss them. When you make regular spa treatments a part of your lifestyle you will be amazed at the transformation in your overall appearance and state of mind.
Whole Body Studio Spa is one of Austin’s most established day spas boasting a comfortable, nurturing atmosphere, experienced staff, and a menu of services that are as luxurious as they are good for you–including lash extensions, body wraps, facials, and massages. Call for your appointment today! 512.472.1148

I love to smell good. Don’t we all? It’s just that I have a terrible sensitivity to most commercial fragrances. Did you know that the U.S. cosmetic industry is self regulated? The FDA has no control over what chemicals they use in their formulations. When you use perfume, you are breathing in and applying to your very permeable skin potentially toxic and dangerous chemicals regulated entirely by the industry that sells them. Once they are absorbed by the skin, these synthetic chemicals enter directly into the blood stream. There are no government safeguards in effect for the fragrance industry. As public knowledge of unsafe practices within the cosmetic industry grows, so do the number of safe, chemical-free alternative fragrances. To learn more about “safe” fragrances go here.

To learn more about the hazards of using unregulated and unsafe cosmetics and perfumes, go to here.

Argan oil is extracted from the kernel or seed of the Argan fruit. Argan trees grow only in Northern Africa. All Argan Oil is currently produced by womens’ cooperatives in Morocco and profits are distributed to provide healthcare and education.

There are many brands of pure, 100% Argan Oil products on the market, but the only one I have tried and the one I will use forever is by Kae Cosmetiques:

http://www.kae-cosmetiques.com/en/argan-universal.html

You can use the oil on your face, body, and even in your hair. And you can eat the culinary version! Plus, it’s 100% organic! For more information about the benefits of Argan Oil, please go to: http://www.naturalnews.com/028265_argan_oil_remedies.html

(by Amanda Q. @ImtheQ)

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Your face tells your whole story.  How well do you take care of yourself?  How happy are you?  How relaxed?  How healthy?  How tired?  People can look at your face and see a reflection of what lies within.  Taking care of your mind, body and spirit will help you maintain an overall beauty that radiates from deep within.

One of the things I love about Whole Body Spa is that their treatments aren’t just about keeping your face pretty.  Their services nurture your entire being:  experienced aestheticians are in tune with their clients, using only organic products, and promoting a meditative atmosphere throughout the treatments.  You don’t just look better when you’re done, you FEEL better.

Getting a regular facial or a massage is just one way to revitalize your beauty, but there should also time each day for you to reflect, meditate and regain your composure.  Whether you choose to do formal meditation or you just take a walk every evening through your neighborhood, you must find time to quiet your mind and detach from the stresses of daily life.   These practices will give you an inner peace that anyone will be able to recognize at first sight.

A woman who feels at ease will smile more often, laugh more easily and feel freer to give of herself to those around her.  She will be less likely to feel overwhelmed and stressed out causing both physical and emotional damage.  According to WebMD, stress can account for a huge array of conditions that adversely affect your health and beauty.  Heart disease, skin disorders, lung function and reproductive organs, and other vital systems can all become strained and begin to fail when exposed to long term, acute stress.

Find a way to work relaxation into your life EVERY DAY and you’ll find that your exterior beauty will mirror the beauty you are cultivating within.  Don’t put off taking care of yourself.  Schedule a treatment at Whole Body Spa today and see for yourself what a difference it can make.

DIY tip: You could purchase corn starch and rice starch, mix them together and make your own. Use a restaurant-style plastic squeeze bottle to dispense onto scalp.

As I was getting ready for bed I saw the baby shampoo. We use it for our dogs’ baths. We all know how gentle it is and NO MORE TEARS®. Why not use it to clean brushes that you use on your eyes? I have needed to clean my brushes for awhile and thought, ugh, I will probably have to buy expensive makeup brush cleaner.

I took a small amount of the shampoo and put it in my palm and just circled the brush around in it. I did this until it was clean. I used it on my brush for my concealer (it needed to be cleaned big time) and the one I use for my eyeliner. And even for my shadow brushes and cleaned my eyelash curlers with it too!! Just make sure you rinse well to get all the residue out and voila CLEAN brushes. Love it! Now I have a handy and inexpensive way to clean my brushes so they will last longer!!

~Averi

(by Amanda Q. @ImtheQ)

One of the things I appreciate about Whole Body Spa is the commitment to using organic skin care products for their facials. I have spent a lot of time researching alternative skin care and beauty products and am convinced that using the least amount of synthetic chemicals in your health and beauty products as important as limiting them in your diet. What you put on your skin actually enters your bloodstream much faster than what you eat or drink. So, unless you think eating a cocktail of 14-20 synthetic chemicals sounds delicious, you might want to rethink that face cream, perfume, or lipstick.
It only makes sense to treat your skin with products that are complimentary to its natural composition. Using products that are derived from the purest natural ingredients reduce the risk of adverse reaction or toxicity. Very little is known about the effects of the hundreds of unregulated and unlabeled chemicals used in beauty products, and scientists suspect links from some of the most commonly used ingredients to cancer and hormone disruption. Even if the chemicals in your beauty products exist in small amounts, daily use over many years can cause these foreign substances to build up in your blood stream and body tissues.

“ Major loopholes in federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and inadequate labeling requirements. Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public. FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before marketing.” - The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Organic beauty products do not cost more than other products and are becoming easier and easier to find. However, you can always ask your aesthetician for recommendations that are readily available either online or in your favorite stores. What’s more, women in other cultures have used natural ingredients that can be found in your own kitchen and practiced holistic skin care for centuries. Great beauties throughout history have relied on common ingredients like honey, turmeric, oatmeal and almond to keep themselves radiant AND chemical-free. Only in the last few decades has it become popular to use synthetic concoctions to preserve a woman’s face.
If you are interested in learning more about natural, organic skin care and personal care products call the fabulous Jennie at Whole Body Spa and let her give you the lowdown on Talulah, the excellent brand she uses for her clients’ facials.

You can also check out some of my favorite websites and blogs:

The Cosmetics Database
Search for your favorite brands and find out how they rate, and what their ingredients are.
Glamology
Charmaine Leah blogs (and vlogs!) about all natural, organic glamour. She offers tips, makeup tutorials, and lots of education for going green in your makeup bag.
Organic Beauty View
A blog dedicated to reviewing the latest organic and natural beauty products.
From Nature With Love
A great site full of DIY homemade skin care recipes.