Source: Flickr user massdistraction

Let’s start at the basics, you take a shower in the morning and the first thing you put on is probably a lotion or moisturizer because your skin may be a little dry from the hot water. You want to start the day off in the best mood possible and a natural body lotion can help contribute. My recommendation for a natural body lotion is Pangea Organics Hand and Body Lotion. This lotion has top grade essential oils in each formulation that deliver aromatherapy and aid in skin health improvement. It comes in 5 different variations that are all very therapeutic and nourishing to your skin. My two favorites are the French Chammomile with Sweet Orange and Lavender and Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary. Each of the scents has different therapeutic benefits so you may customize to your aromatic needs. If I’ll be out in the sun it’s extremely important to add sun care. I absolutely love Decleor’s Aromessence Solaire Body for its natural protection booster. For the alternative price, Coola suncare also offers a yummy smelling sun block that is waterproof and helps moisturize.

The next step in my regimen is incorporating a natural moisturizer. My sensitive skin is very touchy with chemicals, so switching to a natural moisturizer was easy and I noticed the difference almost immediately. Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer is amazing because it comes with a blend of firming peptides and vitamin C that help nourish and replenish the skin’s moisture level at the same time helping to build collagen. This moisturizer is made of 100% organic ingredients and Juice Beauty is dedicated to providing eco-conscious skincare. An easy way to bypass foundation in your beauty routine is to use a tinted moisturizer, but a lot of them have harmful ingredients. (One I happen to be completely allergic to) Suki Skin Care’s Tinted Active Moisturizer is an amazing multi-functioning product that helps firm, reduce inflammation and prevent premature aging. By using this in the morning you won’t have to go through the motions of a moisturizer and foundation/powder.

Source: flickr user aussiegall

Earth day is a day that everyone should take notice and it’s fun to get involved. It’s not just doing good for our mother earth but for yourself and your future. For more information on earth day and natural beauty products you can check out the rest of the fun natural cosmetics glow has in the natural and organic section. Make sure to take the steps to be beautiful and make sure that you’re helping our gorgeous earth at the same time. The best part about shopping online, is it’s the green way to shop. Beautiful earth, beautiful you.

Recently my life changed when I joined a new club called “mommyhood”. Time management has taken on a whole new meaning and as cliché as it sounds: there are simply NOT enough hours in the day. Feeding, changing, entertaining, and holding your little bundle of joy leaves you without much time for a beauty regimen. To be honest, some days it feels like there is barely enough time to shower! Here are a few beauty product lifesavers that I’ve come to rely on day in and day out.

1. Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo – I can’t think of any new mom who has time to wash her hair every day. For a busy or new mom, dry shampoo is the miracle hair care product! It absorbs excess oils and freshens your hair without the time in the shower. This is one hair care product I can’t live without.

2. Glowology – The Balm – with all the diaper changing, laundry and hand washing “mommyhood” requires your hands are sure to dry out. The natural alpha-hydroxy acids in The Balm, moisturize, soften and exfoliate even the driest hands. I love that among other great ingredients, it has organic shea butter, sunflower oil and aloe that .

3. Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream – This beauty product is the ultimate all-in-one skin care lifesaver! Some of its many uses are cuticle conditioner, lip balm, stretch mark treatment, scar solution, face moisturizer and eye crème. The list goes on and on since it’s antibacterial, non-greasy and toxin-free.

4. Frais Hand Sanitizer – l am not exaggerating when I say there is a bottle in every room of my house. I love that Frais doesn’t irritate my hands the way most other anti-bacterial hand sanitizers have in the past. The essential oils act as a moisturizer and are a key component in keeping my hands soft and germ free.

Another new mom lifesaver I’ve come to rely heavily on is on-line shopping. Luckily, all of these beauty products are available at glow.com!

The solution to my hair problem was helped by one product that I can honestly swear by. Using an overnight conditioning treatment when you have colored hair is a must. It brings shine, moisture and vibrancy back into damaged hair and can make all the difference. The night before the races, I used Kronos Phyx Overnight Repair Masque. I can’t lie, this product can be a little pricey but it’s worth every penny. You put it on at night and can sleep on it, then wash it out in the morning and tada! Shinier, healthier hair just like that.

The next thing to do was taking care of my skin. It was dry and aching for some moisture, since my busy life hasn’t allowed me to pay much attention to it. I can’t stress enough how important it is to moisturize your skin everyday regardless of your skin type. My skin is naturally on the dry side, but the fall and winter season definitely amp up the dryness. Since my skin was pretty dry, I didn’t want to use anything harsh to exfoliate, but it was that time of the week to do so. Using a fine grained sugar scrub, I gently massaged it in tiny circles around my face. No pulling, no frantic scrubbing, just a motion that was easy, but good enough to get the job done. Next thing on the list is to finish up with a hydrating toner and a moisturizer. I absolutely love Jason Organic’s moisturizer because it’s not too oily, but sits perfect on my skin while hydrating it, and if i wanted to put on makeup afterwards it doesn’t compromise any of the makeup product application. Since I used a hydrating toner that does my skin wonders, I didn’t need to use a heavier moisturizer. You can substitute the moisturizer and toner for a moisturizer that’s a bit heavier for great results also.

Waking up the morning of, my hair was hydrated, and my skin was soft and supple. After a regimen like that and some tender love and care to your hair and skin, you’re not just ready for the day but you’ve got a more confident self. Now on to the next thing on the list – to win..

flickr user: Ryan Coleman

Created in 1999, Kinerase has evolved from a physician only brand to a skincare company with an A-list celebrity following.  Stars such as Courtney Cox, Brad Pit, Jennifer Aniston, Rihanna and Kate Beckinsale have used Kinerase to fight signs of aging and keep their celebrity skin looking flawless. Each product contains kinetin, a plant hormone gentle enough for all skin types, yet strong enough to fight against wrinkles, photodamage and hyperpigmentation. 

Wrinkles:  You’re never too young to start fighting the signs of aging. As you grow older, your skin becomes thinner, drier, and loses elasticity.  Kinetin reduces wrinkles  by helping skin retain moisture and by stimulating the production of collagen. Intensive Eye Cream by Kinerase is great for fighting fine lines and wrinkles around your delicate eyes areas. Women of all ages- rejoice!

Photodamage: Photodamage is defined as damage to your skin or DNA from exposure to the sun, specifically ultraviolet radiation. Kinerase’s new PhotoFacial Sun Damage Reversal System (3 piece kit) is the optimum weapon for fighting years of sun damage and preventing any further photodamage.  This 3 piece kit includes a daily exfoliating cleanser, daily moisturizer with SPF50 and a nighttime moisturizer. These magical potions are easy to incorporate into any morning and nighttime routine. No excuses; try it and you’ll convert.

flickr user: lysander07

While I was getting my esthetician license, a teacher said that each night you go to sleep without removing your makeup, you age yourself 31 days.  Do you believe this?  Is it an old wives tale? Personally, I think how well you age is a combination of genes and environment.   Otherwise, I would look at least 10 years older than my actual age given that in my early 20-’s, I very rarely washed my face after a night out on the town.  I can’t tell you how many pillowcases I ruined with traces of mascara! Why am I admitting this? Because I now know a nighttime beauty regimen is a good thing!

Here’s my routine most nights:

Step 1) Wash my face TWICE. The first washing takes off makeup and environmental debris, the second actually cleanses the skin.

Step 2) Take off my mascara and eyeliner with an oil-free remover.  I love soft eye pads that come presoaked in remover. 

Step 3) Apply a serum. (I’m all about anti-aging serums right now.)

Once or twice a week, I apply a hydrating mask or exfoliating peel depending on the condition of my skin.

Step 4) Apply moisturizer.  When I remember, I use a separate one for my neck and décolleté.

Step 5) Brush/floss my teeth.

Step 6) Put lotion on my hands, legs and feet.

Step 7) Put on PJs.

Step 8) Get into bed.

HOT TIP: If you are too tired or tipsy to complete this whole process, use a cleansing wipe to remove dirt and makeup.  I like Dermalogica – Skin Purifying Wipes since they are free of artificial fragrances and colors. Save your skin and your pillowcase!

What’s your bedtime beauty regimen? Please share.

Sun Protection: The sun is the main culprit for wrinkles, so make sure you wear broad-spectrum sunscreen! Chemical blocks sink into skin and absorb UV rays while physical blocks sit on top of the skin like a shield to deflect UV rays. Be sure to look for either Mexoryl or Helioplex (chemical blocks) or zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (physical blocks) in the list of ingredients before choosing a sunscreen.

Moisturizer: Hyaluronic acid  is natural moisturizer found in our skin, that helps skin stay smooth and plump, but moisture levels start to diminish in our early twenties (depressing, right?). However, things are looking up because lots of skin care brands are incorporating it into their beauty products!

Anti-Aging: Your best bet for fighting the visible signs of age? Vitamin A-derivatives! They are often in the form of retrinal, retinol and retinyl palmitate. Their anti-aging benefits are endless—they improve wrinkles, roughness, tone and overall aging severity. Not to mention, they work miracles in the treatment of acne.  Does it all sound too good to be true? It’s not. This topical treatment has actually been proven to regenerate collagen!

Antioxidants: Their goal is to protect your skin cells from free radical damage caused by environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution and smoking that cause wrinkles and dullness. So make sure to protect your skin with a strong antioxidant. Don’t just buy the newest antioxidant on the market because it is getting a lot of buzz, make sure you choose based on efficacy. Legit antioxidants: CoffeeBerry extract, idebenone, and vitamins C and E.

Acne: Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is a great way to spot treat zits and prevent future breakouts.

Brown Spots: Look for a cream or gel with hydroquinone to help fade sun spots.

FACE:  People have a problem of putting too much makeup and skin care product on their faces, but not enough sunscreen (get it together!) The effects of such excessiveness: clogged pores and breakouts, and in terms of treatment serums, irritation.

HAIR: Although the quantity of product depends on the length and thickness of your hair, less is most likely best. Too much conditioner and mousse can weigh hair down. And we all know what happens when we use too much shampoo…bubbles that take forever to wash out! If you are feeling really dirty stylists recommend using a small amount and washing hair twice.

BODY: Too much body wash can dry out skin, so practice some quantity control. However, you’re skin can’t get enough body moisturizer and sunscreen! Going to be in the sun? Get your shot glass out because any size less than that can comprise the efficacy of the SPF.

Flickr User: ancama_99(toni)

Let’s face it. Parisians know how to do a lot of things right. Warm baguettes, savory cheeses, fine wines and shopping. What

you might not realize is that many of our favorite cosmetic brands come from this great city too. Decleor Paris has been around for 35 years now and was developed by aromatherapy experts, which explains its unforgettable smell! Aromatherapy was founded in 1926 by French chemist R.M. Gattefosse who discovered the therapeutic use of essential aromatic oils and their 5000 year history. Today, Decleor’s aromatherapy products are used world wide. Their “Aromessence” line contains essential oils that are non-greasy, immediately absorbed by the skin and deeply treats and rebalances the skin.

For the Mademoiselle…

Instant Radiant Moisturizer
$56

It’s all in the name! This moisturizer goes on silky smooth and instantly brightens up your skin leaving a bright glow. The unique smell will keep you coming back for more and is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.

For the Monsieur….

Aromessence Triple Action Shave Perfector Serum
$53

An absolute favorite of our president. You would never expect to hear skin care tips from your male boss. Suprisingly, it’s not only entertaining, but also great advice when looking for recommendations for your less beauty-minded boyfriend, husband, dad, etc. This serum is especially unique because it preps the skin with sweet almond jojoba oils for an incredibly smooth, close shave.

When I decided to move to Los Angeles all anybody could talk to me about was the weather—it’s always sunny and it never rains. I do believe a very convincing boyfriend referred to it as “paradise.”

I’m not complaining, but somehow, everyone failed to mention how dry it is out here. And not like an “Oh, I’m parched!” sort of dry, more like an “If I don’t find a better moisturizer my face is going to fall off” sort of dry…

Now you understand how imperative it was to find the perfect daily moisturizer. After striking out with a few products (I won’t name names) I found the Holy Grail: La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SX

It contains Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) and Mexoryl SX for ultimate sun protection against UVA and UVB rays while providing 24 hour long-lasting hydration. Besides from my face not falling off, I don’t breakout thanks to the oil- and fragrance-free formula! I have yet to find anything better and every time I try to I end up regretting it and ordering 2 bottles of Anthelios SX.

Flickr User- Zamm

The Hangover. Great movie, not a great state to be in. Whether you went a little overboard at happy hour or just pulled an all-nighter, we’ve all had the dreadful “skin” hangover at one point in time. Take these steps to get back on board to being your gorgeous self.

Beauty Tip #1 – Moisturize BEFORE you go to sleep.

I know at this point all you want to do is fall face first into your pillow, but this is the most important step! First, cleanse the skin very well with a moisturizing face wash to get off all the makeup, like the neon blue eyeshadow you put on when you started drinking thinking it looked great (another big NO!). Follow up with a heavy night cream. If you have the energy (and balance!) invest in a hydrating mask.

Beauty Tip #2 - Hydrate those eyes!

Put a few drops of Visine in your eyes to whiten and brighten them.

Beauty Tip #3 – Tea Treatment

What are those bags under my eyes? Why is my face as puffy as a Krispy Kreme donut? Soak caffeinated tea bags in cool water and apply to skin for at least 10 minutes.

Beauty Tip #4 – Go “Au Naturale” on the makeup.

At this point, you’re probably bulldozing through your makeup drawers desperate for anything to cover up the havoc that has taken over your face. Don’t apply a lot of makeup – you’ll look 10 times more tired than you already are. Stay away from all matte makeup because they dry out your skin – this includes lipstick and foundation. Start with a shimmer tinted moisturizer, then dab some concealer under your eyes. Follow up with a light golden eyeshadow and a crème based blush. Don’t apply too much color. Stay away from any heavy eyeliner and double up on some great waterproof mascara. Finish with a neutral lip gloss.

Voila! No one will ever suspect you were serenading Britney Spears’, “Hit Me Baby One More Time” to your next door neighbor at the karaoke bar last night.