The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost

If you were to ask any employee of The Body Shop what their number one skin care product is, they would say the Vitamin C Skin Boost. And I can understand why.

This little skin serum/gel is silky to the touch and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. It also absorbs quickly, so that your face isn’t left sticky or oily. It also has a refreshing orange-y smell, not unlike the company’s Satsuma line.

Upon application, the gel might look glittery or shimmery. Don’t fret, as this will not show up on you. This property will, however, help brighten your skin and give it a touch of radiance.

The only thing that drives me nuts about this product is that I can only wear it on foundation-free days, as any type of foundation I’ve tried to use with it (powder, liquid, cream, etc) slides right off and gives my face a blotchy appearance.

Final Verdict: Like It

Tips and Tricks: Beauty Foods for Gorgeous Skin

There’s a lot of truth to the old saying “You are what you eat.” And if this is so, then it’s in our best interest to fill up on wholesome choices that will keep our bodies healthy. An added bonus? Lots of healthy foods won’t just keep you in good health, but will help your beauty out in the long run. Let’s look at some of our top Beauty Foods:

Nuts:

Not only do nuts help you feel fuller (leading to a little potential weight loss) and give you a dose of protein, but they can help make your skin beautiful. Most will pack a dose of Vitamin E or B, which are essential for healthy skin. Walnuts are beneficial, in particular, for their Omega-3 fatty acids, which will keep your skin hydrated and help reduce signs of aging. Try adding them to salads or oatmeal, but take care to not overdo it. These delicious treats are not low in calories, so no more than an ounce or two will be more than enough.

Green Tea:

In an earlier entry, I highlighted the benefits of green tea when topically applied to the skin. However, drinking it can do a lot to help, too! Green tea’s anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help fix skin damage, particularly damage caused by the sun. It’s also good for flushing out your system, keeping you free of toxins.  

Soy:

If you’re going to use soy, I suggest sticking to its more natural forms, like edamame and tofu. That being said, it’s not like both of those can’t be made delicious! Soy will help you produce collagen, improving skin elasticity, reducing the signs of aging. It’s also a great aid for those that are going through a period of significant weight loss, as the more elastic skin is, the less it’ll hang loosely as you burn away inches.

Carrots and hummus:

Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene (a form of Vitamin A) that is excellent for fighting ultraviolet damage. Additionally, people who consume carrots regularly have noticed their ability to reduce acne and vanish acne scars (beta-carotene helps heal damaged tissue.) If you’re not a fan of munching plain raw carrots, then add a dollop of hummus for a delicious treat. The chick peas in hummus contain lots of zinc, an aid to collagen production that will keep your skin plump and radiant.

Greek Yogurt:

Another ingredient previously mentioned. Not only will the protein keep your skin nice and firm, it gives you a nice dose of vitamin A and other essential nutrients. I prefer Greek yogurt, because it has less fat and more protein than regular yogurt. Go for the plain variety (flavored ones often have a ton of added sugar) and mix in your own fruit and perhaps some nuts (like the ones mentioned in this entry!)

Berries:

The antioxidants found in berries will help protect your skin from free radicals. Strawberries in particular have a high content of vitamin C, one of the ultimate nutrients for protecting your skin from the sun. Cranberries are also a great choice, as their diuretic properties will help flush out your system more quickly, ridding you of toxins.  

Leafy Green Veggies and Tomato:

Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach and kale will provide your skin with lutein. Lutein is essential in protecting the loss of collagen, keeping your skin fresh. Make a tasty meal of it, by throwing on some tomato. The acidity of tomatoes works as an astringent against excessive oiliness, helping fight acne from the inside out. They also contain all of the four known carotenoids (lutein, beta-carotene, carotene, and lycopene) which will not just benefit your skin, but will improve your all around health.

Papaya:

Another punch of vitamin C! More importantly, however, is the enzyme papain. Found only in papayas, this enzyme is an excellent way to boost up your body’s natural healing processes, helping to renew and refresh your skin. Want to speed things up? Mix up some papaya chunks with fresh (not canned!) pineapple. Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme that speeds up the effects of papain. Not that you needed another excuse to enjoy such a delicious fruity snack!

Salmon:

Not only does salmon contain some of the omega-3 we saw earlier, it also will give you a nice dose od selenium. Selenium will help reduce the inner oxidation of your body, leading to less acne-related complications. Try to consume it raw, but if that’s not to your liking, make sure to not overcook it.

Avocado:

Another familiar name on this blog! The healthy fats in avocado will keep your skin naturally moisturized. Erm…do, however, wait until the avocados are ripe (unlike the ones pictured) before you consume them. The ones in my yard won’t be ready for another month or so.  

Pomegranates:

Ah, pomegranates. Not only have they become one of the most talked about fruits in terms of antioxidants, they contain a very special one called ellagic acid. Ellagic acid helps rejuvenate skin, by accelerating the renewal of skin cells. This is especially beneficial to people who suffer from hyperpigmentation caused by skin damage.

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks: Beauty Commandments

With the New Year come new features! This special little series of tutorials will be called Tips and Tricks. While it is all well and good to present my readers with detailed tutorials of specific looks or treatments, these articles will feature small bits of wisdom that while not enough to warrant a full tutorial, are nonetheless, important details.

For my first Tips and Tricks article, I present you with a set of Beauty Commandments that should never be broken!

1) Thou Shalt Never Sleep With Thine Make-up On

I cannot stress this one enough! No matter how tired you are, how long the day was, or how hard you partied, never, never, NEVER sleep with make-up on. When you sleep, your pores secrete sebum, your skin’s natural cleanser and moisturizer. Make-up, no matter how natural, will block the pores leading to a buildup of dirt and bacteria. Worse, if you sleep on your stomach, that lovely little cocktail will rub off onto your pillowcase, making sure you always have a fresh supply of ick to slather your face in. Also, make sure to take special care if you’re a fan of heavy eye makeup. All those liners and mascaras could lead to irritated eyes, or worse, infections. If the regular remover you use for your face leaves plenty of stuff on your lids, invest in one made especially for eye makeup and use both every time you put anything on.  On that note…

2) Thou Shalt Keep Thine Make-up Brushes Impeccably Clean

 The dirt and oil combo I mentioned above? It loves to gather up on more than just pillowcases. Your makeup brushes will collect it every time you use them. In a perfect world, I would suggest washing them after every time you use them, but sadly, between the washing itself and the drying, who has time for that? So the next best thing I can suggest (other than having a brush for each day of the week!) is washing them once a week and using a spray-on cleaner in between uses. There are several online recipes for brush cleaners/sprays and I recommend doing your homework and making sure it’s beneficial for synthetic vs hair brushes, depending on what you have. 

I personally prefer store bought cleaners designed for this specific use, as they won’t harm your brushes or make them shed.

3)Thou Shalt Use SPF, Even when Thou Dost Not Think Thou Should

Whenever I tell people that I don’t go out of the house without putting on sunscreen first, many will react as if this is weird or obsessive. But I beg to differ. Even if it’s overcast, rainy, snowing, or in afternoon, if the sun is still out, harmful UV rays can still reach you and hurt your skin. So please, even if it’s one of those barefaced days when you don’t even want to wear concealer or moisturizer, at least use a broad spectrum sunscreen (protection against UVB and UVA) before you leave the house. I personally recommend having one specifically for your face (less oily/more absorbent) and one for your body. And ladies who don’t want to feel “greasy” or smell like a “coconut,” fear not! There are many unscented, oil-free varieties out there. It’s just a matter of finding that perfect match.

4) Thou Shalt Never Apply Nail Polish to Thine Nails Without a Basecoat 

Who doesn’t love a classic red manicure? The shiny finish. The rich red color. The… yellow-stained nails when you take it off…? Sadly, the prettiest colors can leave us with the nastiest of nails if we forget to use a basecoat. And if this isn’t enough to convince you, using a basecoat will make your manicure last longer by giving the polish something to adhere itself to. There are several varieties of base coats that can also be beneficial, from containing ridge-filling properties to being fortified with vitamins for healthier nails. However, I do need to say now that you should never use a top coat/base coat 2-in-1 product. Don’t get me wrong, I love products that can multitask, but in this case, the two products are serving a different function and neither will have enough of what makes it uniquely useful to be worth it. Speaking of 2-in-1’s that aren’t good…

5) Thou Shalt Not Use a 2-in1- Shampoo/Conditioner

 Plain and simple if you use one of these, your hair is either not going to be clean enough (Hello, Professor Snape) or not conditioned enough (yay, frizzy breakage!) And while we’re on the subject of washing your hair…

6) Thou Shalt Not Wash Thine Hair Everyday

This might sound a little gross to some, but your hair needs its natural oils to be healthy. Washing it every day will strip it of them and lead to dryness and thinning. Try to stick to every other day. Even if you sweat a lot (such as when keeping your New Year’s resolution to hit the gym often!) a good rinsing with water should help keep your hair fresh. If this proves to not be enough invest in a dry shampoo or even baby powder for those days in between.

7) Thou Shalt Not Use Heat on Thine Hair Without Thermal Protection

There is no kind way of putting this: Heated tools are horrible for your hair. It doesn’t matter the type, how advanced the technology is, whether it’s ceramic (which is arguably better) or metal, they’re still damaging. That being said, there are certain looks that are just not possible to achieve (or would be ridiculously difficult to do so) without them, so they’re a necessary evil. Reverse some of the damage by making sure that whatever styling products you apply while using them have heat/thermal protection (which is not the same as thermal activation) properties. 

Depending on what you’re doing (curling, straightening, or blow drying) there are different ingredients in these products that help keep the hair cuticles from bristling and cracking, many of them also helping to moisturize it.

8) Thou Shalt Not Pop Thine Pimples

 Listen to what your mother said! Remember all that gross build-up that we talked about earlier? Oftentimes it leads to acne. And if you get into the habit of popping it, not only do you risk scarring your face, but you likely won’t squeeze all of it out and now the pore will be open and ready to gather up more dirt and oil along with the infection it already has. This can lead to even worst skin complaints, like cysts, so please, if you need to pop something, pick up some bubble wrap!

9) Thou Shalt Be Conscious of Thine Skin Type When Purchasing Products

 After working in a beauty store, I cannot mention how many times I saw somebody choose a face product over another simply because it was cheaper.  Or worse, because it “smelled good!” Ladies, those few saved dollars and pretty smells aren’t going to help your skin any. You need to be conscious of what your skin type is, be it oily, dry, combination, sensitive or any other concerns you may have (anti-aging, dullness, dark spots) for it. Learn what active ingredients your skin reacts well to and which will break you out or give you an allergic reaction. Websites like http://www.cosdna.com/ can tell you if a certain product has ingredients that tend to cause either of the above.

10) Thou Shalt Exercise Cleanliness When Trying Products Out in Stores

 Who doesn’t love to try out new shades of lipstick and eye shadow at Sephora? We all do! Meaning… we all get to share cooties when we do! Ew! Luckily for us, beauty stores are conscious of this and should provide us (if one doesn’t, do not sample the products!) with clean, disposable applicators. Make sure you don’t actually rub the product itself with your fingers. I personally do not like to try anything out on my face in-store, and use the back of my hand instead. If I end up really hating the product, I can return it without risking infection. Also, when trying out a lipstick, use product from the sides and not the tip for extra cleanliness.  

11) Thou Shalt Not Wash Thine Face With the Same Products as Thy Body

 Again, different products, different functions. The skin on your face is much more sensitive than that of your body. Body washes are simply too harsh and could lead to anything from dryness to an over production of oil/acne depending on how your skin reactions. Also, whereas body washes are designed to simply be cleansing and occasionally moisturizing, all skin washes are made to address different skin issues. Don’t deprive your face of what it needs!

12) Thou Shalt Not Be Afraid of Trying New Things

 Enjoy beauty! Don’t get stuck in make-up ruts. Sometimes it’s easy (especially when juggling school/work/the rest of life!) to get into a fixed go-to routine. It’s familiar, it’s quick and easy and we could apply it in our sleep. But give yourself the change to switch it up every so often. And don’t shy away from trying something that goes completely against your usual style (play with it at home before you decide to take it out.) You might find something new and exciting that you wouldn’t have thought of before!

Evian Facial Spray

“Hello! My name is Tashiro, the Betta. I am a round-tail bi-color betta fish who belongs to The Gilded Lily’s photographer. I spend lots of time watching the ladies of Gilded Lily working and, boy, do they work hard!”

“They also talk. A lot. I don’t understand many of the things they say. What’s exfoliation? What about leave-in conditioner? What the heck is an Urban Decay or a YSL?! They go absolutely crazy when they talk about those last two!”

“Now one thing I do understand is hydration. They love to keep their skin hydrated. Believe me, I know. I’ve heard them. What I don’t understand, is why they keep on visiting these weird sounding places (Lush? Sephora? Ulta?) to find things that will keep their skin from being dry. Why not ask me? I’m a fish! I know all there is to know about hydration!”

“Now, the best way to hydrate your skin (or scales, in my case) is to use plain, old fashioned water. I’d personally recommend walking around with your head in a filled fishbowl for the perfect hydration, but you gill-less humans with your silly little lungs probably wouldn’t like that too much. So what’s the next best thing?”

“Try the Evian Facial Spray! Not only is this funny little bottle full of hydrating liquid and those things called minerals you seem to think are so important, but it won’t ruin any of the paint you smear on your face. It’s a win-win situation, right? Of course I’m right.”

“And one last thing… someone tell that Karen to stop holding that weird, round, shiny thing that opens up to my fish bowl! I swear I see another Betta in there and that guy gives me mean looks and is trying to pick a fight, by puffing out his gills at me in my own turf! Now that’s just disrespectful. He should know better and so should she! Knock it off, Lady!”

Final Verdict: “Since I already have a bowl full of water, this is useless to me and would be a total Lend It. But for you humans, let’s be real. You should LOVE IT.”

PS (from Karen)- These facial sprays come in different sizes, but I prefer the two-pack travel sized ones. They fit perfectly in a purse. Stick them in the fridge for a while before you go out, especially if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the sun. It’ll be a very welcome cooling and refreshing treat for your parched skin in the heat.

PPS- Sorry about that, Tashiro!

Ingredients:

Pure natural Evian mineral water propelled by nitrogen.

Easy Homemade Green Tea Mask- 3 Ways

A few entries back, I talked about how using a hair mask once a week could give anybody lush, healthy hair. So if we’re already taking the time for hair, why not work on the rest of our heads? I personally like applying a face mask and a hair mask at the same time, and using the time spent waiting pretending that I’m at a decadent spa.

However! These procedures can be time consuming, especially if they’re being made with all-natural ingredients. So today I’m going to present you with three very easy, very quick face mask recipes, all of them using green tea as the main ingredient.

Green tea is amazing for your skin. The caffeine in green tea can help reduce dark circles around your eyes, by shrinking blood vessels, while topical application will provide your skin with a good dose of antioxidants and works to reduce any skin inflammations, as well as keeping cells rejuvenated. Even drinking it regularly will aid both beauty and health!

On to the masks!

#1 Easy: Softening and brightening matcha yogurt mask

Ingredients:

Greek Yogurt- Brightening

Matcha (powdered Japanese green tea)

Tea tree oil (Use Argan oil instead, if you have sensitive skin)

Matcha may be a little hard to find, but not only will it be easier to blend into the yogurt, it’s extra concentrated, so the benefits will be even richer. If you can’t find it at the grocery store, most specialty Asian markets will carry it. Greek yogurt contains lactic acid and protein, which will help by evening out your skin tone and leaving your face radiant. The tea tree oil helps remove any bacteria and excess oil from skin, without drying it out, while argan oil will keep skin soft and elastic, but is less harsh than tea tree.

Instructions:

1.      Begin by placing a healthy dollop of Greek yogurt in a bowl. You’re gonna want the mixture to be spread out pretty thin, so there’s no need to use a lot.

2.      Toss in a teaspoon or so of matcha.

    

3.      Shake in 2-4 drops of the oil you chose, depending on your skin’s needs.

4.      Mix with the ingredients with a fork. Stop when they’ve formed an even, light green paste. 

5.      Pull your hair back and begin applying the mask. Remember to keep the application thin.

6.      Cover your whole face, but don’t forget to avoid your eye and lip areas.

7.      Let the mask set for about 20 minutes or whenever it’s completely dry. Remove and enjoy! 

     NOTE: Please do not scrub the mask off harshly, or redness/burning can occur. Splash water on your face, softening the dried mask, then using a face sponge or washcloth, use gentle, circular dabbing motions, until all of it is cleared off.

#2 Easier: Refreshing Toning Cucumber Green Tea Mask

Ingredients:

Two green tea bags

Medium to large cucumber

Boiling water

So you don’t exactly have the time to find some high quality matcha or order it online and mixing up ingredients doesn’t appeal to you? Never fear! Here is a simpler way to provide your skin with the benefits of green tea. Additionally, the cucumbers will tone your skin and leaving it feeling soft and fresh.  

Instructions:

 1.    Steep two tea bags in boiling water.

2.      While the tea is brewing, slice up a cucumber as thinly as possible. I made the mistake of using a knife, but you’d get better results with a vegetable peeler. You want them to be paper thin, as that’ll make applying them much easier.

3.      When the tea is ready, set the two bags aside. Do not throw them away!

4.      Put the cucumber slices in a bowl and pour the hot tea over them. Let them rest until the tea is room temperature. Put the slices and the two tea bags you’ve saved in the fridge.

5.      Wait ten minutes and remove them from the fridge. Begin applying the cucumber slices to your face. The thinner they are, the better they’ll stick. If you’ve made them too thick, lay down to apply them or have a friend help you.

6.      Place the cooled tea bags over your eyes. This is a good procedure to do right before a quick nap or while listening to music. Or better yet, have a friend do it with you, brew an extra two cups of tea, and have fun chatting with your masks on, then remove them after fifteen minutes!

#3 Easiest!: Cooling Green Tea Patches

Seriously no time to do the above? Try the easiest green tea mask possible!

Ingredients:

Boiling water

Two Starbucks Tazo Iced Green Tea bags

Our final mask is so simple and easy, that anyone, with any schedule can manage it! Just pick up a box of Starbucks Tazo Iced Green Tea bags. I chose these above other teabags, as they’re much bigger and will cover large portions of your face at a time. 

Prepare two batches of the tea. Either have two jugs ready, or if you don’t mind super concentrated tea, steep them in the same jug.

While the tea cools, set aside your teabags. Let them reach room temperature or place them in the fridge for an extra cooling effect. Once they’re ready, place them on your face and… done! No fuss, no mess, and leaving them on for 5 to 10 minutes at a time will give your skin a quick pop of green tea goodness.

You can have fun changing the positioning around...

Like this…

… or like this…

Enjoy with a glass of iced tea and don’t forget to give yourself a quick break from work. ;) You can keep them in the fridge for about a week and use them to give your skin a boost. Discard after that. Have fun!