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!

Leopard print lips (In hot pink!)

Tired of old, boring lip looks? Want something that will floor everyone around you? Have somewhere to go where you can get away with wearing something this outrageous?! Try leopard print lips!

I’m gonna be teaching you this one with a hot pink background, but any color (though I recommend something light, like coral or orange) would work just fine.

What you’ll need:

A long-lasting pigmented lip color that dries to a matte finish (Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Backstage Bambi)

Black gel liner (Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Blackest Black)

A regular lipstick (or liner) that matches your original color (MAC Lipstick in Show Orchid)

You’ll want perfectly nude lips to start and consider doing a simple eye make-up to go along with these show-stopping lips.

Step 1:

Use your liquid lip color. You’ll want something that dries quickly, like a coat of nail polish for your lips. I know YSL and Hourglass carry a similar product, but my favorites are from Kat Von D. Let your product dry after application. I cannot stress enough the use of this sort of product over a regular lipstick, which will smear when you try to apply your spots.

Step 2:

Dip the edge of a small, angled brush into your black gel liner. A concealer brush works here, too. You won’t want too much product touching your lips as you apply it.

Step 3:

Begin dabbing on your leopard spots. Don’t follow a particular pattern, think of what actual leopard skin looks like. You’ll have spots, circles, and C shapes, in varying sizes. Variety is crucial. Don’t worry if not all of your spots are as solid as the others, leopards don’t have perfect markings either, but do try to keep them from getting sloppy. And for goodness’s sake, do NOT mash your lips together when you’re done!

Step 4:

Looks cool, but a little displaced, right? Use your black liner to paint a line around your lips. This will clean up the look and give it an edgier feel.

Step 5:

The black line might look too harsh (it does with this shade!) so take your matching lipstick and blend it lightly into the liner, softening the black.

Your make-up is finished! It is a fun and daring look. Go get ‘em, kitty!

EOS Alice in Wonderland Lip Balms

You should be aware of my love for eos lip balms. Imagine then, my joy, when that love got mixed with my love for Disney, in this adorable Alice in Wonderland-themed lip balm gift set (with the Mickey Mouse logo embossed on each sphere.)

They deliver the same delicate moisture that all eos balms give and come in three new exciting flavors:

Watermelon Wonderland: If you’re a fan of watermelon bubblegum, then you’ll love the juicy smell of this lip balm.

Sweet Vanilla Nonsense: Rich and creamy sweet sugared vanilla, but not at all overpowering! This one gives me a bit of a sweet tooth.

Blueberry Potion: It’s a little bit artificial blueberry, but very pleasant nonetheless.

Sadly, this little kit has become rare in-stores (but not so rare online.) Don’t hesitate to make it a part of your collection, if you have a chance!

Final Verdict: Love it!

Ingredients:  Olive Fruit Oil*, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Shea Butter*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Blueberry Fruit Extract *, Limonene, Linalool. Olive Fruit Oil*, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Shea Butter*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract*. Olive Fruit Oil*, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Shea Butter*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Watermelon Seed Extract *, Limonene, Linalool. 

Tips and Tricks: Put Your Best Face Forward with Shading and Contouring

We’ve all had those moments when we wished that Photoshop was available in a little jar. And while most of our problems can usually be fixed with a good foundation and a little concealer, sometimes these tools are just not enough.

Luckily, with little more than a couple of face brushes and some skin tone complimentary tones, you can help reduce bloat, sharpen angles, and brighten and highlight your best areas. Prep by applying your foundation, as I don’t recommend this tutorial over bare skin.

Tools:

A couple of face/blush brushes, with at least one being angled. Don’t bother with kabuki or large powder brushes, though.

A light (highlight) tone and a dark (shadow) tone in colors that compliment your skin. The shadow tone should actually be more of a taupe/gray, than a brown, since that’s a shadow’s natural color. While there are actually contouring kits that will have both shades for you, matte pressed powder eye shadows will work just fine. 

You’ll also want a matte bronzer. 

Step 1: Nose

Use your shadow tone to deepen the sides of your nose, giving it a slimmer appearance. Use downward strokes from the bridge and lightly (lightly, you don’t want to apply too much color and put rings around them!) circle your nostrils.

Take your finger and dab the highlight tone down the bridge.

Step 2: Cheekbones

Use a blush brush to sweep the shadow tone in the hollows of your cheeks. You can find these by sucking your cheeks in and feeling for the area under the bone. 

Use the highlighter on the apples of your cheeks, with an angled brush, and sweep the color up. 

Step 3: Jaw line

Use your matte bronzer and, again, lightly sweep the color around the edge, giving yourself a more delicate jaw. Careful not to give yourself fake 5 o'clock shadow!

Step 4: Forehead

I goofed and forgot to photograph this part, but using the bronzer on your temples and swiping some highlighter in the middle, you can contour the sides of your forehead, making it slimmer and daintier looking.

You’re done!

Enjoy. 

Throwback Thrillers: Diorific Long-Wearing True Color Lipstick in Lady

Finding the perfect shade of red lipstick can be hard, especially if you want one that is fun and attention-grabbing for nighttime, but is still appropriate for day. If you can get your hands on this gorgeous lipstick from Dior, then this problem might very well be solved. 

It has a lovely, creamy texture and the shade is one that will translate to most skin tones. It’s vibrant and exotic, while still being tame enough to be taken seriously at work. 

It may be a little hard to track down, but trust me, it’ll be worth it. My only complaint is the plastic packaging, which felt a little bit cheap. 

Enjoy!

Korres Lip Butter

These luxurious little lip butters from a Greek company are sure to satisfy any balm fetishist’s wishes. The formula is really thick and moisturizing, without feeling heavy or sticky. They come in several flavors, and all but Guava are lightly tinted, giving your lips a subtle hint of color when you don’t want to use heavy lipstick. My only complaint is that they don’t smell too much like their namesakes. It’s more as if they share the same unique fruity/sweet base, with a dash of some other fruit (which may or may not be the one they’re named after.)

#1 Guava- Smells so much like coconut (not that this is a bad thing!) that you wouldn’t know it’s guava unless you read the jar. Very sweet and nice, though. It doesn’t give any color, just adds some shimmer and moisture to dry lips. 

#2 Jasmine- This smells very sweet, without a particular fragrance. It’s a very, VERY subtle sheer pink.

#3 Mango- I can certainly pick out the mango in this one! The color is a fun, sheer orange!

#4 Pomegranate- If there’s actual pomegranate in this, it’s lost on me. All I smell is the fruitiness, albeit lightly. The shade is a really pretty sheer intense pink, though.

#5 Quince- A more intense fruity base. A lovely magenta shade. (My favorite!)

#6 Plum- Fruity with something like… grape and prune? It’s a lot better than it sounds, and gives a deep reddish purple tint that would look very nice on darker skins.

#7 Wild Rose- Fruity with a hint of rose. A hint of deep red, very pretty.

Final Verdict: Love it!

Ingredients:

Polybutene, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyethylene, Hydroxystearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Flavor (Aroma), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Punica Granatum Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Red 7 Lake, Red 6, Iron Oxides.