Skin Fact

Dead skin cells make up about 90 percent of household dust! EEWWWWWW!

Novemeber: National Healthy Skin Month!!

Happy Halloween!!!

The big day is here...COSTUMES & CANDY DAY! Halloween has always been a favorite holiday at my house. This year I'm sad, my girls are growing up and I have no one to take trick or treating...I'm not as excited about staying home to hand out candy, boring! But I might as well enjoy my last day of candy eating, because starting tomorrow it's time to be good until the next holiday...Thanksgiving! So, happy candy day, have fun treat or treating!!

Last Possible Day for Fall Leaves???

If you love fall colors like I do...today may be your last day!!! Take a quick drive up the canyon and experience one of my favorite things of living in Utah...the gorgeous fall leaves!! My favorite drive is the Alpine Loop starting in Provo canyon and ending down American Fork canyon.

October--National Candy Month!!

As a self-proclaimed sugar addict, I am glad I finally I don't have to feel guilty about my candy splurges!!! I have to admit, I'm much better than I used to be. I don't HAVE to buy a candy bar at every check-out line. I still want to, I just am better at exercising self-control! But, here is a easy way to eat your chocolate yet still keep your calories in check!

A new study was just published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Assoc, researchers found that people who were served 20 candy halves ate about the same number of pieces as those given 20 whole ones--but they consumed less calories. The take-away: When it comes to snacks, size does matter. So munch on M&M's minis or mini candy treats, trying to go easy on full-sized versions and you may feel satisfied w/less.

Let me know how that works for you! Happy Halloween/Candy Month!!

A New Season--Time for New Make-Up!

Well, it's mid-Oct and I guess we are officially into Fall, the summer glow is fading and I feel like I'm over due for check up at my favorite make-up counter! I've been a fan of Bare Essentials for years and I would pick it up at either Nordstrom or Sephora...but now we have our own Bare Escentuals Boutique at the University Mall. (Located by Eddie Bauer)

My daughter and I visited their new boutique for the 1st time last week and worked with a darling make-up artist, Tonya. Tonya color matched my daughter for the season and was so helpful with any concerns, issues and make-up questions. She was NOT pushy or over the top sales person, so nice! If you are still using drugstore liquid make-up, do us both a favor and STOP! I LOVE mineral makeup, it is SO much better for your skin, especially if you have problem skin. And it lasts much longer, so in the end it is more cost effective. So here's my advice, head to Bare Escentuals and "Get your Face Fall Ready"!!!

Fall Facial Featuring our Pumpkin Scrub!!!

If you're like me, I love everything fall, pumpkin desserts, fresh apples, fall leaves....the list goes on and on!!! This month come in an experience the ultimate fall facial...first we'll exfoliate your skin with a microdermabrasion, getting rid of all that summer sun damage, then we layer the skin with a relaxing and delicious smelling pumpkin scrub...the perfect way to FACE a new season looking your best!!!



October Special $40 Call now to schedule your appt 801.427.6895!

Who Wants Luscious Lashes??? EVERYONE!!

Everyone loves beautiful lashes....they open your eyes and make you look more youthful. We have two easy ways to get luscious lashes...

Lash Extensions OR Newly released Revitalash Advanced

This summer make life easier by getting lash extensions...you can either do a full set or sassy set of mink lashes. They are natural looking and perfect for someone who wants to hit the pool, gym or vacation this summer w/out the hassle of putting on eyemake-up. You wake up and "you're ready to go"!

Summer Lash Extension Special: $60 full set $40 sassy set or fill

If lash extensions aren't "your thing" the next best thing is Revitalash. They just released a new advanced version this month at the Esthetics Show in Las Vegas. You apply it everynight on lash line (or if you are kinda lazy like me, in the morning after my shower) and watch your lashes grow like you never thought they could!!! A tube lasts for about 5 months...you'll start to notice a difference in 2 weeks and in 6-8 weeks, wow, look out!!!! Add a lash tint and you're ready to go!!!

Summer Special on Revitalash $75 ($98 Value)



These specials are a limited time offer, so act quick. Call now to schedule a lash extension appt or order your tube of Revitalash!!!

Who says you can't look fabulous at Lake Powell while on the boat or camping in the Unitas!

Dr. Amen--Change Your Brain, Change Your Body!!!

One of my favorite shows is going to air on KUED on Tues, March 15th at 7pm (channel7)!!!

Some of you may have heard me talk about Dr. Amen, his approach to food and how it affects our brain and our body! He is amazing...he makes me work harder at eating better. It is because of him that I am "trying" to break my sugar addiction!!! It's soooo hard. Whenever he is one, I watch it again, I need all the motivation I can get.




If you have time, I strongly encourage you to watch it, or at least record it on your dvr/tivo and watch it later!!! It's so good! I'd really hate to see what my brain looks like right now. Sunday is our "make a yummy dessert day", we made chocolate cupcakes with mint filling and chocolate frosting...I ate too many!!! If you do watch it, let me know what you think.

Right now, I'm reading "The China Study", a client recommended it to me....I post more on that later....but very eye-opening....this one may be a life-changer!!!

Update on Olay Brush....

Okay....so I'm still loving my Olay cleansing brush, but a word of warning, proceed w/caution. I was using my cleansing brush 1-2 times a day...can you say "overboard"??? Well after a week, my skin is showing the effects of too much of a good thing. My skin is very flaky and dry, so I would recommend only using 2-3 times a week....

Since then I've given myself a 50% Lactic/Kojic peel, so I will take at least a week off and then start again!!!

If you have questions before buying your own Olay Cleansing Brush, feel free to email me!!

Have a great day!!!

New Cleansing Brush...I like it!

I have to admit, I've always wanted to purchase a Clarisonic Cleansing Brush...but I've had a hard time getting over the $195+ price tag.

VS.

Well, recently I noticed that Olay launched a cleansing brush of their own...only $30 and available at Walgreeen, Walmart, etc. At first I was skeptical....would it cleanse as well as the pricier version??? I also, had to get over my aversion of OTC products. As a trained and licensed Master Esthetician, I am a big believer in professional products vs. products sold in the big box stores!!!

So I did a little research...and then decided to buy...I saved my receipt and will submit w/my taxes, I consider it research so I can inform my clients on whether they should spend their $30 or save for the big-bang product.

Click on review if you want to read one of the reviews I found online.

Here's what I found....I like it....really like it! My skin feels, softer and less dry. It's a great exfoliator. My skincare products seem to penetrate better and maybe it's hopeful thinking, but I'm sure my skin is much more glowy!!! It has 2 speeds, I use the slower speed under my eyes...my husband thinks the faster speed is too iritating for his skin, but he's not as tough as most women. (One year I told him for his bday I was giving him a rejuvenating facial laser treatment....oh yah, that's a story for another day!!!!) The biggest difference between Olay and Clarisonic is that Olay only spins in 1 direction, where Clarisonic rotates in either direction. The Olay cleansing brush did come w/an exfoliating cleansing scrub...but I have only used it with my favorite products...Image! Also, I just keep it on the ledge in my shower....I makes me excited to cleanse my face!!! Gotta love that!

Final Decision....Like It!!!!

I made a "Shoe Connection"!!!

The Runner's Corner in Orem may have saved me! One day I had an after lunch appt cancel, so with an extra long lunch in my favor, I decided to drop by "The Runner's Corner, something I've been meaning to do for several months and hadn't taken the time to do. I was a little intimidated at first, the store really looked like a place for pro-runners, I definitely did not belong here. I met the owner, Hawk, a super nice guy...explained my (old woman) foot issues to him and after spending an hour with him, he had me outfitted w/some new shoes!!! He had me run for him...of course at first I was mortified...me, run, outside, in my skinny jeans, people might see me...but I got over myself and I ran. I must of tried out 10 different types of running shoes...learned that for my problem, I had to lace/tie them a special way and even though I'm a size 6 1/2 shoe...I needed a size 8 running shoe!!! That also freaked me out! As the typical woman, I always have issues with numbers....whether they are on the scale, on calories listed, on clothes and yes, I guess shoes, call me crazy. Again, I got over myself and now I am running in a SIZE 8!

I found a few shoes that would work for me...but some of them were to crazy for my conservative self. Hawk said that finding the right pair of running shoes is like finding a mate. At the end of my hour of trying on shoes, running in them, I finally found my mate...they are actually the shoes pictured at the start of my blog. I want to give Hawk a HUGE thanks for all the time/energy he spent with me, he was the best. I never felt as though he was out for a sale, but only there to help me!!! I was so impressed and I recommend them to anyone who is looking for the PERFECT MATE shoes!!! I have actually taken my new shoes to the indoor track a few times now....so far....we're a match!!!

p.s. Hawk, next time, I'm going for the neon pink!!!

Running....it's a love/hate thing!

As most of you know, my 1st choice of exercise is lounging by the pool reading a book, but since that doesn't really count as exercise I guess I'd have to choose running. It's easy, pretty inexpensive, no special equipment is needed and I can get it done without going to a gym (I always been an anti-gym gal). Since I live in Utah, I usually take a BIG break on the exercise thing from the end of fall until Spring arrives. I know, pretty whimpy! Especially since last year there was not spring, basically winter until the 11th of June! But this year, I found out that our local rec center only charges $.50 to use the indoor track...it's actually a pretty nice track and it doesn't stink, so I'm not counting it as a gym. So I starting running again the last week of Feb...that is really early in the season for me!!! Luckily, I have several clients that are "real runners" and give me all kinds of motivating advice and make me want to be a "real runner". That's why my 1st book on my current reading list is, "Born to Run", so far, it's pretty good.



My biggest challenge with running....I have a bad foot, and it can be very painful for me to run. I even had considered giving up running this year and to start biking, but then I would have to do the expensive equipment thing.... but last week I may have found my answer to fixing my foot pain!!

Have I got your interest yet....I'll post more soon on my new hero(s)!!!

Winter Hand Help!

There are 2 areas of the body besides the face that tend to give your age away...the hands and chest. I don't know about you, but during the winter, my hands seem to age a decade, not exactly what I want to happen. I find that especially in my line of work, I am always sanitizing and washing my hands which only tends to dry them out even more. Here is what I've found to work for me...



It’s not glamorous, or new, and your eyes probably skip right over it when you’re browsing the lotion section of the drugstore—but so many dermatologists say that this old-standby hand cream is a proven miracle worker. It’s Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. And it’s only four bucks at the drugstore!

I like that it doesn't feel greasy and absorbs quickly into my hands. You only need to use a small amount....before bed I like to use a little more and massage it into my often dry cuticles. So this weekend, hit Walmart, Walgreens or your fav drugstore and get your hands re-moisturized this winter!!! (Also works great on the feet)

Birth Control and Acne

Birth control for acne simplified.

Birth control pills are widely used today and prescribed often as a means to control acne. Most pills can
have the potential to cause acne and weight gain in those susceptible. Typically the pills are divided up as estrogen or progestin dominant and have varying degrees of androgenic (testosterone like) effects.
As a general rule of thumb, pills with the potential for higher androgenic symptoms should be avoided for people prone to acne because they promote breakouts.

As an acne sufferer it is important to speak with your doctor about a selecting a pill that is higher in
estrogen and lower in androgen potency.

The most commonly prescribed pills in this category are:
Yasmin
Diane 35(Dianette)
Demulan(Zovia)
Ortho tri cyclen
Nevicon modicon
Ortho evra
Mircette
Desogen(Apri)

It is best to avoid the following pills that are high in androgen activity and low in estrogen.
Loestrin
Estrotrep Fe
Levlen
Alesse
Ovral
Norestrin
Nuvo ring
Depoprovera shot

Only you and your doctor can determine what pill is right for you. The above is just a basic guideline that should be used to initiate a conversation between you and your physician. If you are considering taking birth control pills, it is important to know that they are associated with a high risk of blood clots, weight gain, nausea, mood changes, depression and breast tenderness. Serious side effects include strokes, digestive issues and embolism.

5 Tips to Stick with your New Year's Resolutions!

5 tips to help you stick with your New Year’s resolutions!



Are you planning on making any New Year’s resolutions for 2011? Are you one of those people who typically gives up on your resolutions after just a few months or weeks? Would you like to increase your chances of following through on your resolutions?

Why is it so hard to create lasting changes in your behavior? It’s because your brain is hardwired to resist change. When your brain tells you to stick with the same old habits, you need to fight back. It takes time to overwrite old neural pathways with new ones. These five tips will help you retrain your brain so you can stick with your New Year’s resolutions.

1. Don’t try to change everything at once. Rather than making a resolution that is so lofty it is virtually impossible for you to achieve, choose one or two specific behaviors you want to change.

2. Believe you can do it. If you don’t believe in yourself, you will never achieve your goals.

3. Reward yourself for the small successes. When you reach a goal or are following through on your resolution, reward yourself. If weight loss is one of your goals for the New Year, find rewards that don’t involve eating or drinking—a warm bath, a good book, a hike with a friend, for example.

4. Don’t swap one bad habit for another. Don’t stop eating cookies but start drinking diet sodas. Don’t quit smoking but start guzzling coffee all day long. Replace your bad habits with good habits.

5. Get back on track—setbacks don’t mean failure. Like I said, change is hard, so don’t beat yourself up if you have a setback. Just acknowledge that you had a setback and get back onto your program the next day.

Personally, I am very guilty of #1...I try to make too many changes at once and end up giving up! But this year I'll try harder to ease into all the changes I want to take on. Wish me luck!

Here are a few of my 2011 goals...

Eat healthier (eat less sugar, drink more water)
Exercise more (usually I only workout during warm months)
Be more organized
Take more time for myself (i.e. facial,massage,etc.)
Learn to say "NO" (that's a difficult one for me)

Here's to 2011, I wish you all the best for a wonderful, happy and prosperous New Year!