healthy – Life, Lipstick, & Glowing Skin

Isn’t it time…to Take a Walk!

It was a cool rainy mist night in Florida last night for a change and the weather continued with cold rainy weather this Easter Day. I went for a walk. I hadn’t done that for awhile. Work and life got in the way.

But… I’m reminded how much I needed the escape and walk. Maybe you do too!

Walking and being outside with Mother 🍃 Earth 🌎 is so important even more these days.

Brighten your day in a healthy way. It doesn’t have to be long. Just 10 minutes helps. Nature offers us so much! A visual explosion of flowers and green. My palm trees outside my home or studio bring me so much joy.

Oh the beauty of fresh air! Taking a few deep breaths. Hold and release.

They say it can really lift our spirits and mood. I so agree! It makes me happy and my lungs happy too.

Reflecting and pausing to hear the happy birds chirping a tune. Hearing the leaves 🍃 in the wind. Smelling the wild flowers along the way. Even if it’s raining it can be a beautiful day.

I read where listening to just three minutes of the cheerful songs 🎶 of the birds in the daytime can stimulate the brains frontal lobe and increases the production of energizing beta waves. What’s not to love about that?

I have also read taking a short walk before you call it a night and get ready to wind down and go to bed… helps our bodies produce melatonin. Thus hopefully get a better nights sleep.

You don’t need to necessarily go to a park to walk. Your neighborhood will do.

You’ll more likely feel better and if you’re feeling a bit blue it will help you too. I know it’s hard to smile these days with so much coming at us in the news and in the world. But self-care needs to be at the top of your To Do list.

If you can’t get outdoors because of health reasons or you had to work today. Think that you are outside. Pretend you’re enjoying and walking outdoors. Your mind is a powerful tool.

I hope you have a fabulous and delicious day!

Ready to rock …

If you’re in the beauty and wellness industry you need to be here this year!

If you’re not you’re in luck. I’ll kiss 💋 & tell all I saw and learned from my spa show and take you on a tour of Las Vegas through photos. I love 💕 love 💕 love the beauty industry and proud to be a speaker and educator too.

Always an awesome show it is THE show of the year to attend. Packed with amazing speakers, free manufacturer classes and paid workshops on all kinds of topics.

I’ll be teaching a class “Age is Just a Number”

**I’ll share my MAKE-UP Artist beauty tools and secrets I use in studio and on the set.**

This show is alongside the International Beauty Show filled with …products,inspiration and classes on….Hair, Nails, Skin,Massage, Facials and a massive show floor as well. TWO beautiful shows in one!

Loving all things fall! 🍁

How about you?

It’s cooler weather and I so love ❤️ fall. I’ve been traveling a bit. The airports are so busy it is so good to be out and about again. Wow how the country is looking amazing with the change of leaves!

Getting my business ready for the holiday season and enjoying life one day at a time.

So they say… “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

I have been in awe with the beauty of the changing fall leaves, eating an apple a day, sipping apple cider, cozying up to an apple 🥧pie and enjoying the beauty secret in apples.

You asked me if I have a recipe for a face mask with apples and I’ll share one of my faves below.

🍎Do you know apples can fill you up? Sort of like drinking a tall glass of water 💦before a meal. Fills you up fast before you eat.

🍎Eating Apples (with the skin on) are especially good for you.

🍎 I mentioned before in a post I love to make fruit infused water with small slices of red and green apples. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar makes it extra delicious.

🍎 Apples make a great natural face mask not found in a jar on a store shelf. Fun to make and enjoy with your BFF or family too.

Here’s what you will need:

2 tbsp of crushed oats

1 red or green apple

1 tsp of organic local honey

Mix the above and add grated or puréed apples in a bowl.

Apply to the face and leave on at least 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.

Next apply your fave facial moisturizer and eye gel

The oats in this recipe exfoliate the skin gently. The apples and honey give you plump abs glowing skin. Vitamin C rich and Vitamin A too. Boosts collagen too.

Do you love natural beauty recipes too?

Share with me I’d love to hear any of yours too!

All the beautiful people and new products were in Las Vegas!

We beauty professionals and speakers have been waiting for over a year and half to reconnect with each other,educate and see what’s trending and new! The show did go on and I could not be BE ANY HAPPIER!

The International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference was wonderful! My class went well. I was thrilled with all the beautiful faces looking to learn all I had to share with them too!

Yes, there was social distancing but we did not have to wear a face mask 😷 while educating. The show attendees had the option if vaccinated they did not have to wear a mask. There were sanitation stations and there was mindful social distancing. Attendance was UP considering what we have been through. Lines to shop 🛍 were long but worth the wait. I can’t believe the crowds of beauty PROS and spa and salon owners so many happy faces.

It was wonderful to be out and about and to TRAVEL on an airplane again. Seeing lots of people was great and Delta Airlines took good care of me! Chatting with strangers and and seeing SMILING FACES without face covers and masks was beyond joyous.

It was HOT and steamy in beautiful Las Vegas and I got a chance to work and play!!! One day it was actually 116 degrees.

Networking at it’s finest! Like a GIANT COCKTAIL PARTY! The IECSC show even treated us to a cocktail 🍸 or other libations to toast and welcome us back!

Here is a list of what I discovered on that’s Trending and NEW! Some I predicted and knew but some trends I saw on the show floor.

Skin care is HOT! It is even more in than makeup! We got to see the latest in action with LIVE demos on the show floor.

Facial embellishments were a thing and step aside tattoos and piercings. Pearls,colorful stencils,flowers and bold eye designs.

Wellness is a MUST in our lives. We must take better care of ourselves!

“Caked on” made up faces are NOT happening. Makeup is heading softer and pretty is back.

Brows and lashes are cared for with serums of gold. Brow laminations are hot.

Lash Lifts are still in.

False Lashes depending on who you speak to are out but faux lash companies are still selling. All kinds of lashes and COLORS!

OVER done and over the top contouring is OUT!

Lip plumpers are still coveted alongside a gorgeous lipgloss or 💄 lipstick.

Shimmery GLOWY skin is still with us.

Dermaplaning is still hot!

Concealing the entire face with concealer, highlighters and foundation is not in.

Tinted shampoos in all colors too!

Root Powder coverups in all HUES!

HAIR YOU WEAR and take off …faux bangs,pony’s and more are not going away.

Glossy faces!

Bright shiny glass like skin for the hair.

💅 Nails are fresh and natural but also pointed and embellished and long!

Facial Masks reign supreme! ALL kinds of treatments,smell and feel amazing!

Celebrities weren’t the only ones on the Las Vegas Strip.

We were there and it felt so amazing!

Stay tuned for my next beauty adventure!

Love your body and skin with this!

Before the pandemic we would make smoothies and juicing at my makeup and skin studio for our clients.

A new recipe each month it was our treat and pleasure! My clients LOVED them. We served them in shot glasses and called them different fun names. Now we have had to stop serving them but share the recipes with them!

We MISS the good old days with our our clients!

Here is one of our popular recipes I thought you’d enjoy.

Creamy and rich you will love this Green & Gorgeous Smoothie too! We served this during Earth Day month.

What you will need to make this delicious smoothie.

In a blender,combine a ripe pitted and peeled avocado with a cup of cold milk and some ice cubes.

1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract or strip a vanilla bean pod.

I like to …Blend the above in a blender or use a frother.

A fabulous source of fiber,potassium and vitamins. Beauty bonus? Good for you fats.

Hope you try this creamy delight!

Golden Milk!

Have you tried it?

This aromatic spice filled cozy drink is a traditional drink with roots in India and must have in Ayurveda medicine. Like sipping a cup of hot tea it is so soothing and an anti-inflammatory. It will warm your body and spirit on a cold day! Or into the spring and summer it will bring you a healthier warm drink to add to your routine. Daily or weekly … enjoy sipping!

My clients are facing stress,digestive issues and more during these pandemic days and I shared this with them to help them feel a bit better. Some have tried this golden milky hued drink and liked it.

Here’s what you will need:

1 and 1/2 cups of milk or other milk type milk you prefer

1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon

A sprinkle of black pepper

1 teaspoon of ground Turmeric

1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground ginger

If you want to sweeten you can add some organic local honey or even maple syrup will work well.

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a light boil. Lower the heat. Strain and pour in a cup. I like to use a hand held mini frother to make it more like a latte. Makes one cup.

Times are tough it’s is true. So make sure you take time for your health and YOU. Small simple things like this can make such a big difference. If this isn’t for you try making a delightful drink with Matcha green tea. Whatever you do please take care of one and only you!

Our Bodies Need Some LOVE!

At times like these we need to take care of our immune system and body too. Since it is summer and we shed our clothes and show more skin we need to also slough off dead skin cells. As well as hydrate the skin on our face and body too. One of my clients shared this recipe with me a long time ago. And I recently discovered it in my pandemic cleaning purge of some paper work etc.

I almost forgot how much I like this recipe alongside eating a bowl of oats or granola with home-made yogurt and fruit in season. To make home-made from scratch yogurt I use Belle + Bella. They have an amazing starter packet and unit to make it. It is fun and when i have leftovers (right) instead of licking the spoon I use the fresh yogurt on my face for a gentle neck and face mask.

red strawberry and raspberry on white ceramic bowl — Photo by Life Of Pix on Pexels.com

What you will need for this hand or body recipe:

1 cup of olive oil

1/2 cup of ground up organic oats

Photo by Mike on Pexels.com

Photo by Castorly Stock on Pexels.com

1 tbs. vanilla

1 tablespoon of maple syrup

She stirs in all ingredients and suggests you take some time in the tub.

Place a handful of the mix onto your body. She recommends paying close attention to rough areas like,elbows,knees, hands and feet. Allow the scrub to rest on your skin. Next she recommends rubbing with warm water and a washcloth or a loofah sponge.

Rinse well.

After you get out of the tub. Dry your skin slightly and while damp apply your favorite hand and body lotion.

Your skin will feel soft and fresh you’ll feel brand new!

Wine 🍷 Anyone?

I wanted to share a glass of wine with my husband while in quarantine and decided to take it a bit further. So, being the skin care professional and makeup artist I am I had to make something with a beauty and self care twist.

D.I.Y. Wine Mask for TWO

action alcohol art beverage — Photo by Posawee Suwannaphati on Pexels.com

1 bottle of red wine which is filled with antioxidants.

2 tablespoons of red wine

2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (I prefer Greek yogurt) exfoliates gently

Mix both of these in a glass bowl.

Wash your face like you normally do.

Apply to a clean face while you sip some of your fav’ red wine 🍷. You’ll feel sublime!

Leave this pretty mask on at least 15 minutes.

Rinse well with lukewarm water 💦 and washcloth.

Apply a sheer coat of your moisturizer and a dash of eye gel or eye cream.

*Enjoy this unisex face mask and while it dries… Sip a glass of great 👍 for your heart and relaxing glass of red 🍷 wine! It is like a day at the spa.

(Recommended for adults only)

Yummy!

Yesterday I went grocery 🛒 shopping…we put it off and couldn’t wait any longer.

It it is a battleground out there for food and drink! I couldn’t find so many things and we paid a fortune for paper towels! $22.00 for six rolls 💴

I wanted coconut water 💦 but could not find any. So, I decided to make it at home. I was craving all things coconut, like a coconut granola mix, coconut 🥥 and açaí bowl and coconut water.

I also love the coconut chips from Trader Joe’s… they are delicious to snack on and remind me of my time spent in Hawaii.

I loved the quaint little stands in the roadside that sold them fresh and twisted from the

2 Teaspoons of Thai lite Coconut 🥥 Milk

22 oz. of bottled water (Not tap)

A healthy DIY and hydration ritual you’ll so enjoy!

Add ice to a pretty tall glass of it and maybe float a cherry 🍒 on top and enjoy!

red and yellow labeled cans — Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

coconut filled with slice of fruits — Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Go Green Girl

I believe sharing is caring so here we go!

This is a juicy mix for your body,brain and skin!

What you will need is:

1 green apple 🍏

1 handful of parsley

1 handful of kale 🥬

2 handfuls of romaine

1/2 of a cucumber 🥒

3 celery stalks

Juice of 1/2 of a lemon 🍋

1 inch slice of ginger

selective focus photography of vegetable shake on brown wood board — Photo by Alisha Mishra on Pexels.com

Juice all of the above together.

Enjoy in a lovely tall glass.

I discovered this recipe by Celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salon and Skincare Collection. I’ve always wanted to get a facial appointment with her in NYC but always ran out if time as work got in the way!

She promises this recipe revives the mind but gives our complexion a nutrient rich and hydrating boost! She drinks this 4:00 PM for tired skin and tired bodies.

If you’re ever in NYC get an appointment for her iconic facial services.