The Clear-Skin Makeover

Like high school pop quizzes and awkward prom dates, pimples are supposed to be distant bad memories. If only. But these days, even moms of teens are battling blemishes — and wrinkles, too. In fact, between 15 and 35 percent of women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s suffer from breakouts. And those numbers are on the rise.  Doctors attribute this increase to everything from skyrocketing stress levels and hormone fluctuations to today’s carbohydrate-heavy diets.

If you’re tempted to treat your acne with a few old tricks from your teen years, don’t. Adult skin is more sensitive and less resilient than adolescent complexions, and it calls for treatments that also fight the signs of aging. Luckily, many of the best zit zappers out there happen to be top anti-agers, too. So whether your breakouts are an occasional annoyance or a constant struggle, find the updated plan that’s best for you.

GENTLER AT-HOME REGIMENS:

What you did then: Scoured your face every chance you got

 

What you should do now:

• Cleanse no more than twice a day. Since your skin is likely drier than it once was
• *over-washing can remove the surface oils that keep it supple*
•  Look for a cleanser with salicylic acid to break up pore-clogging sebum
•  & if you only face a pimple or two a month, use a mild cleanser and rely on acne creams for treatment.

What you did then: Applied drying masks to soak up oil

What you should do now:

• Focus on exfoliating, not degreasing.

* As we age, skin’s cell turnover slows, and pores can get clogged with dead cells.*

 

 

 

What you did then: Swore off all moisturizers

What you should do now:

 

• Use oil-free lotions to smooth skin and reduce the look of lines.
•  Apply one with sunscreen over your treatment in the morning
• At night, choose retinol to exfoliate skin and soften lines.

Enjoy!

xo M


 

Skin Care Recipies for my expectant mommas!

When I was pregnant, anything that made me feel “pretty” was especially appealing. With an expanding waistline, a new foundation or mascara can seem like a wonderful idea. But did you know many cosmetics and skincare products can be toxic to you, and pure poison to your baby? Here are some natural skin care recipies safe for every expectant momma!








Ginger Massage Oil

• 2-inch knob of ginger, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup grapeseed or olive oil

Blend at high speed until liquefied, strain into glass container w/tight lid and refrigerate to keep fresh.

Grapefruit Sugar Scrub

• 1 1/2 cups of organic white sugar
• 8 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 1/4 cup jojoba oil
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap (I like Dr. Bronners)

First add sugar to a large bowl and stir to break up any clumps. Then add remaining ingredients a little at a time and mix well until fully combined. To use, stand in shower and scrub onto skin from head to toe.


Banana Mask For Oily or Acne Prone Skin


1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon honey
1 lemon






Mix banana and honey together until most of the lumps are gone, then add a few drops of fresh lemon juice and mix again. Smooth mixture over face, rinse with steaming washcloth after 15-20 minutes.


Cucumber Eye Gel

• 1/4 large cucumber
• 1 oz. aloe vera gel

Puree cucumber in blender, then strain into glass bowl until you have at least 2 oz. Spoon in a tad of the pulp from the strainer, add aloe vera gel, mix and store in an air-tight sterile container. After cleansing, stir mixture, apply under eyes and over eyelids with a cotton ball. Store in refrigerator in-between uses and use within 2-4 days.


When you’re expecting, it’s important to embrace your beauty, whatever that means to you! What’s important is not what anyone else thinks, but how you feel. The truth is, many women really do “glow” when pregnant due to improved blood circulation and natural weight gain. This means pregnancy is your time to shine, pamper yourself and care for your amazing body that’s creating a wonderful new life within!

Why busy moms love their extended eyelashes!

Not getting enough rest affects more than just the mind and body. Our face and eyes often reflect our lack of sleep to the outside world. For busy moms, who just never seem to have enough hours in the day to squeeze in rest, an eyelash extension makeover is a quick, long-lasting, pick-me-up.

As a busy mom herself, simplifying the beauty routine for today’s women has been a driving force behind all of the products developed by Xtreme Lashes President and Founder Jo Mousselli:

“I truly believe Xtreme Lashes eyelash extensions make a difference in the lives of the women who wear them – whether it is by giving them more quality time with their families, reducing their stress with their beauty routine or simply increasing their self-confidence.”

I had lashes applyed previously at a different salon and needless to say didnt have the best experience. So i stumbled apon Ciaobella and saw that they use Xtreme Lashes, with a little research about the product i was sold. I saw Marie, she was... (More) "I had lashes applied previously at a different salon and needless to say didn't have the best experience. So i stumbled upon Ciaobella and saw that they use Xtreme Lashes, with a little research about the product i was sold. I saw Marie, she was fabulous! She took off my old extensions and reapplied a full set and i couldn't be happier. She truly is the eyelash queen! Highly recommend!" - Anonymous  Courtousy of superpages.com

Mascara vs Lash Extensions

Mascara

Wearing mascara is not always user friendly for such activities as Swimming & exercising...not to mention shedding a tear. With all these glamorous ads out there promising longer thicker fuller lashes, we are sadly sucked in to spending anywhere from 10-20 dollars per tube. To then put it on and be greatly disappointed. Want to know their secret? They are wearing false lashes! And to be honest, you could never achieve that look without them.

Did you know that over using mascara can cause dryness and can actually damage your lashes over time? I always here the same complaint from my clients, that their lashes are not the same as they were when they were in their 20s. Well after using mascara on a daily basis for years, we have finally found the culprit! Also, mascara can block the hair follicle which can lead to even more weakness in the lashes. Dry + weak lashes= thin, short, sparse lash line.

Xtreme Lashes

Wearing Xtreme Lashes you can sleep swim exercise AND cry without racoon eyes! You are virtually ready-to-go once you wake. Xtreme gives you the option to extend the length of your lashes, not just thicken. Long and full lashes? SCORE! Oh, i totally forgot....theres no clumping like mascara. This is because Xtreme lashes are applied individually ONE by ONE about 1mm from the base of your natural lashes. This means no clogging of the hair follicle= no damage! Have the look without the damage.Which would you choose?

xo,
M

Healthy Eating= better skin?!

If you treat your skin better than your insides, you'll need a wake up call. and here it is....WAKE UP. Like i tell my clients " you only have one face" well if you didn't notice you only have one body. So make good use of it and run it right! Good healthy foods make your skin, hair AND nails 20x better. Less breakouts, shiny hair and nails that are strong? Sign me up!

I'm not a genius when it comes to every nutritional fact or supplement fact. However, knowledge is power and I'm up for learning more and more about health and different ways to run your body to the best of its ability. And ill give a lot of credit to my other half. With his never ending knowledge of nutrition, I have to say its a top reason i felt great my entire pregnancy. Sometimes i forget I'm even pregnant that's how great and energetic i feel! Thanks Hunny! :)

But i have to say what you put into your body is a key factor to how you will feel each day and how it truly affects your skin. I know a lot of people who don't incorporate a healthy diet into their daily lives and break out tremendously. I know there are plenty of mixed reviews saying food doesn't have anything to do with breakouts but I have tested that personally over the years and i will stand my ground when i say CRAPPY FOOD MAKES YOU BREAK OUT.
So the next time you go through the drive through, don't stop... keep on going. Your body will appreciate it! and so will your skin.

Dont break out from fast foods? Fine your a lucky one i suppose but remember it'll take far longer for your body to attempt to digest it. Result: bloating, gas...added weight over time.

Travel? Dont have time to eat anything? Theres always an excuse for everything. I actually think it takes more time thinking up excuses on reasons to actually not eat healthy than it is to actually eat something good. So my idea is simply this. Have an emergency kit in your car....shaker cup+protein powder+water= meal replacement shake <-- it'll hold you over til you get home to eat something. Homemade trail mix...bag it up and toss it in your bag..the list is endless but there are some ways especially if you travel to get you home or at least to your next destination without falling over.


Just remember through this entire rant, healthy choices lead to a healthy lifestyle! ....oh and healthy skin of course ;)


xo M

Hello Spring!


With all this warm, beautiful weather we are quick to forget winter was yesterday! Literally. Which means we have to treat our skin in a much different way. I dont know about anyone else, but just because we have warm weather my lips are still dry. No matter how much water i drink, they are still thinking its cold out...go figure.

Got the same problem? Burts n Bees not working up to its reputation. Well, dont fret, your skin is remarkable and there is a way to treat this! Especially with ingredients you have in your cabinets at home...


What you'll need:

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 tablespoon of honey

½ teaspoon of olive oil

½ teaspoon of Vaseline

1 spoon to mix

1 small container

Directions:

1. Mix the honey & sugar

2. Add the Vaseline to the mixture

3. Add Olive Oil and Mix well





Store in a sample container (lasts up to a week)

How to use:

• Take a dime size amount of scrub and rub gently onto dry lips.
• Gently rub until some of the sugar has dissolved.
• Rinse well with warm water.
• Apply lip balm as necessary
• Use twice a week and your lips should be silky soft.

Enjoy!

XO M

Ok, so i thought id give it this whole blogging thing a shot. I thought it would be a great way to stay connected, and share my knowledge on skin care and lashes! If you did not know i have been told i am the "lash queen". But before i start tooting my own horn, let me fill you in on who I am! My name is Marie, not Mary...Maria..plain old Ma-rie. Now that thats out of the way, i have been doing skin care for a little over 5 years. My creative passion is Xtreme Lashes. They are by far THE best eyelash extension company out there. Every set of lashes i apply gives me the oppurtunity to let my creative juices flow. From natural to dramatic, black to colored, i get to transform someones daily appearance. 

If you never have heard of them, you have been truly missing out. They arent like the traditional false lashes. They arent heavy, they wont fall off and you wont leave looking like a drag queen! SCORE. Lash extensions have changed the beauty industry forever. They are light weight, natural looking and there is no need for mascara of any sorts. Your first visit takes the longest, about 2 hrs total. But it sure is worth it. What more could you ask for....a relaxing environment, calming music and your eyes closed with peace and quiet. I'll take it.

 After your first visit you will need monthly maintenance to keep these lashes looking fierce. Just like you would do for your nails. However those appointments are far less time (usually about 45 min to an hour). Now that i have gone on and on about how awesome these are, i mind as well show you some of my work...beware they are addicting!

Before (R) - After (L)

Enjoy!
xo M