Creating the Life I Want

It's been over two years since my last post.  There are so many excuses that I could give you as to why I haven't shared any posts on here, but my real answer is going to be that I was living.  I was making successes and failures.  I uprooted my world and moved, changed my career path and most recently my relationship status and moved back to my hometown.  

If that is not living, I don't know what is!

But, I'm not here to share the negative details, I'm going to share the positive changes that I've made to move forward towards the person that I want to be.  To hit you with a cliche I am "becoming my best self" or "living my best life".

Last year, I met my new creative "partner in crime", Michael Serine.  He approached me when he was in need of a makeup artist to collaborate on a shoot.  We didn't know what we wanted to shoot and then I found the #collaborationmastered free Master Class.  We did a huge production shoot where he and I built sets, made costume pieces, and styled our models ourselves.

We've since worked on some other creative and experimental shoots.

As well as some commercial shoots.

At the beginning of this year, I was signed as an artist for the beauty agency Dollface by Jules.

As well as a Beauty Ambassador for JMTM Cosmetics.

And a Beauty Blog Contributor for Jules Loves. Me

And that is just what has been developing in my career sector!

Now that we're past my career... Let's dive into the personal.  I've been cultivating a series of rituals in my life that include working out doing T25, Yoga, Meditation, and Journaling.  It sounds all new age and hippie, but it's what calms my "brand of crazy". 

I've lost 15lbs, my anxiety has been lowered, I've overcome a lot of my body image issues, and if I'm being honest.... I'm less of the person that I used to be and more of the person that I want to be.

Overall I'm in a better place and truly want to share more with y'all!

So what's coming up for my blog..... there will be Beauty Posts, DIY, and Integrative Lifestyle posts!!!

Stay Tuned!

Love,

Heather

Detox Tea Recipe

 

I've been wanting to do a detox for a while.... to give me more energy, fight bloating, and help boost my metabolism.....

 

So I did a lot of research for different recipes and let me tell you there are ALOT.... and tweaked my own recipe using the typical ingredients in these detox drinks...... because a lot of them can be pretty strong.... and not very tasty....

 

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, I am not claiming that this will heal you nor am I saying that this will work for you..... this is something that I've tried and that I actually like. *

 

 

 

*Detox Tea Recipe*

*Ingredients:

* Green Tea or Black Tea : 12-16oz

(I use Green Tea for the caffeine in the morning and Decaf Black Tea for the evening)

* Cinnamon: 1 Teaspoon

*Lemon Juice: 2 Tablespoons

*Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 Tablespoons

*Honey: Use desired amount to sweeten

 

*Directions:

1) Brew desired amount of tea:  I brew enough tea to fill a pitcher.

(for mine it was about 7-10 teabags)

 

2) Sweeten tea with honey and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

 

3) In 12-16oz glass or travel cup: Mix Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Cinnamon.

 

4) Mix in Tea and Ice

 

5) Enjoy

 

*Benefits:

(These are just a few for each ingredient)

 

*Apple Cider Vinegar: Improves Complexion, Boosts Immunity, Promotes Digestion, Balances pH in the body, Reduces Inflammation, Promotes Weightloss, Good for Constipation, Whitens Teeth, and deals with cramps.....

 

*Cinnamon: Regulates Blood Sugar, Helps with Heart Disease, Helps with Diabetes, Anti-bacterial & Anti-fungal, Improves Digestion....

 

*Lemons:  Helps with Constipation, Digestion, Anti-aging, Weightloss, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Flushes Bacteria, Suppresses Appetite, Improves Skin.......

 

*Honey: Immunity Booster, Energy Booster, Anti-fungal, Full of Antioxidants, Helps with the growth of Beneficial Bacteria, Blood Pressure, Digestion, Blood Sugar.....

 

*Green Tea: Helps lower Cholesterol, Heart Disease, Helps Boost Metabolism, Diabetes, Body Circulation, Oral Health, Full of Antioxidants........

 

*Black Tea: Helps with Arteries, Blood Flow, Full of Antioxidants, Helps lower Cholesterol, Bone Health, Oral Health.....

 

 

I'm doing this for a 7 day detox to start....combining with healthy dieting and lots of fluids....Pilates and Yoga.....

 

I'll update with how it makes me feel by the end of the week.....

 

Heather

Argan Oil: Josie Maran and Organix

In the month of January, I've been trying all sorts of products, products for my hair, skin and nails.  

The biggest trend in hair, skin and nails is Argan Oil or "liquid gold".  This oil helps with anti-aging because of the high level of Vitamin E, it helps with the healing of the skin, such as : Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and the reduction of scars and it also helps to protect your hair, skin and nails.  This oil basically sounds like "magic beans" for beauty right?   Every woman looks for that product that can do it all and this claims to be that.

The products that I purchased are:

Josie Maran - 100% Pure Argan Oil to Go

* This legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids.

* Uses - Fast absorbing daily moisturizer

Heal or condition everything from cuticles, split ends and acne. (Josie Maran Cosmetics.com)

*Clinically proven to improve skin hydration and skin elasticity in only 4 weeks.  

Participants saw a visible reduction in course wrinkle and fine lines in the eye area.

83% of women showed significantly improved skin hydration. (Sephora.com)

* $14 to go ranging up to $96 full size (Sephora)

IMPRESSION:  I love this product.  I've used this product on it's own on my skin after showering and it feels amazing and makes my skin feel amazing and it gave a nice glow.  I mixed it in with my favorite Olay lotion for that extra moisture so that my lotion would go just a bit further.  My favorite use for this right now is in my hair.  I have really long, ombre dyed hair and this product keeps my hair looking fantastic.  It's shines and I've seen less split ends than ever.  Now, because I've been using the Meaningful Beauty products for my daily skin care I haven't tried this on my face as a moisturizer... yet...., but I might just have to invest in one of the Josie Maran Value Kits.

Organix - Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

* Rare formula has centuries old history of providing natural Vitamin E and antioxidants while renewing your hair's cell structure, sealing in shine, and creating lush softness.

*  Indulge the senses with this precious blend of Moroccan Oil which instantly penetrates the hair shaft restoring shine while strengthening.  This renewing formula is free of sulfates and parabens, and is safe for color treated hair.  

*Shampoo and Conditioner will restore moisture to dry hair, protect from styling heat and UV damage while creating soft, seductive, silky perfection. (organixhair.com)

* $6.99 per at most drugstores and Walmart

IMPRESSIONS:  I have a combination scalp, just like my skin, it ranges from normal to dry.  So many shampoo products have dried my scalp and hair out and it's just not pretty. I also have combination hair because I have fine textured hair, but I have a lot of it and so many products weigh my hair down and make it look flat. This product is now my favorite set of Shampoo and Conditioner.  It smells amazing and my hair has never looked so healthy and full.  I've been using this product all month long and I am almost out.  The great thing about these products is that they are affordable.  If you shop at Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid there will usually be some sort of BOGO deal, which I really like.  I will probably repurchase these at some point.  My hair products, like my skin care products change from month to month.

Loving Argan Oil,

Heather

Products that I've been using Lately....

Since it's the new year...

I've wanted to take better care of my skin, my hair, my body..."The Usual Types of Girly Resolutions"

I've been using lots of new products lately and these are the ones I'm loving so far...

Meaningful Beauty Introductory Kit:

Skin Softening Cleanser

Glowing Serum

Antioxidant Day Creme

Anti-Aging Night Creme

Now, while I don't have horrible skin problems or wrinkles...I am soon to be 3 years closer to 30 years of age.  I've always moisturized and taken care of my skin, but not as thorough as I would have liked.  I've been using this kit, that I purchased from Sephora, since the day before New Years Eve and I'm pretty much in love with these products.  

The Skin Softening Cleaners is non-foaming and gentle, it's fragrance free and claims to keep my skin's essential oils intact...This cleanser makes my skin feel soft and smooth and doesn't cause that tight feeling that some cleansers can cause.  I use this in the morning and at night after I use my make-up remover.

The Glowing Serum "The Model's Secret"  This contains soy protein, marine botanicals, minerals and antioxidants that are supposed to help nourish, protect and revitalize my complexion and provide a luminous glow.  

I love the way this product smell and feels on my skin.  I've been using this right after I cleanse and before I put on either my day cream or night cream.  It does provide a nice glow to my skin... I have a tendency to have dull, dry skin and this just adds a nice healthy looking glow.

Antioxidant Day Creme:  I've worked in a dermatologist office and the biggest thing that is always recommended is to use daily sun protection.  This product has SPF 20 UVA/UVB and  has an antioxidant complex and botanical blend in it to help hydrate the skin.  

This product feels so good on my skin, it has the smell of sun block, but in combination with the Glowing Serum, it feels amazing.  My skin doesn't feel dry during the day anymore and it makes me feel better to know that it has SPF 20 in it.

Anti-Aging Night Creme:   This is said to have 9 key ingredients that help rejuvenate damaged skin, improve firmness and minimize signs of premature aging.  Basically is repairs your skin while you sleep.

A lot of night creams that I've tried have been really thick and super greasy, but not this one.  It glides on super smooth, I only have to use a few dots of it on my face and when I wake up, my skin feels so soft, still supple, and not dry at all.  I do have some fine lines: expression lines around my mouth and around my eyes...only time will tell if I see any change....But, so far I'm pretty happy with this.

Now, all Fall/Winter I've used a Matte Foundation, to be more specific...Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation, but it's time for a more glowing, radiant foundation.  When I purchased the Meaningful Beauty Kit I received a sample of Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Monte Blanc.  

It's very hard for me to find foundations that truly match my skin tone because while I'm very fair complected  and I have pinky undertones.  Most foundations have either too much yellow or beige in them.  I was swatch tested at Sephora and Monte Blanc is my shade... this product is amazing.  

This foundation, like the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation, is very pigmented, but with a light texture vs. the heavier cream texture of the Lock-It Foundation.  It goes on silky smooth with great coverage and gives a nice glow to the skin.

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner:

Everyone, I'm sure, has read about how awesome Argan Oil is.  The beauty benefits are pretty amazing.  I have really long hair, that has a tendency to be very dry, especially during the colder months, so I decided that it was time to give these products a go.

The bottle claims:  A unique, precious blend of Moroccan Argan Oil which instantly penetrates the hair shaft restoring shine and softness while strengthening and creating soft seductive, silky perfection.

I'm pretty much in love with this pair of products.... My hair smells amazing, is softer and shiny and it gives my hair more structure between washes.  

To compliment those products I've been using the 100% Pure Argan Oil from Josie Maran.  Now i've been experimenting with this product in all sorts of ways...  I've added it directly on my skin after I've showered, I've mixed it in with my lotions, and I've been using it as a hair treatment, especially at my ends because my hair is Ombre Dyed.  This product is worth the price.  It makes my skin feel smoother and softer, calms the ends of my hair and I can use it alone or blend it with products that I already have.  Love it...

I've also been using supplements and such for hair and body:

I love this supplement!!!  You can get it at GNC, a dermatologist, or health food stores.  I've seen so much new growth with this product it's ridiculous.  I've had so much growth in my hair and nails.  I've been trying to get my eyebrows to grow back in faster and make my hair on my head fuller and this product is just amazing for that.

Renew Life Organic Total Body Cleanse

I use this product at least twice a year.  It's made with Organic Herbs and Flax, Oats, Acacia.  It's a 3 part regimen that you use for two weeks.  You take 5 supplements in the morning and 5 supplements at night and it helps detoxify your system.   I won't go into the details, but just know that it cleanses your system of the toxins and all the bad stuff that has accumulated over the holidays and is a great start before you get into your strict dieting routines, for those that do that sort of thing...I'm pretty horrible at diets...  I see what I like and I just eat it.... but on occasion I want to be a good and healthy person so I use this to start things off...

and the most boring supplement goes to...

Just an average...you can get it at any drugstore... One a Day Women's Vitamin....

All these ingredients combined create beautiful hair, skin, nails, body...etc. 

xoxo

Heather

P.S.  Like my Facebook Page and Follow my Twitter for updates, daily looks, reconstructed awesomeness and more...

 :o)