Skin Care Basics Part 2: High Quality h2o

We hear it all the time, right? Drink more water. It's good for you. It's good for your skin. But no one ever tells us WHY.

The average adult body is made up of 55-65% water, and 2/3 of that is contained within our cells.

As we get dehydrated, the water is depleted from the cells, making us look tired, dry, itchy, sometimes increasing irritation in the skin, and increasing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The skin is our largest organ, but our body recognizes that the internal organs need the water first, so if you're even slightly dehydrated, your internal organs are going to get the water first, and your skin will get it last.

Our bodies are always seeking the proper equilibrium. If your skin is dehydrated, it can start to overproduce oil to "help" balance the skin as well.

The average woman needs 2.7 liters of water per day. The average man needs 3.7 liters. (Mayoclinic.org)

If you're now shaking your head at me and thinking "giiiiirl you're crazy, I currently drink 1-2 bottles of water a day...HOW am I ever going to drink that much water?" I've got you. First off, note that any fruit or vegetable you eat has water in it, and that counts towards your daily intake. I personally aim for half my body weight in ounces of water, and rely on fruits and veggies to make up the rest.

Tips to get enough water:

1. keep a water bottle with you at all times. When it's empty, fill it up.

2. If you don't like plain water, try infusing yours with some cucumber slices, strawberries and mint, or another fruit combination. (LOVE pinterest for this. Just look up fruit infused water)

3. How do I keep track of my water consumption daily? I keep a strip of masking tape on my water bottle every day. I mark down how many times I fill my bottle.

4. Yes, this seems like a lot of water to some of you. I get it. It doesn't mean you need to start drinking that amount overnight. Start with one more cup a day per week. If you only drink 2 cups a day right now, I challenge you to drink 3 cups a day this week. Then next week, aim for 4 cups per day, etc until you reach the amount your body needs.

Happy Chugging!

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9 Foolproof ways to look healthy during allergy and cold season

We’ve all been there…you wake up after a fitful night of sleep, feeling like you’ve been hit by a mack truck, with puffy, bloodshot eyes, a sore throat, and tender, irritated skin. Yes, that’s right…you’ve been hit by….dun dun dun….A Cold. And of course, this cold couldn’t hit at a worse time, you’ve got a huge presentation at work today, the car needs an oil change, and little Jenny’s dance recital this evening. (Insert your own OH MY GOSH I CAN’T MISS THESE IMPORTANT THINGS list here instead)

So here’s the deal. I can't heal you...I know...wouldn't THAT be an awesome skillset to have?- but I’ll tell you my awesome tips and tricks for not looking like a sickly person and instead your usual sexy person, below. But you’ve got to promise me one thing…get some rest too okay? Don’t push it too hard. Yes, I’ll get you through the day, but by all means, please get a good night sleep.

*1* Put a few drops of Eucalyptus oil on the wall in your shower, the steam will release that awesome nose clearing fragrance into the air for you!

*2* Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Allergy and Cold Meds often have ingredients to…duh…dry out the mucous…which also dries out your skin. Drink plenty of water, and hydrate from the outside with your favorite body oil, and a really rich emollient moisturizer for face. (I’m a fan of good old fashioned coconut oil for body – or your favorite body lotion- and Bioelements Crucial Moisture for face)

*3* If you have had this cold for more than 24 hours and your nose is beginning to give Rudolph a run for his reindeer money, use a dab of hydrocortisone on the affected area before moisturizer. It will help soothe the red, sensitive skin and allow for easier penetration of the moisturizers needed to heal it up.

*4* Make yourself a nice cup of a black tea with lemon and honey, then chill the teabags in the freezer while you’re enjoying the tea. When the tea bags are cold, lay back for a few moments (okay more like 5-10 minutes) with them pressed on your (closed) eyelids. The Caffeine restricts blood vessels, taking down swelling, puffiness, and redness around the eyes. Use a good redness reducing eyedrop for taking the bloodshot look away from those tired eyes. (Rohto and Clear Eye’s work great)

*5* Use a yellow based corrector concealer UNDER your regular concealer around the eyes. Put a very thin layer of the yellow crème where needed, then tap your regular concealer on top for best results. I typically avoid any powdery products when I’m sick, but if you must, powder then set with a makeup mist so the powder doesn’t look cakey. (NYX makes great inexpensive ones for use while sick. If you’re going to use this every day, come talk to me about getting yourself something with more benefits than just coverup!)

*6* In a similar fashion, if you have redness around your nose, you can use a green based corrector concealer under your regular concealer.

*7* Use Waterproof mascara. The instance of being sick, going to a wedding, bring IN a wedding, going through a massive breakup, or having a show on broadway are really the only excuses for waterproof mascara. It’s terrible for your eyelashes, but I understand, a girl needs to make sacrifices when she’s sick and needs to look presentable. Use waterproof for the few days your eyes are watery, but go right back to the usual stuff when you aren’t dripping and sneezing. (I love L’oreal Voluminous Waterproof, it’s a staple in my kit)

*8*Don’t forget the lipbalm. This seems like a simple step, but remember that dried out feeling from the cold and allergy meds? Yeah…that’s going to hit your lips too, so keep them covered with your favorite lip balm

*9* Wear blush. Yes, this seems counter intuitive when you're covering up the rest of the redness in your skin...but those are telltale signs of sick. You need to look like you have a little life in you, which means...BLUSH. Wear it on the apples of your cheeks for the most natural flush, like you just ran a 5k.

That wraps it up…I hope at least one of these gems will help you make it through this allergy and cold season….Feel better soon!

XO

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