The BEST Homemade Belly Butter for Fighting Stretch Marks

After I graduated from high school and entered college I gained a lot of weight really fast and then lost it quickly. (Freshmen 15? More like Freshmen 25!) Unfortunately there was something else I gained in the process while my weight went up - lots of stretch marks - mostly on my hips and thighs. So when I found out I was pregnant, I vowed to try as hard as possible to prevent the little red suckers from showing up anywhere on my body while I was gaining a healthy weight for the baby. I remember there was a homemade belly butter created by Lori Bregman mentioned in Molly Sims' book (below, it's a great read!), which I had come upon a while ago that caught my eye.

My Top 10 Skincare Tips and Secrets

In my last post I shared my skincare routine with you and today I thought I'd follow that up with some tips and secrets for healthy skin that have really helped me : ). Some of these you may have heard of before but I think they're all worth repeating!

1. First tip: Always take your makeup off before you go to bed and wash your face. Always. Even if you've been out partying all night, had too much to drink, can't really walk in a straight line and it's the last thing you want to do. If you don't, your makeup will sink into your skin and clog your pores and make you more prone to pimples the next day. Even if you can't wash your face, at least use makeup wipes to get that gunk off.

2. Always use a moisturizer or better yet - a sunblock - on your face with an SPF of 15 or higher when you're out in the sun. And if your body is exposed, slather it up, too. You don't want to end up looking like this.

3. Stay away from tanning beds. They will age you considerably. I don't care how nice you look with a tan, how are you going to feel when you turn 30 and people think you're forty? Or when the doctor tells you you have skin cancer? And hey, I understand the allure of tanning beds and looking all beach-y and sun-kissed, I used tanning beds to get ready for my Grade 12 prom and for a few months in my early twenties and I really regret it now. I'll take my paste-y white skin over premature wrinkles any day.

4. Use eye cream around your lips to prevent fine lines from forming.

 

Turmeric

5. Add a bit of turmeric to any homemade face mask (I add it to my manuka honey and lemon one). Turmeric (which you can get at the grocery store) has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and helps to clear acne scars, nourishes the skin and gives your face a natural glow. Just be careful when you use it, it can be messy and can stain.

6. Make sure when you put moisturizer, creams and serums on your face that you apply them to your neck, too. It needs just as much love as your mug ; ).

 Fruits and veggies are so good for our skin!

7. You are what you eat and what we put into our bodies will show on our skin. Beauty really does start from within. So eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink green juice. Juicing is a great way to get that natural glow! 

8. Drink more water. Drinking 8 or more glasses a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins. Hydration affects the skin, in a good way. (It will help with that glow!)

9. Did you know olive oil is a great, all-natural makeup remover? It can also be used as a moisturizer. My Aunt has only used olive oil on her face for the past 50 years and she has amazing skin!

10. Use Vick's Vapo Rub on pimples to help reduce the size and inflammation and get rid of them faster. Works like a charm!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Have a great weekend!

xo

My Favorite Earth-Friendly Beauty Products

In honor of Earth Day today I thought I'd share 3 of my favorite Eco-friendly skincare products with my lovely readers. I use these every single day:

#1 Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - I keep one in my purse, one in my jacket pocket, one next to my bed and one on my makeup table at all times. And there are probably a couple in the crook of my couch somewhere, too ; ). This balm is very nourishing. And 100 % natural. 

#2 Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - I've talked about my love for coconut oil before, I use it on my face and body as a moisturizer, and once a week I put it in my hair for 30 minutes, let it sit and then wash it out to make my locks soft and shiny. Virgin coconut oil is made naturally and free of harsh chemicals.

#3 Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap (Peppermint)- I use this delicious-smelling soap as a body wash. It leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. This company makes socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality and dedicate their products to helping make a better world and that makes me feel good using it : ).

Happy Earth Day! And let's be kind to our planet : ).

The Best Face Mask I've Ever Tried

Guys, I just have to share this face mask with you that I've added to my skincare routine. It has me really excited! I tried it after my friend Lisa, who writes the popular lifestyle blog Life by Leese (you should be following it!) recommended it as a facial treatment. I'm so glad she did because it is hands down the BEST face mask I've ever tried. All you need is 1 tablespoon of Manuka honey (found at health food stores, I found mine at Planet Organic) and a couple slices of lemon. Mix the lemon juice with the honey, apply to face, let it sit for 30 minutes and wash off. It's sticky, gooey and messy but it will make your face feel as smooth as a baby's bottom and will give you that healthy glow. Lisa says you can also add turmeric to the mix to help with redness. To read more about Manuka honey and its healing properties please click here. It's quite expensive, one jar cost me 28 dollars but I can easily get 20 + treatments out of it. And honestly, it's so worth it!