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Showing posts from June, 2015

Is Organic Food more Nutritious.... Ketchup

We know that organic food has no chemical pesticides or fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics, but is organic food more nutritious?  I have read many articles that say organic and conventional produce is nutritional the same. Organically farmed produce and conventionally farmed produce seem to have the same nutritional value when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Organic, of course has less pesticide and chemical residue. But what about the anti oxidants, those plant chemicals that give fruits and veggies their free radical fighting power?  Anti oxidants are not listed on the nutritional labels but are extremely important when it comes to our health and the beauty of our skin. Let's have a look at ketchup. My daughters love ketchup and eat it with a variety of foods. I read an interesting article that made me rethink the kind of ketchup, along with other foods, I buy. Is Organic Ketchup more Nutritious than Conventional Ketchup? A study shows that orga...

Organic Labeling on Foods & Beauty Products

Just because a food product or a beauty product is labeled organic, don't assume that it is 100% organic.  There are three organic categories established by the USDA for labeling organic products.  A USDA certified organic product must contain ingredients that have been grown without prohibited pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, anti-biotics, growth hormones, sewage sludge, irradiation and GMOs.  No Sewage Sludge! I guess that means conventional crops can be grown using sewage sludge?  That explains the recalls on romaine lettuce!!!  Think about that when you are eating your non organic salad.  But here's the thing, the amounts of the organic ingredients used in the organic product may vary. That's where the three categories come into play. Understanding Organic Labeling for Food and Beauty Products 100% organic  means the product contains only organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Organic  means ...

What is Strobing?

What is strobing? Apparently, there is a new term for the makeup technique I've always called highlighting or luminizing.   It's called strobing now. It's a trademark look for Jennifer Lopez. Josie Maran showcases luminizers in her makeup line. There was even a segment about it on GMA this morning. The technique creates a glowing dewy look that makes us look fresher and younger. The technique is not new. It has been one of my favorite instant brighten, anti aging makeup techniques for years. Highlighting is often combined with contouring.  Highlighting adds light. Contouring adds shading. I know contouring is all the rage but, I have to say, I have never been a big fan of contouring. It can look muddy to me and I feel a lot of people need to bring out sunken features on their faces instead of making them shaded so they recede more. I like to use a creamy highlighting product, but you can also use a shimmery eye shadow in a champagne shade. A creamy highli...

Cuticle Care

We have all done it.  Pulled a loose piece of skin around the nail.  Hangnails. Those are those annoying pieces of dry skin around our nails are so easy to pick, pull, rip and bite!  Unfortunately when we pull that piece of  skin off, we are left with a little injury that has to heal. A germ can easily jump in that opening in the skin and start an infection. I've seem it time and time again. I've even seen infections so bad that a doctor's visit was required!  The key is to keep the skin as moisturized as possible to stop the dry picky skin.  Here are 6 ways to help you break the cuticle picking habit.  Let's count down to #1: 6. Oil Massage a cuticle oil frequently around your nails. I like CND solar oil but any oil, especially olive oil, will do. 5. Hand Cream Apply hand cream after the oil. Always apply hand cream after washing your hands and at bed time. I like CeraVe. 4. Gloves Always wear gloves when cleaning or washing dishes e...

Amazing Makeup

Why do I love doing makeup? I am always amazed at the transforming power of makeup. Society requires us to look a certain way to be successful and accepted. It may not seem right, but that's the way it is. Makeup can change how we feel about ourselves and how others feel about us. It can give us confidence and, in a way, gives us a protective mask to hide our insecurities. It can take a Plain Jane and turn her into a dazzler.  It can hide skin issues that people would stare at such as acne and port wine spots. It can cover your tattoo when you go to that important interview. Most fun of all, makeup can create illusions.  Just think of all the fabulous movie makeup that transform actors into their characters. And.....there is the art that is created with makeup. This lizard is actually two women. This is why I love doing makeup! Have a Beautiful Day! xo Jill Licensed Cosmetologist,  Esthetician,  Makeup Artist PS: Thanks for using my amazon &...

How to Keep your Ponytail High

I just love wearing a high swingy ponytail in the summer, even though it can give me a headache. You know, sometimes I just live by the credo "It is better to look good than to feel good" from one of my favorite Saturday Night Live skits, Fernando's Hideaway ! Here's the thing though, my high ponytail doesn't stay high. My hair is so thick, it ends up looking pitifully droopy! I discovered a trick recently to help keep my ponytail high. It's to use 2 ponytails that look like one. Click here to see a quick video on how to do it .   It's easy to do and really keeps my ponytail from sagging! I like to use good elastic bands that are thick, have no metal on them and have that stretchy fabric coating on them. They are more gentle on the hair and cause less hair breakage the thin rubber band type elastics. I also like to use dark brown elastics to match my hair color. That way the elastic is well hidden when I wrap a piece of my hair around it. You d...

Zoya Naked Manicure

Naked is soooo in right now. The nude look, that is! Zoya now has their take on naked. I am always looking for great products for natural nails during this time of gel polish. That's why I am so excited about Zoya's new Naked Manicure!   The system is designed to conceal damaged, imperfect nails and help them grow stronger and healthier. Vitamin B5/Panthanol, Vitamin E, Red Algae, Ginko, and Sulfur Amino Acid/Protein Complex are the ingredients in it to help the nails become less brittle and strong yet flexible. My clients with nail ridges and stained nails are going to love this product! It looks like a very natural French manicure. It starts with the Naked Manicure base coat. Then, the Perfector. The Perfector comes in 6 shades and uses optical diffusers, keratin fillers, micronized reflective color pigments and micro thin formers to create a beautiful, better than naked nail.  Apply 2 coats of the Perfector. Then, the Tip Perfector is applied to the free edge. ...