Hard Night Good Morning - Hard Night Good Morning Blog

Gretchen Bauer of BSWANKY – B The Difference

2019-12-06T19:50:00-06:00

There’s busy, and then there is “dashing in heels” busy.

We know our founder, D’Andra Simmons, would agree with Gretchen Bauer, founder of BSWANKY, when she says that every day running your own business is an adventure...an adventure that absolutely requires dashing in heels.

D’Andra and Gretchen are kindred spirits: they both saw a need in their respective industries and they sought to fill that need. For D’Andra, her passion is laser focused on fulfilling the need for a simple skincare regimen that serves ambitious lady-bosses and overwhelmed soccer moms during all of their hard nights and good mornings. For Gretchen, her passion also lies with the working woman: she launched BSWANKY to give women the opportunity to create responsibly-made, trendy handbags with ethical practices.

Gretchen Bauer

When Gretchen discovered the disturbing realities behind the United States garment industry, she felt moved to change the way women in this industry are treated. She founded BSWANKY in 2016. The “B” in BSWANKY stands for “Be the Difference” – a motto that Gretchen implements into every single part of the handbag design and manufacturing process.

Since its inception, BSWANKY has been a transformational brand. The bag designs are multifunctional to reflect the multifaceted nature of the ambitious woman’s life, accommodating every need from the workplace to the nursery to the outdoors to date night...and beyond! And don’t get us started on quality: BSWANKY bags are crafted with only the highest quality leathers and hardware.

There’s the Sophie: a convertible tote-to-backpack with striking nickel hardware. There’s the Magnabel, designed, crafted by and named after the BSWANKY lead seamstress from Venezuela. The bag is luxurious, yet practical. And, let us not forget the Everglades Python Collection, a set of bags sourced from a local invasive species, helping to restore the natural balance to the ecosystem of the Florida Everglades.

Our favorite, though, has to be the Unreal Pink. This bag was specially designed to recognize the tremendous strength and tenacity of women battling, surviving and overcoming breast cancer. BSWANKY donates 10% of earnings on the bag and 20% during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Gretchen’s mission orientation to “be the difference” extends from the stitches on the bags to the seamstresses, themselves. BSWANKY employs immigrant women with the goal of giving them the opportunity for upward economic mobility as well as to teach them marketable skills. Gretchen could not be more proud of her team: “Our seamstresses truly inspire me. They are resilient, resourceful and come from a position of, ‘it might be difficult, but not impossible.”

Gretchen’s passion was always to empower her fellow woman. The beautiful, ethically sourced and crafted handbags are the high-end product of that passion. Of course, no success comes without its share of hard nights. Grechen shared that just a few weeks ago, she spent four hours in the emergency room with her daughter who suffered an allergic reaction. They made it home in the early hours of the morning, just in time for Gretchen to catch a cat nap, throw on those heels and dash to deliver a keynote address to over 100 community leaders at the “Women Empowering Women” Luncheon.

Despite lack of sleep and the stresses of the night prior, Gretchen enthused about the “absolute best time” she had getting to interact with women in her community. Gretchen knows that no woman is an island, and seeks to surround herself with people who are not only extremely talented, but who care deeply. “I believe in what I am doing,” Gretchen says, “And when I show people how passionate I am, it is amazing how many doors open.” We applaud you, Gretchen, for everything you do, and for the change you are making every day. You bet we’re adding a BSWANKY bag or two to our Christmas’ lists.

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Gretchen Bauer has global dreams to shake up the fashion industry. While working as an interior designer, a business she had for twenty-six years, a colleague exposed Gretchen to the disturbing reality behind the United States’ garment industry. Shortly after, she launched her business, BSWANKY, with a mission to B The Difference — giving women the opportunity to create responsibly-made, trendy handbags through ethical practices. BSWANKY handbags are proudly designed and happily manufactured out of their Sarasota, FL, factory, where Gretchen and her team are committed to providing an atmosphere of joy and inspiration. By creating transformational products responsibly, Gretchen aims to contribute to a global effort to revolutionize the fashion industry from her own factory in Sarasota, making a difference with each bag she inspires!

www.bswanky.com

Keri's War

2019-11-15T19:52:00-06:00

We love to recognize strong women who continue to fight. Inspired by the strength of her own mother who overcame breast cancer, D’Andra Simmons continues to encourage women to stay strong, take charge of their health and wellness through a combination of allopathic and complementary medicine, and find their own happiness through identifying what feeds their soul. Keri Whitehead, a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, is a prime example of a resilient woman that we admire and would like to acknowledge this month. She has been struggling with breast cancer for the past 10 years, raising a 13-year old daughter, and still managing to live a happy life. She is a fighter, first and foremost and a woman who has proven time and again that sheer will and determination to live makes a difference in a person’s outcome when diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Keri is primarily inspired by her daughter, Kassi, because “being her mom makes every horrible ‘treatment’ moment worth it.” She is also moved by her will to keep living life even though “sometimes living takes a little extra effort…but it’s all worth it.” She has a Facebook page dedicated to her fight called Keri’s War, which has been a way for her to turn her battle into something bigger and inspire people to stay strong. She has literally created a team that is fighting with her and is invested in her success in overcoming breast cancer. It is their fight too and she is not alone in her journey.

Follow Keri's War: https://www.facebook.com/Keris-War-161437170534198/

Happiness to Keri is her retired life. “Having served my country for 21.5 years (8 of that fighting cancer) I feel I have earned my retired life and all that it has worked out to be. Raising my daughter and going to doctors’ appointments are my new normal. A normal that is AMAZING! Almost a decade of cancer treatments has left me exhausted, all day, every day. Being able to prioritize my life and trim it down to the two most important things, kiddo and health, have allowed me to get through each day without tears of exhaustion. Retirement has also afforded me the opportunity to accomplish things that I want to do and not worry so much about and not wasting energy on things I don’t want to do…this makes for a very happy cancer patient.” We love that Keri is now able to focus on the things in her life that matter most to her. This is the silver lining in her on going cancer battle.

Fighting cancer and being a single mother is a constant battle for Keri. She describes that, “all nights are hard…some more than others. The wee hours of the night…the lonely hours just before dawn. It is in these moments when you realize that although you have a wonderful support system…in that moment…you’re all alone. In those moments there is no one to hold you when you hurt, snuggle with you when you can’t sleep, or comfort you when you are lonely and sad…no one to offer emotional or physical intimacy and the fear that no one ever will. Let’s be honest. Asking someone to date you when you have cancer is asking someone to unpack a huge piece of baggage. I have been doing this for almost a decade…this baggage is getting heavy.” Although she has these lonely nights, Keri finds positivity in her mornings. “Every day that I get to wake up and live another day…is a good morning. It is in the new light of dawn that I pick myself up, dust myself of and say, ‘I got this!’ and I fight another day.”

Keri is a prime example of a fighter, so we asked her what she thinks it takes to be one. She responded, “Dig in your heels and realize that no amount of worry is going to change your circumstances. Throw yourself a little pity party if it makes you feel better. Cry yourself to sleep if you must…but when you awake…put your big girl panties on and roll with it.” She believes, “to be able to fight, you must find inspiration in yourself.”

As an independent and strong woman, Keri will continue to inspire us through her battle! We stand with her. We have and always will be huge fans of Keri and her will to live and her ability to see the positive in the challenges she faces each day.

From D’Andra:

I met Keri Whitehead about 7 years ago, when I first started dating my husband, USAF M.Sgt. Retired, Jeremy Lock. He was enlisted with Keri and they were both combat photojournalists. Jeremy had covered her story, Keri’s War, as a personal project that was picked up from local to international news organizations, for its raw and very real glimpse into the struggle of an enlisted USAF female who was still trying to pursue her career and undergo breast cancer treatment, while raising a small daughter. Keri is like a member of the extended Lock family, and my respect for her has grown throughout the years, as I have watched her sheer determination to live and pursue her life dreams in the face of such a seemingly unsurmountable obstacle. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I felt a special draw to Keri’s struggle and have cheered her on from the sidelines and from reports my husband has relayed regarding her treatment and outcomes over the years. I encourage everyone to go onto the Keri’s War Facebook page and join her in her struggle and cheer her on to a complete and successful recovery.

About Keri:

I am a 41-year old, retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, single parent and cancer fighter. I have a beautiful, opinionated and very artistic 13-year old, 3 dogs and one bunny rabbit to keep me busy. After serving my country for more than two decades I have settled into a life of retired bliss. I am originally from a little town in Northern California but have settled into the Charleston, South Carolina, area to enjoy retired life. I am a Cali girl by birth, but a Carolina girl at heart. When I am not up to my ears in single parent life or participating in a battle against cancer, I occupy myself with checking things off my bucket list. My most recent check marks include a week in Cape Cod hunting lighthouses, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Next official item is a trip to Ireland and Scotland…not in the works just yet, but hopefully soon. My hobbies are making lucky bamboo floral arrangements, learning home improvement skills, walking shelter dogs when I feel up to it, and spending time with family and friends. My goal in life…to give my daughter a lifetime worth of memories in whatever time I have left.

Rachel of Rent My Wardrobe

2019-10-22T19:57:00-05:00

When it comes to women in business, we get really excited. As a girl boss herself, our founder D’Andra Simmons loves being able to connect with and lift up other women who are crushing it in the business world. In fact, our inspiration this month, Rachel Sipperley of Rent My Wardrobe, also shares that love, and we are inspired by the fact that this camaraderie and encouragement is becoming increasingly important amongst women in business.

Rachel believes that there are many incredible things that can happen when women “drop our egos and fears and make an effort to genuinely and authentically support one another.” She has had many women come into her life and help in her journey without wanting anything in return. She says that getting to do that for other women at this point in her career is the most rewarding and fulfilling part of her life now.

As an entrepreneur and “female founder”, Rachel always has busy days and lots of work to be done. “I usually have 5-8 meetings a day with partners, vendors, investors, and other founders. I usually work 80-100 hour weeks, and on top of running the business, I maintain my side hustle as an Airbnb and Turo host. I often get 3-5 hours of sleep a night. I know it's a huge sacrifice right now, but while I am missing out on opportunities to go out with friends or rest, I think about the greater good and what we are building and the lives that we are impacting. I always tell myself I'm banking hours now before I have a family, so one day when I (hopefully) am blessed enough to have children, I can spend more time with them.” We love her dedication and willingness to do what it takes to make her dreams happen.

It’s basically a known fact that when you’re working 80-100 hour weeks running a business AND a side hustle, there are bound to be some hard nights. “As an entrepreneur, we have so many hard nights and hard days. I recently had an experience with an employee whom I thought I could trust and rely on and had pure motives. It turned out that was not the case, and I learned one evening about the disparities occurring. I was heartbroken and felt so duped and betrayed, and so so stupid for not waking up sooner to see the sheep in wolves clothing I was dealing with. I couldn't sleep, actually vomited, and was so hurt and angry. In that moment, I had to find the inner strength to stand firm in the mission of our business. I was really just baffled and so taken aback that something like this could happen. The next morning I learned that there were significant character and reputation issues with this individual that were precluding a number of other business deals and growth in our company from happening. What felt like the biggest hurt was actually a huge blessing and learning moment for me.”

When asked about her favorite thing about her business, Rachel says, “My team! The people I get to work with and the founders I get to mentor and help out.” It’s obvious that Rachel is very people-focused, which we know is an important part of being a business woman and CEO.

Killer instinct. Grit and tenacity. The constant forethought of putting others before self. These are the things that Rachel believes are important when it comes to being a girl boss or power player. She knows that business is all about working towards your mission and finding people that will support it with you. Like she said before, big things can happen when women support women!

About Rachel:

Rachel Sipperley is the CEO and Founder of Rent My Wardrobe, a peer to peer marketplace that empowers women to generate additional income while becoming more financially savvy. The daughter of a youth pastor, Rachel came from humble beginnings and was a born entrepreneur. She completed her undergraduate degree at 19 years old, was a top executive for a Fortune 500 company by age 22, and had purchased three homes by age 25. Her corporate success and never-ending side hustles allowed her to completely self-fund the startup, now backed by Venture Capitalists and TV personalities Court and Kameron Westcott. Her mission is to inspire and equip women and girls to become their own entrepreneur in a women-supporting-women culture and share her testimony of financial stewardship.

John Paul of Dashingly Turnham

2019-09-13T19:56:00-05:00

We are all about following your dreams and your passions. After all, Hard Night Good Morning wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for D’Andra’s dream to create a line of effective but naturally-derived skincare products. We are inspired by those who persevere and never stop chasing what they want out of life, which is why John Paul Turnham is Our Inspiration this month.

John Paul began blogging in 2017, because he saw a need to fill in the blogging community. “I honestly didn’t set out to become an influencer, more so I feel like it just naturally happened!... I had noticed that bloggers and influencers accounts tend to have a focus solely on them - what they wore, why they liked it, what they were up to. I sought out to produce a blog and Instagram that showed a collaborative effort with local Dallas influencers and products alike! This allows viewers to meet influencers they may not have come across on their own, to get to see a different side of the person they follow, or simply just enjoy seeing people come together!”

As a micro-influencer, John Paul has the ability to get to know people and brands on a more personal level. We can definitely relate to that because as a small company we get to interact with our customers more, which we absolutely love! John Paul says, “It wasn’t until recently I heard the term ‘micro-influencer’ and I think it is neat to have a niche that folks can enjoy and want to see more of. The best part about it is getting to experience new things before most folks do, such as restaurants or products. Of course, meeting new people is the cherry on top! Some events have led me to think about adding new features to the blog and some helped me meet new lifelong friends I may have never met otherwise!”

Building your brand, whether as a company or an influencer, takes focus and effort. John Paul builds his personal brand by “always being my authentic self with a splash of dashing in everything I do.” He genuinely loves meeting new people, and he hopes they can walk away after meeting him wanting to learn more.

Always working to build his brand or grow his blog, his daily hustle involves activities that will help him do just that! “My daily hustle involves me always being up to something! I start my morning off with positive thoughts and reflect on people and things I am grateful for. I enjoy being active, so chances are you can catch me trying the latest fitness studio in Dallas. Working out allows me to just focus on that moment and nothing else, which is extremely helpful when my work/life balance is off. With my love of social media, I definitely peruse Instagram throughout the day looking to be inspired by fashion, art, architecture as well as searching for Dallas bloggers who I want to feature on my blog, DashinglyTurnham.”

John Paul is definitely a boss man in our eyes, something that he says takes commitment; “Commitment to embrace challenges - because there will be plenty of them. Just because something doesn’t go your way, doesn’t mean you get to throw your hands in the air. Passion has to also exist in a boss. Where there is commitment, there is passion. Passion allows for dreams to become a reality, for you to move forward even when the going gets tough, and more importantly for you to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life; one that inspires others to reach their full potential.”

John Paul’s dedicated spirit and excitement (and of course style) serve as a reminder to anyone who is looking to follow their passion in life. D’Andra does it, John Paul does it, and you can too. He is such an inspiration to us, and we can’t wait to see more from DashinglyTurnham!

About John Paul:

John Paul Turnham is a local blogger/influencer in dashing Dallas. Born and raised in Dallas, TX, John Paul graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor’s in Public Relations/Advertising in Buffalo, NY. He decided to move back to Dallas in 2015, having missed his family and hometown. His blog, DashinglyTurnham started in 2017, with the intention of JP becoming the "Andy Cohen" of Dallas. John Paul loves to feature and interview influencers based on a fashment (aka fashion statement) of them. Whether it's their fashion, personality, or who they are as a person, John Paul enjoys blogging and networking with bloggers and influencers. When John Paul isn't producing content, you'll find him competing on tour playing tennis against top-level players around Texas or enjoying frozen margaritas with his family at a local Tex-Mex spot. Learn more at https://www.dashinglyturnham.com/.

Chris Griffin & Halio Lifestyle Athletica

2019-07-08T20:00:00-05:00

Hard Night Good Morning is grateful for all veterans and current military members and the sacrifices they have made to protect our country. We are inspired by their tenacity and hard-working spirits, so this month we decided to feature a veteran-owned business as “Our Inspiration”.

Chris Griffin started Halio in 2017, with a mission of offering high quality athletic wear while also giving back. As the line continues to expand, Chris says, “I am inspired to grow Halio every day solely from seeing the impact it has not only on the lives of the women who support the brand, but also the charities and non-profits we donate to. Knowing that part of our mission is to make a positive impact on our environment and society is a huge reason for starting the brand. Receiving messages and videos from people who are able to benefit from this positive impact reassures us that it's working; and to work harder to compound the positivity.”

We always love hearing about everyone’s daily hustles, and what they do to make it all happen. Chris’ days are filled from the time he wakes up to the time his head hits the pillow, because Halio is a 2-person team, run by 2 active duty service members. There is always something that needs to be done! His day-to-day looks a little something like this: “Monday through Friday starts at 05:00. I'll head into work where I am currently the National Marketing Photo Manager for the Air Force. I'll balance projects that look like major productions (coordinating talent/locations/shots) to different forms of social marketing and the imagery used to communicate our messages and lastly, photoshoots for the actual projects. After what would be a normal day, I head to the gym to squeeze in a 30-40 minute workout. This is a solid commitment during this time, because I know if I don't get it in, it won’t happen. From there, I go home, check all new orders placed that day, and answer any customer service emails. I'll research new influencers to send marketing packages to and have local ambassadors come over to test out new samples for adjustments and test shots. Later that evening I drop off all customer and marketing orders at the post office and head back home to work with manufacturers on new samples and adjustments on upcoming pieces for our seasonal launches. Around this time, it’s between Midnight to 1 a.m. so I’ll go to bed, wake up, and start again. Weekends vary from photoshoots to community events and even more research on products and marketing opportunities.” WHEW! Clearly, he has a lot going on, but he manages everything so well!

As you can imagine, Chris has had his fair share of “hard nights”. One of this hardest was prior to their first ever fitness expo. They were very excited to be exhibiting at one of the largest expos in Dallas, and were even launching their Spring Collection on the first day of the expo. Chris says, “It's challenging enough being in charge of all logistics and a team to make sure everything is all good to go for the expo, but to manage the company's main source of income at the same time was definitely a lot to handle”.

Right before the launch of the new collection on the brand’s website, he was met with errors on the site and got locked out from updating the inventory. This posed a critical issue, since customers were eagerly awaiting the launch. After hours on hold with tech support, and being told everything would be fixed in the morning, he woke up to exactly that! In fact, it ended up being one of their largest online launches to date, and they had an amazing experience meeting new Halio customers at the expo.

When it comes to being a “boss man” or a successful business person, Chris believes there are 3 things that drive success: passion, innovation, and stamina. “Having passion is important, because you need to LOVE what you do. You're going to spend long hours, miss events with friends and family, and it may not be profitable for a long time. But the passion will keep you on the right path and help you to not chase vanity. You need to be innovative because the landscape is always changing, and if you're not open to change, your business will die and others will pass you by. You need to keep an open mind and think YES before you ever think NO. Lastly, stamina is huge because without it, you'll gas out and everything will go away because you can't maximize opportunities.” Chris understands the importance of pushing forward: he never wants his competition to pass him by because he was taking a break.

Chris followed his passion because he is able to have a positive impact on people’s lives. It’s a major part of the foundation that explains why he does what he does, and will continue to do so going forward. “It’s in the DNA of my character,” he says.

We greatly admire Chris’ drive and love for impacting people in a positive way. Chris and the entire team behind Halio inspire us.

About Chris Griffin and Halio:

Chris Griffin is a 14-year Air Force photographer, marketer, and brand owner. Starting his professional career in 2005 as a photographer, Chris has deployed to Iraq, Jordan, and other forward operated missions. He's covered humanitarian missions in Japan, Uganda, Thailand, and Guyana, highlighting the stories of those in need and giving them a voice in a noisy world. In 2015, Chris started building brands for major fitness influencers, grossing over $5 Million. Feeling the need to create a brand in line with his vision, in 2017 he created Halio Lifestyle Athletica, a fitness apparel brand focused on giving back and offering high quality products at an affordable price for anyone to purchase. As Halio's mission grows, so does the time and impact Chris spends on the mission.

For more information, visit www.haliola.com.

Skin Care Habits to Take on Before 40

2018-07-13T17:08:00-05:00

When creating Hard Night Good Morning, I had one goal in mind; to provide you with a full arsenal of reliable products to keep your skin youthful and healthy. When we are younger, we may make a habit of neglecting our skin. We think it doesn’t matter because we are always going to be young and beautiful, or we have good genes etc. Everyone thinks they are indestructible when they are young…I’ve been there! Then, one day we wake up and look in the mirror and wonder why we look so old! If we take care of our skin before it’s too late, we can ease the aging process and accept what is inevitable, because we are doing everything we can to pamper and protect our skin. We are EASING INTO the aging process. If you are one of those people that thinks gravity will pass you by, take a hint from me and put a few habits into practice, just in case your skin and youthful glow betray you before you’re ready! Besides, it’s never too late to implement a good habit!

Find a cleanser that works for your skin

One of the most important things you can do for your skin, and most importantly your face, is to cleanse every morning and night. This helps to ensure dead skin cells are being removed from the surface so your skin continues to glow. In the morning you should cleanse while you are in the shower or bath to remove the night creams and then apply your toner and day creams afterward, which are lighter than the night creams and work well under makeup. In the morning you can’t go wrong with a cleanser packed with antioxidants, like our AM Cleanser. You can use our cleanser with a cleansing brush, like a Clarisonic (https://www.clarisonic.com) which I also highly recommend! The exfoliation will only make your skin look more luminous. At night, I always use our PM Oil Cleanser on dry skin to remove all of my makeup, and then I add water to fully cleanse my face. I also use the AM Cleanser with my Clarisonic at night, just to make sure I remove all of the debris from my makeup and the environment.

Harness the power of antioxidants

Speaking of antioxidants, they work wonders for your skin. They help you fight free radicals and pollution in the air and elsewhere in the environment. They will also help you fight the signs of aging, reduce wrinkles, and more! It helps your skin by adding foods that are high in antioxidants to your diet. A supplement like Ultimate Living’s ORAC Liquid Dietary Supplement is a great way to get your daily antioxidants and provide an internal anti-aging elixir for the largest body organ…your skin. Just call our ORAC your internal cosmetic, we do!

Build up that collagen

As we age, our collagen production decreases, causing you to lose skin firmness, plumping and that smooth appearance. Adding products to your routine that contain collagen builders will help you fight this battle. Both Hard Night Good Morning’s Daytime Moisturizer and Nighttime Moisturizer contain collagen builders like Pro-Coll-One +® and Hema’ TÎte™, to name just two. These actives keep your skin hydrated as an added bonus!

Use a sunscreen

The rays from the sun may make you feel great when you are younger and have a tan, but when you get older that bronze glow you had at eighteen shows up on your skin in the form of age spots and sagging skin. Older women with a tan just look older…period. It is not an attractive look like it was when you were eighteen. Keep that in mind while you are sunbathing to get that bronzed glow, I wish I had. I have spent money on IPL, fraxel, and other sun damage removal lasers to reverse the stupidity of my teenage years and the damage I did in my twenties and thirties when I thought I looked cute with a tan. Using a facial sunscreen every day or a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen will help protect your skin from those harmful rays.

Eating right

We all know that eating that whole pint of Ben & Jerry’s while we binge watch Netflix isn’t the best for our skin (or our waist line, but that’s a different story) but did you know that the right fat is actually good for your skin? Make no mistake, having a healthy portion of nuts, seeds, and oils, such as olive oil, will keep your skin looking firm and radiant while delaying those signs of aging. Taking fish oil every day is a great way to ensure you are getting the correct fats for keeping your skin, hair, and nails healthy. And, of course, as those temperatures keep rising, now is the time to keep yourself, and your skin hydrated with plenty of water, and maybe skipping that second iced coffee at the end of the day!

Medical Treatments for When Acne Gets Tough – Part 2

2018-06-20T16:31:00-05:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote about chemical peels as an effective way to control your acne. As a bonus, those chemical peels can help your skin look younger around a week after the treatment. Although there are many benefits to chemical peels, there isn’t one answer to every situation and every skin problem. Mancy Kirkland, my esthetician, at https://www.healthwellnessmd.com/ discussed another alternative to chemical peels with me, light therapy, and more specifically Lightwave LED Therapy.

What is Lightwave LED Therapy and what does it do for acne and other skin conditions? There are different types of light that can help with acne, scarring and skin discoloration. For example, blue light therapy is typically used to kill bacteria on the skin. Red light therapy, while often used for anti-aging (I have an at-home device that I use for this purpose), may be used for inflammation and to target oil glands in the skin, to treat old acne scars and lesions, and even that pesky condition called Rosacea. Many people email me about Rosacea, and I direct them to our Daytime Moisturizer, which is a phenomenal product to control redness, irritation, and inflammation because of one of its primary ingredients Alguard™, a specific type of red marine algae.

If you are starting light therapy, your esthetician or dermatologist may have you return for a few treatments or stay on a committed regimen for optimum results. While research continues to determine which light is best for clearing up acne and how it is best utilized, Lightwave LED Therapy has been found to kill acne-causing bacteria and treat acne related skin conditions.

For younger acne sufferers (pubescent or adolescent) with pustules, chemical peels may be beneficial to kill the initial bacteria that is causing their acne, but they need to be on a regular Lightwave LED Therapy regimen. In addition, it is important that they stay on Retin A or a tretinoin product faithfully that will kill the bacteria.

On the other hand, if you have had a chemical peel and are enjoying the results, a Lightwave LED Therapy treatment once a week can be done to control acne, while at the same time giving you results that are beneficial for anti-aging. Lightwave LED Therapy is also time efficient if you are an on-the-go person like me. It is a simple 30-minute treatment of blue and red light that kills bacteria and rejuvenates the skin. Basically, you can do it on your lunch hour! Lightwave LED Therapy can also be used after a CO2 treatment to accelerate healing of the skin.

Lightwave LED Therapy, or light therapy in general, is beneficial for many skin conditions including acne, anti-aging, scarring and so much more. If you are in the Dallas area, I encourage you to visit my esthetician, Mancy Kirkland, at https://www.healthwellnessmd.com/ to book an appointment and see what a Lightwave LED Therapy treatment can do for your skin!

Medical Treatments for When Acne Gets Tough – Part 1

2018-06-05T15:08:00-05:00

In my last post, I spoke about steps you could take at home to improve the look of your skin and help combat acne, but what if those steps aren’t enough? For some people, doing all they can on their own simply won’t solve their acne issues. If you are one of those people experiencing difficult acne, here are some medical solutions you may try. I had the time during my last laser treatment to speak with my facial esthetician, Mancy Kirkland, at https://www.healthwellnessmd.com/ for an update on a medical approach to fighting acne.

If you find that exfoliating and changing your diet aren’t working for you, don’t worry. Stressing about your acne problem is only going to exacerbate the issue. While we all know that greasy food and a poor SAD (Standard American Diet) are not doing us any favors, if you are doing all you can to eat clean and still aren’t seeing results, I want to let you know about some innovative and effective medical acne treatments out there that may be right for you.

Chemical peels are an effective way to control acne. A medical esthetician or dermatologist applies a chemical solution to your face that helps to remove dead skin cells, whiteheads, and blackheads, as well as unclog pores. Chemical peels help with these skin conditions because the peel absorbs into the skin and thus kills the cystic sack. Normally this treatment is done once per month until the acne is gone. After that, the patient comes in every 3-6 months for just one peel.

One chemical peel that my esthetician, Mancy, likes to use is the PCA Chemical Peel by Physicians Choice. It is a buffered chemical peel that has hydroquinone, resorcinol, and TCA.

A buffered peel stays on the skin and allows the medical esthetician to take the skin’s pH down from a 7, which is neutral, to a 1, which is acidic. While the skin is open at this pH level, she then applies serums made up of small molecules that penetrate deep into the skin. These can be anything from salicylic acid for acne, hydroquinone for dark spots or scarring, and other solutions that are deemed beneficial for your particular skin condition.

While your pH is low, your skin is able to accept these treatments much more readily to achieve the desired results. For example, if the treatment is salicylic acid, the serum penetrates deep into the skin to kill the bacteria causing the acne. Once the treatment is done, your skin is neutralized and brought back to the proper pH. Before you leave, the esthetician will apply sunscreen to protect your face and you are done. The penetration of the serums will result in the skin peeling two days later, removing just the dead skin.

While chemical peel treatments may be effective, it’s always best to consult with your medical esthetician or dermatologist to determine which solution and procedure may be right for you. Each procedure comes with its own side effects, which are always something to consider when choosing a treatment option. Next week I will discuss part two of my conversation with Mancy about light therapy. You won’t want to miss it!

6 Tips to Help You Fight Acne

2018-05-18T11:25:00-05:00

Many of us have experienced it and we all hate it: Acne. It usually pops up when you least want it to and can be a hassle to get rid of. There are several types of acne that you may experience. These are whiteheads, blackheads, cystic acne…the list goes on. While it’s important to understand not everyone experiences acne the same way or for the same reasons, there are some tried and true resolutions to combatting those annoying blemishes.

One thing I cannot stress enough is the importance of hydration. Drinking plenty of water will help your skin stay hydrated and less oily, which can help reduce acne and redness on your skin. However, solely drinking water will not be the answer to completely clearing up blemishes.
Gentle exfoliation is key. It’s important to slough off dead skin cells while making sure to use an exfoliant that is not going to tear or irritate your already sensitive skin. A gentle exfoliating cleanser, much like our AM Cleanser, is going to work best for acne-prone skin. This type of cleanser will not only leave your skin glowing, but it will also help to rid your face of dead skin cells, while treating your skin to powerful antioxidants, like acai extract.
When washing your face, it’s important to use a clean towel every time. Using the same towel over and over can result in unwanted dirt ending up back on your face right after you’ve cleansed, which is not what you want when fighting acne. If you use a Clarisonic or other cleansing brush, it is important to change out your brushes every 3 months and clean them in between uses with soap and water. I even use white vinegar every two weeks or so to clean them by soaking them in the vinegar with warm water.
We all know that food can affect how you look and feel, and it most certainly affects whether or not you develop acne. The biggest culprit is refined sugars and grains, plus greasy foods and hydrogenated oils. This may be because these types of foods cause spikes in blood sugar and inflammation. When these foods are digested in the intestine, they may trigger a hormonal response which translates to acne on the face, especially on the forehead. If you see acne on the forehead, it most likely comes from the digestion of greasy or inflammatory foods in the intestine. Pimples appear when skin and the connective sebaceous glands become clogged (with excess debris, oil, and cells) leaving the area prone to bacteria and yeast, which inflame the pore and cause an embarrassing pimple.
Dairy has also been linked to the development of acne because of the trigger to your body to produce hormones, enabling your cells to absorb sugar. Foods rich in probiotics and Vitamin A are good choices to help you ward off any pimples. If you’re prone to acne, try drinking antioxidant-packed green tea instead of indulging in that piece of chocolate, which is also an acne triggering food. No one said it would be easy, but if you are acne prone, you will need to make adjustments in your diet just like those who are genetically prone to weighing more. It is just the luck of the genetic draw!
Find a routine and stick to it. If you find certain products work better for your skin to fight acne better than others, then go with them! Getting to that point can be filled with some trial and error, but it will ultimately be worth it in the end.

Next week, I will cover specific medical treatments you may try that will help you with the fight against acne, so stay tuned. There are lots of breakthroughs with laser and chemical peels that may also help you in this fight!

Reference: https://www.activebeat.co/diet-nutrition/13-acne-trigger-foods-avoid-these-foods-to-prevent-breakouts/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=AB_GGL_US_DESK-SearchMarketing&utm_content=g_c_224386811663&cus_widget=&utm_term=foods%20that%20cause%20acne&cus_teaser=kwd-304880808&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0PTXBRCGARIsAKNYfG1VEJQk-4mKCh85kUc7S-Ev4HXLoZvLwgs_29wMaR9uHcRFilVjObUaApy4EALw_wcB

New Formula Alert: Nighttime Moisturizer

2018-05-14T08:56:00-05:00

Hard Night Good Morning alongside myself and our laboratory and chemists have been working tirelessly for months to bring you a new, innovative Nighttime Moisturizer formula. The goal was to add even more anti-aging, collagen building ingredients to give you a more glowing, hydrated and youthful appearance. After months of trying new formulas, and at the same time carefully making sure the texture and scent of the original formula were closely adhered to (because you loved it), we finally did it! We have kept the original formula you loved and jazzed it up with new ingredients that will give you even more results and improved skin texture. It took us a while to make sure everything was just right….and that’s exactly what we did! We think you will love it! Three new and effective ingredients have been added to this new and improved formula: Griffonia, Syn®-Ake, and Syn®-Coll.

Griffonia is a vital factor and has come to the forefront of skin care as we know it today. An extract from a shrub native to parts of Africa, this key component of our Nighttime Moisturizer has been shown to provide UV protection and long-term anti-aging benefits. It can help protect against environmental damage, lift and tighten the skin, to result in a more youthful complexion.

Syn®-Ake is a cutting-edge ingredient that mimics a polypeptide found in the venom of the Temple Viper and has been shown to reduce wrinkles that result from repetitive facial expressions, such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and more. This active was developed to smooth and reduce wrinkles such as these.

Syn®-Coll is another component of our Nighttime Moisturizer that is a pertinent part of anti-aging skin care. This ingredient imitates the body’s own mechanism to boost collagen production. In clinical studies, it was shown to improve skin firmness and elasticity, reduce appearance of wrinkles, and rejuvenate skin.

Our Nighttime Moisturizer still includes all your tried and true anti-aging ingredients, such as Gatuline® Age Defense AKA Walnut Seed Extract, Gatuline® RC AKA Beech Tree Bud Extract, and Hematite Extract. Walnut Seed Extract helps to protect against environmental stress, pollution, and UV damage, helping the skin appear more youthful and refreshed. Beech Tree Bud Extract assists in improving the appearance of wrinkles and signs of aging, while helping skin cells consume oxygen more efficiently. Lastly, Hematite Extract, the mineral form of iron oxide, is a natural active that helps stimulate collagen synthesis and reduce wrinkles.

Our newest formula is great for dry skin, mature skin, or anyone who suffers from seasonal dryness. It is always Hard Night Good Morning’s and my primary goal to help you look your absolute best by turning your hard nights into good mornings. Bonus: This moisturizer also makes a fabulous neck and décolletage cream!

A Wrinkle in Time

2018-05-03T09:44:00-05:00

More often than not, we associate wrinkles and fine lines with aging. While getting older and of course, gravity, both definitely play a role in developing facial lines, they are not the only causes. There are many other factors, both internal and external, that can affect the rate at which wrinkles begin to appear.

The major external factor that can cause wrinkles to appear is the sun. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to dry skin and more importantly the loss of collagen and elastin. One way to restore collagen and replenish moisture to the skin is to find a moisturizer that does both. Lucky for you, our Daytime Moisturizer and Nighttime Moisturizer tackle both of these issues! It’s also important to incorporate a good sunscreen with a high SPF to prevent further damage from the sun. I like to use a tinted moisturizer/sunscreen like EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40.

Another main culprit to rapid aging is smoking cigarettes. This nasty little habit can speed up the process of aging due to the numerous chemicals they contain. These chemicals restrict proper blood circulation throughout your body, including to your body’s largest organ, your skin, leading to wrinkles becoming more prominent more quickly.

The food we eat most certainly has an effect on our outward appearance. A diet that is high in sugar and processed foods isn’t going to help you maintain a glowing, youthful appearance. On the other hand, eating more fruits, vegetables, and natural foods will keep you looking and feeling your best due to their high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are natural free radical fighters.

We all know stress can have a negative effect on your mind and body. Did you know it affects your skin as well? While a small amount of stress is good for us, high stress levels can age you quickly and are no friend to frown lines. Listening to your body and managing stress through meditation, yoga or quiet time at least once per day, can keep your skin looking refreshed and beautiful.

In my last blog, I wrote about skin care tips to follow for beauty rest. Believe it or not, getting enough sleep happens to help with managing fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin needs time to rest and its pH can even be altered by lack of sleep. Ensuring you get your full 8 hours and using Hard Night Good Morning’s Detox Toner will help maintain a healthy pH and keep your skin cells hydrated. The Detox Toner also helps protect your skin from free radicals, which may also contribute to wrinkles showing up on your face.

Last, the facial expressions you make can actually leave a lasting impression on your skin. If you have watched me on Real Housewives of Dallas, you know I make some pretty crazy facial expressions! Unfortunately, at 49-years-old, it’s hard to untrain my face from reacting to nonsense. I am constantly squinting, frowning, or furrowing my brow, plus, making my neck retract like an ostrich, which doesn’t do me any favors. Those lines that you see can indeed become permanent. One way to combat this is to use a serum that lifts, tones, and tightens your skin. Luckily, my original product, Facial Cocktail Serum, is made for jokesters like me. This is one product I will certainly NEVER be without.

While wrinkles may be inevitable as we get older, there are steps we can take to keep them at bay for as long as possible. Take a tip from me, a wrinkle in time doesn’t have to wreck you in your prime!

6 Nighttime Skin Care Tips

2018-04-12T12:04:00-05:00

We all deserve beauty sleep. It is essential for your mind and body to relax, rejuvenate and be ready to conquer the next day. It’s also a vital part of your skin care routine for those of us looking for refreshed and luminous skin (which I think covers just about everyone).

Here are my top 6 Nighttime Skin Care Tips for beautiful skin in the morning.

Remove all makeup. This one seems like a given, but you’d be surprised by how much makeup “removers” can leave behind, especially waterproof mascara. You can effectively remove all makeup by using Hard Night Good Morning’s PM Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover, which cleanses and removes makeup that doesn’t always want to budge.
Apply an effective moisturizer. Our NEW Nighttime Moisturizer fits the bill with added peptides for wrinkle relaxation and cumulative wrinkle reduction for those who are serious about long-term anti-aging. I am excited about this new and effective cream and I know you will love it as much as I do. We specifically formulated it to work synergistically with the ingredients we already loved in our tried and true formula, but made it even better by adding some of my favorite anti-aging superstars!
Get enough rest. This will be the best thing you do for your body and your skin!
Stick with your routine. It can be easy to just remove makeup and get into bed, but it’s of the utmost importance to find a routine that works for you that you can stick to. Consistency is the key to waking up to glowing skin.
Change your pillowcases often. This will help keep unwanted bacteria and other pollutants off your face when you sleep. After all, you just put in all that effort to clean your skin for the day. Why would you want to undo it all? I recommend silk pillowcases. I have used them for years and there are many types and kinds to try for anti-aging, anti-acne and even those to keep your hair flawless so you can say, “Yes, I did just wake up like this!”
Use a humidifier. This tip may not be for everyone, but if you are concerned with your skin drying out during the night, adding a humidifier to your room can help solve this issue. During the winter and also in drier climates, it is especially important to use a humidifier to keep your skin hydrated and dewy fresh.

Whether it’s after a long day at work or happy hour with the girls, it’s imperative to take care of your skin before your head hits the pillow. Hard Night Good Morning and I want to help you Awaken to Beautiful Skin™.

Say Bye-Bye to Acne Scars Naturally

2018-04-05T14:57:00-05:00

There aren’t many things that follow us from our adolescence into adulthood...thank goodness for that. Our tastes change and luckily styles evolve—note I was a teenager in the 80’s—need I say more! There is one thing that can leave a lasting impression on a person as they age, acne scars.

These pesky scars can look different for everyone, even taking different shapes, including ice pick and boxcar, among others, even taking the form of hyperpigmentation. Ice pick scars are deep, very narrow scars that extend into the dermis. The skin looks as if it has been pierced by an ice pick or sharp instrument. Ice pick scars seem to make a small, deep hole in the skin. Some may look like a large, open pore. Boxcar scars are round or oval depressions with steep vertical sides. Wider than ice pick scars, boxcar scars give the skin a pitted appearance. Hyperpigmentation oftentimes goes away on its own, though this is not the case for everyone, while the other types of scarring can set up camp on your face and decide to stay.

One way to speed up the healing process on skin is to use aloe vera. Aloe is gentle and effective in hydrating and healing the skin, which can help when treating acne scars. Aloe vera gel can be used alone, or combined with other ingredients in products, much like the Hard Night Good Morning skin care line, which is aloe vera based. I have seen great improvement in scarred skin from using highly concentrated special aloe vera from our laboratory when experimenting with aloe as a scar healer.

Another way to treat acne scars involves something you likely already have in your home…baking soda! Mix a few teaspoons with a small amount of water to make a paste, apply to skin and wash off after a few minutes. This will allow the baking soda to exfoliate the skin. I recommend this treatment once or twice weekly, depending on how sensitive your skin is, followed by a soothing moisturizer, such as our Daytime Moisturizer.

There are many products out there that can help with hyperpigmentation. The newest product in our line, L22 Elixir, is perfect for targeting dark spots, and works best on all skin types. This revolutionary product also hydrates and soothes the skin, which is important when focusing on treating acne scars.

If you have tried natural remedies and are still unhappy with the results, there are many wonderful lasers and exfoliating treatments available at a good dermatologist. In Dallas, I recommend, Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics, where I am a frequent flyer. I see both Dr. Stetler and Dr. Polder. This is their website: https://www.dallascosmeticderm.com.

It’s important to remember to exfoliate and hydrate the skin often to treat and prevent these annoying acne scars. We recommend finding a gentle exfoliating cleanser and a solid moisturizer in addition to natural home remedies to say bye-bye to your acne scars.

Reference: https://www.verywell.com/types-of-acne-scars-15812

Sheet Masks: Are They Really of Any Benefit?

2018-03-15T14:44:00-05:00

When it comes to sheet masks, there are many different types to address almost any skin concern. You may choose from paper, cotton, gel, bamboo, bio-cellulose, and more. Masks can serve the purpose of targeting a specific skin issue, whether it be dryness, oiliness, anti-aging, acne, or detoxification and they are even great to just put one in a relaxing mood. But do they actually work?

Sheet masks were first developed in Korea, where skin care is a VERY serious matter! The average Korean woman uses 10 products daily to maintain a flawless, porcelain-like complexion. It has taken Americans a while to catch on and understand the benefits of a complete skin care routine (sheet masks being an essential part of this), but eventually we did, and sheet masks really became popular stateside about 2-3 years ago.

The function of a sheet mask is very simple; deliver concentrated ingredients and seal those ingredients deep into the skin by using a mask. By applying serum or cream and adding a sheet mask over the skin, it enables the serums and creams to be driven into the deeper levels of the epidermis and dermis. The result? You will achieve hydrated, smooth and radiant, clearer skin.

An insider tip to make the most of your mask experience once it has been removed is to remember to moisturize the skin immediately. Once the masks are removed, rub any leftover serums or liquids into the skin that are left behind. Do not wash your face! Once the sheet mask is removed, the evaporation process begins. You should immediately use a moisturizer containing similar ingredients to the mask or ingredients similar to the purpose of the mask i.e. hydrating, moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-puffiness, anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and so on. For Instance, if you are using a vitamin C mask, apply a moisturizer with vitamin C. This applies to all masks. Reinforce what the mask does, with a follow-up of similar ingredients in a moisturizer or serum.

People always ask me if more expensive sheet masks are better than cheaper ones? It depends on the company and their overall pricing structure, and if they consider themselves luxury or mass market skin care. The more expensive sheet masks should contain premium ingredients, often of a pharmaceutical grade. However, I have seen similar masks to the ones we make being sold for $300, and I think that is ridiculous. That’s a company just trying to take advantage of potential misinformed customers.

Some of the more expensive masks tend to be better fitting and made of materials that allow deeper penetration without drying out, but I think you should be able to find a very good mask way below $100. That is my personal opinion from being in this industry for 20 years.

How often should you use sheet masks? I tend to use them around 3 times per week, depending on my schedule. You may use them as many times per week as you wish, but always remember applying a mask is NOT a substitute for your normal skin care regimen. It is just a little boost of skin specific ingredients to enhance your normal routine.

What is the downside of masks? They are made for one type of face, and often that does not reflect all of us with our varied face shapes. They can be difficult to fit to the face, and without good adherence, a sheet mask cannot do its job. I find that after removing the mask from the package and unfolding, it is best to beginning fitting from the forehead, pressing gently to the temples. Next, fit the eyes and nose openings, followed by cheeks, mouth, and chin. Always remember to pat gently for best adhesion. For the next 20 minutes, lie down and relax, after all this is a treat for the skin and spirit. Enjoy it!

Don’t forget to check out my Hard Night Good Morning Sheet Masks, including 24K Gold Anti-Aging, Charcoal Detoxifying, and Cooling Cryo masks on our website at www.hardnightgoodmorning.com. My personal favorite is the gold mask. It makes my skin feel great and leaves it glowing and feeling fabulous!

Here's The Skinny on a New Product

2018-03-08T12:47:00-06:00

Our CEO and Founder, D'Andra Simmons, shares her experience with Ultimate Living's new and improved Weight Formula, which launched this month.

Shop now: https://ultimateliving.com/collections/nutritional-supplements/products/weight-formula?variant=21308641733

Skin Care Doesn't Stop at the Chin

2018-02-27T15:51:00-06:00

Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and protect…the face is the skincare regimen followed by most women every morning and night. But, where do your 4 steps stop?

If you’re not paying attention to your neck and décolleté, you’re not completing two key components of your skincare routine. The neck area is one of the first to show signs of aging on the body. Trust me, at age 49, I know!

Many women, and I am certainly speaking of myself, use body lotions or creams after their shower or bath. I try to use them while my skin is still a little damp, so the moisturizing effect will be enhanced - a tip told to me by my dermatologist years ago. However, this alone will not keep your neck and chest area hydrated and healthy.

Think about it, most of us do not wear turtlenecks every day, and therefore our necks and décolleté remain exposed just like our faces. As with some products developed for faces, what we use on our body is developed to make our skin softer, hydrated, and smell lovely for a brief time. However, these products normally do not contain copious amounts of active, effective ingredients to address signs of aging like wrinkled, sagging, and crepey skin.

So, the question remains to be answered, what should I be using on my neck and décolleté area? The best products for these highly exposed areas of the skin are those with high concentrations of tightening and firming ingredients. You want to hydrate, moisturize, brighten, and renew that often-neglected area of the body.

Hard Night Good Morning has some products that will make a significant improvement in the signs of aging when consistently used over time. Our L22 Elixir was created to firm, tighten, hydrate, moisturize, revitalize and renew the skin on the face, neck, and décolleté area. Along with the elixir, we suggest the use of our skin tightening, smoothing and firming Daytime Moisturizer for a boost of hydration. I always add a sunscreen to protect these areas of my skin because I know they will be exposed. I am living first-hand the consequences of my tanning habit I succumbed to back in the 80’s and 90’s and it is not pretty!

To further nourish and hydrate the entire body, including the neck and décolleté, dry brush the body to rid it of dead skin cells and promote increased circulation. I happen to believe this also helps breast tissue and the lymphatic system to expel stagnant fluid that builds up as a result of a modern torture device…the bra. Bras may make us look sexier in clothing, but they are like a vise for dense breast tissue.

After cleansing your body, use Argan Oil or Shea Butter from the neck to the bottoms of your feet. Rub in vigorously and leave on for a few minutes before stepping into the shower to rinse off excess, or just rub in and gently pat dry. Your skin will feel luxuriously soft and smooth by adding this step to your routine. I even use these before body lotions to hold in more moisture, and my husband ALWAYS compliments me on my super soft skin.

Never again look in the mirror without seeing your neck and décolleté as part of your normal skincare regimen. Follow our suggestions, and within a few weeks you will see a dramatic change in the appearance of this area. Happy Moisturizing!

How Can I Get Rid of the Shine?

2018-02-14T11:02:00-06:00

With the focus of skin care on anti-aging products and how to best find ways in which to maintain a youthful appearance, we often forget to address those that have issues associated with oily skin. Today, I am going to give you some tips and recommendations to keep that shine under control.

Cleanse 2 times per day with a gentle slightly exfoliating cleanser, like our AM Cleanser. If you use a cleanser that contains Salicylic or Benzoyl Peroxide, I would suggest PM use only, as they can have a drying effect on the skin. Drying out the skin isn’t the solution to solving an oily skin issue.
I find toners to be an essential part of an oily skin routine. They rid the skin of any dirt and debris left behind after cleansing, and they help detoxify the skin to prevent enlarged, clogged pores which contribute to breakouts. We have an excellent Detox Toner for oily skin that also helps restore the skin’s pH balance.
For daytime, it is perfectly safe to use the Daytime Moisturizer on oily skin. It is light and formulated for all skin types, especially sensitive and oily skin. I also incorporate an SPF into my morning routine. Sometimes I use a straight SPF cream and other times I use a tinted moisturizer, both SPF 30. It all depends on what my day’s activities will be, and whether or not I will be wearing foundation. I especially like tinted moisturizers with a matte finish. Use a touch of HNGM Translucent Powder to set the moisturizer to help give a fresh appearance to your face.
Your nighttime regimen should include cleansing, toning, and light moisturization. If you are using a heavy night cream, replace it with a light moisturizing lotion that contains Vitamin A, Hyaluronic Acid, and of course Glycerin, an ingredient that helps preserve moisture. Our Daytime Moisturizer makes a great night cream for those with oily skin.
In addition, I would suggest applying a good detoxifying or clay-based mask once a week, much like our Detox Mineral Masque.

Make sure to keep blotting papers in your purse to be used when the shine reappears (and unfortunately it can). Do not rub over face, but rather press firmly against oily areas of the skin for 15-20 seconds.

Spicy foods and alcohol (BUMMER!) dilate the blood vessels increasing perspiration, which in turn stimulates the production of excess oils. Be cautious and limit both as much as possible.

Smoking constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow to the upper layers of the skin which can contribute to oily skin. This just gives you another reason to quit.

Last, adding a Vitamin A supplement to your diet may also help to control excess facial and body oils.

Hard Night Good Morning strives to provide our customers with products that are healthy, safe, and effective for all skin types, even those that exhibit signs of overproduction of oil. Maintain a simple routine, but above all be consistent with your daily skin care. Keep in mind that oily skin tends to be less of a problem as we age, so be patient, determined, and mindful to see oil as a problem with solutions.

Inner Wellness, Outer Health

2018-01-30T09:07:00-06:00

One of the things my mother and I share and discuss often is our total commitment to helping people attain overall health. Since she had cancer 30 years ago, this has become our life’s work at Ultimate Living and Hard Night Good Morning.

Are all healthy people beautiful? Sometimes inner health doesn’t lead to outer beauty, but I rarely see beautiful people that lack inner health. The bottom line is that no matter your standing in life at a particular time (I say this because things are fluid and changing so don’t accept where you are as the end all…I certainly don’t), you have a greater amount of control over your health and beauty than you think.

The Ultimate Living supplement line addresses inner health, while Hard Night Good Morning brings the opportunity for health and beauty to the largest organ of the body, our skin. Our lines complement one another in a way in which health and beauty become partners.

For so many of us with busy lives and limited time, even with the best intentions, we miss our goals of healthy eating. So, we really must supplement our diets with those elements we aren’t taking in from food to ensure our daily needs can be met. We never tell anyone they can treat or improve medical conditions with nutritional supplementation alone. The word to remember is SUPPLEMENT or as I like to say, COMPLEMENT, as in COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE. Similarly, taking care of our skin is no different. Consistency with the use of high quality, results-driven skin care can contribute greatly to our skin’s health and beauty. That is why we have addressed both issues with our two companies.

Every day we encourage you to take charge of your own health and beauty, lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible, and whenever you can, try to control the stress affecting your life. Put yourself and your health first, as there are people depending on you to be your best, and you cannot help others if you are not at your optimum. Daily use of Ultimate Living’s Green Miracle Powder or Capsules for a boost of healthy digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals and fruit and vegetable blends will help to meet your daily nutritional needs.

Multi-vitamins are the foundation of nutrition, and they are the building blocks that help us reach our daily goals of recommended vitamins and minerals. Everyone needs to be on a multi-vitamin, including men, women, AND children. Ultimate Living has outstanding and complete formulations in those areas, including a great Multi-Vitamin for Kids with Green Miracle. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start a new regimen and make basic changes such as these into your diet.

For good overall skin health, we recommend a simple consistent routine of cleansing, repairing, hydrating and protecting. We have a wonderful PM Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover that is effective, gentle, and completely removes makeup and debris. Your skin will feel and look refreshed and revived. Our Detox Toner restores your face back to the perfect pH balance after cleansing so our products can be utilized in the most effective manner.

A daily serum or elixir, such as our Facial Cocktail Serum or L22 Elixir, is a must in treating your skin to ingredients that offer anti-aging properties and antioxidants in concentrated forms. Our Facial Cocktail Serum has been a success since its introduction, and L22 Elixir is our newest and most exciting product to come along in years, with new delivery technologies and highly researched and touted ingredients.

Lastly, I always plug using a great sunscreen. Do not leave the house during the day without a sunscreen or a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF. I have mentioned ones I like here. Keeping your skin care regimen simple but effective has always been my greatest goal. I am confident your reward will be healthy, beautiful, and smooth looking skin.

In conclusion, I have to say, “Thanks”, to my mom, for making me aware at a very early age of the importance of being healthy. She gave me the solid basis of believing health and beauty go hand in hand!

Four Tips for Lovely Lashes

2018-01-19T09:02:00-06:00

Being a cast member of Real Housewives of Dallas has allowed me to be glammed by some of the best make-up artists in the business. I’m always taking notice of their techniques and tips to use daily when we are not in production. It is a real luxury to be pampered by the best, and I enjoy every minute of it. Today, however, I am going to give you tips about your natural eyelashes and how to keep them healthy and beautiful.

I often use and love the look of false eyelashes. I even have my “go-to” number that I prefer because I know it will always fit and look great on my lids without any cutting or prep. I just slap some eyelash glue on and voilà, I’m ready to go! I love the appearance of voluminous, luxurious eyelashes and playing around with different eyelash looks. I have even been known to do the “double lash” for extra effect from time to time. While long lashes can make your eyes look extra flirty and alluring, the constant use of false eyelashes does have its drawbacks. It is important to take care of your real lashes even if you are cheating on them!

Although there are many pros to wearing glamorous lashes, they aren’t without their cons. Yes, they can be quite expensive. Also, there is the risk of an allergic reaction, either from the lash you purchase or the adhesive you use for the application. The most troublesome side effect of frequent false eyelash use is the shedding of your natural lash, resulting in thinner lashes. Very few women, myself included, have the luscious fullness found in artificial lashes, but with a little attention, your eyelashes can look healthy, full and natural.

Since I know that keeping my own lashes healthy is the risk I take…and I still love my false eyelashes, here are some tips and tricks I use to keep my lashes stunning and full even when I am not wearing the falsies!

Easy things you can do to make your lashes appear fuller and healthier:

Remove all eye makeup at night with our PM Oil Cleanser / Makeup Remover and when dry, with an eyelash comb, go through the lashes once or twice daily.
Warm some coconut oil and with a Q-tip, apply to upper and lower lash line. This also works with castor oil straight out of the bottle (no need to warm).
Infuse some fresh lemon peel into 1/8 cup of olive oil for a day. Keep in a cool place to allow a good infusion of the two ingredients. Apply over entire eyelid area and lashes. Make sure to use sparingly and do not get into the eyes. You may also rub remaining oil mixture on elbows to soften and lighten.
Gently massaging the eyelid once or twice daily increases circulation to help boost the growth of lashes.

After cleansing, pay attention to the eye area. Beautiful lashes need a beautiful frame for them. Wrinkles and lines around the eyes quickly add a negative impact on that appearance you are looking to achieve. Be sure to use Hard Night Good Morning Eye Cream morning and evening. Before applying eye makeup, and after using eyelid primer, dust the eyelid very lightly with Hard Night Good Morning Translucent Powder to smooth and help set your eye makeup.

Banish the Winter Blahs

2018-01-10T15:52:00-06:00

With the holidays over, the endless parties slowing down (thank goodness) and a new year upon us, unfortunately, many of us will soon face the winter blahs. Additionally, plenty of people are on a new eating regimen i.e. diet, so that is blah too! In some areas of the country, cool or even bitter cold, gray days lie ahead of us for the next few months, so it may be time to consider a vacation to renew our body and spirit.

Luckily, Jeremy and I purchased a St. Croix getaway at one of the many charity events we attended last year, so we are all set on a travel destination. Check that off of our list! Thinking of going to a warm, tropical island for a little R&R too? Good for you! You deserve to treat yourself to a little downtime. As you head to paradise, don’t forget to give your skin its own retreat as well.

Now is the time to let your skin renew and refresh with a little TLC. The most important thing you can do when exposing your skin to harmful and aging UVA/UVB rays is to use a good sunscreen…frequently! Most of us are pasty pale this time of year and haven’t been exposed to the outdoors in a while, so our skin is even more susceptible and will burn much easier than it does in the spring and summer when we tend to venture out more.

I rarely recommend products, but there are a few I love in the sun protection category that are highly effective. For facial sunscreens, these are the good ones: Coola's Face SPF 30 in Cucumber Matte Finish and Beauty Bioscience’s The Protector. For the body, I like a good spray sunscreen like the UV Aero from EltaMD. I have used Elta sun protection products for years, including their tinted moisturizer for a little glow and coverage.

Vacation isn’t the time to forgo your skincare routine. Remember, you are refreshing and renewing your skin while you rest from the hard holiday nights!

For your morning regimen, use Hard Night Good Morning AM Cleanser, containing powerful botanical antioxidants to help fight those free radicals that are so damaging to the skin and allow for premature aging. Use this gentle cleanser every day to keep the skin clean and refreshed. After cleansing, applying our Eye Cream to fight all those fine lines that result from squinting when exposed to the sun is essential. Next, I encourage you to use Hard Night Good Morning Daytime Moisturizer, which drenches the skin with a light, yet highly effective drink of hydration and moisturization. Your last step will be the application of your facial sunscreen, re-applying often while in the sun.

Caring for your skin at night is just as important as protecting it during the day. Cleanse the skin with HNGM PM Oil Cleanser, a wonderfully light concoction that moisturizes, calms, and deep cleans the skin. Step two is your L22 Elixir that you will use to contour, tighten, and moisturize via a unique delivery system that penetrates into the deep layers of the skin where it produces expected results. Next, you will apply our Eye Cream to nourish, moisturize, and help eliminate dark circles. The last step in your PM regimen will be our luxurious Nighttime Moisturizer.

Enjoy, relax, and recharge those batteries before returning to reality and all the responsibilities associated with it. While you are gone, treat yourself to a massage (I love a good hot stone), schedule a mani/pedi, or making a reservation at an upscale restaurant on the beach. Vacations don’t have to be weeks or days, they can be small lengths of time away from ordinary routines that give us a little break. You are deserving of a big or small getaway that allows you to rest, relax, take care of your skin, and chase away the winter blahs. I know I am! Happy relaxing!

Detoxify Your Skin and Body

2018-01-05T14:31:00-06:00

The holiday season is a time for indulgence. Most of us have too much to eat and drink, too many late nights out, and that impossible list of “to-dos” to complete in order to prepare for the events of the season.

Unfortunately, that creates a lot of stress on our bodies the entire months of November and December. This stress works collectively and wreaks havoc on our body, mind, and spirit. Luckily, we have your body and skin covered between Hard Night Good Morning and Ultimate Living products. Hard Night Good Morning comes to the rescue for your skin, and within a very short time, you will regain that beautiful, hydrated glow that you had B.C. (Before Christmas).

Let’s begin with the basics. Cleanse your skin with one of our gentle cleansers to rid the skin of dirt, makeup, and debris as the first step in your skin recovery regimen. Twice a week for 2 weeks, you should use the Hard Night Good Morning Detox Mineral Masque to relieve the skin of toxins and debris. After each cleansing in the AM or PM and after masque use, be sure to reestablish your skin’s pH balance with a spritz of the Detox Toner.

The next step in your regimen is our amazing L22 Elixir. With powerful anti-aging ingredients and a delivery system that reaches the deepest layers of the skin, L22 Elixir will be the most efficacious potion you have ever used. We are extremely proud of this luxurious addition to our skin care line and are confident you will see an improvement in your skin with daily use. I call it my magic in a bottle, born from my knowledge of skin care ingredients with a little bit of alchemy for good measure!

Your last step during the detoxification process is Hard Night Good Morning Nighttime Moisturizer for intense hydration and moisturization when your skin is most receptive. Continue this routinely for two weeks and you will be delighted with your refreshed and beautiful skin.

Next up, the body that you’ve abused relentlessly during the holidays. All those appetizers, cocktails, and desserts have not only added a few pounds but have made you feel slightly grumpy and out of sorts. Just ask my husband! My diet has turned me into Cruella de Ville!

Now is the time to get back to clean healthy eating, with lots of vegetables, fruits, fish, and chicken. It’s best to cut out dairy, gluten, and sugar. Lots of fresh herbs, spices, and olive or avocado oil will be beneficial during this post-holiday detox. I have switched back to coconut oil for high heat cooking and reinstated my daily warm lemon water. Be sure to go easy on the salt, and replace some of your coffee intake (notice I don’t say ALL, as I could NEVER live without my coffee) with green or herbal teas. Your body, inside and out, will thank you for the break from all those heavy foods and alcoholic drinks.

In addition, this is a great time to incorporate a green drink into your daily routine. Ultimate Living's Green Miracle is the perfect supplement for any regimen. It provides over 80 ingredients full of pure nutrition to build the immune system and detoxify the body for optimum performance. No time to eat all your fruits and vegetables? No worries, Green Miracle has got you covered.

Since you have decided to get yourself healthy and beautiful for the New Year, I would encourage you to go one step further. Examine your life and reflect on all of the things that prevent you from looking and feeling your best. That can even mean the people you surround yourself with. You are too valuable and unique to accept less than kindness and respect from friends, acquaintances, and coworkers. In order to be the most positive, accepting, and kind person you can be, remember to look for those traits in the people around you. It may be time to cut ties with anyone that only sees the negative in all situations. 2018 is YOUR YEAR! Make it a beautiful one.

Holiday Help Guide

2017-12-13T16:51:00-06:00

December is in full swing. I will let you in on a little secret, I absolutely LOVE Christmas…the shopping, the decorating, the parties, getting together with friends and family. It’s exhausting, but oh so much fun! Party after party and toast after toast is already leaving my skin feeling dehydrated and looking a little dull at the time of the year I want to look my absolute best.

What is a girl on the go to do?

First of all, let’s be realistic. This is NOT the time of the year to embark on a challenge like the Whole 30 Diet! Leave that for the New Year’s Resolutions.

Second, I can tell myself over and over that I am going to refrain from making merry with a cocktail at the many celebrations I will attend, but who am I kidding? Everyone else is in the holiday spirit and there is a chocolate peppermint something or other with my name on it, so sooner or later I will have fallen like the Berlin wall!

It’s time to bring on the emergency preparedness kit…the disaster relief panacea to my holiday revelry. That means making the day count by rehydrating and eating fatty foods that are good for me, and not taking shortcuts with my skincare.

Thank goodness, I just launched a new skin care product at www.hardnightgoodmorning.com - the L22 Elixir. This little powerhouse in a pump is the alchemy to rejuvenate my sallow complexion. It plumps, hydrates, smoothes and brightens plus much more. It puts my skin on notice to wake up and activate those lazy cells that have had a hard night and not a very good morning!

During the day, I always do my best to eat healthy if I am at the office working. This not only keeps my brain functioning at the optimum level, but also keeps my skin looking youthful. I typically eat salmon for lunch at least 3 times per week. I just like it, and if you find something you like that tastes good, you should stick with it as long as you are not bored. I avoid sugar, except for a little local honey in the morning in my coffee. I eat lots of fruits and veggies, drink a green drink and loads of water while I sit at my desk.

In my water, I put www.ultimateliving.com Ionic Trace Minerals, which restores any minerals I have lost in my effort to “make merry” the night before. They don’t taste great alone, but if you put about 6-8 drops in a big glass of water you won’t even notice them. I do this several times per day. I also eat an apple a day, normally at breakfast. It keeps me full, and has the benefits of fiber plus antioxidants.

During this time of year, I still always remove my makeup at night to give my skin a break. I keep to my regimen, which is important. Also, I try to fit in an extra hydrating facial, and at home, I make sure I use my masks on a regular basis.

You can get a quick facial pick me up with an oxygen facial or a Clear + Brilliant treatment at www.enlightenmd.com and even do your Christmas shopping while you are there. They have so many cute gifts for every friend and member of your family. I love their agate entertaining pieces. They are so chic, and stand out with a modern flair and elegant appearance that works for casual or formal gatherings. Also, I am obsessed with their sheets. I can’t sleep without them! They are a MUST BUY!

The holidays are here. Love them or hate them, they can be thrilling AND challenging, especially when they throw you off of your routine. This short duration of time may pack a long-lasting punch if not navigated with extra care. So, keep hydrated, take a little time for yourself (the hardest one to do), and keep up a good skin care program. Come January you will have A LOT less recovering to do! Happy Holidaying!

THE BEST KEPT SECRET FOR YOUR SKIN

2017-10-12T22:35:00-05:00

We sat down with D'Andra to discuss how she keeps such a glowing youthful complexion in her 40's. Below are her current beauty secrets.

1. I always use the Clarisonic Brush with my Hard Night Good Morning AM Cleanser. I also use the MIA 1. Make sure you change the brushes out every two weeks and clean thoroughly between uses. It ensures that my face is clean and fresh and ready for the next steps in my skincare routine.

2. As a rule, I always use the Hard Night Good Morning Daytime Moisturizer before applying my makeup, however, I also use the EltaMDUV Daily Borad-Spectrum SPF 40 - I love the tinted version! It provides full SPF coverage and if I don’t feel like applying foundation I can get by with this product and a touch of translucent powder.

3. Taking care of your skin internally is just as important as externally. There are a lot of beauty drinks out there, but I have been taking our Ultimate Living ORAC Liquid Dietary Supplement. It is the original beauty drink, power packed with antioxidants like acai, dark cherry, green tea, vitamin C, pomegranate, red wine extract and grapeseed extract, plus many more!

4. I try to get a facial once a month or at least every two months. It is my ME time and it not only allows me to relax but also rejuvenate my face! I also get massages to when I can. My favorite therapist is Tiffany Nelson. You can find her at www.tiffanyshealinghands.com and she will come to your home! Just head to bed after for a great night’s sleep or a power nap!

5. I head to Enlighten MD* to put my best face forward. It is a family business, which I love! Kari Feinstein, the owner, always takes a personal approach to every client. She will evaluate every client’s needs and customize services just for them. All of the estheticians at Enlighten MD are professional and well trained. They each specialize in particular areas from face to body contouring to makeup etc. They even have a darling boutique on site. I am 48 and recently lost 40 pounds last year. They suggested that I try the Ultherapy treatment for sagging and aging skin. I just had my 3-month follow up and booster for my Ultherapy treatment. They showed me the amazing before and after photos, and we can already see a HUGE difference in my skin. Full results will appear in 6 months, but I am already thrilled with what I see so far!

* I am in partnership with Enlighten MD and their services were provided to me complimentary. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER COMPLEXION

2017-09-04T22:29:00-05:00

Eat your vegetables…a phrase that has been uttered continuously throughout the generations! If only someone had told me that this simple rule would help my skin, maybe I would’ve listened more carefully!

A balanced diet is crucial for all areas of your life, even for the health of your complexion and hair. Any food that is a good source of Vitamin A or beta-carotene (which your body converts into Vitamin A), is key to maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin A is fundamental to the growth of skin cells, which keep skin feeling soft, looking smooth, and free of wrinkles. Pumpkin contains almost 400% of your daily Vitamin A needs, while Kale is a great source for Vitamin A and C. Speaking of Vitamin C, this is what helps keeps skin tight and firm. Kiwis and oranges are the go-to fruits for these nutrients, and in fact, studies are now showing benefits from eating the peels of these citrus fruits for the UV-protective oils they contain.

Research also shows that people who eat green and yellow bell peppers have less wrinkles and diminished crow’s feet, because they contain antioxidants that combat aging induced by free radicals. Tomatoes are also full of essential antioxidants which improve your skin’s natural SPF. There are options for everyone, no matter your palate or taste preferences. But overall, research shows that people who eat higher levels of fruits and vegetables, have a healthier, more glowing appearance to their complexion. And who doesn’t want to glow?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

For those of you that are constantly on the go like myself, getting your recommended daily servings of these healthier foods can be challenging. And, you can’t exactly walk around with a small grocery store worth of produce in your purse all day! Our Ultimate Living Green Miracle can help bridge the gap in your diet and help to keep your skin radiant by providing 8000 mg of organic and all-natural ingredients. It is pure nutrition. I’ve been supplementing my diet for over 20 years with green foods. I hope you will try this product to see and feel for yourself the benefits of superfoods.

HOW DOES DAIRY AFFECT YOUR SKIN

2017-08-24T10:06:00-05:00

Over the past 8 years of owning a skin care company and answering numerous questions posed to me regarding acne, aging etc. as it related to diet, I have come to the conclusion, that dairy products in general are not a good choice for people with acne or skin prone to inflammatory breakouts. I’m also including rosacea in the list of conditions that may be affected by these type of foods, as it is a result of inflammation in the body.

More dairy products are consumed in the USA than in any other country in the world. Try that on for size. We are also one of the fattest countries, if not the fattest. Dairy consumption of any kind forms mucous in our systems. It produces inflammation in the body, which triggers a host of problems, some of them being skin related. Some people are more proficient than others at digesting dairy, however, in my opinion, it still isn’t good for you, and if you are acne or inflammatory prone, you should avoid this food group all together.

Acne, is an inflammatory condition that is caused by excess sebum or oil. When oil gets trapped inside your pores, they get clogged, thus allowing bacteria to grow within the follicles. Here is where inflammation plays its key role. It produces the red bumps on your skin from the bacteria. Another interesting fact is that whey products and milk proteins also do the same thing. Did you ever notice how many body builders have acne? My thought, they are ingesting too many protein drinks.

With people suffering from rosacea, the blood vessels on their face are triggered by a number of factors which causes the vessels to dilate and blood to rush to the surface. As this occurs more often, the skin becomes damaged over time. This presents itself by inflamed skin and redness characteristic of this disease. Studies have proved that people suffering with this condition had bacterial overgrowth in their intestinal tract. Voila! There is that pesky word, bacteria again.

If you are suffering from any kind of irritation of the skin, my advice is to swear off dairy products and move on to things like coconut cream and nut milks as a substitute. I cook some delicious dishes in my home without using any dairy products at all. Our skin glows because of it!

NATURAL VS. ORGANIC - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

2017-07-26T22:29:00-05:00

When we are talking about these two terms, the biggest dissimilarity comes down to regulations. Here is a quick explanation to help you understand the differences, since this happens to be a frequently asked question.

Certified Organic, which the USDA regulates heavily, states that a product’s ingredients must contain absolutely no toxic pesticides, toxic synthetic herbicides, Chemical NPK fertilizers, no antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetically modified organisms. The labeling however, can vary depending on the makeup of the product and in which state it was manufactured and sold.

Here are a few of the different classifications; keep in mind only a percentage of a product has to contain organic matter to be labeled organic.

100% organic
Organic
Made with organic ingredients
Less than 70% organic ingredients

Natural or All-Natural essentially has no regulations when it comes to labeling. If a company is claiming these, then you need to look at the founders and the directors of the company, and decide if they are to be trusted. Integrity is key! If a founder is truly involved in the formulation of their products, it will be apparent. You want to be cautious about the products you use, because they can contain naturally derived ingredients that are processed and potentially harmful to your body.

When looking for natural products we always recommend looking at the ingredient list of what you are using. Some key ingredients to look for are Aloe Vera, Beeswax, Shea Butter, and botanical extracts such as baobab. Our products are full of antioxidant laden fruits, herbs and plants and in our product lineup you will notice that in the majority of our skin care line the first ingredient is aloe vera. Not only do we use botanicals and essential oils in our products, we also ensure that they are free from parabens, sulfates, phosphates and phthalates, so that you know you are getting a quality product that is effective and safe.

THE BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

2017-07-17T21:31:00-05:00

Do you remember as a kid doing that science experiment where you leave the glass of water out in the heat of the summer? What happens? The water evaporates! If that is your first ingredient in a product, many of the important actives and botanicals are evaporating off of the skin instead of penetrating it. The benefits of an aloe vera based skin care line far outweigh those of a water based line.

Aloe vera is rich in anti-oxidants, which are known for their anti-aging properties as well as anthraquinones, which are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and also healing. High concentrations can even heal skin without leaving scars! Using this ingredient topically leads to clearer, fairer and healthier skin, and that is on everyone’s must have list.

That is why we chose it as the primary delivery system and first ingredient. If you haven’t tried our products you are missing your Cleopatra moment. Even she used aloe to maintain her beautiful Nubian Queen appearance and slay men caught in her web! Luckily you can also be a modern-day Nubian Queen just by trying Hard Night Good Morning.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL COMPLEXION

2017-06-11T21:22:00-05:00

One of the most common questions we get asked amongst our Hard Night Good Morning customers is, “How can I have glowing skin in the warmer months?” As skincare gurus, we wanted to share our thoughts and suggestions on how you can “crack the code” for glowing skin.

To begin with, we always recommend adding a sunscreen to your daily routine all year long, but especially in the summer months, when everyone tends to spend more time outdoors. As a suggestion, try adding an exfoliating cleanser such as our AM Cleanser. It’s jam-packed with antioxidants as well as jojoba beads, to help gently exfoliate the skin, leaving you with a radiant complexion. As an added benefit, it also helps unclog pores that tend to lead to breakouts. If you have skin that is peeling from an “accidental” dose of too much sun exposure (we know that you would never let this happen 😊), the jojoba beads combined with the enzymatic effect of the papaya will help to slough off the peeling dead skin more effectively, thus revealing new undamaged skin; if used daily when peeling starts. DO NOT aggressively rub gel into skin, as you want the peeling to be as natural as possible without damaging your new skin. You are just giving the process a slight boost.

Since Hard Night Good Morning is an aloe vera based skin care line, you already have an added benefit to soothe summer skin. Another tip for pesky sunburns is to use our Detox Toner. Formulated with ingredients like aloe, dragon fruit and khus extract, our toner helps relieve sunburn symptoms, all while keeping your skin’s pH level balanced. BONUS tip; try packing it in your cooler the next time you’re on the beach for an added cooling effect! Trust us, your skin will be thanking you.

Lastly, don’t forget to stay hydrated, both internally and externally. Drink plenty of water and keep your skin moisturized by using our Daytime Moisturizer for a light and hydrating effect. It also has anti-aging benefits and an anti-inflammatory ingredient for redness, all while helping to combat fine lines and wrinkles. Happy glowing!

POWER OF POMEGRANATE

2017-06-11T19:49:00-05:00

As you may know, pomegranate has become more widely cultivated and popular in recent years. But what you may not know is that it has everything to do with what’s inside. Packed with antioxidants and disease fighting capability, there is no doubting this power packed fruit!

With that being said, let’s take it one step further and discuss some additional benefits of one of nature’s best tasting treats.

It contains high amounts of antioxidants; almost three times as many as are found in wine or green tea. These high antioxidant concentrations (namely polyphenols) help fight free radicals that end up taking a toll on our skin and body.
It contains a host of vitamins such as Vitamin K, A, C, and E that benefit us both internally and externally. A diet rich in pomegranate can help you achieve a glowing youthful appearance, as it fights signs of aging. Not only will you look younger, but your skin will feel more vibrant and hydrated.
Pomegranate juice has proven to be just as powerful as its seeds. It has been said to assist with maintaining memory and fighting against some of the most common diseases like diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s. Most notably, it helps protect our cells from oxidative stress and buildup that typically leads to heart disease or similar ailments.

As popularity for this fruit grows, we are seeing more and more benefits resulting in a healthier body and more beautiful skin.

Make a fresh start and consider adding the powerful punch of the magical pomegranate into your daily routine. It’ll be worth the effort, and most importantly, you’ll look and feel better inside and out!

An Inside Scoop with Beauty Expert Olivia Roberts

2016-07-27T00:05:00-05:00

Hi y'all,

I'm Olivia, creator of That's Lovely, a fashion and beauty blog. I began blogging to share my love of fashion and beauty products with like minded gals like myself. I am so excited to be talking about Hard Night Good Morning today and sharing my experience with product, as it is one of my absolute favorite skincare lines.

I love trying out new products and I am often sent amazing and even high end beauty products to review and share with my readers. I will ALWAYS give an honest review and I am not afraid to say I don't like a product if that is how I truly feel.

It's important to share that Hard Night Good Morning was not gifted to my blog, I was not paid to endorse or promote the product, I simply love it and stand by it completely. I can't rave enough how much I love this product. I have yet to find a makeup remover that compares to their PM Oil Cleanser. Nothing else gets my skin feeling clean and makeup free without making it feel dry or stripped, it really is a one-of-a-kind product. Hard Night Good Morning definitely has my stamp of approval.