Haute Skin Care

Haute Beauty Giveaway.... Marini Holiday Exfoliator #hautebeautyblog

2011-12-27T18:30:00.000-08:00

A few days back I posted about my absolute LOVE of the new Marini Holiday Exfoliator. Now here is your chance to grab one for yourself, before they are all gone for the year!

Limited Edition Holiday Exfoliator

Everyone wants beautiful skin, so why not give everyone what they want – gorgeous skin for the Holidays!
Marini Holiday Exfoliator is a clinical-strength resurfacer that immediately refines skin texture and follicle size and leaves the skin with a radiant, polished glow.
Uniquely designed spherical dissolving bead technology, proteolytic enzymes and glycolic acid eliminate harsh abrasives (common within typical exfoliators) to gently and safely scrub and resurface the skin.

Key Technologies

Glycolic Acid
Proteolytic Enzymes - Papain from Green Unripened Papaya
Spherical Dissolving Bead Technology
Antioxidants

Features & Benefits

Refines skin texture and follicle size
Unique spherical dissolving beads, reduce excessive abrasion
Creates a perfect, smooth canvas for make-up application
Scrumptious sweet gingerbread scent

How to enter!

Must!
Like doranpskincare on FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Leave a comment on this post with your FB or Twitter id.

Extra Entries....

Tweet this post with #hautebeautyblog in the tweet and leave a comment here with a copy of the tweet url. (can be done 3x a day)
Blog about this giveaway and leave a copy of the blog url in the comments.
Share on Facebook.

Open to US residents 18 and over! Winner will be announce Jan 7, 2012. Good Luck.

2011-12-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

A VERY Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah! I hope you are spending it with people you love, adore or at least only slightly irritate you. May your presents be full of beauty secrets and labels of love.

Haute Right Now... Paleo Track Food Journal

2011-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

I just discovered this amazing new tool from a connection I made on Twitter. @PaleoVillage is an amazing resource for all thing paleo. They recently tweeted a link to the Paleo Track Food Journal I instantly logged on, set-up an account and started.
I like it because:
1. easy to use
2. so much information in one place. It tells me the percentage of certain minerals and vitamins I am getting and what I am falling short on.
3. It congratulates me daily for staying on track.

What it is missing for me:
A mobile app... in today's world it is so hard to live without being mobile. So I just write things down in the notes section of my Iphone and transfer it each night.

Give it a try and tell me what you think! Paleo Track Food Journal

A Trip To... Spa Moana

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

A few months back I created my top five spas I would like to visit... lucky for me I got to stopped by #3 last month.

Spa Moana at the Hyatt Maui

I went for a tour as soon as we arrived, to check the place out and grab a menu. After going back to my room and choosing my dream spa day... I scaled it back to a koana coffee scrub and Lomi Lomi massage since I only had 2 1/2 hours available.

When I arrived I was shown to the locker room to change and then a snack room to wait for my therapist. They had fresh fruit and water and the room was comfy and warm.

I was only there for about 2 minutes when my therapist arrived for my body scrub. They had several "flavors" to choose from and I went with Kona Coffee. It smelled AMAZING! When we arrived to the room I was super excited to see it was a Vische Shower!!

The bed was so comfortable, unusual for a vische treatment. My therapist started with a dry brushing and then moved into the scrub. Like I said it smelled amazing, but what made the treatment great was the pressure. Usually when I get a body scrub they just apply the salt and wash it off. Not here, she used a nice amount of pressure and really worked the scrub in. After she brought over the shower head and started my favorite part! For those who don't know vische is a 7 head shower that the therapist uses to massage off a body treatment. AMAZING! The therapist seemed really confident and comfortable doing the treatment. So I never felt uncomfortable and the treatment was relaxing and perfect. After the shower, she did some fancy origami with the sheets and towels and suddenly I was on dry fresh sheets, without ever getting up. The treatment was finished with an application of a light coconut milk on my body and a macadamia nut oil to my scalp. PERFECTION!

When my treatment was complete I was brought to a different waiting area filled with lounges and a spectacular view of the ocean.

Again I only waited for about 2 minutes before my next therapist arrived for my Lomi Lomi massage. Surprisingly she was from Monterey, so we had a lot to chat about. It was a great massage. I zoned out so I can't really give a play-by-play of the massage. The room was warm and the massage oil had a nice feel and texture.

After my massage I was super excited to get to the water rituals. I was happy to see that I would have the place all to myself. So I could take pics and relax in silence. I started with a shower to get some of the oil off before I went to steam. After the steam I hit up the soaking pool. A beautifully done tiled pool with a skylight. I ended my day with another shower then was off to meet my family for dinner.

Overall Spa Moana totally meet all my expectations and totally deserved a spot on my spa dream list.

What to Eat Wednesday

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite holiday treats!

Pumpkin pie... but how to make it so that it is good for your skin is the tough part.

Here is a link to a great recipe that I tried over Thanksgiving and plan to do again for Christmas and New Years. Pumpkin Walnut Pie

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

A Trip to Ying/Yang Spa... Day 4

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

My trip was coming to an end and I wanted one last visit to the spa to complete it. My husband had the Thai Massage the day before and loved it so I thought I would give it a try.

I didn't fork up for the water rituals so I arrived right on time to begin my treatment. My therapist greeted me and introduced herself, then brought me to my room. It was much smaller than all the others I had visited but it was warm and pleasant. After I changed and was on the table my therapist began the treatment.
She started out with the dry brushing and then moved into the poultices, starting at my feet she moved upward, towards my hips in a rolling motion with the warm lavender filled, cheese cloths. She then massaged each foot and leg with a lavender oil. The treatment was divine. After working my legs she moved to my arms and back. This was where it all came together, the warm compresses felt perfect on my sore, well traveled muscles. It was a perfect combination of heat and pressure. After I flipped, my therapist placed the compresses under my shoulders to help loosen them up. After massaging the front of my legs she went back to my shoulders. Between the warm heat and massage I felt like I could stretch my neck better than when I started my trip. It was such a great treatment I wish I could find someone here in Monterey that offers it! So amazing. They gave me the poultices to take home and reuse in a hot bath soak. Unfortunately they didn't fit in the suitcase... so they stayed in Rome. The perfect way to end my journey with the Norwegian Jade.

Haute Right Now... Marini Holiday Exfoliator

2011-11-29T14:01:00.001-08:00

Haute Right Now... Marini Holiday Exfoliator

SO IN LOVE!

First of all the packaging is ADORABLE, the scent is divine and the color is perfect. Everyone knows my absolute love of the JMSR products, but this one really takes the cake for me. I loved the idea last year of the holiday limited exfoliator and when Jan decided to continue the tradition, I was thrilled. When it arrived this year I was so delighted by the super cute packaging of a red box with a gingerbread man and tree branch. But the scent, a soft, gingerbread/sugar cookie, is what really makes this item a must have. It brings back the memories of making gingerbread houses and makes me want to eat it out of the jar with a spoon! Instead I use a quarter size amount on my freshly washed face, in circular movements and let sit for a minute or two before removing with a warm cloth and following with steps 2-5. Yum a perfect way to prep for the holidays or refresh after!

Where to buy.

Haute Right Now... Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream

2011-11-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

After a week at an Elemis spa I began to fall in love with a few of their products. This was my favorite find of the trip!

Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream... Elemis says, this exquisite shower cream veils the skin in a Milk Protein cocoon whilst enriching the body and balancing the skin.

Nourishing Camellia, Macadamia and Jojoba Oils deeply nourish and moisturise leaving skin satin soft, supple and healthy looking. Excellent for excessively dry skin.

It does all that and more. Usually when I think of a shower cream I think of those horrible lotion like creams you get from the grocery store. That is so not the case with this beauty. A light consistency and fresh baby powder scent greats you and a luxurious foam surprises you. It washes off completely and leaving soft, happy skin with no gritty residue. Perfect for those cold winter months that tend to dry out the skin no matter where you live!

Check out Elemis Here and find out how I discovered and fell in love with this beauty.

A Trip to Ying/Yang Spa... Day 3

2011-11-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

As I said in my last post I loved the Seaweed wrap so much I went back for it again. This time I had a nice therapist from the Philippines name Cher.

When I arrived she informed me I could have my treatment the same as yesterday or instead of the foil I could use the steam capsule. Always in for something new I went with the capsule.

The treatment started out the same, with the dry brushing and seaweed application but when all done, she closed the lid and I was in this little bubble with steam. I got a bit cold at first and it didn't heat up near as much as with the foil but it was very enjoyable. As I steamed Cher gave me a little scalp massage and then left the room so I could relax. I thought I would fall asleep like the previous day but it just wasn't as zen-ful, as it was wrapped up in my little cocoon. When Cher returned, she pushed a button and warm water began to shower me off. It was very interesting, I didn't have to get up or move. Way nicer than trying to maneuver to the shower wrapped in a tin foil mummy costume. She opened the lid and let me cool off a bit then used another shower to make sure all the seaweed was gone. She stepped out and I dried off and moved to the massage table. She ended the treatment with a nice massage with the Muscle Ease oil and off I went to dinner and a party with the rest of my group.

Pro... the capsule was new and I loved the steam and shower in one aspect.
Cons... the hard table and slippery surface were just not comfortable or relaxing.

What to Eat Wednesday...

2011-11-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's November and time for pumpkins, squash and turkey!

Here is my twist on a favorite I picked up in Italy.

Spaghetti al Peperoncini

I try not to eat pasta too much and recently discovered the joy of Spaghetti Squash.

1 squash will make enough for a large family or several meals for a small one so I freeze half after I cook it.

Pickup...
1/2 of a Spaghetti Squash
5 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs dry red chilli peppers (like the ones you put on pizza)
2 tsp of minced garlic

Bake the spaghetti squash. Here is a great article on how to prep and bake the squash. I cut mine in half, scrap out the seeds and bake at 375 until I can stick a fork in it. Once you have it cooked and "noodles" created, by scrapping it up with a fork, put it to the side. Saute the olive oil and garlic, adding in the chilli peppers. Once the garlic is golden brown toss in the "spaghetti" until coated. Enjoy!

Picture by Tammany

Haute Right Now... Elemis Muscle Ease Body Oil

2011-11-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Haute Right Now... Elemis Muscle Ease Body Oil

I discovered this beauty on a recent trip aboard the Norweigen Jade. I had previous experience (on another Norweigen Cruise) with Elemis and found it a little lacking. So when I showed up at my spa treatment an saw the line, you can say I was a less than excited. But it really surprised me. 3 products really caught my eye. Here is the first.

After walking up and down hills, steps and ancient ruins all day I was exhausted and around 5 days into the trip my legs were killing me. So when I was looking for a treatment to help with muscle soreness I was surprised when they recommended a seaweed wrap. Little did I know this was the secret ingredient. You can check out the details to the wrap here. But let me tell you about this oil, it has the usually icy/hot feeling and rosemary smell, you would expect in a muscle ease product. But it's long lasting results are what really impressed me. After a massage with this I was amazed at how great my legs felt. The aches were gone and my muscles were like putty. So after the treatment I bought a bottle and used it in the bath for the rest of my trip. The aches and tightness didn't return. The flight over to Europe was torturous, with my legs cramping and aching. So I decided to massage in a little of this before the flight back. Now the flight was still long and still not that comfortable but no cramping and way easier. This is definitely my Haute Right Now body oil... I just wish I had a bath tub in my house so I could continue to enjoy this blissful beauty.

A Trip to Ying & Yang Spa... Day 2

2011-10-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

So I loved my first treatment so much I went back for more the next day. Looking for a treatment to help with my tired muscles I opted for the Muscle Therapy Seaweed wrap. A 100 minute dream!

After winning big in the casino the night before, I arrived over an hour early and forked over the extra $30 to use the hydra-therapy center. Best decision ever! The front desk staff took me in and found me a locker, after a shower and change I started in. First I headed over to the steam room to detox and loosen up. It had the usual peppermint and eucalyptus scents, with long benches to relax. After 20 minutes there I headed back to the shower and then the plunge pool. A large, jetted bathtub with freezing water in it. Perfect for my tired legs, but a bit jolting. It would turn out to be my new favorite addiction. After the plunge I headed back to the steam room for another 20 minutes and another shower. This time instead of the regular shower I used the "tropical shower" a luke warm rain with lights and jungle sound... a little weird but nice. The sun was starting to set and I wanted a good view of the sail out of Kooper, so I headed over to the dry sauna.

One whole wall was covered in windows that overlooked the perfect view and sunset. After some time in the sauna I did another round of the tropical shower another plunge and then sat in the whirlpool until my therapist came to fetch me.

I was brought back to the same room and given the usual instructions. My therapist was a nice kid from Spain named Sergio. He started with the dry brush and application of the seaweed. Surprisingly not that bad smelling and it had a very interesting icy hot quality. After I was completely covered in it, I was wrapped in tin foil and blankets to heat up. And I did, I have never been in such a furnace of a body wrap. I almost tapped out but thankfully I fell asleep instead. As I cooked in my tin foil furnace, Sergio gave a fabulous scalp massage and then moved to my feet. I must have been asleep for quite some time since I came awake at the sound of bells. Sergio had already started the shower and removed the heavy covers. He helped me sit up (not easy when you are wrapped like a mummy) and maneuver to the shower. Where he left me to peel off the tin foil and wash off the seaweed. This is where I discovered my favorite new body wash. The Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream. A soft, creamy and foaming body wash that completely removed the hard to get seaweed and left my skin super soft. It has a nice baby powder scent and really feels amazing. After my shower I toweled off and got back on the bed. Where I was treated to the most amazing massage ever with the muscle ease body oil. I awoke again to the sound of bells and a glass of water.

Overall an amazing treatment... so great that I booked it again for the next day, but with a little twist.
Plus... amazing views, great water rituals, and super relaxing... just what I was looking for,
Not so plus... falling asleep... super embarrassing.

What to Eat Wednesday...

2011-10-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

My Favorite New Breakfast Shake... (from Women's Health Mag)

I recently found this recipe and now start my day with it! Kale is a SUPER food for healthy skin and almond butter is my new love.

Awesome Almond
Blend 1 small frozen banana, sliced; 3/4 cup kale, lightly packed stems removed. 3/4 c almond milk, 3/4 tbsp almond butter and 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger.

serves 1 233 cal 8g fat(,1 g sat), 37 g carbs, 134 mg sodium, 6g fiber, 6g protein.

A Trip to... The Ying & Yang Spa aboard the Norweigen Jade... Day 1

2011-10-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from an amazing trip to Italy and Croatia with my husband and his co-workers. 12 days of unbelievable food, wine and sites leave the body a bit beat up. Enter the Ying & Yang Spa on board the Norwegian Jade.

Our first day aboard ship I knew instantly I wanted to hunt down the spa. I was in desperate need of a mani/pedi and could really use a massage & facial after 13 hours on an airplane. I hopped in the line for the tours and booked their "welcome aboard" intro package along with a mani/pedi. A 75 min package of minis for $125. A great deal of a facial, body scrub and massage.

I arrive 30 minutes early to take advantage of the water rituals... only to be told you have to pay an additional $30 for that. So I passed.
My therapist came out, a super nice girl from Canada and takes me to my room. We spend way to much time on a consult... like 15 minutes (of the treatment time!) She leaves and I quickly get undressed and check out the room. They use Elemis... a product line I am vaguely aware of. The room was pleasant with a Hawaiian/ Japanese theme and warm. The bed is disappointing, just your regular fold out table and covered in towels... they don't have sheets? My therapist returns and begins the treatment. She starts with a great dry brush, using a cactus bristles and tea tree oil. I'm kicking myself for not bring this home with me. She moved on to the facial, talking the whole time she chooses a lavender treatment. She described each product and what they did and why I should take them home with me. I really hate when I get a spa service and they do this. Keep the sales pitch to the end with the post consult! The lavender treatment smelled amazing and really helped all my post flight breakouts. While I masked, she moves into a light massage and then removes the mask and has me flip to massage my back. After she returns with a glass of water, my bill, a list of recommendations and the hard sell to book more and buy more. The treatment itself was great. Towards the end I really relaxed and enjoyed it. I would have liked a little less talking. But the product were pleasant smelling and feeling, plus the room was great.

On to the mani/pedi. My therapist was a super, sweet girl from South Africa. She was great. I was pretty sleepy from the massage and my jet lag and super cold in the salon area. So she found me some towels to wrap up in and let me be to just relax through it. The view was amazing the pedi chairs faced a large window and I got to watch the sunset over the Venice skyline. Pretty amazing. Again they used the Elemis brand and she described each and every product with it's benefits. It was a great pedi and she used hot stones with an icy hot oil for massage, very unique feeling. I loved it. By the time we moved on to my manicure I realized I was running out of time and had to meet the others for dinner so I had her skip the paint and just buffed out my nails. Again I received the icy hot stone massage and a great mint scrub. Which I ended up taking home with me.

Overall I loved the spa and staff so I booked a seaweed wrap for the next day.
Plus... great decor, super nice staff, great views and nice products.
Not so plus... cold in the mani/pedi area, way to much product descriptions and rushing the treatment to sell more... not good.

Top 5 Beauty Tools

2011-09-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

5. Clarisonic Skin Brush

Imagine a 1 minute routine that will leave your skin soft, clean and tighter. Clarisonic does that for me. I discovered it a few years back and have been very impressed with the constant improvements the company is made. I now use the PRO series,(can only be purchased through a spa/salon/dr) with the new deep cleansing brush head. I have noticed all of my SCSU products work better and I need a lot less, streching my 30 day supply closer to 40.

4. High Tech Precission Tweezers by Becca

These tweezers get the tiny, itty-bitty, baby hairs that always irritate me and are close to impossible to grab. As someone who spends her day touching-up eyebrows this is one tool I really can't live without.

3. MAC 219 brush

I have around 10 of these. It's the one brush that does everything. From concealing blemishes, lines and wrinkles, to creating the PERFECT eye, smokey or classic 3.

2. Silk Pillow Case

Nothing is better than a little anti-aging while I sleep. Silk pillow cases are my secret weapon, it won't absorb moisture or products from your face & hair, and the smooth surface means you start the day with crease-free skin.

1. Q-tips

Really what can't you do with Q-tips. Fix, apply, clean, perfect they do it all.

What beauty tool can't you live without?

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Haute Right Now- Butter Balm by BECCA

2011-09-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with keeping my lips hydrated and protected. So I am always trying out new lip products; one of my favorites is the brown sugar scrub by Sara Happ and now this beauty is the perfect companion. Butter balm by Becca is a light, non-sticky, dream. It hydrates, nourishes and protects! What more could I ask for. Ingredients include Shea, Cocoa, Avocado and Jojoba Butter. The scent is perfect not to much but a nice sweet surprise when first applied. The packaging is so chic and pretty, deffinately not your boring lip balm. I use it under all my lipglosses as a base. It absorbs quickly, leaving a soft and smooth feel to the lips.

Pros... great packaging, perfect scent and a nice feel on the lips.

Cons... I'm totally addicted and have bought like 6 tubes to keep everywhere!

Check us out on FACEBOOK.

What to Eat Wednesday!

2011-08-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows I LOVE avocado and when I discovered this yummy recipe I knew I just had to share. It's perfect on a turkey wrap or raw veggies. YUM YUM!

1/2 C raw walnuts
1 tbs flaxseed oil
1 tbs walnut oil
1 tbs cilantro- finely chopped
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
1 tbs fresh lime juice
1/2 an avocado
1 tbs ground flaxseed

Combine all in a food processor and puree. Put in cute bowl and enjoy!

Beat Acne...

2011-08-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have tried everything to beat back my breakouts. Here are my top tips to beating acne.

1. Ice. Ice helps inflammation from getting worse. Pre-freeze some little dixie cups with ice. Completely cleanse your skin first, then ice your zits for a minute or two. Working in circular motions and never staying in one spot too long.

2. Get uniodized salt. Iodides are the culprit in the foods that you eat - it irritates the follicle walls and breaks you out.

3. Cut out/back diary, legumes and wheat! Stop eating peanut butter, peanuts and/or peanut oil. Try organic, un-salted Almond butter.

4. Use fragrance free laundry soap, toss out the fabric softener and the softener sheets. Fabric softener is basically wax residue - that's the softness that you feel. The wax rubs off on your skin clogging your pores and irritating the skin!

5. Start taking zinc supplements. I prefer zinc monomethionine. Eat first before taking or you could feel a little upset stomach.

Thanks for the pic... BEAUTIFUL BUSINESS WOMAN IN BOXING GLOVES
© Ken Hurst | Dreamstime.com

My Top 5 Beauty Idols

2011-08-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

#5. Who doesn't love Nicole Kidman's Skin... AMAZING.

Picture from http://www.celebritywallpaper.co/Nicole-Kidman-wallpaper-12.html

#4 Kate Middleton- The Duchess of Cambridge. I just love how young and fresh she is and how she doesn't try to over do-it.

Picture from http://our-daily.com/bruce-oldfield-kate-middleton-wedding-gown-designer/2121/

#3. Elizabeth Taylor... The strong brow, amazing skin. I love all things Elizabeth.

Picture from http://fashionforrealwomen.com/blog/elizabeth-taylor-trend-setter/

#2. Blake Lively... Again that clean, fresh look but with a CA spin.

Picture from http://modedevoted.blogspot.com/2010/06/common-style-icons.html

#1. Angelia Jolie... I like how she can wear her makeup crazy or mild. And her skin ALWAYS looks amazing.

Picture from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/angelina-is-named-beauty-icon-of-the-decade-1852575.html

Don't forget to follow on Facebook for giveaways and more!

Haute Right Now... Rose Visage

2011-08-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

Haute Right Now... Rose Visage

Ok, So I am a total JMSR junkie but lately I have been looking for a little fun in my Skincare Routine. Enter Rosee Visage. Normally I skip toners, they just seem like a waste. But I was introduced to this beauty a few months back and fell in LOVE. I use it a little differently than a traditional toner. More as a prep step/lazy fix. I soak two cotton rounds with the rosee and use it to remove ALL, including eyes of my makeup prior to my cleanse. It works great. With a nice fresh scent. And on those nights when I just want to fall into bed. I use it heavily, remove all of my makeup apply a light moisture and go to sleep. Definitely not something you want to do nightly but a great quick lazy solution.

Pro... light scent, not squeaky feeling and an amazing makeup remover
Cons... added expense of cotton.

Haute Giveaway

2011-07-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

So I have been MIA lately with school and work flooding me. So here is a little giveaway to make up for it.

A beautiful everyday wash. I love the fresh, zing feel this wash leaves when you are done. Red Grapefruit, Cardamom, Orange and Sweet Almond remove impurities and dirt without causing dryness or irritation. Refresh your skin, reduce puffiness, and protect from harmful bacteria.
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free; no harsh detergents (SLS)
• No artificial dyes
• No artificial fragrances
• No petrochemicals
• No animal by-products

How to enter!

Must!
Like doranpskincare or Hauteskin on FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Leave a comment on this post with your FB or Twitter id.

Extra Entries....

Tweet this post with #beauty and #giveaway in the tweet and leave a comment here with a copy of the tweet url. (can be done 1 a day)
Blog about this giveaway and leave a copy of the blog url in the comments.

Open to US residents 18 and over!

Haute Right Now... Equavie Cleansing Milk

2011-07-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Haute Right Now... Equavie Cleansing Milk

I went on a hunt for a great natural cleanser. I was turned on to this line by a rep for another line and I must say I agree! A perfect sweet honey/lemon scent and a smooth satin texture I am hooked. I love that it is certified organic, has the EcoCert and BioCosmetique. I applied with dry hands and face, worked it in a bit and the used my Clarisonic Pro. My skin is soft and happy after! No breakouts after over a week of use. I love the simple packaging and the generous amount of product in the bottle. (6.7 oz.) I didn't pick up the toner but I plan to in the future. I also picked up the nourishing oil and balancing moisturizer. I haven't taken them out yet but will write about them when I do.

Pick it up and give it a try you will be in love.

Check out my Facebook page or twitter for more contests/giveaways and tips!

Haute Tip... What those pesky breakout could be trying to tell you.

2011-06-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

What do those annoying breakouts mean on your face?

Your breakout can be a helpful tool in discovering what is going on with your body.

Here is a quick (kinda scary looking) sketch on what your breakout could mean. I use a food journal to compare my breakouts with and see what foods/drinks/supplements are not agreeing with my skin. I noticed that every time I eat wheat/flour I break out along my jawline. I cut out breads and the breakouts disappeared. I noticed the same thing every time I eat dairy, only the breakouts occur just under my cheekbones. Remember healthy skin starts from the inside! What are your breakouts trying to tell you? Feel free to email me with questions.

My Friday Must Have...

2011-06-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Becca Cosmetics Brush Soap

This brush soap is the best I have ever used. I love how soft, clean and fresh my brushes feel after.
Unlike with spray on or shampoo my brushes instantly retake their shape and aren't left looking damaged. I wet the brush bristles and swirl around on the soap pad until it rinses clean. The scent is a lemon zest that leaves the brushes smelling perfect but it isn't a lingering smell. One tin lasts me about a month, I wash my brushes after every use (since they are on different people) and I wash about 150 brushes a day. So it lasts a fair amount of time.
Becca describes it as:
Designed with your prized makeup brushes in mind, this unique Professional Brush Soap is formulated to clean, condition and sanitize, lengthening the lifespan of your brushes and making them work better for you. In a unique vintage-style shaving tin, this soap is designed for all brush shapes and sizes and works on both natural and synthetic fibers.
Unlike shampoo, which is designed for human hair types and can leave brushes limp or brittle, this special soap is universal in its cleansing properties. Its solid formula is made from nourishing plant oils ensuring that it is gentle on brush fibers while tough on product build-up. Unwashed, brushes can be a common breeding ground for bacteria, which can in turn cause skin irritation and blemishes, along with reduced application performance.

Check it out at Becca.

What to Eat Wednesday...

2011-06-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Every Day Paleo by Sarah Fragoso

This book is a must for flawlessly, beautiful skin. Sarah's tips, tricks and recipes on how to live an easy and effortless paleo lifestyle are perfect. I picked up the book way back when it was first published and have used it as my go to resource for all things Paleo. I am super excited it is now available on itunes. I have been a long time follower of her blog; between her and Paleo Plan my gradual change to Paleo has been quite easy. Paleo is a quick easy way to banish your acne, inflamed or premature aging skin. Great skin starts from deep inside the body. With a healthy, natural diet, some great skincare products and professional treatments my skin has never looked better. Her book is now available for itunes and is easy to find on Amazon.

Thank you to Amazon for the pictures.