The Cognizant Bella Blog

The Cognizant Bella Has a New Home

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 00:01:00 +0000

The Cognizant Bella Blog can now be found at https://bellaopulence.com/blogs/cognizantbella

See You There!

Reflections on Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 14:50:00 +0000

We all have something to be thankful for. Each of us has done something extraordinary in this lifetime. Have you ever had a moment when you sit back and marvel at your accomplishments? Just to say “Wow”, to be proud and grateful for your abilities? Isn’t that a fulfilling experience!? If not, I encourage you to reflect. You are wonderful and have done wonderful things! What if you did this more often? Here is what it would do for you…

A grateful heart has more courage and less stress.

People who show gratitude regularly are shown to have an overall satisfaction with life. Stress levels remain low because when you begin each day with gratitude, even the most stressful situations you encounter pale in comparison to all of the goodness in your life. This also keeps your skin clear because stress triggers blemishes, acne and discoloration.

How often are you grateful? Perhaps during Thanksgiving at that time when you go around the table and state what you are thankful for? That’s a great start! I’m sure you are grateful again around December 25 or so but what if you were grateful every single day?

A Challenge

Living on God’s green earth we have an innumerable amount of things to be thankful for. I once read a book (I don’t remember which one!) that challenged the readers to write 3 things we are grateful for each morning before beginning the day. I took the challenge and I am hooked! I also try not to repeat. Be thankful for something different each day. This stretches your thinking and allows you to really savor the happy times in your life. I now challenge you to keep a gratitude journal for 21 days. Before you start thinking of the many tasks of the day, take a quiet moment to appreciate the day. Write 3 things (or more) each morning and watch the transformation in your life.

Need a boost getting started?

1. What do you like about the earth?

Leaves changing colors, random flower you saw in the grass, lovely temperature that day, beautiful place you traveled to… etc.

2. What do you enjoy about your work?

Flexibility, pay, fulfilling, benefits, coworkers…

3. What do you love about yourself?

Your smile, your eyes, your personality, your hair…

4. What do you enjoy about your home?

Décor, windows, your favorite spot, new pillow, faces the sunlight…

These are some examples to use that will last you at least 5 days. It doesn’t matter how small or trivial the things are. You are allowed to be grateful for the massive and the miniscule.

I know it can be hard but keep the negative answers out of this! Some are so accustomed to negativity that it flows so freely from their mouths. Have you ever been on your way out to dinner and been asked what you want to eat? Did you tell the other person what you didn’t want? That wasn’t the question! Don’t do that in your gratitude journal! Really reflect on what you enjoy about life and record it as what you are thankful for in your journal.

Are you up for the challenge?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

3 Incredibly Easy Ways to Sleep Your Way to Your Best Skin Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 08:55:00 +0000

Last week we learned that our bodies do a few thousand things while we sleep. Among these, Human Growth Hormone (HGH) provides serious skin benefits that fight lines, wrinkles, and oxidation of free radicals that can lead to the aging of our skin. If your skin does all of the work while you sleep, why do you still have acne, blemishes, dull, dry skin... why are you still showing signs of aging? That's a new wrinkle! Perhaps you haven't fully sipped from sleep's fountain of youth. There are a few things you should do at night before bed to maximize this powerful time for your skin that will produce immediate results.

But First...

If you have not had at least 4 hours of deep sleep each night for an extended period of time you can expect dull lifeless skin that tends to age quicker because it does not have the adequate time it needs to rebuild the collagen in skin or produce new skin cells. Note: lack of sleep also affects your health and dismantles your ability to ward off infection. For more info on what your skin does when you sleep, read last week’s post here. Here are 3 incredibly easy ways to maximize your slumber and give your skin an extra boost while you sleep.

Go to Bed with Clean Skin

This extends beyond washing the makeup off of your face. Cleansing your body before bed is a must. It gets rid of the toxins and debris your body came in contact with during the day. Remember cellular repair and regeneration happen at night. When your skin is still soiled from the day (chemicals linger in the air and can seep through the fabric of your clothing) your skin is repairing under a layer of dirt that can clog pores and cause skin issues.

A warm bath or shower can also relax the muscles and make you drowsy because of the temperature change. From hot bathroom to cool bedroom equal tranquility. If showers wake you up, incorporate essential oils in the bathroom that can aid in relaxation such as lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint.

Moisturize Heavily

Lotion at night is an absolute big fat no-no! A richer moisturizer before bed such as Silk is essential. Such a moisturizer made with flowers that contain vitamins such as pantothenic acid (B5) retains water, produces energy, aids cells in regeneration and growth, makes cells multiply faster, and generate connective tissue to repair the skin. When you sleep, B5 helps to build collagen which keeps skin wrinkle free and literally boosts the functions that already happen while you slumber! Find B5 in the Lavender and Pure Vanilla Silk Moisturizers.

A rich moisturizer before bed also protects skin from moisture loss during the time that you sweat at night when your skin is working in overdrive. When you sweat, you not only release toxins, but also moisture that can be lost if not locked in. This is the holistic key to anti-aging that I promised you in last week’s post! A rich moisturizer! It’s. That. Easy.

Pro Tip: Apply a thick layer of Silk Moisturizer to feet before bed and then protect feet with socks. Repeat this for a week and say hello to the feet of a newborn baby.

Set the Environment

Be sure your environment is conducive to sleep. Do you wake up often at night? Are you restless? Get rid of the myth of “I just don’t sleep well”. Create a space to sleep well. Make sure the room is dark. Do not fall asleep to your favorite late night TV show. The blue light from the television deeply disturbs the REM sleep cycle. The same is true for your phone and electronic devices. Turn them off. Close the blinds if there is a bright light outside your window, or sleep with an eye mask. Light tells the body’s clock to wake. Darkness tells it to sleep.

Cool the room. Remember your body temperature goes through several changes at night. To fall asleep and stay asleep through the deep sleep cycle where skin regeneration happens, a cooler environment is needed. Your body cools, warms to the point of sweating, and then cools again. If you are uncomfortable in any way during this process, you disturb your sleep rhythm thus cutting the flow of your fountain of youth. Perhaps save those matching flannel pajamas just for the Christmas morning photos and opt for a lighter fabric to sleep in.

How do you maximize your sleep?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

3 Reasons Why Sleep is the Fountain of Youth

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 15:39:00 +0000

Daylight savings time is ending on Sunday November 4. This is the beginning of the hibernation season because that hour of daylight we were given in the evening will be shifted back into its morning slot. Our seven months of evening sunshine are about to be replaced with waking up to a sunrise, and a sun set around 5pm. What does that mean for you? The fountain of youth! We have found it! You get one extra hour of sleep this weekend, potentially more sleep this fall and winter, and it can change your life!

Our bodies have gotten accustomed to our 24 hour clock. When it is dark for extended periods of time, we become drowsy. Your skin regenerates when you sleep, and even starts the process when you become drowsy and melatonin is released. What happens to skin as you sleep? I’m thrilled that you asked! New cells are formed, more collagen is produced, skin tissues are repaired… your skin goes into overdrive. This week we shall discuss what sleep does for your skin and next week, how you can maximize your slumber time.

While you were Sleeping…

As you drift off to sleep, your skin has already begun its second shift. Every night faithfully it works overtime (without being paid time and a half) to undo the damage done to it during the day. On the day shift, your skin is playing defense and works to protect you from pollution, environmental toxins, the wind, and even the sun (Read more here). But it is at night that your skin becomes proactive to give you a little dose of the fountain of youth.

Cellular Repair

Have you ever heard of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)? This is what your body snaps into gear when melatonin is released. Fun fact: it is also released during exercise for muscle repair. HGH heals wounds, creates new skin cells and replaces the dead cells with new ones and it does this up to three times faster at night! Have you ever had night sweats? That is all a part of the process. Aside from repairing your skin, you body is also in overdrive at night fighting disease and keeping you healthy. Because it is working so hard, you sweat. The sweat releases toxins that you might have come in contact with during the day.

Anti-aging

As your cells are being repaired, collagen is produced in the second layer of your skin to fill it in and smooth those little dips called wrinkles that appear. Elastin then steps in to pull the skin taunt and make sure it bounces back. As we age natural collagen production slows and the wrinkles deepen, but don’t worry just yet. Check back next week for a holistic solution. Melatonin is also an antioxidant and it protects skin from free radicals that could drastically age the skin if they were given the chance to oxidize. Antioxidant= Anti-aging.

Lack of sleep is the leading cause of skin issues. Why? When you are sleep deprived, your body releases more cortisol (the stress chemical) than melatonin and it causes a lot of issues that we discussed here. Your skin is not given the proper opportunity to repair when you do not get enough sleep. If you want baby soft skin, you must do what babies do- sleep!

How much sleep do you need for beautiful skin? 7-9 hours per night is always the good answer, but studies show that your skin does all of its hard work in 4 hours between midnight and 4am. Your skin also begins to work while you are still awake. Between 10 and 11 pm when melatonin is released, your skin begins its night shift routine. The verdict: Get restful sleep. Sure your skin begins the process while you are awake, but you need at least 4 hours of deep sleep for your skin to do the heavy lifting. To properly move through the sleep cycles so that you fall into deep sleep, you need at least 6 hours each night.

Are you sipping from the fountain of youth?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Tricks and Treats: How to Survive Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 05:30:00 +0000

Halloween is the start to the season when our beloved clean routine is at the peak of the roller coaster. We have climbed slowly this far all year when suddenly… whoosh! We are pushed off and begin accelerating downhill at rapid pace of not so good decisions. After Halloween there is Thanksgiving, Christmas, all the parties in between then 10-25 lbs later and blemished skin, a New Year’s resolution of fitness is #1 on the list, and a better skincare routine is a close second. Sound familiar? This year, let’s stop that DEAD in its tracks! (See what I did there? Haha!)

So how do you keep your holiday clean so your skin and your health are not affected? Let’s face it.. there will be fun! It is officially party season, and I mean all of America parties! October – January spell PARTY. Here are a few ideas.

Face Paint
Whether you are going to a party or taking the kids out, find a clean alternative to toxic face and body paints. Make your own with a cornstarch and water base. The base can be used as white paint. Use activated charcoal powder for black, beetroot powder for red, turmeric for yellow, matcha for green. And viola! You have the colors you want and no allergic reactions/ redness or irritation tomorrow.

Candy
You have seen the commercials. The big brands know what time it is, but be strong! Resist! I know Halloween is non-existent without candy so give children natural candy with less sugar if you can. Besides a whopping 3 teaspoons of sugar in a fun sized candy bar, it can also contain artificial colors that are linked to cancer. If you have already stocked up, give it all away. Any leftover candy means that you eat it! Stay away from the candy in the break room and at the receptionist desk. HR is also a danger zone. And for those of you who have a bowl of candy on your desk in your office... no words.

Sugar overload causes breakouts and blemishes on your face and body or even worse- sugar is the fuel yeast needs to spread through the body and has been linked to yeast infections. Overload also can cause colds and can accelerate the flu because sugar weakens your cells that fight off bacteria.

I hear your thoughts. You are inwardly saying, “I only do this once a year what’s the harm? One binge day won’t hurt.” My friend that makes it worse! If you are a clean eater most of the time, you will send you body into shock and be even more susceptible to the above. Whenever I have a sugar binge it is written all over my face and chest the next day in blemishes. Tattle tale.

Sugar Detox
Ok you’re not convinced. Yeah yeah, I hear you promising yourself that you won’t have another cheat day until Thanksgiving. But just in case you fall off into the deep end face down full speed into a belly flop, there are a few things you do to get back on track.

1. Cut sugar cold turkey! Sugar is addictive; one taste will guarantee you will crave more. When you have a craving, reach for almonds instead and eat them one by one. You will get sick of chewing and the magnesium that sparked the chocolate craving is also in almonds and will satisfy you.

2. Drink lots of water to flush out your system. This will help with the blemishes.Use a sea salt scrub to detox as well for severe acne and blemishes.

3. Don’t deprive yourself, replace sugar with something else. I recommend green smoothies, fresh squeezed/ cold pressed juices, and natural cacao powder. Cacao, peanut butter, banana, in a protein smoothie tastes just like a peanut butter cup!

Are you up to the challenge of a Clean Halloween?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

How to Brighten, Tighten, and Glow with Pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 16:22:00 +0000

It's pumpkin season! Pumpkin latte, pumpkin bread, pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin herbal tea, pumpkin monkey bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin chili (which was delicious!) pumpkin coffee… ok I think you get the point. I am going pumpkin crazy! Pumpkin is a delicious gift that is synonymous with the fall season and makes us feel warm inside. But as you guessed it, it has fabulous skin benefits! So before you throw away the flesh from that pumpkin that you just carved, read on!

Pumpkin is controversially a fruit that grows on a vine on the ground which allows it to soak up lots of the minerals and vitamins that are in the soil. It has ingredients inside it that freshen the skin like beta carotene which turn into retinol and vitamin A. It is rich in vitamin C and naturally contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), enzymes, zinc, magnesium, and even B vitamins which produce collagen. Pumpkin from the flesh to the seeds is great for anti aging and evening the skin tone for a glowing complexion. Vitamin C, Zinc, and AHAs are the main properties of pumpkin which benefit your skin in this way.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid is a powerful antioxidant that occurs naturally in the skin. As aging happens, the levels of vitamin C in the skin decline. Vitamin C in pumpkin can benefit the skin by topic or oral application. It reduces skin damage from harmful sun rays and can aid in quicker healing of wounds. Vitamin C literally fills in wrinkles, and reduces dry skin when taken as a supplement. Vitamin C communicates with the skins sells to produce collagen and fights with antioxidants for total skin health.

Zinc

Eating pumpkin seeds or “pepitas” gives the body and skin zinc which has rich anti inflammatory and immune boosting properties. What a mineral! Zinc plays a vital role in brain health and fights off bacteria. It has been linked to healing eczema and rosacea. Applying pumpkin seed oil or products with pumpkin as an active ingredient helps to heal and remove the scars of mild acne. It also is a natural sun protectant and can be found as the active ingredient zinc oxide in most sun creams.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

These fabulous acids produce even skin tone by gently exfoliating the skin. The AHAs in pumpkin also help with collagen promotion, brighten the complexion and even skin tone. Natural AHAs are a gently way to exfoliate the gentle tissues of your facial skin when you prefer not to use a sugar or sea salt base. It goes to work on the dermis level of skin to rebuild collagen fibers that tend to break down as we age. Collagen production slows, it does not stop and AHAs can help to turn the clock back to faster production.

How do you use pumpkin for your skin?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

You Put What in That!? Oh Yes I Did.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 16:39:00 +0000

First Thing’s First

This week Bella moved to the Big Apple! We are now headquartered in New York City! This has been a dream of mine for quite some time, and in 2016 I set a date and a plan. Now that plan changed at least 20 times in between, but I made it to New York City on target! Right on the mark! On the exact date!

And it’s all because of you! Thank you so much to my Bellas and Bellos for your support, love, and kind words. There would be no business without my clientele, and it is my pleasure to serve you. Now, do you have a New York minute for hemp seed oil? See what I did there? *Slaps knee*😆 Ha! That was so good!

Hemp seed oil

Hemp Plant

Hemp seed oil has been used for generations to keep the body healthy and the skin beautiful! It is not to be confused with marijuana, as hemp is rich in CBD (cannabidiol) which has the skin and superfood benefits, and not THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the psychoactive aspect. The help plant was also used for textiles, rope, clothing, paper and much more! It is a very versatile plant that has many functions. Its oil is a deep green color with an earthy scent. It’s green, it's mean, it’s a cancer fighting machine! You put WHAT in my Silk Moisturizer?!

Hemp Seed Oil

Oh yes I did, and this is why you want it.

Hemp seed (oil) is a superfood- a nutrient-rich food and especially beneficial for health and well-being. (dictionary.com)
Natural anti-inflammatory
Combats acne
Fine lines and wrinkles don’t stand up to this powerful antioxidant
Dry oil that absorbs into skin without a greasy feeling
A fantastic oil for oily skin because it hydrates, and moisturizes without clogging pores
Ultra moisturizer that soothes dry skin
Protects skin from damage caused by environmental exposure
Kills [nonmelanoma] skin cancer
Fatty acids heal and protect against sun damage
Protects and repairs the skins layer
Rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which keeps skin supple and smooth
Contains Vitamin E
Plumps skin
Firms and tightens
Cleanses the skin
Contains Chlorophyll which kills germs, fights yeast to heal wounds/ cuts/scrapes/ burns, blasts bacteria and inflammation
Contains Bioactive phytochemicals which protect your skin cells from cancer

Find hemp seed oil in Bella Opulence’s Silk Moisturizer. This superfood ingredient is another reason the moisturizer is so effective, rich and lightweight tackling the severest form of eczema and dermatitis and leaving skin feeling luxurious and baby smooth.

Note: Hemp seed oil contains only 0.3% THC (marijuana is 25% THC) which means it cannot produce a high or change your mental state.

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

31 Reasons Why You Should Use Turmeric

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:50:00 +0000

There are a few grand ingredients that I love and that I must never run out of. Coconut Oil, my essential oils, rose water, and turmeric! If you haven’t used this superfood miracle, I am sure that you have at least heard of it. Turmeric comes from the southeastern region of Asia and India in a beautiful flowering plant of the ginger family. Even though I love a good curry with lot of spice, there are so many other fantastic reasons and ways to incorporate Turmeric into your routine for healthy glowing skin and optimal health. I found about 120,000… but I decided to cut that down to 31 so that you would continue to read my blog. 😏*nervous laugh*

Why You Should Use Turmeric

Superfood that heals/fixes about everything
Comes from the ginger family (another amazing superfood!)
Contains circumin which is an antioxidant and anti inflammatory
Reduces inflammation and soothes skin leaving no trace of it behind
Fact: most skin issues are due to inflammation
Anti bacterial- fights cancer and disease (especially skin cancer and stomach cancer)
Reduces skin redness and irritation
Gets rid of acne and its scars!
Heals wounds (like acne scars and skin damage)
Gets rid of eczema and psoriasis!
Brings your skin back to a natural glow
Boosts your immune system
Boost memory
Fights diabetes and heart disease
Anti aging
Reverses sun damage
Whitens teeth
Promotes hair growth
Lowers cholesterol levels
Promotes weight loss
Soothes the stomach
Improves digestion and natural bowel movements
Relieve aching muscles and joints
Anti-itch
Find it in any grocery store in the spice aisle

How to Incorporate Turmeric into Your Routine
.
Sprinkle a little on your toothbrush with your toothpaste for an extra whitening boost. Will stain your toothbrush. Set aside toothbrush only for this treatment.
You can also mix turmeric with baking soda and a bit of coconut oil to make your own paste. Will stain your toothbrush. Set aside toothbrush only for this treatment.
Use my face mask recipe for glowing skin, acne blasting, and scar soothing super power.
Use Bella’s Lemon Poppy Pearl exfoliator which contains just a dash of turmeric to deeply clean your pores and restore glowing skin in just one use! P.S. the turmeric amount in Pearl will not stain your skin 🙂
Use it to spice your food. It is delicious on chicken, rice, eggs, vegetables, your morning smoothie, of course curry, soup, hummus, or even sprinkled on salads.
Add 1 tsp to your deep conditioner and massage in to promote hair growth. Avoid if you have blonde or light colored hair!!!!
Make a turmeric paste from turmeric and aloe vera gel to relieve severe itching. Leave the paste on until itching subsides and then wash off. Choose a towel that you don’t mind getting stained with its golden hues

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

The Perfect Cooldown for your Skin. Mind. Body.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 15:08:00 +0000

Winter is coming and do you know what that means? Peppermint Everything! Peppermint latte, lip balm, peppermint limited edition body wash in stores, candy canes, peppermint bark, you name it. Peppermint is to winter what Pumpkin is to Fall! But besides being a fun winter flavor, peppermint has healing properties that date back to ancient times and that can heal your skin, mind, and body.

Peppermint is invigorating with a cooling sensation. It is a natural antiseptic which cleanses the skin to reduce pimple size and relieve the symptoms of acne. It is anti-pruritic (anti-itch) which is soothing to eczema and irritated skin. While great for the body, it also soothes the respiratory tract and relieves congestion activating with your shower steam turning your ordinary shower into a healing stream.

Skin

Cools down on contact! Great for after a workout, heavy activity, or hot flashes. Private summers are real. Try Fresh Mint Pearl for the ultimate shower cool down.
Eliminates dry flaky skin, chapped lips, and dandruff.
Antiseptic, antimicrobial and an antioxidant for skin. It is an astringent for an extra layer of clean. Clears pores and reduces acne because it balances sebum levels of the skin.
Pairs well with Lavender Silk for a great night’s sleep. The cooling sensation of the mint mixed with the calming lavender will leave your skin and your mind relaxed and ready for slumber.

Mind

Improves memory.
Increases concentration.
Relieves stress and anxiety.
Peppermint tea gives you a boost during the day when you need to concentrate on a daunting but important task.
Peppermint aromatherapy will also help ease the mind by adding peppermint essential oil to a diffuser, with steam, or applying topically to the areas of interest.

Body

Clears congestion in sinuses and lungs, and the common head cold. Just inhaling the aroma from the Fresh Mint Pearl in your shower steam will clear mucus in your respiratory tract without the side effects of medication.
Relieves headaches by applying a small drop of mint essential oil and a few drops of coconut oil topically to temples and massaging gently. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. You will have relief in a few minutes.
Drinking peppermint tea can relieve an upset stomach and promote healthy digestion after a meal.
Relieves sore muscles. Have you tried Fresh Mint Pearl? A few drops of mint essential oil can be added to a foot bath to soothe achy feet.

How do you use peppermint oil?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Fall Beauty Tips to Start Now

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:34:00 +0000

When transitioning your skin for the cooler weather it is important to start your transition now instead of waiting for the cooler temps to come. When the seasons change, so do your hormones which affect your skin. If your skin is sensitive or if irritation occurs easily all times of year, it is even more essential that you begin now. If you have dry skin in the summer like me, then your skin is prone to cracking and can feel like a reptile’s skin in the colder months. Transitioning now gives your skin less of a shock and seamless move into the frigid months when we should protect our skin the most.

Fall Beauty Tips to Start Now

Use a heavier moisturizer

Switch from a water based lotion to an oil based moisturizer like Silk, especially at night. When the temps cool, the moisture goes out of the air leaving your skin prone to extreme dryness. Even with layers of clothing on, your skin can still dry out and become itchy under all of that fabric. An oil based moisturizer will keep you hydrated. You must use these on damp skin for maximum results.

Protect your cuticles. Try Silk on your hands after washing them for extra protection against cracked cuticles and dry brittle nails.

Protect your lips

Your face will come into contact with the cooler temps the most. Make sure you protect your lips from cracking, peeling, and aging by using a vitamin infused lip nourisher like Petal. This will smooth the lips and fill in those little lines that creep in. A lip nourisher is your first line of defense. Use it under your favorite fall color matte lipstick. You know the one. The one that dries your lips out completely, but the color looks so good on you and it lasts all day! Petal can give you that same look, and prevent your lips from drying out.

EXFOLIATE

I know you hear me say this a lot, but exfoliation is the T R U T H! It will kill that dry flaky skin, circulate your blood which brings life and color back into your skin, and hydrate at the same time. The only change: cut back to exfoliating once a week (as opposed to 2-3 times in the summer). If your skin is cracked or irritated, skip the exfoliation until it heals. Sea Salt will burn. Don’t forget the moisturizer. You will need it! Have you tried Pearl yet? Routine winter-feed.

Add an extra 30 minutes to your sleep.

I just heard you scream *HA!*, but read on. Your skin regenerates at night so it’s important that it has the time it needs to turn over those new skin cells that protect you from dryness, aging, and that keep the skin glowing. An extra 30 minutes to an hour of deep restorative sleep will do the trick.

Pamper Yourself with Beauty Masks

One of my favorite things to do for fall and winter beauty are masks! Here are my favorite hair and face masks with ingredients that you can find right in the kitchen.

Hair Mask

1C of mayonnaise, 1 egg yolk, and ¼ C of olive or coconut oil is a great protein treatment and a protection barrier against heat from flat irons and blow dryers. I have seen this work on all hair types. Jut rinse with cold water or else you will cook the egg!

My Absolute Favorite Face Mask

¼ C flour, 2 Tsp turmeric and full fat whole milk. Pour in the milk 1 Tbsp at a time slowly and stir until you reach the consistency of pancake batter. Place on face and let dry. Remove with a washcloth that you don’t mind getting stained. You will have to wash your face afterward to remove all of the turmeric. This recipe makes a lot, but will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. It gives your skin a nice glow and feels so soft after! Avoid you hairline and eyebrows but I definitely use it under eye. You will look instantly radiant and men flock to a woman who has a bit of a yellowish tint in her face.

How do you transition into fall beauty?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

The Effects of Stress on Your Skin: The Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 16:01:00 +0000

“Rain only matters when there is a seed in the ground”.

Get to the Root of the Cause; Heal from the Inside Out.

Last week you graciously allowed me to share my very vulnerable journey of my battle with stress over the last year and what it has done to my skin. I also found that some of my clients share the same issues with stress induced acne/ blemishes/ body acne. This week I have some solutions that have worked for me and some are inspiration from others.

All of these solutions are holistic and will keep your skin/mind/ and body happy and healthy naturally. There is no point to treat or conceal your acne and the other effects of stress without addressing the root cause as well. If you become stressed again, they symptoms will only appear again. Let’s attack the built up stress instead and the lifeless skin and acne will melt away. Below are ways to attack stress and the effects of it.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are a great way to release stress from the mind and body and can work better than medication. Just one whiff can change your brain chemistry and shift your mood. When applied topically* they can even have beautifying properties. The best essential oils to lift your mood and center you back into peace can be found here. Of course, don’t forget Lavender. These oils can be used in a diffuser, applied topically, and/ or found in your products. Read the labels and look for your favorites that are scented with essential oils.

Meditate/ Pray/ Breathe Deeply

In the Busy Mom’s Skincare Guide to Back to School post, I talked about how important it is to take an hour for yourself each day. An hour may seem like a lot, but your sanity and your skin depend on it! Remember this is NOT being selfish. When you are a basket case you cannot give those you love and your work the best version of you. A smile can only hide so much.

Even if you have to break “me time” up into 30 minutes in the morning, and 30 minutes at night, this practice of taking some time for yourself will bring you back into focus on what you really want and what you are thankful for. When you know what you want, you remember that this stress is only for a moment and will soon pass.

Remember Your Dreams, Goals, and Objectives

It is so important to set goals! Short term, long term, or even daily tasks are pertinent because it gives you an insight into where you are going. When plans do not go as expected, we tend to focus on the isolated incident of temporary defeat instead of keeping our eye on the bigger picture; the goal. It is dangerous to go through life without goals. How do you know where you are going or what you want out of life if you have never set a goal or objective?

You Are in Control

Stress only lasts as long as you permit it to. Do not remain negative and wallow in your sorrow. This will only magnify your stressful situation. Remember to eat clean and drink plenty of water. You brain needs water for function properly. Change your environment if need be. Is what you are currently doing getting you closer to what you want or is it moving you further away from it? This is your world, take charge of it!

What do you do to naturally manage your stress?

* do not apply full strength undiluted essential oils directly to skin. They are super concentrated and can cause burns. Always use a carrier oil such as coconut oil or look for products that are scented with essential oils.

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

The Effects of Stress on Your Skin: The Problem

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:06:00 +0000

This post comes to you straight from my experience. It is pretty personal and very vulnerable for me. Please don’t read it. I contemplated writing this because I am a very private person and I DO NOT like to dwell on negativity. Why tell? No one understands and probably can’t help me anyway. So I’ll just keep this strong woman mask on my face and rah rah! Blah blah. But after vaguely mentioning this (and I do mean vaguely) to some of my clients, I find we share some of the same issues with the effects of stress on our skin and have been searching for solutions… so let’s discover them together.

Everything goes wrong at the same time.

When I become stressed I get SERIOUS blemishes. The life and color in my face completely go away. Acne appears out of nowhere on my face and body (bacne) and to make matters worse, they leave scars and dark spots! On my face, chest, shoulders and back… just tell the world that I’m a ball of nerves right now why don’t you! I woke up one morning last week and was taken aback because I looked dead. My face was gray. My under eye area and my lips were so dark, almost black. I didn’t recognize myself and laid the concealer on thick that day because I’m sure I had a Popup shop! I couldn’t hide the blemishes on my chest.

How can I sell these beauty products if I can’t keep my own skin under control!? ßNegative self talk, don’t do that!

So let’s talk about this. *sigh* This has been a challenging year for me. I have set some pretty lofty objectives… that I know I can achieve! While some of my goals work out flawlessly and I amaze myself, some have been derailed, crashed and burned causing some serious emotional damage. On top of that, my personal life has had challenge, after challenge, after challenge, after challenge…. friends, family, or the lack there of… it has been a really trying and lonely year. Needless to say, my eating habits are a mess, sometimes I forget to eat, I ask myself, “did I drink water today?” … And so my face and body is complete out of whack. (That’s a technical term.) All while putting on a big smile to push this brand and attempting to mask the balled up girl inside of me who just wants to go back to bed. Wake me when it’s over.

Get to the root of the cause.

Fighting stress naturally is not as weird and uncomfortable as it seems. Natural healing is getting a mockingly bad reputation and I believe it is due to a lack of understanding. Holistic healing simply means getting rid of the effects (lifeless skin, acne, blemishes) from the problem (stress, poor eating habits, ball of nerves) for good without the use of medication. Most medication only treats the symptoms, causes side effects, and does not get rid of the root cause. There is no point to treat or conceal your acne and the other effects when your stress will only cause it to appear again.

Let’s attack the built up stress instead and the lifeless skin and acne will go away. I say built up stress because let’s be honest. We are woman! Bionic! Can do all things- at the same time, try me! A little stress is nothing. “I can handle that” you say, so you pile more on. By the time we realize we are stressed, we are usually stressed to the MAX and are approaching a breakdown.

I broke down, but I am getting back up and I refuse to be bitter. Perhaps that’s what sparked me to write this. When a share little details, I get the weight off of my chest and inflate a little more just like a balloon that almost ready to stand tall. I am restoring my hope and optimism because negativity only brings more stress. Next week (The Effects of Stress on Your Skin: the Solution) I will give some tips on how to reduce your stress and completely heal its effects. Different skin types respond to stress in different ways, and we will cover it all. This week, I needed to vent and let you know you are not alone. Thanks for listening.

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Coconut Oil: Myth or Miracle?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 17:43:00 +0000

We have heard so many controversial opinions about coconut oil. Once and for all, is it a myth or is it really a miracle? This oil has been said to be linked to weight loss, smooth skin, long hair, acne-blasting, fat burning, sun-protecting cure all! Even the American Heart Association confusingly released controversial opinion about if this oil is a good fat that clears your arteries or clogs them... So which one is it?

The Facts

Coconut oil has been popular in the tropical islands for centuries where the palm trees are readily available. Tropical women- who live in this environment year round have smooth skin, long shiny hair, seem to be fit keeping their weight under control and never seem to get sunburns. How you ask? Because the people of these lands use coconut oil for EVERYTHING.

While commenced in my five years of research and development I studied this ‘miracle’ oil and the people, specifically the women who were exposed to it often and used it for everything. One of the countries I studied was India. Let us explore the example of a woman from India. Her hair is long, strong and shiny. Where does she get this beautiful blemish free skin? It is due to her use of coconut oil in her beauty routine.

Since coconut oil has become popular in the US, this oil is the most talked about 'secret' in beauty and is growing more popular each day! This wonder oil is hard to keep a secret because of all the things it does.

Properties

Medium chain fatty acids (triglycerides) are the saturated fats in coconut oil that lock in moisture on your skin and keep it beautifully smooth. These fats also eliminate moisture loss through the pores on skin. Coconut oil can keep you hydrated all day even through repeated exposure to water (such as constantly washing your hands).

Coconut Oil is chock full of Capric, Caprylic, and Lauric Acid which is why it is a strong disinfectant and antimicrobial. When applied topically or internally, coconut oil protects from microbial infections because these fatty acids boost your immune system and act as a barrier against the pollution and debris your skin comes in contact with each day! This is also the reason coconut oil helps with acne, especially on the back, legs, and arms of body.

The Vitamin E in coconut oil keeps skin from extreme dryness, cracking and protects against wrinkles and premature ageing. Coconut Oil's proteins aid the skin in tissue repair and rejuvenation at the cellular level.

Why the Myth?

Bella Opulence only uses 100% Organic- Unrefined- Extra Virgin- Cold Pressed- Pure Coconut Oil. This may seem excessive, but this is the only type of coconut oil that is as pure as taking it from the nut of the tree. As with anything processed, when coconut oil becomes refined, or fractionated or chemically changed in any way, it loses its original healing properties, and does not function the same! The Lauric Acid that once kept acne at bay may have been removed during the refining process and is the reason your blemishes may not be going away. One way to tell of your coconut oil has been processed? It is solid until it reaches 75 degrees and it should have a vibrant coconutty smell. If it is liquid constantly, even in a cool environment and has no scent, it has been processed. We ensure our coconut oil's properties are intact so you receive the maximum benefit.

You can find the blessed oil of coconut in EACH of your Bella Opulence products!

What do you think? Myth or Miracle?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Cleopatra’s Secrets Volume II: Still TURNING HEADS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 16:16:00 +0000

What ingredient is anti- aging, softening, and gives your skin a boost instantly? This week let us return to our favorite ancient queen for the secret of the week. Aside from Roses, another one of her favorites was sea salt. I am sure she used it to flavor her food, but she also kept a handy supply for her beauty routine. Perhaps Cleopatra knew that bacteria cannot live in a salt rich environment! Sea salt is the byproduct of evaporated seawater and is absolutely essential for the human body inside and out. It has a composition of many minerals that are great for the skin. It absorbs and removes toxins, reduces inflammation, and so much more! It is a fantastic way to keep your skin balanced and hydrated especially in the frigid cold and drying hot sun.

Evaporated Sea Water

Sea Salt Benefits

Contains vital minerals needed for cellular health
Traces of Potassium can be found in sea salt and is an electrolyte that balances water levels aiding in moisturizing skin. Manganese is a hydrating mineral that binds to water. The higher the magnesium content, the more moisturizing which improves skin elasticity. Dead Sea salts are rich in magnesium. This miracle ingredient also can contain traces of titanium and Zinc which have skin softening and acne reducing properties.

pH Balancing
Sea salt is a detox for skin that blasts bacteria that causes [body] acne, breakouts and blemishes. It also balances oil production and overactive sebaceous glands.

Anti -aging
Sea Salt prevents the skin from dehydrating. As we age, skin becomes dry. Sea salt restores moisture leaving skin supple and plump, filling in lines and wrinkles. The minerals contained in sea salt also restarts cell to cell communication which tends to slow with age. This is what causes dry and thinning skin.

How to use sea salt for your skin?

Exfoliate.
Massaging sea salt onto damp skin is a great way to activate all of its power. It is coarse enough to gently remove dead skin, and the minerals transfer onto the skin when activated by water. Detox your body and remove the dirt, oil, soap scum, and impurities that have collected on your skin. Try Pure Rose Pearl for a mix of Cleopatra’s favorites: sea salt and rose.

Pure Rose Pearl Sea Salt and Rose Petal Polisher

Bathe in it.
Our Milk Bath contains Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) which moisturizes the skin. The higher the concentration of magnesium in salt, the more it improves skin elasticity and hydrates. It also penetrates deeply to wrap around sore muscles and relieves them. Try Our Pure Rose Cream Milk Bath Soak which contains other skin loving ingredients such as oats and rose oil.

For Psoriasis in the scalp or severe dandruff:
Use a salt water wash on your scalp before washing your hair. Make a supersaturated solution of sea salt and water: ¼ cup of sea salt minimum to 16 ounces of water. Place in a bottle with a nozzle at the end for easy application. Apply to scalp and gently massage in the solution concentrating on your flaky and sensitive areas. Wash and condition hair as normal.
Pro Tip: Place the remainder of the solution in a small spray bottle to keep in your purse in case your flakes return before your next wash. Spray on your scalp in the trouble areas. Over time it will clear up completely.

*NOTE: Sea salt applied topically will not increase blood pressure. Most hypertension is related to an excess of sodium consumed through processed foods. Sea salt used on the skin and even eaten in moderation on meats, fruits, and vegetables is healthy, flavorful and detrimental for the body because of its nutrient content. Get rid of the processed foods and you get rid of disease. Sea salt is your friend. –Dr. Allison

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

The Busy Mom's Skincare Guide to Back to School

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 16:05:00 +0000

The kids go back to school this month! “Yay” you say! The grocery bill will decrease and you are happy to have them back on a schedule, but back to school also means sports, plays, and extracurricular activities. When will you ever have time for yourself?

Below are 6 tips to take care of yourself and your skin from your hairline down to the soles of your feet. Prepare now and you will have a mastered routine that will become a flow through habit for the next 10 months. Best of all? Your mom friends will ask you why you have no bags under your eyes and why you are glowing. “That’s impossible” she will think, “our kids are both in dance and football, and she runs a small business…” Share these tips with her and she will be eternally grateful.

Your skin will thank you and you will look like master mom fully alive and awake. You go superwoman! Just because you rarely get any sleep doesn’t mean you have to look like you haven’t slept since 1999.

Beauty Tips for the Active Woman

Wash your makeup off EVERY NIGHT.

Sleeping in makeup clogs your pores, creates premature aging, and can contribute to blemishes and acne. Wash your face with your favorite cleanser and finish with a gentle exfoliant once per week such as the hydrating Petal Lip and Face scrub new from Bella Opulence. This flower and nutrient packed scrub will leave your skin smooth and dewy. Normal to combination skin? No moisturizer needed. Dry skin? Follow up with Silk.

Create a night time routine that allows you to unwind.

When you just “hit the sheets”, no matter how tired your body is, it can be hard to shut your mind off. Set aside 30 minutes to an hour. Bath/ shower time is a great way to shut down. Incorporate scents such as mint, lavender (mint and lavender is a customer favorite combination!), and vanilla that stimulate melatonin to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed.

Take at least one hour for yourself each day.

Starting out this may be your 30 minute unwind routine, and a 30 minute wake up routine. Before your husband and the kids wake up take some time to gather your day and meditate. If you bathe in the morning try Lemon Poppy Pearl and Citrus Silk to energize you. Have your favorite cup of coffee and tea. This morning routine will allow you to gain clarity about your day, and map out your plan. There will be a peace over you all day because this gives you a grip on things. No more frantic rushing.

Wake up with bags under your eyes?

Pop 2 spoons in the freezer for at least 10 minutes (the longer the better). Once cold place the backs of the spoons under your eye and sweep from your nose outward several times to reduce the puffiness and redness. Don’t have 10 minutes? This works with an ice cube in a plastic bag as well. Do this before makeup.

Squeezing a workout into that busy day?

Give your pores a deep clean post workout with Fresh Mint Pearl. Mint is an astringent that instantly cools you off. Mint also clears your nasal passages and respiratory tract from mucus buildup from that extra helping of cake and ice cream in the break room from your co-workers birthday. No judgment.

Drink water.

Get your 8+ glasses in! Remaining hydrated is not only great for your digestion and internal organs, but also ensures your largest organ and barrier to danger (your skin) is functioning properly and remains supple, smooth, and plump.

What do you do to master your mom routine?

How to Combat Premature Aging

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 15:48:00 +0000

As we discovered last week, pollution and chemicals in the air are harmful to skin and are a leading cause of skin problems second only to lack of sleep. These skin issues include premature aging and eczema.

Premature Aging
Cigarette smoke contains 6000+ toxic chemicals including carbon monoxide and free radicals. Combine this with car exhaust, particulate matter in the air and hot temperatures and BOOM! You have a compound that seeps into the skin, dries it, out and makes those little lines appear quicker. This can happen by just walking on the sidewalk and coming into contact with these compounds. You do not have to be a smoker. If your skin is extremely dry, you begin to notice lines and irregularly colored freckles on your body, you could be seeing the visible signs of aging. But don’t worry just yet. I have a solution.

Eczema (and Psoriasis)
For my eczema friends: Do you wonder why your flare ups are more prominent when you get hot or are exposed to the elements for too long? That is because eczema is hyper sensitive to oxides. Oxides can come from factory smoke, forest fires, and particles from volcanic activity that have been swept hundreds of miles in the wind. When combined together, they bind to your skin in the creases of your arms, behind the knees, on the back of your neck... and before you realize it, you have a full flare-up! Before you make a vow to stay indoors for the duration of the summer, read below.

Protect your skin from pollution
Plants are a great first step, but is there more you can do? Your skin is your biggest organ, and it must be protected. It is literally a shield that protects you from all types of biological compounds, radiation, VOCs and more. It protects your internal system that keeps you alive. When skin comes into contact with high levels of these compounds it adds stress to your body’s natural antioxidant defense and can overpower it. If you live in a major city (or suburb) you are at risk! Try these completely natural actions (don’t forget your houseplants) to reverse skin issues and prevent them in the future.

Use antioxidant rich skin care products. Products that contain any of the ingredients listed here such as lavender, vanilla, and calendula fight the pollution as soon as it touches your skin, and works to build your body’s antioxidant defense back up.
Take your vitamins and eat vitamin rich foods. Vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene are natural antioxidants and will protect your skin and body.
Stay hydrated. Drinking water allows your body and skin to function properly. Your body’s antioxidant defense, and your other organs that remove the toxins from your body are activated with water. It is about 70% of your body (and the earth).
Cleanse well. After washing your body, exfoliating once or twice a week gets rid of the pollution left on the skin. Bella’s sea salt formula detoxes for an extra level of clean that your soap/ body wash may have missed. Don't forget your moisturizer!

How to Protect your Skin from Cancer and Pesticides

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000

In recent years, more and more people worry about the effects the environment has on their skin. Harmful chemicals in the air such as car exhausts, pesticides, BPA, and even naturally occurring chemicals such as lead and mercury, have been identified as a leading cause of skin problems second only to lack of sleep. (cosmeticsdesign.com) Pollution is the world’s biggest environmental health risk according to the World Health Organization. By 2050, 70% of pollutants are said to be in the air of urban cities! This will drastically affect air quality that we breathe every minute of every day. What’s even worse, is there can even be environmental toxins in your safe haven and where you spend the most time: indoors.

When you skin comes in contact with these pollutants it can dry out, become sensitive, age prematurely, cause eczema, acne, contract cancer and endocrine (your hormones and immune system) disruptors, infertility and more! This not only affects your skin but your entire body. Remember your skin absorbs 64% of what it comes in contact with and 64% of what you put on it (that’s why it is so important to read your cosmetic labels because these chemicals can even be found in your beauty products!)

What can cleanse your air and protect your skin? Plants.

Note: At Bella Opulence, we are herbal ENTHUSIASTS. We understand the effects of the environment on your skin, and that is why we offer products made from flowers like lavender [which is rich in antioxidants] to proactively combat environmental stressors and protect your skin from the chemicals it comes in contact with everyday. If anyone knows about plant power, we do. Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but are great for your overall well-being.

NASA Scientists confirm that plants improve the overall indoor environment due to their ability to reduce poor air quality, quiet background noise, control light and humidity, reduce dust and regulate temperatures.

These green gems remove toxic chemicals in the air like formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound (VOC) that is emitted from building materials and furniture. Contact with formaldehyde is generally unavoidable (not to mention all of the compounds you come in contact with when you step outside or roll that window down for ‘fresh air’). Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and has been known to trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions when present in high levels.

Top 3 Plants
Here top 3 plants are the to purify your air and reduce the number of pollutants you come in contact with each day. They will preserve the life of your skin and your overall health.

Aloe Plant

It releases oxygen at night promoting restful sleep. It also cleanses the air during the day removing pollutants. This plant communicates with you by telling you when your home is toxic by displaying dark brown spots. Sunburn? Break off a piece and rub on the gel from the inside of the plant. Let dry and rinse. Aloe plants are generally low maintenance.

Boston Fern

This Fern removes high percentages chemicals. If you have an attached garage, these plants are best close to the entrance to your home because they remove toxic fumes from gasoline exhaust that can come inside. Higher maintenance requires watering and misting the leaves in periods of low humidity.

Palm Trees (all species)

Removes chemicals and other pollutants emitted from gas exhaust giving you cleaner air. They are generally easy to care for. They Areca palm tree is said to be the most efficient air humidifier. It keeps air moist in dry times which is fantastic for skin.

Other plants that are great to have in your home are lavender (especially beside to help you sleep), pothos plant, bamboo, and a rubber plant. Traditional air filters may also work, but plants were designed to remove chemicals that some purifiers may miss. Plants also emit pure oxygen for us to in turn take in. Which plant are you adding to your home or office?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Is Wealth Attracted to You?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 05:48:00 +0000

Being attractive gets you more money. This is a simple fact that has been proven in science, psychology, beauty, schools, and in the workplace. Whether you are advancing in your career or just getting started, taking the next step in your business, or preparing for retirement, these undeniable truths and tips will advance you far in life and make you more attractive to wealth- literally.

Why?

Because being attractive boosts confidence! Period. When you are more confident you perform better. Studies have shown that attractive people are considered to be social, dominant, mentally healthy, and intelligent amongst others. Research also shows that good-looking people were less lonely, less socially anxious, more popular, more socially skilled, and more sexually experienced than unattractive people. (psycnet.apa.org) These traits that are associated with attractive people are the traits that earn more money. Whether it is on a job, a small business or a Fortune 500 company.

It is similar to the perception that people who wear glasses are more intelligent than those who do not. It becomes a self- fulfilling prophecy (for some) because those who wear glasses may read more and have a higher level of knowledge. Others simply cannot see. This is equal to how beautiful people are treated with precedence and given more attention; therefore some have a higher level of confidence and perform better which secures them more money.

How to become attractive to wealth in two simple steps...

Take care of your skin!

A well groomed person can earn as much as 12-20% more than their counterparts. That lovely dress and your makeup that perfectly defines your complexion are great accents, but what is going on underneath? Are you silently self conscious about what is going on with your skin? It is summertime; would you dare wear those sandals? Are your feet ready? Does that eczema flare up keep your jacket on all day?

Do you know the #1 way to make your skin instantly radiant? EXFOLIATE. It instantly softens and clears dead skin to show those radiant new skin cells that were trapped underneath. It also removes the excess dirt and oil from your pores that your soap may miss or even contribute to that cause acne (on your face and body). Add this step 1-2 times a week into your shower routine to get and maintain your soft smooth skin.

Follow up with a great moisturizer. The summer sun may trigger more oil production in skin, but the cool air conditioning can cause it to dry out. With this change in climate a few times a day running in and out, you want a moisturizer that is rich, yet lightweight. We recommend Pearl Body Polisher and Silk Moisturizer. These are simple steps that have been proven by Bella’s clients to deliver more radiant and soft skin giving your confidence an instant boost.

But it’s more than how you look, it’s how you feel.

Be confident.

It is one thing to look confident, but being confident is one of the most attractive ways to present yourself. How is your body language? Are you standing tall shoulders back? Or is there a slight hump in your back? Imagine there is a string attached to the top of your head gently pulling you up. Stand as tall as comfortable and then roll your shoulders back and drop them. You don’t want to look tense.

Do you make eye contact while speaking? (it’s ok to blink and look away, don’t be creepy…) The key is to engage. Don’t look down and don’t fidget. This sends subconscious signals to the other party that you are nervous and cannot handle business.

Think positive thoughts. Stay with me. Have you ever seen someone walk into a room and everyone notices them? They don’t say a word, they just enter and everyone notices and gravitates in their direction. They have a special attractive aura surrounding them. It’s because they believe in themselves and have a healthy internal self-talk. How you think and what you feel about yourself is self-talk. Confident people believe they are beautiful, capable, confident, and deserving of good things. The human mind is a powerful thing and picks up on this! This is the special “mystical power” that some people have that others don’t. It is as simple as a healthy relationship with self that attracts others.

Whether you think this is right or wrong, you cannot deny the truth. We live in a visual world and are attracted to attractive people. Are you attractive to wealth? Is wealth attracted to you?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

How to Turn Heads Like Cleopatra

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:38:00 +0000

It is no secret that Cleopatra was one of the most beautiful women of the ancient world. She used natural ingredients to maintain her beauty and sex appeal that turned the heads and dropped the mouths of many prominent men. One of her beautifying staples was rose. Add this staple to your beauty routine and get ready to turn heads.

What is so great about Rose?

Rose has many benefits for the skin, psyche, and body as a whole. Did you know ingesting certain rose teas is linked to curing diabetes? Many parts of the rose can be used to maintain beautiful skin including rose water and rose oil. Rose petals can also be added to bath water for aesthetics, and to get these benefits below straight from the flower.

Cooling and Refreshing
Rose water is great for when you have been in the sun too long! Its mist is cooling and refreshing and the antioxidant properties heal and soothe sunburn. It is also great to have on hand for when you get overheated. A mist or two can instantly cool you down. Rose water is a fantastic summer moisturizer because it reduces dryness of the skin the skin and is lightweight.

Relaxing/ Mood Enhancer
Some studies have demonstrated its effects on the central nervous system including hypnotic, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and pain reducing. Some Rose water is even used in mosques especially at mourning ceremonies, to calm and relax people. (Nlm) Spray on pillow to reduce insomnia, fall asleep faster and wake up refreshed. Writers block? Spray rose water in the air to induce concentration and provide a calming effect.

Scar Reducing
Blemishes and scars will fade over time with continuous use. Rose regenerates skin tissues because of its antioxidant properties which speeds the healing of the skin. This is excellent for stretch marks, post pregnancy, [body] acne scars, and even surgery scars.

pH Balance
Does your skin get oily throughout the day? Keep that oil at bay and treats the visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles with the balancing properties of rose. Simply put, Rose balances the acidity and alkalinity levels in skin which is responsible for oil production. Spray rose water onto the face throughout the day when you begin to see shine. It also keeps your skin tone even.

Cleansing
Remove dirt, oil, and impurities from clogged pores with rose due to its antibacterial properties. It can be used as a makeup remover in conjunction with coconut oil. Use rose water as a toner after you wash your face for that extra layer of clean. It is a fantastic astringent that treats acne prone skin without a single blemish left.

Moisturizer
similar to rose water, rose oil is linked to curing dermatitis and eczema because of the astringent and anti- inflammatory benefits that reduce swelling of capillaries beneath the skin. (Amber Freda) This also treats redness and inflammation associated with skin irritations.

Pure Rose Cream Milk Bath Soak

Find Rose Absolute (oil) in Pure Rose Cream Milk Bath Soak (Cleopatra’s favorite bath!), New Pure Rose Pearl body polisher, and coming soon to the website, Bella Opulence Rose Water!
Fun fact: Cleopatra exfoliated with sea salt for radiant skin. Bella Opulence products of rose were modeled after her beauty routine.

-Allison 💛

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Be Genuinely Happy in 3 simple Steps + Our Bella-Versary!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 04:31:00 +0000

2 Year Bella-Versary

This March Bella Opulence turned 2 years old and kicked off the month in Baltimore at Virtue in Christ (which was our inaugural event back in 2016, tear!), popped- up in South Moon Under in Alpharetta, GA for Ladies Night, and tomorrow we will wrap 10 Days of Free Gifts- but don’t worry you can get your free gift with purchase today and tomorrow plus the online store is 20% off until the end of the month!

International Day of Happiness is March 20, 2018

3 Simple Ways to be Happy

1. Be Thankful (and Count your Blessings)

Simple example: How often do you genuinely respond with a “thank you” after receiving a compliment? If someone tells you that your shirt is so cute and you have great fashion sense, are you A or B?
A: “This old thing? I got it for half off at the thrift store and I’ve had it for 20 years. It’s really nothing special.”

-OR-
B: “Thank you so much! [Insert return compliment here]”
This may seem small, but your brain registers these reactions in a big way! The first reaction (A) rejects the compliment and tells your brain that you in fact do not have good fashion sense and that you do not deserve to be complimented. You beat up on yourself a little there. Think you will receive a compliment from that person again? The second reaction (B) puts a warm smile on your face and a warm glow in your heart. You are thankful for the compliment and have reciprocated the behavior making the other person feel warm and fuzzy inside as well.

Count your blessings: When things go wrong in your life and everything turns upside down at the same time, how long are you sad and discouraged? This is necessary for healing, but at some point you must grab onto hope, look for the lesson, be thankful for it (count it as a blessing, for everything happens for a reason), apply it, and mature from the situation. Don’t mildew.

2. Look for the Positive in Every Situation

It has rained so much in Atlanta that I have called it Seattle, GA. I love and crave the sun! It is absolutely my favorite vitamin supplement. I felt my mood begin to shift into doom and gloom and then I realized the rain is just as beautiful as the sun. The rain produces beautiful lush colorful flowers, trees and grass. All sun and no rain is the desert. Balance is key- and it is especially key with your mindset. If you seek the worst of every situation, you bet you will get it. When you seek the positive in every situation, your days are smoother and you will be happy and peaceful for no reason!

3. Tap. Out.

Take a walk in the sunshine, read your favorite book, have a nice bath… read your favorite book in the bath with the sun beaming in on you- your choice! Take some time for yourself. An hour without you in the week, and the world will not stop. When you take time for yourself, you reduce your stress level. Recharging allows you to give the best possible version of yourself to those around you. Blemishes on your skin can also be a direct tell of stress. A moment away from it all can produce an instant radiant glow.

Happiness is personal. Resolve today to be happy not just on the 20th of March, but every day.

Scents of Happiness found in Bella Opulence

Lemon Essential Oil

Happiness
Concentration
Good Mood
Calms the Nervous System
Fights Anxiety

Found in Lemon Poppy Pearl Softening Skin Polisher

Lemongrass + Bergamot Essential Oil

Alertness
Joy
Contentment
Creativity
Focus
Performance

Found in Citrus Silk All Over Body Moisturizer

-Allison 💛

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Lemongrass | This That Beauty | and Harvey Relief

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 14:43:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

This week we were mentioned in This That Beauty featuring Lemon Poppy Pearl for Products that are Worth the Buy! We are happy to be featured alongside other natural products changing the beauty industry.

This That Beauty Blog Feature

Relief Update
We sent a check for Harvey Relief to the South Union Church of Christ in Houston Texas to help them rebuild their community, and are building a large box of products that we will send down. This weekend we will be attending a Legacy Summit and will be partnering with several charities that will be collecting supplies onsite to ship immediately. We will add our products to this effort. We will do the same for Irma relief.

Lemongrass

What has Vitamins, Iron, a sweet lemony scent, and is a natural astringent? Lemongrass!
We choose ingredients that are healthy for skin and body so it was a no brainer to add it pure essence to the Citrus Silk Moisturizer. This silky smooth moisturizer packs your skin with vitamins while the mild yet sweet scent gently energizes your spirits.

Benefits:

Astringent An astringent can helps stop blood flow by contracting blood vessels- closing your pores and protecting them from the environment. Lemongrass promotes contraction of hair follicles, skin and blood vessels.
Acne The astringent and antimicrobial properties of lemongrass oil aid in resolving acne.
Insect Repellent The sweet scent actually repels mosquitoes!

Vitamins for Luxuriously Beautiful Skin

These vitamins not only give your skin a boost, but they also are healthy for your body!

Calcium
Copper
Folate (B-9)
Iron (aids red blood cells in transporting oxygen throughout the body)
Magnesium
Manganese (vital mineral for both skin and bone health)
Pantothenic acid
Potassium
Protein
Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6 (necessary for metabolic function of cells)
Vitamin C
Zinc

Around the Home
Add lemongrass oil to a diffuser and allow the scent to make you feel clean, fresh, and renewed. Lemongrass oil can boost confidence and mental health.
Lemongrass as a tea controls flatulence and promotes urination making it a great detox.

Is lemongrass in your routine?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Chamomile: Clinically Proven to be More Than Just Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 14:22:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

This Labor Day Weekend, we will be giving 15% of all purchases to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. In addition to, we will be sending products. There are many displaced people who may not have the basic necessities they need. They fled from their homes searching for higher ground and grabbed what they could leaving the rest behind. I believe that a moment alone with a simple bodycare product will make a woman very happy and allow her a meditative moment in light of this disaster. For every product that is purchased, we will give a product and 15% of proceeds. Help us help those affected.

Chamomile

This week's topic on how to keep your skin health and happy naturally is Chamomile! We have especially enjoyed the green foliage and beautiful flowers! What's even better than seeing the beautiful flowers? You are so right. Having the magic whipped right into your skincare.

Chamaemelum comes from the Greek word ‘χαμαίμηλον which means "earth-apple”. It received this name because of the apple-like scent of the plant. It is one of the most widely used and well documented medicinal herbs in the world.

Chamomile was used in Ancient Egypt as skincare by Egyptian noblewomen. It was also considered a sacred gift and used as one of the main embalming oils for Pharaohs. Years later, Chamomile was used by the Greeks and Romans in medicine, drinks and as incense.

Today chamomile is used to heal skin conditions and wounds, settle upset stomach, aid in sleep and many more.

Clinically Proven

Chamomile has been tested in clinical trials to look into its effectiveness in skincare. In German studies using a chamomile cream or ointment, the "earth-apple" was found to have an effect that was 60% as active as 0.25% hydrocortisone when applied topically. In another trial, chamomile was effective in reducing dermatitis following a single application of sodium lauryl sulfate, without the side effects.

Around the Home

Roman chamomile tea is a remedy for insomnia and headaches. It helps to calm the senses, induce sleep, helps to reduce migraine headaches, and cures anxiety.

Is chamomile in your health care routine?
Find Chamomile infused oil in our Silk All Over Body Moisturizer, and Pearl Softening Skin Polisher.

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

When was Your Last Self Care Day?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 14:18:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

There are a lot of things going on in the Bella Empire and we have hit the road! First Stop, Atlanta, GA. Living out our mission to spread clean beauty for all…. We have decided to cultivate relationships in the major markets around the USA. Bellaopulence.com is available for your Bath. Body. Being. needs, and we still ship. Everywhere.

Right now Bella’s lifestyle is go go go(!!) and even though it is thrilling, we all need to stop a have a self care day. I dream of a day at the spa with all types of services, lunch included, and unlimited access to the amenities. *deep sigh* When is the last time you pampered yourself? When is the last time you took a nice hot bath? This is the quickest and easiest way to treat yourself at home (with all of the benefits of the spa) but it is often overlooked.

Though many think of taking a bath as a blast from the past, treating yourself to a bath in our Cream Milk Bath Soak is a fantastic way to tap out for about an hour for the ultimate relaxation. This specially designed formula is a powder to cream soak with many duties to soften your skin and your mood.

The Art of Self Care in Black and White

Creamy Greatness

· 3-in-1 Powder to Cream

o Bath soak

o Milk bath

o Floral bath tea

· Whole rose buds (Pure Rose Cream) open up in bath waters toning and tightening skin and balancing oil production keeping acne at bay

· Bella’s Unique Infused Oil packs your skin with healing properties, vitamin E, proteins, triglycerides, antioxidants, and rejuvenating properties for healthy skin that is slow to age

· Ground oats moisturize skin, remove dirt and impurities, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant rich

· Epsom salts soothe aching muscles and tired joints

· Lactic acid in milk gently exfoliates skin and deeply moisturizes literally filling in lines and wrinkles

· Bathing calms the nervous system and improves your mood due to the temperature of the water and the position of our bodies in the tub

· Boosts tranquility, relaxes weary limbs and encourages a good night’s sleep leading to improvements in cell renewal, microcirculation and active skin repair

It is time for you to treat yourself to a self care day! Do you have just an hour out of your busy schedule? Make it a priority to take care of you this week and use code SELFCARE at bellaopulence.com for a FREE Cream Milk Bath Soak with purchase.

Side Note: I am often asked if Lactose intolerant people should take Milk Baths. Yes you should. Sitting in a nice creamy bath will not trigger your internal reaction.

Eat Your Way to Glowing Youthful Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 03:43:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

Take note of your plate the next time you eat. What colors do you see? Eating colorful fruits and veggies especially red and orange varieties have been proven to aid in a glowing youthful complexion! They all contain a pigment called Carotenoid.

Our bodies turn Carotenoids into Retinol or Vitamin A and have fantastic benefits for your skin and also your body. Skin benefits of vitamin A are:

Unclogs pores

Boosts collagen production

Removes fine lines and wrinkles

Aids in cell production giving you fresh new skin

Evens discoloration

Lightens dark spots

Refines the surface of your skin

Naturally changes the look and feel of skin to more youthful skin

Prolongs skin’s thickness and elasticity

Vitamin A needs to be accompanied with fat to be absorbed by the body. Healthy fats such as egg yolks, ghee (clarified butter), avocado, and extra virgin olive oil will allow maximum absorption. Some foods with carotenoids need to be cooked to extract their full nutrients like tomatoes. Tomatoes contain Lycopene (a form of carotenoid that makes tomatoes red) which helps boosts collagen and keeps the snap in the skins structure. It also fights off the oxidizing effect of UV rays by eliminating skin-aging free radicals. Sweet Potatoes contain 200% of the daily value of cartenoids! Carrots contain Beta-Carotene and they truly improve eyesight and protect against eye cancer. Some green fruits and vegetables (below) even have high percentages of Vitamin A that aid in fantastic skin.

https://bellaopulence.com/blogs/cognizantbella/eat-your-way-to-glowing-youthful-skin

Eat Your Way to Glowing Skin

What should you add to your diet for the best skin ever? I'm so glad you asked! Here are a good many of the best fruits/ vegetables with the highest concentrations of Carotenoid/ Vitamin A.

Carrots

Apricots

Mangoes

Cantaloupes

Sweet Potatoes

Spinach

Cilantro

Leafy Greens

Turnips

Collards

Fresh Thyme

Squash

Papaya

Onions

Asparagus

Broccoli

Cabbage

Chives

Dandelion

Grapefruit

Herbs and Spices

Chili Powder

Oregano

Paprika

Parsley

Kale

Tomato Products

Ketchup

Tomato Paste

Gazpacho

Tomato Sauce

Peas

Peppers

Red

Yellow

Plums

Pumpkin

Plantains

Cantaloupe

Brussels Sprouts

Avocado

What’s on your plate?

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.

Echinacea: Healthy Skin and Body from the Inside Out

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 20:32:00 +0000

Dear friends,

I have a confession to make. I missed last week’s post because I have been sick and it is my entire fault. At the time, while on vacation at the US / Canada Border in a Vermont Lake House, I took a little (ok, big) break from my clean eating habits and therefore I got sick - while still on vacation. My trip started Saturday, old bad habits began roughly Sunday evening, and by Thursday I was down. My body is now used to clean foods and it does not take long for it to reject the bad foods that I once ate.

Lake Champlain in Vermont/ Quebec

And so begins the confession. I drank rich processed creamers in my coffee several times a day – instead of my normal almond milk and no sweetener, I ate candy, I gave into a Dunkin Donut, bread at restaurants, indulged in chips and dip… took little nibbles of cheese (I love it! however my body does not, but I am currently in denial that I have an allergy to my beloved cheese…) and lots of sugar. Ugh, I’m so ashamed just writing this. Luckily I did not give into the fried foods and sodas that were in the house. I just do not like them anymore. Due to my dirty eating habits, I spent the last day of my vacation looking at the water instead of wading in it like I had planned.

Echinacea from the Garden at the Lake House

Ironically, I was in the middle of drafting this blog post about Echinacea and I used it to boost my immune system and aid in my healing. Echinacea grows freely and bountifully in Vermont and I definitely took advantage. Since starting my clean living journey, I am more in tune with my body now more than ever. I can tell instantly what is wrong and I know exactly how to fix it.

Side Note: It is so detrimental to listen to your body. Sometimes your body is rejecting your actions like what you eat or what you use on your skin. My symptoms appeared as if I was getting the flu and I could have easily purchased an over the counter drug (or 3) that would have only taken care of the symptoms. Could you imagine? I would have been in worse condition! As soon as the symptoms subsided, if I was not in tune with my body, I would continue the eating habits and the cycle would continue. This would drastically take a toll on my immune system and my body. Imagine how some live on allergy medications when the cause of the allergy could simply be the body rejecting one food group or ingredient. When you are in tune with your body you will know what its reactions mean and you will take the correct steps to keep yourself healthy even if it means no more cheese *silent cry*.

Species: Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea for Body

Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a flowering plant that comes from the Daisy Family. It contains enzymes, and has antibiotic and anti-bacterial healing properties as well as alkylamides - fatty acids that activate cannabinoid receptors in the body (stimulates the immune system) to fight off the bacteria and toxins in the body. Studies show that Echinacea shortens the length of upper respiratory infections and lessens its intensity.

Side Note: In my research I found that some retail supplements and teas claiming to be Echinacea in fact do not contain it. The way to get around this is to always read your labels, grow and harvest your own, and/or to buy USDA certified organic. There is an extensive process to organic certification and all ingredients are tested and verified.

Echinacea for Skin

Along with my flu like symptoms I broke out all over my face. Talk about punishment. The Echinacea cleared this up in less than 24 hours. Echinacea is packed full of tannins which have a shrinking effect on skin cells because tannins clarify the skin. Tannins can also be found in Lavender. Echinacea has been applied to and used to treat skin problems such as skin boils, wounds, ulcers, burns, herpes, hemorrhoids and psoriasis. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Species: Echinacea Purpurea

Due to its antibacterial properties, it is clinically proven to treat acne after it readily killed the main strain of bacteria linked to acne production. The extract of the purple coneflower diminishes wrinkles due to high protein content which produces new skin tissues and repairs collagen. It also contains properties that protect your skin from environmental stressors which in turn slows the aging process of skin. It also soothes skin because of it anti-inflammatory properties.

Echinacea promotes healthy skin from the inside out. The whole plant including the cone, its leaves, and its roots contain all kind of nutrients like iron and even copper, and vitamins C, A, and E.

The next time you feel the onset of sickness (head cold, mucus, headache, upper respiratory infection, flu like symptoms) instead of reaching for the medicine cabinet go instead into the kitchen and fill up on Echinacea, leafy greens that are chlorophyll rich (post coming soon), ginger, lemons, honey and get some rest! You will be back to 100% in no time.

Have you used Echinacea to heal your skin or body? Have your grown Echinacea? What were the results? Share below, I would love to hear!

Read more Blog Posts Now on the Bella Opulence Website.