Sweat: Leg SOS

High Heels, might be a gift from the beauty gods. Heels transform the look of a woman by elongating the natural lines of the body, lifting the ass, and blessing the wearer with an extra shot of confidence. Heels are the ultimate beauty booster. Unfortunately the look of long lean glamour given to a shoe fanatatic from high heels comes at a price. 

High heels are the ultimate short term solution; they lift for an evening, week or even month. In the long run the beauty cost of always wearing high heeled shoes is pricey and beauty stumping. High heel shoes force the foot into a permanent flexed position. The hyper flexed foot can cause pre-mature arthritis through  hyper tension of the calf an Achilles tendon. 

Fortunately the painful beauty stumpers of always wearing high-heeled shoes can be prevented through foot and leg articulation exercises. This 10 minute workout is the perfect antidote to legs burdened by the pains of heels. The routine is lengthening, toning and stretching. Follow along and enjoy long lasting leg beauty. 

Economical Beauty: DIY Make-up Remover

Make-up remover is the one beauty product that I constantly loose, forget, or spill. I hate spending money on the product because it inevitably vanishes to the land of displaced personal hygiene products. I'm sure my many lost make-up removers are fornicating somewhere hot with those careless run-away tooth brushes.  

If you, like me, wear mascara on a daily basis make-up remover is a crucial to prevent the dreaded "raccoon look." Old mascara can linger on lashes for days if not removed. Old make-up products if left on the skin to long can breed nasty bacteria and be the culprit of eye-infections. 

Make-up remover can be made easily at home, at a fraction of a price.

Refreshing Make-Up Remover:

In a small mixing bowl combine:

2 tbsp aloe vera gel

1/2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp olive oil

Stir together, until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a small re-usable container. Dip a q-tip, or cotton swap in your home-made make-up remover and wipe away old and smudged make-up. 

(Before and After)

Beauty Benefits:

Aloe Vera Gel, can purchased at most health food stores for nearly nothing ($1.99 at GNC). Aloe has a natural cooling property that helps refresh the eye by reducing puffiness.

Coconut Oil has a rich conditioning benefit, (great for hair!). The oil will provide extra vitamin e, and will absorb quickly into your skin.

Olive Oil, has the ability to magically break down waterproof mascara. The oil is high in omega fats, and when applied directly to the skin the oil can help even skin tone/texture. To prevent any greasy-fealing choose extra virgin olive oil. 

Beauty: Coconut Oil Hair Rescue

Coconut Oil, is a beauty super supplement. The rich oil is not only great for cooking; but when applied directly to skin, hair, or nails the oil penetrates deep into the hair and skin cuticles to provide a rich moisture. Coconut oil is an amazing product that helps recover dry damaged hair. Coconut oil can be found at most grocery stores. Buy the big size. It may seem pricey, but you will get a ton of use out it. 

I like to do a hair mask, at least once a week. I sped a lot of time outdoors, breathing in the fresh mountain air. Fresh air is good for my soul, but not always as kind to my hair (or skin). Winter weather wreaks havoc on my locks; as does the changing seasons.  To fight weather damaged hair, I make a coconut oil rescue hair mask. 

Coconut Oil Hair Rescue Mask:

-1/4 cup Coconut Oil

-1 tbsp molasses

-1 tbsp honey

- a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils

Both honey and molasses are both humectants; which means that they naturally attract and hold onto water molecules. The honey and the molasses when applied to the scalp helps hair retain moisture; which aids hair in achieving a healthy bounce. 

Eucalyptus and peppermint oils, both have a calming effect. They are favored essential oils for the treatment of head aches. Adding a few drops of each or either will give you that zen feeling.

In a small bowl combine all the ingredients. Apply to hair, before you plan on showering. I usually like to mask my hair right after a workout. Once you have the mask applies, cover it with a shower cap, or re-use a plastic bag to wrap hair up. Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes. 

Love, your beautiful hair!

Beauty: Retro Inspired Eyes

The major spring trends that are blooming throughout the collections of various designers is a pastel color palate that compliments a romantic and vintage inspired apparel. Although an edgy black grunge eye may be one of my favourite looks- it doesn't go so well with the softer colours and styles. This easy make-up trick, is a modern take on a vintage look.

This look is freakishly easy to do at home; and is great date-night, or party look. The look can be achieved in 5 minutes- making it an ideal make-up rescue look for busy life and after sweat beauty.  

I promise this look only looks complicated. I've made a quick little video to help you master the look!

Retro Eyes:

First, lightly prime the eyelid. For a bold look, paint on white or light pink eye paint. For a more neutral look just use a white eyeshadow.

Next, using a white eyeliner heavily line the inner rim of the eye. Then begin to trace a cat-eye with the white liner.

Then switch to black angled brush or eye-liner. You will want to make a cat-eye with the black liner, (for perfect cat eyes, click here). Remember, that eyeliner always looks best when in thickens on the outer edges of your eyes

Lightly line your bottom lid. Start with a faint brush stroke under the inside corner of you and fan the color out, to shadow the cat eye. 

  Now, using a dark neutral shadow and either a firm small eye brush or an angled brush draw another thin line in the crease of the eye-lid.

Blend the line in well, and connect the two upper eye lines with a "V" shape at the far wing of the cat eye.

Switch brushes, and blend the line a little more. I like to blend on a light pink shadow to neutralize the look. Depending on the "era" that inspires you play around with the bottom eyeliner.

-Voila! So pretty. 

Beauty: Hair RX

My hair is just coming out of a "recovery crisis." I put my hair through a lethal injection of peroxide, products, and hair extensions. I'm not stylist; and before my hair OD I new almost nothing about hair care. Now, Thanks To Stephanie Kocielski, and Paul Mitchell Systems, I'm learning to take better care of my hair through preventative action, and gentle styling agents. 

I'm a huge fan of Paul Mitchell, because the vast majority of their products are vegan, and environmentally progressive. Paul Mitchell uses a lot of natural oils, like tea tree, to enhance their products. I miss having super long (fake) hair. I want my hair to grow. Ideally I would like my hair  to be Marcia Brady steezey long. I asked Stephanie Kocielski, (VP of education for Paul Mitchell), if there was a way to make your hair grow faster, and here is her advice:

Hair growth, starts with health. To promote healthy hair use  natural based product. Stephanie recommends: the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo. The Tea Tree oil invigorates the scalp; and will tingle pleasantly like a  low-cal peppermint patty. Then condition. For optimal hair revival: Give your self a break from  the daily shampoo routine. Try washing your hair every other day, or once every three days.

Healthy hair, is a reflection of overall health. For luscious locks, it important to eat a diet rich in proteins, b vitamins, and omega oils. Some of the best vegan proteins include: Arborio rice, tempeh, tofu, quinoa and mushrooms. 

To really get the "Marcia Brady" look, you have to do the Marsha Brady OCD hair brush routine. When you really brush your hair, you increase the circulation in you sculpt. Most hair oils gets stuck at the roots. Which is why, often hair will look greasy at our roots and crocodile dry at our ends. (Yes, ombre is in style, and is sticking around for spring but Ombre is about shades not effed up textures.) A good hair brush, along with a good brushing, helps pull down the natural oils from our scalp to our ends to help quench their dehydration. 

You can still get great style out of your hair, even when the wash isn't fresh. Stephanie shared with me this amazing cheat to amp up style after: a day on the slopes,  a workout,  house work, etc. This trick provides  easy volume, at no effort. 

Beauty: Easy VaVaVoom Hair

Last week, I shared my new go-to trick for fabulous after sweat hair. This week, the trick, gets a little bit fresh, and vamps up your after gym hair even more. This trick, (courtesy of Stephanie Kocielski hair artist extraordinaire and  VP of education for Paul Mitchell Systems), will blow your flimsy flat hair off and away to Neverland.

 You will need to start with some Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage Spray, a comb, and a blow dryer. Follow the Steps for sweat proof hair: After your workout/ rendezvous, spritz some of the lemon sage spray into your hair. Then flip your head upside down and comb out the tangles. Once you are satisfactory de-tangled, and some heat and blow dry. 

The Tea Tree Spray is crucial for achieving this look. The spray sucks up all the excess oil from your scalp and strands, which makes your hair look and feel shower clean. Big Bodied hair, always looks best  when fresh. 

For Exxxtra Body, a la Celeb Steeze, put your tea-tree-ed hair back up in:

A.) A super high pony tale. (If you have long hair)

B.) High Pigtails, (if you have long medium hair, or what exxxtra body)

C.) In sections (if you have medium length hair)

Take a large curling iron, and set the tail in sections. 

Clip each curl with a bobbie pin, and let cool. While you get dressed and dolled up. 

Take the pins out,  gently toss your hair, and enjoy the feeling of Dulce Glam!

Beauty: Sweat Proof your Hair

I always go the the gym looking cute in my lulu-lemons, and leave looking like a swamp monster. It is a pretty incredible transformation. After a great sweat sesh, I can usually easily "clean my self up" with fresh make-up and a change of clothes. My hair after a workout is, well, just typically unfixable. If I take the pony tail out; I'm left with a huge crimp where my elastic was, and if I leave the pony in place; I'm stuck fighting with all the fly-a-ways. 

In need of a solution, I contacted Stephanie Kocielski, and amazing stylist and the VP of education for Paul Mitchell systems. She was kind enough to share some tips of gym proofing your hair.  She says that after a workout it's about reducing oils, and moisture from your hair. Her after sweat hair trick is simple, and takes maybe 5 minutes. 

After a workout, take down your pony tail and flip your head upside down. Comb out the tangles, and apply Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage spray. The spray works like a dry shampoo. It freshens up the scalp, smells delicious, and sucks up the excess oil from your hair. Once the spray is on, quickly add some heat. If your at the gym, flip your head under the hand dryers ore use a normal blow dryer. This will activate the product, and make your hair fresh for re-styling. Once the product is dry, style it as you wish! 

Before..............

After......

HUGE DIFFERENCE! SO impressed. This trick is quick, easy, and AMAZING. The only product I have in my hair is the Tea Tree Spray. 

Thanks Stephanie, I know this trick will be my after workout staple from now on.