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!

Fish TAIL braids!

Fish Tail

 Braids, are my go to winter activity hair style. The braid, pulls my hair back and keeps it orderly while I play outdoors. Because Fish Tale braids are braided differently, I find that after a day of rocking a fish tale braid, I don't have the "typical" braid kinks to deal with. 

To fish tale braid your hair yourself, think of it as french braiding in reverse. 

First divide you hair into two pieces.

Then take a mini piece of hair from one of the large halves of hair and cross it over to the other half.

Repeat crossing back and forth little pieces of hair. I find that for the most dramatic look it is important to cross outside hair into the inside of the opposite half.

 Fish Tale braids are super easy, and look great! 

Warm up! Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash is a winter power food. The squash is low in fat and high in fiber. Butternut squash is loaded with potassium which helps prevent muscle fatigue and bone health. Meaning you can enjoy more skiing/snowboarding without overly exhausting your muscles, and B vitamins which are essential for the proper functioning of the immune and nervous system. As a vegetarians in can be a struggle to getting enough vitamin B's. The squash lovely color indicates it's most important health perk. Butternut squash is loaded with  vitamin A, which helps to promote beautiful skin. 

Butternut Squash Soup

Preheat the oven to 375 F

1 large butternut squash

1 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic

1 tbsp dried rosemary

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Cut the butternut squash long ways in half, and scoop out the seeds. Place the halved squash on a baking sheet. Put two cloves of garlic in each squash scoop. Drizzle the squash with the olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, rosemary, and paprika.

Once cooked remove from the oven and let cool. Then peal of the skin and cut into chunks. 

1 tbsp coconut oil ( or olive oil)

1 large red onion chopped

1 L (quart) vegetable stock

1/2 cup non-dairy plain milk

1 large red apple chopped

1 tsp agave nectar

1 tsp dried ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp chili pepper

In a large saucepan heat the oil, and add the onion stirring until soft. pour in the vegetable stock and the milk. Add in the squash, apple, garlic. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Or until the apple is very tender. Using an electric hand blender, ( or very carefully transferring the soup to a blender) pure until smooth. Add the agave, ginger, cinnamon, chili powder, sage, and nutmeg. Stir well. 

This soup is a nice thick consistency. If you wish to "thin" out the soup add some extra non dairy milk. 

-enjoy

The Red and The Beautiful

Red Lips are so stunning. The bold color demands presence and creates a lure of Iconic Beauty on any face. When choosing the right shade of red lipstick, consider your uniqueness: skin tone, lip shape, ideal color finish, and what you plan on wearing. 

Your lip shape offers suggestions for the ideal texture: 

Thin Lips should stick to a sheer finish which boost the illusion of a fuller lips, while full lips might want to appear more defined with a matte finish. 

And your skin tone offers suggestions for color complements. 

Fair skin tones should choose a blue or pink based red.

Olive or medium skin tones should layer on warmer more coral and orange based reds.

Dark skin tones are complemented beautifully by berry based reds.

Reds I'm LOVING!

NEON RED, ala Gossip Girl Queen Blaire Waldorf

For a strong fierce, all eyes on you look. Choose neon. It's powerful, funky, and beautiful. To copy-cat, gently trace lips with a liner and then brush in the color. To maximize the longevity of the color gently dust a thin layer of translucent powder over lips.  Nars Dragon Girl is my favourite!

Glossy Brick Red

Red Brick takes a 70's flair. Use a lip pencil/crayon for definition. The pencil colors last longer due to a wax base. To amp up the glam finish with a clear gloss. Try a Nars lip pencil in Damned.

Poppy Red

The Playful poppy red looks amazing on fair skin tones as it is a blue based red. Inspired by Andy Warhol's lip stick prints. Just remember to exfoliate well before coloring lips. I like Stila Outrageous.

Red Velvet

To get this look it is supper important that lips are well prepped. Exfoliate, and follow with a lip balm to preserve moisture. For the most dramatic look apply color with a lip brush and concentrate on the cupids bow. Try Nars Vesuvio.

Burnt Red

The brown red is a grungy 90's inspired look. The burn red is a more muted red so it can be "day look" friendly.  Try Stila Daring. 

Winter Beauty-Lushes Lips

As far as I am concerned winter is the best time of year. Snow beautifully dresses up the environment which makes for a picture perfect sight. Winter activities shine, and the lure of Hot Chocolate and mulled wine is enticing. Winter is a fairy tale come true, from tobogganing to ice skating, snow shoeing to dog sledding and of course my personal favorite Skiing/Snowboarding. Winter boredom is a myth, the activities are endless.

I grew up in Banff Canada and therefore with skis on. I spent the better part of my childhood ripping through tree lines in search of bumps. American Thanksgiving has traditionally been a time of the year in which I am thankful for because it means I can enjoy the mountains. Ski resorts open, and I'm pulled by an invisible force to occupy the chairlifts. 

Sunshine Village  in Banff Alberta, is my favorite. The snow is amazing, the mountain is huge, and the lifts are fast. I love cruising the resort, and playing in the terrain park. 

A minor irritation I have towards winter is, the curse of chapped lips. The cold air, dehydration, and outdoor activities do a number to my lips. I hate the feeling of stiff dry lips. Luckily with a few minor beauty adjustments you can prevent and avoid dry lips. Allowing you the freedom to flash a beautiful lushes smile all winter.

First: Ditch drying lip products such as matte and long wear lipsticks. If you need color to dress up your pout choose a tinted lip balm, and reapply often through out the day. If you go and enjoy the outdoors, remember to wear sunscreen and choose an SPF lip balm. The UV rays reflect of the snow and can hit skin with extra force. 

Second: Choose the right lip balm; you want  to fight and heal the cracking sensation. Choose lip care with ingredients like: shea butter, hyaluronic acids, dimethicone, and natural waxes.

Third: Add a soothing oil, oil can help restore moisture to dry skin. Try cocoa butter, beeswax, and Argan oil. Oil is rich in vitamin E and Fatty acids which help prevent skin dehydration.

Fourth: Avoid Fragrances!

Fifth: Eliminate Flakes by using a lip exfoliant or scrub. Lips need a more gentle exfoliant than your skin, so to avoid further irritation gently scrub lips and be sure to reapply lip balm and oil immediately after to help nourish the fresh skin.