Are you one of the lucky ones that gets to travel someplace warm this winter? Then these tips are for you!

      Pack-smart Beach Essentials for Stylish Chicks from an article by Kathryn D'Imperio 

Dashing off to the beach for vacation or a weekend getaway? Not so fast! Be sure you’ve packed all the essential items you’ll need to stay stylish and chic during your time in the sun! To maximize your fun, minimize the number of beauty accessories you lug along to you vacation location with these helpful packing hints. 

Skin Care

*  No matter how badly you want a tan, bring suntan lotion to protect your precious skin from overexposure!                                                                          Though they are possibly the most obvious item, don’t forget your sunglasses! 

*  Just in case you do get some sunburn, do your body a favor and slap on some aloe.  

• Have you ever been caught in a sand storm? Well I have, and I can’t stress enough about the value of a bottle of eye drops in case those pesky particles of sand find their way into your eyes. 
• Don’t forget your normal necessities such as toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant or antiperspirant, towels, shaving gel and razors, tweezers, body wash, etc. 

Hair Care

• Remember to pack your shampoo and conditioner, brush and comb, elastic bands and/or barrettes. 

*  When you spend time in the ocean or playing on the beach, what happens to the top of your head is likely the last thing on your mind. To help prevent sunburn on your scalp, consider packing a hat of some sort, a bandana or a hair scarf. 

And Clothes!

• For a flirty appearance, bring a cute sarong or wrap to wear to the beach, or simply pack a pair of comfy shorts if you hope to beat up on the guys in football and Frisbee!
• Take two towels: one to lie on and one that is sand-free for when you need to dry off. A beach blanket or beach mat also serve a handy purpose for shore-goers.
• An old T-shirt doubles as an escape from the sun’s powerful rays when you just want to relax and enjoy the sounds of the surf. Also, a T-shirt is good to have on hand as it is important to cover exposed skin when the sun has already burned it.
• Normal clothes that you should be sure to bring: Shorts and tanks/tees, jeans or other long pants, perhaps a long-sleeve shirt and a hooded sweatshirt, a sundress, pajamas, bathing suit and underclothes. Don’t forget to bring a windbreaker or light jacket for those chilly nights off the coast!
• Footwear: Bring sandals or flip-flops, sneakers and shoes to go with at least one nice outfit. (Hint: Try to pack outfits that look nice with the same sandals to reduce the need for extra shoes. As long as you can help it, you should not be toting an entire bag dedicated to shoes alone!)

Have fun, be safe!

Six Tips For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is thin or fine-textured skin. It reacts quickly to both heat and cold; so it can sunburn easily. It is commonly dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. Temperature changes, some detergents, cosmetics and alcohol (used on the skin) can all cause irritation, leaving the skin red and blotchy. Sometimes sensitive skin is associated with conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, etc. People with sensitive skin need to take special care of their skin. Here are some tips…

*When choosing make-up, especially foundation and blusher, buy oil-free products. Make-up that is water based and non-cosmedogenic (non-pore clogging) is the best option. There are also oil-absorbing foundations that keep oil off the face. It’s a good idea to look for fragrance-free products also.

*In taking care of sensitive skin keep it clean. Most skin like this will react badly to dirt and dust. This skin type is often susceptible to acne problems and breakouts.  Use a mild, soap-free cleanser  but don’t over wash your face (i.e. more than twice a day.) Do not use exfoliants. Use an astringent on oily areas only, but discontinue use if redness occurs.

*Get a good night’s sleep. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. Having the right amount of sleep can actually help the skin regenerate. This is also the time when the skin can breathe in from going all day with make-up.

*It is important that you follow a cleansing routine every day. Remember to always remove your make-up before going to sleep. Turning in for the night with make-up on will only result in clogged pores and eventually, acne. 

*Remember that sensitive skin tends to pick up dirt and grime easily and react to it. Prevent irritation by minimizing contact with your skin. This is especially true with your face as this is the most sensitive skin area on the body. Pinching existing zits will also lead to irritation. Minimize scratching or even touching your face.

*Sensitivity can also increase with age. It has been reported for example that the skin gets more sensitive in women at the beginning of menopause.

All skin types have special needs. I hope these tips help if you have sensitive skin.

Do’s and Don’ts for After Your Shower

Are you a bath person or a shower person? Me, I like a shower so I thought I'd share a few tips on how to make your shower better.

Do apply moisturizer/lotion.

Applying moisturizer after taking a shower will help to keep the moisture in and the dryness out.

Do those eyebrows.

After showering is a great time to tweeze your eyebrows. It makes for reduced pain and less resistance. Pluck in the direction of hair growth for best results.

Don’t blow dry.

Let your hair air dry until slightly damp. Blow drying right out of the shower can lead to frizzes. Use a towel to squeeze excess water from your hair but don't rub your hair with the towel.

Don’t use mascara.

Putting on your mascara in a steamy bathroom can lead to smudging.

For using the blow dryer and/or mascara clear the bathroom by opening a window or turning on a fan first.

Do push back your cuticles.

Your cuticles are at their softest so they’re unlikely to tear. Just gently nudge them with your towel.

Wordless Wednesday

Catchin' anything?

It Only Takes Five Minutes

I enjoyed reading  5 Minutes With Jesus—A Fresh Infusion of Joy by Sheila Walsh with Sherri Gragg. This little book contains 50 short uplifting and inspiring stories and take-aways with the theme of joy.

     I think this little book is the perfect way to start the day. I like that the readings were short. I picked one each day to read and ponder the rest of the day. They are interesting and often humorous. After each reading there is a restatement of the main point and then several bible passages that go along with that reading. It literally takes only 5 minutes to read each one.

     I also like that Sheila Walsh told some stories from her life to emphasize her points. She isn’t preachy but has a very comfortable style of writing. 

This would make a great gift for someone special in your life.

( I was given this book to review from the Thomas Nelson Company. The opinion expressed here is my own.)

Making Sense of Scents

   

Perfumes and fragrances are one of the most difficult accessories to define and to pin down because it is such a personal choice. I thought it would be interesting to write a post dealing with selecting and choosing perfumes and fragrances. 

Q. Is it true that fragrances change scent on different people? 


A.Yes. Each of us has our own unique body chemistry based on our genes, skin type, hair color, and even the type of lifestyle we lead and the environment in which we live in. So it is important not to purchase a fragrance because you smelled it in a magazine ad or on someone else. Try it on your own skin to see how it reacts with your own body chemistry.

Q. As one gets older does the sense of smell diminish?

 A.Yes. As we age our sense of smell slowly begins to diminish. As a result some older individuals apply more fragrance than needed. (not only older adults!)

Q. How long will a fragrance last on me?

       A. Fragrances are designed to last about 4 hours or so. Some people may notice that a particular fragrance lasts all day but by then it will not smell as it's supposed to. You must reapply once or twice a day.

Q.  Do I apply fragrance all over the body?

      A.  Yes. If a fragrance is only applied to the neck or behind the ears the fragrance will rise and disappear. It is important to apply a fragrance all over the body to ensure the scent lasts.

Q.  How does skin type play a role?

      A. Oily skin holds scents much more than dry skin. So those with dry skin need to reapply more often.

 Q.  Is it important to change fragrances according to the different seasons of the year?

      A. Yes, since heat increases the intensity of a fragrance. There are certain fragrances that are more appropriate for summer and other stronger scents that would be better for winter use. A good guideline to follow is to wear lighter scents in the summer and stronger in the winter. Citrus scents are perfect for summer while orientals are better for winter.

I wear White Linen in the summer and Aqua di Gio (for women) in the winter. What is your favorite fragrance?