For the last 5 months I have been working on a program with an amazing nutritionist trying to improve my everyday eating habits. Loosing those extra pounds is always a driving force to stick with a program like the one I've been on. But as I started to focus on eating better to shed some weight, it also got me thinking of something else. In addition to eating a healthier diet to improve the appearance of my figure, what kind of diet could I follow to improve the appearance of my skin?
As it turns out...there's a lot of edible help out there geared to improving skin of all types! From what I found, here is my top ten:
1. Avocado-This wonderful creamy fruit is filled with Vitamin B which will nourish the skin inside and out. Used mainly for it's anti-inflammatory properties, the Vitamin B found in avocados can help to sooth irritated and/or red blotchy skin. Another great use of avocado is the natural oils found inside of it. These oils can help to improve skin with a dryer texture. You see avocado used quite a bit in facial masks, and now you know why!
2. Mango-Mangos are packed with Vitamin A, a source that is great for maintaining and repairing skin cells. Vitamin A is also a great antioxidant for the skin which can help to fight free radicals that attack it and cause it to age much faster.
3. Almond-Almonds are a great source of Vitamin E which is also an antioxidant. It's great for protecting and repairing the skin from sun damage. And as we know, sun damage is a great way to age your skin quickly. The oils from this tasty snack can also help to moisturize and renew the texture of the skin.
4. Acerola Cherries-Most cherries that we all know and love (i.e. maraschino, bing, rainier) don't contain a high amount of Vitamin C, not true for the Acerola Cherry. Packed with Vitamin C, eating a healthy amount of this delicious fruit is a guaranteed way to brighten your skin. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in most skin care products that help in diminishing a dull appearance to skin. Leaving instead, with a flawless glow. In addition to that it also helps in the production of collagen within the skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Oysters-Many of us associate oysters as being the cliche' of the classic aphrodisiac. Whether or not they help you to set the mood, what I can assure you is that eating oysters are great way to help heal skin plagued with acne. Packed with the mineral zinc, the development of acne is minimized because zinc is known to slow down the production of sebum in the skin, a major cause of the appearance of breakouts.
6. Baked Potato-Small amounts of this popular comfort food can be great for the skin. Being that it contains high amounts of the mineral copper. Combined with vitamin c and zinc already in the skin, these three elements together help to create elastin fibers. Elastin fibers are super important because it's within those fibers that our skin structure is supported and given the ability to heal and rebound from any injury.
7. Flaxseed Oil-If your not a fish lover then this tip is perfect for you. One of the best sources, other then fish, of Omega 3s is flaxseed oil. Just one teaspoon a day of this essential fatty acid will not only hydrate your skin, it's also a great way to dilute sebum in the skin and unclog pores.
8. Leafy Greens-Not only are leafy greens packed with nutrients that help your body function better, those nutrients help skin as well. Full of antioxidants that help to protect the skin by repairing cell damage and increasing cell turnover. They are also packed with lots of vitamins that will help the skin maintain a bright and healthy appearance.
9. Mushrooms-Not many people associate mushrooms with skin care, and I was one of them. Out of all my discoveries, this one surprised me the most. Come to find out, mushrooms are filled with Vitamin B2. A vitamin that helps in skin tissue maintenance and repair. Which is very important because our bodies use a lot of this particular vitamin in the healing process from burns and wounds.
10. Water-I've saved not only the best for last, I've saved the most important. Drinking a large amount of water a day in your diet is the best thing you can do not only for your body but for you skin as well. Water not only is full of lots of important minerals and nutrients that help our bodies to function as best as they can, it also has the ability to flush out toxins and hydrate. Combine all those elements together and your skin is bound to see results!
I guess what they say is true....you are what you eat!
Thanks to Holly Gonzalez from Your Wellness Tree I've been inspired not only to discover a new way of eating for my figure and my health but for my skin as well! Feel free to check her out at http://www.yourwellnesstree.com/. Trust me, you won't regret it...she's a miracle worker!
Bon Appetit
See you soon!
Marlena Robbins
Licensed Facialist/Make-up Artist
Bree Salon, Studio City
818.508.4500
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Pretty in Pink
As we see another season change we also start to see changes in beauty trends. Inspired by the runways of fashion weeks all over the globe make-up is definitely changing it's pace! This past winter season we saw a lot of deep toned lips barely there blush and shimmery eyes with a softer, blended finish. Well, get ready for something completely different!
This season is all about color. Either lot's of it or none at all! Lips can either be bold with bright reds, corals, or pinks. Or stay soft and natural with peaches and nudes. Cheeks have one common trend no matter what color you choose...keep it high! Instead of color sitting on the apple of the cheek or even under the cheek bone itself, brush it ON the cheek bone. Doing so gives a lift to the features of the face. I personally would go with a shimmery blush. The shimmer, combined with the placement will not only add a lift, it will also leave a glistening finish to the skin.
As for the eyes...well pull out your favorite John Hughes film for inspiration because the 80's are back! It's all about the pastels! Think Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink or even 16 Candles. Blues, purples, greens...you name it...it's in. If too much color is too much for you, try incorporating one pastel color into your daily beauty routine. Mixing it with your favorite natural tone will showcase whatever color you decide to use. Or the "no make-up" look using light skin tones to highlight and contour the skin is another option you can choose and still stay in this season's trend. But for those of you who like to go bold you haven't been forgotten. Bold colored eyeliner will be seen a lot this season. Neon colors in all shades are back and even solid bright white!
Like I said, this season is all about color...where you put it how much of it you use and what you put it with! Remember, not every trend will be for you...and that's ok. Whether you incorporate all the trends or just one or two...make it all about you and make sure you feel beautiful doing it!
Here is a list of products at any budget that I would recommend if you were looking to update your make-up bag and make it spring 2010 trendy :)
Lips:
This season is all about color. Either lot's of it or none at all! Lips can either be bold with bright reds, corals, or pinks. Or stay soft and natural with peaches and nudes. Cheeks have one common trend no matter what color you choose...keep it high! Instead of color sitting on the apple of the cheek or even under the cheek bone itself, brush it ON the cheek bone. Doing so gives a lift to the features of the face. I personally would go with a shimmery blush. The shimmer, combined with the placement will not only add a lift, it will also leave a glistening finish to the skin.
As for the eyes...well pull out your favorite John Hughes film for inspiration because the 80's are back! It's all about the pastels! Think Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink or even 16 Candles. Blues, purples, greens...you name it...it's in. If too much color is too much for you, try incorporating one pastel color into your daily beauty routine. Mixing it with your favorite natural tone will showcase whatever color you decide to use. Or the "no make-up" look using light skin tones to highlight and contour the skin is another option you can choose and still stay in this season's trend. But for those of you who like to go bold you haven't been forgotten. Bold colored eyeliner will be seen a lot this season. Neon colors in all shades are back and even solid bright white!
Like I said, this season is all about color...where you put it how much of it you use and what you put it with! Remember, not every trend will be for you...and that's ok. Whether you incorporate all the trends or just one or two...make it all about you and make sure you feel beautiful doing it!
Here is a list of products at any budget that I would recommend if you were looking to update your make-up bag and make it spring 2010 trendy :)
Lips:
Nars-Love Devotion
MAC-Vegas Volt, Honey Love, Mac Red
Clinique-Merlot
Lancome-Steamy
Revlon-Timeless Nude
Cheeks:
Smashbox-Baked Starlight
Nars-Orgasm
MAC-Style
Lancome-Pink Pool
Revlon-Just Peachy
Eye shadow:
MAC-Bitter
YSL-Pastel
Covergirl-Tropical Fushion
Eyeliner:
MAC-Fascinating, Aqualine
YSL-Deepest Green
Covergirl-Tempst Blue
Feel free to contact me for a make-up lesson to perfect your new spring look!
See you soon!
Marlena Robbins
Licensed facialist/Make-up Artist
Bree Salon, Studio City
818.508.4500
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