Get Rid Of Acne For Good

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You may have heard of tea tree oil for acne, a little dab on a pesky pimple makes all your troubles go away. The problem with this remedy is that it dries up all the skin around the raised area and the scent is very strong. What you may not have heard of is nature’s way of healing your skin, straight from the ocean. On a recent trip to Antigua, a beautiful little island in the Caribbean, I noticed my skin becoming clearer and more beautiful by the day. Within a week my skin was glowing, a healthy radiant peach tone without a blemish in sight. What produced this gorgeous effect? Sea salt, the gift of the ocean for everything from a sore throat to cuts and scrapes.

If anyone has every told you to soak a swollen foot in Epsom salt, the reasons for this are some of the same reasons that sea salt works for acne. Salt draws out the impurities in your skin and reduces inflammation. The result is a reduction in the redness caused by pimples, the dirt clogging your pores is drawn out and your skin is naturally exfoliated.

To make this solution at home: mix two tablespoons finely ground organic sea salt with half a cup warm water in the blender (alternately, shake vigorously). Smooth this mixture on your face, rubbing lightly to exfoliate, and leave on for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water, apply an alcohol free toner to remove any leftover residue, then moisturize. You will want to hydrate well after this treatment using a moisturizer that will not clog your pores and will leave your skin supple. Liz Earle’s Skin Repair Light is the perfect choice, it nourishes your skin beautifully without leaving any residue. If your skin is extremely oily try BioElement’s Beyond Hydration. This moisturizing gel is perfect for very oily skin since it is a gel and not a cream, it will leave your skin comfortable and light.

(Image Courtesy Ahava)

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Diet Tips For The Snacker

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Are you one of those that snacks all day long, you always have to be munching on something? Even with healthy food all those calories can add up to extra pounds. Chances are it is not the food you are actually craving, but the oral fixation of always having something to feel and taste in your mouth. Try switching to a cup of tea the next time you get the urge to nibble. Tea is packed with antioxidants and has enough flavor to satisfy your snack urges.

Love fruit? Try the Ginger Peach Black Tea from The Republic of Tea. If you are looking for a delicate and exotic concoction then a white tea is the perfect match for you. For the mouth with a more savory palate rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) teas and green teas have a more earthy quality and come in a variety of blends. Rooibos tea, also called red bush tea is grown in South Africa and has more antioxidents than green tea, is known for minimizing the effects of free radicals, and boosts your immune system. A beauty and health treatment all in one, my favorite mixture is blueberry rooibos, an earthy and sweet combination with an unusual twist.

(Image Courtesy Adagio Teas)

Dress For Less With Designer Flare

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Spring 2008 is all about the feminine look and lots of color. This year designer Alexander McQueen focused a portion of his collection on the dress with a drop waist. This look is fantastic for spring because of it’s ease and beauty. The drop waist adds an element of casual elegance, a sort of toss all cares to the wind style that still leaves you looking gorgeous and feeling free. This design is non-constricting and allows for freedom of movement, like your favorite satin negligée, but you can wear it in public. Pair the drop waist dress with round toe black patent pumps for special occasions or a sexy daytime look, for days when a little more comfort is required slip on black patent flats.



The dress shown above is an Alexander McQueen design and retails for $1,500. I have to say I love this design, but if that price tag is looking a little steep for you try out the dress below. Retailing at $20.90 from Forever 21, while it is obviously not the same design, you can create the same feeling you see in the Alexander McQueen. Forever 21 also has chic round toe pumps for $21.80, or be a stand out in an Audrey Hepburn inspired look with these gorgeous buckle trim flats. Don’t forget the oversized black rim sunglasses!

Because the themes of this spring are not only feminine, but also colorful make sure to add a dash of pigment to your outfit. If you are wearing a black and white pairing, like this one, add color with your eyeshadow. Urban Decay’s Matte Shadow in Narcotic (a bright turquoise, left) is a perfect pick for that Ready-To-Wear runway look.

(Images Courtesy Neiman Marcus, Forever 21, Urban Decay)

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Ponytails For Spring

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Cameron Diaz’s ponytail is all at once cute, sassy, and sophisticated, making it the perfect accessory for those days when you need something that’s both beautiful and fast. Adding a ponytail to your ensemble brings an element of playfulness, but it’s important to keep it looking cosmopolitan, not girly.

So what makes this ponytail so special? Its the combination of waves, volume and side swept bangs that create a modern twist. Try this look with jeans and heals or your favorite little black dress.

To create this look start by applying a leave in conditioner on the ends of your hair, this is important to keep your tail looking pretty and polished. Next spritz a few pumps of a heat protecting spray (my favorite is Sedu Protecting Boost) and ghd’s Sea Spray for Matte Waves. The protecting spray will make sure your locks stay shiny throughout your blow dry and this waves spray is fantastic for making light sexy waves. To add volume smooth on Fat Hair Lotion from ghd, this product adds medium hold and packs a ton of body into your main. Make sure to apply these products before you blow dry, they are all heat activated.

Now you’re ready for your blow out. For this look don’t use a straightener, you want a bit of wave. For slight waves use a concentrator attachment or for added wave use a diffuser. Now that you have a nice wave and great volume, pull your hair back just above the nape of your neck. Use a fabric covered rubber band to protect your hair from breakage. To complete the look take a small chunk from the ponytail and wrap it around the rubber band several times. A few bobby pins will hold the strands wrapped around the band in place. Finish with a few pumps of a shine spray, Aveda’s Brilliant Spray-On Shine is so easy and smells wonderful. A spray shine is a great tool because you don’t have to touch the hair after you apply it, just spritz and go.

If you have fringe bangs for the purposes of this look, leave them slightly messy with the use of a light pomade. Put a little on your finger tips and lightly work the product through your bangs motioning back and forth from just below the roots to the ends. For side swept bangs spray a little more of the ghd Sea Spray for Matte Waves on your bangs and scrunch them a little. This adds a light hold and a bit more wave.

Add your favorite sunglasses and a fabulous bracelet - you’re off looking chic, confident and fun!

(Image Courtesy Just Jared)


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