Beat Cellulite - No Creams or Lotions Required

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you had an amazing week. I’ve been posting a lot about preparing for summer in my Fitness and Health Blog and then I realized… CELLULITE! It plagues even the youngest and skinniest of us. =[ Working out doesn’t eliminate cellulite, it can actually make it worse because when the muscle is developed it can squish the fat making it more visible! Pinterest is flooded with anti-cellulite cream this, DIY cellulite treatment that and the reviews don’t have raving fans. I’ve been reading a lot lately about the benefits of dry brushing and it’s the highest rated for cellulite reduction, toning and tightening of skin. Dry brushing isn’t just for the physical benefits either, it actually Increases circulation, cell renewal, digestion, kidney function and lymphatic drainage (draining of toxins)! So it’s healthy. I just got my dry brush so I’m going to start ASAP!

What kind of dry brush to get: I ordered this dry brush on amazon – it’s all natural and made with vegetable fiber bristles. You want something stiff but not too rough. The bristles should be natural not synthetic.

How often: It’s recommended to dry brush daily, up to 2x per day and not just your cellulite prone areas, your entire body! It’s called dry brushing for a reason, so do it in the am before your shower and at night before bed.

What direction: Always brush towards your heart in long sweeps, not back and forth. BE GENTLE! =D Start with your feet and legs.

I’ll keep you all posted on my results in a couple weeks. =]

Adios!

DIY Flawless Face

I don’t think you have to spend $100’s of dollars on makeup to look great. I’ve broken down my daily face makeup routine for a fool-proof, flawless look. I’ll admit that I have horrible skin; blotchy, bumpy and it’s either over oily or dry and dull (depending on what products I use). As much as I complain about how horrible it is to have oily skin, my mom tells me I’ll be thankful for it when I’m old and not-so wrinkly. Anyways, needless to say I have to be very selective about what products I put on my face. I’ve tried just about everything in the book and I've narrowed it down to the following products for a flawless face without making my skin act up and without spending a fortune on name brand beauty products.

I always, always, always wash my face before applying makeup. I use a bar of non-scented Dove soap everyday and every other day I use the DIY Microdermabrasion for polished skin. The recipe for this DIY Micro can be found HERE.

Step 1: I apply a dime-sized amount of the Revlon Photo Ready Color Correcting Primer all over my face, including my eyelids; I think it makes my eye shadow stay in place better.

Step 2: Starting with my forehead, I use a half-pump of the Studio Gear Flawless Foundation. Then I do a full pump on each side of my face. This stuff will set after you rub it in, so you have to work somewhat fast. I love this makeup because it provides good coverage without making you look cakey. It’s also water based so it will easily remove with soap and water AND it has SPF 10!

Step 3: Again starting with my forehead, I use the Eco Tools Kabuki Brush and lightly dust my entire face with the Pur Minerals Matte Pressed Powder. This step could be optional depending on your skin type, again I have super oily skin so if I don’t seal it with this powder ALL the oil comes out of my face! Most of Pur Minerals products contain an SPF, this 4-in-1 contains SPF 15 and Vitamin E. This can be for light or heavy coverage, on the weekends I usually skip step 2 and just brush a little of the Pur Minerals on and it’s a nice coverage.  

Step 4: Next I use the Rimmel Natural Bronzer, this ALSO has SPF 8! I lightly dust this onto my cheeks, the sides of my face by my eyes and just above my eyebrows (all the places the sun would usually hit).

Step 5: I use a smaller foundation brush to apply the Physician Formula Organic Wear Shimmer for contouring under my eyes, down my nose, just on top of your upper lip line and my chin. This is great because it’s all natural and it’s not shimmer overload; it gives you just enough highlight to make you pop.

Step 6: I do a quick spray of the Evian Water Spray. I know it might sound silly but it sets my makeup so I don’t look like I just dipped my face in a bucket of powder. I’ve used the Mac Fix+ Setting Spray but for some reason it makes me skin feel sticky and itchy? Lol

And that’s it! Stay posted for a How to: Highlight and Contour tutorial! =]

Organic Anti-Wrinkle Mask

Bananas contain several vitamins that rejuvenate the skin and prevent future wrinkles from developing. Apply this organic mask 1-3 times per week.

½ of a ripe banana

½ cup of natural yogurt

1 tbs of natural honey

1 tsp of coffee grounds

Mash the banana until smooth, stir in yougurt, honey and coffee grounds. Apply the mask evenly to your face and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

*Mask will save in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 

DIY Micro-Dermabraison

I live by this DIY Micro-Dermabraision! It's the bee's knees! This will brighten your skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and scars.

mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water

I usually make it in bulk and just take a little jar and fill it 2/3 of the way full and put some water over the top and mix it until its a thick paste.

Rub it in a circular motion on your entire face and rinse off with warm water.

I use this scrub every 3 days or so and I definitely notice a difference if I don't. ENJOY!