beauty

How to Get Beautiful Skin from the Inside Out

by Sonja Shin on January 29, 2013 · 37 comments

So often we look for quick fixes in lotions and potions that promise to help us look younger and more beautiful. But nothing is more effective than approaching beauty from the inside out. Our skin is a reflection of what’s going on in our bodies, says health coach Christine Gonzalez. Certain foods are said to heal and protect skin; while others can contribute to breakouts and wrinkles (yes, wrinkles). Here is a guide to some great beautifiers and some things you may want to rethink.

Beautifiers. Here are some things Gonzalez recommends for beautiful skin and why they’re so helpful.

Whole Foods. You can heal your skin by eating plenty of whole, unprocessed, organic foods to provide your body with more nutrients and fewer toxins, says Gonzalez. Fruits and leafy greens like kale and spinach are especially good.
Omega-3s. You can prevent fine lines and wrinkles with Omega-3 fatty acids. These beauties keep skin hydrated and more elastic. You can find them in oil-rich fish (like salmon), flax seeds and walnuts.
Antioxidants. Load up on antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, red grapes and pomegranate to prevent wrinkles because they protect skin from damaging free radicals brought on by exposure to the sun and pollution.
Fiber. Get your daily dose of fiber to heal skin by flushing out toxins. The daily recommendation is about 25 to 35 grams per day. Most people only get about half that, according to the American Heart Association. Beans, whole fruits and whole grains are all chock full of fiber.
Hydrate. Drinking plenty of water also helps flush out toxins. The daily recommendation is 64 ounces, or about five 12-ounce glasses. If you get bored with water, try tea as long as it’s free of caffeine, which is a diuretic.

Things to Avoid. There are also quite a few things that aren’t doing your skin any favors.

Stress. OK, it can be nearly impossible to avoid stress; but you can find ways to manage it. And that will get you on the road to clearer skin. “Stress is one of the leading triggers of acne,” says Dr. Katie Rodan, one of the dermatologists behind the popular Proactiv line. To manage stress, she recommends getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, practicing yoga and taking time out for calming activities like a relaxing bath.
Fats. If pimples or rosacea are a problem for you, it will be helpful to cut back on fatty foods, especially ones with saturated fats, which can be found in things like whole dairy products, fatty meats, and coconut and palm oils. Fats promote inflammation, which in turn makes rosacea worse and encourages small bumps and pimples.
Sugar. Sugar contributes to wrinkles, acne and rosacea. It stiffens the skin and leads to fine lines and wrinkles by breaking down collagen density. Just like fats, sugar promotes inflammation, which exacerbates rosacea and leads to bumps and pimples. It also stimulates the growth of a certain kind of fungus, which promotes acne. Who knew a cute little cupcake could launch such an assault on the face?
Processed Foods. When you eat processed foods, like white bread and chips, you get the same effects as when you eat sugar, because these foods lack nutrients and quickly convert into sugar in our bodies.

Reality Check. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m no food saint and I’m not into extremes. In fact, I have found that when I have tried to cut something out of my diet altogether, I found that I just wanted it more and then overindulged later so I will eat the occasional cheeseburger and slice of deep dish pizza. And I will totally nosh on awesome appetizers at a party. BUT I try to indulge in moderation and find a balance by making sure I’m nourishing myself with plenty of good options as well. For instance, if I get a burger, I’ll make sure to drink plenty of water with it and pair it with salad. And if I’m going to a party, I’ll have one or two green smoothies chock full of fruit and veggies beforehand so I don’t arrive starving and I will have filled up a bit on good stuff first (you can learn more about green smoothies and get recipe ideas on Hello Beauty).

I also find that knowing the information above is a good incentive to limit the offenders and indulge in more of the good stuff; and my skin thanks me for it.

photo by drubuntu

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Already Pretty contributor Sonja Shin is a beauty and wellness writer, TV reporter and producer and on-camera talent based in St. Louis. She has appeared as a beauty expert guest on Fox News in St. Louis and has reported general and health/medical news at TV stations in San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis. Her blog Hello Beauty focuses on beauty and wellness with many reviews, tips and tricks, and how to videos.

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Enhancing Appearances

by Sally on December 11, 2012 · 59 comments

I wear padded bras. As I’ve mentioned more times than I ever expected to on a public website, I have perpetually erect nipples. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I’m ashamed of this, but I acknowledge that it can be a distraction. So I pad. And I will admit to liking how a little bit of extra volume in my bust balances my figure. But in my bra shopping excursions, I always avoid the super enhanced, gel insert, push-the-girls-sky-high models. The phrase “false advertising” floats through my head, unbidden and unwelcome.

For most of my young life, I washed my face with Dial soap and walked out the door with nary a swipe of cosmetics. I’ve made a lot of changes since then. I don’t do much, but I like my face better with blush, lip color, and defined brows. I feel like I look healthier, more polished, like an enhanced version of my regular self. But occasionally I come across diagrams like the one above – showing techniques for visually contouring the face using powders of various colors and shades – and I realize that I’m only hitting the tip of the face-defining iceberg.

I own shape wear. If I’m going out in a fitted dress and want a little jiggle-mitigation, I’ll slip it on. I have never believed nor seen evidence that shape wear can make anyone look five pounds lighter, but I know that wearing these undergarments changes how I look to the observing eye.

So much of what we do when we dress and groom is meant to amplify or enhance what we already have. Some of what we do is meant to alter how our natural figures and faces are seen and perceived. And what fascinates me is what each person, as an individual, feels about levels of enhancement and amplification. Some people would consider dying their hair to be an act of deception, and some would feel perfectly comfortable undergoing surgery to transform their body’s essential shape and consider it to be a welcome enhancement. It’s personal, variable, and totally fascinating.

I’d love to hear about the choices you make to enhance or subtly alter your appearance and how you landed upon them. Do you do padded bras? Contour your face with cosmetics? Wear shape wear? Color your hair? Have you had elective body-altering surgery? Have your experiences with these techniques and garments changed how you feel about your appearance overall? If so, how?

PLEASE NOTE:

If you feel strongly about this issue, express your views respectfully and civilly or they will not be published. I’m happy to participate in a discussion that includes contrary opinions, but will not tolerate cruelty.
Be courteous and kind to each other when responding to remarks from other readers.

Image via Finding New.

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Combatting Acne as an Adult

by Sally on November 19, 2012 · 64 comments

I’ve written here and there about my struggles with adult acne, but I realized that I’ve never dedicated an entire post to the topic. My own acne is mostly under control, mild compared to what many people deal with, and considerably better than it used to be. But some of that is because I have had to change my behaviors on many fronts to ensure a relatively breakout-free existence.

Pillowcases and towels

In order to keep exposure to my own old sebum to a minimum, I change my pillowcase every other night. I sleep on one side, flip to the other side on the second day, then throw the pillowcase into my laundry basket. I use a new washcloth every night, and dry my face with clean, unused towels only. I use hand towels to dry, and have found that I can make them last for four uses by using half of each towel side per use. I own my home and do laundry once per week in my own basement. At least one person has mentioned that the amount of dirty linens that I generate through this system seems prohibitive, and I hear that. But when I travel for long periods and am unable to keep this up, I can see a difference within about a week.

Hormonal birth control

I have mixed feelings about taking hormonal birth control because it seems to mess with my moods quite a bit. But without it I suffer from incredibly painful cystic acne on and under my chin. So I take it. I have tried many creams and pills and consulted with many dermatologists. I am terrified of Accutane and don’t think my case is severe enough for it anyway. So, to stave off the super-painful pimples, I do birth control.

Diet

My cysts stay away so long as I keep to the birth control, but whiteheads and blackheads seem to be triggered by dietary choices. I make absolutely no claims that my own choices have any bearing on science, other people’s acne, or anything in the world except my own complexion, but sugar makes me break out. I try to avoid candy, baked goods, ice cream, and just about anything sugary to keep the pimples at bay. (And I dream of diving into pools of chocolate mousse. Really, I do.)

Oil cleansing

I’ve written an entire post on my experience with oil cleansing, and almost a year later I can say with confidence that I’ll stick to this method forever. No other cleanser has ever kept my skin in such good condition for so long.

Clairsonic

Back when I wrote my review of this product, I was still a bit on the fence. But a commenter made a great point: The Clairsonic is supposed to get rid of dirt and makeup. But if you use it to remove those things, you may end up just grinding them deeper into your skin. So now I swipe some oil on my face, wipe it off with a washcloth, swipe on more oil, and THEN use the Clairsonic. I do this every other night, which seems to be the right amount for my sensitive skin.

BB cream

Again, I’ve sung the praises of this new-to-me discovery here, but it bears mentioning again. This product not only evens out my skin tone when I use it, but it helps the zits that do occasionally appear heal faster.

Hands off

I’ve saved this one for last because I estimate it’ll be the most controversial. I do my utmost to keep my hands off my face. I keep my hands clean, but know that they’re still collecting dirt and bacteria all day long. And I’ve noticed that if I rest my chin in my palm for long periods, I get pimples. Right there. So I just don’t touch my face. I’ll scratch itches and rub my eyes and such, but just avoid prolonged contact with my hands.

And that, friends, represents a significant investment of time, money, and energy to keep my acne only somewhat at bay. I still break out regularly, still typically have three or four zits on my chin and neck. I don’t like them. They’re a part of my natural biology, but I have failed entirely to embrace them. I’ve read a few articles and posts that ask why acne never gets folded in with the other issues associated with body acceptance, and lamenting that fact. It’s a valid point, ya know? Some people have acne and can do very little about it. Why should they be shamed? It seems like skin conditions – eczema, rosacea, and others – are near-universal triggers for judgment/embarrassment. In my case, my acne can be agonizingly painful and I feel that’s a good reason to work hard to keep it in check. But I’ll admit that even the non-painful, everyday zits irk me. And I am yet to feel body-love-related holistic acceptance of them.

Do you deal with acne as an adult? How do you keep yours under control? Any of the products or methods I use sound like they might be helpful? How do you feel about acne’s exclusion from the self-love movement?

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Foundation for the Fearful: Boscia’s BB Cream

by Sally on October 30, 2012 · 32 comments

On the rare occasions that I’ve had my makeup done by a professional, I’ve tolerated foundation. But as someone with sensitive skin that goes from matte to “oil slick” in a matter of minutes, I’ve had trouble finding a formula that feels and looks good on me over the long term. Even the supposedly lightweight, mattifying stuff feels stifling and heavy to me.

But I’ve trusted Boscia for ages, since their moisturizers and skincare products are fantastically gentle and don’t irritate my skin. And I’ve trusted Beauty Bets for even longer, so when she said that Boscia’s BB Cream is a good bet, I figured it was worth a try.

What’s a BB cream, you ask? The “BB” stands for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm,” depending who you ask. (Which makes the “cream” tacked onto the end a bit redundant, no?) These products have been popular in Asia for ages, but only hit the U.S. a few years ago. They combine the properties of moisturizers, foundation, and acne care to create even tone and a clean finish. Some even tack on wrinkle minimization and sunscreen. Most formulas come in a single shade that adjusts to most skin tones upon application, which blows my mind. Well played, cosmetics formulators. Well played indeed.

I’ve been a fan of tinted moisturizer for spot application, but was eager to find a product that could even out my skin a bit without clogging my pores. I’m delighted to report that Boscia’s BB Cream does everything I want it to and more.

Here’s a photo of me with a freshly washed face and no makeup whatsoever:

And here’s a photo of me after applying my BB Cream:

Not a night-and-day difference, but as you can see, it creates an even tone that works with my naturally pale skin color. I learned early on that it needs to be rubbed in quickly and vigorously. Whatever mind-blowing science allows this goop to match various skin tones fails miserably if you fail to work it into your skin. Once you’ve done that, though, it feels great – clean and light. I must personally dispute the proclaimed mattifying properties, as I definitely get shiny after three or four hours. However nearly all mattifying products fail on my face, so this wasn’t a huge surprise. And I’ve been AMAZED by how this product keeps my acne in check. I have the occasional wayward zit, but overall? So much less spotty and breakout-prone than before. As always, all acne is unique so my good experience is no guarantee that this product will soothe your acne. But it might be worth a try.

In addition to creating an even finish and combatting acne, Boscia’s BB Cream also functions as a sunscreen. Now if only it could double as an ice cream topping, it would be the perfect product …

But seriously, I’m sold on this stuff. Feels great, looks great, does great things for my skin. And at $38 a bottle, it’s one of the cheaper BB options out there.

Have you tried any BB creams? I know a couple of you have been ordering them via eBay and online for ages! If you’ve not yet given them a whirl, would you now? Especially curious to hear if dark-skinned women have tried these tone-matching formulas … and if they actually match and work.

Image courtesy Beauty.com.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details. However, this is NOT a paid review. All opinions are my own, and no product was received for free.

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Fancy Lady Equipment

by Sally on October 22, 2012 · 56 comments

Most conspiracy theories make me giggle. I’m a pretty open-minded gal, but the notion that the moon landing was faked strikes me as downright bizarre. However, I do believe that most major cosmetics and personal care products companies actively conspire against women. These corporations strive to manufacture discontent among women to convince them to buy new products, more products, complex systems of products to combat our apparent flaws. In many cases, the conspiracy goes even deeper, getting women hooked on certain cosmetics or procedures as mere gateways, eventually revealing that more costly versions will yield even better results. It’s a system that not only convinces women we’re undeniably imperfect, but also snows us into believing that our “imperfections” can be cured with products. And, of course, bales of money.

So I find myself seething with frustration at the discovery that, in many cases, paying more for beauty products and services actually DOES make a difference. Often times, the more expensive option is the better one. Not always, of course, but far more often than I’d prefer.

For ages, I got two haircuts per year. At Cost Cutters. My big mane of curls could handle just about anything that a $12 trim could dish out. But over a year ago, I got a pixie cut and quickly realized that corraling my thick waves into a tidy short cut required a bit more expertise. I fared better at a spendy salon, working with a stylist who specialized in curls and waves. And the outrageously expensive products that stylist sold me? They kept my locks in better shape than the drug store gels and mousses I’d used for ages.

The second aggravating step in my hair-related realizations came when I noticed that my cheap-ass flat-iron didn’t actually do much in the way of straightening. At the salon, my stylist’s shimmering ceramic flat-iron left my hair shiny and smooth. My crappy, ancient, metal dinosaur just yanked out hairs and fried my ends. I ponied up for a top-of-the-line model (the GHD one shown above), and lo, shiny, smooth pixie at home. Much grumbling ensued.

A friend of mine makes her living writing and teaching about wise and prudent spending, so when SHE informed me that a $150 Clairsonic Mia would help with my acne and blotchiness, I was inclined to believe her. And she wasn’t yanking my chain. I can’t quite believe I plunked down that kind of cash for a little, humming, swirling face brush, but damn, it has made a noticeable difference.

The first blush I ever bought was the legendary NARS Orgasm, and I adored it. But it set me back $28 and I felt like a fool for spending so much. Five types of drugstore blush later, I understood how a blush becomes legendary.

Now, I still refuse to do pro manicures. I’ve gotten at least a dozen in the past few years and from dirt cheap to breathtakingly expensive, they’ve all sucked. I’ve never met a cheap lipstick I didn’t love, including the $2 jobbers from Target. I use grocery store olive oil as my cleanser when I haul out my wildly expensive Clairsonic Mia, and I’m proud of it. There are so many beauty bargains out there and I seek them whenever I can, but I’m amazed and aggravated to find that many products, tools, and services are actually worth the extra cash.

Of course, this all assumes that you are a woman who wears blush or wants to straighten her hair. Plenty of women go completely natural, and that route is an undeniably fabulous one. After all, it could be argued that even a $2 lipstick feeds the manufactured discontent machine. But I’m curious to hear from those of you who chose to consume beauty products and services. Have you found that, in many cases, spending more yields better results? Any cases in which cheaper is better? By all means, share!

*This post originally appeared on The Frisky.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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This Week I Love …

by Sally on October 8, 2012 · 28 comments

… Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer.

So, I bought this stuff thinking I’d use it all over my face. THAT didn’t work out. It’s incredibly lightweight and absorbs beautifully, but it didn’t agree with certain regions of my fussy complexion. (More on that shortly.) However, since it had set me back $42 (read as “forty-two freakin’ dollars”), I was determined to find some uses for it.

And oh, have I.

Since recording this video, I have switched up my routine: I now use the Laura Mercier in Nude as my first under-eye concealer layer, and a lightweight powder as my second layer. Since the Mercier moisturizer is so light and blends so well, it makes a much better base coat than the Lemon Aid. My under-eye area is sensitive and creased, so this new combination doesn’t look as cakey and thick.

I’ve also found that this moisturizer is great as a base coat for zit coverage. Just slathering on the Erase Paste makes things look spackled no matter how I dab, pat, and blend. Doing a coat of tinted moisturizer first helps a ton, getting some of the color correction done and creating a better, smoother surface for the thicker, paler concealer. In fact, if a zit is light enough I often use the moisturizer alone as concealer. Works like a charm, especially with a bit of powder over it.

As I’ve said, my skin is finicky and acne-prone. And although I use this stuff quite successfully as a spot concealer, I’m baffled to report that all-over treatment with Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer made me break out, and quickly. And in areas that don’t usually break out like my nose and cheeks. Everyone is different, and this product has a stellar reputation, so I’m betting it works for many other sensitive-skinned folks. But for me, this product fails as a full-on facial moisturizer with tint, but wins as an invaluable base coat for various concealing purposes.

Do you use tinted moisturizer? Ever tried this brand? Any others to recommend? Share links if you’ve got ‘em!

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. However, this is NOT a paid post, but a review of a product I purchased and used on my own. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Knowing and Accepting Who You Are

by Sally on September 23, 2012 · 4 comments

“To me, beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about knowing and accepting who you are.”

~ Ellen DeGeneres

Image via Deadline Hollywood

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beauty

How to Get Beautiful Skin from the Inside Out

Enhancing Appearances

Combatting Acne as an Adult

Pillowcases and towels

Hormonal birth control

Diet

Oil cleansing

Clairsonic

BB cream

Hands off

Foundation for the Fearful: Boscia’s BB Cream

Fancy Lady Equipment

This Week I Love …

Knowing and Accepting Who You Are

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