BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER YOUR SHOWER DEAL BREAKERS.

It's been a minute since I've done a beauty blog...mainly because it's been cold and all things beauty related have been pushed to the side. I also left my ENTIRE make up bag in San Diego last time I went home so that also hasn't been very inspiring.

BUT I realized the other day (while I was in the shower) that there's actually a lot of things that we should be doing before, during and after a shower that we might me missing. 

I think I brought all of this up again when I was talking to my boyfriend about how annoying it is for a girl to shower. He'll literally shower before the gym like he's just brushing his teeth or something. I put it off for as long as possible and praise Jesus for dry shampoo. 

When you really think about, it's like a chunk of time that we have to put aside so let's go over it. 

PS: This is the ideal, Sunday morning, nothing to do, relaxing, 1 hour shower process. Not the, " I have 20 minutes to get ready for work" shower. Got it?

Okay. Let's talk

PRE SHOWER. 

1. DRY BRUSH

I've talked about this in it's own blog before, which you can find here, but ideally before you jump in the shower you want to take advantage of a dry brush. It helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, drains your lymphatic system, removes dead skin and really helps to smooth and exfoliate the skin. AMAZING. 

2. LEAVE IN CONDITIONER TREATMENT

I think once a week for something like this would be ideal. (You can check out this article to find good drugstore treatments). Throw something like the Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque into your hair before stepping int the shower and let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing it out. This will help with breaking, dryness and split ends. 

DURING YOUR SHOWER.

1. USE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER.

You want to make sure that you are not using a brand of shampoo and conditioner that has sulfates, parabens, or sodium chloride in them. These are the secret ingredients that make our hair dry and fall out, nooo thank you. 

Honestly, I've been finding really good products at good prices at Marshall's. You want to look for products that say SULFATE FREE. PARABEN FREE. And look for stuff that has natural oils in it like coconut oil, avocado oil. argan oil and almond oil. 

2. FINISH WITH A COLD RINSE

I know this isn't ideal now that it's winter time but if you can man up and do it really quick then you'll be golden. I obviously found that it was not only easier but kind of ideal to do this during the summer. 

Finishing your hot shower with a cold rinse closes up the pores in your skin as well as the pores in your hair. 

AFTER YOUR SHOWER:

1. PAT (YOUR FACE) DRY

Unless you want to give yourself some wrinkles pretty soon then you're going to want to make sure that you neverrrr dry your face by taking your towel and pulllling it down your face. You want to be extra gentle with your face so just pat dry.

2. LOTION UP

ESPECIALLY since it's winter time, you want to keep you skin as hydrated as possible. Lather up from your neck to your ankles with a moisturizing lotion.

TIP: I like to add a gradual tanning lotion to my moisturizing lotion so that I can also get a little base tan. I start to glow whiteness during the winter which is no bueno so I try to avoid that for the sake of others.

3. TONER

I've talked about this toner like 8 million times but it's because I'm actually in love with it. And it works. And it's cheap. I put it on after a shower and it's SO helpful as a skin toner.

ALSO it's an amazing aftershave.

So if your guy is confused on why it takes 32 hours to take a shower and why we need ALL the hot water, give him this breakdown. 

XOXO

SMALLER PORES & TIGHTER SKIN YOU SAY?

I just want to rock no make up, glowing skin, and perfect brows 24/7, is that so hard??

Waking up and feeling like my eyelids are protruding out further than my chin and the bags under my eyes are like 29 pounds is not exactly #goals.

The extent of me trying to do anything about it in the morning usually went as far as me throwing cold water on my face and just rolling with it.

SO. I introduce you to, ICE ROLLING.

Have you guys heard of this already? I lucked out when the BEFIT company sent me two ice rollers the other week!! One is like the length of my forearm and it's meant to roll out the muscles in your legs, neck and back (epic), then the other one they sent me is the smaller ball shaped one.

This one is meant to get other muscles like your hips, feet and chest BUT i've also obviously been taking advantage of it and using all over my neck and face.

And I am OBSESSED. 

The company Hansderma sells the popular 'Skin Cool Ice Roller' that is specifically for your neck and face by the way, but this one from BeFit can be used all over your body. 

Here's the benefits:

+ Ice rolling gets rid of fatigue, redness and puffiness on the face and around the eyes.

+ It relieves tension from headaches.

+ It can fight those painful pimples that feel like effing craters because ice rolling kills bacteria.

+ The coldness tightens your skin, giving you a slimmer face and jaw line.

+ It gives you energy and rejuvenates the skin.

All you need to do it roll in an UPWARD directions over your cheeks, around your eyes, and on your neck.

I love doing it first thing in the morning because it wakes me up and keeps my skin feeling fresh and cool much longer after I use it. 

Then you can rub it on your boyfriends face in the morning while he's sleeping to give yourself a good laugh and wake his ass up. 

xoxo 

HOME MADE ORGANIC EXFOLIATING MASK

This mask is one of my FAVORITE things to use on my skin!! It makes it SO soft, it's cheap, easy and effective so I highly suggest it! Everything in it is organic leaving you with a harmless scrub that you can use quickly or leave on for 15-20 minutes as a mask!

So here's the drill. Next time you make a full pot of coffee, DON'T THROW AWAY THE USED COFFEE GRAINS! Simply take them out of the filter and put them into a bowl. Squeeze in 1/2 of an organic lemon.

Don't be afraid to let some of the pulp from the lemon get in there. LEMONS ARE AMAAAAZING for our skin!

Lemon brightens and lightens our skin, exfoliates the top layer of dead skin cells, heals acne and helps diminish scars and signs of aging. EVERYONE NEEDS LEMON ON THEIR FACE!

Next: 

Add 1 tablespoon of organic honey and a tablespoon of organic coconut oil.

When honey is applied to the face it will draw moisture in from the air and hold in within the skin where it feels it is necessary - hellllo hydration! It also helps to keep our pores clean and clear, exfoliates, brightens the skin, and helps reduce the appearance of scars. 

Coconut oil is like my best friend, you can literally use that stuff on EVERYTHING! Here it will drench your pores with some moisture and it acts as a make up remover!

Next, Mix it all up!

Store it in a cool, dry area. I usually keep mine in a little mason jar next to my sink OR i'll take it into the shower and use it as a FULL BODY EXFOLIANT! You're gunna die at how soft and smooth your skin is. And you'll smell like a yummy latte ;)