Zohannie's Tips for Fitness and Beauty

There has been one fashion staple that reaches back deep into history. RED LIPS! Get bold with it, girls! Find your hue. There are yellow reds and blue reds. Blue reds are for cool complexions. If you wear a lot of blue or purple and like the way you look, chances are you have a cool complexion.

Click this link to see a video of Taylor Swift talking hair and fashion! It is a great video!

Okay, ladies! We all have accessories that we can’t live without: purses, shoes, scarves, jewelry! But then there is an article that can be a bit more tricky. Hats! Which hat is best for your face, your style; what color do you buy? Is there a color that will work with frequent changes in hair-color, wardrobe, and makeup? YES, YES, YES!!!
More on this coming soon!!!

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Now playing: Avril Lavigne- Nobodys fool
via FoxyTunes

Click Flash by Ciara

What is the first thing we ladies do when there is a special event coming up?  But of course! We go shopping for something that will wow and show up the other girls. Right? Now don’t be modest. We all know it is a world of competition out there. But competing can be EXPENSIVE!!! But there are always ways to find something unique, stunning, and AFFORDABLE!

When looking for sales, always check the back-left side of your store. That is where you will commonly find the clearance racks/bins.  Also, don’t be shy. Ask, ask , ask. When is the next sale-clearance. This sounds obvious, but so many are simply afraid to ask.

And the big tip-obvious, yes, but we all need a nudge.  GO TO A THRIFT STORE or VINTAGE SHOP. There are many wonderful choices at places like this. People donate beautiful things, not just things that are worn out. You can put together original combinations (hats, gloves, gowns, skirts, slacks, more; jewelry, shoes, clutches, handbags, scarves, you get the picture).  Rich folks “go thrifting” all the time. Ever wonder how rich people stay rich? By looking for BARGAINS!!!  Just remember to check all seams and material to be sure there are no weak spaces that will leave you with an awkward “wardrobe malfunction”.  Now, go. I release you into the wonderful world of informed thrifting!

Here is a Goodwill thrift store rack teeming with evening wear. Exhibit A:

Okay, folks. I am sure you have heard of some easy and effective ways to gently exfoliate: with alphahydroxy creams (citric acid) ; also by massaging a blusher brush filled with your favorite cleanser in circles across your lovely countenance.

But hold the phone! Here are some -make you laugh-and super cheap ways to remove make-up and exfoliate for a soft glow.

1. Go to an arts and crafts store and buy a small paintbrush-yes, a paintbrush! LOL.  The bristles are more stiff than those of a blusher or a foundation brush and you can find one that is super cheap.

2. Baby wipes. WHAT??? Yes, baby wipes.  Don’t be grossed out. Baby wipes have moisturizers, citric acid (alphahydroxy acid-gentle) and cleansers. They will gently and thoroughly remove dirt, oil, and makeup. I can hear you laughing, but it is true. And some ladies hate that oil that gets into  your eyes with traditional makeup removers. And the price.  You all know I am all about looking great through the cheapest and most efficient means possible. You can buy unscented baby wipes from your local grocery store for $.84 if you use the store brand. And there you have it. Whether it be with a brush or wipes, you have smooth, beautiful skin and money in your pocket! Au revoir!!!

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Okay ladies, hold on tight because I have just discovered the ultimate MAKE-IT-YOURSELF exfoliater. This can be used anywhere on the body, but (so far) I have used it on my face, neck, and chest.  I had an incredible aftereffect of smooth, supple, perfectly exfoliated skin. I am telling you, kiss those costly spa appointments GOODBYE!! My skin was as smooth as velvet.  Okay, enough suspense. Here is the recipe, application instructions, and  irritant caution. Then I will explain why these ingredients combined make such a powerful exfoliant.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons of plain white yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of low-acid orange juice
• 3 tablespoons of finely granulated iodized table salt (or as much as u want for the desired thickness of the past)

Proportionately (according to instructions) make more according to how much of the body you intend to cover.  A little goes a long way but feel free to slather it on.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Distribute evenly across the desired area, avoiding lips and eyes. Massage skin in gentle circles for 1-3 mins, then rinse with lukewarm water.  I like to follow a treatment like this with a cooling/soothing treatment such as a cucumber peel mask or allow some Noxzema to sit on the face for 5-10 mins  and rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry.

WARNING: EYE IRRITANT.  Be sure the mixture is not too runny because you do not want salt and orange juice in your eyes ( if you should get product into eyes, rinse with cold water for 15 mins. If it still hurts, call your doctor. DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES!!! THIS CAN CAUSE LACERATIONS ON THE EYES’ SURFACES THAT MUST BE FIXED WITH LASER SURGERY.  JUST BE CAREFUL WHEN APPLYING ANYTHING AROUND THE EYES.

EXPLANATION:

This is a very affective recipe because there are so many naturally occurring solvents in this mixture. The yogurt (milk product) is laced with Lactic Acid- a wonderful exfoliant that has been benefiting the sirens of the ages dating back to Egyptian queens known for pampering themselves with leisurely milk baths; not to mention the conditioning affects of milk as well.  Milk is also a wonderful neutralizer, which promotes soothing and healing.

The orange juice is an excellent source of AHA (alphahydroxy acid-citric/fruit acid). This acid is added to many anti-aging products, creams and even lipsticks/balms  that claim to exfoliate and smooth.  Rubbing lemon wedges/orange wedges over the skin can reap the same benefits as buying and using the $12 and up version of such products.

The salt is the mortar that holds it all together. It makes the lovely grit that will buff your skin beautifully smooth. Salt also has a wonderful effect of softening. Everyone knows that soft water is preferable to hard water. You may have heard before that it is ideal to rinse freshly shampooed hair in saltwater for clarifying and added shine.  Salt too has a wonderful effect on the skin in this scrub. The salt leaves a slickness that is supple, soft like velvet, and makes makeup application a true joy. 

Together, all these ingredients make a powerful exfoliater you can use 3 times a week or as often as your skin can tolerate it.  All beauty advice should be used only according to your tolerance level. If you are alergic to milk or have problems related to sensitive skin or other, do not use this recipe as it can be harsh.  I have normal/oily skin and a good tolerance. So know how sensitive you are before trying homemade recipes like this.

My skin is glowing. I love creating beauty recipes and I love sharing them with you. It doesn’t have to cost the same as your grocery budget to be beautiful. With my tips, you can fit beauty into your grocery budget!

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 Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!!!! Seriously, there is nothing more affective! There are some cheep ways of doing exfoliation treatments such as the popular microderm abrasion, peels, and expensive scrubs and masks. Do like I do. If you have any skin problems please ask your dermatologist before you try anything new no matter how safe it sounds.  Its about beautiful skin not experimentation.  Remember to moisturize with your cream of choice (milk has its own exfoliating and moisturizing effects rolled into one natural substance) after exfoliation to reduce redness or irritation. Witch Hazel is a wonderful and forgotten remedy for redness and treatment of minor irritations. It is available over the counter for about $1.79 a bottle.

Tips for full body moisture and exfoliation:

For the body (not the face) salt and oil scrubs are extremely useful and popular.  They slough away dead cells and the moisture of the oil reached deep into the thirsty skin.  Instead of buying an expensive salt scrub from somewhere on the Mediterranean or the French Riviera, buy some lavender oil, cooking oil, olive oil, any oil that you like that is safe for skin and has a smell that you don’t mind. Baby oil/ mineral oil is great for this as well.  Take this oil and mix Kosher salt until you have a heavy paste and gently massage anyplace you feel needs extra smoothing attention.  Table salt can also be used. It is fine and will make a smoother paste.  Don’t rub too hard. 

Exfoliating that beautiful face:

Now lets discuss how to make your skin softer than you’ve ever felt it. Move over microderm abrasion, scrubs, and peels. I have discovered the BEST way to exfoliate the face and this product will not need replacing with regular disinfecting and washing.  Okay, normally, this product is used on your feet, elbows, knees, the rough spots. It is the pumice stone! Yes! The pumice stone!  That small round thing you bought for your feet for about $3.50. It can either be synthetic or the real thing, a smoothed piece of volcanic rock sold in pretty colors at every grocery store cosmetics isle.

Now, it is important to remember to buy one that is rounded; no sharp edges that may scrape you.  To exfoliate properly (so not to create redness, chapping, or scrapes) apply your favorite facial cleanser or cream like Noxema (is great) Ponds Cold Cream ( or the  store brand of these product as they work just as well) directly onto the stone or generously onto your skin.  With light pressure (judge this individually on how it feels to you and what you can tolerate) rub the stone around in circles across cheeks, chin, forehead, temples; gently over lips to remove dry skin and soften edges.The nose can be a place that gets a little special attension during this process as we all have extra oil glands around the nose  and forehead.  The pumice stone (used gently remember) is the perfect tool to diminish/remove blackheads, whiteheads, and pieces of flaky skin (especially for those who have flakes from using acne medicated cream and therefore putting on foundation is a real battle).

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After you have covered all the areas you desire to smooth and polish, rinse or wash in luke warm or cold water, gently smooth on some witch hazel for antibacterial astrengent and for soothing freshly buffed skin. Then moisturize with your cream of choice.  Your skin will look perfectly smooth and will look better every time you do this alternative polishing method.  I’m sure you’ve all heard how exfoliation increases the rate of cell turnover in the skin, leaving the skin’s surface more supple and less wrinkled for those of us who are beginning that stage of graceful aging.  This method works better than any peel, scrub, stingy alphahydroxy cream, and even better than those little soft bristle brushes you can buy ment for polishing the face.  I had one of these brushes and it was like using a paintbrush. No thank you.

Yes, it may sound funny, but that little hard stone you’ve been using on your feet for those rough, cracked heels will do a beautiful job of making your skin like silk and you foundation like milk.  Your makeup, be it a waxy foundation stick, creme to powder, liquid foundation, mouse foundation, mineral powder foundation, or finishing powders, they will all go on like a dream.  And you are going to get compliments, let me tell you, on your beautiful new glow.

This technique is also great for the arms, shoulders, chest , back (remember to rub stone gently in circles with cream or cleanser of your choice just as long as the stone slides easily over the skin); really anywhere you want to feel extremely supple. I, personally, use it all over.  This method of polishing will also decrease body breakouts due to the deep cleaning of the poors.  Use it in the shower. Rub on some baby oil after this self pampering treat and your spouse or partner will think he/she is with an exotic beauty who knows the secrets of the ancients. Be a Cleopatra, not the scaley snake.