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Night Time Beauty Routine

Our skin undergoes several changes with new habits and I truly believe that having a good night time routine can set you up to having the best amount of rest that your body and skin will thank you for.

If you are suffering from dull, devitilised skin or have constant battles with breakouts or dry flaky skin patches, chances are your skin hasn’t received the love it needs before it hits the pillow.

 Here are some tips to remember that may do wonders for your skin overnight:

  •  Cleanse Your Skin

Your Skin has worked so hard to fight so many free radicals from damaging your skin during the day. Air-Conditioning, Traffic Pollutants, Passive Smoke that may have wafted in your face as you walked past someone. I mean seriously the skin is screaming “Give me a good clean!” when you are jumping in the shower after a big day.  However unfortunately just a quick rinse with water wont do the job. Heat and exposure to ultraviolet rays deregulate the glands responsible for oil production, so  deeper cleaning is necessary before bed so that the pores are unobstructed during the hours of sleep. Power Cleansing is a must which is done by using an water soluable oil over your skin to get rid of all the dirt, makeup and excess sunscreen. Then using a cleanser that has been prescribed for YOUR SKIN TYPE to remove all the traces of any impurities that are present within your skin, preventing any makeup build-up and any break-outs that had a chance of occurring.

  • Exfoliation Before Bed Prevents Skin Sensitization

It is also important to increase the frequency of exfoliation as sweat, dead cells and dirt accumulated throughout the day are guaranteed for comedones and other types of infections. However, it is very important to remember that exfoliation should only be done at night, since the practice can leave the skin more sensitive to sun damage.

  • Night Moisturizers with Antioxidants Are Important

When choosing a night moisturizer, it is worth 100% completely worth going in to your professional skin therapist and aksing what is best for your skin. When the body is in its resting state your skin is recharging and absorbing the most nutrients, and I’m sure you would agree that it would be better to have something that can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and work on your skin goals than sit on top and basically just lubricate the surface. You need to replenish the vitamins and minerals that have been lost after a hard days work and no amount of clean eating and green smoothies will make that skin glow more than letting it soak up the goodness of Vitamin A, C and E, which in the correct % levels can protect and renew your skin dramatically,  along with adding in a cocktail of peptides that in a nutshell slow down the collagen and elastin from depleting in the skin.

  • Keep A Hydramist On The Side Of the Bed to Prevent Dryness

If you have a habit of sleeping with the air conditioner switched on in the summer, it is important to double your care with hydration of the skin, since the electrical devices manage to cause the water present in the dermis to evaporate at a much higher speed. To avoid dryness of the skin at night, it is best to leave your hydramist on the side of the bed and spray it a little on the face every time you wake up with a feeling of pulled skin. My Favourite is Dermalogica’s Antioxidant Hydramist from their AgeSmart line. It actually has Magnesium Ascorbyl Acid, which can be transformed by the skins enzymes into Vitamin C. The abbreviated MAP15 ingredient can last in the skin for up to 5 days which gives me even more pleasure every time I spritz my face with it.

  • Sleep Well Always

A good night’s sleep lasting 8 hours at least allows you an almost complete recovery from the workday and stress. Plus sleeping well prevents wrinkles and dark circles! Oh, if you want to avoid marks on your face after sleep, just choose silk pillowcases which will save your skin from the harsh cotton fibers.

These small beauty tips are an essential part of my beauty routine before going to bed, try some of these and let us know the difference you feel. If you know any beauty tips for the night time, do share it with us in the comments below so we can inspire each other and ensure that a little extra effort can make a huge difference to our skin long term!

5 Benefits Of Vitamin C For The Skin

The effects of Vitamin C on the skin are almost like a magic trick. Having tons of benefits, Vitamin C is a secret to healthy skin and a strong immune system.

 Vitamin C is able to:

  • Increase collagen production,
  • Lighten skin blemishes,
  • Protect against sun damage,
  • Heal wounds
  • Minimize the harmful effects of free radicals.

 Yes, that means firmer, radiant skin with fewer lines of expression and wrinkles. There is no contraindication: the substance can be used as a preventive effect on all skin types. Topical vitamin C, found in creams, lotions and gels, maintains a higher concentration in the skin than when ingested orally. We have listed some reasons why you should include vitamin C formulations in your cosmetic care.

1. Fight wrinkles

Vitamin C is one of the essential factors for the production and stabilization of collagen, explains the dermatologist Tiago Recena, especially the collagens I and III, the main ones of our body. Collagen keeps more water and elasticity in its fibers, preventing the appearance of wrinkles. In addition to the skin, collagen also helps make hair and nails look more beautiful.

2. Reduces Sun Damage

The antioxidant action of vitamin C protects the skin from the sun’s rays and reduces the effects caused by the sun, explains the dermatologist Juliana Source:

– This occurs for both aging and the appearance of skin cancer, acting in partnership with sunscreens.

This is not to say that vitamin C is a substitute for sunscreen because it works for other purposes.

– Vitamin C does not protect against sunburn, but the release of free radicals by ultraviolet rays – clarifies Tiago Recena.

3. It is a powerful antioxidant

Free radicals are toxic substances produced by the body itself or by external factors like sun, cigarette, stress and pollution – which, under normal conditions, our body is in charge of neutralizing naturally. Antioxidant substances are responsible for reacting and neutralizing the levels of free radicals in the body. And the good news? Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and neutralizes free radicals by chemical reactions.In addition, vitamin C has a whitening effect and improves immunity.

4. Healing powers

It is fundamental in the healing process and production of collagen, it prevents diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, cataract, improves male fertility and the absorption of iron – explains Juliana Fonte.

5 .Want more? Reset your daily reservation

Vitamin C is present in many foods, especially in citrus fruits like kiwi, acerola, cashew and strawberry. Dark-green vegetables are rich in vitamin C: broccoli, kale and watercress, for example. It can also be found in some foods of animal origin, such as cow’s milk and goat’s milk and livers, both beef and pork or chicken.

– The body usually works with a reserve of 1500mg of vitamin C, which quickly degrades before the sun and oxygen, so we need to replenish daily. In some cases, you need to supplement with vitamin C as supplements in capsules – explains the dermatologist Tiago Recena.

End Your Showers Right

Reap Amazing Benefits from the Last 30 Seconds of Your Shower

Are you fond of cold showers? If your answer is no, then you are one with the majority. We do not blame you, either. Not many people enjoy getting shocked, especially not during the first thing in the morning. But what if we tell you that there are several health benefits to ending your shower cold?

No, we are not kidding. There are scientific studies that back up our claim. Read on to find out more about cold outs. You might find yourself wanting to give it another chance when you do (and enjoy it this time around).

What is Cold Out?

Imagine yourself taking a hot, steamy shower. Just as you are about to finish, you turn down the heat to the coldest temperature while still on full blast at the last minute or 30 seconds. That is what we call a cold out. You should do it even in winter, too. Before you hightail out of here, hear us out. It is not as dreadful as it seems, and it is far more beneficial than you realize.

We get that some like taking scalding showers, though it might be high time to cool off the habit. Super hot showers are not suitable for you anyway (unless you want to risk drying out and irritating your skin). But here is something that will do you a lot of good.

What Makes a Cold Out Great?

Doing a cold out presents you with these great health benefits:

Morning Alertness

Remember that initial shock you may be dreading when the cold spray hits you? It serves to increase the following:

  • oxygen intake
  • heart rate
  • alertness

It is precisely what you need to start your morning right. You will not have to go about the early hours shuffling about like the walking dead. It may also just be enough to lessen your caffeine intake.

Smoother Skin, Shinier Hair

Your hair and scalp have an affinity for cold water.

After the hot or warm water temperature, the cold out will soothe the stress the heat may have caused your skin. You will find yours to be softer and more supple, especially if it has been dry or flaky (which is common around winter time). It will even give it a healthier glow as it tightens and constricts your blood flow.

You also might have already heard that it closes your pores (but FYI, your pores never close off entirely), which is true. The pores will take on a smoother, tighter appearance after the rush of cold water. And if you have been experiencing itchy skin, a cold out will ease that itchiness, too.

A cold out presents a similar effect on your hair. The cold water closes and strengthens your hair cuticles while giving them a nice, natural shine. It will not dry out your sebum layer, either, which is essential for your scalp and hair’s protection from environmental stressors. Now you know why your senior stylist washes your hair with cool water.

Calorie Burn

Are you looking to increase your metabolism and burn some calories? Yes, a cold out can help you with that, too. During that initial cold water shock, your body will work to protect you by keeping your temperature stable. This effort increases your heart rate and causes calorie burn. Exposure to cold temperatures will have some fat cells (like brown fat) generate heat and burn off your fat. What a great way to boost the metabolism with hardly any effort!

And if you decide to work out, cold water has regenerative properties that will help ease and repair those muscles after a strenuous exercise.

Improve Circulation

If experts were to choose the top benefit of cold outs, it would be its capacity to increase circulation. Since cold water constricts circulation on your body’s surface, the blood in your deep tissues will circulate faster to regulate your temperature.

Good blood circulation enables the proper and better flow of oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. Those suffering from hypertension or cardiovascular disease will significantly benefit from the improved circulation as it will reduce inflammation.

Better Mood

Now, you might think you will come out of your shower cranky after being shocked. However, a cold will do the opposite and boost your mood. Studies suggest that a cold shower will stimulate your sympathetic nervous system. The activation causes an increase in your neurotransmitters (namely norepinephrine and endorphins), giving you an excellent high. Again, your mornings will be looking better and brighter.

Are you an evening shower person? No worries! While the initial shock will wake you, a cold out will cool your core body temperature. You will be able to fall asleep quicker and enjoy a good night’s rest.

Immunity Boost

And if all the above benefits are not good enough for you, a cold out will give you an immunity boost against the cold and flu seasons. Studies say this extra protection is most likely due to improved circulation, particularly lymphatic drainage.

When you stimulate the lymphatic system, toxin and waste buildup are easily flushed out of your system. If you have been having problems with facial and abdominal bloatedness, bodily discomfort, illness, acne, or poor sleep, then consider these issues solved! It will also help produce lactic acid, which aids in your recovery faster from illness or injuries.

How To End Your Showers Right

Now that we have you convinced of the cold out benefits, here is how to do it right:

  • All it takes is at least 30 seconds.
  • Try it. It is not as long as you believe. Thirty seconds is enough to expose every body part to the cold water (including hard to reach areas like your hair, face, and underarms).
  • Ease into it.
  • If you are still scared of the initial shock, you can ease onto it by stepping back as you turn the water cold. As the temperature drops, you can test it out with your foot or hand.
  • Then get into it fully.
  • When you are ready, expose yourself to the cold water, starting with your legs, torso, then face.
  • Afterward, turn around and let it hit your back. Lift your arms, saturate your hair. And do not forget your neck and lower back.

And voila, enjoy the rush of endorphins!Soon enough, you will find yourself positively hooked on cold outs.

The Secret To Happiness Lies In Chemicals

No, we are not talking about harmful or illegal substances. We are referring to the naturally occurring chemicals we already have in our bodies. While we always associate this heightened state with our personal and spiritual well-being, we tend to overlook the biological factors that are affected that help us get to a happy state.

By learning how these happy chemicals work and how to produce them naturally, you can finally declare that your happiness is definitely under your control. Let us hop on the excitement and meet these four hormones better.

Endorphins

These feel-good chemicals are often associated with the well-known “runner’s high,” which helps many people fall in love with the long and enduring exercise. Produced in the hypothalamus, the pituitary glands, and other parts of the body, boosting these endorphins is one way to live healthier and happier.

Increase your overall well-being by engaging in these endorphin-inducing activities:

  • Giving
  • They say one never loses anything by giving. Such is true when our endorphins are improved when we participate in volunteer activities and donation drives.
  • Yoga and Meditation
  • The stress-relieving and relaxing effects after a good yoga session or a few minutes of meditation can be attributed to endorphins.
  • Spicy Foods
  • Eating your favorite spicy dishes triggers pain responses in our mouths. The sensations prompt an increase in these feel-good chemicals. No wonder we can keep on eating!
  • Dark Chocolate
  • As if we needed another reason to eat dark chocolate – these goodies contain chemicals called flavonoids, which positively affect the brain. Just go for those that have at least 70% cocoa, and be sure not to binge!
  • Laughing
  • Laughter is indeed the best medicine, as several studies correlate laughter with an increase in endorphins.

Serotonin

Also known as the happy chemical, serotonin plays a contribution to our overall well-being and happiness. Some experts consider it a hormone due to its ability to send messages between our nerve cells and how it can affect our mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion. It also helps regulate our sleep cycles and body clock.

If you are looking to boost these happy hormones, here are some natural remedies that may help:

  • Regular exercise
  • Studies show that that exercise can similarly improve symptoms of depression as antidepressants do.
  • Light Treatment
  • Insufficient sun exposure leads to lower serotonin levels. Make sure you get adequate sunshine by letting light in your space or taking a stroll outside. Light therapy is also available for those who suffer from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
  • Consuming Tryptophan-rich Foods
  • Tryptophan is an amino acid that is linked to more positive mood scores. Foods rich in tryptophan include turkey, eggs, cheese, soy products, and salmon. Supplements are also available, but be sure to check these with your doctor first.

Dopamine

For every moment where the reward, motivation, memory, and body movement regulation are involved, you can bet that dopamine has had its say on these. It is a vital chemical messenger that creates feelings of pleasure and reward when released in large amounts. When this happens, we are given the motivation to repeat the behaviors that trigger these chemicals.

While our bodies help regulate our dopamine levels, we can help it along and feel good by doing the following:

  • Eat Protein
  • You can also get dopamine from the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine, present in protein-rich foods.
  • Consume Probiotics
  • While more research is needed, probiotic supplements have been seen to improve mood in humans and animals.
  • Eat Velvet Beans
  • Velvet beans are natural sources of L-dopa, a precursor molecule to dopamine.
  • Get Enough Sleep
  • When we deprive ourselves of sleep, our dopamine sensitivity in the brain is reduced. Always try to achieve eight hours of quality sleep to help regulate your body’s natural dopamine rhythms.
  • Listen to Music
  • Research shows that listening to your favorite instrumental music may boost your dopamine levels.
  • Consider Supplements
  • Adequate levels of iron, niacin, folate, and vitamin B6 are a must for dopamine production.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin has earned the reputation of being the love hormone, and for a good reason. This chemical comes from the pituitary gland and is released when people cuddle up or engage in social activities.

Here are some of the natural ways to get smitten by this happy love bug:

  • Get or Give Massages
  • Massages always help anyone relax. It also helps relieve pain, stress, anxiety, and increases oxytocin levels. Studies also note that its benefits even reach the person giving the massage. You do not need to be pro either to reap the results.
  • Express Your Feelings
  • Strengthen your connection with others by telling them how you feel. Expressing these sentiments with a loved one increases the prosocial feelings for you both. More often than not, they will also reply to you in kind and appreciate your openness.
  • Spend Time with Your Friends
  • Friends are the family you choose, and establishing strong ties with them will do wonders for your emotional well-being. They are the ones who help you feel supported and less alone.
  • Focus on Your Conversations
  • When you practice active or empathic listening in your interactions, both parties will feel increased feelings of connection and trust. It also conveys how much you care when you drop whatever you are doing just to lend an ear.
  • Make Love
  • Sexual intimacy is another excellent way of showing your affection for someone and raise your oxytocin levels, especially if you achieve orgasm. It helps you feel closer and more connected to your partner. And bonus, this activity benefits you both.
  • Cuddle or Hug Someone
  • You do not need to engage in sex to get the love hormone. Even simple physical gestures such as cuddling, hugging, hand-holding, or even playing with your pet are surefire ways to boost your oxytocin levels.

The Takeaway

Learn to take control of your mood and your happiness by engaging in activities that naturally boost your happy hormones. When you apply these techniques to your daily life, you will be amazed just how much the quality of your life will improve.

The Anti-Ageing Power of Sleep

The positive effects of sleep on our bodies and minds are huge — and scientists are discovering new benefits all the time.

A study by the Australian Sleep Health Foundation found that more than 1.5 million Australian adults (that’s a staggering 9% of the population) suffer from sleep disorders. And this isn’t good, because getting enough good quality sleep is crucial for our physical and mental health.

To help motivate you to take care of your sleep routine and strive for solid hours of Zzz’s every night, I wanted to share a little known, but clinically proven, discovery:

Getting enough sleep improves the health and appearance of your skin, and reduces the effects of ageing.

A clinical study commissioned by beauty giant Estée Lauder found that the quality and duration of a person’s sleep has an impact on the skin’s function, and its visible signs of ageing.

People who don’t sleep well, or who don’t sleep for long enough, showed increased signs of ageing including wrinkles and blemishes. Their skin also took longer to recover from stressors in their environment, such as UV radiation or chemicals passing through the skin barrier.

In contrast, those who sleep well and have a regular sleep routine are more likely to have healthy skin that bounces back quickly from environmental stressors.

If you’re noticing lots of new wrinkles, or your skin feels more sensitive than it used to be, take a look at your sleep habits.

Signs that you’re not sleeping enough could include:

  • Feeling very tired (of course!) or fatigued
  • Being irritable, moody, or very low
  • Frequent yawning
  • Poor memory, or difficulty concentrating and learning new concepts or skills
  • Lack of motivation
  • Increased appetite or cravings for high-carb, high-sugar foods
  • Being clumsy
  • Low or reduced sex drive

But a few simple lifestyle changes could drastically improve your sleep — and your skin.

The Sleep Foundation has studied sleep habits and sleep quality in detail. It recommends that establishing a regular evening routine will help to improve your sleep, and prevent unnecessary waking during the night.

Start building your own sleep routine with five tips:

  1. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. A consistent sleep schedule helps your body to establish a rhythm, so it’ll be easier for you to fall asleep quickly and then stay asleep.
  2. Switch off from all screens at least one hour before bed every night. The light from screens affects your body’s ability to produce the relaxing hormones you need to feel sleepy; and the content we consume on-screen is usually highly stimulating, too.
  3. Opt for relaxing activities in the evening. Try to build simple, relaxing elements into your evenings — such as reading, having a bath, chatting with a family member, or enjoying a hot cup of herbal tea.
  4. Make your bedroom a place of relaxation and comfort. Ensure that you feel calm when you go in there — minimise mess, get a comfortable mattress and pillows, and paint your bedroom with colours that inspire a peaceful mind.
  5. Don’t force it. If you can’t sleep, don’t lie there beating yourself up about it. Get up and go into another room for 15 minutes, where you can engage in a relaxing activity or sit quietly in meditation. Then try again.

 

Sleep well, friends!

Social Media and Staying Well: Boundaries, Comparison and Digital Detox

Social media is a part of our lives, now. Most of us use it — whether it’s for personal or business use, and whether we love sharing our stories on Facebook, or posting our photos on Instagram, or outlining our most important opinions on Twitter.

But we’re also learning more and more about the impact of social media and mental health. Studies show that frequent use of social networking sites is linked to depression and anxiety, and social media is highly addictive.

I love social media. It allows me to connect with clients and with friends; to share my passion and find out what others in my industry are up to. But I firmly believe that boundaries are vital if we want to stay healthy and protect our self-esteem.

Comparing Yourself to Others

Social media allows us to see what others are doing, what they look like, and how great their lives are all the time. Inevitably, we compare ourselves to them — we wonder why we’re less beautiful, less successful, less joyful than the people we see online.

We know that social media offers a curated, ideal version of any given person’s life. And yet…we’re still drawn in. We still compare. We still feel less than them if our lives aren’t matching up to theirs.

So, I recommend doing these two simple things to protect your wellbeing. You can make the most of the fabulous aspects of social media without being harmed by its downsides.

  1. Set Boundaries

You don’t have to keep looking at that Instagram account that makes you feel terrible. You don’t have to consume content that puts you in a bad mood. And you don’t have to scroll through social media thirty times a day.

Unfollow accounts that don’t bring genuine value or positive emotions into your life. You can do it — just click that button! If they make you feel bad, they’re not worth your time. It doesn’t mean that the owner of that account isn’t a good person; it simply means that their content isn’t right for you.

And make a decision about what time of day you’ll check social media, and how long for. Setting time limits means you’ll be more aware of how long you’re online, and less likely to scroll all day long.

  1. Schedule a Regular Digital Detox

Aim to have a day off from social media at least once a month — and ideally, make it a day off from screens altogether. Get outside, spend focused time with family and friends, and do things that make you feel healthy and alive.

Including digital detox days as part of your monthly, or even weekly routine, will help you keep on top of your relationship with your smartphone. You’ll notice when it feels uncomfortable to be away from social media; and feeling unsettled by that is a good sign that you need to give yourself a longer break, and recalibrate your perspective.

It’s not easy to set and stick to boundaries when our online lives are so important to our social and professional existence. But you can do it; and with commitment, you’ll reap the rewards. You’ll feel more present, more creative, less anxious, and more confident.

5 Ways to Shift into a Positive Mindset

When we think about beauty, we often start with our external appearance. But staying fit, healthy, and beautiful has a lot to do with how our heads are doing.

 A 2018 study published in the journal Brain Science found that your mindset directly affects how motivated you are to follow through with your goals. If you want to exercise more regularly, commit to a consistent skincare routine, change your diet or drink more water every day — all of which help to cultivate a gorgeous natural glow — then you’ve got to start with the way you think.

The key is to have a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset. When you’re working from a growth mindset you have a tendency to believe that you’re capable of change; that you are able to achieve your goals, and that failure is in fact an opportunity to learn more.

 So, here are five tips to help you cultivate a growth mindset and feel more positive every day.  

1. Exercise.

 We all know that exercise is good for us, and it really must be top of any list of positive mindset tips. Exercise releases hormones into your body that make you feel energised and light, and produces brain chemicals that make you feel happy and motivated. Moving your body interrupts low moods and promotes positive emotions — and it increases confidence, too.

2. Journal positive affirmations.

 Commit to writing in a journal for just five minutes a day. Instead of writing down your complaints, use this as your opportunity to focus on your positive intentions. Write down your goals as if you’ve already achieved them; for example, if one of your goals is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, you might write “I eat nourishing, delicious food every day that supports my health and makes my skin glow.”

3. Make gratitude a fixture in your day.

 Set up a system to ensure you practice gratitude at least once a day. You can do this on your own or with your family; it’s a wonderful thing to do with kids! For example, you might start a gratitude jar, and write down one thing you’re grateful for every day. Put that piece of paper in the jar, and then when you need a reminder of the good things in life, pick out some of your notes and read them to yourself.

 4. Learn a new skill.

 Learning something new feels good. It’s not just an illusion; learning new skills actually creates new neural pathways in your brain, and teaches you that change is possible. This is great when it comes to creating a growth mindset! Choose something you’re interested in, or you’ve always wanted to try. It doesn’t matter what it is; just get out there, try a class or start practicing on your own.

5. Reconnect with a friend.

 We all have those people in our lives who we love but never seem to find the time to chat with. Call up a friend, or even an acquaintance who you have warm feelings towards, and arrange a coffee date. As humans, we’re wired to thrive on social connection, and caring for our friendships inspires hope and positivity in our minds.

You deserve to feel good, so take the time to care for your mind!

 

Beauty Sleep and Screen Time

OK, so you know that sleep is important. You’ve heard that good sleep improves your memory, concentration, and motivation. It makes you healthier, helps you lose weight or get fit, reduces anxiety and increases positive hormones in your body. It protects against depression and other mental illness — and it even makes your skin look younger.

You’re in. You want to sleep better and look after your health.

But did you know that one of the biggest challenges for good quality sleep in our modern lives are those things that we carry with us everywhere we go…our screens?

Your phone, tablet, laptop, and even your TV all reduce your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.

Why do screens affect sleep so much?

Research published by the American National Sleep Foundation shows that screen time before bed has a number of worrying effects:

  • it delays your internal body clock, or your circadian rhythm, so your body doesn’t know it’s time for sleep and you don’t get natural feelings of sleepiness.
  • it suppresses the release of hormones that are vital for getting sleepy and falling asleep. In particular, it reduces the release of melatonin, a vital hormone for creating physiological feelings of sleepiness.
  • the blue light emitted by screens increases your body’s alertness, making you feel awake or wired.
  • the content you’re exposed to via your screens stimulates your brain — making your mind race, and triggering anxiety in those who are susceptible to it.

So the more you look at electronic devices in the evening, the more likely that you won’t fall asleep easily, or will wake up unnecessarily during the night. This is no big deal for one night, or even a few nights in a row; but over time, the impact of regular evening screen exposure can creative chronic sleep disorders.

So, what to do?

Lots of us look for a solution to the negative effects of evening screen time that will allow us to keep on using our devices. We try fitting coloured filters on our screens, or apps that reduce blue light emission.

But the reality is that the only solution is the one that is healthiest for you: turn off your screens for at least one hour before bed, and more if possible.

Opt for reading a physical book instead, or practicing a gentle stretching routine, or simply talking face-to-face with a housemate, partner, or relative. The final hours of the day are the perfect time to ground yourself in your body and arrive calmly in the present moment. Switch of, let go of those digital demands that weigh on your life, and be right here, right now.

You’ll fall asleep quicker and sleep more deeply. And you’ll wake up feeling refreshed, energised, and ready to take on the challenges of a new day.

Beauty Hacks For Busy Mums

Being a Mum is fulfilling, but it can also drain your energy, especially if you are trying to juggle work, family, and time for yourself. Of course, despite being busy, you still NEED to have some quality time alone to renew and rejuvenate yourself. There is no doubt you are beautiful—but sometimes it’s so easy to neglect sprucing yourself up because your job, children, and family are your top priority

STOP.

Take a deep breath.

There is no need for you to compromise your beauty and taking care of yourself just because you are busy and that the demands of your very active lifestyle is demanding a lot of your time.

Wondering what is the answer for this?

It is simple. Here are my top Beauty hacks.

Taking some time off to take care of yourself is not a bad thing, and allowing at least twenty minutes in the morning to get yourself ready for the day should be on the priority list as you will feel better for it. You know you can actually multi-task and you are a professional when it comes to that game.

We have come up with a series of beauty hacks which you can enjoy and do despite a very busy schedule.

Check them out below.

Use A Tinted Moisturiser

If you do not have the luxury to go for a full faced make-up or apply foundation, a tinted moisturiser can be your bestfriend. A tinted moisturiser gives you an instant glow and evens your skin tone without accentuating your fine lines and dry patches, if you have any.

Choose A Lipstick Shade That Provides A Fresh Look In An Instant

For days that you find yourself running out of time but still want to look effortlessly presentable, splash some color on your lips for a fresh pick me up. Choose a shade that complements your skintone for an instant fresher look despite lacking sleep from running errands all day!

Mascara Is Your Bestfriend

Eyes are the windows to the soul—and that is very true. Invest on a good quality, waterproof mascara and brush them up on your lashes to make your eyes appear wider and awake. It is the perfect ammunition you could ever have to have brighter peepers and make you look less tired.

A Relaxing Bath

When the kids are in bed, you can sneak in a 20 minute relaxing bath. Take time to indulge in a tub of warm water infused with some essential oils and relaxing scent of magnesium soak. Play some relaxing tunes and sip on a glass of wine to help your whole body relax and feel as if you are in paradise. This is a great way to rejuvenate and re-energise yourself after a long and tiring day at work and home.

 

 

 

 

 

Use An Eye Cream

 

Invest in a good eye cream that is packed with collagen and some essential nutrients that help get rid or improve the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. Collagen infused eye creams are usually the best option as they promote the regeneration of cells and production of protein inside the body for a more elastic and even textured skin.

 

Apply A Flesh Colored Or White Eyeliner On Your Lower Lash Line Or Corner Of Your Eyes

 

Use a flesh colored eyeliner to line your lower lash line for  bigger eyes, then a lightly colored one should be  applied in the inner corners of your eyes. Doing so can make your eyes pop and you will not be leaving any evidence that you are up all night with an unsettled child!

How to look after your Eyelash Extensions

Anything that helps in lengthening your lashes are great investments. From high-quality mascara, false lashes, and eyelash extensions, these require tender loving care from you to make them last longer.  These additions to beautify your lashes can make your eyes appear bigger, look fuller, and noticeably brighter.

That is why taking care of these delicate enhancements, especially the eyelash extensions, are very critical. In order to keep your lash extensions looking great for longer, we have come up with a series of tips and tricks to maintain its shape and quality.

Normally, lash extensions can last a good 2-4 weeks before you need refills depending on how you take care of them. Fear not, continue reading this article to help you get started with taking care of your lash extensions.

 

Do: Apply a lash growth serum

To maintain the shine and thickness of your lashes, invest in a good lash serum which you should apply on them daily. A good eyelash serum should be packed with nutrients and peptides to make the lash hair follicles grow healthy and strong.

 

Do: Stay away from water

Keep yourself out of the water at least 24 hours after getting your lash extensions done. Avoiding water prevents your lashes from falling out and from turning your look to a total disaster. The lash glue is very strong, but it cures in a layering process and needs that amount of time to properly set before any major changes in the humidity occur. Allowing the adhesive to stay untouched is one way to ensure that the extensions will stay in place too.

 

Do: Avoid touching them

Rubbing your eyes or touching them are the worse things that you can ever do when you just had your lash extensions done. It disrupts the placement of the extensions and chances are that the glue gets rubbed around and clumped too when you touch your eyes. Plus, touching your eyes can be unhygienic and make them prone to infection too.

 

Do: Brush them

Grab a clean spoolie brush and comb them upwards in order to maintain its shape. Brushing your lash extensions regularly keep them from clumping and make them look more maintained when they start to fall out.

 

Do: Shampoo your lashes

It is so important that you keep your lashes clean and healthy. There are specific lash shampoos available that do not contain any oil in them. The eye is a moisture packed area and if you think about it, these gorgeous enhancements are stopping the lashes from their natural cleansing process. You are going to have to step in and make sure they are clean and not holding any bacteria that can lead to eye infections!

 

Don’t: Sleep with your face against the pillow

It is definitely comfortable to sleep sideways or your face resting against your pillows. However, this can be a bad decision when you have lash extensions in place. Sleeping with your face against the pillow can distort the lash shape–especially during the first few hours after the procedure. Sleep on your back for best care of your lashes.

 

Don’t: Let them get in contact with anything that contain some oils as ingredients

Oils can remove the adhesiveness of the lashes, making your extensions prone to falling out. If your face, tends to get oily throughout the day, keep a blotting paper handy or oily face wipes. Having oily skin can have an affect on the longevity of your lash extensions however you can talk to your skin therapist about helping with balancing out your skin with some appropriate treatments and homecare.

 

These are only some tips that you can follow to maintain the look, shape, and quality of your lash extensions. Keep also in mind that lashes shed naturally so do not get surprised when a strand or two falls off to your cheeks.

Refills are generally recommended every 2 weeks to keep them looking full and flawless all year round.

 

Ready to book your new lashes?

Lashes Ain’t Cheap – What Gives??

One thing we have been asked more than once is ‘Why does Sally Sue down the road charge only $50 for lashes but your prices start at $XX?’ We understand that saving money is important to, well, everyone however there are times when quality, skill, training and care does mean spending that little bit extra. Lash Technicians undergo extra training on top of their diploma which itself is quite costly but that’s not just training on the technique of lash application. These days there are a number of types of techniques e.g. Classic, Volume, Hybrid to name a few but they are also trained in the importance of lash health along with the importance of using quality products around such a delicate area of our body – our eyes.

Scroll through any beauty or lash love groups on Facebook and you’ll see plenty of horror stories of lashes that have been applied at an ‘amazing price’ but have been made in such a mess! From applying 3 sets of fans on each lash which then pulled out/snapped off their natural lashes (some girls having almost bald eye lids!!) to the glue being something funky that should NOT be put near our bodies let alone the eyes which has caused serious infection. It is scary that there isn’t more regulation around Eyelash Extensions presently as almost anyone  unqualified/trained can easily jump online and buy some cheap products, watch a 15 minute YouTube tutorial and then BOOM! They now start offering $50 Lash Full Sets.

Don’t get me wrong as there are some out there that have been trained and use fairly good products and may simply being doing it now as a hobby for friends and family so they charge extremely low prices and that’s totally ok. However in a salon setting, with the cost of training, quality products and consumables and on top of that insurances, rent, council fees etc you can begin to see why it does cost more to perform a service ‘above board’ and at a high standard.

The type of people we are as Therapists, who have stuck with the industry for a long time, tend to be is caring & nurturing so our clients satisfaction and ensuring they receive the highest quality service each and every time is basically built into our nature. So yes, the price for Lash Extensions may seem a little hefty, especially when it’s something that does have to be maintained with daily cleaning & brushing along with regular infills but for this type of treatment in particular you really do get what you pay for.

Our advice is always to ensure that wherever you go, make sure they give you a thorough consultation going over what the treatment entails, after care and the different types of looks so that you know exactly what you are in for before any lashes are applied.

 

Want to know what styles of Lashes we offer and prices? Click Here to find out.

What’s the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens?

There are two main types of sunscreen: physical and chemical. Both have their own unique properties and benefits, and both help protect our skin from UV rays.

The benefits of physical sunscreen

Physical sunscreen, also called mineral sunscreen, sits on top of skin. Most physical sunscreens leave a white or tinted residue on skin, but newer formulas like Invisible Physical Defense 30+ and Porescreen 40+ have been made ultra-sheer to help prevent a chalky effect. To identify this type of sunscreen, look for the words “mineral,” or “physical,” as well as active ingredients like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.

Physical sunscreen:

  • Helps protect against UVA and UVB rays
  • Protects as soon as it’s applied – there’s no need to wait before exposing skin to daylight
  • Is generally comfortable for all skin types and conditions, particularly sensitive skin
  • Is applied over the top of your skin care as all other products can’t penetrate through a physical sunscreen.
  • Generally a physical SPF will not be combined with a moisturiser

The benefits of chemical sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens use ingredients that absorb into skin and transform UV rays into heat. This type of sunscreen tends to be popular because it feels light and looks unnoticeable.

Chemical sunscreen:

  • Helps protect against UVA and UVB rays
  • Needs time to absorb – 15 to 30 minutes – before exposing skin to daylight
  • Is generally comfortable for most skin types and conditions
  • Tends to be more water- and sweat-resistant
  • Moisturisers with SPF in them is generally a chemical SPF as this allows the moisturising factors to absorb into your skin

What sunscreen to use

It all comes down to which formula you like wearing the most. We believe any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen to help protect your skin from UV damage. That’s why we love that Dermalogica offer a broad range of SPF moisturizers and sunscreens that suit different preferences and lifestyles. To find out which formula is right for you, come in for a chat. Dermalogica have EIGHT different SPF’s to choose from so there is something for every skin and every season.

Plus, with the launch of the NEW Dermalogica Porescreen40+ on September 4th, for all of September 2023, Tranquility is giving you 10% off all SPF purchases. So stock up and protect your skin this Summer season.

Skin Needling aka Microneedling

You’ve no doubt heard of this by now but do you know the benefits of this advanced Skin Treatment?
Keep reading as we list our top 5 reasons why we love this treatment here at Tranquility…. plus wait til the end for a sneaky little discount available for a short time 😉

For starters, what is it you might ask??

Skin Needling is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that improves the appearance of a range of skin concerns by boosting the body’s natural collagen production. It’s used to treat everything from acne scars and sunspots to enlarged pores and visible signs of ageing. There’s also minimal downtime, so you don’t need to hide away for a week post-procedure. 
Our Top 5 Benefits of Skin Needling


1. REDUCES THE APPEARANCE OF LINES AND WRINKLES
No one wants to look older than they are. But premature aging that presents as fine lines and wrinkles does just that. The tiny injuries from a microneedling session boost collagen and elastin production to fight lines and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin are compounds in your skin that add structure and strength, lending a youthful quality. The wound-healing mechanisms also stimulate your body to produce new skin cells, making fine lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles less apparent.

2. SCAR TREATMENT
Because microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin production, it’s also super effective in addressing acne and other scars on your skin. The only type of scar not possible to treat is keloid, or raised, scars.

3. SUN DAMAGE
Microneedling is effective in reducing the appearance of sun damage, particularly hyperpigmentation and age spots. If you have a blotchy, brownish complexion, which is probably a result of too many days of sunning, microneedling and its ability to stimulate new collagen and skin cells can reinvigorate your look and even out your tone.

4. ANTI-AGING
Aging doesn’t just show up as wrinkles and discoloration. As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity, so it appears lax. Aging skin may also look dull and lack a lustrous glow. Microneedling can change this.The buildup of collagen that occurs in response to the tiny wounds can improve skin structure to fight sagging. Plus, just 24 hours following a session, you experience a radiant, fresh glow.

5. SHRINKS PORES
Despite the fact that microneedling involves punching holes in your skin, it doesn’t increase the size of your pores. In fact, it helps your pores appear much smaller. When the collagen around your pores is stimulated, the area around each pore plumps, making the pore itself almost disappear.


Give us a call 33761144 to book or simply tap the link https://home.shortcutssoftware.com/tranquilitybeautysalon#/_h/sites/39800/details