Author: maygonnicole

Skin care advice, Uncategorized

Sugar and Skin?

by maygonnicoleLeave a Comment on Sugar and Skin?
Sugar and Skin?

As many of us prepare to spend the weekend surrounded by more sugar than Willy Wonka, the thought of its impact on our skin is far from the first thing on our minds. The impact of sugar on our waistlines is usually the go-to thought. Some of us are also dreading what our children’s behavior will be like once they are all “hopped-up” on gigantic chocolate bunnies. But what about your skin?

When sugar (or simple carbs) enter the body they bond with proteins and create AGE’s or Advanced Glycation End-products (aptly named as they  can AGE us) the body recognizes these as intruders in the system and creates antibodies that often cause inflammation. Not only is the inflammation itself a problem but since AGE’s bond to proteins such as collagen and elastin the antibodies also destroy them causing premature aging.

The skincare industry widely recognizes the potential aging effects of the glycation process but a slightly less discussed result is the inflammation and what that means;

ACNE, ROSECEA and other inflammatory conditions can also be provoked by sugar.

I myself notice that if I fall off the healthy food wagon my skin will become red, itchy and will often have small bumps on my cheeks. Now the impact of “gut” health is a whole other subject that also plays a role in skin health but sugar is a major culprit here.

So before you pick up that handful of jelly beans or peanut butter egg, think about what wrinkle you are willing to acquire or how red and puffy you are willing to be this week. Pass that Easter candy off on your coworkers in the break room and save your own skin!

 

Now, if you decide to ignore my warning or your willpower against sugar just isn’t what you want it to be what can you do about it??  There are products on the market to help slow  the destruction of collagen and elastin and reduce inflammation. Rhonda Allison’s AGELESS is one of the most comprehensive products on the market to slow this process.

 

AGEless_Product

 

 

Hollywood Favs

Oscar Favs 2018

by maygonnicoleLeave a Comment on Oscar Favs 2018
Oscar Favs 2018

 

 

I don’t know about the rest of you- but for me the Oscars are much more about the hour or so of red carpet coverage than the actual show which typically involves movies I haven’t even seen.

That being said, it is so easy for us to sit on our couches with our hair in top knots and not a stitch of makeup on our chip-eating faces and pass judgement on those that spent hours (more like months) prepping for one night.

We all have our  favs.

Some prefer the classic Hollywood beauties.  Some prefer simplicity and some  prefer to see those taking serious risks.

I personally am a Hollywood kind of girl. I love the look of a dress with a beautiful feminine silhouette, a classic full lash and a smoky eye along with a beautifully defined lip.

That is the look that resonates with me year after year.

This year there was a wide range of looks but I would say that the most common thread was a clean face with very little contour, a drop of blush and a striking eye and lip. We are seeing much less liner this season than in the recent past and a simpler look is prevailing.

To be honest, I have seen much more artistic vision on the red carpet from our favorite actresses in previous years. 

However,  my hands down favorite was Zendaya this year. Her beautifully contoured cheekbones and soft yet smoldering eye brings a very captivating look to this young beauty.

oscars-2018-zendaya

Although Zendaya was my favorite makeup-  I did have several favorite gowns and overall looks. Gina Rodriquez and Molly Simms wore striking fantastic plunging neckline gowns. But the woman that stole the show for me was Helen Mirren. She never ceases to impress me. Her stunning beauty and silhouette are only outshined by her grace and elegance.

Once again Ms Mirren you give us all a lot to aspire to!

 

 

Skin care advice

You are what you eat ~ the foods you eat have a tremendous effect on your skin.

by maygonnicoleLeave a Comment on You are what you eat ~ the foods you eat have a tremendous effect on your skin.
You are what you eat ~ the foods you eat have a tremendous effect on your skin.

For years your mother told you that “you are what you eat” and turns out she was very right (probably not just about this).

Your body and it’s largest organ (your skin) function from the fuel that you put in your mouth. The skin needs countless ingredients to replenish what is lost on a daily basis and to nourish it through antiaging processes.

ANTIOXIDANTS one of the most essentials ingredients your skin needs for antiaging. Antioxidants slow or stop free radicals from attacking healthy cells through as process called oxidation. Oxidation of the cells is one of the most detrimental processes in aging skin. Many dermatologists believe it can play a role in some skin cancers.

  •    Berries; Most berries possess antioxidants but blueberries, goji berries and cranberries are among the most beneficial for the skin.berries

 

  •  Dark chocolate YUMMMMM!
  • Red  Wine BONUS!! Red wine contains resveratrol which firms and lifts the skin. Scientists believe that resveratrol is most beneficial by consuming it so.. cheers!!!
  • Beans dried red beans, dried kidney beans and pinto beans are among the ones with the largest antioxidant content.

 

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS known as “the good fats” help keep the skin hydrated to plump and firm the tissue. Can also act as an anti-inflammatory to sooth skins with rosacea or acne.

  • Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids
  •  Flax seeds, walnuts, dark leefy greens all contain alpha-linolenic acid
  • Avocados contain oleic acid which helps to regenerate damaged cells .Avocado on white

LYCOPENE  an ingredient known to increase the bodies natural SPF from the inside

  •  Tomatoes (probably the most famous for this ingredient)
  • Guava,watermelon, papaya, grapefruit, sweet red peppers, asparagus, purple cabbage, mangos, and carrots

 

Water although probably the least exciting ingredient on here it is of tremendous importance. Since our bodies are anywhere from 50-75% water we must replenish what is lost during everyday. Skin functions slow with lack of water not to mention all of the toxins that back up in the body without flushing them out causing negative reactions in the skin.

 

If plain water is boring add some lemon or orange peel to your glass and then…

                                        EAT IT!! (yep, I know it sounds gross)

   A University of Arizona study stated that people who ate these had 33% decreased risk of squamous cell carcinoma. 

 

Skin care advice

Braving a Brazilian??

by maygonnicoleLeave a Comment on Braving a Brazilian??
Braving a Brazilian??

If you have never tried a Brazilian wax, or maybe you did and it went HORRIBLY wrong- read on to learn the helpful hints to make it the best experience possible….

Whether the mass influx of waxing occurred from Samantha on Sex in the City or it was a trend that built all on it’s own, it is here with a vengeance.

Gone are the days of “au natural” down there.

But who do you go to?  What will happen?

Visions of screaming “Kelly Clarkson” along with several other expletives come soaring into our heads.

How many horror stories have we all heard?

Well it doesn’t have to be a horrible experience.

Knowing what to ask is the first step toward a painless (and I mean LESS because pain FREE just isn’t going to happen unless you go to a magician that can levitate the hair from your body.)

First thing is to ask your veteran waxing friends for referrals- your tried and true friends that have braved this experience for you the ones that have undoubtedly found a waxer that they trust.

Otherwise, if you are forced to cold call salons and spas you want to be sure to ask for their most booked Brazilian waxer …

NOT the first available because that person-  although they are licensed to- they may not really do many waxings.  I’m sure you’d rather not be a guinea pig, right?

Too often salons will say “sure we do waxings”  just so they don’t lose the business.

Ask the following questions:

~Who is your most frequently booked Brazilian waxer?

~Approximately how many waxes does she do per week? (Under 5 is less than ideal depending on your area, to put it in perspective~on a busy spring/summer day I will often do 10)

~What type of wax does she use? You are not looking for a brand name here, but the use of both hard and soft waxes. 

Once you feel comfortable with the answers there are several things you can do to prepare yourself the day of:

  • ~Be sure your hair is about the length of a grain of rice. NO ONE will benefit from you coming in with hair “fully grown in.” If you are starting out “70s style” then a clipper at home is to your benefit….TRUST ME!!
  • ~An at home numbing agent can be of help approximately 45 minutes before you come in.
  • ~A pain medication of your choice (Advil etc.) can help with some of the pain and general soreness after the waxing.
  • ~Be sure you have 24-48 hours of downtime after the wax. This is not something you do the morning of your romantic getaway.
  • ~Wear comfortable clothes. Leaving with tight jeans on is not ideal.

I promise you that in the middle of the waxing you may want to kill her but if once its over you think –

“Hmm not as bad as I thought“,  then she is your girl.

Get yourself booked the minute you leave for your next appointment.

DO NOT TRY TO CALL WHEN YOU ARE READY.   The reality is that the first several waxes will take some convincing –  so don’t “self-talk” yourself into pushing it off.

Your body WILL start to get more used to it as you go.

There you go ladies- don’t you feel better already?