Well, it's really here...the last month of the century!
I myself have mixed feelings about all of the Millennium
talk. On one hand, I've become rather annoyed with
the mania of the upcoming century, from the gloom and
doom predictions to the exaggerated hype the press
has created. On the other, it's at the same time exciting...we
are all part of the turn of the century, and I can
almost feel a change in the air, like things we can't
even see could be happening. Wow!
In this issue, I'll give you tips and ideas to look
your very best this special holiday season. From blemish
treatments to makeup ideas, it's all here! I've also
reviewed a new haircoloring tool I've found to be invaluable
- read on to find out the details!
December Beauty
This is of course a special month - not only is it the
holiday season, it's the time we will bring in the
new Millennium! I've been getting all kinds of questions
about what looks will be stunning, so here are some
of my favorite ideas:
* For eyes that really sparkle, try using some silvery
shadow across the entire lid. Line eyes with a deep,
smoky pencil for a really dramatic look!
* For a glowing complexion with a bit of dazzle, apply
a face highlighting cream or moisturizer. Ultima II
makes a good one called "Glowtion." You can also use
these formulas on specific areas such as cheekbones
or under eyes for highlighting.
* Red looks beautiful this season, especially when used
on lips. Opt for shades that really shine, or apply
a bit of shimmering gloss to the center of lips to
finish. Sparkling reds also look fabulous on toes!
* Nothing frames the face better than gorgeous hair.
Brighten your current color with one of the new "color
enhancing" colors on the market. You can find your
own shade, and the only difference will be brighter,
shinier, healthier looking hair! Or, go a shade lighter
or darker for more dramatic results.
ACNE: HOW YOU CAN GET
RID OF IT FOR GOOD
I have received so many questions regarding skin care
this month, I decided to cover the topic thoroughly
in this newsletter. I have found over the years that
there are several things that contribute to consistently
beautiful skin: 1.A healthy diet. 2. Drinking LOTS
of pure water. 3. Using great products in the right
way. Here's what you can do to get gorgeous skin before
the holidays:
A healthy diet can't be stressed enough! I have found
that eating mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains
and lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and tofu really
do the trick. Natural and organic is best, as even
foods that have been washed well can contain toxins
that harm our skin. Taking Vitamins C, E, and Zinc
can also be beneficial, as these vitamins are helpful
in maintaining healthy, supple skin.
I've mentioned juicing before, and I do feel that taking
one day a week to consume nothing but fruit and vegetable
juices can also help those that suffer from chronic
skin problems. Juices are very cleansing, and can help
rid the body of toxins that would show up in our skin!
Water, and plenty of it, is a must! Drinking at least
8 glasses of pure water every day will leave your skin
soft and smooth, as well as helping to prevent blemishes.
Water is really my favorite all- around beauty trick,
and it's importance in skin care cannot be overstated!
Now on to maintenance...How you care for your skin and
what you care for it with are both very important in
achieving great skin. Here are the basics:
*Cleanse, tone, and , moisturize twice daily.
*Exfoliate GENTLY a few times a week. I like to use
a little raw sugar. Cheap and effective!
*Always rinse face with cold water to leave skin radiant.
This step can also replace using a separate toner.
*Never "scrub" the face with anything overly abrasive.
This can actually create more acne.
WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD
I USE?
This is a question I get all the time. I've tried so
many products myself, and there have been some I liked
and some I didn't. For the most part, I like products
that are natural and effective. For me, as I get older,
skin care has become much more important. I personally
feel that spending a fortune on expensive cleansers
is not necessary, as these products are only on
the skin a brief time. When choosing a cleanser, look
for one that is gentle and doesn't contain too many
ingredients.
I do, however, believe in spending a bit more for actual
skin care "treatments", which include moisturizers,
certain serums, and rejuvenating and rebuilding complexes.
However, if you are on a tight budget, you can still
achieve beautiful skin! Try popping open a capsule
of Vitamin E and applying under your eye area or on
particularly dry areas of the skin. And of course a
little acidic fruit juice makes a terrific alpha hydroxy
acid treatment! Witch Hazel mixed with a little mineral
water is a wonderful toner, as is rose water. I do
try to include a new "home treatment" in the newsletter
or on the site every month, so not to worry if you
don't have much money to spend on skin care!
I tend to like both "home" treatments and those produced
with science. I have always been very experimental
when it comes to skin care. Several months ago I started
using the line of Royal Botanica products (RBC)
introduced to me by my friend Greg Brinkley. When Greg
first told me about the products, I was a little bit
skeptical, as I truly thought I'd tried every cutting-edge
product out there! However, three weeks later I was
amazed at the difference in my overall appearance.
I tested the products on a girlfriend and my mother
as well, just to make sure I wasn't the only one impressed.
We all agreed that these products were far superior
to anything we'd ever tried previously and became hooked!
I adore RBC's Nutricell gel and Moisture
Balance Cream. I've found the cream to prevent
breakouts and balance my skin in such a way that it
looks terrific even without any makeup! The Nutricell
Gel> seemed to eliminate dark circles and unevenness
in skin tone. The vitamin C serum is another
fabulous acne-fighter, and is best when used nightly.
You can purchase a "starter kit" from the website for
around $140. It may sound like a lot, but I've had
my last package for 5 ½ months, and I expect
them to last another! So, for about $25 dollars a month,
you can use some of the finest skin care products available!
When you consider that a trip to the dermatologist
and prescriptions would cost in excess of $200, it's
really quite a deal! If you should decide to try any
of the Royal Botanica Products, you can be assured
of a no- questions asked, money back guarantee if you
are for any reason not completely thrilled! Beautiful
skin is on the way....
EASE HOLIDAY TENSION
WITH EASY TECHNIQUES
While the holidays are a wonderful time to be with family
and those we love, they can also cause a tremendous
amount of stress. The shoppers are everywhere, the
streets are crowded, and often there is an sense of
anxiety that accompanies this season. Consider these
ideas when you feel the holiday stress start to kick-in:
1. Instead of watching T.V. in the evenings, where ads
bombard us with more pressure, take an hour to read
an inspirational and uplifting book quietly, or light
some candles and take a long bath.
2. Exercise. The holiday season is often prime time
for quitting our normal exercise routine, as we become
caught up in the rush. Exercise is a terrific stress-buster.
It helps us to sleep better, have more energy throughout
the day, and creates an overall sense of well-being.
(And of course allows us to indulge in those wonderful
holiday treats!)
3. Consider catalog shopping. If you dread the thought
of hitting the malls with the rest of the crowds, try
ordering your favorite gifts from a catalog or on line.
Saves time AND patience! Check back to my home page
in the next few days, I plan to have a special issue
newsletter about my own experience with catalog shopping.
4. Don't try to do too much. Overextending ourselves
or our budget can cause tremendous stress. Keep plans
simple and make a gift list ahead of time.
5. Consider MAKING your gifts, for added personal appeal.
I have always collected shells, and had quite a collection
from beaches around the world. One year, I made all
kinds of "shell art" for my entire family. Picture
frames, treasure boxes, everything. My loved ones were
tremendously grateful for these gifts, as they took
my time and love to create, not just money.
The thing to keep in the front of our mind is that the
holidays are about love and remembering what is truly
important to us. It's a wonderful time to take a step
back from the hassles of our daily lives and realize
how much we have to be thankful for. It's not always
easy to keep the spiritual aspects in mind, but with
a little effort, they can be a time that's filled with
love, peace, and happiness!
REVIEW: THE COLORING
BRUSH
As many of you know, I've agreed to keep you informed
of any new products out there that I think will be
of value to you. I'm approached by several companies
a month, and when I find something I truly like, I
will be sure to "pass it on"!
Recently I was approached by the company who makes "The
Coloring Brush." I was told that they had come up
with a "brush" that you actually use to comb color
through hair, eliminating messiness normally associated
with home hair coloring. Since I get so many questions
every month regarding the easiest way to "do-it-yourself",
I thought this would be a perfect tool to try!
I don't normally color my own hair, so I thought myself
the perfect candidate to test the ease of the brush.
The brush itself comes beautifully packaged, and the
company even included a big bottle of color and conditioner!
You simply fill the "handle" of the brush with your
normal hair color, (a disposable bag is inside) pump
the handle to allow the color to fill the brush, and
brush through hair!
The coloring brush did a great job of applying color
evenly, and the whole application (not including process
time) took less than 15 minutes. When you are done,
you simply remove the inner bag and rinse the brush.
Simple and hassle free! You can find the Hair color
Brush by going to www.newbasics.com, or calling 888/900-9922.
As this month of December begins, I wish you all abundant
health, happiness, and love. No matter what you decide
to do on December 31, I hope you enjoy yourselves and
wind the year up on a wonderful note! Don't forget
to check back later for the special issue. I will
cover catalog shopping and will post photos of new
clothing finds as well.
Happy Holidays!
Wendy
