Saturday, September 20, 2014

Fall in love with your skin this fall..

TGIF everyone! Not only is it Friiiiiday it's also my 10 year anniversary graduating from Esthetician School! I have always had a passion for skincare and I'm always looking for new products to renew my skin! I did some MAJOR skin damage when I was younger.  I was one of those girls who baked in the sun all day long, lathering on the baby oil and then going to the tanning beds to top it all off! I cringe when I think about it! But it's never to late to make your skin beautiful! There are so many treatments and products that reverse the signs of sun damage and aging! So learn from my mistake girls and get on a good skincare system now and ALWAYS wear sunblock! 

Working as an Esthetician for years I was exposed to every skincare company out there! I love trying new products but there are some products I just can't live without! My two favorite lines are Obagi and SkinMedica.  Even if I'm trying out new stuff I always end up back to basics with these two lines. My skin is a little tricky because I'm not only needing something that repairs my sun damage, I also need something for my sensitive skin that also fight breakouts and aging! 

For fall I like to use the Obagi Nu Derm System from Elase Medical Spa.  I have to say I did a pretty dang good job this summer keeping my face out of the sun! I slathered on the sunblock as much as possible but when summer starts winding down I always like to give my skin an extra little boost to brighten and rejuvenate it! Scroll down and I'll talk about each product I use and what it does! 


This is the entire Obagi Nu Derm System. It consists of:
Gentle Cleanser, Toner, Clear, Exfoderm, Blender (which can be combined with tretenoin cream) and Sunblock. 


Step 1(AM/PM) : Gentle Cleanser (normal to dry)- Gently removes impurities, oil, and makeup to leave skin clean and fresh! *Use Foaming Gel if have normal to oily skin


Step 2 (AM/PM): Toner- Toner helps adjust the pH of the skin and increases the penetration of all the other products you use! Also proven to help with the appearance of firmness and elasticity of skin! 

Step 3 (AM/PM): Clear- This is a topical prescription treatment that has 4% hydroquinone to reduce the hyperpigmentation (discoloration) and improve uneven skin tone! *This is one of my favorite products ever! Has totally helped with my sunspots dramatically!

Step 4 (AM only): Exfoderm- This is a plant acid that removes old skin cells while promoting new skin cells that are brighter and lighter! 

Step 5 (PM): Blender- Also a topical prescription treatment that contains 4% hydroquinone to target discolored areas of the skin. (Can be combined with Tretinoin Cream for a more aggressive treatment) 


Step 6 (AM): Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35- This sunscreen has 9% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate that helps to protect newly transformed, younger skin! 


TNS Essential Serum-  This is one of my new favorite products I've added to my skincare regimen! It's amazing! It has already helped improve my fine lines, wrinkles and overall skin texture and tone! It's tightened my skin and lightened my age spots! It has the properties to fight against environmental damage and regenerate new fresh skin! I LOVE it! Ive been incorporating it after I TONE my skin! 

And of course let's not forget to talk about Latisse! Which I literally cannot live without! It's hands down the BEST lash growing solution on the market! It says you won't start seeing results for 6-8 weeks but I start seeing growth within the first week of using!!! 

I wanted to tell you about Latisse right now (but I will post before and after pictures in a month or so) because Elase is giving you a FREE bottle with the purchase of the TNS Serum! It's a $120 value and months worth of Latisse so I'm telling everyone and their dog about this! I hope you all have an amazing weekend and with the summer sun gone now is the perfect time to revamp your skin! So if you aren't on a skincare program start now! You can even go into Elase and get a free skin anaylsis and they can explain in more detail about what is perfect for you and your skin! 


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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Prettiest Plates & PB Cookies (Vegan/GF)






Anthropology Plates: Here

I don't know what I'm obsessed with more...these adorable plates from Anthropology or my Vegan &  Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies! Peanut butter cookies are actually really easy to turn vegan and since a lot of people have gluten allergies I decided to make them gluten free as well! They turned out soooo good! These cookies are the softest and most chewy peanut butter cookies ever! You would seriously never know the were vegan and gluten free unless you read the recipe! I love being able to satisfy my sweet tooth with recipes that are actually good for me! Hope you all enjoy this healthy treat as much as I do and check out these cute dishes and other items from Anthropology! It's always more fun eating your food on something pretty! :)

RECIPE:

1 cup peanut butter (make sure you use a no stir peanut butter)
1 cup coconut sugar (can also substitute for brown sugar)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup oat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 chopped peanuts (optional) 

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.  In a large mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter and coconut sugar. Add vanilla extract and beat until mixed.
3.  In a separate bowl, mix oat flour, baking soda and salt.
4.  While beating the peanut butter mixture, slowly add in the dry mixture and beat until a crumbly dough forms. Add in the almond milk and continue to beat until combined. Add chopped peanuts. DO NOT OVERMIX!!!
5.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6.  Roll the dough into balls (about 2 Tablespoons per cookie) 
7.  Place on baking sheets and flatten (can press with fork for crisscross design on top) 
9.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just starting to turn gold on edges (they bake up fast so keep an eye on them! 
10.  Let cool completely and enjoy! 

Serves: 12-14 

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