Moisturizing is probably one of the main things that I make sure to do. Moisturizing can prevent aging and wrinkles, it can take away scars, and make your skin feel soft! Here's how I keep my skin smooth throughout all of the seasons!
1. I put on lotion within five minutes of when I get out of the shower. The steam in the bathroom, and the water on your skin help absorb and lock in that moisture. My doctor recommended that I should put on lotion right away, to get really benefit from the moisturizer. I have had really bad scars from really randoms things so i needed to get rid of them! By doing this, it can help scars fade away.
2. I put the moisturizer everywhere! When I say everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE ! That's from head to toe. I use a face moisturizer, then some under-eye cream on my face. Then I put lotion starting from my neck, down my back, all the way down to my toes. I try to put extra on my thighs and legs to keep them extra soft, and anywhere else that I need that super softness!
3. During winter, my skin becomes really dry, so I have to take extra care of it. When my face becomes dry because of washing and the weather; I look to mask to make and natural remedies to fix my skin. I use about three times a week a yogurt mask. This is just plain yogurt that I put all over my face and let it sit for about 1/2 an hour to 1 hour. Then i wash it off with cold water. This helps to give that extra moisture, and it also has some anti-aging benefits, but whitens the skin.
Also, if your skin is super dry, check your moisturizer, you may have some benzoyl peroxide or sacylic acid. Which is commonly found in acne reducing moisturizers.
4. Moisturize your hands and feet! Sometimes we forget this step. I try to make sure that I put some lotion on my cuticles and hands everyday. On my feet to keep them soft, after every shower. Thus helps with keeping my hands and feet from aging and helps them feel soft! Also, moisturize you lips with some balm everyday.
5. Drink lots of water! I try to drink water before and after meals and a lot throughout the day. This will keep your skin hydrated, but it also helps you cleanse your body. That's always a plus, right? So keep on drinking your water!
-Nicole
Open-eyed Tip: Try drinking some green smoothies, or raw smoothies! It will make you feel great and make your skin look better. They also taste great!
Since winter came, I have had really dry lips. So I had to fix that. Here's what I do to make my lips soft and smooth!
1. Don't lick your lips! I've noticed that when I used to lick my lips they became even more dry.
2. Apply some Balm! This is the best way to moisturize your lips. I apply it right when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed. I also apply when ever I have dry lips.
3. Use a Lip Scrub! This will take away all the dry skin that flake up when you put on a lip product. It also makes your lips really smooth!
4. Drink lots of Water! Dehydration can be the cause of dry skin, so be sure to drink up plenty of water!
5. Smile! Now my lips feel better than ever through this winter weather. Ever since I started doing this my lips have gotten smoother, and weren't dry anymore!
-Nicole
Are y'all loving the princess/sock bun hairstyle, I know I am! It's a great look for when you're in a hurry and don't have time to wash your hair. Just spray on some dry shampoo, and try this hairstyle out. Here are a few ways to wear a princess/sock bun.
1.Bun with a Bow: This is one of my personal favorites, wearing the bun with a bow. Pick a spot that goes with your look or outfit. It may be in the back under the bun, or on top in front of the bow. It can even go on the sideways on either side of your head.
2. Bun with a Scarf: Choose one of your light weight scarves and wrap it around your bun loosely. It will give you the modern turban look. Or just pair up a bun with a scarf around you neck, to dress up your outfit, but still have that casual feel to it.
3. Bun with a Braid: Start with you hair down then flip it over. Now start to braid/French braid your hair down the back. Then do the Bun as usual. There ya have it, a cute twist to a bun!
4.Bun with a Headband: Headbands go great with anything, so why not pair it up with a Princess/Sock bun? I usually go for the simple braided leather headband. Pick one that you love and rock the outfit!
-Nicole
Oxfords and Loafers are sooooo cute! You can just about wear them with anything. Here are a couple of ways to wear them.
1. Oxfords/Loafers with Jeans: You can pair up these shoes with any typre of jeans. If your looking at a pair of bootcut jeans, i suggest rolling/ folding up the bottoms to make the jeans more fitted. By folding them, your giving more attention to the shoes, which makes it even more classy.
2.Oxfords/ Loafers with Tights: Try wearing some tights with these types of shoes. Pair it with some cutoffs or patterned shorts. Maybe even pair it up with a skirt, something floral.
3. Oxford/Loafers with Skirts: I suggest going for a bodycon skirt, a pencil skirt, or an a-line skirt. Try not to go for the super-short miniskirt when wearing these type of shoes.
4. Oxfords/ Loafers with Sweaters: Try an oversized sweater, it will give a slendering look paired up with the shoes, and some skinnies. Opt for a blazer, with some distressed jeans and these types of shoes. It will make the outfit classy!
5. Oxfords/Loafers with a Casual Outfit:You can always dress up an everyday outfit with some oxfords or loafers. When you're in a hurry and you need step up an out fit, pair it with these awesome shoes to look great.!
-Nicole
About a year ago I decided to eat clean and healthy. I started this Vegan diet because I wanted my body to be healthy and feel good about it. Not only did I feel better because of the diet but I also became more fit, lost weight, and had more energy!
Here are a couple of rules that I keep while on this lifestyle. While eating clean, I also try to lean out, and not build bone. By that I start my first rules. I eat completely clean for at least five days of each week.
No Dairy
No Meat
This means no cheese or milk. This especially means no yogurt! You also don't want any type of meat. The dairy and meat make you build up, and you don't want this because you're leaning out.
No bread
You don't want to eat a lot of bread because the more carbs you eat the more fat builds up.
I allow myself two cheat days, because I don't wanna go crazy and pig out. Also, don't deprive yourself, if you want something go for it. It will keep you from giving up and pigging out.
On my cheat days I usually still stick to the same guidelines, only I allow cheese, bread, or meat. Through the day I only drink water.
If you wanna try this diet/lifestyle I suggest checking with your doctor first. This is what works for me and what I stick to, but it may not work for everyone, so you can adjust it to yourself. Remember that this is also going raw vegetarian, so the first couple of days will be rough. I felt really tired, but at least five days after, I got that new, healthy energy.
What I eat usually consists of:
Lots of water
Fruit
Vegetables
Beans
Peanut butter
Oats
Honey
Soup
Eggs
Veggie burgers
Vegan meat
What I eat on a typical day:
Breakfast-
I usually pick from one of these.
Oatmeal
Fruit
Honey w/ Peanut Butter
Raw fruit smoothie
Lunch-
I usually pick from one of these.
Honey w/ Peanut Butter
Raw fruit smoothie
Steamed Vegetables
Soup
Veggie burger w/ tomato slices
Dinner-
I usually pick from one of these.
Beans
Soup
Steamed vegetables
Vegan meat
Veggie burger w/ vegetables
Raw fruit smoothie
I try not to eat to many veggie burgers. Firstly because they don't taste that good, secondly because I don't think it's as healthy as the other options.
A few foods that I like to eat are:
Eden organic garbanzo beans
1/2 cup 130 cal
Bush's baked beans maple cured bacon
1/2 cup 140 cal
Organic and raw honey
Target grade A honey
Morning star veggie burgers
1 burger 110 cal
Something to remember:
Beans- are a great source of protein
Vegetables- supplies some vitamins
Fruit- have natural sugar
Honey- natural sweetener that can replace sugar
Drink lots of water
Drink lots of tea (any kind, I prefer green tea because it boosts the metabolism)
For calcium drink coconut milk, rice milk, or almond milk.
Take your Vitamins!
Because I'm eating raw, I won't get all the vitamins and nutrients needed for my body.
This is what works for me and is great for healthy eating, losing weight, and feeling good about your body's health!
-Nicole
I know were all into accessorizing, and crosses are all the rage right now! I'm a Christian, and I love to wear crosses, its just that sometimes its hard to incorporate it into an everyday outfit. I used to think that crosses wear just meant as jewelry, but there are so many other options, and ways to wear crosses.
Here are a few looks/tips to keep in mind when dressing with a cross, or crosses.
1. Cross on Clothes: I love to wear crosses, and wearing it as part of
my outfit makes it even better. Try to look for a shirt with tiny crosses on it, try to pair it with solids. For example, when wearing a shirt with a whole bunch of crosses all over, you wanna opt for a pair of solid colored skinny jeans, or even a solid scarf. If your going to wear a cross shirt, with maybe a chunky cross on front, you can wear it with almost any print. Just try to stay away from clashing prints.
2. Crosses on a Scarf: Try to pair this scarf with a solid tee and a pair of cute shoes, but keep the accessories minimal.
3. Cross Necklaces: You can wear a sideways cross necklace with just about anything. Try to pick a color (silver, gold, bronze) that goes with your general color attraction. It's all about you, because you're the one that's going to wear it.
4. Cross Bracelets: Pair this up with any outfit, and step up your game! Bracelets go well with everything!
5. Cross Rings: I love rings! Try a sideways cross ring or a straight cross ring. As an accessory it works with all outfit!
-Nicole
Today I thought I would share my experiences dyeing my hair. Recently I dyed my hair another color.
First, I dyed my hair with highlights when I was younger, but it didn't go so well. The highlights were uneven and in places were they should not have been. Then, I dyed my whole head a lighter brown, which went alright. After my hair color faded and grew out, I dyed the bottom layer, light ash blond. That was when it actually turned out pretty good. I was so happy that, a few months later I dyed my hair in the ombre technique, ash blond. I got the hang of things and it worked out fine.
Which brings us to now, I waited on having my hair colored again a while to let it become healthier. I decided to dye it again, but this time it was to make it appear healthy. I dyed my hair back to a medium brown, now its all one color!
Usually when people have hair that is one color or that's darker, it looks healthier. Sometimes I think it even looks healthier when you first dye hair. Now I'm not saying that it is healthy, it just looks as if it is. So if your a person who is concerned about the health of your hair my technique might not be the best, but it works for me.
When dyeing hair, follow the directions on the box. I recommend wearing a trash bag or clothes you don't care about while dyeing your hair. Prior to dyeing hair I think you should wash your hair with shampoo only then 4-5 hours later start dyeing you hair. This will allow the dye to absorb, and the color to blend better. Then when your conditioning, after you dye your hair, add a little of you own conditioner, and leave in for 5 minutes. This is where you will get a deep conditioning, so that your hair will feel soft.
Once your done dyeing your hair you want to either air dry your hair or blow dry it. Then put on some leave in conditioner.
I hope this gave you an idea of what to do when at-home dyeing your hair.
- Nicole
Open-eyed Tip: When applying the dye to roots make sure NOT to massage into scalp, it will make it much lighter than the rest of your hair and un-natural. It says not to massage or rub it into scalp on most directions, but most people overlook that detail. Instead just dab onto roots, trust me, it will absorb the color. It can make all the difference.
