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| Actress Jada Pickett Smith with glowing skin |
It’s that time again, to pull out the swim suits, tanning lotion, and sunscreen. You’re hitting the gym harder than ever to get the “quick fix” six pack, and the treadmill is your new best friend. Yes summer is officially here, but are you ready?
There are so many ways to bring the luster back, inside and out. Some of us may feel the effects of the economy, and some may have had a hard winter filled with stressful work. Either way, in order to get back to the radiant, glowing person that you are, you must take certain in order to bring back your Summer Shine!
Inside the Frame: Some people are so used to looking at the bigger picture, that they forget all the details. Before venturing out to try to fix and refine your outer image, I suggest taking a second to check up on the inside you.
Your mental state is the first reflection of how your outward appearance might be received. If stress is a daily emotion that haunts you, than signs of stress may show up on your face. Dark circle’s, aging lines, acne breakouts, and bags under the eyes are just a few signs. In addition, stress will also take over your body, weight gain, fatigue, lack of energy, poor diet, and lack of strength are all signs that you may be a bit unhealthy.
It’s important not only to have a healthy body, but also a healthy state of mind. Reading inspirational literature, taking yoga classes and taking a moment or two out the day for yourself, can definitely create a stronger and serene state of mind. Or at least a normal one! Try to start your morning making your bed before you go, sit down to eat breakfast while reading, or try a 5- minute workout. All of the steps you take in the beginning of the day will create a strong foundation for the rest of the day.
The depth of a diamond gives it more dimension, and more shine, which adds a higher value.
Outside the Frame: Now for the outside you! There are tons of great products and treatments that can really make you glow! Along with eating healthy, drinking tons of water, and exercise, you will be on your way to, shining brighter than the sun.
FACE
- The most important fact, is wearing SPF for sun protection. This is the most commonly overlooked product that is the most necessary. SPF can prevent skin cancer and it can slow down the aging process by reducing fine lines and wrinkles. So if you love your face protect it!
- Using a lighter moisturizer will help with hydration without leaving a greasy finish. Switch to a lotion or gel instead of a cream, for the summer and you can maintain your glow without having dry skin, a lighter moisturizer with SPF would be ideal.
- Another way to keep your skin in great shape is a mud mask. It tightens your pores while leaving the skin with an overall brighter appearance. My personal favorite is the Mud Mask from NARS cosmetics. I suggest doing a mud mask at least once a week.
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| Nars Mud Mask |
- For Women, using your foundation in the summer can be a sticky situation. Instead try switch to a powder foundation that’s buildable (able to build upon without caking or giving the skin a muddy finish) or if you don’t like powders, just mix your existing foundation with your favorite moisturizer. Now you have a tinted moisturizer, and you just saved some money!
- For Men, if you want to keep looking fresh and clean, try switching to an exfoliating cleansing (one that’s for all skin types). After cleansing, place a white warm wash cloth over your face for about a 20 seconds, this opens up your pores and allows your skin to breathe. Afterwards splash some cold water on your face to close the pores and, hydrate with a light moisturizer. With skin like this even the ladies will be jealous!
BODY
- For those long days of hard work in the summer, wouldn’t be nice to come home to a nice relaxing Sake bath? Yes a Sake bath! This is one of my favorite products for body on the market. This Rice Sake Bath product is from the Fresh line, it’s a Fresh Rice Formula that is infused with peach extracts and will leave your skin velvety-smooth and your body feeling extremely relaxed. Perfect for after the gym.
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| Rice Sake Bath oil |
- Another great step for getting you skin super soft is body exfoliating. Its really important to get rid of the old skin from the day, and reveal your fresh new glowing, soft, skin for yourself or who ever.
- Last but not least, body oil. After all of the attention given to your body, you must top it off with conditioning your skin. Body oils are amazing for giving your skin a supple appearance while hydrating as well. Body oils come in different formulas, scented, unscented, bronzing oil, tanning oil, or just oil. Its important to choose what oils works best for you.
After all the love, care and attention shown to yourself, there should not be a reason why your not catching every eye, and having a line form around the corner just to see you shine!
I’m just saying…..
-Ryan B. Anthony