Aug 17, 2011

Counteracting a Body Scrub



As long as anyone has known me, I mean before makeup ever existed in my world, there was exfoliating. I love exfoliating my skin so much because i understood from a young age, just how important it was.
Understanding the skin could be complicating, so ill shorten it for you...

Exfoliate for...
A healthy glow!
A smooth feeling!
A fresh start!

Basically your skin goes through a "turning" processed about once every week. What that means is, as your dead skin cells begin to shed (Yes shed, gross!!) The new alive skin wants to shine through. But can that happen when the old dead skin cells are still laying there? Nope!
Ill tell ya', your soap is not the right man for this job. YOU NEED A SCRUB!


There are countless scrubs you can buy. Some that work, some that don't. Actually, the cheaper once have ingredients in them that you don't want near your skin because it will just dry you out due to harsh ingredients that should not be on skin in general. ME, I like to make my own to be as safe as possible. You know, customize it to my liking.

Well...Here's how i do it:

~I use a Sea salt base
~Raw virgin Coconut oil to moisturize my skin while the salt is cleaning and buffing
~ Essential oils for there individual purposes like smells and what they can help according to my skins needs
~Beeswax or Shea butter for a thicker and extra moisturizing feeling afterwards (For dryer skin types)
~Olive oil! I love to throw this in just for its amazing cleansing and antiseptic purposes.

***The reason why i use so many oils is because SALT can be very drying to the skin.
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I believe that if you do something that is not the best for you, but you refuse to stop for your own pleasures, habits or whatever reasons, at least counteract it! Do your best to maintain health in all aspects of life like Smoking, drinking, eating, etc... There are small steps that everyone can take, for instance, if you are a heavy smoker: try to work out; be active; drink tea's that help the lungs, take supplements that bring oxygen to your blood!
REVIVE YOURSELF FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!!!! I think its mentally healthy to at least try!
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Not everyone has the same skin type so don't use what everyone else is using. Try things that work best for you. Even if you have to make it yourself! Its easy! Most of everything you need is already in your kitchen.


Tips:
Beeswax and butters are heavier for dryer skin types
light oils like jojoba or coconut are great for normal skin types.

If you use a scrub that leaves you dry, use a moisturizer according to your skin. If something doesn't work, try something else!
Don't be afraid to mix it all up!


I'd love to hear from guys! Questions, Comments whatever!!!

Aug 15, 2011

Inspirational

Amazing way to keep your curls from drying out!


Ive learned alot from when I last made a curly hair tutorial so i hope this is a better ways to get you on a healthy path to beautiful curls too!

I wash my hair about once a week now because a curly hair specialist told me my hair was drying out because i washed it too much. I listened and so far it looks like I'v made some good progress by staying consistant. So, i would like to share some of the new things i picked up about curly hair care and some of the new and natural products I found...

Theraneem Conditions

I Love this product so much. I have used it for such a short time and have seen great progression in my hair and skin.
The conditioner i have, makes my hair smell great, leaves it light weight and smelling like coconuts! After the shower i like to run a little bit of conditioner through my hair to give it some extra body. You should try it too! I swear by it!


Virgin Coconut Oil


I have been using Virgin Coconut oil for my hair, skin and health for a few years now. Sometimes i cant always afford to buy it, but i try my best to be consistent for best results.

~I run it through the ends of my hair after a nice steamy shower
~I ingest about two teaspoons of coconut oil (once in morning and once in the night before bed for positive fat. Its very important that people know most of the change starts from within, from the things we eat consistently.
~ I mix some in with my Shea butter for a smoother more lotion feel for twice the benefits of moisture and nutrients.
~ I really love to cook with it! Coconut oil is one of the best and safest oils to use in cooking. Also a great ways to incorporated it into your diet (especially is you have a hard time eating in a raw oil form).

***Best way to find a great Coconut oil:
Look for labels that say things like, RAW, UNREFINED, ORGANIC and COLD PRESSED for the most clean and close to natural and pure as possible!


Most of what i know is based off of experience with my own hair. I try alot of natural ways of see what works for my big curly hair that works for me.
These two things together really give my hair a light weight clean feeling for most of the week before i wash it!

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Jun 17, 2011

Behind the scenes


Today was my day off from work so i planned a girls day out with my home girl PINKY. It was a fab time getting our nails done and going to a photoshoot that Tifa Reed Hilton was in afterwards, photographed by Jason Tamvakis. It was so relaxing being on the set of a photoshoot and having the opportunity to relax and not do Makeup for the shoot. It was a time of just being around what we love the most which is People, beauty and photography.


May 30, 2011

Another day in my life...

Elite Model Shelbie Kramer!


I would like to stress how relaxing it is to do a test shoot on a weekend (especially when its raining). Wake up really early, get comfortable for the long day of creating with other very talented people who are just as passionate about the experience as you are.
7:30am charp, west midtown Manhattan. My kit is super ready to go with a checklist on top (so that i wont forget anything like my entire makeup kit! yeah, iv done that before lol). Had a fabulous time with my buddy Joseph who introduced me to these two lovely ladies!
I was really eager to meet Svetlana because she was my first female photographer! I was very pleased to meet such a doll!
Working on Shelbie was like working on an unprimed canvas. She was so tall and beautiful! had to be like 4 feet taller than me. Ok, maybe I'm over doing it but she had a wonderful soft presence. Working with a team like this is my ideal everyday life. Fun times <3 Lets do it again and again...

I am such a big fan of Joseph's hair skills



Photographer:
Svetlana LK.

Elite Model:
Shelbie Kramer.

Hair Stylist:
Joseph DiMaggio

PINKY

Meet Rhaiza Elisa Padilla A.K.A. Pinky...


Pinky and I make a great team. You will be seeing her face around here quite often due to the fact that i am her personal Makeup Artist. She's unbelievable and I think you can see just why. <3 I Had the pleasure of working with Photographer Paul Sabatino, which made an amazing experience on a hot Saturday morning at his studio in Queens, NY.
This is the first time I met Paul and we pretty much hit it off quickly prier to meeting (Facebook & Txting). One of the most awesome things about Paul besides his work would be his hamburger making skills. I was special enough to experience one while working on Pinky :)
Good times!



May 23, 2011

GoHard X NinaCrys X Pinky

This painting was done by Danny GoHard. It is a portrait of me done in 2010. I was always inspired by the makeup he chose use on me. I love his work so much that we decided to use pinky as a way to translate it to real life.





Jan 24, 2011

Jets Jets Jets

This passed Football game in Pitsburg (Jets against the Stealer's) I was called to do the most interesting face painting. My buddy Anthony called me for round 2! Once he told me he wanted to incorporate Polynesian tribal designs mixed with some jets colors i immediately came up with a design that would make sense in balance and also staying true to the tribal designs.