Tag: beauty

My Top 4 Beauty Foods For Spring

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Hi Everyone!

Now that the warmer weather has slowly but finally arrived it is time to step up your beauty routine.  So as you reacquaint yourself with your razor and erase any residual signs of winter paleness,  you may also want to consider adding in a few beauty boosters into your diet to help you glow all season long.  My favourite dietary beauty boosters for spring are:

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Blueberries

Blueberries are one of my favourite fruits of all time.  These gorgeous little berries are a fantastic source of  antioxidants, that fight free radicals and help to maintain youthful skin.  Rich in vitamin C, blueberries also help to boost the collagen in the skin which is great for keeping your skin looking taut and smooth.  Blueberries are also a good source of fibre which helps to keep your digestive system healthy.  Remember: a healthy digestive system is integral to getting and maintaining healthy glowing skin.

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Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the easiest vegetables to cook making them a breeze to add to many dishes.  Filled with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals such as selenium, silica, zinc and iron this delicious vegetable helps to keep your skin clear and your hair and nails strong.  Asparagus is also a great natural diuretic which is helpful in removing toxins from the body along with supporting any weight loss goals.

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Eggs

Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse.  Many people only eat egg whites to achieve their weight loss goals but you should be eating the entire egg.  The yolks are packed with important vitamins (such as vitamins A and D) which helps to keep the skin clear and youthful while the egg whites work to brighten and repair the skin.  Buy organic or free range in order to get more beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet.  Eggs are a complete protein and are a good source of selenium, B vitamins and vitamin D.

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Coriander

I know that coriander (aka cilantro) is a polarizing herb – either you love it or you hate it.  For those that enjoy coriander here are a few more reasons to add it into your diet:  they are rich in antioxidants which helps to destroy any free radicals in the body.  It helps to fight signs of aging and brightens the skin.  Coriander is helpful in preventing spikes in blood sugar which is a potential skin ager.  It also supports detoxification in the liver which further supports skin health.

What are your favourite beauty boosters for spring? Let me know in the comments section below!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  ❤️XXS

Bags and Blooms

Published on by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I can’t believe that it is already March!  It feels like this year is just zipping by!  While we have experienced a few beautiful days here in Montreal, I can’t wait for the warmer weather and lighter clothing options.  One my favourite things to do is to build mood boards filled with things that make me smile – fabulous fashion shots, inspirational quotes, delicious food and anything else that makes me happy.

While many may think that fashion shots are an odd choice for a wellness blog, I humbly disagree.  Wellness is about healthy eating and living but it is also about embracing things that feed your soul and for me fashion just happens to be one of the things that makes me incredibly happy.

So without further adieu here are some of the shots that I am thriving on at the moment:

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Images via http://www.Pinterest.com, Instagram (@sakaralife, @dalhousenutrition, @statusanxiety, @fashionchicstyling, @shalicenoel)

I hope that you have a beautiful day!

XXS

Glow Getter Homemade Mask

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I love beauty DIY’s and homemade masks are no exception.  Not only is making your own masks cost effective, but masks that you create at home are more natural and safer for both your skin and your overall health.  This honey and papaya mask is one of my favourites and it is very easy to make. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.  There are many different versions of this mask online, but after trying a bunch of them I came up with this one using my favourite ingredients.  I have been hooked on it ever since!  Just ten minutes will help to leave your skin happy, hydrated and glowing.  Like with all beauty regimens, consistency is key so try using this mask once a week for long term results.

Some of the benefits of the ingredients in this mask include:

Papaya – this beta carotene rich fruit is filled with powerful enzymes that help to combat free radicals on the skins surface.  The alpha hydroxy acids in papaya help to dissolve dead skin cells by acting as a mild exfoliator.

Lemon – this natural astringent helps to tighten pores and lighten acne scarring.

Raw honey – is extremely hydrating which is perfect for the drying cooler temps

Turmeric – helps to tone the skin and is anti aging as it fights free radicals on the surface of the skin.

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons of fresh papaya

1 teaspoon of raw or manuka honey

1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon of turmeric

Directions:

Mash the turmeric with the back of a fork and combine it with the remainder of the ingredients.

Apply to clean skin with a brush.  Turmeric can stain the skin so applying it with your fingers may result in yellow nails and fingers.

After 10 – 15 minutes gently remove the mask with warm water and a wash cloth.  Continue with the remainder of your skin care regimen.

Bonus Tips:

  • It is best to use this face mask at night as some of the ingredients can increase skin sensitivity.  Make sure that you use sunscreen during the day to help protect your skin.
  • For people with sensitive skin, it is best to do a skin test first to ensure that your skin doesn’t react to this face mask.
  • You can use this mask all over your body including your neck and legs.
  • Refrigerate any leftovers and use it within two days.
  • Some people may find that the turmeric has lightly stained their skin (this really depends on your skin tone), cleansing your face should help to remove the colour.

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

The Self Care Shower Ritual That You May Be Missing

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Detox is a commonly used word amongst people in the wellness community, and over the past few years it has become a commonly used buzz word in popular culture as well.  It means many things to many people, but essentially it is used to communicate a method to rid toxins – most commonly from the body.  While your body has detox organs that help to eliminate toxins from your body naturally, there are certain things that one can do to help further stimulate this process within the body.

This year I decided to incorporate a new detox ritual into my self care routine, namely dry brushing.  This self care routine has become popular over the past few years, and while I had attempted once or twice prior to this year, 2016 is the year that I committed.  For those of you that don’t know, dry brushing is the process of brushing your skin with a natural bristle brush.  Some of the benefits of dry brushing include:

  • It sweeps away dry skin cells
  • Improves digestion
  • Stimulates the lymph nodes
  • Improves the appearance of cellulite
  • Boosts circulation

It is best to dry brush before you take your shower and many prefer to do it in the morning as they feel energized after.  How to maximize your dry brushing experience:

  • Use a soft but firm natural bristle brush
  • Start dry brushing at your feet and brush upwards to your heart
  • While dry brushing your stomach, brush in a counter clockwise circular motion
  • Use a circular motion when dry brushing your chest – that is where lymph drainage occurs
  • Take your time, spend 3 – 5 minutes dry brushing
  • Enjoy the process, it is a great time to breathe and take some time for yourself while doing something great for your body.

I am so happy that I have added dry brushing into my self care routine.  My skin looks and feels great since I have started.  It forces me to slow down and take a minute for myself while I am brushing.  It is extremely therapeutic and I find myself looking forward to my new self care ritual on a daily basis.

Are there any new self care rituals that you have included in your routine this year?  Let me know in the comments below.

I hope that you have a fabulous day!  XXS

 

My Latest Beauty Obsession

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I love to try out new beauty products, and without a doubt my favourite beauty product in my beauty arsenal are masks. Sheet masks, foam masks, clay masks, DIY masks – I love them all and I try a new one every chance that I get. I consider masking a bit of self love for my skin in my on going quest to be the  glowy-est possible version of myself.  Recently, I treated myself to the new Honey Potion mask from Farmacy, and to say that I am obsessed with this mask is an understatement.  It is fabulous!  Filled with hydrating ingredients and anti oxidants, this mask leaves your skin moisturized, glowing and refreshed.

True to it’s name Honey Potion looks like a jar of honey (just don’t eat it) and when you massage it onto your skin it turns white and begins to warm up.  The warming sensation adds to the spa feel of this mask. Wash it off with warm water after 10 – 15 minutes and enjoy the glow!  As an extra little bonus the spatula that comes with the jar magnetically attaches to the lid – perfect for someone like me who always loses the spatula!

The ingredients in Honey Potion include ultra hydrating honey, propolis and royal jelly all of which makes this mask a must have for winter as cold outdoor temperatures and indoor heating can be incredibly dehydrating and wreck havoc on your skin.

For those of you that are not familiar with the Farmacy brand, it is definitely one that you should check out.  They combine farm grown botanicals with cutting edge technology to produce clean irritant free products.  Plus all of Farmacy’s products are made from naturally derived ingredients and free of parabens, formaldehyde and artificial colourings plus their products are not tested on animals.  Effective clean, green beauty – this mask checks every box and is the perfect addition to my beauty arsenal.

Have you tried any products from Farmacy? What is your favourite beauty product?

I hope that you have a beautiful day!

XXS