Beauty

I’ve had a few people ask me about my so-called beauty regimen. I’m pretty sure it’s more because of my lifestyle than my gorgeous glowing complexion 

Face – Morning & Night:

• Toner – I start every morning by wiping down my face with Bragg Organic Raw-Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinger with the ‘Mother.’ (Depending on your skin sensitivity, you might want to dilute it by making your own version with water & tea tree oil.)
• Moisturizer –  LUSH Enzymion Moisturizer
• Night only – I spray Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist all over my face & neck. Not the best smelling but it’s so great because of all the amazing ingreidents — think certified organic, antioxidant-rich white and red grape juices, soothing aloe vera, nutrient-rich rosehip and grapeseed oil!

Body – Shower:

• Face Cleanser – Super-C™ Cleanser Gentle Facial Wash. Makes my face smell like a freshly squeezed orange.
• Face Scrub – MyChelle Dermaceuticals Fruit Enzyme Scrub. The best thing about this baby is that you get to leave it on your skin after your done scrubbing to let the fruit enzymes dissolve all the nastiness!
• Body Scrub – LUSH Ocean Salt. It’s like a margarita for your face/body. Seriously, if you get it in your mouth the lime & salt might get you cravin’!
• Shampoo – LUSH I Love Juicy. Like I’m bathing in the tropics here!
• Soap - LUSH Sexy Peel. Again…citrus

Internally

• Call me crazy but I’m all about the Bragg ACV Coacktail! The recipe calls for 8oz of H2O & 2 tbls of ACV but that is quite a bit strong  for my liking so here is my concoction:
  • 16oz H2O. Distilled if you can (& even better if you have some green tea around)
  • 2 tbls of Bragg ACV
  • 6 drops of liquid Stevia
• I’ve know of other people using cranberry & lemon in theirs. Makes sense — get the kidneys all nice & squeaky clean!

Makeup

• The only makeup I apply are concealer, eyeshadow, mascara & cheek stain…all TARTE. If I’m feeling sassy, I’ll throw on the lip tint. I’m lovin’ TARTE because they are super green & cruelty free  You can also use this cheat sheet from Gorgeously Green while you shop to make sure you’re in the clear.

Umm…what the heck is up with all this Apple Cider Vinegar!?

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.[1. Home Remedies Web]

ACV has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, primarily coming from the malic acid and acetic acid portion of the vinegar. As a wonderful side effect of drinking ACV every day, we’ve discovered that it brings a healthy, rosy glow to one’s complexion.[2. Apple Cider Vinegar Cures]

ACV In History – It was used by the Egyptians in 3000 BCE, as well as the Babylonians, andJulius Caesar‘s army used vinegar tonic to stay healthy and fight off disease. Hippocrates, in 400 BC, treated his patients with apple cider vinegar. The Greeks and Romans kept vinegar vessels for healing and for flavoring and preserving food. In Paris, vinegar was sold by the barrel and used for deodorant and for a delicious tonic drink to keep the body ageless. Even Christopher Columbus took vinegar barrels for his sailors on his long sea travels to prevent scurvy and disinfect wounds.[3. An Apple Cider Vinegar A Day]

My personal take on ACV – After all my research, the acetic and alpha-hydroxy acids in ACV attack bacteria all over the body — yes I said it, I even use ACV as my deodorant! Call me a hippie if you want but I’ll be a good-smellin’ hippie  It’s also believed that ACV helps detoxify the body when taken internally, therefore also promoting clear skin. Although this has never been proven scientifically (from what I can find), it’s been used as an effective detoxifying remedy for thousands of years! If it’s good enough for Caesar & Hippocrates, it’s good enough for me! Bragg all the way!