Beauty Blog
Try These 3 Sulfate Free Body Washes That Still Lather
5 Surefire Ways Pampering Helps Boost Your Mood (and Confidence)
Disclosure: I’m sharing #MyOliaStory #ad as part of a Garnier® sponsored series for Socialstars™
You've probably experienced this scenario yourself - you're in a rut and feeling meh when you decide to take a moment to yourself to rejuvenate. Sometimes it's something simple, like a bath or it's something a little more dramatic (like chopping your long locks.)
Regardless of the act, it suddenly gives you that restoration of spirit you needed and that spring in your step is back. Happiness and confidence go hand in hand. When I am happy, I feel my most confident and like I can achieve anything. When I'm feeling down, it often feels like my goals are not within reach.
We've all been there. So what can you do to give yourself a kick in the pants? You want my honest answer? Self care. Pampering yourself is is the most natural mood booster I know. It's not selfish by any means, it's transformative.
Here are 5 tips for pampering yourself to boost your mood (and confidence):
Get a haircut. There's something therapeutic about cutting off what's weighing you down while venting to your hairstylist. Other things I love about it - the head massage, the hum of the hair dryer, the eventual amazing hairstyle that I can never duplicate at home. I recently decided to chop my long hair. It felt like magic and all of the compliments I got just made me feel really, really good. Color your hair. Go lighter, go darker or just refresh what Mother Nature gave you. Either way, in between haircuts, coloring your hair also has a transformative effect on the way you look. It makes you WANT to look at yourself, smile and say, "Damn girl, you look good!" I'm currently stepping down my hair color with Garnier Olia® 6.0 Light Brown from super dark brown to hopefully a super light brown/dark blonde by the time I'm done. It's giving me shiny hair with 100% gray coverage. I also love that it smells nothing like hair dye. (Check out my getting summer-ready post about it.) Go red. I cannot speak the praises of red lipstick enough. You're never too light or too dark to wear this confidence in a tube. I used to think so until one day I basically asked Twitter to find the right shade for me and tweeted a pic of myself. Some beauty editors answered the call and told me the type of red I needed, along with some recommendations. Once I found my perfect red, I haven't looked back. In fact, I now prefer red over any other lipstick color in my makeup bag. It'll make you feel sexy, glamorous and confident.Take a walk. Get those endorphins going, boost that seratonin. Me and exercise aren't really friends, but going for a walk doesn't seem like work. When I lived in the suburbs, I would park my car in a neighborhood I wished that I could one day live in and just walk through it. I made up stories in my head about living in this house, being friends with someone in that house, etc.
Now that I live in the Pocono Mountains and have a lake in front of my house, I love walking the mile around and taking in the beauty. Many times I go with a friend or with one or some of my sons. By the end of my walk I always feel much better. Get a massage. This favorite spa treatment isn't just about indulgence. It releases tension, decreases stress and simply quiets the mind. Massage helps to drain the lymphatic system which boosts your body's ability to heal itself. Going to a spa is obviously my first choice for this because you also have the added benefit of aromatherapy and stepping away from interruptions, but getting a shiatsu massager for at-home use is always an option as well.
What are some of the things you do to help boost your mood and self confidence?
How To Get Date Night Ready #spon
This post was sponsored by Amopé™ as part of an influencer activation for the #AmopeCrowd and Socialstars™. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review, but all opinions are my own.
The key to a long-lasting relationship is scheduling time together 1:1. It can be really difficult to do, especially when you have a large family like mine. For my husband and I, spending any quality time together typically means sleeping soundly in the same proximity in 2 hour increments until our baby wakes up for his feeding. So when we have the opportunity to actually go on a date OUT OF THE HOUSE? I am all about making sure I look great. (When you look good, you feel even better after all.) When I know that date night doesn't include renting a movie and eating take-out (because my fellow moms know this is usually the case), I take full advantage of using my arsenal of beauty products and giving myself some extra me-time in the process. My typical process for getting date night ready includes: A relaxing bath to get my mind re-focused: Having 6 kids and working full time can equal quite the frazzled brain. Soaking in the tub for even just 15 minutes literally melts away the stress. A fragrant bath bomb added to the mix helps to declutter that internal conversation in preparation for an evening out with my man. Indulging my hair with a hair treatment: Most days you can find my hair in a ponytail or looking unruly in the tiny fist of my 6 month old. In other words, I totally have the mom look down. During my bath time ritual, I typically use a hair mask or leave-in treatment to repair any damage to my hair. The result is touchably soft locks that make me look like I have a good hair day every day. Pampering my feet: If I'm going to trade my sneakers for heels for a night, there's some serious work that needs to be done on my feet. To smooth dry spots, rough patches and callouses, I use the Amopé™ Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Foot File. I like this for two reasons - it's waterproof so I can use it while in the tub (so I can basically multi-task as usual), and it does a better job than using a manual foot file with its two-speed roller head. Moisturizing my skin: After my bath I make sure my face and body are hydrated with my favorite body lotion and facial cream. Skin always imparts a healthy glow when it's nourished! Finishing touches with hair and makeup: From the best hair styling products that reduce frizz and impart shine to using makeup that spotlights my best features (my eyes, hello!), this is where most of my time is spent getting ready. There you have it! While it may sound pretty simple, setting aside time for some pampering before your date will seriously do you a world of good. Self care is the best form of wellness in my book and it shows when you're out with the one you love! How do you get date night ready? Be sure to follow Amopé™ on Facebook! If you liked this post please tweet it!Get date night ready with Amopé™! https://t.co/qKgAXRdmdb #AmopeCrowd #spon #beauty pic.twitter.com/7G7gzGW66k
— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) February 18, 2016
Holiday Skin Prep with RoC®
Disclosure: Thanks to RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 I’m getting my skin ready for the holidays as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC
The holidays are finally here, which seems a bit unreal, especially here in the Poconos where it hasn't had accumulative snow yet, making it still feel like September. (There's something about snow that really gives you that holiday feeling.) As everyone reaches for their camera to capture the season's memories, now is the time to have a winter skin care regimen going in full force. Did you begin back when we began talking about holiday skin prep? Since I know my family will be snapping lots of photos, especially since it is my youngest son's first Christmas, I really want to look my best. And to be honest, I'm super self conscious about those photos going up on Facebook and my friends from high school secretly judging how I'm aging. (Admit it, it's something you think about, too.) In addition to the RoC® Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream I mentioned using in my last post, I'm also incorporating RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 into my skin care arsenal. The moisturizer contains an exclusive combination of pure retinol and the latest sunscreen technology that is specifically engineered to deliver very broad and photostable UVA and UVB protection with an SPF 30 (which is the minimum SPF you should be using on your skin at all times.) Since exposure to light is known to degrade the effectiveness of retinol, I like that RoC's stablized retinol is kept intact with the addition of broad spectrum sunscreen. Sunscreen should be part of your daily skin care regimen anyway, since what's the point of using anti-aging skin care if you're going to let the sun continue to age you? (Am I right?!) This moisturizer is clinically shown to visibly diminish wrinkles after 8 weeks of use and after 12 weeks of use, even deep wrinkles are visibly diminished. I've only been using it about 4 weeks so far and my wrinkles have definitely softened in their appearance. I especially dislike this one deep set wrinkle I have that is between my eyebrows. As you can see in the photo, it is still visible, but it's not all in your face. (Do you see what I just did there?) At least not to me. It looks softer and more like a fine line than a wrinkle. The fine lines I do have are less noticeable. Retinol is said to be drying, but I haven't found that to be the case so far. I do have combination skin and I've found that it has a mattifying effect for me. Do I look 41? (You can say no.) I'd love to hear about your experience if you've used this product! Leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!Bolden Butter Mint Shea Oil Review
Why Oral Health is Important #Listerine
Disclosure: Thanks to LISTERINE® I’m practicing good oral care as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #Listerine
Is your mouth on your side? Poor oral health affects aspects of your life that you may not expect. While improper oral health practices deeply affect the health of your mouth, you may be surprised to learn that it also impacts your career opportunities, confidence and relationships with others. Two people in my life immediately come to mind when it comes to how the state of their mouth affected their confidence - my son and my husband. While my son Duncan has always conducted good oral care, he had bucked teeth for a while due to sucking on his hand (vs thumb sucking) since the time he was an infant. Eventually Duncan stopped smiling for pictures and soon enough, he felt that other kids didn't like him because of his teeth. This led to a lot of self esteem issues. Once he was able to get braces, his smile returned and his social relationships have improved. My husband admittedly never had a good oral care routine, which led him to have poor oral health issues like gingivitis, loss of some teeth and cavities. This, too, led him to have self confidence issues and he rarely opens his mouth when he smiles. Sometimes people have mistakenly taken this the wrong way and think that he's in a bad mood or just doesn't care. It's amazing how people perceive things due to our smile. Although he has put a routine into place, he can't reverse the damage already done and often reminds the kids just how important good oral care is from a young age. To highlight the impacts of poor oral health, LISTERINE® Brand executed a nation-wide survey with GFK Roper, a leading marketing insights research firm, to better understand the social implications that it can pose; providing fresh data that will hopefully inspire Americans to reconsider their current oral care routine. Some of those insights include: 3 in 4 Americans say the state of their mouth determines how they look and feel (77%), nearly as much as their weight (78%). I personally, would agree with this. My weight (especially right now after having a baby) makes me very self aware. However, the look and feel of my mouth also plays a role in my self confidence. Healthy pink gums, clean teeth and good breath are just as important to me as the lipstick I don to feel more attractive. Do you feel the same way? More than 8 in 10 Americans feel oral health issues are embarrassing (85%), and more than 9 in 10 say that they feel better overall when their mouth feels clean (93%). Think about it this way - when you first come into your twice yearly dental cleaning, your mouth feels kinda gross. When you walk out, that clean feeling makes you want to smile at everyone who looks your way. Am I right? Brushing your teeth alone misses 75% of your mouth, leaving millions of germs behind. When left untreated, these germs can lead to oral care issues such as plaque and gingivitis. So in between cleanings, the use of a therapeutic mouthwash, like LISTERINE® Antiseptic, is vital to maintaining good oral health. Nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 suffer from gum disease (47.2%). In adults 65 and over, prevalence rates increase to 70%. Not to be gross, but if there is blood when you are brushing your teeth or flossing, chances are that you have gingivitis. This also leads to bad breath as well. Nearly all American adults over the age of 20 have had cavities at some point in their lives (91%) and one in four have untreated cavities (27%). I can't say I know a single person without at least one cavity. Implementing an oral health care routine of brushing, flossing, using mouthwash and twice yearly dental cleanings can help to diminish the chances of getting a cavity. Not eating a ton of sugary treats helps too. About half of all Americans aged 20–64 have lost a tooth due to oral disease (52%). Something I drill into my sons' heads is that if you don't take care of your adult teeth, the only the thing you can be sure of is that you will eventually lose them. Your mouth says a lot about you. In fact, the health of your mouth has a surprising and significant impact on how other people perceive you - from assumptions about your overall health and social life, to opinions about your success in romantic relationships and even your career. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's true. Just think about the people in your life whose smile is, well, vibrant. It tells a story of happiness, success and someone who takes care of themselves. Now think of someone who has issues with their teeth, their gums are grey and their breath isn't exactly smelling like roses. Many would assume that the person is lazy and not really invested in a healthy lifestyle. The way you engage with these two types of people is an indication of your perception - which is most likely an inaccurate one. While more than eight in 10 people think that they have a healthy mouth, the truth is that most Americans suffer from some form of oral disease. Many of the oral care issues that people experience are preventable, and adding LISTERINE® as part of your twice-daily oral care routine can help you transform the health of your mouth so you can put your best self forward and help ensure that your mouth is always on your side. LISTERINE is committed to promoting healthy oral care habits, that’s why they’re partnering with Oral Health America, who’s FALL FOR SMILES campaign is committed to educating the public about the positive impact good oral health can have on one’s overall health and well-being. OHA’s mission is so important to LISTERINE they are jump starting the giving with a $20K donation, with the hopes of reaching $40K through consumer engagement. Has the state of your smile affected you in some way - positive or negative? Please share it in the comments! Engage with LISTERINE® on social media: Facebook: Facebook.com/listerine Twitter: @ListerineGlobal Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! All data referenced in this post was provided by the LISTERINE® Brand Survey. To learn more, please go to www.listerine.com/health-mouth-vs-unhealthy-mouth5 Products for Blackheads
How To: Cherry Blossom Nail Art
- 4 polishes - in this case, I used all Butter Londons: It's Vintage for the base, Lust or Must? for the branches, I'm On The List for the petals, and Disco Nap for the center of the flower.
- A dotting tool or two
- A thin striping brush