Tips to Get the Perfect Self Tan at Home

I love the winter, but I do not love how pale and pasty my skin gets. So, I treat myself to an at home self-tan whenever I can to give my skin a warm glow. But, sometimes it can get streaky or orange.  I interviewed Monica Blanco from Colour Couture which makes one of my favorite tanning sprays called Red Carpet Ready.  She gave me some tips to get the perfect self-tan!

Tips:

Exfoliate Always exfoliate before tanning to get rid of dry and dead skin cells. This will make your tan more even and help avoid streaks.  I like to make my own scub with brown sugar, olive oil, and honey.  

Moisturize Lightly moisturize dry spots on your body such as elbows, knees, ankles, and heels with oil-free moisturizer to avoid streaks.

Apply Lotion Starting from the bottom up, slowly apply tanning lotion evenly to your body. Using lotion before spraying yourself will give you a more authentic tan.

Spray Hold the tanning spray can about a foot away from the skin to avoid running. Do not get wet for 6-8 hours after application.

Face Exfoliate and moisturize dry areas with oil-free moisturizer. Blend a dime-sized amount of lotion on a sponge and start from the top. After the forehead, apples of your cheeks, chin, and the platform of your nose blend outwards. Gently touch around the nostrils and right above the top of your lip. Feather the tanner out into your hairline and through your jawbone to create definition for the outside of the face. Try to stay away from the eyebrows & eyelids as they can reveal a hint of orange.

Never Apply too much or over-tan yourself. Some products are gentle enough for everyday use while others should be applied only once or twice a week. Make sure to read the directions.

Always Choose a product made for your skin tone to avoid an orange hue and wash your hands immediately to avoid discoloring.

Self-tanning is really that easy and now you can give yourself healthy looking skin for those drab winter months!

Guest post by Gabrielle Pacia for Bonding Over Beauty.

How Olympic Skier Julia Mancuso Protects Her Skin On The Mountain

Olympic Skier, Julia Mancuso, is on the slopes every day.  While temperatures may be low on the mountain, the sun's rays are still super strong.  So, she has teamed up with the Spot Skin Cancer Campaign to help prevent and detect skin cancer early on.  Click here to watch her video.

Skin Protection Tips

1.  Apply before you ski Julia always applies sunscreen 15 minutes before she skis so her skin can absorb the sunscreen.

2.  UVA/UVB or Zinc Choose a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection to protect against UVA and UVB rays. For maximum protection, Julia puts zinc oxide on her nose to protect against sunburn. I like sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide because it does not irritate my skin.  I find sunscreens that contain avobenzone irritate my skin especially when I reapply.  Mineral based sunscreens are another favorite of mine especially if you wear makeup.

3.  Reapply - Keep a small sunscreen in your ski jacket so you can reapply every few hours on the mountain. I always reapply after lunch and hot chocolate breaks.  

4.  Protect your eyes Since UV rays are more powerful at a higher altitude and rays reflect off the snow, Julia likes to wear a mask or bandana to protect her face and avoid a goggle tan line. Goggles and glasses also help to keep you from getting crow's feet around your eyes.

5.  Hats and Helmets A helmet or a hat is a great way to give yourself some added sun protection. Julia likes her trucker hats or a helmet. 

Here are some of my favorite sunscreens:

Neutrogena Sensitive SPF 60  $10.49

Vertra SPF 45 $22.95

Zinka $6.99

Brush on Block Instant Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 $30

Now you and your skin can enjoy the slopes!

Dressing Like Your Favorite Celeb is So Easy

Here is a clip from the Today Show where I showed 4 girls how they could dress like their favorite celebrity.  Click here to watch.

If you want to do the same thing, pick out a picture of your favorite celebrity and try to find something that inspires you.  If you like a print, look for it in different pieces.  If you like the way its put together, try to find those styles on line.  Its like going on a treasure hunt.  

LOOK #1: TAYLOR SWIFT 

My first model Julia wanted to get that Taylor Swift look.  So, I paired a cream cable knit sweater with a pair of skinny jeans, Oxforda, and a fold over purse.  All of the clothes can be found at your local mall and you can mix and match these pieces with other things. 

CLOTHES:

-Lace up Shoes: $36.95, DSW

-Messenger Bag: $40.00, JC PENNY

-Skinny Jeans: $19.50, THE CHILDREN’S PLACE

-Long Knit Sweater with Holes: $78.00, ABERCROMBIE & FITCH

-Knit Hat: $10.00, Earrings  CLAIRE’S

LOOK #2: SELENA GOMEZ

This is 13 year old Jailene and she loves Selena Gomez.  Selena wore a great animal print dress which is very trendy this year but not really something you can wear every day.  So, took the leopard inspiration and found an animal print skirt and vest and paired it with black tights, flats, and a cute collared necklace from Claires. 

CLOTHES: All from Children's Place

Vest: $24.85

Shirt: $7.95

Leopard Skirt: $19.50

Black Flats: $22.95

Black Tights: $4.50

Collar necklace :  Claire's

LOOK # 3: MILEY CYRUS

Alana loved Miley's edgy look but this is a tough look to pull off especially in the winter.  So, I found a skull print sweater and put it with a black vest and black cord jeggins and a pair of sequin combat boots.  I accessorized the outfit with lots of skull bracelets from Claires. 

CLOTHES:

-Skull Shirt: $19.50, WET SEAL

-Black Vest: $22.50, WET SEAL

-Black Cord Jeggings: $19.95, THE CHILDREN’S PLACE

-Combat Boots: $29.95, THE CHILDREN’S PLACE

-Bracelets , Claire's

LOOK # 4: WILLOW SMITH

Brandi is a big Willow Smith fan and I wanted her to feel like a rockstar.  So I found a black motercycle jacket with a pink shirt.  She wore this with jeans and a leopard print converse sneaker.  Then I went to Claires and found her a pink sequin purse, mesh gloves, and great feather earrings. 

CLOTHES:

- Converse: $59.99, JOURNEY’S

-Jacket: $79.50, AEROPOSTALE

-Sweater: $32.50, AEROPOSTALE

-Skinny Jeans: $19.50, THE CHILDREN’S PLACE

-Purse, gloves, earrings, Claire's

How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for You

I have been using night cream and eye cream since I am 11 years old.  I'm not kidding.  I had a Hungarian grandmother who believed the skin had to be constantly moisturized to stay beautiful and I believe it too. While many of my friends have fine lines around their eyes, I have none.  Whether you are a mom, a tween or a teen, this post is your guide to soft, smooth skin. 

Great skin is a process and you won’t get it over night with a magic cream.  But, creams do make a difference. While I have been researching and trying creams for years, I wanted help from people that make products I love.  So, I called Kristin Petrovich from Sjal skincare to help me navigate all the products on the market.  

Sjal Skincare CollectionMoisturizer

According to Kristen, skin needs nutrition first then sunscreen over it.  A moisturizer that contains SPF will have a higher concentration of ingredients going to SPF. While it seems a lot faster to buy a moisturizeMario Badescu Oil-Free Moisturizerr that contains SPF, you are better off with a nourishing moisturizer.  For sun protection, try a tinted moisturizer with SPF over your regular moisturizer.

Oil-free Moisturizer

If you have oily skin but not prone to breakouts, an oil-free moisturizer is the perfect solution.  However, if you have a lot of breakouts or acne, you should not be using a daily moisturizer.  Your skin has enough oil and does not need the extra cream on your face.  

Eye Cream

Look for firming and hydrating creams.  Kristen warns if a cream is just pulling your skin without hydration, it is temporary.  She says eye creams should be "clean" without a lot of synthetics.  Toning, firming, and elasticity is key.  Depletion around eye area is the first sign of age.  Look for products with ceramides, minerals, peptides, and something soothing like aloe, cucumber and algaes. Minerals feed that area.  Ceramides replenish, peptides are anti aging, and aloe soothes the skin.

Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Night CreamNight Cream

If you use a good serum or oil, you can use a lighter weight night cream that can double as your daytime moisturizer.  Personally, I like a heavier night cream so I do not feel dry when I wake up. While this is personal preference, if you can't feel your cream on your face after five minutes it is not rich enough to be a night cream.

Risa's Naturals Cellular Renewal Serum

Serums and oilsSjal Anti-Aging Face Oil

Once you hit 30 years old, you need to penetrate the skin’s surface and go deeper to moisturize.  Serums and face oils used under your regular moisturizer will to step up the anti-aging benefits because the smaller molecules of serums and oils will penetrate the skin more deeply.  Sjal's Anti-Aging Face Oil is so light you will barely know its there while its working its magic.

For a serum, I love Risa's Cellular Renewal Serum.  Its light and has ingredients such as green tea and vitamin C to help skin renew and regenerate.

In addition to caring for your skin, you have to stay out of the sun, drink lots of water each day, and nothing renews your skin like a good night's sleep (9 hours not 8).  But, if you can get yourself in the habit of daily moisturizing, you will see the difference over time.  While it may not be evident in a day or a week, you will see it when your friends age more rapidly than you. If you are on a tight budget, vitamin E oil can be used all over the face, around the eyes, and as a night cream. 

I moisturize morning and night with my daughter.  It is a special time we use to talk, to bond, and to connect.  You would be amazed how far a little moisturizing together can go.  Its the fondest memory I have of my grandmother and it will be something your daughter will always remember.

Lets Beat Breast Cancer

Yesterday, I attended a very special ladies luncheon hosted by The Moms, Denise Albert and Melissa Gerstein, and MARTINI Sparkling Wine.  Kristin Chenoweth, a daughter of a breast cancer survivor, spoke of her experience as she helped her mother battle breast cancer. Survivors Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, MD, Debbi Musen, and Dee Dee Ricks also told of their experience. 

Just three years ago, my best friend, Philice, was bugging me to have a mammogram.  I kept putting it off because I thought that was something for older women and I felt great.  Why should I bother putting my "boobs on the shelf" as my mother used to say.  But, she would not let up until I made an appointment.  So, I went and I waited and waited until it was my turn.  They squooshed my boobs every which way and then told me to wait outside.  Finally, the technician asked me to come back in because they needed another picture.  My cheeks turned red, I became nauseous, and all of a sudden I realized that I was vulnerable just like every other woman.  After the mammogram was done, I was taken in for a sonogram and they found a lump.  The doctor assured me it did not look malignant but it was 2cm and I needed a biopsy.  So, I went home, looked at my then 6 year old girl and 8 year old boy, and wondered what would happen if I got sick.

Two weeks later, I had the biopsy and it was not cancerous but would need to be removed surgically because it was growing and pressing on the nerve.  I was lucky.  The surgery went without a hitch, I did not have cancer, just a sore breast and a small scar. But, I felt pretty bad afterwards and wondered how terrible women must feel when an entire breast is removed.

Recently, I met Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, a speaker at yesterday's event.  After her double mastectomy she put together the Bffl bag.  This is a wonderful gift with everything a patient will need after surgery to help them feel better after the traumatic and painful experience of losing a breast.  

Dee Dee Ricks used her experience as a breast cancer patient to raise money to help uninsured women get mamograms and proper treatment for breast cancer.  Through her documentary, she has shed light on the lack of care women face because they do not have the money or insurance to receive treatment.

Debbi Musen, my dear friend Melissa's mom, also shared her story of being diagnosed with breast cancer and how she has worked to raise money for both breast cancer awareness and research.

When I sat at that luncheon, I realized how fortunate I was to have dodged this bullet.  But, I also knew the fear these women felt for themselves and their children beause they were all mothers when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month.  Early detection is the key to survival.  After reading this blog, make an appointment to get your breasts examined.  Don't be scared, just do it.  It could save your life.