If you're anything like my family, spring cleaning comes about 5x a year. "We have to clean, it's new years! NEW FURNITURE! Start the year, NEW" "It's Nowrooz (Persian New Year) and we must start with new things, it's a new year!" (changes every year, lunar calendar) "There was a sale at IKEA so....let's change the table around here...call your brother to move this then---" "I went to Pottery Barn." So why do we spring clean? It ironically goes back to middle eastern culture. "In Iran, the new year, Now Rouz, is a time of regeneration for Iranians; they use symbols like burning and planting to signify renewal and optimism for a new season. It's also a time for refreshing and reinvigorating life, and that includes Iranians' houses. The ritual, which is done sometime in the two weeks preceding Now Rouz, is called khaneh takani ("shaking the house"), and the custom lives up to its name. Every bit of a home is scoured and cleaned; nothing is spared. Rugs, drapes, bedding, knick-knacks, floors, ceilings -- everything gets a good cleaning. Fresh scented flowers are brought in to renew the house's vibrancy. Once the house is shaken, the new year -- and spring -- can arrive." Finish reading why we spring clean here! We also clean up with the purpose to get new things and purge the old. But also it's a mini-new start when we reach the middle of the year. The days are becoming longer, sunnier, and so much brighter! But the home isn't the only place to begin a renewal. It starts with ourselves too. Our skin's complexion needs a good clean-up too. IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR...or a sale at Pottery Barn. (Whatever Mom) What our skin goes through before spring, is a lot more damage than you think. During the winter, "Nothing is worse for skin than a long, cold winter -- the low humidity in conjunction with hot air, heat, and less fresh air often can leave your skin looking dull, dry, rough, and even wrinkled and older," says Cheryl Citron, MD, the past president of the New Jersey Dermatology Society." (http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/spring-cleaning-how-to-pamper-your-skin) But it's no only the skin that takes a beating. Hair does too. "The environment can have some of the most damaging effects on hair in both summer and winter, but in winter it's often worse because people generally don't take as many precautions to protect their hair," says celebrity stylist Nick Chavez, owner of the Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Salon and a QVC hair care expert. (http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-styling/winterizing-your-hair-care) Reading that, it was pretty true. During the winter, I would hot roller my hair (for classic looks with stylish coats, especially inspired by the Victoria's Secret show in November/December) for polished curls that would compliment my winter collection of hair accessories: Jeweled headbands, beanies, berets, sparkling clips and hairpins! So months of damage and cold weather = hair in need of a serious rehab. And your skin routine in the wintertime? Heavy moisturizing from head to toe to prevent winter burns and fight skin flakes. We fought the dryness with oil-based face moisturizers, thick night creams, occasional hydration masks/facials, a creamier face cleanser, and tons of lip butter. (Side note: SPF is all year around but increase the number in the sunnier weather) So before I get anymore sidetracked, how to spring clean yourself (on zeh outside) Let's begin with tossing (or storing if it won't expire or go bad after opening...now that I'm saying, check if your fridge is clean as well) some things you have (and make room for the new!) Your heavy moisturizers and cleansers may have seen better days, warns celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau, and need to be throw them out if you’ve had them more than a year.“Also, toss products that contain Mineral Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Petroleum or Petrolatum,” says Rouleau, who’s worked with celebs like Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson and Kara DioGaurdi. “These ingredients can be pore-clogging and can suffocate the skin. Especially when the weather is starting to warm up, these ingredients are best to avoid.” (http://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/179871-spring-clean-your-skin/) Now for the new... Toss the cleansers with harsh detergents, chemicals, and any face "soaps." Focus on balancing your skin's oils, anti-oxidant (for free radicals, darling!), natural (and refreshing), toning down the redness, gentle, and radiance boosting! It's been dull for tooooo long. Try these cleanser's for the spring/upcoming summer: (I'm not endorsing any of these products. These are things I've personally bought and used or got as samples and have come to love them after using them back-to-back for long periods of time) Jurlique Purely Bright Cleanser ($25) Find me at Sephora! This gentle cleanser has a creamy texture and contains Jurlique's VitaBrightKx complex with kakadu plum, which delivers 50 times the vitamin C content of oranges. The complex's powerful mix of superfood antioxidant ingredients work together to even skintone, reduce the appearance of discolorations, and brighten the complexion. Rhyolite, a natural mineral exfoliant, is designed to gently polish skin to help minimize dullness and restore a youthful glow. I can use this daily because it is very gentle. It reminds me of the cleanser that came with my Clarisonic. You can use this without a face wash and it'll instantly brighten your skin so you can get away with wearing less on your face but the good-for-you ingredients for your skin doesn't hurt either. yes to cucumbers SOOTHING daily gel CLEANSER ($7-$10) Find me Online (but check out your local drugstore, too!) Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Daily Gentle Cleanser deep cleans, gently lifting dirt and impurities from your sensitive skin - leaving your complexion soothed, calm and clean. Be clean, be green and be that cool cucumber that you know you are, naturally. • 96% Natural Ingredients • Dead Sea Minerals • Petroleum, SLS & Paraben Free And it's barely ten bucks! This a sulfate-free wash that cleans you skin with natural ingredients during a very pore-clogging season and thanks to the aloe vera, skin will be very calm and chill. (bad pun, I had to) Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser ($19.50) Find me at Nordstrom! This quick-lathering cleansing foam thoroughly removes impurities and visibly reduces excess oil on skin's surface while leaving skin looking more balanced. With Imperata cylindrica root and lemon fruit extracts, the non-stripping formula leaves skin clean and refreshed without over-drying. Gentle enough for sensitive skin types. Paraben-, silicone-, fragrance-free, sulfate- and oil-free. Limited edition(!!) I personally love this for humid/warmer weather on days that I decided to go make-up free (rare days...but it's a must on days where it's hotter than "fill in the imaginative blank") as it does refresh my skin though if used without a serum/moisturizer right after, the skin does feel a little "tight." But I have used this for days where I've been in hot weather (and away from my high maintenance lifestyle) where I've only relied on my face moisturizer (with PLENTY OF SPF) and I wouldn't get sweaty or that icky oily feeling when you deal with humidity. It keeps me with a very fresh look and I would recommend this for people who are spend most of their time outdoors in warm weather. SOAP & GLORY Face Soap and Clarity™ 3-In-1 Daily-Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash ($16 for 5oz) Find me at Sephora! A three-in-one cleanser smooths, cleans, and scrubs. This daily detox facial wash features skin-brightening vitamin C. Suitable for all skin types, especially young problem skin and tired, dull skin in need of rejuvenation. -Superfruit™ Plum Skin Brightening Complex: Provides remarkable antioxidant properties and is renowned for having vitamin C content five-times higher than blueberries. -Gentle Foaming & Cleansing System: Provides a sulphate-free cleansing property. -Soft Pink Exfoliation Beads: Provide smoothing and polishing properties. This is hands down my favorite cleanser (especially for what it does and the price). You can literally put a dot on your finger and it'll scrub your whole face. It smells good and the packaging is too good. Thank you Sephora for carrying this. If all else fails with being able to find these products, check out your drugstore, health food store, or even Amazon for this miracle product. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, 18-in-1 Hemp Lavender Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, 18-in-1 Hemp Lavender Free of synthetic fragrances and preservatives, pure castile soap is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. The natural soap making process, otherwise known as saponification, would produce glycerine, which is a natural moisturizer. However, large companies would often filter glycerine out and use it to make lotions and other moisturizers. On the other hand, using Castile soap entitles your skin to the benefits of glycerine, moisturizing your skin naturally.Your skin is also protected from harsh chemicals, such as triclosan, a popular chemical used in many antibacterial soaps and body washes. The FDA has deemed this ingredient worthy of further review since studies have indicated that it may be potentially hazardous and the antibacterial properties may actually promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, the FDA has found no evidence that triclosan provides any benefit to soaps and washes.If all of these great reasons aren’t enough, Castile soap also offers environmental benefits. It is completely biodegradable and lacks the harsh chemicals that may pollute our groundwater. (http://www.ecoevaluator.com/lifestyle/cleaning/castile-soap-for-healthy-skin.html) Now onto scrubs... Exfoliate More! During the winter, skin becomes dull and scaly, so using a scrub to remove dead surface skin cells is essential to achieving a radiant glow for spring, advises Dr. Lens. “I would recommend using a gentle exfoliator at least three times per week to reduce sebum and stimulate the natural cell renewal process.” (http://www.dailymakeover.com/trends/skin/your-spring-skincare-checklist/) Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free™ Retexturizer™ Exfoliating Scrub ($38) Find me at Sephora! A multiaction retexturizing scrub that reveals smooth, radiant skin. Retexturize, resurface, renew, and moisturize dull, aging, overexposed skin with this must-have scrub. It helps improve texture, minimize the appearance of pores, smooth out the look of fine lines and wrinkles, even out skintone, and clarify skin, revealing a complexion that looks dramatically younger, smoother, radiant, and more replenished. This multiaction retexturizer exfoliates manually, enzymatically, and chemically while simultaneously helping to repair and moisturize the surface. Jojoba beads and microscrub support natural surface cell turnover to smooth and clarify skin, and unclog and minimize the appearance of pores. Papaya enzyme helps to decongest skin by slowly dissolving dead surface skin cells while glycol acid** helps banish the look of uneven skintone and smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dragon’s blood, a red resin drawn from the Amazon’s Croton Lechleri tree, helps reduce the look of inflammation and supports the natural repair process. Skin is left moisturized and clarified with noncomedogenic sweet almond, apricot, and mango oils. This is a very good investment. It isn't used daily (I used it 2x a week) and you can see results instantly and it is LONG TERM. Especially when anti-aging is on your mind, this really is a must have splurge. glycol acid** Glycolic Acid is an exfoliator. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells on the surface your skin, bring fresh new skin to the surface. This is beneficial for those who are looking for ingredients that help with anti-aging. Glycolic acid can also help lighten discoloration of the skin, such as sun spots or age spots and help those with acne-prone and blackhead-prone skin. (http://skincare.about.com/od/skin101/qt/Glycolic-Acid-Skin-Benefits.htm) Olay Total Effects Citrus Scrub ($7-$9) Find me at Walmart! (or a local drugstore/Ulta) Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub fights 7 signs of aging by: • Thoroughly cleansing skin • Cleansing without over-drying • Refining to minimize the appearance of pores • Brightening the appearance of skin • Gently exfoliating • Smoothing skin’s texture • Minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Oil-Free. Dermatologically-Tested. Non-Comedogenic (Won’t Clog Pores). **contains: salicylic acid!! When you wash your face with salicylic acid, a gentle exfoliator, you're treating past, present, and future skin issues. "Salicylic acid loosens dead skin cells so new ones replace them," Colbert says. "This turnover helps shed damage." Plus, ditching dead skin cells keeps your complexion clear and dries up excess oil to help prevent breakouts, he adds. One caution: Salicylic acid can make you more sensitive to the sun, so use it only at night. (http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/summer-skin-survival-guide) Salicylic acid also prevents pores from clogging by slowing the shedding of cells inside hair follicles, which helps prevent acne. Overall, this is feels nice and instantly perks me up! Some home masks to help detoxify/reverse winter damage (and CLEAN for the spriiiiingggg) Boscia Clarifying Detox Mask ($25) Find me at Sephora! This deep-cleansing clay mask contains pure botanicals, herbs, and select ingredients like kaolin clay and phellodendron bark to absorb impurities, control excess oil, detoxify, and renew your skin from deep within. A unique combination of anti-irritants and purifying agents soothe and refine the appearance of pores as powerful antioxidants along with other therapeutic elements revitalize skin and help protect against the appearance of aging. It is ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin. What it is formulated WITHOUT:- Parabens- Sulfates - Phthalates Another good investment, especially for oily people like me. This is good for the upcoming warmer weather because it contains soothing herbs (and clay) to absorb impurities you deal with from your daily life and soothes any redness or inflammation. After using it, your face feels SQUEAKY CLEAN. In the summer, I use this about once a week to once every two weeks, kind of like a "clean-up." Find Formula 10.0.06 masks at Ulta! All masks are $5.99!!! These masks are so amazing and for their price, these would be a great staple for anyone! There's three different kinds of masks and as an owner of all three, I can personally say that they are all great protects that address different needs. The masks tend to heat up or tingle (which to me, makes it feel like they're working) and are gentle/natural enough to be used almost every other day. For spring cleaning of the skin, a detox mask is always your best bet. This specific detox mask is described as: This super-cleansing team of ingredients Orange, Bergamot and Sea Salt work together to detoxify and banish impurities. For a clearer, brighter complexion - book your skin in for a Deep Down Detox today... and every other day! You can even check out recipes for homemade masks. This one is specifically for the summer (and one of my favorites) Another tip: Check out GROUPON.COM and find deals in your city for facials/skin treatments! You'd be surprised on what treasures you can find. Spring cleaning of your face should start with a good facial treatment. "New Skin" (while scrubbing off the old) and a new-found glow (after some gloomy months) can be delivered to you in the hands of a professional! They will restore that glow you've been missing for a couple of months now. Check out the reviews before you head over :) For your time period of skin spring cleaning (or detox) I would highly recommend this be that one time you skip on using foundation, powder, make-up etc. I usually make these facials along with no-makeup last for a week at the most but if you can go longer, more power to you. f you go less than a week, no shame in the game. Though we do let it breathe after we take it off at night, there's actually a lot of benefits when it's off for a longer period of time. Because this is the week you'll start a new regimen of treatments, with the absence of make-up afterwards, the skin will have the extra time it needs to continue to "enjoy and absorb" the special attention you're giving yourself. And this is also a self-appreciation renewal as well. By skipping the make-up for more than a day (the first day is the most stressful) you'll learn to appreciate the natural features you already have. But what about zits and scars and all the other pesky things makeup so wonderfully conceals? Wearing makeup isn't the issue, Kleinman says, but how and why we wear it. "I think the problem is when makeup is used as a disguise rather than an enhancement of ourselves," she explains.The healthy way to quell insecurities? "Look beneath the surface to evaluate problems, and harness your natural beauty," Kleinman says. "Sometimes we're great the way we are, and we need to be able to recognize that," she says. (http://www.self.com/blogs/flash/2012/02/why-you-shouldnt-wear-makeup-o-1.html) Skip your toner as well this week UNLESS you're using it to spot treat (with a q-tip) specific problem areas. After your face is squeaky clean, time for some repairing serum! This is to SAVE FACE!! Get it.....save face? Pfffft ---- THAT WAS GOLD. Bliss The Youth as We Know It anti-aging serum ($70) Find me at Sephora! This moisturizing serum delivers maximum potency and lasting results thanks to a formula with multiple antiaging ingredients and radiance boosters. A six-in-one serum, its ingredients work to: release supercharged hydrators, plump instantly, promote radiance and luminosity, improve skin's firmness, brighten and clarify, and help to increase cellular oxygenation. If you have more mature skin, try to get a serum that is more for wrinkles/deep lines versus just improving overall complexion. Some great ones would be KORRES Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Antiwrinkle & Firming Face Serum ($62), CAUDALIE Pulpe Vitaminée Anti-Wrinkle Fluid ($58), and L'Occitane 'Immortelle' Precious Serum ($70) which can all be found at Sephora. My mom is a big fan of these brands. If you're willing to spend more, Guerlain 'Super Aqua Serum' Hydrating Wrinkle Plumper ($165) and SK-II LXP Ultimate Revival Serum ($265) can both be found at Nordstrom's. Don't live near either? Just swing by you local drugstore or beauty supply store and check out Olay Age Defying 2-in-1 Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream & Serum Face Treatment ($14) or L'Oreal Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Advanced Skin Repair Serum ($17)!! Sibu Beauty SEA BUCKTHORN HYDRATING SERUM ($40) Find Sibu Beauty here!! Experience the ultimate in skin hydration. This light, non-oily serum will flood your skin with moisture an help deeply hydrate your face ad next to eliminate the tight, dry feeling caused by dehydration. Infused with vitamins and sea buckthorn extract, this serum fortifies the skin against the aging process and helps repair damage at a cellular level. Promotes youthful skin tone and texture Fights age without damaging chemicals Brightens complexion and evens out skin tone Helps protect against environmental stress Sea buckthorn is known as nature's most balanced fruit. This "Holy Fruit of the Himalayas" has been cherished by native Tibetans for centuries for its incredible nutritive qualities. Over 120 specific studies on sea buckthorn have shown that this little berry promotes health. From sea buckthorn's rare abundance of some of the most powerful antioxidants to being the only plant in the world known to contain essential fatty acids 3, 6, 7 and 9 - sea buckthorn has earned its title of super fruit. Two words: Doctor Oz. Enough said. yes to blueberries AGE REFRESH INTENSIVE SKIN REPAIR SERUM ($20) Find me at Walgreens! Formulated with cotton thistle to help restore age-damaged skin. Formula naturally blends anti-oxidant rich fruits with special ingredients to help fight the signs of aging. Blueberries: Rich in anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and anthocyanins to help fight the formation of free radicals that can damage the skin's microstructure Cotton thistle: Helps boost natural collagen production and skin rejuvenation Blackcurrant: Rich in anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids to help nourish and soothe skin Apple: Rich in powerful polyphenol anti-oxidants and natural alpha hydroxy acids, which help to refresh and brighten skin's surface If you can get past the scent, this is so light, I sometimes use just this as a primer. It quickly refreshes you (like you had that full night of sleep) and the good-for-skin ingredients absorb very well. This serum is very natural so sensitive skin should be okay. It improved my skin tone by making it feel more "plump" and evens out the skin tone. I keep this year around though I recommend it on "spring cleaning" week.This is really absorbed quickly so I can put this on the go and I've used it on cracked lips if I ran out of my lip butter. This serum works best with the whole line (as does any other product) but a drugstore line to work this fantastic? *fills up basket* After the serum soaks in for a bit, slather your face with a simple (least ingredients, the better) and VERY natural moisturizer with a HIGH SPF and or ANTI-OXIDANT PROTECTION. Read your labels and see what suits you. My only advice is for it to be very light and there are specific "face fluids" for the sun which is a good idea this week for your detox. Try to avoid the sun for a bit and if that's inevitable, grab your best shades, a big floppy hat, and face the season. (I know, these puns are HORRIBLE but I giggle). I must be easily influenced because the second I saw this on Mindy Kaling in The Mindy Project I went and bought a pair. A darling distraction from my very bare face. If you plan on being photographed outdoors, you have to be careful of having spf (layered) in your products! For example, a primer having spf layered (think CHANTECAILLE Ultra Sun Protection Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Primer) with a tinted moisturizer with spf with a concealer with spf etc CAN (not always) create the 'white face' effect in the photos. So try to test out what photographs well and what doesn't. CHANTECAILLE Ultra Sun Protection Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Primer ($55) I am specifically for sun protection! I'm great for both skin health and photoshoot ready :) (Find me at Barneys New York) If that isn't the cause THE MORE SPF THE BETTAH! You're only human, there's a good chance you'll be going outside *hissssssssss* SO YOU BETTER PROTECT YOUR SKIN! (or else I'm going to show up and....have some sunblock) Not sure how to apply sunscreen? Check out this article by Well+Good NYC!! See how it works to protect you by checking out this lovely video by the FDA. As for what sunscreens to use? That really depends on the person. If you're more oily/acne prone, easily tan, have a dark complexion and don't burn so easily etc. Check out this video (both parts) by the Lisa Eldridge. Lovely lady, lovely tips! I keep this in my purse for a day that will be spent mostly outdoors. It's quick and easy to spray any spots (which we should always be reapplying) and with an SPF so high, who can say NOOOOOOOOOOO Don't forget to protect those lips outdoors too! Swing by a local beauty department store or drugstore and check out these products! Aquaphor Lip Repair + Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($5) Hawaiian Tropic Moisturizing Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 45 Tropical ($4) Nivea A Kiss Of Protection Sun Protection Lip Care SPF 30 ($3) Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sunscreen SPF 15 ($20) AT ULTA So quick review, you're cleaning the skin daily by scrubbing off the dead skin, protecting it with anti-oxidants, protecting your skin and lips with an spf for this upcoming warm weather? BINGO. This is spring cleaning your already gorgeous face ! For body "spring cleaning" tips, Check out Skin and Health geek's tips on dry brushing your body and moisturizing after (SPF!!!!!!!!!!!) This is simply "cleaning" the skin. I will post another blog dedicated to summer cosmetics: what to keep, what to skip, what you should go buy, and plenty of "but you're already gorgeous" mantras. Til next time xoxoxo
