beauty

beauty buzz: hair edition

August 8, 2014

I’m kind of in a hair crisis. I need your help. I used to have the crazy thickest hair, like insanely thick, and after baby and then my illness I lost sooo much hair. I mean, I was legit concerned I’d go bald. Four years later, it’s in way better shape yet I just chopped off four inches to get rid of gross ends where my hair gets sparse looking so quickly. My roots are thick yet the ends are just wisps. Even my new stylist is a bit mystified. I just started taking biotin but anything else you recommend? Open to suggestions!

In the interim, here are four hair finds I (and my girl, who does have crazy thick, long hair!) can’t live without:

favorite new hair finds // the average girl's guide

 

Acure Organics Morrocan Oil Shampoo & ConditionerI tried this shampoo on a whim (I do love flexing my Amazon Prime memberships!) after searching for a more natural, safer option for myself and my daughter… the reviews were positive, the ingredient list looked good, and worse case, I was out $10. I’ve been so impressed that I’ve since purchased the conditioner and just bought a second set for my kid’s bathroom. It lathers well (often a challenge with organic lines) and is super hydrating; plus, the conditioner does a great job at detangling. My hair feels clean and soft. I haven’t been this excited about new products in a long time (and feel so much better that my scalp isn’t somehow ingesting so many chemicals!).

Wet Brush (color options here): major victory! Combing my daughter’s long hair is a daily tear/screamfest around here. Not sure who it’s more painful for. We picked this up at the salon after our stylist recommended it; it’s a game changer! I just ordered a second one (yes, on Amazon!) for my shower, because this detangles our daughter’s hair so amazingly well compared to others and without pain when wet, and dry. Worth. Every. Penny. She actually brought my her brush yesterday… if you only knew how significant that was.

Ouidad Climate Control Gel: this brand is designed for curly hair girls, but I tried it last year to combat frizz and humidity and all the hair icks. I immediately saw a difference and still do. It’s the only thing I put in my hair after shower (though I have been rotating with the Neutrogena heat protector from this post). It’s ultra light-weight, and the bottle lasts forever. Available at Amazon and Sephora. Anyone use any similar natural products that work? Would love to hear.

{ 13 comments }

10 tips to beat belly bloat

Bloating is not only not glam to talk about, it’s just the worst in general! It’s bad enough when it’s hidden under winter season’s oversized sweaters and sweatshirts but with summer here, it’s definitely challenging to hide a belly so bloated you look six-months pregnant. Trust me; I’ve been there. I used to have the worst bloating…  so much so that I hardly wore belts for three years and stopped wearing a lot of my more fitted blouses and dresses. Since I have a host of gastro issues I’ve finally started to focus on them. The past few months I’ve been heading to the doctors, and implementing key changes that have resulted in a major impact.

Who doesn’t want a flatter stomach all-year-long? Check out these 10 tips to fight the bloat.

1. WATCH YOUR DIET! Yes, there are definitely things like lactose, sugars, alcohol and others that can be triggers for many but others can really be specific to you. As soon as I cut out most carbs in favor of fresh, natural foods — fruits, some vegetables, lean meats — I saw a big difference. Next time you get bloated, really think about what you ate — and how fast you ate it. Eating slower is proven to be a helpful step.

2. SODA & CARBONATION. Put drinks in the control mix; high-sugar or high-carbonation drinks like soda can add to the bloat and make you feel inflated. Same goes for anything that creates extra air, like chewing gum. Eliminating soda from my diet has been hugely helpful.

2. ELIMINATE THE FAKE SUGARS. Yes, a quick way to cut calories is to sub out real sugar for the artificial stuff, but most stuff made with fake sugar is made with a lot of other bad-for-you fake and chemical-ridden ingredients. Sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol, for example, are sugar alcohols found in diet sodas and sugar-free gum. Eliminate.

3. WATCH YOUR FIBER INTAKE. My gastro and I are always talking about eliminating bloat (and constipation) by controlling fiber intake. Fiber, often found in great stuff like veggies, fruits and beans, can definitely add to “pregnant belly syndrome.” Instead opt for a protein-rich diet full of lean meats, eggs and avocados for example. Cooking vegetables instead of eating raw is another helpful solution.

4. DRINK MORE WATER. Keep things moving along by upping your h2o intake! It’s so good for you, from digestion to clearer skin, and can also help keep you feel full longer.

5. RULE OUT CONSTIPATION. Let’s get real: are you going to the bathroom enough? If not, this could be a major culprit. All of the solutions here can help this, but consider seeing a gastro to rule out anything more serious.

6. GIVE YOURSELF A STOMACH MASSAGE. Sounds silly but it works! In reality you’re helping move out gas bubbles and move along a slow system.

7. GET MOVING! Even just 20 minutes of physical activity, be it gym time, a fun new fitness class, a brisk walk during a gossip session with a friend — it all counts. It keeps food moving through your digestive track and has been the single most effective gastro-related helper for me. To get super personal, I crave going to the gym, not only for the physical benefits but also for its help with my constipation and bloat.

8. LIMIT SODIUM. Make the connection between afternoon bloat and that sushi roll laden in soy sauce? That’s the cause. Packaged food and canned vegetables are also major sources of hidden sodium. Seek out products that say no or low sodium, and aim for 1,500-2,300 mg per day.

9. EAT THE GOOD STUFF. Studies have shown that parsley, bananas (rich in potassium), ginger, peppermint tea and yogurts containing probiotics (the good bacteria) can help reduce bloating.

10. REDUCE STRESS! High anxiety and high stress do more than give you a tight chest, the expression making your stomach in knots has  a strong foundation. Try deep breaths, and find ways to mitigate stress to keep your hormones and body in check.

Other tips? Share them here in the comments section!

 

{ 5 comments }

Every few months I love checking in here with my favorite new beauty finds. I’m an average girl. I’m not the best at applying make-up, doing my hair or testing out a million products to figure out the right one. Find me a good one, and I’ll buy you forever. That said, I’ve been in the market for a few new products (others running low, etc) and with summer on the horizon now’s the time to switch up the routine and make sure you’re using what works, and will last through any heat wave. Trust me: a Florida girl knows the drill. I’ll continue to share new favorites as the season progresses, but with Memorial Day this weekend, here’s a few beauty finds to add to your list for summer…

Summer 2014 Beauty Finds

Keep reading for more on these must-have finds for summer…  Keep Reading —>>

{ 4 comments }

After feeling for nearly two years that I’d love to do more with my hair than blow it out straight (and even with that, I’d sometimes get puff; thanks humidity), I became committed to learning how to do those cute beachy waves and loose curls I covet. I even set a New Year’s goal to make this happen. So when I asked a local friend — who always has crush-worthy hair — how she did it, she replied with the Bio Ionic Style Winder. I instantly purchased. A few of you along with some friends have asked me about my ‘do lately so I had to share this find. It’s a good one.

stylewinder review

Complete details, and the review, after the jump…. Keep Reading —>>

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

{ 7 comments }