skin care – Brick Marshmallows

diy skincare, Health blog, over 50 blog, skin care, Uncategorized

DIY Skincare Products

August 17, 2020August 18, 2020 Melanie Hollis

A healthy glow is something we all desire, but as we age, that school-girl radiance becomes increasingly more difficult to achieve. Drink plenty of water, don’t overuse facial expressions, and get plenty of sleep become rules to live by once we ever-so-slowly roll over the hill. Our skin changes as we age, and while there’s no stopping mother nature, we can certainly slow her down. That merciless drop in estrogen that makes our skin look and feel dry, causing lines and wrinkles to look deeper and even more prominent, is our enemy. As a result, it’s vital that we have many weapons in our skincare arsenal to fight back. Even a few DIY products.

I enjoy experimenting with skin care. Once I run out of a product, I research new brands until I find a new concoction I’d like to try. But I also make skincare products at home. I like being in charge of my own ingredients, and seeing the affect they have on my skin. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that mixing things up instead of sticking to the same old, same old makes a noticeable difference in the way my skin looks and feels. If you’re up for trying something new, here are a few of my favorite homemade skincare recipes:

Brown Sugar Scrub: This is an easy to make exfoliant that is inexpensive and has a forever shelf life. Just mix the ingredients to your desired consistency and spoon into a mason jar to store. When you’re ready to use the sugar scrub, take some out, rub it onto your skin, rinse, and follow up with homemade Body Butter. It’s that simple. Rub, Scrub, and Shine.

Ingredients: Brown Sugar, Coconut Oil, Honey

Body Butter: This body butter recipe is LIFE (no exaggeration) when paired with the Brown Sugar Scrub. If used regularly, this duo makes a huge difference in dry, crepey skin. It’s a little greasy, though, so take time to really rub it in.

Coconut Oil
Raw Shea Butter
Almond Oil
Fragrance or Essential Oils, if desired (I use Sugar Cookie Fragrance)

In a small saucepan, melt the oils together over low heat. I used 1/3 cup each of the coconut oil and shea butter and 2 tbsp almond oil. Carefully pour the liquid oil into a chilled bowl, mix in 20 drops of fragrance or essential oil, and allow to sit until the oil begins to harden. You can throw the bowl in the fridge if you want to speed up the process, but be careful not to let it get too hard! You want the oil to have the consistency of butter when it’s at room temperature, not solid. When the oil is ready, whip with a mixer for several minutes until the body butter is fluffy and the volume has increased. Spoon into a mason jar to keep.

Lip Balm: This is so much fun to make. The shea butter is a healthy lip care solution, because it locks in moisture. Mix flavors to formulate your own special recipe and then share with friends and family members. “I have plenty of lip balm,” said NO female Everrrrrr.

3 TBSP Beeswax Pellets

2 TBSP Shea Butter

4 TBSP Almond Oil

10-20 drops of Flavor Oil

(To add some color, scrape out one of your almost empty tubes of lipstick and stir into the mix.)

Melt the first three ingredients slowly in the microwave, stirring often. Then add the drops of flavor oil and pour into Chapstick Containers while the mixture is still liquid. (WARNING: It solidifies fast)

When you set out to make DIY skincare products, you’ll find it’s easy to make far more than you need. You’re already going to be creating a big mess in the kitchen, so why not make an extra mess to give out as gifts? Buy a box of mini mason jars, purchase some fun labels, and enjoy giving them away.

If you have a special DIY skincare product you make at home, feel free to share your recipe in the comments.

As always,

Mel

Fitness, get fit, get healthy, self care, skin care, Summer Fashion, Summer Style

Hats, Baths, & Masks

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 Melanie Hollis

HATS:

Hats are a must have for the summer months. Not only do they protect our faces from the sun, they protect our hair too. UVA rays dry out and damage the outer layer of our hair, making it appear brittle. Add in the daily humidity, and summer hair can be the worst. If you’re not having that great of a hair day, put your hair in loose braids or pull it back into a low pony and sock a cute hat on for instant style. If you have short hair, you’re already ready to just wear a hat and go. Most females overthink hats, but it’s actually a simple addition. Solid colors are easier to coordinate and straw hats go with everything. Just have fun with it.

My black hat sort of reminds me of Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies, but I really like it. haha. It’s a bit stretchy, not too tight, and is lightweight. I’ve paired it with a shirt I pulled off the sale rack at American Eagle for $10.00 and some cut-off jean shorts (also from American Eagle). With black sandals, I’m ready for any outdoor event. Here’s a link to the tops currently on Clearance at American Eagle.

BATHS:

Do you sweat? I’m a fitness freak. Every day I do high intensity interval training and also run a couple of miles. In the summer, especially, I sweat a lot. Exercising to the point of producing lots of sweat is so good for us. It manufactures happy feelings, gives us an energy rush, reduces aches and pains, and releases toxins from our bodies. But getting that sweat off of our bodies is equally important. The bathtub is a perfect solution. Not only will it cleanse your body, but it will also restore and relax your body.

After a long day outside, it’s important to pamper our skin. Again, the sun will do some damage. Find a good moisturizing bubble bath, light a candle, turn on some soft music, and relax. I experiment with different kinds of bubble baths, bath bombs, and body washes. This one from Caress really does have a buttery burnt brown sugar smell as advertised. It. Is. Yummy. Here’s the link … I picked it up at Target.

Masks:

If caring for our entire body is important, our faces should be at the top of the list as the most important part of our bodies. Caring for our faces every day needs to be a priority. I’ve said it before, and will say it again, don’t ever go to bed with makeup on. It will age your skin. Cleanse your face everyday. Exfoliate often. Pamper it with moisturizer two times a day, morning and night. And try to make time for a mask once a week.

This mask is by a company called Yes To. I’d heard the company was started by two guys who played soccer, and was definitely curious to find out what these dudes know about skincare. As it turns out, they apparently know a lot. They use 95% natural ingredients in their products and make sure all are free of toxins. This was my first time using one of their masks, and I have to say I might be hooked. It was thick and creamy, had a nice gentle scent, went on easy, and left my skin feeling so soft. If you aren’t married to a certain type of mask, give it a try. Target carries this product too!

The takeaway is self care. As women, we’re so adept at taking care of others, aren’t we? We check off lists all day every day. It’s part of our DNA. I swear, when God made Eve, that woman probably opened her eyes and immediately got to work sprucing up the Garden of Eden.

Adam was like: “Hey, God made sex, and He says it’s very good … wanna have a go at it?”

Eve: “Ummmm, yeh, sure thing. But first I need to figure out how I can turn a pile of palm leaves into cute throw pillows for our bed, clear away all the brush so our outdoor digs will be tidy, prune a couple of trees to give some sharp curb appeal, and gather more fruit and veggies in case the Lord stops by for dinner … plus, don’t we have babies to tend to?”

Adam: “Well, no … we have to have the sex first.”

Can you relate? The housekeeping and the lists will wait. The kids will wait too. It took me fifty years, but I’ve finally embraced the importance of putting myself first for a couple of hours a day. Living in the moment. I’m very type-A … if I can do it, so can you.

Exercise, take baths, experiment with different beauty products, and love yourself. Age is just a number, but life is short. You’re worth the extra effort!

Just my thoughts,

Melanie

Fitness, get fit, self care, skin care

Don’t Let Age Define Your Legs

April 21, 2018April 21, 2018 Melanie Hollis

I’m turning fifty in seven days. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted my body to be the best it could be by the time I reached half a century. And I’ve succeeded. Do you want to do the same? If so, follow along with my blog and keep reading.

Warm weather is no longer creeping upon us at a snail’s place. It’s officially arrived. As a firm believer in being my best self, I want to show you how you can have fantastic looking legs for Summer. Admittedly, it’s work … but anything worth having requires effort and consistency. In the end, when you feel confident in your shorts, your one-piece, or in your bikini, you’ll be happy you stuck with a plan.

SKIN: Skin is our largest organ, but sometimes we forget to take particular care of it. I’m always amazed by the story of Queen Esther who went through twelve months of beauty treatments before she could even meet up with King Ahasuerus. The words that formed the basis of “beauty treatments” in scripture, by the way, are translated “to scour, polish”. The King’s servants literally scoured and polished that woman until she was shining with beauty.

As we age, its no secret we begin to lose moisture and elasticity, which can cause our skin to look dull, dry, and old. When wearing shorts or a bathing suit, we want and need our legs to shine just like Queen Esther’s. So here’s what I do at least three days per week:

First, I exfoliate (scour) my legs with a sugar and olive oil mixture.

Second, I cover my legs in a dead sea mud mask.

Third, I rinse and then coat my legs in a neck firming cream. (Yes, I know it sounds crazy to use a neck firming cream on legs … but it really works!)

I use the olive oil / sugar scrub because it’s natural, and because olive oil is such a good moisturizer for your skin. Homer called it “liquid gold”, and the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used it in place of soap. They’d apply it to their skin and then scrape off dirt and dead skin. (Gross, but true!) If it worked for the ancients, and if we’re still using it today, it has to be legitimate.

I swear by the Dead Sea Mud Mask. I use it all over my body often. According to the package, it detoxifies impurities and restores skin with nourishing minerals – magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron. It also shrinks pores and tightens fine lines and wrinkles. Getting rid of toxins makes sense to me. You can find it here.

So why the neck firming cream? On my legs? haha. It actually happened by accident. I work religiously on forming muscles in my legs, but no matter how much muscle I gained, I still wasn’t happy with the appearance of my legs. I wanted them to not only be muscular and lean, but to be vibrant. I searched Amazon for any type of cream that would help firm my skin, and found this neck firming cream. It had great reviews, so I gave it a shot. It has worked wonders!!!! No kidding, my legs look twenty years younger, and I could tell a difference within days. You can find this miracle product here.

MUSCLES: If you want younger looking legs, not only is it important to care for you skin, but it’s equally important to take care of your leg muscles. Build them. Sculpt them. Envision what you want them to look like, and then go for it. If time is an issue, here is a simple twenty minute plan to get you started:

10 minutes: Run one mile per day. It’s easy and will reduce fat while building muscle fast.

10 minutes: Weighted squats / Weighted calf raises / Weighted donkey kicks (4 sets of 12) Do this every other day. On your off days, spend those same 10 minutes on arms as a bonus!!!

No matter when you were born, remember, age does not have to define your legs. You get to control what your body looks like at any age. So go for it!!!

Just my thoughts,

~Melanie

self care, skin care

Obsessed With The Bees

April 5, 2018April 5, 2018 Melanie Hollis

For the record, I don’t get obsessed about too many things. Of the Meyers Briggs sixteen personality types, I’m an ENFP, which means I’m a freeeeeeeee spirit. Suffice it to say, I’m a person who can pivot and make changes as needed, so getting stuck on a product isn’t really my deal. However, I am absolutely 100% obsessed with Burt’s Bees BB Cream. Obsessed to the point that I buy up tubes just in case they decide to discontinue it.

Some females spend loads of money on makeup. They contour, highlight, and transform their faces with the most popular cosmetics on the market. I totally respect those beauty mavens, but I’ve never had the time or inclination for it. For years, in fact, I’ve only worn powder on my face. Powder, though, doesn’t provide sunscreen. And since I’m turning fifty soon, I definitely need sunscreen more than ever before.

I dislike foundation, especially heavy foundation. But I need the sunscreen foundation provides. Can anyone else relate to this dilemma?

The solution came to me via one of my favorite brands: Burt’s Bees. By the way, what’s not to love about a company that got kicked off by a hitchhiker and the bearded beekeeper who gave her a ride? Such a cool story, but I digress.

Back to the point.

I came across the Burt’s Bees BB Cream, which is basically a tinted sunscreen and moisturizer combo, and decided to give it a go. It was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. The BB Cream is light and creamy, goes on smoothly, covers nicely, and a little goes a long way. In addition, it stays on all day. It’s all I wear on my face now, applying it right over my Burt’s Bees Moisturizer, with a just an added dab of bronzer.

I’ve read the Amazon reviews, and while most of the reviews are positive, some have said the BB Cream color is either too light or too dark. I use the light/medium and it blends perfectly with my skin. I’d suggest you test the product in the store before buying it just so you can find the right shade to match your skin tone. You can find it here!

While on the subject of Burt’s Bees, another product I recently began using is the Micellar Cleansing Water … because cleansing water is the new rage, right? Up until this point, I’ve used (and have been very happy with) Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner . But I wanted to see what the big hoorah was with cleansing water and decided to put it to the test. First, the scent is absolutely incredible. And second, my skin doesn’t seem as dry since I’ve been using it, which means the cleansing water meets the promise to hydrate. Burt’s Bees never disappoints. You can find it here!

Skin care is vitally important throughout life. I can’t recall a single time when I went to bed without cleansing my face. Equally important is what we choose to put on our skin. I always err on the side of all natural and organic products, using the less is more option whenever possible. Burt’s Bees, of course, is a company that promotes natural ingredients. If you haven’t given them a try, maybe you should!

Just my thoughts.

~Melanie

self care, skin care, Summer Fashion

A Timeless Summer

March 31, 2018March 31, 2018 Melanie Hollis

Spring is here, and Summer is fast approaching. So ladies, if we haven’t been pampering our skin and bodies throughout our winter hibernation, well … it might be time. I’m in the almost fifty year old category (27 days and counting), so I’m always trying new products that promise to slow down the hands of time. If the so-called products happen to have rave reviews on Amazon, within seconds you can bet I have clicked those items right into my online shopping cart. Here are two of my latest favorite finds:

The first, Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum made by Cosmedica Skincare, has had more than six-thousand reviews. And 65% of those reviews received five stars! Let me tell you, this product is ahhhhhhh-mazing. Not only does it give your skin a youthful glow, but it also erases time from your face. After using it for only a couple of weeks, I swear I could tell a difference! Hyaluronic Acid effectively binds water to cells and is responsible for the elasticity and resiliency of the skin. Think hydration on steroids, because this packs a punch. Find it here!

The second, Cosmedica Retinol Serum, is perfect for anyone who is looking for a retinol formula that isn’t overly harsh on your skin. If you’ve used Retinol before, then you know it can sometimes burn. This serum didn’t burn even on the first application. If you haven’t used Retinol, and if you have any signs of aging on your face, then hop to it. Retinol is magical unicorn dust! Trust me. You can find it here!

After your skin is in tip-top condition, why not show it off by treating yourself to a summer dress? This summer is totally feeling like a year for pretty things, isn’t it? And what’s more feminine and delicate than a sweet dress? I’m in love with all things Altar’d State , but am especially fond of their dress selection. This is their Hazleton Fit and Flare dress:

Made of stretchy polyester that will not wrinkle, this dress is lined with soft cotton. The length hits right at the knee for a flirty appeal, and the scalloped neck/back make it a stunner. My all-time favorite dress style is fit and flare, because it flatters every single figure and is timeless. This Hazleton dress is such a throw-back. It’s current enough, but with a touch of vintage chic. And the price? $69.99. However, Altar’d State is the best at running buy one get one half-off sales … so, if you hit them at the right time, this dress could be a real steal!

Two skincare products that will roll back the hands of time.

One dress style that has stood the test of time.

Sounds like the beginnings of a timeless Summer to me!

Just my thoughts.

~Melanie

self care, skin care

3 Easy Ways To Tackle Health, Aging, and A New Attitude

February 4, 2018March 31, 2018 Melanie Hollis

Drink Green Tea : The number one healthiest drink on the planet is green tea. If you were hoping for Diet Coke, Chardonnay, or a Mojito to be in the running … well, no. For a toast to good health, green tea is the way to go. Not only does it prevent osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and the risk of Alzheimers, but people who drink green tea daily actually live longer. Toss some mint leaves, orange slices and green tea bags into a boiling teapot for an amazing recipe. Add a little cane sugar, and put it on ice or serve it hot. Either way, it’s so yummy. Cheers!!!

Utilize Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion really does erase fine lines and make your skin glow. It absolutely works. If you don’t have the money, time, or inclination to treat yourself to a microdermabrasion treatment from a professional Esthetician, I’d recommend the Neutrogena Microdermabrasion system. At less than $20.00, it’s definitely worth a try. I use this system two or three times a week, following up with a really good moisturizer, and have virtually no lines on my face at the age of 50! In addition, it makes your skin super soft. Microdermabrasion is a must if you’re over 40. (Oh, and sleep on your back. Just my extra two cents.)

Choose A Life Word & Own It: Even though I’ve been a big believer in the power of positive words for a long time, I never really thought about having a life word until one of my (gorgeous, amazing, fabulous) sitters gifted me with a mug that had the word “Hustle” written on it. When she gave it to me, she said: “When I saw this, I immediately thought about how perfectly this word fits you.” Fits me? Hmmmm.

Isn’t it nice when we unexpectedly get a glimpse of how others view us? Since then, I’ve owned that word. As a busy mom of two kiddos who have special needs and who constantly keep me on my toes, it’s imperative that I stay at least ten steps ahead of them or I will surely meet an early grave. (Caregivers know exactly what I’m talking about. haha.) But I want more than merely anticipating life. I want to master it … to hustle. And that means being my best self for my children and for me.

Focusing on that one word, and making sure everything I do fits into that theme, has completely changed my attitude. Instead of going to the gym so I can check good health off my daily list, for instance, I started going to the gym because I’m a person who hustles. Instead of cleaning house and staying organized because it’s a daily chore, I now do those things because I’m a person who hustles. haha. See what I did there? Hustle has now become my designation. The mark I want to leave on life. Life is just as much about our mental game as it is our physical game, and this simple switch in thinking has worked wonders for me. Maybe choosing a life word will work for you too.

Think about it for a minute. What’s your life word?

~Mel