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Using conditioner first is supposed to increase volume to the hair without weighing it down because you add the volume with the conditioner, but then use the shampoo to wash out the excess residue – leaving it volumnous, yet not heavy.  This is also supposed to help with dry hair for the same reasons – you add condition, rinse out any excess with the shampoo and leave your hair shiny and moisturized.

From reading about people that have tried it, this method shows that this could be good for dry or flat hair, or thin hair that tends to get weighed down by conditioners.   However, I would not think it would be a great idea for hair that gets very oily or is already quite voluminous, heavy, or thick.

My hair does fit into the normal to dry, thin-ish category so I think I may try this tomorrow to see how it goes.   If it gives me some extra volume – I will be swapping my routine from now on!   Is anyone else inspired to try this?  Has anyone out there already tried it?   Do any of you have any other tricks for cleansing your hair to make it more voluminous??  Do share!  I’ll be letting you know how my experiment goes.

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I have looked into the reports and what many dermatologists, scientists, and health specialists that were interviewed have to say.    The good news is that we don’t need to panic – they all agree these claims are bogus are they are holding to the theory that anything in moderation will not hurt your skin.   In fact, small doses of dark chocolate can actually boost anti-oxidants,  improve your health and a German study shows it can actually protect your skin from harmful UV light..

Just as I have written about in the past – as long as you have a mostly healthy diet and take care of yourself, your skin should be fine.   Of course if you do seem to notice a correlation between your skin breaking out in acne or a rash after you eat a particular type of food – you probably do have sensitivity or an allergy and you should be tested to know for sure.

Is there a particular food that you know causes your breakouts or skin rashes??  Have you had any allergy tests for certain food sensitivities??  Let us know your experiences in the comments section.

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These facials cost on average $100-$200 more than a basic facial and are offered at several high end reputable salons.  Celebrities swear by them but are they really worth it?

Dermatological and scientific studies show that there is no evidence that these really work as well as they say.   Experts say that skin cannot absorb oxygen so there is no way it can penetrate and make your skin healthier and younger.   Any possible benefits that show up on the skin afterwards can be attributed to the basic facial itself and the possible plumping effect from the oxygen, but these will most likely be very temporary results.

These facials will not hurt you, so if you have the funds and inclination to have an oxygen facial – go right ahead, but why spend all that money to get no real result?  Using a good quality skincare line, eating a healthy diet, and maybe getting the occasional basic facial will give you the best results for your skin.

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We also have another great offer on right now in honor of Mother’s Day!   Order any products from our website and receive a FREE AHA/BHA Complex with your order!

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First, you should start off by exfoliating your body.   This will remove any built up layers of skin and give your skin a new glow.  You can buy scrubs for the body but it’s easy to make your own using a combination of brown sugar, a bit of honey, and maybe a few drops of your favorite essential oils.  You can also use your morning’s leftover coffee grounds to make a great body scrub that will perk you up in the morning!  For your face use a less abrasive product such as the ZENMED Microdermabrasion Complex.

Make sure to follow up with sunscreen on freshly exfoliated skin.   I have been telling you how important it is to use sunscreen all year long but it is especially important when the sun is shining and you are spending longer hours outside.

If you haven’t already done so go back and read my previous blog posts for some great tips on how to get a close rash-free shave, and how to make sure the sandal-ready pedicure you’re getting is safe.  Keep on drinking lots of water to stay hydrated during the hot months and to keep your skin healthy and glowing.  And be sure to keep checking back to this blog for more great skin and summer fun tips.

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Start with two eggs and three to four egg whites.   You can either separate the eggs to get the whites, or buy a container of the egg whites that are found at your grocery store near the eggs.   Then pick out any kind of veggies that you like to eat – I particularly like mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and corn.  Cut those all into bite sized pieces.   If you really like cheese you can cut a few thin slices of your favorites too!   You can add a few slices of ham or sausage as well if you must have meat but this works great as just a veggie dish.  Pick out your favorite herbs – basil, cilantro, rosemary…..   Now – if you are particularly good at making omelet’s then pour the eggs in the pan and place the veggies on the set egg.    I, however, am not good at making omelet’s, nor do I have the time and patience to watch it and flip it perfectly, so I just mix it all together in one big easy scramble!    Throw it all into the fry pan and mix around until it’s all set. 

Throw it on a plate and have a nice leisurely breakfast or put it between two slices of whole wheat bread for a to-go sandwich.   This gets in a serving or two of veggies, your protein, and a whole lot of vitamins and minerals.   You will have energy all day!

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Eggs pack a powerful little punch!   Not only are they cheap to buy, easy to cook, and an important ingredient in all my favorite foods like cookies and brownies, but they are extremely good for us.  

In the past eggs have gotten a bad reputation due to the fact that they can contribute to high cholesterol and heart disease.   While you should double check with your doctor, most reports say that as long as you limit your egg intake to no more than one a day, or a few a couple of times per week, they will not harm you.    Besides, it is only the egg yolks that affect cholesterol in any way – you can still go nuts eating egg whites.  This is also some good advice if you are really trying to watch your waistline – eat one egg yolk for every 2-3 egg white.  You won’t even notice the difference in taste!   You still need to consume some of the egg yolk though because the yolk contains choline – which has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer and help with the nervous system.   The only other foods that contain choline are liver, wheat germ, cauliflower, and some milk – so our best, and yummiest, bet to get this nutrient is from egg yolks.

Eggs also have incredible health benefits that help the eyes – it can reduce both cataracts and macular degeneration.  They also help to benefit the skin from the inside out – being high in minerals and vitamins such as Vitamins B12 and D.

Eggs can be a wonderful addition to your skincare routine to use as weekly masks or treatments.   Egg whites make a wonderful, tightening mask, while egg yolks applied to the skin can help to heal some mild to moderate acne.   Using the gooey part inside the eggshell – called the eggshell membrane – is fantastic when added to a cut or irritation on the skin to soothe and heal it.

At only 68 calories for a whole large egg, eggs are a staple to keep in your refrigerator.   Eat some for your breakfast and your body will thank you – hard boil a few and eat them as snacks throughout the week or whip some up in a scramble with a side of toast.  Apply some topically and your skin will thank you – relax tonight in front of your favorite movie with some whites around your eyes.  And this weekend – be sure to hard boil and decorate some for an egg-stra special Easter egg hunt with your loved ones.

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First of all – let me explain what it is and what happens.   At your salon you will receive a 60-90 minute treatment consisting of a shampoo, a keratin conditioner which also contains special straightening ingredients, a blow out and flat ironing.   This will make your hair smooth, sleek, and frizz free.   You are instructed not to wash or apply anything to your hair for 3-5 days, and after that time even when you do your hair will stay straight and frizz free for 6-8 weeks, or maybe even longer.

This all sounds good, especially if you are prone to frizzy hair or have hair that is extremely difficult or time consuming to straighten yourself.   It will stay straight and sleek even in strong weather such as humidity and rain!   Sign me up you say – not so fast….

The special agents added to the straightening conditioner can damage your hair quite considerably – up to 20 times more than you could do yourself using heat styling.   You will need to deep condition every time you wash your hair and you may still experience dryness and breakage – even after the straightening treatment wears off.   It is recommended that you not color or perm your hair for at least a few months after this treatment as that will cause even more damage to your hair – so consider that you may have to live with color re-growth for a while.  The cost is something else to consider – it can cost anywhere from $200-$500 per treatment.  And last – but definitely not least – it contains a heavy duty amount of chemicals such as formaldehyde.   These chemicals can be toxic and your eyes and nose may water and become itchy while you are having the treatment, and if you are exposed to these chemicals frequently they can lead to lung problems and even cancer.  

Salons will swear that this treatment is completely safe, yet much research has shown that the chemicals can lead to problems.   Pregnant women are not allowed to have this treatment due to harm to the fetus.  If you are pregnant or extra sensitive to smells and chemicals this treatment is not recommended, and you should even make sure no treatment is going on in the salon at the same time you will be there for a regular service!

Unless you have extremely unruly hair, it is in fairly good condition, and you are willing to take the risks, it is probably best to just stay away from these treatments.   Light keratin and protein treatments followed with a flatiron will provide straightness that will last for up to a week – and not load you up with chemicals!

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Everyone knows that you can put cucumber slices on your eyes to reduce puffiness and help you relax.  Rubbing a few slices of cucumber over your sensitive skin can help to relieve redness due to acne, rosacea, or sunburn.   You can also shred up cucumber and leave it as is, or add some other herbs or egg whites for a relaxing mask.  Juicing a cucumber and spraying it onto your skin works as a great, natural skin refresher, and some people claim that rubbing cucumber over your skin can help to fade freckles and marks.

Adding cucumber to your diet will also help your skin.  Cucumber contains a great amount of silica which is great for healing connective tissue in the body.   This will lead to not only healthier tissues in the body but will help with wrinkles and lines on the skin.  Cucumbers have an extremely high water content which means it will help to fill you up faster than other foods, and will also help to flush out any toxins and uric acid in your system.  Cucumber has trace minerals which are said to help with arthritis, gout, kidney problems, and digestive issues.

Next time you are at the market – pick up a few cucumbers.   Use one on your skin and slice the other one up and use the slices like crackers.   You can apply hummus, salsa, or eat thin slices of cheese between two slices of cucumber.   You will save tons of calories using cucumbers instead of crackers and your skin and body will look great!

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