We don’t always have time to make it to a salon for some nail pampering.

And getting manicures frequently can get pricey and can actually start to ruin your nails.

But we can do our own nail pampering from home.

With a DIY nourishing cuticle balm that uses some popular and affordable ingredients!

You really only need 2 ingredients.

Coconut oil and cocoa butter.

These 2 ingredients have really bloomed in the beauty market for their nourishing benefits for skin, hair, AND nails. 

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that help prevent aging and damage to our skin and hair.

Cocoa butter is a popular ingredient in creams and lotions because of its smooth texture, chocolaty fragrance, and healing properties.



Many people use pure cocoa butter to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars on their skin. Combined with coconut oil, it is perfect for conditioning our cuticles.

Just massaging this creamy balm into your cuticles daily will help boost circulation and promote healthy nail growth.

For this Cocoa Butter & Coconut Cuticle Balm you will need:

• 1 teaspoon of grated cocoa butter
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• Small dish or container to hold the balm (this will make about 1ounce of the balm)
  

Making The Balm:

1. Gently heat cocoa butter and coconut oil in a small pot until melted.
2. Stir well and pour into a clean dish or container. 
3. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
4. Massage a small amount into your cuticle.
5. Store in a cool dry area inside the container. 

This super easy cuticle balm is a great way for you to take care of your nails from your own home without a salon price tag or doing any damage to your nails.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help maintain healthy skin and hair. It also provides protection from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause damage to the cells in your body.  

Vitamin E has been used in dermatology since the 1950s to help protect the skin against aging, inflammation, and sun damage. The fat-soluble antioxidant is vital for maintaining healthy skin, stronger hair, and a strong immune system.

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that can help with many different skin conditions such as acne and wrinkles. It also helps to strengthen your hair follicles so they don’t break off easily which will lead to less hair loss. 

Vitamin E is one of those great nutrients that can have a very positive impact on the appearance of your skin and hair. Vitamin E has been proven to promote healthy skin by reducing signs of aging, like wrinkles or age spots. In addition to this, it helps protect against free radicals which are responsible for causing cell damage and premature aging. Some other benefits include moisturizing dry skin, strengthening nails and hair follicles from breakage or split end. 

Let me break down some of these benefits for you!

Hair Loss

One of the most important benefits of vitamin E is for our hair. This powerful antioxidant can improve the texture of your hair, as well as make it soft and manageable. Vitamin E supports the scalp and gives your hair a strong base to grow from by reducing oxidative stress and preserving the protective lipid layer.

Vitamin E has also been shown to promote blood flow,  which is said to help promote healthy hair by improving scalp circulation. An increased blood supply could also help in hair growth.

One study has shown that vitamin E supplements improved hair growth in people with hair loss. Oxidative stress is linked to hair loss. And it has been shown that Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties helped reduce oxidative stress in the scalp.

Acne Scars

If you have been battling acne on a regular basis, then vitamin E might be an alternative treatment option that works for you.

This is because vitamin E absorbs sebum, which is a naturally occurring substance that can cause your pores to clog. This will leave you with cleaner and less inflammatory skin.

Wrinkles & Dry Skin

This antioxidant works great in fighting many environmental threats to our aging appearance.

Since vitamin E is a major antioxidant, it works naturally to neutralize all the environmental stressors that’ll destroy your collagen and cause fine lines and premature aging.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble ingredient, which means it is able to penetrate deep into your skin and preserve the lipids (fats) in your face. While also soothing and healing your skin barrier.

So if you have any cracks in your skin barrier — vitamin E can essentially close those cracks to prevent moisture from escaping, keeping your skin hydrated and firm.

Eczema

Vitamin E has also been known to help alleviate the dryness, itching, and flaking associated with eczema, or atopic dermatitis.

A study conducted found that oral vitamin E supplements could produce significant improvements in eczema symptoms.

Nail Health

Vitamin E supplementation has also been shown to prevent yellow nail syndrome, which can cause peeling, cracked, and yellowing of the nail. Vitamin E’s moisturizing benefits may also support nail health by preventing cracked cuticles and dry skin around the nail bed.

Cellulite

Vitamin E not only works as an anti-aging agent but also helps protect veins and arteries and assists the body in delivering increased oxygen to the skin’s living layers.

So this means that vitamin E can help the body more efficiently flush out the toxins and fat deposits that are responsible for the characteristic appearance of cellulite.

If you’re looking for an easy way to improve the condition of your skin or hair, then try adding more vitamin E to your diet! 

Here are some great sources of vitamin e:

• Wheat germ oil
• Sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Peanuts, peanut butter
• Beet greens, collard greens, spinach
• Pumpkin
• Red bell peppers

Another great way to add vitamin e into your daily routine is with Complete Collagen+.

The powerful ingredients of this incredible supplement provide your body with amazing benefits for your skin and hair. Making it a true powerhouse supplement!

Try yours today!

I love bath bombs!

They are such a great way to make baths more invigorating. So many scent options too!

Homemade bath bombs are such an easy treat that you can enjoy yourself or make as a great gift! 

And the best part is that they are made from common, budget-friendly ingredients most of which you probably already have at home!

You will need:

• ½ cup Corn starch
• ½ cup Citric acid
• ½ cup Epsom salt
• 1 cup Baking soda
• 1 tsp Mica powdered soap dye (optional- this can help give the bombs a fun color but is not needed)
• 1 tbsp. dried Orange peel
• 10 drops Orange essential oil (Orange essential oil can be used for a range of reasons such as lifting mood and reducing stress or just to add a fresh, citrusy aroma to a room. It also has studies showing that it can help with pain relief, anxiety, and much more!)
• 2 ½ tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1 tbsp. water
• 5 Bath Bomb Molds
  

How To Make Your Own Bath Bombs:

Note: Measure out all of your ingredients. Choose what color mica powder you would like to add to your bath bombs (if any), which essential oils you would like, and if you want to add any dried ingredients such as orange peel or dried lavender. For this recipe – we are using Orange but feel free to experiment or use anything you want! 

1. In a large bowl, combine corn starch, citric acid, Epsom salt, baking soda, mica powder (optional), and dried orange peel. Whisk to mix completely.
2. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together coconut oil, essential oil, and water.
3. Very slowly add the oil mixture to the dry ingredients. (Pouring slowly helps make sure the mixture fizzes as little as possible). 
4. Mix together until it looks similar to wet sand and everything is fully added.
5. Transfer the bath bomb mixture into bath bomb molds, making sure to press the mixture tightly into each mold half. Overfill just a bit to ensure that the two pieces stick together when pressed together. Press the mold pieces together and twist until closed.
6. Allow the bath bombs to dry for at least 24 hours.
7. To remove the bath bombs from the molds, tap the outside of the mold gently and twist each side of the mold and pull apart to remove the bath bomb.
8. Store bath bombs in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap. They can be stored for up to 6 months. 
9. To use the bath bomb, simply drop it in water and watch it fizz and dissolve. Let the aromas fill the bathroom and fill your tub with an aromatic scent that will leave you feeling relaxed!

Make some for yourself and gift a few!
The holidays will be here before you know it! 

Skincare is an important aspect of maintaining good health.  It helps us look and feel good, gives us better confidence, and a healthier appearance. And we all know – good skin doesn’t typically just happen. It takes some effort on our part.

But what about when it comes to tighter skin? 

As we age, our skin starts losing its natural elasticity, which can lead to sagging. Sagging skin is a natural process of aging and typically irreversible – however, what we may not know – is that we can actually improve the tightness on our skin with just a few home tips.

Here are 10 home remedies and tips to help tighten your skin!

1. Massage Your Skin Daily

Massaging your skin is a great way to help tighten your skin. Not only is it relaxing and calming, massaging it may also help tighten skin, by improving circulation and blood flow.

Try massaging each area of the skin you wish to tighten each day. This can help prevent the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, and make your skin more elastic for a fresher look.

2. Use Honey And Lemon To Tighten Your Skin

Honey is a powerful anti-oxidant. It has anti-aging properties which can help tighten saggy skin.

Mix honey into lemon juice to form a paste and apply it on parts of your face that are wrinkled or sagging.  Leave the paste on for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer to keep your skin supple, firm, and youthful.

3. Use Aloe Vera To Fight Aging Problems

Aloe vera is a plant with soft, gel-like leaves that are used in many medicinal and cosmetic products for its healing properties.  Aloe vera extract helps in naturally increasing our collagen production,  which further helps in reducing the visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Collagen helps in decreasing wrinkles and helps in skin tightening. It also improves the elasticity of the skin. You can apply aloe vera on your face every night before going to bed. 

4. Don’t Smoke And Stay Away From Excessive Tanning

It’s no secret smoking is bad for us internally in so many ways – but it also negatively impacts our appearance. Smoking causes wrinkles and premature aging of your skin due to excessive oxidation, so it is important that you avoid smoking regularly if you want to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. 

Furthermore, excessive UV exposure from the sun can cause you to age quicker than usual because it causes your cells to lose their elasticity, which leads to dryness and wrinkling of the skin.

5. Exfoliate Your Face To Remove Dead Skin Cells

It is important for you to exfoliate your skin regularly.  Exfoliation helps in getting rid of dead skin cells and can help slow down the aging process as well as give your face a better look. 

You can use scrubbing pads or make an exfoliating paste by mixing olive oil with sugar or honey and rub it onto your face for ten minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

6. Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains properties that are similar to those found in human skin, so mixing it into the diet can help hydrate the body from the inside out.  It also helps in getting rid of dead skin cells and reduces wrinkles by making your skin appear fresh, supple and younger-looking than before.

7. Try Rosemary Oil

Putting rosemary oil in your DIY skin-tightening remedies can do wonders for your skin.  Rosemary oil is rich in compounds that help prevent the formation of wrinkles.

It also contains antioxidants that fight free radicals and reduces inflammation caused by harmful substances in the environment or food. 

8.  Use Almonds and Almond Oil

Almonds can help tighten your skin because of their vitamin content.  They contain lots of iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin E, all of which are essential for proper skin health. 

Eat a handful of almonds every day or use it in your DIY home remedies to tighten your skin by rubbing almond oil onto the areas where you see wrinkles forming.

9. Use Egg Whites To Soften Taut, Dry Skin

Egg whites are used in many skincare products because they contain protein that helps soften the skin and remove wrinkles.  Mix egg white into coconut oil to create a paste and apply on your face for 20 minutes before rinsing your face with lukewarm water.  You can use a mild moisturizer to keep your newly softened skin from drying out.

10. Add Collagen Into Your Daily Routine

Collagen is a protein found in muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, and bones. It makes up about 30% to 40% of proteins in the human body.

When skin is taut and firm, it has collagen to thank. Collagen is made of tightly constructed fibers, which help skin maintain its structure and firmness. Both elastin and collagen production decline as people age.

Collagen production typically begins declining around the age of 25 and continues to decrease approximately 1-2% per year afterward. Skin noticeably starts to lose its elasticity in your 30s to 40s as well as in the first 5 years of menopause when women’s skin loses around 30% of its collagen. Adding collagen to your daily routine is a great way to ensure your body is getting ample collagen so it can go to work for you and your skin.

Of course- my secret weapon is Complete Collagen+. It has done wonders for my skin and hair! If you are looking to tighten up your skin a bit and reap the same benefits I have- try it today!

Try some of these tips and see how they can benefit your skin. Get that tighter skin you have always wanted!

Stay beautiful!

The human body is a beautiful and fascinating thing.

And we are all made different.

We come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.

And our skin type is different too.

Our skin is beautiful! It has so many unique colors and textures.
But the one thing we have in common – is that you are beautiful no matter your skin type.

And there are a few different skin types. 

There are 5 basic categories for skin types.

1. Normal

If you have normal skin – consider yourself extra blessed!

Normal skin isn’t too oily and it isn’t too dry. Regular texture, next to no imperfections, and soft appearance that requires very little special care. 

But of course – just because it doesn’t require special care – doesn’t mean you can’t give it a pamper every now and then with scrubs and lotions!

2. Dry

Does your skin crack a lot or absorb the lotion instantly? Then you need to lotion again in an hour because your skin just feels unmoisturized time after time? You have dry skin.

And dry skin can be brutal. It can leave your skin feeling cracked and sometimes even cause you pain if it is too dry.

In most cases, dry skin is caused by factors such as weather, humidity and can be temporary. But there are some people that have it lifelong and it can be genetic (thanks mom!) According to a study, mutations in genes that control the production of the protein filaggrin, which plays a role in forming and hydrating the skin barrier, can cause several skin conditions.

Dry skin signs and symptoms may vary depending on different factors such as age, health, or the cause of dry skin. It is generally characterized by a feeling of tightness and roughness. It may also have almost an ashy gray color, with itching, redness, and small cracks occurring. Cracked skin is usually observed in very dry skin and presents small cracks, which, in more serious cases, may be deeper and even bleed if very severe or left untreated to worsen.

Since dry skin can crack leaving it more exposed to bacteria – it may lead to skin disorders, such as eczema, or it may be more prone to infections if not properly managed.

If you’ve always had dry skin or if it runs in your family, it’s essential that you’re diligent with daily moisturization. Specifically – try to seek our moisturizers that contain ceramides and lipids – they will help build and reinforce the skin barrier for you.

3. Oily

Is your face naturally shiny? Then you likely have oily skin. 

The one good thing about oily skin – is that your skin is constantly being moisturized by our skin’s natural oils. While the downfall is…it can lead to a lot of clogged pores.

Oily skin has a porous, humid, and bright appearance to it. It is caused by excessive fat production by sebaceous glands and is often caused by genetics and hormones.  

It can be hard to treat oily skin. But a few easy tips are:

• Wash your face. Seems simple enough right?
• Blotting papers. These are thin, small papers and while they won’t prevent your sebaceous glands from going into overdrive, they will allow you to blot excess oil from your face to help minimize shiny, greasy skin.
• Honey. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic abilities – which may benefit oily and acne-prone skin. Honey is also a natural humectant, so it helps keep the skin moist but not oily. This is because humectants draw moisture from the skin without replacing it.
• Oatmeal. Oatmeal helps calm inflamed skin and absorb excess oil. 
• Lemons. Lemons are used in tightening the pores. The acid in lemons and other citrus fruits may help absorb oil.
• Aloe vera. Aloe is known for soothing burns and other skin conditions. And there is good scientific evidence that it helps treat flaky skin caused by oily patches. Many people use aloe vera to treat oily skin.

4. Combination (such as both sensitive and dry skin)

For me, my whole life I had combination skin, it was dry and sensitive. I used to dread the winter and how the harsh temperatures would dry out my skin. Lotions and creams were definitely my best friends in the winter months!

But I also had to be careful of what lotions I chose because my skin was sensitive and some ingredients would bother me. So applying the dry skin rule and sensitive skin rule is best. Find a good lotion that doesn’t irritate your skin and be diligent with keeping your skin hydrated!

5. Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can be difficult. Especially when you aren’t sure what your skin might react to. 

It is typically very fragile skin, that comes with discomforts such as the feeling of heat, tightness, redness, or itching. This type of skin loses its barrier (or protective) function, making it easy for microorganisms and irritant substances to enter it, and increasing the possibility of having an infection and allergic reactions.

Sensitive skin is delicate and it needs more care to fight dryness and roughness.

For me – I react to harsh ingredients so I am very cautious about what I put on it. And I even watch for what cleaners I use and use gloves when I do clean so none of the chemicals impact my skin.

Here are some tips for those of you with sensitive skin:

• Try to take shorter showers and avoid super hot water – stick to warm if you can so the hot water doesn’t irritate your skin.
• Avoid harsh astringents and exfoliants.
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap and even laundry detergent if you can. 
• Use essential oils instead of perfumes.
• Try oatmeal and aloe products – they can be very calming on the skin if you have a reaction.

All skin is beautiful – some of it just takes some extra care than other types.

But remember, no matter the type of skin you have – it is important to look after it and feel good in the skin you are in!

Strawberries are hands down my favorite fruit. And when they are at their peak in the summer – I just cannot get enough of them.

I love them so much that I started growing my own so I could pick them and snack on them every day.

And one of my favorite ways to indulge in something special when it comes to Strawberries…is with…

Cheesecake!

Cheesecake is a longtime dessert craving of mine. And adding strawberries into the mix – is a duo I cannot resist!

These no-bake strawberry cheesecake bites are super easy to make! A delicious sweet treat that makes a great dessert for parties, brunch, or as an afternoon snack!

Here is what you will need:

• 1 pound of strawberries
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (you can also find a vegan option for this) 
• ¼ cup of powdered sugar
•  ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Graham cracker crumbs or crushed graham crackers (there are also gluten-free graham crackers if you need to enjoy it wheat-free!)

To Make:

• Cut off the tops of the strawberries and with a pairing knife – hollow out the inside of them.
• In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer.
• Fill each strawberry with the cheesecake filling using a spoon, knife, or a piping bag if you have one.
• Dip the strawberry, cheesecake side down, into the graham cracker crumbs. (You can even drizzle some Complete Collagen+ on there for some caramel flavor!)
• Keep refrigerated until served (ideally 1 hour before eating to really let the cheesecake settle).

This dessert is a great way to indulge and you can make them year-round if you can get your hands on some nice strawberries.

Enjoy!