Live Well: Becoming A Beauty-PRO

On my 26th birthday, this past October, I decided to look ahead to Year 27. In fact, I came up with a theme and wrote a list of 27 things I want to either try for the first time, or do consistently by the time I complete Year 27. 

All my plans can be summed up in one statement

“Consistently having what’s Outside match what’s INSIDE.”

Among the items on my Year 27 list are a few beauty promises I have made to myself - promises I intend to keep.  

I’m not a Beauty Professional. But I have decided that as I live through this next year – Year 27 – I DO want to become a Beauty-PRO – not a beauty professional but a beauty promise keeper. 

You don’t have to be a Beauty-Pro(fessional) to be a Beauty-PRO(mise keeper). Here are a few

Beauty Promises You Can Make and Keep: 

Weekly Facials

The face endures a lot. Even when the rest of our bodies are fully covered our faces are typically exposed – to both natural and unnatural elements (wind, cold, heat, smog, etc.). 

I’ve read that the average person touches their face between 3 and 5 times an hour. (If that’s true then I touch my face significantly more than the average person. I have probably touched my face 5 times in the last 10 minutes.)  

As a woman, a “nice” face goes beyond knowing how to apply make-up, we want naturally clear, smooth, and radiant skin. (I’m no different. I freak out when I see myself breaking out more than usual...)

Regular Facials are supposed to be the answer to refreshing and rejuvenating the skin on your face. And according to the International Spa Association, the average cost of a facial in the U.S. is $100.

At first glance, a weekly facial may not seem doable – that’s $400 a month! But a weekly facial is one beauty promise you can definitely keep to yourself.

I’ve been wary of professional facials because I’ve become obsessed with reading product labels.

(Skin is extremely porous and chemicals can quickly seep into your blood stream through topical application to your skin. These chemicals can have long term affects on your health.)

As much as possible, I look for natural and organic alternatives.

When I read that the ingredients in Live Ultimate’s CoconutClay Facial Quenching Masque were organic and all natural I was eager to try it.

I was immediately impressed with the gentle coconut scent and it’s quite obvious from the texture that it is real clay.

I followed the directions and applied the mask to the clean and dry skin of my face, careful to avoid the eyes. I knew my pores were opening up because I felt a refreshing tingle – one a person might associate with tea tree oil or peppermint. I only left the masque on for 12 minutes. The directions suggest between 10 and 20 minutes. I washed it off with warm water and noticed two things immediately: my face felt significantly smoother and the blackheads and whiteheads that quickly form around my nose were gone.

The next day the usual flaking dry skin on my forehead was almost gone and after the second masque application it was gone altogether.

Aside from the awesome fact the ingredients are organic and all natural, right now you can easily get 8 uses (or more) during a month’s time for about $6 per application. Not bad, when you consider that clear, smooth, and glowing skin makes us feel priceless! 

You can take advantage of Live Ultimate's special pricing (25% off) now through December 15!  

[And no, I don't get anything out of sharing this info with you...except the satisfaction of putting you on to a product I hold in high esteem]  

Monthly Pedicure

Our feet are another body part we take for granted. They literally hold us up and carry us through the days of our lives.

If you’ve been on your feet all day - there’s nothing like a good foot rub!

When we think about treating our feet we think pedicures. But pedicures do more than keep your feet looking pretty, they actually promote healthy blood circulation in your feet.

A good pedicure generally lasts between 3 and 4 weeks and will cost anywhere between $18 and $25 on average.

Well, the way our monthly budget and savings goals are set up, I’m not always able to go to a nail salon to get a pedicure.

To be honest, I left my feet neglected for a long while. But in Year 27 I have promised to do better, my feet deserve it. So whether I can afford a salon or not, every month I’ll be making sure my feet get top notch treatment and a fresh coat of polish.

All you need are the basic tools - a nail clipper, emory board, a great exfoliating foot cream, pumice stone, nail buffer, and clear coat. 

Better Hair Care

I don’t play in my hair too much, mostly due to laziness. Learning to navigate my natural hair is a struggle!

Still, I have been very good at washing and deep conditioning my hair often.

Now that it’s getting colder, I have become less enthusiastic about washing it as much but I want to remain committed to taking better care of my hair rather than just kind of letting it do its own thing as I go about my life, lol.

In my case it means putting more effort into protective styles during these Fall and Winter months, keeping it moisturized, and actually wearing my silk cap to bed.

Working Out  

When it comes to Danny and I, he is the gym head of the two of us. He loves it. He can easily be in the gym 5 to 6 days a week. I’m sure his natural athletic build gives him some kind of advantage, lol.

I, on the other hand, have no problems avoiding the gym forever and I’ve completely come to terms with, and accepted, my curvy disposition.

HOWEVER, my line of work equates to a mostly sedentary lifestyle.

I have never truly been completely inactive and right now I simply do not have the self-discipline to work out on my own at home. So I am committed to going to the gym 3 days a week.

I’m Never pumped, I most always have to drag myself out of bed to get there. When I finally do get there, I don’t do much talking or smiling. I just do the work and get out.

BUT I always, without fail, feel accomplished, every time. I leave knowing I made it through a difficult but great work out.

It’s a start.

Beauty goes beyond one’s outward appearance – beyond a pretty face or flawless skin.

Beauty is a natural radiance that exudes from your soul. It’s an appreciation for the body you’ve been given - the body that works so hard to carry you through life.

And becoming a beauty-PRO(mise) keeper is about becoming more consistent in taking time out to appreciate the body you've been gifted with. 

We only have this one body. Let’s treat it well! Live Well. 

Love.&.Light

CF

Disclosure: Live Ultimate sent me their CoconutClay Facial Quenching Masque to review. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way as per my guidelines for this blog.