Summer is on its way out, but if you’re anything like us, you’re trying to squeeze in as much last-minute beach time as possible. Although we never tire of classic, tousled beach waves, we’ve been lusting after some other looks that will help keep your hair up and safe from the ocean spray. Keep reading to see our 4 favorite styles to rock at the beach this summer.


1. Messy Fishtail

Divide hair into two sections. Grab a strand of hair from one section and cross it over to the other section. Then grab a strand from the second section and cross it over to the first. Continue to do this until you’ve finished the fishtail.

I love the summery sun kissed bronze look, but I love it more if I can avoid overexposure from the Sun. This video will show you how to do just that! If you want to remove your tan, slather baby oil all over your body for 30 minutes, and soak yourself in the tub and use baking soda to scrub everything off.

Video tutorial by Michelle Phan
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I get a lot of clients getting asking me to teach them just the quick makeup basics. I am a huge believer in these 6 makeup steps in presenting oneself to the world a little more polished but still natural. I know that if most women can find a way to give themselves 10 minutes to carry out these steps they will feel more fresh, awake, lovely, and ready to tackle whatever is in store for them that day.

STEP 1 - MAC Prep and Prime Highlighter 

This product is applied under your eyes all the way from the inner corner out to just beyond your eye. Blend it in using your finger to stipple (tapping gently up and down), do not rub. I pretty much exclusively use this product as I find it amazing how efficiently it removes the grey discoloration from under my eyes without being heavy or cakey. It also adds a little radiance which helps you look bright eyed and awake. MAC sells this product in 4 colours for all skin tonnes. 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/10953/15746/Products/Skincare/Primers/Prep-Prime-Highlighter/index.tmpl

STEP 2 - Paint Pot

This is a creamy colour base that you can blend on to your eyelid to provide coverage and colour. I love this product as it covers any discoloration you may have on your eyelids. It applies in a flash and works well on all skin types. Using your finger take a small amount of the product and blend it from the inner corner of your eye to the outer edge and all over the eye lid up to the crease. My favourites are Painterly and Nubile from MAC. 

STEP 3 - Tinted Moisturiser or BB Cream.

To even out your skin and look better why not take a step that actually benefits your skin? For these products I do like the MAC Tinted Moisturizer and the Garnier BB Cream. If applied correctly, and sparingly, both will make you feel like you are wearing nothing at all but still do the job of balancing out your un-even, winter affected faces. Make sure when purchasing you pick a colour that best matches your face and neck. Blend gently all over using a buffing brush or your fingers. Don't forget to blend down your jaw and neck.  

http://www.garnier.ca/en-ca/face-care/beauty/garnier/skin-renew-bb-cream-/bb-cream-miracle-skin-perfector

STEP 4 - MASCARA 
Why leave home without it? Take the 2-5 minutes it will take, it's so worth it!
To say there are many kinds of mascara out there is an understatement, and it really is a personal choice of what kind of brush type you may prefer and how natural you want it to look, but L'Oreal Voluminous 24HR Mascara is my personal favorite. Long wearing, easy to remove, great volume. 

STEP 5 - BRONZER 
This is an important step especially in the winter. Using bronzer can help your face look warmer, make you look like you just got back from a day at the beach, and can even make your face look slimmer and more defined. Apply your bronzer in circular motions starting from just under your cheekbone and blending upward on to your cheek, and toward toward your temple. You can also dust it along the edge of your hairline and  forehead blending in to your temples. I tell my clients to dust the bronzer all over your face where the sun usually hits it. This makes it look sunkissed and natural. 

I prefer a matte Bronzer for a more natural look and currently my favorite is Makeup Forever Matte Bronzer in 20 Honey. Gorgeous! 

STEP 6 - BLUSH  
A gentle dusting of blush with a blush brush on to the apple of the cheeks is a miracle worker for uplifting any face and creating a more fresh, healthy glow. I lean heavily on pinks, and peaches for most skin tonnes, or a mix of the two. The key is to stay away from very bright colours  in order to achieve a natural "glow". An application tip: give yourself a cheesy smile and apply it to the apple of your cheeks while blending upward towards your temples. Start small and build it, it is easy to add more than to take it away. 

Personal favorites: MAC Peaches, NARS Orgasm

If anyone has any questions about anything above please do not hesitate to contact me at ecdmakeup@gmail.com, or go to my website at www.ecdmakeup.com . All of the products listed above are available in colours to suit every woman's skin tone. Get glowing!

Author: Meaghan Bell Gregory

We all know that our liver is important for detoxing the body.  We know this precious organ processes everything we ingest, and converts it into safe substances to be cleared from the body.  We know that white blood cells protect us from invading pathogens and microbes.  But did you know that your Lymphatic system plays a role in both your bodies detox system and your bodies immune system?  So it stands to reason that the better functioning and cleaner your lymphatic system is the better for your health.

The lymph system is a series of Capillaries that turn into vessels, that run all around your body, similar to veins and arteries.  These Vessels carry lymph towards the right and left Thoracic ducts. There are also areas called lymphoid tissue, which are primarily involved in your immune system and its functioning.  These are areas of tissue that house a large number of white blood cells. (White blood cells are a large component of our immune system.  There are several different types of white blood cells, all of which are designed to protect us from invading pathogens)  The lymphoid tissue is also important for defending the body against the spread of tumors.  When our blood passes out of our capillaries and into our cells, a small amount of fluid is left behind.  This fluid is then transferred into the lymphatic capillaries, and through the lymphatic vessels, to be passed through the lymphoid tissues and cleaned.  The sites of our major lymphoid tissues, or lymph nodes are: In the neck, under the arms, and in the upper thigh/pelvis area.

The skin is another major source of detoxification. Your skin can release up to a pound of waste a day through its semi-permeable membrane.  It is not uncommon for the skin to be called the “third kidney” because it plays such a vital role in removing toxins from the body.  The skin is often the place where we see imbalances that exist in the body coming to the surface.  Keeping your skin clean, clear and functioning is also vitally important to your health.

Keeping our lymphatic system running smoothly is vitally important to health.  There are many things that you can do to keep it running well, like exercise, a clean diet, and drinking lots of water.  Another really awesome way to stimulate the lymphatic system and help encourage detoxification through the skin is dry skin brushing.

5 Steps to Skin Brushing

1. Dry skin brushes have soft bristles, similar to a soft toothbrush.  Make sure that your skin is dry.  Doing your skin brushing first thing in the morning is an awesome idea, before you work out or shower.

2. Always brush in an upward motion, starting at your feet, and working your way all the way up to your chest, where your heart is.  This is because the main drainage points for your lymphatic system are right near your collar bones.  So this is where you want to direct the flow.

3. Brush in smooth, long strokes, or in circular motions.  If you have areas of concentrated cellulite, you can stay and focus on this area.  Skin brushing can help to bring fresh circulation to areas of store toxins (cellulite) and help to break them up.

4. Use very gentle strokes on delicate skin like the skin on your breasts and upper chest.

5. Remember to brush all surfaces of your skin on your body, including the bottoms of your feet, your whole back and your armpits, all towards your heart.  If you choose to brush your face, do so very gently, or get a skin brush designed for that area.  For best results, skin brush every day.

Health Benefits of Skin Brushing

• Skin brushing works in many different ways, and is mostly working with the lymphatic system, and your skin, as was mentioned above.

• Lymphatic drainage – Brushing your skin upwards towards your heart encourages the flow of lymph fluid.  The better and more efficiently you are moving your lymph fluid, the better it is for fighting off pathogens, and keeping your blood and cells clean.

• Boost immunity – Because you are encouraging your body to move lymph fluid (which has collected waste materials from your blood) through the lymph nodes (which are sites of concentrated white blood cells) more efficiently, you will be facilitating a more efficient removal of wastes and toxins, as well as a greater exposure of pathogens in the body to those concentrated white blood cell storage areas.  The faster lymph fluid is passed through the lymph system and back into the blood to be filtered, to better your immune system will work.

• Cleanses the skin – By skin brushing, you are removing dead skin cells.  This clears the way for your body to more efficiently remove wastes and toxins through sweating, through the skin.  Lots of dry skin is a sign of detox, and the more of it you remove, the faster the body can remove toxins from your body through it.

• Clears Cellulite! – I Know many of you will be very pleased to hear this.  First, I do have to let you know that skin brushing will clear cellulite, but you have to be pretty diligent with your brushing for a few months to notice a change.  Cellulite is a collection of stored toxins that got stuck, and cause the skin to pucker.  By skin brushing you will help to move these trapped toxins in your cells, and thus removing cellulite.

You can pick up a skin brush at most health food stores or beauty supply stores.

Source: Young & Raw