BEAUTY & STYLE

HOW TO PREVENT AND REMOVE STRETCH MARKS..! (Post back by popular demand! :-)

May 30, 2013 By TheLifestylista

WHAT ARE STRETCH MARKS? This is the tearing of the skins second layer (the dermis). Often occurs during periods of significant weight gain or growth.

HOW TO PREVENT THEM?
Some studies suggest Vitamin E oil… Stay hydrated, eat foods that promote skin elasticity (Vitamins A, E, Omega 3s) and exercise to promote circulation.

HOW TO REMOVE THEM? You can reduce them but you can’t remove them… and sadly, the creams dont work! Not even cocoa butter 🙁 The sooner you treat stretch marks the better. Use a laser while they’re still fresh and red. The heat from the laser stimulates collagen production.

THE BOTTOM LINE… Accept yourself girl! Most of us have stretch marks and we’re still beautifiul!

You guys requested this post again so I’ve reposted!
love
The Lifestylista
xox
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4 ESSENTIAL SLIMMING STYLE TIPS FOR CURVY LADIES…

May 29, 2013 By TheLifestylista

1) ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

Use patterns and colors and accessories to draw the eye towards the parts of yourself you love the most!
So if you want to draw the eye away from your tummy and thighs wear DARK COLORS but if you want to accentuate your bust or your waist wear LIGHT COLORS e.g. a light top or a light belt to highlight those areas.

And big accessories can make you look smaller e.g. big bag, big necklace, big earrings, big bangles… I’m not saying wear them all at once!!! Just choose one element to highlight (e.g. the big necklace) and go for that!

2) BUY (OR MAKE) YOUR OWN SLIMMING UNDERWEAR
See my article on how to make your own Spanx… www.TheLifestylista.com (Health & Weight Loss section)

3) STRIPES GIRL! AND LINES THAT TAKE YOUR EYES UP / DOWN
Horizontal stripes draw the eye width-ways rather than length-ways and so they make us look bigger than we actually are.
Verticals do the opposite… Optical illusion: longer & leaner. Add a bit of cleavage too if you’d like. A V-neck lengthens you and a Polo neck squashes you 🙂

4) YOU DON’T NEED TO HIDE YOURSELF IN HUGE CURTAINS OF FABRIC…
YOU’RE A GODDESS!
I’m not saying go for tight-tight lycra pum pum shorts, I’m just saying that you are beautiful and you don’t need to hide!
Don’t wear ‘sack’ one size fits all dresses or big baggy T-shirts. Make sure there’s a bit of shape to it, a bit of ‘fitted-ness’, especially if you have a bigger tummy.
You’re fine to wear a Tunic top, Empire waisted top etc. something nice and flowy at the top as long as you’re wearing something tighter at the bottom to balance it e.g. a cute, dark pair of boot cut jeans.
See my article on how to choose flattering jeans… www.TheLifestylista.com (Beauty & Style section).
and
Go for well cut clothes in fabrics that aren’t too flimsy. So YES to garbadine and linen and NO to thin polyester!

I’m here rooting for you girl. You are beautiful right now so be your most fabulous! Bring it 🙂
love
The Lifesytlista
xox

WANT TO MAKE YOUR LIPSTICK LAST LONGER? Here's a celeb secret…

May 28, 2013 By TheLifestylista

WANT TO MAKE YOUR LIPSTICK LAST LONGER?
Are you sick and tired of your lipstick disappearing almost as soon as you put it on? A few little drinks from a glass, a bit of chatting and BAM… NO MORE LIPSTICK!!! 🙁 What a bore and it’s expensive too.

Here’s how to make your lipstick last longer:
1a) If your lips are dry and chapped… EXFOLIATE YOUR LIPS
You don’t want flaking skin or cracked lips ruining your look… So, put a load of lip salve on your lips and take an old, soft bristled toothbrush and gently rub in a circle. You are getting rid of the dead skin cells (and you’ve got to be careful not to rub too hard and hurt your lips)! Take some tissue and wipe off your lips to get rid of the lip salve AND the dead skin.
OR
1b) If your lips are fine, then put some liquid foundation on them (this’ll be a great base for the lipstick to attach to).

2) Take a LIPLINER the same color as your lipstick. FILL IN YOUR WHOLE LIP – top and bottom.
Try to use a moisturizing liner rather than one of those drying kohl lip liners.

3) Put on your first layer of lipstick.
If you can, use a lip brush to apply your lippy… WHY? Because it helps you get the lipstick into all the nooks and crannies of your lips and the lip brush applies a thinner layer which lasts longer.
You could also use a longlasting lipstick BUT some people find these way too drying (I do! Longlasting lipstick makes my lips feel like the Sahara desert and that 8 hour lip coating thing is even worse! Sooooo drying! :-).
Whatever you do, don’t use glossy lipstick because that sooooooo won’t stay on…

4) KISS YOUR HAND or BLOT YOUR LIPS WITH TISSUE

5) BLOT TRANSLUCENT MAKEUP POWDER (or a little baby powder) on your lips.
This locks in the color.

6) Apply another layer of lipstick.

7) BLOT (using your hand or a tissue) and TAKE YOUR FINGER AND CLOSE YOUR MOUTH OVER IT (like it’s a popsickle). Take your finger out and you’ll got rid of the lipstick that had planned to end up on your teeth!!! Nice save 🙂

So now your lips look great but for how long???
That’s up to you.
Do:
– Drink through a straw
– Eat food using small bites so you don’t touch your lips
– Avoid too much lip licking or kissing people

BUT:
If you’re like me, you’ll start off intending to look like Kerry Washington with perfect, long-lasting lipstick but then as soon as you arrive at the party, you’ll laugh, lick your lips, eat some food, give people pecks on the cheek and the lipstick will be gone in no time! I’m pretty darned low maintenance. LOL.
love
The Lifestylista
xox
ps THREE CHEERS for us – our community is now 15,000+ strong 🙂 www.facebook.com/Lifestylista

GOT ACNE? Want to REDUCE BLACKHEADS on your nose? Try this Homemade DIY aspirin mask…

May 23, 2013 By TheLifestylista

GOT ACNE? Want to REDUCE BLACKHEADS on your nose? Try this Homemade DIY aspirin mask…

Ingredients:
– 5 – 8 regular aspirins (preferably without the ‘safety’ or ‘enteric’ coating)
– Bottled water (not tap)
– 1 tablespoon of honey
If you’re allergic to aspirin – don’t use this mask!!!

Putting it together:
First, wash your face so it’s clean (don’t add moisturizer yet).
Then…
1) Get a bowl.
2) Put 5 aspirins in.
3) Add a TINY amount of room temperature bottled water, just a few drops.
4) Use a spoon to mash the aspirin, dissolve it in the water. You want the mixture to get to a paste consistency. If it’s too thick, add a bit of water. If it’s too watery, add another aspirin.
Don’t use more than 8 regular aspirins (aspirin is a drug – it may get absorbed into your bloodstream so don’t use more in your mask than you are allowed to take in a 24 hour period!!! You don’t want to overdose… If you feel any side effects at all when you use this mask stop using it immediately).
5) Add your lovely tablespoon of honey!
6) Mix it all in and apply directly to your CLEAN face.
7) Wash the mask off after it dries (10 – 15 mins) – keep your eyes and mouth shut while you do this – you don’t want aspirin getting in there!
8) Dry your face, tone your skin (alcohol free toner!) and apply your moisturizer.
9) Marvel at your gorgeous, soft, soothed skin!!! Aaaah 🙂
***BLISS***

HOW THIS MASK WORKS:

TO REDUCE REDNESS & INFLAMMATION: The aspirin is an anti-inflammatory!

TO DRY OUT THE PIMPLES: Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid. This is very similar to salicylic acid, the active ingredient in lots of expensive anti-acne products.

ANTIBACTERIAL: The honey is a natural antibacterial so it’ll reduce breakouts if your acne is caused by bacteria (rather than hormones). Honey is also a humectant – it helps the skin retain moisture.

CAREFUL:
Depending on how sensitive your skin is… you can use this mask once a week (maybe twice).
Don’t scrub too hard with your aspirin mix because it can act as an exfoliating scrub and you don’t want to scrub your delicate pimples!
Your aspirin face mask can make your skin more sun-sensitive so after you use it, you might want to wear sunscreen.
This mask can cause skin irritation, dryness and flaking BUT the honey helps counteract this.
And, once again, if you’re allergic to aspirin – don’t use this mask!!!

I am here for you! I want you to feel your best and to look your best and on a budget!
Keep your questions coming – private message me on Facebook www.facebook.com/Lifestylista
love
The Lifestylista
xox

Here's HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SPANX Slimming Shape wear :-)

May 22, 2013 By TheLifestylista

Want SPANX-like Slimming Shape Wear but don’t want to pay the big $$$? Here’s HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SPANX – a homemade solution…

1) Buy a pair of (strong) control top nylons. They don’t need to be the expensive kind and they can be old and raggedy LOL!
2) Use a pair of scissors to cut the legs off. If the legs start to run, use some hairspray or clear nail polish to ‘seal’ it.
3) There you have it! You’ve made yourself some Spanx in the comfort of your own home and without spending a fortune. Now you won’t have any panty lines and your tummy will be flat(ter).

Just remember YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL… RIGHT NOW! With or without this slimming underwear!

Spanx are great because they make you look trimmer BUT be aware that if you go for shapewear that’s too tight, you may cause acid reflux or an upset stomach. The point is for us to LOVE OURSELVES MORE NOT LESS. These homemade Spanx are not an excuse for you judge yourself, they are a reason for you to celebrate and to pat yourself on the back for being clever & resourceful enough to make your own shapewear!

Many of you have written me through the Facebook messaging system on www.facebook.com/Lifestylista and you asked me to get you amazing Lifestylista shapewear that’s geared specifically towards women of color (sometimes bigger thighs, behinds etc)… I’m working on it.

In the meantime, make your own!
love,
The Lifestylista
xox

GOT PUFFY EYES & You're not happy about it??! Let a TEABAG solve it…

May 21, 2013 By TheLifestylista

Here’s how… 🙂

1) Put 2 Green Tea tea bags in hot water for 3 minutes

2) Take the tea bags out and let them cool (to speed this up, put the tea bags in the fridge)

3) Put some relaxing music on and lie down.

4) Close your eyes and put the cool tea bags on your eyes.

5) Rest for 15 minutes. Breathe deeply, take your mind off your worries and smile girl. You’re doing something good for yourself!

***BLISS***

SWELLING: Your eye puffiness will be reduced because the caffeine in the tea constricts the blood vessels on the surface of your skin and so the swelling goes down.

SKIN TIGHTENING: Thanks to the the polyphenols in green tea (‘vegetable tannins’ which act as an astringent), the skin shrinks and tightens … It’s like a mini face-lift, rejuvenator…

I’m here dancing to that 90s tune… ‘This is how we do it!’

Try this Lifestylista tip to look better, feel better and you won’t be spending a whole load of $$$ either 🙂

I’m here rooting for you!

love

The Lifestylista

xox

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