Winter skin blahs!

Hi Everyone!

I'm not sure where you all may be reading this post from BUT here in beautiful Canada (Toronto area lol) our winter has been pretty abnormal!

When you think Canadian winter you think... COLD!!! Well, I'm a pretty seasoned Canadian girl so this winter has been pretty easy on us lol.

Having said that... one thing that is always an issue for me this time of year is my skin. I am also finding that since my weight loss, my skin has changed even more than just the average winter dryness.
Being a makeup artist, I am very conscience of my skin and how it appears and feels.

Here is a breakdown of things that are super important to help keep your skin looking its best AND some of my favourite products too!

First and probably most important... DRINK WATER!!! LOTS of WATER!!! lol

For those who know me, this is an everyday struggle. 8-10 glasses of water per day is recommended, I do my very best to drink 3L of water each day. Soooo very worth the effort... without proper hydration you are rendering even the most advanced and expensive skin lotions and potions useless!

Second is diet and nutrition! lol (Honestly, did you really think you were going to get away from this one ; )
Without a balanced diet your skin doesn't all the nutrients, antioxidants etc. it needs to look its best.
Adding a multi vitamin and source of Omega 3,6,9 and EFA's (essential fatty acids) are also super beneficial!
I use BeautyComplex and BeautySlender myself ; )

Now... on to some of my favourite skin care products!!!

I make no secret that I am a total LUSH... wait.. that doesn't sound right :P 

Lets try this again... I love LUSH products!!!

This is what I am currently using to keep my skin clean, clear and moisturized...

LOL Ok! I know it looks weird BUT... this is LUSH "Angels on Bare Skin" cleanser. 

It is clay based with ground almonds for exfoliating and rose and lavender to help balance your skin.  

Next is...

LUSH "eau roma water" toner. While I never want to admit I'm getting older :P this toner is great for "more mature" and sensitive skin. It helps balance out Ph levels and remove excess product that is left behind from cleansing.

NOW... I am sooo very excited to share with you all my new favourite moisturizer!!! :D

I literally have been using this product for less that a week and the changes to my skin already have been incredible!!! 

I was pretty skeptical at first, I had only really used Argan oil on my hair. My fave girl Cara at Sephora

assured me that it feels so great on the skin and not greasy at all... she knows her stuff!

Bursting with vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids... this is like soul food for your skin!!!

Check out Josie Maran cosmetics for a complete list of detailed benefits of using Argan oil... not to mention her amazing philosophy of "Luxury with a Conscience".  

So there you have it folks... a complete breakdown of what is working for me! 

Lifestyle changes and weight loss isn't just about the change in your physical size... there are so many "little" differences and changes that occur (like my skin). 

As I run across them, I promise to share my experiences!

Til next time... 

Hydrated Hugs... Crystal : ) xo

How to Lose 100lbs… Pt. 2

Hi Everyone,

So the last time I wrote about "How to Lose 100lbs" I ended with posing the question…how bad do you want to make a change?
I hope you’ve really thought about it, because part 2 is where you’re going to put it to the test!

A few days ago, I asked Sam (Sandra) what the "hardest" part about training me was when I first started. Her answer surprised me…

I thought she was going to say something about all my "limitations" of being so overweight. I honestly thought she’d file me under lost causes after our first training session :P
Instead, Sam said that the hardest thing about training me (or I’m sure anyone, for that matter) is what I did the other 23 hours I wasn’t with her.
Hmmmm…. Made you think huh!? Lol

Lets be honest here, I remember one of my big excuses being that I had no idea what to eat!… Really?! I’m pretty sure I know what not to eat! (quote from Jimmy Mentis himself lol).
I can do exactly what I’m told for one hour of training but if I follow it up with a cheeseburger… what good is that? Add insult to injury, it’s the trainer that gets s#!t on when the client doesn’t see results.
Wow… that was harsh! But totally true ;)


If I sound like I’m on the proverbial soap box, I don’t mean to honestly! Lol Truth is I was that person for a VERY long time! Starting a new "diet" or exercise routine or whatever. I never achieved my goals because I wasn’t really ready. Ready to do EXACTLY what needed to be done to get the results I wanted.

Sam told me (and this is my big GOLD STAR!) that I was the "ideal" client because I listened to her… always!
I’m not looking for a pat on the back here lol
This time was different because I had made the choice that enough was enough and I was READY.

If it meant getting up an hour earlier to train… OK
If it meant skipping lunch with friends… OK
If it meant cooking separate meals from my family… OK
If it meant making a sacrifice now for a result later… OK

In the words of Coach Compton (Sam)… "the food will always be there" lol.
Cheesecake is not going to go extinct right before I reach my weight loss goal! Hehehe

So here’s the next step for you…. If you’ve decided that you’re really ready.
Commit to what you’re choosing to do!

If it’s the gym, boot camp, a trainer, weight watchers… whatever! DO IT!!!
If you’ve hired someone… listen to them… see what happens when you honestly give it your 100%!!! No more, no less!

Something that I heard (no clue where, forgive me if I’ve used it before lol) that really stuck with me is that… time is going to pass regardless of what you do… so why not use that time to your advantage and each day get one step closer to where you want to be.

While we’re on the subject of "goals"… I told Sam when we first met that in my wildest dreams I would want to look like the girls in a Pitbull video!!! Lol Totally still true! Matter of fact… that’s my next focus. Shaping and toning!
I’ll keep you posted on my "bootylicious" progress!!!

Til next time…

Badonkadonk hugs... Crystal :) xo