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

HECK I'm sore today!!! Lol

That's right! Weight training and cardio yesterday has me stiff, sore and all ready for boot camp tonight! Lol

In the spirit of taking care of my sore muscles... I'm re posting this from my Crystalized Blog

Weak a$$ Hugs (cause I can't lift my arms to high)... Crystal :)

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The WICCY MAGIC MUSCLES MASSAGE BAR..... say THAT 3x's fast! LOL

I absolutely had to share this with you all, as it is fantastic after a crazy workout (BeautyFit Boot Camp hint, hint) or even a stressful day!

Made with fair trade cocoa butter and essential oils, it is silky smooth, moisturizing and has the most amazing cinnamon/peppermint smell! Just rub it on all of those overworked areas and RELAX.... Mmmmmmmm!!!

I came upon this amazing product when visiting one of my daughters (and now one of MY) favourite bath/body stores... LUSH!

For those not familiar with this amazing shop, it completely had me sold with its "mission statement"... (taken from the LUSH website)

We believe in making effective products from fresh, organic* fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.

We invent our own products and fragrances. We make them fresh by hand using little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients, and tell you when they were made.

We believe in buying ingredients only from companies that do not commission tests on animals and in testing our products on humans.

We believe in happy people making happy soap, putting our faces on our products and making our mums proud.

We believe in long candlelit baths, sharing showers, massage, filling the world with perfume and in the right to make mistakes, lose everything and start again.

We believe our products are good value, that we should make a profit and that the customer is always right.

* We also believe words like fresh and organic have honest meaning beyond marketing.

Incase you can't read the description from the photo, this is a bit of the write up from LUSH...

The spicy, tingly muscle-soothing bar with aduki beans for a deeper rub.

The Wiccy Magic Muscles Bar is the one for sorting out aching muscles. The first time you use one of these, it feels very strange, as if a very small radiator has been turned on inside the part of your body you just massaged. Mark and Ro created this one together to soothe aches and pains.

Perfect for exercise.

Once you get used to it, you'll start to run just for the pleasure of your Wiccy massage when you get home. Aduki beans work your muscles and aches as the bar is massaged into the skin and they help to break out tension.

The closest LUSH shop to me is at Stone Road Mall in Guelph but check out the LUSH

website for more locations and more beautiful products!

Happy shopping and Hugs... Crystal xo