A Healthy Lifestyle In The Beauty Industry

I want to expand on my last blog about taking care of myself and being in the beauty industry. This time I want to focus on how I stay healthy and why it’s important to stay in shape.

A healthy lifestyle is important to me first, because it makes me feel good. Eating the right foods and working out on a regular basis gives me the energy I need to keep up with my daily life. I believe it is very important for me to teach my kids to be aware of how eating healthy and exercising has many great benefits. In the last 34 years obesity has become more prevalent in our society. Statistics show that 30% of adults are considered obese and there is a constant battle with childhood obesity. I feel it is my duty as a mother to make my children aware of these statistics so they continue to have a healthy mindset.

Now I’ve always been a healthy eater, so it’s not much of a chore for me to stay on the right path of eating. I love fruits and veggies. Cooking is how I relax during the week. I love being able to prepare fresh, healthy meals for my family. Dinner time is very important to me, being able to sit down with my children and husband discussing their days is great family time. I bring the leftovers to work with me the next day. A few favorites of mine are roasted beets, sautéed kale with onions and garlic, chicken and romaine lettuce on the grill. Delicious! That being said, I still love my dark chocolate and red wine. But of course all in moderation. Ladies, I'm sure many of you fight the same fight I do with your husbands. When I want to cook a nice healthy meal, my husband wants to bring home an extra large cheesy pizza, have McDonald's for lunch or eat ice cream for dessert every night. I know it's a hard battle, but don't give up! 

I am also very conscious about the foods I buy. I strongly believe that all the chemicals used to make our foods grow have an effect on our bodies. I am on Food Inc.'s website on a regular basis researching and reading up on the latest food studies. I check which foods are good to buy organic (to avoid GMOs) and which foods I can get away with buying non-organic. I visit my local farmer's market to buy my organic fruits and vegetables. Publix has their GreenWise (all natural and organic)section. They have a wide variety of meats, cheeses, cereals and so much more. Next time you go to your local grocery store, check to see if they have a similar section.

I have to say that as far as exercising, I love having my personal trainer. Matt Arena of Arena Fitness (based out of Lake Mary, FL.) keeps me accountable for my exercise, my eating habits, he knows my goals and keeps me on track. When I exercise with Matt, he makes sure I have proper form and pushes me harder than I would push myself. I love it! My favorite thing is boxing. (Try this ladies, it's a great stress reliever!) When I don't exercise with Matt, I will ride bikes with my children and go on long walks with my husband (good for both our mental and physical health). Even when I travel, I make my way to the hotel gym in the morning.

Like I mentioned in my last blog, this is what works for me and how I choose to raise my family. I know not everyone can dedicate all the time I do, but I wanted to share the healthy choices I make in my life. I know everyone's life is different, what matters is that you put in the effort (even if it's small). You don't have to join a gym or see a personal trainer, but go for a walk with your kids after dinner or substitute your morning frappe for a green tea. Making those little changes in your life make all the difference in the world.

 

 

 

** Make sure you speak and consult your family physician before starting an exercise routine.

A Look Into My Personal Skin Care

Being a distinguished figure in the beauty industry, I take great pride in taking care of my skin. Some would say I'm a bit of a fanatic, but I do feel as though it is very important for everyone to take care of their skin. I started in my late 20's, but wish I had begun taking care of my skin earlier.

Each morning I wake up and begin my beauty regimen with my Secret Face Pads (I get mine from Sally's Beauty Supply) and my Image Ageless Total Facial Cleanser. I never cleanse my face in a full stream of water, because I have to protect my beautiful eyelash extensions done by the fabulous Ellen Choo. After cleansing my face I put Environ's Vitamin E on my lips and more Vitamin E on my face, not forgetting about my décolletage (the neck and chest area). I must say that it is equally as important to apply products to the décolletage area as it is the rest of the face. The two main areas you can tell a woman's age is the top of her hands and her décolletage. To protect my hands I use a special moisturizer I got from the vineyard I visited in Tuscany, Italy.



After I use the Vitamin E, I move onto my eyes. I start with a Cellex-C drop and apply it just above my eyebrows. After that, I dab on my eye cream with my ring finger (because it is the lightest of all your fingers on the most delicate skin on your face) around the bottom of my eyes. Moving on from my eyes, I start to concentrate on my full face and décolletage area again. I use BetaPlex by Cellex-C all over. I love the tingly feeling on my skin. Continuing with Cellex-C, I use their tightening cream starting at my face and work down my neck. And before I finish with my SPF 32 Eminence moisturizer, I use PCA's Perfecting Neck and Décolletage cream.



After a long day of work, I can't wait to get home and pamper myself all over again. Even though my husband constantly asks, Babe, what is all that sh*t you are putting on my face? I smile, ignore him and begin my nightly routine.

I begin my night regimen the same way I start my morning, protecting my lashes and cleansing with Image Ageless Total Facial Cleanser. After that, once a week I make it a must to exfoliate and apply a mask by Cellex-C. Now, no woman likes the sight of fine lines, baggy skin that looks dull and tired. So to prevent and fight against all of this I apply two types of Retinol (a high dose derivative of Vitamin A). A mild one for my décolletage and a slightly stronger one for my face (Retinol can be found in different doses of strength). Following my Retinol treatment I move on to my PCA Collagen Hydrating Night Cream to add plumpness to my skin and fight the signs of aging.

Many of you may think "DEAR LORD! That's a lot of steps, products or even attention to one's face!" But this is what works for me and makes me feel great. And it doesn't hurt that my skin looks 10 years younger. ;) I don't expect or think all these steps are necessary for everyone. Every skin type and life style is different. Create the perfect skin care regimen that works for you!

**I want to note a few important things. One being that I see my esthetician, Marisa Spagnoli (who only sells me my PCA products), every 4 weeks for a facial and every 8 weeks for a chemical peel. Marisa is the owner of Majestic Skin and Massage. I would also like it noted that I get all of my products prescribed by a professional. Concerning my Image, Cellex-C, Environ and Eminence products, these were all prescribed by a prior esthetician.