Time for some ABC's

Most of us know that vitamins can help keep our bodies healthy and strong, but do we realize just how much those vitamins can help our skin stay beautiful?
Below is a simple guide to aid you through the sometimes daunting maze of vitamin-enriched products, while making sure your skin receives its recommended daily allowance of beauty. Look for these vitamins in the ingredients list the next time you're in the market for quality skin care.

Vitamin A

Greatest skin benefits: Helps with fine lines and wrinkles.

As some have learned the hard way, attempting to hide fine lines and wrinkles behind layers of make up, is a losing battle. Better to improve the condition of your skin with products containing retinoids (a class of Vitamin A derivatives).

Vitamin B

Greatest skin benefits: A healthy glow, moisture retention.

Vitamins B-3 (niacin) and B-5 (pantothenic acid) have become popular additions to skin-care products because of their ability to assist in retaining moisture. 

Vitamin C

Greatest skin benefits: Repairs sun damage.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been one of skin-care's hot sellers for the past several years due to its proven effectiveness as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are a critical natural defense against "free radicals," unstable molecules that age the skin as a result of pollution, smoking and sun exposure.

Another benefit of Vitamin C is its ability to enhance the firmness of collagen; a critically important skin protein that strengthens structural support and resilience of the skin. In other words, it keeps your skin from sagging!

Vitamin E

Greatest skin benefits: Repair dry, rough skin

Vitamin-E (alpha tocopherol) is another powerful antioxidant that is used often in lotions and creams for it's moisturizing qualities. 

Vitamin K

Greatest skin benefits: Repairs dark, under-eye circles

Dark circles under your eyes can make you look old beyond your years! While getting a good night's sleep is always recommended, Vitamin K is a good additional defense against discoloration under the eyes.

Vitamin K is also used as a treatment for spider veins.

Food That Beautifies

Tips on what you can eat to help keep your youthful look :)

1. Wild Salmon - Wonderful source for omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce skin inflammation, prevent redness, wrinkles and loss of the skin's firmness. It's also potent in antioxidants and vitamins B and D.

2. Low-fat yogurt - CALCIUM! Strong bones, nails and teeth. One cup of plain yogurt has more calcium than a cup of skim milk!

3. Oysters - Don't crinkle your nose! Oysters are the best source of zinc! Zinc is necessary to support the structure of skin and speeds up renewal and repair.

4. Blueberries - Full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that prevent long-term cell damage.

5. Kiwi - Another good source of antioxidants, kiwis are also a great source of vitamin C and potassium, all which help prevent wrinkles.

6. Spinach - Great source of beta-carotene and lutein, which protects the eyes.

7. Tomatoes - Did you know tomatoes are one vegetable best eaten processed? A major source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant also thought to protect against sunburn.

8. Dark Chocolate - Here it is... proof that we MUST eat this creamy, deliciousness! Full of antioxidants and nutrients, cocoa (choose chocolate with at least 60% cocoa), increases blood flow to the skin, which in turn boosts hydration, smoothness and protection against sun exposure.

Now... go buy some veggies and fruit, but don't forget the dark CHOCOLATE!

Skin Care? Make up?

Make up and skin care is generally regarded as a woman's forte. Men seldom indulge in make up and skin care. Many men care about their skin, but make up is rather alien to them. Treating make up and skin care as different topics wouldn't make sense; after all, make up will work only if the skin is healthy. So, how do you exercise make up and skin care, together? Here are a few tips for make up and skin care:

* Always have skin care on the mind, whether you are buying products for make up or actually applying them onto your skin after you have bought them. Be sure what you're buying is a make up and skin care product, not just a make up product. Check the ingredients to see if it contains anything you know you're allergic to. Also check if it contains high concentration chemicals (alcohol for one), that can harm your skin.

* Make up and skin care is also about testing the products before using them (Mary Kay products are have a money back guarantee!). So, apply the make up on a small patch of skin, for example, ear lobes and check how your skin react to it.

* Keep track of expiration dates on your make up products and never use them beyond that date. In fact, some products, especially vitamin C based products, if not stored properly, spoil earlier than the expiration date given.

* Cleanliness is an important part of make up and skin care regimen. Sharpen your eyeliners regularly and keep all your make up brushes, applicators, etc., clean. Pick a date during the month and do an overall cleaning of all your make up equipment.

* Keeping your hair clean is also part of the cleanliness routine. Making sure the oils from your hair are kept at bay will help in keeping your facial skin free of acne.

* Nail care is another important aspect of make up and skin care. Use a good quality nail polish and always keep under your nails free of debris. Use cuticle oil to soften the edges of your nails.

* If you have deep set eyes, you should use a liquid eye liner instead of a pencil. This will prevent smudging at the deep edges of your eye-lid.

* If you have a skin disorder (acne), you should not apply heavy or chemical based make up. Consult a dermatologist to be sure which products are safe for your skin.

* Remember that make up and skin care should not conflict with one another. Instead, they should compliment in order to give you the best results all around.

www.marykay.com/kristie.boyd

Shine

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put i t on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." - Matthew 5:14-16

What does it mean "you are the light of the world?" Let me help shed some light (no pun intended) on this subject.

We all agree that a light is something meant to be seen. Like the verse in Matthew says, once a lamp is lit, we don't put it under a bowl to hide it, we put it on a lamp stand, so it'll give light to everyone near by. 

In a dark world, such as the one we currently reside in, what better place for us as believers in Christ, to shine? The darker it is, the more obvious the light. Can others see your light? 

When a lamp is lit, we put it in a strategic place, so it'll give the most light to the most area. God puts us where we are, at this present moment for a reason. We should be making the most of wherever He has put His light.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." 

Our good deeds should bring glory to God, not draw attention to ourselves. Jesus is the light living within us. It's His light, not our own. Do you know Him in such a way that His light shine through you? God provided for us a Savior, much like He provided provision for Israel. We are to illuminate God's provision of a Savior to the world around us. Can those we work with, play with, vacation with, see the light?

"You are the light of the world." v. 14

We were not created to shine alone. It takes the cumulative effect of many lights to make a difference. Are you hanging out with lights that shine for Him; making a difference in the lives around you? Shining for those who don't know Christ as their Savior? 

When we understand who we are as a people, lights of the world, it will multiply our impact at home, school, the workplace, our communities and our world. 

This little light of mine.... I'm going to let it shine....

Prevention

How to prevent acne:
Wash your face gently, twice daily with a mild cleanser and then rinse thoroughly.
Wash after exercising.
Do not pick! Doing so can cause permanent scarring.
Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen.

Prevent age spots:
Wear protective clothing and sunglasses while outdoors.
Avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Apply a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going outdoors.

Bad breath prevention:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes - don't forget to brush your tongue, too!
Drink water, chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate the flow of aliva        and keep your mouth moist.
See your dentist twice a year to keep your teeth checked and clean.

Prevent chapped lips:
Apply lip balm with sunscreen or lipstick in dry or cold weather.
Avoid "flavored" lip balms, which increase irritation by encouraging you to lick your lips.

Prevent crow's feet:
Shun tanning salons.
Moisturize (I recommend TimeWise Firming Eye Cream). Skin around the eyes, contain few oil glands and is likely to be dry.
Eat foods high in antioxidants; berries, tea, black currants, onions and parsley.

Prevent puffy eyes:
Use a concealer to camouflage darkness and puffiness.
Use cold compresses, ice packs, or cold cucumber slices.
Avoid salty foods.

Beauty Product Expiration Dates

Most every woman you know, has a drawer, or two, full of makeup she doesn't use or only "sometimes" uses. She might be hoarding it all until she learns the proper techniques in applying the various products. The problem with this is that beauty products all have expiration dates. Companies put these dates on products to decrease the risk of harboring germs.

Here are a couple of guidelines for you to keep in mind:

Concealer - Shelf life of 12 months

Brushes - Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent

Sponges - Wash weekly and discard monthly

Foundation - check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months. You may find you need two different shades of foundation eat year: One for summer when your skin is naturally darker and one for winter when you're lighter.

Mascara - This product expires the fastest: Throw out after 4 months. Extra tip: If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than its fresh date, don't pump the wand in and out--you're only exposing the product to drying air.

Cheek Blush - 1 year shelf life

Sunscreen - 2 year shelf life

Liquid Foundation - Replace every 3-6 months

Eye and Lip Pencils - Shelf life of 1 year