Good Skin from Inside Out – Tips From Simple Skincare’s Experts

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Did you know that Simple Skincare has its own group of experts to share all sorts of tips and tricks to keep our skin looking great? I didn’t until I was appointed an ambassador at the beginning of this year. In the interest of a new season, I thought today would be a great time to share some tips (ones that I hadn’t heard) to get us ready for the warmer months. And, I truly believe skin can look good from the inside out, so I am including tips from Simple Nutritionist, Ellie Krieger, especially since I am on a food lifestyle journey myself!

Limit Caffeine and Hydrate Deliciously!
You don’t need to give up your morning cup of Joe! A little caffeine is okay, but drinking too much caffeine can have some serious downsides, such as anxiety, restlessness and problems sleeping.  If you need an energy boost, quenching your thirst with a more hydrating beverage, like water, may be just what you and your skin need, since one of the first signs of dehydration is fatigue, and getting enough water is important for nourishing healthy skin. For something with even more flavor and skin-loving benefits, try this watermelon water. Just put chunks of watermelon in your water pitcher, with some fresh mint leaves if you’d like, and let it sit for an hour or more to infuse the water with flavor. You can try this with cantaloupe or honeydew as well.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Smartly
Foods that quickly raise your blood sugar (called high glycemic foods), such as refined sugars and baked goods, may also contribute to increased skin oil production.  For a sweet treat that is better for you and your skin, try fresh apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon instead of your usual dessert.  It could help you help decrease shine and boost your confidence.

Tomatoes to Combat Fine Lines
Fine lines are a natural part of aging, but you may be able to help combat them with the right diet. Tomatoes contain an antioxidant that may reduce the appearance of fine lines. Try an easy spinach salad with chopped tomatoes. Top your salad with almonds or sunflower seeds; their vitamin E may also help protect against wrinkles. Add a splash of extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a dash of salt for a tasty and effective skin-loving salad.
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Berries For Brighter Skin
Healthy skin is lustrous and beautiful, and incorporating anti-oxidant rich foods into your diet may help keep it that way. For a powerful antioxidant boost, start your day with a berry bowl containing strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. They all may help to combat dullness, helping you to maintain supple and radiant skin.

Under Eye Skin Health with Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Your eyes are the windows to your soul – and the skin surrounding them is some of the most sensitive skin on your face. So help keep your under eye skin healthy-looking with a healthy diet, including more antioxidant-rich foods, like red bell peppers and black beans. Put them together for a fantastic antioxidant-rich salsa. Just combine diced bell peppers with corn and black beans. Add a chopped jalapeño if you want a little heat. Toss together with some olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, a little fresh-ground pepper and a pinch of salt. Enjoy as a snack with baked tortilla chips or on top of grilled chicken or fish. Your taste-buds and your under eye skin will thank you.

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This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

amika’s new Touchable Hairspray!

amika's new Touchable Hairspray! // Belle Belle Beauty

In the past, it wasn’t hard for me to rattle off my favorite hairspray – it was this one. Touchable, drugstore and lightweight, albeit not great smelling. Well, that changed when I got to be one of the first bloggers to preview amika’s new Touchable Hairspray!

What I’ve learned about my fine hair is that it requires texture and frizz-control. But the way I wear it, I don’t need a ton of hold. So I am looking for something that is touchable but with enough power to encourage a curl or wave. Or perhaps smooth a sleek pony. This hairspray does it all.

First, it smells subtly fabulous. The dry mist doesn’t weigh down hair. But it keeps that nasty humidity out. Amika’s signature Obliphica Oil hydrates hair while taming it at the same time. The nozzle sprays evenly so you don’t get concentrated crusty spots. And the packaging is so darn cheerful.

Available for purchase now at shop.loveamika.com.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Brand Spotlight: POE Purity of Elements Skin Care and GIVEAWAY

 Brand Spotlight: POE Purity of Elements Skin Care and GIVEAWAY // Belle Belle Beauty

So far, my experience with POE has been exactly what this mother/daughter team set out to do: deliver super-charged ingredients for real results with products packed with pure minerals, botanicals and anti-oxidants. While the brand is still flying under the radar, I think it is worth paying attention to the products former Ryka CEO Sheri Poe and her daughter, artist Danielle Birrittella, POE are bringing to the table.

I’ve been using the Daily Purifying Polish and Copper Mineral Moisturizer. I’ve found them both to be soothing, yet active – straightforward, yet elegant. The founders philosophy of balance with transformation shines through.

Brand Spotlight: POE Purity of Elements Skin Care and GIVEAWAY // Belle Belle Beauty

At first I thought this polish was for use just a couple times of week like my other exfoliators. But actually it is a non-foaming gentle face cleanser with a fresh, fruity scent. The formula is packed with an antioxidant tea and berry blend and exfoliating micro-beads that help to gently remove dead skin cells, greatly helping with my flaky, dry skin. Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil delivers vitamin E, fatty acids and phospholipids, helping retain that all-too-good hydration. Mandarin Orange Peel Extract works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant while Allantoin soothes skin.

Brand Spotlight: POE Purity of Elements Skin Care and GIVEAWAY // Belle Belle Beauty

One of my most favorite skin care items I’ve tried lately, this Copper Mineral Moisturizer reminds me of a lotion version of this. The formula is super packed with minerals to fight aging and rejuvinate skin. Copper, Zinc and Magnesium work to boost natural tissue-building processes. This, in turn, builds collagen and elastin. Copper peptides also promote healing by reducing the formation of scar tissue. Vitamin E moisturizes and works as an anti-oxidant. And Vitimin C helps fade discoloration. Like the polish, this moisturizer contains an antioxidant tea and berry blend.

Now for the fun part! POE and I have partnered to give away one POE Preventative Kit (pictured top) valued at $84. It contains:

  • My beloved Copper Mineral Moisturizer
  • The Daily Purifying Polish
  • Super Charged Copper Serum: mineral complex of copper, zinc and magnesium combined with hyaluronic acid
  • Pumpkin Perfecter Enzyme Mask: detoxifying gel mask with pure pumpkin
  • Eye Re-Treat with POE Peptides: eye cream containing elastin and POE Peptides help smooth, tone, and hydrate

Open to the US only. Enter using the widget below (if you are reading in an email or reader, be sure to click through to enter!):
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The POE – Purity of Elements product collection is available at purityofelements.com.

 

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

vbeaute Lip Spread Anti-Age Tinting Lip Gloss

vbeaute Lip Spread Anti-Age Tinting Lip Gloss // Belle Belle Beauty

A clear, easy to use, self-adjusting lip gloss that makes my lips look better? Sold. vbeauté got it all right when they developed Lip Spread – the texture, formula and weight are all just about perfect.

The silky formula has anti-aging ingredients like BioCellular Peptides. Cherry and Pomagranate Fruit Extracts keep lips feeling soothed and hydrated. Self-adjusting botanicals powered by Alpine Rose Botanical Technology react with your lip chemistry to create your very own afterglow.

I keep this handy at my desk – the clear gloss makes it easy to swipe on and keeps lips feeling polished. Despite the lack of color out of the tube, I get a very rosy tint on my lips with decent staying power. While the color isn’t opaque, I’d classify it as a moderately pigmented gloss. Dare I say perfect for Spring? Yes, I just think it might be.

Available at Bergdorf Goodman.

And a quick little PSA – don’t miss the Bauble Bar Spring Cleaning Sale – so many pretty things on my list. Check back often – selections are updated daily.

Bauble Bar Spring Cleaning Sale // Belle Belle Beauty

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector // Belle Belle Beauty

Did you hear yet? It is all about matte skin these days. After what seems like so many seasons of dewy, glow-y skin, the runways are now flooded with matte, pristine skin. Instead of trading in all those luminous foundations, I am opting for a mattifying primer. I recently covered this mattifier (if you prefer a compact), but I am loving this tube since I am already hooked on a wearing a primer under foundation.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is designed for those with oily skin, but I find it works just fine on my drier complexion. It has a bit of a tightening effect, so if you do have drier skin, layer it over a moisturizer. I love the look I’ve been getting wearing it under this foundation. It also minimizes pores and has a great effect on its own. For those battling shininess throughout the day, you can  layer this over makeup.

The true beauty of the lightweight formula is that it is silicone-free – sometimes with silicone formulas, product can ball up and texture is compromised. The primer includes EverMat™ to reduce oil productions. The consistency is in between a liquid and cream and goes on sheer. I’ve found my makeup last for hours when I use this as a primer. (Also free of Oil, Alcohol, Fragrance and Parabens).

Bonus: also can be used to mattify lip gloss or as a eye shadow primer – particularly helpful if you have oily eyelids!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Essie Grow Stronger Base Coat

Essie Grow Stronger Base Coat // Belle Belle Beauty

I feel like I am on a epic, never ending adventure to find a great base coat to make my nails long and strong. Well, I am taking a little break from that adventure because I have fallen hard for Essie’s grow strong. So much so that I’ve been rocking bare nails since last week.

The slight pinkish tint and matte finish the base coat gives on its own is actually quite pretty. Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, And Mineral Strengtheners improve the look and fortitude of nails. My nails are growing like a weed!

I can’t seem to find it anywhere online, but if you spot it, highly recommend snagging a bottle! I found mine at CVS.