Tag Archive for: Beauty

How to Tan Like a Floridian

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There are certain things you should know about Floridians before you go to Florida.

First, let’s define “Floridian.”

A Floridian is someone who actually lives in Florida year round. People who live in Florida only in the winter are called snowbirds.

A Floridian is someone who moved to Florida before they turned sixty. If you move there after 60, you can own property, have a Florida drivers licence, and be a permanent resident, but you are NOT a Floridian. You are a retiree.

If you are under 60 and you moved to Florida because you made a ton of money, say, being a pro golfer, basketball player, or selling your book, and you want to avoid state income taxes, you are only a Floridian if you actually live in that big mansion in the gated community.

A person who was born and raised in Florida, but now lives elsewhere, is definitely a Floridian.

Every area of the country has its own way to identify the non-natives from the natives. New Yorkers can spot a local from a tourist in a New York minute. It’s not just the way they hail a cab or cross the street, it’s a certain attitude unique to New Yorkers.

Floridians are the same way. There are subtle ways to spot a true Floridian.

Magda from Something about Mary lived in Miami but was NOT a Floridian!

Here are three basic rules on how NOT to stand out as an outsider in Florida.

1. Don’t come to Florida in February in your white shorts and flowered Lily dresses.

Floridians dress appropriately for the season, even if it is a bright, sunny 85 degrees. In the winter they wear dark clothes, sweaters, boots, blue jeans, and sometimes even scarves. If you are wearing summer clothes in Florida in the winter, you are a either a tourist or a snowbird. Would you wear your cotton sundress and lime green flip flops on a warm day in February at home? Of course not.

2. Don’t spend the day lying in the sun.

Floridians get anxious sitting in the sun for more than two hours. The die hard sun-worshipers are not Floridians. When they go to the beach, they like to walk, bike, swim, surf, paddle board, fish or go boating. Sitting in the sun serves no purpose; they would rather be inside out of the heat if they are just sitting.

3. Don’t get a tan.

For those who love to come to Florida to work on their tan, this is impossible. “Up North,” having a tan is a badge of honor. It shows you’re living the good life. Everyone looks better with a dark tan, right? Not if you’re a Floridian.

Some Floridians have an occasional slight glow from the rays they capture on the way to the grocery when their sunscreen has worn off. Or after a Saturday round of golf. But overall, having a dark tan when you live in Florida is, frankly, undesirable. It means you are irresponsible and unconcerned about your health (anything less than 30 sunscreen is unacceptable). It implies that you are lazy and spend your time sitting around the pool reading trashy novels. Or, God forbid, you are a tourist.

How to Tan like a Floridian

You don’t. It’s that simple.The Floridians I know are just as pasty white as you are in the winter, only they are that way all year. Remember, Floridians don’t like to get sun. When Floridians want a little color to even out their skin tone, darken their bare legs, or if they are going on vacation, they use self tanner.Yep, that’s the secret to a Florida tan. It comes out of a bottle.

I have tried many self tanners. Unfortunately, I am very sensitive to the smell of self tanners, so I’m rather limited in what I can use. I have also used some tanners that turned my skin bright orange.

I think the following self tanners are the best. These are true gems (nuggets!) that will make everyone wonder whether you were born in Orlando or Ft. Lauderdale…

I use these drops all year long. Just two drops in my nightly moisturizer and I have a healthy glow.

They make you bronze without the sun. Just add the drops to your favorite moisturizer or lotion and overnight you are tan! It is offered at Sephora in a mini bottle for only $15 if you want to try it out.

You can buy it on Amazon or at Sephora.

For the face and body, my hands down favorite is Clarins Self Tanning Milky Lotion.

This self-tanner has a beautiful scent, and is a light, creamy moisturizer. You will not notice a tan after the first application (unless you are really pale) but the natural tan builds with use. I use it about two times a week on my face, neck, and chest. It does not break my face out. I find when I use it my dark sunspots seem to blend in and my skin looks much smoother and even. This is a MUST HAVE product that I use all year and will not go without. At around $37 it’s not cheap, but this is a bargain considering the results. Love, love, love my Clarins!

You can find it here on Amazon.

Annie’s Number One Beauty Nugget

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Here’s a riddle for you:

Kate, my daughter in law, has a big, gorgeous smile. Kate is 24.

Christy Brinkley also has a big, gorgeous smile. She is over 60.

What do these two beautiful women have in common?

(Please don’t say they are both blonde.)

We women (and some men) spend a fortune on creams, make up, Botox, fillers, and heaven knows what else. We endure Spanx and high, tight shoes. Some of us remember the days of sleeping on rollers. (I’ll bet Christy Brinkley remembers sleeping on rollers!) But we tend to ignore the one beauty secret that will universally make us look youthful, healthy, and much more attractive……a big, gorgeous smile.

I think the best beauty secret EVER is teeth whitening. So, I did some “mining” (reading hundreds of reviews and articles on line) about all the different ways to whiten teeth. I discovered a product that works great at home, is inexpensive and effective, and only takes a few minutes. It’s a nugget!

My favorite orthodontist has gleaming white teeth. I asked him what to use and he recommended the Opalescence Teeth Whitening Kit.

You can find it and other similar kits at Amazon.com for about $20. That’s much cheaper than the dentist charges for basically the same thing.

The Opalescence Whitening Kit includes syringes of Carbamide Peroxide, and plastic trays.

WARNING! This stuff is SUPER strong. The first time I used it I followed the directions and it stung like crazy from the beginning. I burned my gums. Not pretty.

So I read more reviews and found a different and simpler way of doing it:

Take a small paintbrush and “paint” a small amount of the gel (like the size of a pin head) on each tooth. Be careful not to get close to your gums. Then put a piece of plastic wrap over your teeth. Keep it there for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, gently brush the gel off of your teeth and rinse well with water. Do this every day for the first week, then once or twice a week to maintain your white teeth. (Don’t do it more than that or you will end up with fake looking teeth, and that’s almost as bad as yellow!)

It doesn’t matter if you are a 24 year old bride, or a sixty year old model, EVERYONE looks better with sparkling white teeth!

And if you are thinking of straightening your teeth…

A few years ago, I decided to get serious about straightening my teeth, and I talked to my orthodontist about Invisalign. It was expensive and uncomfortable, but it was important to me. One year later my very crooked teeth were straight. One year. I was lucky, I could afford it. And I was motivated enough to put up with the inconvenience. It was the best decision I could have made for my looks and confidence, and I wish I had done it long ago.

I am not advocating that everyone run out and spend their savings on braces. But if you’ve been thinking about it, you might want to talk with your orthodontist.

My Favorite Skin Care Nugget

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Can I brag a little?

I’ve been getting the nicest compliments on my skin. Surprisingly, I received one after a long day of cooking and cleaning for a party. I was generally exhausted. So exhausted I didn’t bother to wear any make up. I was doing well to greet my guests in clothes that didn’t smell like Mr. Clean mixed with gravy. But several guests commented on how great my skin looked. Hmm.

Fast forward a few months to a recent get together with some of my friends. One exclaimed, “You look GREAT! What are you using on your skin?” Several others chimed in that they were thinking the same thing.

I’d like to tell you that I have been working really hard doing research, trying out every department store and drugstore product out there, and I have found THE ONE. Nope. It was much easier than that.

I stumbled on something quite by accident.

I was online (shocker!) looking for something to make my eyelashes grow. Latisse and the other eyelash products are just way too expensive, and I have read many warnings about long term use causing cataracts. The risk is just not worth it to me. I don’t want to be blind with long eyelashes.

So I looked for an alternative. I started reading many comments from people who saw their eyelashes and their eyebrows fill out and become healthier using a simple, ridiculously inexpensive product.

Castor Oil.

Isn’t that the stuff people used to give their kids for constipation?

I read hundreds of articles about castor oil. And I was shocked. There is so much written about the benefits of castor oil, I can’t believe I didn’t know more about it. Not only is it great for eyelashes and eyebrows, people are raving about castor oil for everything from thinning hair, to menstrual cramps, to reducing inflammation for arthritis. Even people with oily skin found that cleaning their skin with castor oil helped clear up their acne!

So about a year ago I bought some cold pressed castor oil at the health food store. It’s thick like syrup. Not at all like coconut oil (which I love). Coconut oil is a great moisturizer. But unlike coconut oil, castor oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities and has been used for centuries for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. It goes way beyond moisturizing.

I mentioned my use of castor oil to my massage therapist. She said she uses it for people who have arthritis and strained muscles for the anti-inflammatory benefits. So I rub it on my sore spots after exercising. It’s also great for calming a sunburn.

I even noticed my mouthwash has castor oil listed as an ingredient.

But what has all of this to do with my face? Well, I started using castor oil regularly on my face. At first, I used it occasionally. Now I can’t live without it.

I wonder if Angelina is using castor oil?

Here’s my routine:

  • Wash your face really well.
  • Put about a nickel size dollop of castor oil in your palm. Rub your palms together and spread the castor oil all over your face. I also do my neck and my chest. Gently massage your face in an upward motion. Make sure to put it around your eyes, too.
  • At this point you will be saying, “Ugh, this stuff is so thick!” Yes, I know. But leave it on for a few minutes while you do something else. Let it sink in.
  • Go back to the sink and get a washcloth wet with warm, not hot, water. Wring it out, lay it over your face until it cools. Do it a couple times, you’ll feel like you’re at the spa.
  • Now, take the wet washcloth and “dab” your face. Don’t wipe! You are just dabbing off the excess oil from the surface.

You look better already, right? I told you! It’s pretty amazing. The glow will last you all day. You can put makeup on over it, or just show off your pretty clean face.

At night, if I wash my face before going to bed, I use my castor oil sparingly. It can stain your linens, but you’ll wake up with dewy skin.

Sometimes I use my regular moisturizer and add a little castor oil over it to keep in the moisture. Castor oil is an emollient; it softens the skin and holds in the moisture. That’s why you put it on right after you wash your face, to hold in the water that your skin has absorbed.

Now for the best part. Castor oil is very inexpensive. No, it’s downright cheap!

You can buy a small bottle of regular castor oil at the drugstore. I suggest you buy castor oil that is cold pressed and hexane free.

I order a huge 32 oz bottle of castor oil from Amazon.com for about $15. If you don’t want that much, you can get an 8 oz bottle at the health food store for less than $10. I like two brands, Heritage Products, and Home Health. It’s best to buy it in a glass amber bottle if possible.

To buy castor oil on Amazon.com, click here.

I love using a product that is only one ingredient. I have thrown out all of the old lotions that list 10 different ingredients on the label—most of which I have no clue what they are or what they do. If something is going on my skin, I want to know that it is safe to absorb into my body. I use castor oil for my chest, neck, and face, and coconut oil for the rest.

As to growing longer eyelashes… the castor oil does not make my lashes grow. Other people have reported remarkable results, but I think I’m stuck with my little stubbles. I have noticed, however, that my eyebrows are a lot fuller. I’ll take it!

Annie’s Best Hair Color Nugget

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Does she or doesn’t she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure.

If you are old enough to remember that ad, you are old enough to remember when stylists were called hairdressers.

The ad was referring to coloring hair, not confessing sexual escapades to your hair stylist.

Is it true blonds have more fun? Be a blond and see!

This ad was a real downer for brunettes. It featured the poor wallflower with brown hair, all alone in the corner, while the vivacious Marilyn Monroe look alike was getting all kinds of play from a group of frat boys.

The brunette goes home, bleaches her mousy locks, and guess what! The boys start swarming!

Wow. You’ve come a long way, Baby.

I must confess. Over the years I have spent a fortune on coloring my hair.

First it was just adding a few streaks to ‘brighten” things up. Then it was a little highlighting. Then heavy highlighting. Then the grey appeared, and it became covering the grey, with highlighting on top of that.

I couldn’t get out of the salon for less than $100. Okay, I’ll be honest. $125. Minimum.

My hair still wasn’t right. The color would only last a couple weeks and then look dull. Or worse, covering the grey turned my hair orange.

I finally went to an ultra fancy salon that claimed to have products that would make my hair look like spun gold. The products are expensive, I was told, but my hair will be the color of Jennifer Aniston’s.  I swear, she said that.

Three hours and $350 later, I walked out of the salon with hair the color of a shiny copper penny.

Excuse me?  What happened to Jennifer Aniston?

That’s when I decided that I could turn my hair orange myself, thank you, without spending $350.

So, I did what I do best. I researched. I read thousands of reviews. I learned all about hair coloring products, ingredients, techniques. My hair is baby fine and thin. I couldn’t afford to make a mistake and have my hair fall out.

I finally found a product that I felt was safe. I tried it the morning of my son’s graduation. Yes, I know it was crazy. It was either that or go to graduation with two inches of salt and pepper hair coinciding with blonde, highlighted hair. I was terrified.

It was easy to use.  The directions were very clear. Put the mixture on the grey part using the pointed plastic bottle.  Leave it on 20 minutes, then put the rest on the remaining hair. Wait another 20 minutes and rinse.

OMG.

My hair was… dare I say it… the color of Jennifer Aniston’s.  I kid you not.

The product is called Naturcolor by Herbaceuticals. It’s imported from Italy.

I got it originally at Whole Foods, but many WF don’t carry it. I ended up calling the 800 number to find a store in my area. You can also find it on Amazon.com.

The 800 number is the key. They are experts at picking out the correct color combo that you need for your kind of hair.

The cost for one box is less than $20.  It contains enough product for me to use it at least twice. Which means it now costs me $10 (including tax) and one hour of my time to color my hair.

Everything you need to do it yourself is in the box. Believe me, this is easy. It comes with plastic gloves and little bottles of great shampoo and conditioner that make your hair extra shiny.

Because I have a lot of grey, the customer service person suggested I combine two different colors to be sure my hair doesn’t turn orange. (Do you think I should give this tip to the people at the fancy salon?)

Is it true blonds have more fun? This blond has a lot more fun with $$ in her pocket!

BE CAREFUL! There is also a Naturtint and a Herbatint.  They are NOT the same.  I have tried them both and they are by far inferior.

To get more information, call 800-784-8212 Monday – Friday 8a – 5p PST. (11 a – 8p  EST.)

For the Naturcolor website, click here.

The Magical Golden Oil

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I recently re-discovered a nugget.

I had used this product in the past and loved the results.  But other shiny objects came my way, and since I have to try everything before I recommend to you, I got sidetracked.

Now, I ask you, if you could find something that makes your skin incredibly soft, your face dewy, moisturizes your hands and feet, conditions your hair, works well on both dry and oily skin, and costs less than $20—would you try it?

Of course you would.

This golden oil is indeed magical.

It is Desert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil.  You can find information about it here.

While mining one day, I found hundreds of glowing reviews for a simple, inexpensive product. The reviews convinced me to try this product, but the results were pretty amazing.

I started  putting it on my face occasionally.  I noticed every time I used it my skin had a glow and a softness that I didn’t get from my expensive moisturizer.  I used it at night before I went to bed and mixed a few drops with my moisturizer during the day.  I grabbed it instead of hand lotion when my hands felt dry during the day.

I got out of the habit of using it, until the other day when I spotted it at Whole Foods. I picked up the 2oz bottle (good for airline travel).  I came home, put a few drops on my face, and didn’t think any more about it.  About two hours later I looked in the mirror and noticed how smooth and dewy I looked.  Hmmm. I put on some more before I went to bed, and when I woke up my skin wasn’t dry like it normally is. Why did I quit using this???

You can mix it with your hair conditioner to give some extra help to dry hair. Men have found it helps them get a better shave if they use the Desert Essence Jojoba oil on their face before shaving. I have even read several reviews that said it improved acne prone skin!  It’s also a great lip balm.

No parabens, no mineral oils, no bad stuff that clogs your pores. I found that it irritates my eyes if I get it too close, but I have read that many people use it to take off their eye make up.

You can get it at health food stores, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and most drugstores.

Face it!

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Let’s “face” it, we aren’t getting any younger.  It’s time to “face” the music and get out of denial when it comes to your face. Warning:  you are not going to like this.

This is what you need:

1. A small 15x magnifying mirror

One of my best nuggets is a 15x small magnifying mirror* (you can find these anywhere, just make sure it’s a 15x strength). Don’t settle for one that is less than 15x. I found mine on Amazon, click here.

2. Tweezerman tweezers

Expensive but they are worth it. You can find them at any drugstore.

3. A sunny window

Any will work.

Directions:

  • Put the mirror at eye level in a sunny window and make sure that the light is shining on your face.
  • Examine every pore, every mole, every hair.
    • Look at your face sideways, gently rub with your fingers in different directions.
    • Look at your eye lids, under your eyes, your eyebrows.
    • Examine your teeth close up.

Shocking, isn’t it?  You actually have been walking around in public looking like that!  Get that tweezer out and get rid of those long blonde hairs you never noticed that were coming out of your mole. Get the crunchies off of your eyelids. And you thought you were doing a good job plucking your eyebrows? Face it!

Keep that mirror there and every time you wash your face, every time you put on your make up, and just before you go out in public, check your face in the mirror.  Don’t think you can do this once a week or so, those little black hairs can sprout overnight!