It’s so exciting to plan a trip to somewhere you have never been to before. There are so many beautiful places to see all over the world. Whether you’re interested in historical locations or natural beauty, there are plenty of options that you can choose from.   If you’re planning on heading away from home for one week or more, there is some pretty substantial packing that needs to take place. You might not be able to bring all of your favorite products and items with you, but there are some essentials that you’ll want to bring along to help you keep up with your beauty and health routine ..read more

Much like trends for clothes and hair, skin care trends change from year to year. I nearly always look forward to these trends with great anticipation, and I'm doing even more so this year. That's because there's never been a more concerted, industry-wide effort to move toward cruelty-free skincare. Even government agencies are hopping on the bandwagon by passing laws that ban animal testing for beauty products in countries around the world. Plus, an increasing number of consumers are making all-natural, organic selections when it comes to food, clothing and the treatments that they apply to t ..read more

Testing on animals started in the United States in 1938 when the FDA passed a law requiring all drugs must be tested on animals to assure these drugs are safe for human consumption. Since then all new drugs been tested this way. Although the law only applies to medical drugs, many companies test other products such as cosmetics, cleaning products and pesticides on animals. For cosmetic tests, bunnies, mice, guinea pigs and monkeys are used the most. These animals are put into small cages, tortured and blinded. They live in constant fear and often die from these experiments.  The most stun ..read more

I am going to admit; I will buy and try any new cream or potion that is promising a breakthrough in anti-aging. Being an esthetician and a skin care product developer, I am always on the lookout for the newest “best thing" to offer to my clients. Many of us do not give a thought as to what it took to manufacture the creams and makeup that we are using every day. However, as human beings and animal lovers, we have to stand up for animal rights and stop companies that are testing their products on animals. Personally, I will not support any cosmetics companies that have flourished and benefits ..read more

In my European Skin Care Studio, clients ask my advice on how to look their best. Aside from reserving a customized facial treatment and using good organic products at home, I remind them of the true benefits of a “beauty sleep" when they ask me "How many hours of sleep do I need?". So today I would like to remind you about the many benefits of sleep, which will improve your skins’ health. Lack of sleep will increase the amount of stress hormone called cortisol. Although we need some cortisol in our bodies, too much can lead to inflammation. When inflammation becomes chronic, our skin is susce ..read more

So here we are at the beginning of a New Year. Each January most of us make New Year resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, get fit, help others or eat healthier. In this article I would like to focus on the importance of good nutrition. Most of our diets are based on processed food, which is high in saturated fats, sodium, sugar, added hormones, and chemicals. Because of our fast-paced lives, we eat too many packaged food, sugary snacks, and take out food. It’s no wonder that the rate of cancer, strokes, and diabetes are going up every year. Unhealthy eating habits also ha ..read more

Hyaluronic acid serum is one of the best anti-aging products in existence. It is glycosaminoglycan, an essential natural substance produced by the body that contributes to radiant, youthful skin. Hyaluronic acid protects skin, helps it regenerate, and has the amazing ability to attract and retain water. Let’s take a deeper look at why hyaluronic acid serum is such a wonderful anti-aging product: Moisturizing Abilities As skin ages, it is less and less able to retain moisture. Skin layers droop and sag due to lack of moisture, with fine lines and wrinkles also becoming more apparent. Hyaluronic ..read more

If you're like many people these days, you're reading the labels of virtually everything you put in or on your body. However, you still want to look good, and your daily beauty regimen is part of that. Clean beauty is more than just a buzz phrase. It is a way of life.  Saying that federal regulation regarding what goes into beauty products is outdated is an understatement. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for safe products are more than 80 years old, and the only way that toxic beauty products can be recalled is if the manufacturer volunteers to do so. Thus, it's up ..read more

  You've probably heard about the widespread coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak by now. While it is an issue to take seriously, you don't need to panic. There are plenty of things you can do to take care of yourself during the coronavirus outbreak. Consider the following tips.   1. Wash your hands.   Even though hand sanitizer is helpful to have, nothing trumps the act of washing your hands. Use antibacterial soap in order to thoroughly scrub once you've used the restroom. Do your best to spend at least thirty seconds with soap and water at the sink. Your fingers, fingernails, and your entire han ..read more

For many people, it can be really hard to resist a pimple-popping session when one shows up on the face. Unfortunately, instant gratification can lead to long-term effects. One of those long-term effects is hyperpigmentation. If you've ever indulged in the popping of a pimple, you know that it'd be nice to look in the mirror without seeing remnants of the pimple-popping session you had a few months ago. Learn more about the causes, prevention methods and treatment solutions of hyperpigmentation.   What Causes Hyperpigmentation?   There are a number of reasons why hyperpigmentation occurs in th ..read more