Black Tea & Egg Whites

Everyone deals with breakouts - if not at an early age during puberty, and if you have seemed to pass the curse of the teenage years still bright faced and unblemished, don't think you're in the clear!

I have been hit with a little attack of breakouts and acne for the first time in my life!  Never really having to resort to any medicated cleansers, toners, moisturizers - when the acne hit, I had no idea what to do with myself!  Although my daily cleansers and toner was a step up from the typical "drug store" brand -- nothing was making the funk go away! I didnt know what to do, so after always seeing the a certain skin care infomercial, I gave in and purchased my first set. 

Now in addition to my new skin set, my grandmother decided to share two remedies that are simple and easy to incorporate with my daily routine, and I am hoping that the combination will give my skin that one-two punch it needs!

With that said, no matter where you are in your battle with acne, I wanted to share these two remedies with you because I believe that they have positive benefits for all skin types!

Black Tea

Wash your face with warm black tea.

The first time I had tried this, my face immediately felt different.  It was softer, smoother and it felt even more refreshed! I used Bigelow 100% Ceylon tea - one of my favorite basic black teas to drink, and now to cleanse with!

Egg white & Lemon Mask

Mix your own natural overnight mask with egg whites and lemon.

The proteins of the egg whites will harden and leave your skin nice and tight, and the acidity from the lemon will help to balance out your skins natural ph and will leave you feeling cleansed, tight and brand new.

Cheers to 2011!

Two Thousand & Ten.  What to say?

First of all, it was the start to well, me.  I moved down to Los Angeles to attend a makeup school -- little did I know that I would also be entering the school of life. There is just so much that 2010 has taught me,in so many different ways.  I can actually say I had FELT this past year, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically.  A couple months ago I would have loved to just skip to this day, to start anew - the freshness of the beginning of another year - the hope it brings and the faith that we have for all good things to come. However, I am so thankful that I have been able to reflect, to compare and to be able live in the present so that I am able to fully be grateful for everything that has happened.  The tough times are really only come up to make us stronger as people, to allow us to realize that there is a lot more out of life that we all are here to gain, experience and accomplish.  It allows us to reflect back and to really dig deep into what it is that we are striving for and to ultimately be grateful for all things to come.  Los Angeles is a big city, a divided city -- where the strong are tested and the weak are broken. I was broken. Totally lost, almost at the point of giving up... but there is one thing that always stays with me and that is faith.  Having faith in life in myself and ultimately for what I came down here to do -- and just when I was about to pack up and go home, something stepped in and allowed me to remember who I am, who I was before moving, and to just always be... me. There were reminders to stay strong, and although one may feel weak, broken and lost -- there is always innerstrength to guide you through! Learning so much about yourself and truely getting to know who you are and what you want and what you love -- is all worth the crazy rollercoaster ride this year has been.

So with that said, 2010 - you were so bittersweet.  Amazingly high highs, and the lowest of the lows I have experienced thus far.  You have strengthened my faith in life and in myself, and for that I will love this year - because it was an important one.

May all of you have a blessed NEW YEAR! I hope everyone is ringing it in exactly the way they want to, and remember: Take a leap of faith this year, and see where it guides you! ;)

Bring it ON 2011 - I can feel you are going to be an AMAZING one!

An entire year of entries to come ;)

xo G.