Be Gone Spots!

So lately Ive been dealing for less that lust worthy skin, due to either wearing makeup everyday, stress or just fluctuating hormone levels.  Red spots were popping up everyday and I found myself looking in the mirror saying "Hey, where did that one come from, it wasnt there yesterday".  And then of course, the more spots you get, you want to cover them up, so then you get more spots because of the makeup-a vicious cycle.  So of course, I thought well maybe I need a professional facial....and then I looked at the prices of a spa quality facial and well, there goes that idea.  So of course, my kitchen beautician thinking cap came on, and I researched home remedies for curing red spots on your face.  I landed on a bunch of sites that recommended the Aspirin Facial.  I was a bit skeptical at first, because well its Aspirin! But using my scientific knowledge it totally makes sense.  The chemical term for Aspirin is Acetylsalicylic Acid, and its metablolite (or breakdown) is Salicylic acid (you'll notice most over the counter acne fighting products have this in the ingredients list).  So basically Acetylsalicylic acid is a precursor to Salicylic acid.  Cool right?

So I decided to go for it, since I am heading to Vancouver Fashion Week, I know Im going to be surrounded by models slim with their spidery long legs, I felt I needed to at least have clear skin.  So I put the facial on my face and left it on for the recommended 10 minutes.  After washing it off there was no difference, so little difference that my boyfriend actually said "you look the same" (gee thanks).   So I followed my usual skin care regime, serum and night cream and went to bed defeated.

The next morning I woke up and although my spots are still there, they were NOTICEABLY diminished in size and redness!  I actually really believe that this facial works!  It also made my skin softer and silky feeling.  Below you"ll find the recipe, give it a try, for $5 you can cure your annoying red spots and still have money in the bank to by a cookie (which may have caused the spots to begin with, but I wont tell anyone).

Aspirin Facial:
3-5 uncoated Aspirin tablets (you can use the generic brand to its no different, but it has to have Acetylsalicylic acid and uncoated, if its coated, run it underwater to wash the coating of the tablets)
a few drops of fruit acid (I used lemon juice, you can use orange if you like)
honey (this helps it stick to your face, and honey is also great for rehydrating.  You can also use yogurt, as the lactic acid in it is great for oilier skin types)

-Put the aspirin in a bowl with the fruit juice.  Crush them up completely then add your honey/yogurt.  Massage onto your face in circular motions and leave on for 5-10 minutes (the longer you leave it on the better)  You might feel tingling, thats the fruit acid.  Tip: try not to exfoliate before this facial, as the facial does both, and you dont want raw skin.  Tip: try to crush the aspirin as fine as possible, bigger pieces=greater exfoliated (but also if you massage to hard, giant red scratches all over you face)

So there you have it Be Gone Spots! Beauty Recipe!

Frankie says RELAX!

According to a bunch of scientific studies we are more stressed today than we were 20 years ago.  You would think that with all the technology and its capabilities, we would be more relaxed as things that used to be done manually are done by a computer now.  But alas, our fingers are tired from tweeting, our eyes exhausted from skyping, our arms are fatigued from taking pictures of ourselves from our reverse cameras.  

Its a hard life now, so hard that in my most recent job interview the employer asked me: "And how do you relieve stress?"  The first thing that came to mind was "Umm well I like to eat my feelings in the way of something chocolate, then wash it down with wine"...but what I actually said was "I work out, exercise and physical activity are really important to me."  And it is! but sometimes its a toss up between the two since I am a big believer that good food cures many emotions and that is just a fact of life.  But having been a ballet dancer for 16 years, physical activity does play a big role in my life, especially when I'm stressed.

Along with the health benefits of exercise, working out (in any way) boosts the happy hormones, the sexy hormones (wink,wink) and gives you an overall glow that even a triple chocolate brownie cant bring about.  And while I am also a huge believer in retail therapy, shopping for a new purse or shoes always puts me in a good mood, exercising is free and that makes it the most economical stress reliever to date!

So weather you are weight lifting, going for a jog, pole dancing or dancing in any way, channeling you inner yogi and taking up a yoga class, getting up and being active can relieve you in a way you never imagined.  The key thing I try to remember is to not make it a chore and although I am guilty of having the feeling of dragging myself to the gym sometimes, the feeling I get after is well worth it. 

Here are some facts you may not have known, about the benefits of staying physically active:

1) Of course I know you know exercise controls weight, but in keeping with my bluntly honest approach on how I overcome stress, if you want to reach for that triple chocolate brownie, how about walk the stairs at work instead of ride the elevator? a nice trade up wouldn't you say?

2) Exercise is a non medicinal way to decrease your risk for health problems, and remedy current ones.  Physical activity is one of the first things I would tell someone to do if they have high cholesterol, it increases the good cholesterol (HDL) and decreases unhealthy triglycerides.  Exercising is also a way of decreasing risk for other ailments such as heart disease and diabetes.

3)  It actually increases your energy levels.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not the girl who works out at the beginning of my day before work, but if you are, more power to you.  But you will realize that the more regular you exercise, the more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your tissues thus increasing your energy levels to get through your day.

4)  Most importantly, exercise makes "Sexy Time" fun!  Working out releases endorphins, the same ones that chocolate can induce which makes you more than willing to jump in the sack (or wherever sexy time happens) and have more calorie burning fun!  Of course after working out you will also feel better about your body and this will help you let go of your inhibitions.

So what are you waiting for? Thank you for reading my blog, but go out and get your sweat on, because the best Beauty Recipe I have is to work it out!  Let your stress melt away, jam to some amazing tunes and just make sure you have fun doing it!  Need a good tune to jam to while sweating it out? Listen to this song Ive attached its on my current playlist!