Being a busy mom that is also savvy with time management is praise-worthy. Self-care is extremely important, so if you have found the time for working out while juggling other things in your everyday schedule, we salute you!

If gym is a regular to-do on your list, you must know how important proper skincare is. Air filth piling up, and mixing with skin’s natural oils and excessive sweat may result in breakouts and poor looking skin. When you exercise, your body temperature rises; your heartbeat increases as your heart pumps more blood to the vessels, the ones in your face included. If you’re wondering why you get the lobster-like color while other people don’t, it’s probably due to the fact your blood vessels are more superficial in the cheek area. Some things are genetic, but here’s what’s in your power and how you can work on prevention.

Minding the environment

Your skin is sensitive to external factors. While redness is caused by the regulation of the body temperature in the cooling-down process, the temperature and humidity of the room you’re exercising in, or the weather conditions your skin experiences while you jog – all have their impact on the overall skin’s look. Work out in a cool environment that enables your skin to breathe freely. Wear comfortable clothes that aren’t too tight and make sure you stay hydrated. As for the high-intensity workouts, you may want to scale it down and avoid switching between different intensities too quickly. Although it has its benefits for fat burning, you need to give your body time to gradually progress towards a different intensity workout: it will make your redness less visible and you’ll feel more relaxed during the mild cool-down process.

Prevention: using the right products

If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition such as rosacea, you are very prone to face-redness or might even experience broken capillaries. Either way, your skin is easily stressed out and irritated. This means you have to take particular care of what type of ingredients your beauty products contain, so you can provide your skin with what it needs in the long term. Don’t be lazy and read the ingredients list: choose moisturizers with natural ingredients, like aloe, honey, chamomile, or willow, which soothe sensitive skin. Don’t use products that contain retinol or chemical peels the night before a big workout. To restore your skin’s natural oils, use a face mask enriched with natural ingredients: they will help your skin calm down and become more resistant to outer influences. Invest in redness-reducing products and you can even bring them to your workout: a refreshing body spray will help your face cool down; nourishing wipes will ensure you remove the impurities during your training and cool your face.

Proper care is mandatory

Establishing a good beauty routine is crucial for well-cared skin during the times you’re breaking a sweat. Make sure you cleanse your face on a regular basis and use a gentle cleanser that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea. Clean your skin before and after a workout. By all means, avoid wearing makeup to the gym – it will result in excessive filth accumulating on your skin, leaving you with blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Avoid using hot water as it promotes dryness of your skin, making it more prone to redness. Don’t skip on using a moisturizing toner: it ensures all the impurities are removed and leaves you with a fresh-looking skin. In addition to taking care of your skin on the outside, make sure you do it from the inside, too. Proper nutrition is very important and do check your iron levels: its deficient may result in itchy and red skin, along with other problems.

When it comes to skin problems that occur due to exercising, prevention is the key. Take these simple steps into consideration, be disciplined with your workout and beauty routines, and enjoy leading a healthy life!d

The post Gym Beauty Tips – How to Avoid Post-Exercise Face appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

These time-saving tips will let you give your body the TLC it deserves, even when you’re pressed for time.

Be a multi-tasker. You can do two things at once to save time, such as applying a face mask or wash before brushing your teeth or letting a deep-conditioning hair mask work while you shave your legs. Letting the face wash sit on your skin while you brush allows you to get more of the skin care benefits without the added time, and pinning up your hair in the deep-conditioning mask while shaving then rinsing it out will help your hair feel softer and more hydrated.

Keep up with conditioner. You may find it tedious, but hair care is no place to cut corners. Keeping your hair well-conditioned helps keep it healthier in the long run. Healthy strands are easier to detangle and style, which ultimately saves time. Have an all-in-one shampoo and conditioner on hand for days when you simply can’t do both and save detangling time by using a wide-tooth comb in the shower.

Use products that do double-duty in the shower. Using a multi-benefit body wash can give your skin and senses needed nourishment in the shower. One example is the new line of Softsoap Luminous Oils Body Washes, which contain a touch of luxurious oil, essence of peony or iris and an alluring fragrance. The sheer, non-greasy formula will leave your skin feeling radiant and soft.

Master a few simple hair styles. Whether your hair is long or short, experiment with a few go-to styles you can rely on when time is short. Sleek ponies and messy buns can disguise a hectic morning. For shorter cuts, look for a style that lets you air dry for a carefree tousled look.

Lighten up when it comes to cosmetics. You may be surprised by how pulled together you appear with a minimalist approach to makeup. Use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen to even your skin tone, then use natural shades to enhance your best features. Save complex eye makeup for a less rushed day and stick to the basics: mascara, a dusting of blush for color and a pretty nude gloss.

Speed up those busy mornings with these time-saving beauty tips. For more information, visit softsoap.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

*FF

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(BPT) – The back-to-school season will hasten the pace of morning routines for everyone, from busy moms to college students. Fitting your makeup regimen into a hectic schedule can make it challenging to achieve just the right look.

Moms need a quick, easy look that holds up to daily demands with little maintenance. College women need versatility that will carry them from the classroom to the club. And first-time makeup wearers will experiment and explore to discover their own personal style.

The pros at EcoTools maker of beauty tools using renewable, recycled and cruelty-free materials, offer some advice for creating three easy-to-manage looks for mothers, college students and new makeup wearers as back-to-school season gets underway.

Mom’s flawless face

As the days grow shorter, so does morning primping time. Getting the kids and yourself out the door on time doesn’t leave much room for a beauty routine.

No one wants to pull up to the carpool line with under-eye bags and sallow skin, but painstaking makeup application just isn’t practical. Focus on the products that will provide the most impact in the shortest amount of time, including concealer, mascara and blush. EcoTools Fresh & Flawless Five Piece Complexion Set speeds up morning makeup application by putting every brush you need at your fingertips.

First, apply a coat of your favorite foundation over your entire face. A tinted moisturizer or foundation with SPF can be great time-savers. Cover imperfections with concealer, and buff out the edges to seamlessly blend together. Apply translucent powder to eliminate shine and create a smooth canvas and then eliminate any visible makeup lines with a clean brush. Apply mascara, blush and lipstick, and you’re ready to head out the door in pulled-together perfection.

Chic college night out

For daytime classes, concealer, mascara and blush serves college students well. At night, play up your best features while staying on-trend for fall. The EcoTools Six Piece Day-to-Night Clutch Set makes the transition from demure to diva a snap.

Use concealer to touch up any unevenness in your complexion, and stop shine with a translucent powder. A round powder brush can do double duty as an applicator for bronzer or blush. Apply bronzer just under cheek bones and swipe blush just above the bronzer. Metallic eye shadows are hot this fall, and a stay-there shadow brush allows you to give lids a wash of copper tone. Create a smoky effect by applying and blending a darker brown shadow to the outer corners and creases of your eyes. Smudged dark-brown liner and two coats of mascara complete the sultry eye effect. Finally, finish up with a neutral lipstick and let your eyes take center stage.

Back to basics

As first-timers begin to experiment with makeup, it’s best to keep things simple. Stick with the adage “less is more” to avoid clownish cheeks, over-lined lips and embarrassing class photos. The EcoTools Six Piece Starter Set makes it easy for even a makeup novice to achieve an effortless, clean minimalist makeup look.

Use a concealer brush to gently dab concealer over blemishes or imperfections. Set in place with a layer of translucent powder, and apply a rosy pink shade of blush to the apples of the cheeks. For the eyes, choose a neutral shadow that is close to your skin tone and apply it to the entire eyelid. A second shadow, two shades darker than your skin tone, can help define the crease of your eyelid. Apply dark brown gel liner close to your lash line and one coat of black or dark brown mascara. Bold brows are in, so don’t over pluck. Instead, use a lash and brow groomer to tame any stray hairs and brush brows into place. A swipe of sheer, shimmery lip gloss tops off this fresh, youthful look.

To learn more about the looks mentioned and the tools needed to achieve them, visit EcoTools on Facebook.

The post Fresh makeup looks for busy back-to-school routines appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Spring is the perfect time to shake up your beauty routine. So get ready because I am going to walk you through some of my favorite products to help you get your best hair, skin, nails and even teeth! Warning, you might just find your new must-have products!

Ever since supermodel Niki Taylor turned me on to Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions, there is rarely a morning at my house that doesn’t start with a chocolate protein shake! Made by women for women, Nature’s Bounty Complete Protien & Vitamin Shake Mix is the perfect blend of everything that women need for energy, immune health, bone health, digestive health, healthy hair, skin and nails, and a metabolism boost. As if that list wasn’t enough it also tastes amazing! In addition to the shakes, the Optimal Solutions line has vitamins and supplements for a range of needs including menopause support; hair, skin and nail growth; and bone density. Remember, beauty starts from the inside out and Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions has everything you need to build a great foundation!

After your hair, skin and nails are looking great, it is time to move on to your teeth. There is nothing like the confidence that a radiant, white smile gives you! If your teeth aren’t quite there yet, have no fear Luster has the solution! Want gorgeous results instantly? Start with Luster’s 30-Minute Pro White System. This kit channels the same light-activated whitening technology that dentists use to produce visibly whiter teeth in less time than it takes to catch up with the Real Housewives! If you want to maintain these newfound pearly whites, brush your teeth with the Power White Toothpaste. This toothpaste (on it’s own) produces whiter teeth in 1 week, so pair it with the Pro White System and warn your friends not to look you directly in the teeth! Added bonus: both products are enamel safe and won’t cause tooth sensitivity!

Now that your teeth are movie star-white let’s move on to your skin. Is your face as smooth, bright and healthy as you want it to be? Don’t pick your face products simply based on pretty packaging and catchy commercials, trust in a line of products backed by 25 years of research. The Nia24 line is a cutting edge, Niacin-powered skin therapy that works its way deep into your skin to treat it from the inside out. This complete line of products will help balance your complexion and reverses the signs of sun damage. Nia24 is lightweight and non-greasy, so it is perfect under make-up or on a make-up free day. The whole line is wonderful but my favorite product is the Rapid Exfoliating Serum, which leaves my skin bright and smooth!

If you have read my previous beauty articles you have probably heard me rant about my Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream which has been my go-to face lotion for years, but I have found a new love and my days with my Beautiful Skin Cream might be history! So what is this new product that has stolen my heart, or um skin? Boots No7 Protect & Perfect line! Ok so I didn’t stray too far, but when you find a company that makes great products for a great price, you stick with it! The Protect & Perfect line has everything I loved about the Beautiful Skin line with the added bonus of fighting signs of aging! My favorite products from the line are the Protect & Perfect Serum and Protect & Perfect Eye Serum.

We are finally getting some warm weather and that means plenty of time in the sun. There are few things more annoying than reaching for your sunscreen or lip balm to find it’s completely melted! The solution is Cool-it Caddy! Simply throw these stylish little make-up bags in the freezer until frozen, then remove, throw in any make-up and products that you want to keep cool, and you’re ready for fun in the sun. These are perfect for time at the beach, picnics, the boat, or by the pool. Added bonus: the chilled products will feel amazing on your warm skin!

Have you ever wondered what the secret is to achieving an even complexion? For many people, the problem isn’t what product they are using but how they are using it. Fingers, brushes and angled sponges can leave your foundation looking streaky and unnatural. Do you ever wonder was celebrity make-up artists use to make the stars look flawless? The answer is the Beauty Blender. It is a sponge for blending your make-up that is simple in concept but perfectly executed! It has the beauty editors at Allure raving, naming it Beauty Tool of the Year four times. What makes it so special? The perfectly teardrop shape and satin-like texture allows it to glide over your skin, smoothing away any imperfections.

We have all heard the term “beauty sleep” but do you ever wake up with a tired face and crazy hair and wonder where on earth that phrase came from? The problem could be your pillowcase! Standard cotton pillowcases can actually damage your hair, cause you to develop fine lines, and gasp even wrinkles! It has long been known that sleeping on a satin pillowcase can reduce these nasty sleep side effects but one company is taking it a step further. Cupron’s Cosmetic Pillowcase will actually reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone while you sleep, allowing you to wake up looking and feeling younger! The pillowcase is made of a satin-polyester weave with a 270 thread-count, so it’s bound to be the comfiest place you’ve ever rested your head. It is also made with Cupron’s patented copper technology embedded in the microfibers which promote the growth of skin firming proteins. So go ahead and sleep yourself younger!

Finally, lets talk about developing a tactical plan of attack for your hair. While I’m sure some of you might think I have gone off the drama deep-end, another portion of you completely get it! There are those days that you spend valuable time styling your hair just so, only to step outside and get ambushed by weather that has a whole new (less chic) style in mind for you. Wind, rain and humidity are the biggest culprits when it comes to ruining your ‘do, but with proper planning you can fight even the worst of conditions. Nice N Easy created a hair-saver tool called the Local Hair Day Forecast. This free online tool lets you select your hair type and location, and it generates not only the weather forecast but also a tip on how to style your hair for minimal environmental input. Never again will your hair be at the mercy of Mother Nature! 

So hopefully some of my favorite products will help you update your beauty routine and have a beautiful spring!

The post Spring Beauty Spotlight appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Well ladies, we have come to that time of the year.  On January 1^st we all made resolutions to change our lives in dramatic ways.  “I am going to the gym for 2 hours every day!”  “I will never eat carbs or chocolate ever again!”  Now it’s the end of the month and I don’t know about you, but I have already wavered on my resolutions.  The problem is that our resolutions are often too lofty and are no fun!  The New Year is the time to put your best foot forward and break out of any ruts that you might be in.  Here are some things you can do to update your look and find a whole new you! 

Are you looking for a drastic change quickly?  Hair extensions are a great way to get a whole new look in no time!  Di Biase has a full line of options ranging from clip-in extensions to more permanent options, in loads of color to compliment your actual hair.  Go from a short cut to long, or get that glamorous super-full hair that celebrities rock on the red carpet.  Your options are endless with these simple, easy to use extensions!

Want even more great hair options?  HairUWear is a wonderful resource if you want a large selection of high quality choices.  Ranging from trendy faux fur clip-in braids and ombre extensions, to full wigs that look and feel so natural that even you will have trouble remembering that it isn’t that hair you were born with!  This is definitely the site to go if you are looking for a new look, but aren’t sure how drastic of a change you want, HairUWear has something for everyone!  With HairUWear at your fingertips you have no excuse in 2013 not try something new with your hair, whether it is a fun short wig, or dramatic colored extensions, go for it!

While we are on the topic of hair transformations, if you are having more bad hair days than good, it might be time to look into some treatment options.  Between coloring and heat styling, we put our hair through a lot!  That is why my next pick is a system that takes frizzy, difficult and damaged hair and transforms it into hair that is soft, silky and healthy!  The Keratin Gold Nano-Complex Rejuvenating System is an 8-piece system that takes even the most stubborn curly hair and makes it healthy and smooth.  The best part?  It doesn’t use the toxic chemicals, like formaldehyde, that most other treatments have.  Your hair won’t just look healthier it will be healthier!

OK, one final hair product to help you look your best.  As, moms we are constantly on the go and sometimes our ‘do needs a little mid-day sprucing or even some support to make sure that no one knows that you didn’t have time to wash your hair this morning!  My go-to product is Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Dry Shampoo.  It removes oil, adds volume, and fights problems like dryness and breakage.  With ingredients like Omega 3, keratin and vitamin E, this dry shampoo makes tired old hair look fresh and young!

Now lets move from hair to skin!  When you look in the mirror do you notice large pores, fine lines or even acne scars?  This is not the year to be fighting an uphill battle with bad skin, but the year to let your radiant skin shine!  If you are looking for an affordable way to get dramatic results, look no further than PDM Personal Microderm.  This handheld device buffs away dead skin cells to leave your skin fresh and healthy!  With different heads for sensitive skin and tougher skin, you can use PDM anywhere from your face to your elbows.  With the results of a dermatologist without the high costs, we aren’t the only ones obsessed with this product.  The PDM has been featured everywhere from Good Morning America and Dr. Oz to In Style Magazine!

Last year’s beauty product V.I.P was definitely the B.B. Cream, and the good news is that it isn’t going anywhere in 2013!  For people yet to try a B.B. Cream all I can say is try it!  These creams not only make your skin appear clear and bright while you are wearing them, but they also help to improve your skin over use.  Urban Decay has one of the leading products in this category with their Naked Skin Beauty Balm.  After application you will immediately see fewer lines, wrinkles, redness and pores.  Even better, after only 8 weeks you will notice firmer, lifted skin!  You might expect that such a powerful cream would feel heavy and look cakey, but the opposite is true.  This cream is so light, you forget you are wearing anything and your skin will look naturally healthy!

There are always problematic new trends come out each year (neon ombre hair anyone?) but one trend that you can be sure isn’t happening is the au-natural body hair look.  While shaving is a hassle and waxing is messy and painful, I think we can all agree that grooming is a generally good thing!  That’s where permanent solutions come in.  If you aren’t ready shell out the big bucks for the professional treatments, go for an at-home solution like the Silk׳n Flash&Go hair removal system.  This handheld device can be used in the comfort of your own home to remove hair from virtually anywhere on your body!  Pesky leg hair?  Gone!  Embarrassing moustache?  A thing of the past!  Lets all make a resolution to get rid of hair once and for all!

Do you want thick, full, flirty lashes, but the thought of gluing fibers to your eyes make you a little uneasy?  No worries, Too Faced has the solution!  Their Better than False Lashes Nylon Lashes is more than just a volumizing mascara.  This system is made up of a base coat and the Flexistretch Nylon Fiber coat, that when used together, give you the va-va-voom lash effect without any of the mess of false lashes!

Have you admired bold eye makeup on others but never been brave enough to attempt it yourself?  That will all change with the Revlon’s line of PhotoReady Primer + Shadow.  I love these sets because they have everything that you need to create amazing dramatic eyes, and they couldn’t be more user friendly!  Even the biggest makeup novice can follow the simple guide to use the primer, three different colors, and shimmer top coat to create dramatic, multi-dimensional looks.  With 8 different color sets, you are sure to find the perfect one to complement your eyes!

In 2012 we got introduced to the hottest trend in manicures, the gel manicure.  Compared to regular polish manicures, the gel polishes last much longer and are way more durable.  The only problem is that going to the salon every couple of weeks for gel manicures can get pricey and paying the big bucks for killer nails is SO last year!  Sally Hansen (nail goddess) has just released a money saving at-home solution.  Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kit is the brilliant new baby of the Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips that completely changed the way that we think about nail polish.  When applied correctly, these strips will keep your nails looking great for up to 2 weeks!  I highly recommend watching a tutorial on YouTube before trying it yourself to make sure you are doing it right, but once you get the hang of it application is fast and easy!

The last product is to help you get those smooth, gorgeous legs that other are sure to be the envy of your friends!  Somersets Women’s Sensitive Shave Oil is the go to product for women that get irritated skin from shaving.  With 100% natural concentrated ingredients and 100% pure plant extracts you will feel good about what you are putting on your skin.  Use on legs, underarms, and bikini line for silky smooth, soft skin!

So revamp those resolutions to make them manageable and fun, and don’t be afraid to try some new looks this year!

The post New Year, New You! Feel Beautiful! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Fall has finally hit and you know what that means, pumpkins! Everywhere you go you see the seasonal ingredient that people can’t seem to get enough of. Don’t get me wrong, I too am right there anxiously awaiting the return of pumpkin lattes and I am constantly searching for the perfect pumpkin bread recipe. From pumpkin ice cream to pumpkin beer, it may seem like we have exhausted our uses for this seasonal gourd, but wait, it also has an important place in your skin care regimen!

Pumpkin is naturally full of all sorts of nutrients that support healthy, young-looking skin, and smooth, shiny hair! It’s full of antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, potassium, beta-carotene and zinc. This means that pumpkin is packed with all the essentials for rejuvenated, glowing skin!  Additionally, it contains powerful alpha hydroxy acids, a natural fruit acid that helps lift away old skin cells to reveal a radiant complexion. Pair that with vitamin A, which helps increase the rate of cell renewal, and you have a dynamic duo that will leave your skin with a healthy glow.

If wrinkles are your worry, pumpkin is an effective way to diminish fine lines and wrinkles due to the fact that it is rich in essential fatty acids. It’s also loaded with vitamin C, which has been proven to encourage collagen production and prevent the breakdown of elastin. Pumpkins are also loaded with sodium hyaluronate to help hydrate and plump skin. Finally, pumpkin extract can even enhance the effect of sunscreen and shield skin from other environmental factors, including air pollution and secondhand smoke.

Here are my top three pumpkin beauty products:

Pumpkin Rehydrating Shampoo By Sexy Hair

If the cold weather leaves your hair dry and frizzy, look no further than Sexy Hair for a shampoo pack full of moisturizing pumpkin enzymes.  This product leaves you with healthy, shiny-commercial type hair and smells so yummy!  If you have color treated or damaged hair then, congratulations, you just found your dream shampoo.

LUSH Handy Gurugu

This super thick hand cream is perfect as the weather cools off and the air becomes drier!  LUSH is one of my favorite skin care companies because they are very transparent about what ingredients are in their products and strive to make all of their products organic.  This particular cream utilizes the healing qualities in pumpkin seeds along with a combination of organic Shea, cashew and almond butters and soothing essential oils.  This is the perfect product if you want the benefits of pumpkin, but the traditional scent and color aren’t your cup of tea!

FarmHouse Fresh Splendid Dirt Mud Mask – Pumpkin Puree

This is the essential at-home face mask for anybody that loves pumpkin pie and small pores!  Utilizing the exfoliating properties in pumpkin, this mask provides salon quality results.  With the comforting smell of pumpkin and spices, be careful, it just might make you hungry!

If you are someone that prefers the natural DIY type of products, here are two great beauty recipes:

At-Home Pumpkin Facial

What you need:

• 2 teaspoons canned pumpkin
• ½ teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon milk
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon spice

Mix together ingredients into a paste, and brush onto freshly cleansed skin.  Let it dry for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.  Use a pumpkin-infused moisturizer for an immediate glow!

Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub

What you need:

• 1 cup Granulated Sugar or Sugar in the Raw
• 1/4 cup Oil
• 1/4 cup Pumpkin 
• 1/8 tsp ground Nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground Cloves
• 1/8 tsp ground Allspice
• 1/8 tsp ground Ginger

Mix everything together and apply generously to clean skin, massaging gently in a circular motion paying special attention to dry spots like elbows, knees and feet. Rinse with warm water and enjoy your soft and supple skin. You’ll want to eat this yummy body treat!

The post Pumpkin, the Seasonal Skin Savior appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.