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

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Dad can be hard to shop for sometimes. Of course, he can never have too many ties, coffee mugs or tools. But doesn’t the man who taught you how to ride a bike, to play catch and to always try your best deserve something more personal and unique.

Sure, he will be happy regardless of what you get him, but why not help him enjoy more time with the interests he has outside of being a great father. Here are some Father’s Day gift ideas for every kind of dad – from the grill master to the car enthusiast and the clean freak to the hygiene centric and every kind of dad in between.

Let Dad Stand Out with a Million-Dollar Shine

Your dad can now achieve the million-dollar appearance of Barrett-Jackson car auctions in his garage. Their Premium Auto Care line includes washes, waxes and detailers formulated with synthetic hydrophobic polymers and genuine carnauba wax for lasting brilliance and easy application. Learn more about how to bring a long-lasting and brilliant, deep shine to your dad’s car at Barrett-JacksonAutoCare.com. Barrett-Jackson Premium Auto Care products, which range in price from $5.49 to $17.99, are available at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Pepboys, Menards and select Home Depots, and through online retailers including Amazon.com. For the ultimate gift, go a step further and wash his car for him.

For the Dad Who Loves to Drive

What do you get a dad who loves his car and truly loves to drive? How about something that connects him to his car, like a shoe that enhances his driving experience? While comfortable and stylish enough for everyday wear, the Piloti Spyder S1 driving shoe features patented Roll Control heel technology, superior red suede and mesh panels for maximum comfort and flexibility as well as the perfect combination of support, size, grip and feel. Check out the Spyder S1 ($150) as well as Piloti’s complete line of luxury, casual and performance driving shoes at Piloti.com.

A Gift Dad Can Sink His Teeth Into

Make Father’s Day complete with a dinner he’ll remember for years. The Omaha Steaks Father’s Day T-Bone Gift package is a meal dad will be willing and eager to fire up the grill for. The package is headlined by two 18-ounce T-Bones and includes four Brisket Burgers and four Gourmet Jumbo Franks along with Omaha Steaks Seasoning. Regularly $194.95, you can now bring the family together to enjoy this incredible fare for just $69.99. For more information, visit omahasteaks.com.

A Spotless Man Cave, Workshop and Car

It’s the ultimate gift for dad and his man cave. The Dirt Devil FlipOut™ is a premium cordless hand vac, perfectly designed to keep his man cave, workshop or set of wheels spotless. The 16-volt, fade-free lithium battery means faster charging, longer runtime and continuous power. It’s compact and lightweight, and has versatile tools for quick and easy cleaning. The FlipOut is $49.99. For more information, visit DirtDevil.com.

Power Dad’s Smile

Be the power behind dad’s smile this Father’s Day with the Oral-B 7000 SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush with Bluetooth connectivity. The brush connects to the Oral-B App, which provides real-time guidance while brushing and records brushing activity that can be shared with dental professionals. With six different cleaning modes, it removes 300 percent more plaque compared to a manual brush. Upgrade your dad’s oral care routine and visit oralb.com for additional details.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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But a recent breakthrough is available to help support oral health–in a sugar free chocolate flavored soft chew.

An article published in February’s RDH Magazine discusses the discovery and importance of beneficial bacteria that live in the mouth. It’s been known for over a century that certain bad bacteria in dental plaque are able to convert sugars from the diet to acid, which is bad for teeth. After decades of researching the microorganisms in the mouth, Dr. Israel Kleinberg, DDS and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, discovered beneficial bacteria that also live in dental plaque. Dr. Kleinberg isolated a nutrient in saliva called arginine, which these “good” bacteria use to naturally produce tooth-protecting buffers. This process can help neutralize the acids from the harmful bacteria and help keep the teeth in a normal pH (acid/base) balance.

Healthy saliva also contains calcium and bicarbonate that help preserve healthy tooth enamel and provide additional buffering. Stony Brook researchers combined arginine, calcium and bicarbonate and patented this vital blend of nutrients that fuels the mouth’s natural defensives. These key tooth-supporting ingredients have been added to BasicBites, a sugar free chocolate flavored chew that is now being recommended by leading dental professionals.

Here are six ways to help children and even adults maintain their oral health.

1. Two BasicBites a day can help preserve healthy teeth. Recommended for adults and children over the age of six, these candy-like chews nourish beneficial oral bacteria, while supporting enamel health. They are also an excellent source of calcium.

2. Minimize sugary foods and drinks and if you do eat them, avoid sticky foods that can get stuck on teeth. This even includes dried fruit, bread and crackers. Children should choose water and low-fat milk as health beverage alternatives.

3. Limit between-meal snacks. If children crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.

4. If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and helps wash out foods that produce acids.

5. Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.

6. Schedule regular dental visits.

BasicBites are also recommended for people with dry mouth, a condition that affects approximately 30 percent of all adults in the United States. Chronic dry mouth can cause significant oral health issues and damage teeth.

BasicBites are 20 calories each and available exclusively online at www.basicbites.com where you can also find more information.

The post How healthy is your smile? You’d be surprised 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.