LENA BLOG

There are many things you can do (and not do) to keep your skin looking young and aging well. Below is just a list of twenty I have compiled, but, please, add to this list! All of the “dos” or “don’ts” have at least one correlating blog post that has been published on that subject, so just click on the blue text and you’ll be taken directly to that article . Avoid direct sunlight on your face . Other than genetics and the natural aging process, sunlight is the number one cause of aging. Don’t smoke . Smoking encourages wrinkles to form around your mouth from the constant pursing of the lips and cuts off all-important oxygen to your skin cells. Don’t drink . Alcohol is a diuretic and increases the removal of vital fluids from your body. It also depletes important vitamins. Curtail caffeine . Another diuretic, caffeine will release fluids from your system and taxes your adrenal glands. Wear sunscreen . Make this a daily habit. Drink more water . It will help all of ...

Don’t use scrubs as your cleanser. They don’t have the ingredients to break down oil like a cleanser does. Use scrubs to exfoliate and stimulate circulation. If your scrub feels irritating , add it to your cleanser and gently go over your face and neck. See Advanced Steps for Cleansing for more information and to understand why, even though I just said don’t use your scrub as your cleanser, adding it to a cleanser is OK. Don’t forget to exfoliate your neck. Just like with your Basics 1-2-3 Program , you want to include your neck in everything you do to your face. Cute photo, but she’s using scrub on dry skin Always use scrubs on wet skin. Used dry, a facial scrub can drag and pull your skin. Never use scrubs around the eye area. You don’t want to use any abrasive products on this delicate tissue. Exfoliating prior to an event (like a wedding or photo shoot) can help your skin look its best. Read An Exfoliation Quick Tip for a Quick Pick-Me-Up t...

I love lemons, lemon juice, and my little electric fruit juicing machine I purchased many years ago. I have a real juicer, but the machine I’m talking about just juices fruit. It’s super easy and not a pain to clean like a real juicer. Since I love to have real lemon juice squeezed into my water, or in tea, or when I make the Master Cleanser drink (lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper), I pretty much always have lemons in my kitchen. I’m also lazy, or perhaps it’s because I’m practical. No matter, I simply don’t love juicing 1/2 of a lemon, leaving the other half sitting around (no doubt losing potency) as well as having to constantly clean my little fruit juicer. So I came up with a great idea (I am sure I’m not the first): putting fresh squeezed lemon juice into ice trays, then freezing for future use. That I am not the inventor of this was evidenced by the amount of photos of lemon juice in ice cube trays when I went searching for a photo for this article, ...

Music can have a therapeutic and relaxing effect after a stressful day. If you aren ’ t sleeping well, try playing a relaxation or meditation CD while lying in bed. This type of music tends to be monotone without a lot of crescendo. It is ideal for helping your mind to slow down and stop working so hard, which is usually what is keeping you up. I have made many CDs of the music I use in my facials for clients who were either under stress or just having trouble getting to sleep from time to time. I also recommend this type of music for a baby who is having trouble sleeping . My clients are quite relieved to find these soothing tones help lull their babes to sleep. And for you new mommies , playing this type of music while lying down (or even sitting up nursing your infant) can help you, too, to relax and hopefully even sleep! Here are links to a few of the favorites that I play during my facial treatments (and some clien t favorites, too!): Daniel Kolbia lka ’ s Fragr...

Beware of a product that is a moisturizer and a sunscreen and foundation, or any other combination of actions. The more feats a product claims to carry out, the more ingredients it will require, and it will be more likely to cause sensitivities. The idiom, “Jack of all trades, master of none,” comes to mind. Burning and/or itching is always a cause for concern. Products that are right for your skin will feel good and not cause irritations. Department store products require a lot of money for advertising and marketing. Many times what you end up with is expensive, grocery store-quality products with pretty packaging and famous actors or models as spokespeople. Please keep in mind advertisers are not going to put a model or an actress on the pages of a magazine (or in a TV ad) who doesn't look like she has flawless skin. Makeup and lighting can do wonders in a photo shoot. We mere mortals have to go a different route to have clear-looking skin. For more in...

Exfoliating prior to a special occasion will have a twofold benefit for your skin. First, it will remove dead cells, making the surface smoother and helping your makeup go on better. It will also stimulate circulation, making your skin look luminous. D on ’ t hesitate— exfoliate! For a few more tips, see: Pick-Me-Ups for Glowing Skin Blemish Help Quick Tip

Who needs a bath pillow in this tub! If you travel, packing an inflatable bath pillow can help you enjoy your bath-time while on the road. They are inexpensive (usually under $10) and won’t take up much space in your travel bag. Simply deflate, put the pillow (if already used) in a plastic bag or baggie. Once you're in the hotel room or guest area, inflate, run your bath and enjoy. I hope you brought some bubble bath or bath salts with you, too! For more information, see: Bathtime Quick Tips Are you a “bath person ”?  Bathroom = Sanctuary—really!