Positively Posie

4 Tips To Help Avoid Stretch Marks While Pregnant

June 13, 2018June 13, 2018by Positively Posie2 Comments

Stretch Marks, Stretch Marks, Stretch Marks

Unfortunately, there is no miracle cream that prevents stretch marks. Research is showing that genetics play a role in who gets stretch marks. Also, gaining a lot of weight quickly or woman having twins/triples all have increased chances of new stretch marks.

You know me PREVENTION, is everything.

When I found out I was pregnant with Blakely I knew that there was a good chance I would see some new stretch marks. I already had some on my thighs from having a QUICK growth spurt in 8th grade ( 5’6″- 6’0″ over the summer WTF). SOO–I wasn’t going to sit back and not try everything out there to prevent new ones from showing up.

I did a lot of research and found some of the best ways to prevent stretch marks while pregnant, and duh I implemented them all. Why not, right!

I’m here to say I didn’t get ONE new stretch mark while pregnant.Obviously- – folks I can’t say it is JUST because of these 4 things that I didn’t get new stretch marks but I think it helped BIG TIME!

So let’s get into it: 4 Things To Help Avoid Stretch Marks While Pregnant.

Moisturize: I wouldn’t say I’m the best at moisturizing daily, but staying moisturized while pregnant definitely helped alleviate any itchy skin (a symptom of stretch marks). Definitely later in my pregnancy my skin felt tighter (obviously) and at times itchy. So I knew it was time to lather up my skin and I used a couple products depending on my nausea.

Bio-Oil is what I used most of my pregnancy, it has a mild smell and gave me lots of moisture. Another product I used and is more of a lotion if you don’t like oils is Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks by Spoiled Mama. Every morning and night I would lather up mybelly, thighs, breasts anywhere that you are gaining weight or stretching needs that moisture.

Another great option is rosehip oil, it’s like the Mother of All oils. Rose hip seed oil is packed with trans-retinoic acid, a natural form of vitamin A and omegas that will protect the skin and encourages it to regenerate faster. So oil up girls, it’s truly beneficial!

Eating Healthy: I already have a pretty clean diet, so I knew going into pregnancy that I wanted to maintain that same diet and increase calories gradually, as specified by my doctor. As a nurse I know that amount of food a woman needs during pregnancy is dependent on a variety of things.

For A LOT of people the topic of food and weight gain can be very touchy (myself included), so remember to face it head on with your doctor and come up with a plan. I believe because I gradually gained weight throughout my pregnancy I was able to keep those stretch marks away.

Hydrate: Yes, drink water we hear it all the time and this was the hardest one for me to keep up with. Especially going into my third trimester with the baby sitting right on my bladder. But I did my best to drink 1-2 liters of water daily. Remember the more water you drink the more your skin can take in and hydrate–and hopefully help not develop stretch marks.

Workout and Stretch: My workout routine while pregnant also helped me to maintain that STEADY weight gain while pregnant. My doctor and I had a “chat” at my first appointment just keep me informed on how to work out while pregnant. She told me that pregnancy exercise can vary from my non- pregnant routine, so I needed to be aware of how hard I was pushing myself.

Most exercises you are doing prior to becoming pregnant are safe to continue during your pregnancy, but the body can react differently so be aware of any aches and pains. Most exercise while pregnant is beneficial and can help with constipation, backaches as well as increase your mood and self esteem. Here is a link to some FREE online videos I used while pregnant.

unnamed-1 When I feel like something has really help me, that’s when I usually dedicate a whole post to it. These 4 things were so helpful to me while I was pregnant!

GUYS- – I hope this information is beneficial to you or just a good reminder of things you can do while pregnant to better PROTECT your beautiful skin: it’s the only skin you are gonna have so treat it well.

Have a super productive week my little loves & don’t forget lets friends on INSTAGRAM too!

xo- Whitney

Skin, Wellness

It’s True: My Favorite Beauty Products- – Are Vitamins

June 8, 2018June 8, 2018by Positively PosieLeave a Comment

Hum Nutrition

GUYS I feel like I’ve hit the beauty product jackpot!

I’m all about popping a pill for the pursuit of beauty. Some people might not think of vitamins as a beauty product, but I 100% do. Not gonna lie just looking at these vitamins makes me happy- – the packaging is just so pretty you’ll want to display them around the house.

ENTER – – Hum Nutrition, the more natural way of helping beauty concerns. Let me just say if you are dealing with major skin issues, it is always best to consult with a dermatologist first to help you come up with a game plan. Reminder: vitamins vary from person to person, these are the products that I like and that have worked for my body.

So why Hum Nutrition? As a nurse I’m super particular about the vitamins I take and have NEVER promoted any until now– because well these are LEGIT!

▴ sustainably sourced

▴ gluten free

▴ non- GMO

▴ pure & potent

Hum Nutrition has scientific evidence behind each and everyone. I’m all ALL ABOUT that, it’s so important if you are going to take any supplement that you know the research behind the ingredients in them.

How Hum Works

Before you randomly choose some products, take their 3 minute evaluation, and get exactly what your body needs. Then a registered dietitian reviews your results & sends you nutrient recommendation, I mean how awesome is that.

Okay, lets get into the products and the specifics of what I’ve been taking.

Hum Nutrition

Arctic Repair

The last 3 months I have been taking Arctic repair is full of Lingonberry Seed Oil +Omega-3 +Omega-6+Omega-9+Vitamin E +Vitamin A. Lingonberries are packed full of antioxidants. OH how I love antioxidants- – they help protect us against damaging free radicals on the cells. Studies show that these Lingonberries help with hydration and dryness, which I’m all about since I have super dry skin.

Collagen Love

OKAY something I love about HUM is that they are science backed. On their website when you find the product it has a tab just about the SCIENCE behind ingredients. Collagen is provides so many benefits- you want glow-y wrinkle free skin and maybe killer hair and nails then add in some collagen. This is the easiest way to get it in your daily routine- – Collagen Love has collagen peptide + vitamin c + chondroitin sulfate+ Hyaluronic Acid +Red Wine Extract + Grape Seed Extract.

GLOW Sweet GLOW

I’ve fallin MADLY in love this Glow Sweet Glow. Anything with hyaluronic acid in it and I’m sold- -Hyaluronic acid is like the queen of hydration. If your like me you’ve just been putting hyaluronic acid on your face. But Hum Nutrition has taken the science behind actually ingesting hyaluronic acid and made into a yummy gummy. Quick, easy and OMG so delicious – – Glow Sweet Glow is full of Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid+ Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Amla Fruit.

Daily Cleanse

LOVE A GOOD DETOX: Detoxing doesn’t have to be intense and scary. I hate seeing people do these crazy detoxes that are just so not necessary. Your liver is your filtration system, it literally converts toxins into waste products, cleansing your blood. I have been taking this cleanse and it’s super gentle and is filled with ingredients that are proven to detox – – Organic Chlorella + Beetroot + Red Clover + Dandelion Root +Oregon Grape Root + Milk Thistle + Alpha Lipoic Acid + Zinc + Selenium + Copper + Manganese + Spirulina Matcha Green Tea. . . OMG so many good things, I can’t stand it!

Red Carpet

The #1 seller at Sephora: the Red Carpet has Black Currant Seed Oil which is a source of GLA, ALA, plus it has sunflower seed oil which is packed with Vitamin E. I mean lets be honest these are all the ESSENTIALS if you are wanting glow-y dewy fabulous skin- – Black Currant Seed Oil, Vitamin E

Raw Beauty Super Food

Wake up, Brush teeth, Lemon water, Coffee, Morning Shake with Raw Beauty Super food. Literally I don’t go a day without this – – the proof is in the pudding, this is the ultimate beauty powder. Guys, it has 39 superfoods and the goal is for it improve your energy, support radiant skin and boost your metabolism. I know it has made a difference in my skin, it’s literally one of my FAVORITE products I use.

There you have it my go-to beauty products in 2018. You know I am all about taking care of our skin by having a great skin routine and wearing sunscreen– I mean those things are great but I think we can do more than that.

I wanted to share about HUM Nutrition with you not to preach but to share the potential benefits. And of course to ENCOURAGE you guys to try something new & always do your research- – trust me this time, it’s totally worth it.

xo- Whitney

▴ what else: ENTER the Instagram giveaway– 3 people will WIN a bottle of Red Carpet & a HUM gift card.

▴ check out my previous post for more on HUM nutrition

▴ this post is in collaboration with Hum Nutrition, but all of these opinions are mine.

Hum Nutrition

Wellness

How to Manage Anxiety: Practical Advice from Jenny West – Mehrer LMFT

May 30, 2018by Positively PosieLeave a Comment

Hey Guys- – I’m back yet again talking about ANXIETY. A few weeks back I shared with you my tips for breaking up with anxiety. But I wanted to bring in a true professional on the topic of anxiety, so we can really kick anxiety’s butt! My good friend Jenny Mehrer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in San Diego, we’ve known each other since 9th grade and you guys she is such an amazing person and great at her job. She is here to give us her professional tips on how to manage anxiety… so let’s get into it! Dear Anxiety, Let's Break Up

Hi Everyone Jenny Here… Anxiety is something that I spend most of my days learning about, working with and helping others (and myself) manage. It sure is powerful and we live in a society that creates an environment for it to grow. I want to highlight that it is important to remember that not ALL anxiety is bad. Anxiety often serves a purpose and, at times, can keep us safe and aware. To be honest, most of the time anxiety or worry can feel like too much. Here are a few quick tips to help manage anxiety when it becomes “too much.”

Jenny’s 5 Tips For Managing Anxiety

Write it out: Whatever is on your mind, write it down. It does not have to make sense or be perfect, just get your thoughts (which are often rushing around) down on paper or in a note in your phone. Once your thoughts/worries/fears are written down, they often appear more manageable.
Press pause: Set aside time to engage in 15-20 minutes of yoga, meditation or prayer. You can do this with or without the assistance of apps (Mycalmbeat and Mindshift are great). Youtube has a handful of great yoga videos and guided meditations.
Practice self-care: Drink a cup of tea, take a bath, get a pedicure or message, go to bed early, sit in a cozy spot and read a book. Whatever you feel gives you a break and nourishes your soul, do it. Make it a priority. NOTE: Caffeine, alcohol and junk food can make anxiety worse so avoid “treating yourself” that way.
Get moving: It is amazing what a quick 15-minute walk can do for your mood. If you have more time, try to get a 45-minute workout. If walking is not your thing, get moving in other ways. Go to a barre class, find a Zumba video on YouTube, lift weights or go for a swim. Any sort of activity will help improve your mood and release endorphins.
Check yourself: After you engage in an activity that helps you calm down, check yourself. What triggered the anxiety? Are your thoughts and feelings accurate? Can you try a different approach to your worry? Sometimes it is helpful to talk it out with a trusted (and empathetic) friend or family member.

Sometimes anxiety (or depression or a feeling of being “off”) is not easily managed. If that is the case for you or someone you care about, I recommend seeking our professional help.

www.westmehrertherapy.com

Sources: https://adaa.org/tips https://www.verywellfit.com/walking-for-your-mind-and-spirit-3432871

Beauty, Skin

Erin the Aesthetician: Tips For Healthy And Flawless Skin

May 23, 2018May 23, 2018by Positively PosieLeave a Comment

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Erin and I connected through Instagram(of course)! She works at Restore SD Plastic Surgery, so naturally we connected over skin and skincare.

She was nice enough to share her tips for Healthy And Flawless Skin, which now I get to share with you all. AND she also gave me one of these amazing Blue Stone Sun Shields — GUYS how can I be from Arizona and not already have one of these … yes yes it’s a little over the top but seriously it’s the best.

Erin the Aesthetician Here- – I’m sure we can all agree that the sun is a wonderful thing, but it also has the potential to do serious damage to the skin.

The sun emits UV waves which can cause up to 80% of aging in the skin. Because of that we often see skin cancers, wrinkles, brown spots and age spot. The first places this damage shows up is on our face, neck, and décolleté.

This premature wrinkling and damage from sun exposure is called photo-aging. Obviously guys– prevention is easier than reversal. However, there are plenty of options out there to treat your already damaged skin.

Okay let’s get into the fun stuff…

SUNSCREEN

Sun damage is cumulative, which means it builds up over time starting when you were just a baby. The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests that your skin has already experienced almost half of its UV exposure by the time you’re 40! Basically it’s never too late to start wearing sunscreen.

+ Reminders

Dime size amount to your face, rain or shine, and re-apply every two hours if you’re going to be out in the sun. Shot glass size amount when spending a day at the beach or by the pool.
On my face I prefer to use a physical sunscreen which contains Zinc or Titanium Dioxide. This REFLECTS the UV waves instead of absorbing and scattering them in your body.

+ Favorites

EXFOLIATION

When we exfoliate we’re clearing off the dead skin that builds up on the top layer of skin called the Stratum Corneum.

+ Reminders

Removing those old cells helps to brighten the skin, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and give you a radiant glow.
Don’t over exfoliate, it will damage the protective layer in your skin. Use facial scrub or enzyme/acid peel 1-3 times a week.

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DARK SPOTS

There are several ways to do this and it all depends on what you’re comfortable with.

Topical products that contain natural lightening agents such as kojic acid, vitamin c, mandelic acid and mulberry extracts.
Prescription products like Hydroquinone and Retinol will work quickly. Make sure to track your usage of RX strength with your aesthetician or doctor as they can injure the skin if used incorrectly.

+ Favorites

LASER TREATMENTS

Sun damage laser treatments have made huge advancements in the last couple of years. Any laser treatment will require a consultation before treatment and are not always suitable for darker skin tones.

+ Check Out

Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing which high-energy light to burn away damaged skin. It also treats pigmentation, wrinkles and scars. Ablative laser treatments can generally be performed once every couple of years and carry 7-10 days worth of down time.
Non-ablative lasers which do not burn away or remove the top layers of the skin. Non-ablative lasers can be performed as often as once a month and no down time.

ANTIOXIDANTS

UV radiation causes free radical damage in our skin, which are responsible for breaking down collagen & elastin. This results in sagging, lines, and wrinkles. Look to topical cream or serums containing Vitamin C or Green Tea to help. Antioxidants are the powerhouse that block the effects of free radicals and help to repair the damage. Consume at least one food a day high in antioxidants like blueberries or oranges.

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RESTORE HYDRATION

Moisturizers will often “glue” the dead skin cells you try to exfoliate away back onto your skin. Moisturizers attempts to hydrate the skin from outside to inside. Look for serums that contain Hyaluronic Acid, which binds water in the skin allowing you to truly hydrate the skin.

+ Favorites

None of this will matter if you don’t wear sunscreen, so be sure to wear it every day, and see a board certified dermatologist annually for skin and mole checks! We all have busy lives, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.- – ERIN

Thanks for all these awesome tips Erin and I love love love like every product she recommended!

AND- – – as always I wanna hear from you guys! Do you wear visors or crazy hats to stay away from the sun. I mean girl’s gotta do, what a girl’s gotta do to avoid the sun, right!

xo- Whitney

Wellness

We’re Friends Right? So Lets Talk About Anxiety

May 15, 2018by Positively Posie1 Comment

friends 2.jpg ANXIETY– Can literally control someone’s life. That is such a sad statement, but guys that is the truth. I am not ashamed to talk about this and say ya.. I have anxiety.

Let me just say anxiety is no JOKE. We need to take care of our mental health just like we take care of skin or our physical health. I think it’s an important topic to talk about and shed some light on. So I wanted to share with you the things I do to calm my anxiety and take back control of my thoughts.

Don’t you think everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life? Well they do.. Anxiety is highly subjective to each person, obviously worse for some than others. Something that helped me right away is just saying. I need some help- – like I’m at a point that I need some guidance on how to manage my anxiety. Just SAYING that right there was life changing for me.

So here is what I have done over the last few years of my life to help manage my anxiety.

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▴ Take a moment and breath. When I consciously focus on calming my thoughts and calming breaths, I can feel my body start to relax. Honestly, there are tons of different breathing exercises for anxiety, so try out several to see what works best for you. What I do is I close my eyes, and start to relax every muscle group from my toes up to my head. I then take 6 deep breaths through my nose and hold for 5 seconds. “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” — Amit Raz

▴ Adrenal Support- So I’ve talked about the importance of adrenal support before and I’ll say it again if you have anxiety you need to study up on the connection between the two. I support my adrenals with proper supplementation and I notice a huge difference when I am not on them. Someone like a naturopathic doctor is going to be able to guide best, let me know if you have any questions about this.

▴ Lay off the coffee--This is a very sad truth! I have now limited my caffeine intake to one cup a day and I notice a big difference. Period End of Story.

▴ Meditation. I have been trying to incorporate meditation into my life for awhile now. I am trying try train myself to be mindful. Meditation is helping me take unproductive worries and look at them in a totally different way. I found Melissa Wood through a favorite blogger of mine. Her free 10 minute meditation is a great place to start if you are wanting to get into meditation.

▴ Have a person. Guys–I am all about going to therapy when you need too. There is still such a stigma around therapy, which is so sad. People need to freaking GET OVER IT! Therapy for is a place to learn about yourself and how to handle all of our feelings.

So many times I just hear people say, “Oh I’m just working through it myself.” That might work for some people but for me my mom couldn’t be my therapist FOREVER (love you mom). I guess at the end of the day it is just important to talk to someone when you need to talk. Talk, Learn, Grow and fill your mind with positivity — I recently introduced to Susan David who talks about emotional agility, which is eye opening & mind blowing at the same time. Listen to her over on the podcast, The Robcast,

These are a few tips that really have worked for me and help me handle the day to day anxiety most of us have.

I’m pretty much trying to just trying to become a MASTER of my emotions– no big deal!

Let me know if you have any questions. AND of course I want to know how you deal with your anxiety. Share your tips me, I love hearing them!

XO- Whitney

Skin

What Skin Care In Your 30’s Looks Like

April 30, 2018May 6, 2018by Positively Posie8 Comments

unnamed-6 Well here I am.. in my 30’s I would like to say I made it here quite gracefully–HA!

If I am being honest my 20’s were good to me, when we are talking about the world of skin. My 20’s was all about PREVENTION and SIMPLICITY! I did my best to prevent fine lines from getting deeper with botox and a good skincare routine. I don’t know about you but when I hit 30 and all of the sudden I was seeing slower cell turnover rate slows, major dryness, dullness and discoloration. It freaking sucked and I was using facetune way more than I needed to be #truthbomb

Life now is totally different than in my 20’s —babies, stress, just not having the time to care. But it kind made me fall even more in love with the world of beauty, more importantly my skin. I’ve been watching my mom proactively take care of her skin for years, so I said to myself it’s time to get serious about your own skin.

I guess this would be an overall skin care routine I am going to share with you. I’m not going into major details, like this is AM or what I use in the PM. That is a whole different post and maybe I’ll work on that next. I really just want to share what I am using and why I use them.

▴ Hydrating Toner– Okay guys lets talk toner, there is nothing better than lathering on a bunch of toner in the AM. I literally can feel my skin drinking it up. I naturally have super dry skin, that plus being in your 30’s talk about DRY. Recently I have jumped on the Korean skin care train and I am obsessed with this toner by Hanskin, it’s just so soothing so after I wash my face AM and PM, I use a huge cotton pad and basically soak my face in this an essence toner 7 times. When I jumped on the K-beauty bandwagon I went full force doing the “7 Skin Method,” a multi-application toner technique. Guys- this sounds a little crazy but its fantastic, you are just putting layer upon layer (7 to be exact) of hydration on your skin. So if you are like me and have super dry skin, try this method and let me know what you think.

▴ Exfoliation will become your best friend! This has been the biggest game changer for my skin, it’s about boosting cell turnover to have that fresh and glowy skin. I have three different exfoliation methods I have tried over the last 6 months and I really love them all, don’t make me choose what one is my favorite! First Dr Lancer’s the method, Dr Gross Alpha Beta Universal Peel Pads and lastly Exfolikate by Kate Somerville. All of these will wonders for your skins texture, I promise.

▴Brighteners are now a must have in my daily routine. Unfortunately, the melasma train hit me hard when I was pregnant. I’m just constantly battling the build up of pigment under my eyes and on my forehead. I’m all about a good concentrated serum for this issue, serums are the best because your gonna get a higher concentration of active ingredients on your face– and after you put on a serum you can build on top of it with other products.

▴ Retinol- I’m fighting the good fight of fine lines with a retinol and lots of collagen too. I’m all about retinol because it helps with pigmentation, dullness and yes fine lines– I mean who doesn’t want that. I’m currently out of my favorite and that shows you how often I use it, it really is a winner. And of course I can’t forget my favorite collagen right now, which I throw in my HUGE pill case every morning.

▴ Sunscreen + Supplements– talk about something that is crucial to your daily routine. Random side note, I wish I could go back in time and be that girl that was just way to cool to sit out in the sun with the rest of the crew. We all remember that friend and if your like me, you would totally kill for her skin now! Okay back to it, the main thing you should think about is the sunscreen formula. Get a physical sunscreen which contains minerals ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. I like a physical sunscreen because they deflect and scatter UV rays away from the skin, there are just so many pros the list could go on and on.

Also, don’t forget that you can help your skin by supplementing with products like Arctic Repair and Red Carpet from HUM Nutrition. I’ve was given some products to try a month ago and I am totally sold on them. They are packed with things like antioxidants, vitamin E, lingonberry seed oil– all the good stuff to really give your skin a boost. I personally take Arctic repair everyday, plus their Raw Beauty Green Superfood powder, man what a combo I love them.

▴HANSKIN- Hyaluron Skin Essence

▴Dr Lancer’s- The method

▴Dr Gross – Alpha Beta Universal Peel Pads

▴ Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

▴ SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

▴Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution

▴ COSRX- Triple C Lightning Liquid

▴ Biossance-SQUALANE + VITAMIN C ROSE OIL

▴Drunk Elephant – T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

▴Replenix- Antioxidant Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 50

▴SUPERGOOP! Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist With Vitamin C SPF 50

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Okay guys I know this was a long post but there was a ton of info to tell you. Let me know what products you like from my list or if there are any I should try out– I’m always up for that. Have a fabulous week!

xo- Whitney

Beauty, Skin

5 Things You Can Do To Minimize Your Stretch Marks

April 23, 2018June 4, 2018by Positively PosieLeave a Comment

As you guys know from my previous post I have stretch marks!

Yes- I’m saying it loud and proud, listen most women do— it’s nothing to feel ashamed about. I mean of course I don’t LOVE them, and I’m all about improving one’s self.

So why not treat those stretch marks, to help them fade. I hate to say this but there is no magic solution to make them completely disappear, but I got you covered with a few ways to minimize them. Here’s the thing: I’ve tried a few of these so I can definitely say there are ways to fade them, they aren’t completely gone but they are way better. OKAY, with that lets get into it, 5 Things You Can Do To Minimize Your Stretch Marks.

▴ Retinol Cream to save the day. I’m sure you guys have heard of retinol to treat acne, but it’s gaining more popularity because it’s treats stretch marks as well. It is filled with vitamin A that stimulates collagen- which the more collagen the better! The trick with retinol is to use them on the fresh red stretch marks, that is the key! So if you have fresh stretch marks talk to your doctor ASAP if a prescription would be right for you.

▴ Microneedling with PRP is gonna sound really intense but don’t let it scare you. Basically mirconeedling is punching little holes on both the outer epidermis and the inner dermis layer of the skin. The whole goal with this is to trigger the healing response on those stretch marks.

But the kicker is adding in PRP–let me explain PRP. Platelet Rich Plasma are the elements of the blood that initiate the healing process, they have all the good stuff, the growth factors. The process is really cool- they basically paint the platelets on your skin and then do the mirconeedling. This method then drives those healing growth factors in through the hole and into the deeper layers of the stretch marked skin. With this process you have new collagen being formed plus your platelets adding in growth factors, it’s a winning combo!

▴ Fraxel laser will zap those stretch mark almost right off your body. Okay-so right now the AMA says using a combination of lasers to treat the new and old stretch marks will give you the best results.

One of them being the fractionated Co2 lasers which resurfaces the skin, and helps boost new collagen which then fills in the stretch mark. The wonderful thing about this laser is it works on all skin colors and on new or old stretch marks (50% better).

▴ Self Tanner-– Yes, you’ve heard it before, this is my weekly way of minimizing my stretch marks. Slathering on a bunch of my fave- St. Tropez Self Tan Express really helps fade those annoying little white lines. And if your a babe on a budget, like me this is the easiest and most affordable option.

▴ Rosehip oil for my all natural beauties, here is an option for you. So I was recently introduced to this rosehip oil and it’s like the Mother of All oils. I have been all about coconut oil and rose oil for years, but I have a new favorite! Rose hip oil is packed with trans-retinoic acid, a natural form of vitamin A plus omegas that encourages the skin to regenerate faster. I’m also trying right now this Noni glow body oil ( I’m in total prevention mode), it’s filled with organic noni extract, rosehip and sunflower seed oil. I’ll let you know what I think of this combination oil on IG stories later this month.

I’m all about prevention or in this case for me minimizing the damage that is already done, these are all great options.

Let me know if you have tried any of these and your thoughts on them, I love all your feed back!

xo- Whitney

▴ if you liked this post checkout my post, how to prevent stretch marks while pregnant.

Beauty, Skin

Yes, I’ve Tried Laser Hair Removal, Lets Talk About It

April 15, 2018April 25, 2018by Positively Posie2 Comments

Smooth sexy hairless skin is in, okay it is if you are me! I wanted to do laser hair removal for years because I FREAKING hate hair and no matter what razor I used I would end up with razor burn. I was that girl that with rashes all over my legs and even my lady business. YES – That’s right ya’ll it wasn’t fun, so I finally said enough is enough I needed to get laser hair removal ASAP.

Laser hair removal has been life changing, yes that sounds cheesy but that is how BAD my razor burn got! If you have hair that grows thick and fast like me, and constantly get razor burn and can take a little bit of pain- – plus the whole process of it. Then guys you’ll really never have to shave much again!!

But you guys if you are fine with your body hair and razor burn, of course — that decision is completely up to you. Okay enough already, lets dive into the world of laser hair removal.

WHAT IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Laser hair removal targets hair follicles that are about to enter the (active) phase of hair growth, with the goal of destroying the follicle itself which will end hair growth to a specific area. The goal is to hit the different growth cycles of your hair, because not every follicle goes through each cycle at the same time and speed. Which leads us into the next question…

HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED

On average most people need 10-12 sessions. The length between sessions will depend on the body part your lasering. Facial hair sessions are spread to every 2-3 weeks, and then body hair like legs is every 6-8 weeks depending on how fast your hair grows.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE TREATMENT

Because the goal is to hit the different growth cycles of your hair. You’re looking at a few months to complete treatment. It is important to remember that with each session your hair is going to become less dense and more fine.With each session you will notice that shaving becomes much easier with less razor burn and ingrown hairs. For me I have crazyyy hair, unlike any hair they seen or so they say. Basically my hair is really stubborn and I had to get more treatments than the average person. YAY ME. But again I didn’t care the razor burn was so bad, I would do 1,000 treatments to get rid of my body hair.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY TREATMENTS

Okay so it is really important to prepare your skin prior to each treatment. Make sure to shave prior to each treatment, and it helps if you NOT super tan prior to your session. Sorry guys no spray tan a week or two prior to treatment, you’ll survive. Why you ask, well to avoid chances of the laser targeting the skin pigment and not the hair.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

The price is going to vary based on the size of the treatment area, as well the med spa you choose to go to. Most places will have a package deal of 5-6 treatments for X $ amount and then a smaller fee for yearly touch ups. But before you spend the money make sure that you are a good candidate for laser hair removal. If you have blonde, gray or red hair ALL laser hair removal treatments WILL NOT respond the way you want because the laser targets melanin, the pigment in the hair follicle. JUST a friendly reminder to do your research before trying any beauty treatment.

Have any of you tried laser hair removal? Are you thinking of getting it, I would love to know your thoughts and your experiences.

Have a great week guys!

Xo- Whitney

Lifestyle, Wellness

How I Curbed My Sweet Tooth

April 9, 2018April 25, 2018by Positively Posie2 Comments

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Recently I asked on Instagram what ya’ll wanted to hear more of and the people spoke….drumroll please… Health and Wellness! So today I really want to share with you my journey with sugar! Before we begin, can I just preface this post by saying, I need a sweet treat sometimes. I am not here to tell you to NEVER have a sweet treat ever again. I am here to say (because I know personally) that sugar can control your life, because it is addicting. I saved this article forever ago because I loved what it asks, are you high? High off of sugar that is, don’t worry most of us are buzzed off of sugar these days. We eat on average, as American’s nearly 66 pounds of added sugar every year, when I read this and my jaw dropped. I’m sure that a few years ago I was consuming 66 lbs of sugar a year too but not since curbed that sweet tooth. So moving right along & back to the point: How I Curbed My Sweet Tooth! Well I came up with game plan that’s fairly easy to manage, with this anyone can say PEACE OUT to sugar controlling their life.

+ I’m starting this off with a harsh dose of reality. Sugar is addicting. Truly to curb your sweet tooth I believe you have to cut it completely out before slowly reintroducing those little treats. When I say cut it completely out I mean cut out what I like to call ” THE BIG THREE” the soda, candy, desserts. There is sugar in everything but those three things are where I started.

+ Clean out the fridge and pantry. I literally had a trash full of items that were loaded with sugar. Out of sight out of mind, right! Even the kids treats, if you don’t think you can control yourself until you are detoxed then get rid of those treats too!

+ Eat breakfast. 90% of the time I have eggs and avocado for breakfast. I keep it simple folks, protein with some healthy fats. I swear that when I eat breakfast I find myself not snacking later in the night, which is when most of us tend to grab the sweets.

+ Reduced Stress. Truth! So many people are stress sugar eaters and when we are stressed our bodies produce more cortisol. Cortisol increases our appetite and motivation to eat. By reducing stress through prayer, yoga, drinking decaff coffee and adrenal support supplements I have drastically reduced my stress and my night time sugar cravings.

+ Staying Hydrated. Towards the end of the night I often grab a La Croix or some hot tea. Just something to hold in my hands and sip, really helps. It’s about an hour before bed that those sugary cravings pop up. I encourage you to ask yourself , am I needing something sweet or would some water/ tea do the trick. I bet it will do the trick!!

Anyways– my friends. It took me completely cutting out sugar to beat that addiction. Now I feel like sugar doesn’t control me, and I can 100% have a healthier sweet treat when I want… I’m in control! I hope these tips help and encourage you to curb that sweet tooth too!

xo- Whitney

Beauty, Skin

3 Beauty Essentials Products for Spring and Summer

April 5, 2018April 16, 2018by Positively Posie1 Comment

I quickly wanted to share 3 beauty essentials products that are a must for spring and summer. I can’t go anywhere without these 3 things items. I am so in love with these because they have helped change my skin for the better. Okay- lets get into it!!

+ Dr Lancer’s the Method is a game changer for skin texture. The polish is life changing and unlike any product I have ever used. I literally have my husband and sister using the method too! My pores are smaller and my makeup goes on so much better because it changes the texture of your skin to this creamy smooth texture (it’s hard to explain the difference). Try the travel size collection if you don’t want to commit right away, that is what I did at first and later bought the full sizes.

+ Caffeinated Sunscreen. I’m a huge fan of the Skinny Confidential she the QUEEN of skin and I totally appreciate her love for her skincare. She is obsessed with caffeinated sunscreen and after looking into it I had to try it. Guys, it really is as good as she says it is, it’s the best base under my makeup. Also thanks to a study at Rutgers University, it shows that caffeine promotes the destruction of cells damaged by sunlight before they have a chance to to mutate into anything. Try it out, I know you are gonna thank me!

+SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment correcting serum. While pregnant with Blakely mama got melasma AKA not so cute brown patches all over my forehead and under my eyes. Which I think gave me weird little raccoon eyes, not cute guys!!! Over the last 6 months I have religiously been putting this serum on AM/PM and it has made a world of a difference. My only tip is you have to do this everyday AM/PM to see those spots fade, I wasn’t being consist at the beginning and so my raccoon eyes stayed around longer than they should have. Consistency is key!

Okay loves that it, I’m addicted to loving and taking care of my skin (I wish I was like this when I was 20) BUT better late than never! THREE products you won’t be disappointed in I can promise you that, they haven’t disappointed me yet!

xoxo- Whitney

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