Category: Skin

Beauty, Skin

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

by Positively PosieLeave a Comment on Yes, I’ve Tried Laser Hair Removal, Lets Talk About It

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 always 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

 

 

Beauty, Skin

3 Beauty Essentials Products for Spring and Summer

by Positively PosieLeave a Comment on 3 Beauty Essentials Products for Spring and Summer

IMG-0942.jpgI 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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Beauty, Skin

Best Brow and Beauty Spa in San Diego- High Brow Beauty

by Positively PosieLeave a Comment on Best Brow and Beauty Spa in San Diego- High Brow Beauty

unnamed-8.jpgHappy Friday babes. I don’t know about you but when I was a little girl I remember watching my mom take care of her beautiful skin. She always made it priority to use great products and wash her face morning and night. I carried that with me into adulthood . So for me taking care of my skin is really important and an everyday thing. So when I got the opportunity to try some of High Brow Beauty’s amazing beauty treatments I said “HELL YES”. I’m so excited to share my experience, so lets get into the details.

Talk about a darling little beauty spa set in downtown San Diego. High Brow Beauty offers Brow Design, Eye Lash Extensions, Keratin Lash Lift,  Waxing, Sugaring and a variety of Facials .

They have the total dream team working there with years of experience in the world of beauty. First, I got my eyebrows shaped and they designed the perfect brow arch for me with a “no stencil” ! My eyebrows hadn’t been touched in months, so I definitely needed some shaping and cleaning up. Here is the before and the the following photos are the after!

High Brow Beauty- Waxing

After eye brow shaping I went straight into the Organic Medi Facial. Which they describe as the perfect marriage of medical science and luxurious pampering, this gentle yet effective facial is 100% natural. They used this incredible pumpkin enzyme mask that left my face so smooth and I’m still glowing two days post facial.

High Brow Beauty- Facials

We finished the morning off with Keratin Lash Lift, which I had never done or even heard of (I’m way behind in the lash department). Being honest I think this is awesome for people who need to curl their lashes daily.But I need to curl my lashes, so for me I had some MAJOR curl post treatment and I probably wouldn’t do it again.

I can’t thank High Brow Beauty enough for hosting me. If you are in Sa Diego and  interested in trying some really great beauty treatments check them out!

Xo- WhitneyHigh Brow Beauty- Eyelash Lift

Brows, Facial and Lash Lift, were provided to Positively Posie free of charge. These are all my opinions though!

Beauty, Skin

How To Reduce Cellulite, Is It Possible, Lets Talk About It

by Positively PosieLeave a Comment on How To Reduce Cellulite, Is It Possible, Lets Talk About It
unnamed-7.jpgAlright babes it’s time to tackle the topic of cellulite. We are living in a time of flawless #fitspiration photos that have taken over our Instagram feeds. HELLO… reality is 90% of women have cellulite ( me included)!  I will be the first to admit that I wish my body was smooth and cellulite free, but it isn’t. I’ve learned that depending on my weight, workout routine and hormones levels my cellulite can all of the sudden be more visible.
Now listen, I know this can be a touchy subject and some people don’t care one bit about cellulite, and if you are one of those women– more POWER to you! But that is not me, I’m always trying to improve myself and my health & body! I feel like society tells us to just airbrush every flaw away but I believe there are solutions to try to better those flaws! And although I haven’t been able to fully get rid of my cellulite, these life-changing tips have helped reduce the appearance of my cellulite A LOT. Remember it’s so important to apply all of these tips consistently to help get toned, fit and confident.

What is this thing called Cellulite?

Most of you probably know what cellulite is but if you don’t it’s due to fat cells under the skin that bulge causing a dimpling effect. The Scientific American tell us this, “From 25 to 35 is when you start seeing the appearance of cellulite. Estrogen has an impact on the blood vessels. When estrogen starts to decrease, you lose receptors in blood vessels and thighs, so you have decreased circulation. With decreased circulation you get less oxygen and nutrition to that area, and with that we see a decrease in collagen production….”

Nutrition is Key!

Okay Okay so you have heard it many times but nutrition really is everything. To reduce cellulite I’ve learned I had to lower my body fat a little so that meant eating clean. I constantly load up on nutrient dense foods, which are important for my metabolism and keeping my body fueled. Reach for plenty of raw vegetables, fresh fruits, clean proteins. Guys, if you want to dive even deeper in the world of nutrition and health. Consider getting a Live Blood Analysis done, basically you get to look at your blood under a microscope. This will allow you to find imbalances, conditions, and issues before they become major problems. Pretty darn cool if you ask me!

Tone Your Backside

Toning up that booty is a must if you want to see a smooth backside. I wanted to share some of my favorite moves that I have been doing NON STOP in 2018. These are the types of excercises that have made a huge difference in reducing my cellulite because they specifically target the thighs and butt. I make sure to do 40-50 reps of each exercise   move into every workout, even on arm day!!!  Dumbbell curtsy lunge, weighted bridge and dead-lifts!. Check out my Pinterest for more workout videos.

Roll Out, Roll Out

 I roll out everyday or I at least try to roll out everyday. The last 6 months I have really increased my lower body workouts which means super sore legs & butt. So the 411 on Foam rolling is it helps my recovery post workout and increases my circulation/ flexibility. Foam rolling manipulates and releases the fascia layer helping to smooth out your back side!

If your a first time “roller” let me introduce you to the queen or foam rolling and detoxing Lauren Roxburgh.  This article from GOOP has so many great tips on banishing cellulite and Lauren Roxburgh shows you 8 foam rolling moves to incorporate into your life. Or if your a visual person here is a video I have been using from Lauren (Runner’s Workout) that is only 15 minutes long! Your back side will thank you for foam rolling, I promise!

Shower Essentials 

Pre-shower I make sure dry brush, it increases circulation and gets any stagnant toxins moving. The technique for dry brushing is to make sure your doing long and upward strokes towards the heart. Start at those feet and work up your legs, then booty and stomach. I also LOVE dry brushing pre-shower because it opens up my pores and allow products to penetrate the skin better. Like a coffee scrub ( recommended in that GOOP article and the only one I have tried) or you can totally DIY your own Coffee Scrub.. They say good ole’ caffeine is cellulite’s #1 enemy, it increases circulation and tightens the skin!

Self Acceptance 

At the end of the day we have to embrace and love our bodies, it is something that have to work on everyday #truthbomb. I remind myself daily that if I’m doing everything possible to be the healthiest and strongest me, than that is good enough. EVEN if that means I have a  little bit cellulite on my tush!

Hope you all have a fabulous week, until next time!

xo- Whitney

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Beauty, Skin

4 Things To Help Avoid Stretch Marks While Pregnant

by Positively Posie1 Comment on 4 Things To Help Avoid Stretch Marks While Pregnant

 

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, gaining lots of weight quickly or woman having twins/triples all have an increase chances of new stretch marks.

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 have a few stretches marks on the sides of my thighs from having a LARGE and QUICK growth spurt in 8th grade ( 5’6″- 5’11” over the summer).  So I immediately did some research on the best ways to prevent stretch marks while pregnant, and I implemented these FOUR things into my lifestyle to help prevent them.

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!

Okay so lets get into it 4 things to do to 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). I found that 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 my belly, thighs, breasts anywhere that you are gaining weight or stretching that skin needs moisture.

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 (which wasn’t easy for me having morning sickness my whole pregnancy). As a nurse I know that amount of food a woman needs during pregnancy is dependent on a variety of things. For ALOT 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.

Hydate: This was the hardest one for me to stick too, especially going into my third trimester with that baby sitting on my bladder. But I did my best to drink 1-2 liters of water daily. Remember the more hydrated your skin is the less likely to develop stretch marks. We want to hydrate the inside just as much as the outside!

Workout and Stretch: My workout routine while pregnant also helped me to maintain that steady weight gain while pregnant. I will admit to you my doctor did have a “chat” with me to keep me in line when it came to working out. She told me that pregnancy exercise can vary from my routine before I was pregnant so I needed to be aware of how hard I was pushing myself. Most exercises done prior to becoming pregnant are safe to continue during your pregnancy, but body the body can react differently so just to be aware of any aches and pains. For 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.

I hope this information is beneficial or just a good reminder of things you can do while pregnant to better protect your beautiful skin!

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xo- Whitney