Social Distancing 101

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WHAT IN THE HECK IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?

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WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?

Put simply, the idea is to maintain a distance between you and other people — in this case, at least six feet.

That also means minimizing contact with people. Avoid public transportation whenever possible, limit nonessential travel, work from home and skip social gatherings — and definitely do not go to crowded bars and sporting arenas.

Other measures include working from home if possible, organizing meetings via video calls rather than doing them in person and avoiding unnecessary use of public transport.

It is also recommended that you avoid physical contact with others in social situations, including handshakes, hugs & kisses.

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THE BASICS.

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SHUT OFF THE NEWS

If you've been glued to your screens for the latest COVID-19 updates, this is for you. Taking a break from the stream of negative reports can help reduce stress and anxiety and give your brain room to for positive thoughts and ideas.

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DO HOME PROJECTS

There always seems to be something to do around the house. Kick those ideas and plans into gear with some time at home! Home projects can be anything from remodeling, to building some new furniture. No matter what plans you have, now is the perfect time to get a jumpstart!

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BINGE ON FAVORITE SHOWS

Now is the perfect time to get caught up on your favorite shows.

Some of our favorites:

• Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix & Hulu)

• Parks and Recreation (Netflix)

• Breaking Bad (Netflix)

• Westworld (HBO Go/Now)

• Supernatural (Netflix)

• This is Us (Hulu)

• Weeds (Netflix)

• Unbreakable Kimmi Schmidt (Netflix)

• Bates Motel (Netflix)

• The Good Place (Netflix)

MOVE AROUND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Self-isolating doesn't mean sitting around on the couch all day. Thanks to YouTube, Pinterest, and other sites, you can get a thorough workout from home. (Health also has plenty of free, no-equipment fitness videos, too.) Just 30 minutes of any kind of heart-pumping workout can significantly reduce stress and it'll also make you feel busy and accomplished.

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SPRING CLEANING

Thursday is the official start to spring, which means some spring cleaning is never a bad option! Clean out the garage, closet attic or whatever else needs a little refresh!

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CATCH UP ON SLEEP

You read that right! Trying to get those recommended 8 hours of sleep can be difficult between work, school , kids and whatever else life throws at you. Being home allows you to take those guilt-free and much needed naps to get get yourself feeling your best!

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FOR WHEN YOU’RE FEELING NOSTALGIC:
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KNOCK OUT SOME TO-DOS ON YOUR LIST

Sitting in front of the TV for days and binging on HBO will probably make you stir-crazy. A better way to stay active and focused? Get on that to-do list you've been putting off forever.

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GET SOME FRESH AIR

Get outside and enjoy some fresh air! It is important to keep a safe distance of 6 feet if you are walking with a buddy, but don’t let that stop you from getting your blood circulating and enjoying the outdoors.

There is plenty of opportunity to walk or even take a hike.

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Back to baking

Grab that mixer and take your mind into the kitchen to bake up some delicious cookies, cupcakes and more! Now is the perfect time to try out those recipes you haven’t had time to get to.

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Arts and Crafts

Not just for the kiddos. Stocking up on supplies for some DIY crafting is a great at-home plan! Creating a space for you to get creative and let your imagination flow can be a great way to keep busy.

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GOT KIDS? HERE'S SOME FUN WAYS TO KEEP THEM BUSY.

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1. Go for a walk or a hike.

2. Go for a bike ride.

3. Go outside, no matter what the weather. If it's nice outside, play catch or hide-and-seek.

4. Movie theaters are limiting the number of tickets they sell in order to practice good social distancing, but with DisneyPlus, Netflix and Amazon, you have plenty of options at home. Make it even more fun by making some special treats to share.

5. Speaking of special treats, get your kids in the kitchen. You'll be making lots of meals while at home, so why not let the kids share in the "fun?" Give them the run of the pantry and fridge. Do give a few limits though. Like they have to have at least one healthy item.

6. For the past decade, the Racine Art Museum has invited artists to make their best creations out of marshmallow Peeps. Check out the photos for inspiration, and make your own.

7. Hand over your phone to let the kids take photos of the signs of spring they see popping up around the neighborhood.

8. Let the kids collect a few of those signs of spring they see — dandelions, blades of grass, flowers if they're on your property — and make a nature scrapbook out of them.

9. Fly a kite.

10. Set up a tent in the backyard.

11. Dig into those toys, puzzles and games that have gotten buried under beds, in basements and at the bottom of toy boxes. You might find some treasures that will fill up some of those hours. If not, set them aside to donate.

12. Bubbles are fun for all ages. You can go old-school and just blow some bubbles in the backyard. You can get a hula hoop and a wading pool and make some giant ones.

13. Grab blankets, chairs and pillows and build a fort.

14. Make a homemade pinata out of papier mache, fill it with candy and break that thing open.

15. Start cleaning up your yard and planning any gardening projects. If you have seeds on hand, start planting when the weather cooperates.

16. Kids love acting, singing and putting on shows, especially if they have an audience. Be that audience; karma will reward your sacrifice.

17. Comic books and graphic novels are mainstream nowadays. And they're a great way to encourage your kids to read. When they've gotten some inspiration through reading some of their favorites, encourage them to make their own.

18. You may not be able to visit your favorite paint-your-own pottery place, but you can find some old mugs or bowls to have the kids paint at home.

19. Clean out your closet. But hold off on the donations. Let your kids play dress-up for a few weeks. If they lose interest, that's cool. That's the time to donate. Otherwise, let them keep a few favorites for their dress-up collection.

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STAY CALM.

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Stay calm, stay sane. Hopefully we will get through this soon.

Healthy Skin Month: The Rest of your Glowing Body

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EVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.

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✨ What’s on the inside counts too ✨

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Eat watermelon.
🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨

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AVOID SUGAR!

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Rethink dairy for glowing skin. 🥛

HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE!

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Eat organic foods.

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Own a plant. 🌿

Snack on mixed nuts for glowing skin. 🥜

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Get enough vitamin C.

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Have a rainbow-colored plate of food.

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M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E

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Antioxidants

Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease & aging by reducing damage & inflammation. Inflammation is a leading cause of wrinkle formation. SOME OF THE BEST SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS INCLUDE:

Blueberries

Pomegranates

Acai Berries

Goji Berries

Carrots

Purple Grapes

Organic Green Tea

Seeds

Spinach

Raspberries

Dark Chocolate

Cranberries

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✌🏼 General Advice (probably the most common). ✌🏼

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APPLY SPF EVERYDAY, NO MATTER WHAT.

Sunscreen is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. It really can slow down skin aging. It can also help prevent skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 & water resistance.

Don't smoke. Smoking speeds up how quickly your skin ages. If you smoke, your wounds will also take longer to heal. Smoking can also make some skin diseases worse.

Check your skin for skin cancer.

Skin self-exams can help you find skin cancer early when it's potentially treatable. If you notice a spot that differs from the others, or one that changes/itches or bleeds, make an appointment to see a dermatologist ASAP!

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Stress less. Some skin diseases often appear for the first time when someone feels really stressed. Stress can also cause flare-ups of many common skin conditions.

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Protect your skin from pollution 🚛💨

Keep your phone clean & keep your skin clear. Wipe your phone down at least once a day to keep the screen free of dirt, debris & makeup that could potentially clog your precious pores.

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Stop touching your face.

Clean your makeup brushes 🖌

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Go to bed early 😴

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Grapefruit Bergamot Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter

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Coconut Ambre Vanille Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter

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✌🏼 Not-So-Common Advice. ✌🏼

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Turn down YOUR heat to stop skin redness.

Use non-toxic cleaning products.

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CONSIDER YOUR WATER…

… and tailor your skin-care products accordingly. Soft water doesn’t remove soap well, so it can leave a residue on your skin.

Hard water, on the other hand, doesn’t allow washes to lather easily, prompting you to use even more cleanser, which can cause dryness.

Switch to Plain Toothpaste

Those with tartar-control ingredients or added flavors, like cinnamon, may contribute to a common skin condition called perioral dermatitis. It looks like pimples, redness & scaling around the mouth.

Our personal favorite is Truth Paste.

Improve Your Air Quality

Indoor pollutants can adversely affect skin, too. Change the air filter in your furnace regularly &, if you cook with oil, use the fan over your range. Also keep in mind that dry indoor air can dehydrate skin & make fine lines more noticeable. Run a humidifier in your bedroom to minimize these problems.

Check Your Medicine.

Some contraceptives, antibiotics, fertility drugs, & anti-seizure meds can cause breakouts. Diuretics & Antihistamines can cause dry skin. And certain antibiotics, diuretics & diabetes treatments can make you vulnerable to sun damage. If you find your skin is reacting while you’re taking a particular drug, talk to your physician.

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Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!

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Healthy Skin Month: Sexy Hands & Feet

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EVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.

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E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E !

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🤚 Don’t Forget the Tops of Your Hands! 🤚

Wash with a moisturizing hand soap.

It’s important to keep your hands clean, but using an antibacterial hand soap can dry out your skin. Instead, wash your hands with a moisturizing soap that contains hydrating ingredients, such as shea butter, olive oil, or aloe vera, to avoid stripping the natural oils from your skin.

Avoid using hot water!
This can also dry out your skin. Wash with lukewarm water instead.

Don't worry about washing your hands too much–it's important to wash regularly to keep your hands as free of germs as possible. At the very least, you should wash your hand before you eat & after you use the restroom. You should also wash after changing a diaper, when you are ill, interacting with animals, or anytime that your hands appear dirty.

Coconut Ambre Vanille Face + Hand Wash

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Exfoliate your hands weekly.

Use a scrub once a week to buff away the dry, rough skin & keep your hands soft & healthy. Wet your hands with warm water & massage scrub over your hands. Rinse it off with warm water & apply a hand cream.

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M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E

Apply a hand crème regularly. To ensure that your hands stay soft, you should use a hand crème several times a day. Look for a formula that contains emollient ingredients, such as glycerin, shea butter & natural oils. Massage the crème in after you wash your hands in the morning & before you go to bed at night. If your hands start to feel dry during the day, reapply then as well.

Coconut Ambre Vanille 3.4 oz Hand Creme

$20.00

If you’re worried about your hands being greasy, try one of our hand crèmes. It will sink into your skin without leaving any greasy residue behind.

Treat your hands with a mask weekly.

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USE SUNSCREEN ON YOUR HANDS.

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Treat cracks on your hands with ointment.

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🧤 WEAR GLOVES WHEN DOING CHORES 🧤

Whether you’re washing dishes, doing yard work, or working with tools, always put on a pair of protective gloves first. That will keep your hands from getting dry, cracked, and callused.

For chores that require submerging your hands in water … plastic or rubber gloves are the best option.

For light yard work & gardening, cloth gloves are usually effective in protecting your hands from dirt & grime.

Looking for something environmentally friendly? Here are some great Sustainable Gardening Gloves from West Country Gardner. Made from recycled plastic bottles!

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! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T ! P R O T E C T !

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You should also wear gloves or mittens to protect your hands from cold weather, which can dry out your hands too. Knit & leather gloves can both work well, but look for a pair with an insulated lining in material such as fleece to provide the most warmth & protection.

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🦶🏽 For those dainty feet of yours 🦶🏽

Besides kicking back & giving your feet a rest, here are some tips that can help ease the ache & rejuvenate tired feet.

Employ moist heat!

Sometimes achy feet are the result of overstressed muscles & connective tissue due to excess activity.. One of the absolute best remedies for relaxing sore muscles is a foot bath. Soak your feet in a basin of warm water or a store-bought foot spa for 5 - 10 min.

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Stretch ‘EM OUT!

Overstressed muscles will tend to contract or spasm. To counteract this tightness, stretch your feet. A good time to stretch is after a warm soak when your muscles will be relaxed. Sit in a comfortable position and stretch the ankle and toe joints using your hands or a strap. To also target the calf muscles, try a runner's stretch while leaning against a wall. Hold each motion comfortably for 10 to 20 seconds for maximum benefit.

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WORK ‘EM out!

Exercises for your ankles, feet, and toes will help stretch, strengthen, and relax them. Try these moves:

While standing, rise up on your toes, lifting your heels off the ground.

Do ankle pumps, moving your foot up and down.

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Pick up objects with your toes & move them from one pile to another.

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Toe raise, point, and curl

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Make circles with your ankles.

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Roll the bottom of your foot on a frozen water bottle💧 tennis ball🎾 or ON A TUBE OF NATURAL INSPIRATIONS FOOT BALM 🦶🏽

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Wash THOSE STINKY feet!

Make a point to wash your feet (don’t forget to scrub between your toes!) with a washcloth. Yes, that absolutely means bending over in the shower to soap them up. Be sure to dry feet completely, including between the toes. This process lessens problems such as athlete's foot, odor, bacteria & yucky fungus. Look for foot products that have natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredients like arnica, calendula or tea tree oils to help your tootsies feel fresh and fabulous.

Sea Salt Citrus Foot Balm

$20.00

Moisturize your feet after washing.

During dry-skin winter months, you may want to moisturize several times a day. Look for ingredients like Coconut Oil, Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter to nourish cracked heels and rough calluses.

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ALL about Shoes …

Flip-flops and completely flat shoes don't provide arch support.

Neither does walking barefoot. Women are especially prone to developing flat feet, which can lead to other foot problems. To keep feet strong and healthy, minimize the amount of time you wear shoes that lack supportive arches.

SWITCH UP the shoes you wear.

That may mean having two pairs of your favorite everyday style, but shoes need time to air out to avoid triggering foot odor or infections. Change socks or stockings more than once a day. If you have a problem with smelly feet, soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water.

Your feet should not hurt—ever.

Tight shoes can worsen bunions, distort toe shape and cause painful foot growths. If you wear high heels, choose heels that are wide, stable and no higher than two inches. Toe boxes should be wide; pointed toes shouldn't begin their narrowing shape until well past the ball of the foot. To protect your Achilles tendon from shortening, alternate heel heights regularly.

Wear the right sized shoes!

Overuse: Increased walking or standing, especially when combined with other contributing factors, can cause even the healthiest feet to become sore. Also, walking or standing on hard surfaces, such as concrete, can stress your feet. This can be a problem for those who stand all day at work or are generally on their feet for long periods of time.

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Buy arch supports!

Try a pair of over-the-counter arch supports for your shoes. Arch supports will help decrease the shock that your feet experience with every step. The heel & ball of the foot are especially prone to soreness & full-length arch supports will help cushion these areas. If your problem still bothers you, see a podiatrist & discuss custom-made orthotics.

Consider acupuncture:

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that can be of benefit for foot pain.

Acupuncture has very few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you're having trouble controlling pain with traditional methods.

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Have any suggestions?
Leave your advice in the comment section below!

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Healthy Skin Month: For your Lovely Neck & Chest

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EVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.

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🌟 For Your Lovely Neck & Chest 🌟

Don't neglect your neck if you want to stay looking youthful.

Most of us are guilty of stopping our skincare routine as soon as we hit our chin, which may not seem like an issue if you're in your 20s, 30s & 40s. But as you age you will begin to see aging on your neck & chest and wish you'd paid those areas the same attention as you do your face. You can use the same products that you use on your face.

Be vigilant about moisturizing.

Did you know that your neck has fewer glands than the skin on your face? Because of this, the neck is more susceptible dryness & irritation (& more prone to scarring). Use a moisturizer to keep dryness at bay.

Choose the right products & understand their ingredients.

It’s important to remember that there are not “blind controlled studies” backing the products, but only the brand’s research. We research based on what’s good for your skin to absorb, not what benefits us. Check out our ingredient philosophy page to learn more.

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THE PROBLEMS WITH TECH NECK

Limit your screen time! It is the biggest cause of “tech neck.”

Tech neck refers to skin laxity & lines that occur from looking down at your computer or your phone for long periods of time. Any repetitive movement or contraction of underlying muscles has the potential to cause skin lines & wrinkles over time.

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S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F ! S P F !

☀️SPF is your best friend—the premature lines caused by hunching over your IG feed are only made worse by sun damage. Using daily SPF will also help protect the skin from sun damage, which causes collagen breakdown & eventually lines & laxity.

In this day & age when sunscreen is in basically everything, you really have no excuse, my dear. Protect your neck.

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M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E M O I S T U R I Z E

Coconut Ambre Vanille Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter

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Coconut Ambre Vanille Hand + Body Lotion

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Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!

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Healthy Skin Month: Tips for that Beautiful Face & Scrumptious Lips

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EVERYDAY TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN.

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👩 For That Beautiful Face 👩

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Wash your face when waking, before bed & after sweating.

Washing when you wake up in the morning removes the dirt & bacteria that settle on your face while sleeping. Before bed, you want to remove all makeup & grime, such as smog, smoke, or dirt. Need we explain why washing your face is good to do after sweating?

IMPORTANT! Gently wash your face.

Gentle cleansing helps skin look its absolute best. We’re serious!

To gently cleanse your face, wet it with lukewarm water. Then apply your cleanser of choice, applying the cleanser in a circular motion with your fingers. Complete your routine by rinsing off the cleanser & patting your skin dry with your favorite soft, clean towel.

Wear sunnies to stop under-eye wrinkles. 😎

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Use a jade roller for your under eye bags.

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Sweat it out! 🚴‍♀️🧘‍♀️

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GET CAFFEINATED TO LOOK WIDE AWAKE.

Your best bet when it comes to getting rid of puffiness? Try a shot of caffeine – and we don’t mean the one in your morning latte. Caffeine constricts the vessels beneath the eye, which are responsible for causing the darker appearance.

Look for an eye cream with caffeine near the top of the ingredient list – that way you know it plays a starring role in the formula.

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Massage your face for circulation.

A Face massage can boost circulation & help tone the muscles in your face & neck. Spending even just
5 minutes a night will help improve skin’s elasticity.
Just like your body, the muscles in your face can become lazy with age. Adding this simple step to your routine will hugely improve the firmness of your skin.

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E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E ! E X F O L I A T E !

Coconut Ambre Vanille Face + Body Scrub

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Exfoliate for smaller pores. Enlarged pores are actually one of the most common skin complaints for men & women.

Pores appear larger when they're filled with dirt, oil, dead skin cells & keratin (a protein that lives on the surface of skin). Remove that yucky build-up so your pores have the ability to shrink.

To clear out the gunk, exfoliate 2-3x a week. Reach for a gentle exfoliator–like our Coconut Ambre Vanille Body & Face Scrub with activated charcoal. The charcoal will help you suck out the yuck. Hello, glowing skin!

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👄 For Those Scrumptious Lips 👄

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Coat Your Lips With a Lip Butter Before Applying Lipstick.

This will ensure you that your lips are moisturized in spite of the Lipstick. Apply a Lip Butter for a moisturizing pout or even one of our Moisturizing Lip Tints. If you choose to wear Lipstick, avoid Matte (as they tend to dry out lips). Try a Crème or Satin finish.

For Natural Pink Lips, Stay Away From Dark Colors.

Dark & pigmented Lipsticks may snatch the pinkish tinge from your natural lips, eventually leading to pigmented lips. Use Soft Colors or even Nudes. Our softer tones include Shimmer & Champagne.

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Or TRY one of our delicious Lip Tints!

Tinted Lip Butter - Shimmer

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Tinted Lip Butter - Champagne

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Tinted Lip Butter - Raspberry

$7.00

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S C R U B - A - D U B ! S C R U B - A - D U B D U B ! S C R U B - A - D U B D U B ! S C R U B - A - D U B D U B !

EXFOLIATE FOR soft, smoochable lips

Lip scrubbing helps you to get rid of dead skin cells and leftover makeup. It helps your lip balm penetrate and re-balances that lipid layer. There are two steps to effectively exfoliate your lips:

1. Using a damp cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, gently rub off any leftover makeup residue, dead or dry skin. This technique will also boost circulation to your lips.

2. Once you’re done sloughing your lips, smooth on a hydrating lip butter or conditioner to lock in moisture. When going outdoors, make sure to apply a lip butter that has an SPF to protect your lips from the harmful sun (we recommend ours)!

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Moisturize with Aloe Vera …

You can purchase pure aloe vera gel or even crack a leaf from an aloe plant in your home for this remedy. Aloe vera has soothing & healing properties, helping lips to look their best.

OR with Vitamin E!

If you have vitamin E capsules, you can simply cut one open & apply the product right to your lips. Vitamin E boosts circulation & may help generate new skin cells, making your lips softer.

Quit LICKING your lips WHEN THEY FEEL DRY.

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apply A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF lip butter before bed.

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🍋 Wake up lips with citrus 🍋

Using a few drops of lemon juice, you can make your lips appear brighter and slough off dead skin. Just rub the lemon juice on to your skin and watch your skin brighten up before your eyes. You can also try using our SPF 30 Grapefruit, Citrus or Key Lime Lip Butter for this purpose as well 🥰

Grapefruit SPF 30 Lip Butter

$6.00

Citrus SPF 30 Lip Butter

$6.00

Key Lime SPF 30 Lip Butter

$6.00

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Have any suggestions? Leave your advice in the comment section below!

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100 Self Improvement Tips to Better Yourself

#SelfImprovementMonth

Healthy Body, Healthy Life ✌🏼

1. Create some sort of meal plan. Planning out your meals ahead of time will help you spend less money and make healthier food choices.

2. Stop eating fried food. Fried food makes you feel absolutely terrible for at least 24 hours … definitely not worth it.

3. Don’t go more than 3 days without exercise. Exercising gives you life, helps relieve all that nasty stress, and helps you get fit. We know sometimes it’s “too hard to squeeze it in every day,” but don’t go more than 3 days without it.

4. Eat less dairy. If you have a sensitive tummy, try cutting out dairy. I know it’s hard. But for some people this can eliminate digestive problems. Try some vegan cheese! We’re big fans of Daiya.

5. Cut out one, more or all of the following: pop, coffee, alcohol, or sugar. Not sure if we can cut coffee out, but we’re starting with eliminating alcohol for a while!

6. Get enough good sleep. Is 5.5 hours enough for you or is it 8 hours? Whatever it is for you, make sure you get it. The quality matters just as much as the time spent sleeping. Good sleep allows your body to regenerate and allows for better concentration. Not to mention, better skin!

7. Focus on being physically strong more than on being thin. This will create positive goals that are attainable and healthy for you. All shapes and sizes are beautiful 💪🏼

8. Make sure you get enough Vitamin C, D and all the others you may be missing. Essential vitamins like these can impact your health in a positive way if you get enough (and can have negative effects if they’re low). Try an at home test like LetsGetChecked or go see an Integrated Medicine Specialist.

9. Drink more than enough water every day. A good trick to figure how much to drink is to divide your body weight by 2 and that’s how many ounces you should consume. It’s tough, we know.

10. Stay on top of your annual, routine appointments and stop putting them off! Put a recurring reminder on your calendar for things like dental checkups, mole checks and physicals so you don’t miss any. Take your preventative care seriously. We mean it.

11. Take a new group fitness class or hire a personal trainer. If you struggle to stay active, classes or a trainer are great ways to get going. Just make sure you can fit it in that monthly budget of yours.

12. Subscribe to a health blog, or three. Learn about healthy living as a lifestyle practice little by little every day. Here’s a list of the best of 2019.

13. Smile. It releases endorphins 😁

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Work on the relationships you want to last. 👯‍♀️

1. Be your own best friend. Learning to love yourself will create a feeling of being centered. Something that everyone deserves to experience. You’ll be happier in all areas of your life.

2. Set #relationshipgoals. How do you want your friendships to be maintained? Start small and come up with goals together.

3. Put as much effort into your relationships as you do into your everyday work. This is absolutely necessary. People matter the most in this world. Prioritize your people.

4. Give people the benefit of the doubt. If you make this an everyday practice, trust us … you’ll be happier. You won’t question others as much and you’ll find that you’ll become less judgmental.

5. Have “family” meetings. Whether it’s with your roommate or your partner. Discuss how things are going, including your personal goals, financial goals and anything else. It’s good to have a scheduled time to check-in with each other.

6. Call one friend or family member once a day. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the need to stay in touch, simply call one person you care about every day. Do it when you’re walking the dogs, while you’re on your way to work, or even on your lunch break. This way, over time, you’ll stay in touch with everyone.

7. Stop being a victim. Whatever your circumstances are, take ownership of every single one of them. Then, take action.

8. Learn to argue productively. Arguing is part of any healthy relationship. Learn how to do it constructively and respectfully. Don’t just argue for arguing’s sake.

9. Say sorry the right way. Don’t use “ifs” in your apologies (ex: “I’m sorry if I upset you). Address your apology head-on and take responsibility for your actions. Try “I understand how you feel and I’m sorry that I upset you.” Validation is also key.

10. Don’t put your partner down in public. This is one of the worst things you can do. It’s disrespectful and harms the relationship. How do you want to live and be perceived by others?

11. Stop negative thoughts about other people when you begin to think them. This practice can become an easy habit, and when it does, you’ll get out of a negative mindset. You’ll be happier overall and less judgmental in the long run.

12. Commit to playing with your kids and/or pets regularly. It’s not enough to provide for them financially. They need your time (and quality time at that). 🐶🐱

13. Prioritize your kids and/or over your work. This is hard for the workaholic of the family, but it’s worth it. Your regrets at the end of your life will be about the individuals in your life – not work. Prioritize your people and your pets.

14. A compliment a day … Makes people very happy! You never know when someone is feeling down or needs a little pick-me-up. Who knows, it could even open up a new relationship.

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Money doesn’t make you happier, but it makes your life a little easier. 💰

1. Check your bank accounts daily. This habit will keep you informed on the reality of your financial situation. It will keep you aware of what you’re spending each day. It’s a simple action that can pay off in the long run.

2. Spend less than you make. This rule is super simple, but so hard to follow. If you live by this rule, you have a shot at building a stable (and even dreamy) financial future. Learn how to set a budget and then how to follow it.

3. Save a 3-6 month emergency fund. Because emergencies happen to everyone and having cash will lessen the stress. Layoffs happen. Emergencies happen. Life happens.

4. Get out of debt. Debt holds you back from doing a lot. It requires you to be a “slave to the lender” as they say. Get out and stay out.

5. Pay off your credit cards in full every month. If you don’t, you’ll be paying interest that compounds over time. Spend only what you can pay off.

6. Make more money. If you have an income problem (meaning you don’t make enough money to reach your financial goals), then find ways to make more money.

7. Pay yourself first. You’re always going to find ways to spend your money, even with pay increases. To make sure you’re saving, auto-deposit money into a savings account immediately when you’re paid. Increase the amount when you get a pay raise. Weekly transfers are a good choice.

8. Put more financial margin in your budget. Find ways to cut spending and make more money so you have more money left at the end of the month as a buffer. All those subscription boxes you have? Get rid of ones that aren’t fulfilling your life. Social media sites and streaming services? Cancel the ones you use the least.

9. Spend money on experiences. Research shows spending on experiences results in living a happier, healthier life. You will remember the experiences you had, not the stuff you bought.

10. Save for retirement. If you want to retire one day, you need to plan for it. The earlier you start, the more you benefit.

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Commit to a career you love, but doesn’t consume you. 👩🏽‍🔬

1. Do work that fulfills you. This will make every day fly by. Not that you want it to fly by … but you won’t be bored. You’ll be happier and more content with your life. Don’t give up until you find your (career) happy place. And don’t forget, culture has a big part to play.

2. Quit your job if you hate it. Life is too short to spend it doing something you dislike.

3. Find ways to work from home. There are so many ways you can make money from home. If you can with your full time job, that’s great. Dog sitting? Driving services? Sell personal art on Etsy? You decide.

4. Get a mentor. A mentor is a coach of sorts. Having someone you trust who is helping you figure out what you want to be doing with your life can pay off big time.

5. Dress for the job you want. It pays to be well dressed for the job you want. Co-workers will see you in that role. This advice is super worth it if you actually do it. It’s too easy to get comfortable and “let yourself go.”

6. Remember that like-ability totally matters at work. There are studies that show like-ability is one of the most significant factors in getting hired and even promoted. Again, make sure the culture is right for you.

7. Take constructive feedback in a positive way. This can help you grow and become even better at your job. Constructive feedback is never personal, so don’t take it personally.

8. Give praise to people you work with. Doing this publicly will make people feel appreciated, and they’ll like you more for it, too. Again, validation is key.

9. Develop leadership skills. Learning how to be a good leader will prepare you for your career and for life. Meet with your manager on how to create goals to become a better leader. There is no goal too big or too small.

10. Read books, take classes, watch tutorials! Keep working on that career development. Enhance your skills by reading, watching or experiencing things related to career development. This will help you excel faster because you will grow faster. Use sources like Lynda, Skillshare, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning … there’s enough resources out there for everyone.

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Spiritual growth is important too. 🙏🏾

1. Find a way to express gratitude daily. Tell someone why you appreciate them. Write down what you’re thankful for each day before bed. Get it out of your system, it will make you feel more fulfilled.

2. Stop trying to be a perfectionist. It gets in the way of your happiness, your success, your everyday life (and it annoys other people)!

3. Get comfortable saying “no”. Say “no” to what you don’t want to do, so you can have room for what you do want to do. You’ll be happier in the long run.

4. Talk with a therapist. If you have past issues to work on, take care of them now. If you have current issues to work on, take care of those now too.

5. Forgive regularly. When you forgive, you set yourself free from resentment and pain. It’s not about the other person. It’s about you. Don’t forget to forgive yourself too.

6. See the world with a glass half full mentality. You can learn to train yourself how to be happier and have a positive attitude. Others will enjoy your company more too.

7. Listen to podcasts during your commute. One great way to learn while you’re wasting time is during your commute.

8. Evaluate your experiences. You don’t learn from your experiences. You learn from evaluating your experiences. So, evaluate yours to change and learn from them.

9. Start a blog about something you love. Blogging is a great way to focus on personal development. Too scary? Start with writing down thoughts. Write short blogs. Eventually you’ll get better at it, and you’ll enjoy it too.

10. Stay motivated. Enough said. Try new things

11. Implement supportive habits. It’s not enough to rely on motivation. You need to implement habits into your life. Learn how to implement better habits into your life.

12. Limit your TV to less than 30 minutes / day on average. TV is such a time suck and it’s completely passive.

13. Start meditating. Meditation can be one of the most useful ways to relieve stress and find inner-contentment. It also helps with anxiety. Feeling stressed? Try a meditation app to get started. We like the one called Pause.

14. Get out of your comfort zone. Personal development means growing as a person. And the only way you’ll grow is from new experiences, which often require you to get out of your comfort zone. The more you get use to this, the easier it becomes.

15. Have faith in something bigger than you. Believing in God or another higher power can make your life more meaningful. Decide what you believe in and commit to that.

16. Know what you want from your life. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll wander somewhere you may not like. To avoid this, set visions in each life category (more on visions here) so you know where you’re headed.

17. Set goals. Goals will help you create a roadmap of how to get where you want to go.

18. Create a mission statement for your life (or one area of your life). Using a mission statement can help you focus on your number one priority. This helps make decision-making easier.

19. Have a go-to activity to get you out of a funk. Whatever works for you – do that. Whether it’s going for a run, taking a nap, painting, etc. Find an activity you do that helps you clear your mind. 🎨

20. At the end of the year reflect on the prior year by going through your calendar. Something I learned from 15 Invaluable Laws Of Growth by John Maxwell and have been doing for years. It helps you prioritize your time and money by looking at what you did the year before.

21. Journal regularly. Journaling is a way to express your thoughts in writing. It will bring you clarity in various ways. A side effect of journaling is documenting life events, too (which is almost never a bad thing).

22. Read at least one book a month. Reading will help you grow and develop. This month, our obsessions are Jodi Picoult and Lisa Scottoline.

23. Wake up early. You can seriously benefit from starting an everyday morning routine. Push your alarm clock time back one minute every day until you’re waking up early enough to do your planned morning routine. ⏰

24. Create a morning routine that you do before work. If you prioritize going what’s important to you (personally) before you start work, the day won’t escape you and you’ll actually do these things (and hopefully get them done too).

25. Keep notes in a digital folder. Notes of everything you want to remember for the future. Podcasts, reminders, grocery lists, movies to see. It’ll help remind you to do these things later on.

26. Unplug from technology. People are looking down at their phones so much that they often miss what’s happening in the world around them. Keep your head up. We live in a beautiful place.

27. Identify and quit a bad habit. We all have that one thing that we want to do less of.

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Make time for the fun stuffs. 🥳

1. Make time for fun if you’re an overachiever. Fun is absolutely necessary to your health and happiness. For the type-A, the overachiever, put fun in your schedule. You’ll enjoy life more. And people will enjoy you more.

2. Cut back on fun if you’re an underachiever. The opposite is true if you tend to spend all your free time having fun. If you are disorganized, haven’t cleaned in a while, or have no idea what your goals are – cut back on the fun (don’t get rid of it completely though) and spend time thinking and working on personal development.

3. Pursue a hobby that you love – just for fun. This will give you ownership of something you do just for you. Try some new ones while you’re at it 😜

4. Find creative ways to have fun without spending loads of money. Getting creative with your fun on the cheap will push you outside your comfort zone and into new experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have.

5. Laugh, be silly, and find your inner child. Play (anything for the joy of doing) has the power to significantly improve everything from your brain power to mental and physical health to relationships to your ability to be creative. Remember those days when we’d call our friends to see if they wanted to come over and play? Yeah, just like that.

6. Get outside and play. The outdoors allows you to explore and take adventures in a way you can’t get otherwise.

7. Laugh as much as possible. Laughter is good for the soul. Laughter gives you a jolt of happiness instantly. If you can increase how much you laugh, you can increase your overall happiness.

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Feel good in the space around you. 🏡

1. Create a vision board for motivation and inspiration. Having your visions and goals in front of you is a great way to stay on track with where you’re headed in life. It helps to keep you motivated day-to-day.

2. Stay organized. Keep as much as you can organized; including your home (every room and closet), your office, and anywhere else you spend time. An organized space will help you clear your mind.

3. Plan your weeks and weekends ahead of time. Use a calendar (digital or manual) and keep it in the “month view”. This will give you an overarching view of the month so you can plan your week and upcoming weeks ahead of time. We like printed calendars for our personal schedule and online calendars for our work schedule. There is no wrong way to do it.

4. Keep a to-do list. Alongside your calendar, keep a list of actions you want to complete. Check or cross off each item as you complete it and add to it as you have more things to get done. Knowing what your priorities are will help you accomplish your goals without getting distracted.

5. Purge anything you haven’t used or worn in over a year. Go through every item in your closet that you haven’t worn in over a year and yourself if you love that item. If you don’t love it, get rid of it. 👚Try donating to ThredUp - that’s our favorite.

6. Do your most important task first every day. Make a list of things you want to get done for the day. Start with the most important tasks. This will help you feel accomplished right away and help to set you up for a day of success.

7. Commit to one cleaning or organizational task per day. Small tasks compounded over time lead to great results. This will keep your house nice, clean and tidy!

8. Read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book can change the way you organize forever.

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It feels good to give back. 💸

1. Practice generosity. Instilling generosity as a way of life can impact the world in a huge way. And as a side effect, you’ll be happier, too.

2. Appreciate where you are in life. When you are thankful for your circumstances, you are stronger because you’re not a victim.

3. Practice mindfulness. Learn to be present and mindful of the moment. While planning ahead is good, don’t let that detract from being present and centered.

4. Create a gratitude jar that you put one note into every week. Expressing thankfulness on a weekly basis will help you be aware of how lucky you are in addition to give you something at the end of the year to look back on. I’m doing this now and it’s really fun!

5. Practice gratitude. The more you express how grateful you are, the happier you’ll be. You’ll also attract more positive things into your life.

6. Be a mentor. This is a rewarding way to give back to the younger generations whether it’s through career mentoring, school mentoring or life mentoring. Take your pick!

7. Volunteer and give your time. Giving your time (your most precious resource) is the most profound way to give back.

8. Commit to donating a specific percent of your income every year. This is the best way I know how to practice consistent financial generosity.

9. Say thank you.

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Go forth and improve yo-self!