Hello lovelies!!! Can you believe it’s almost spring??? If you live anywhere where there is snow, I’m sure you can relate to my excitement. The thrill of emerging from scarves and hats and blossoming into sundresses, and open toed shoes. It’s such a refreshing feeling to let your skin breathe, and let your hair out. Given the change of season and fresh start gifted by spring, here are 5 irresistible tips for perking up anyone dragging from the winter.

 

  1. ENERGIZE YOUR SKIN Winter can wreak havoc on the skin. The drier air tends to dry the skin, causing     it to be fatigued.

 

Try this: Using warm coffee grinds (that’s right, from this morning’s coffee) mix with one tablespoon of raw Shea butter, and one teaspoon of cinnamon. Gently massage the coffee scrub onto your body. If over the winter you’ve accumulated any unwanted cellulite, leave the scrub on the area and wrap it with Saran wrap. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes. Wash off in the shower. Your skin will feel smooth, fresh, and that cellulite? Noticeably diminished!!!!! Repeat 2-3 times a week.

 

  1. SOFTEN YOUR BROWS Let’s talk about brows for a minute. 2014 was the official the year of the brows. LOL. The dreaded overly dramatized, faded, highly concealed trend unfortunately spread quicker than I would have liked. In celebration of spring, let’s opt for a more natural, slightly enhanced brow. Minimal concealer, brow powders instead of pencils. One of my favorite make up artists on IG, @makeupbyjennyfro gets it. Her brows are always soft.

 

Try this: When filling the brows, be sure to use a spoolie to brush, blend and keep the brows soft. This aids in keeping the actual brows visible, and the make up you use to fill it even. When it comes to concealor, if you need to use it (you may be in between brow appointments) use it sparingly. Be sure to blend. I’m favoring a small buffer brush to blend flawlessly.

 

  1. INFUSE YOUR HAIR Alright, we’ve got our skin looking vibrant, our brows softly enhanced, now let’s do our hair a favor. Overcoming winter dryness, coupled with blow drying and heat styling can be quite a challenge. Investing in a hair mask or making one will have your hair soft, shiny and rejuvenated once more.

 

Try this: Mix 1 egg, ¼ c of honey, ¾ c of olive oil, ½ of an avocado. Apply the mixture to your hair from root to tip and cover with a plastic cap. Allow the mask to sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse, and wash and condition your hair as usual. If you have fine to medium hair only wear the mask for 10-15 minutes as an over exposure to protein could prove damaging. The ingredients in this mask are all functional. The egg of course infuses the shaft with protein, the honey is rich in vitamin A and potassium with gives the hair phenomenal shine, olive oil is an awesome non-greasy lubricant, and the avocado is filled with lipids to deeply moisturize the shaft. Talk about a super mask!!!!!!

 

  1. SPRING CLEANING If you’re a human, which I’m assuming you are, winter can cause a build up of gunk in your system. So do some spring cleaning in your digestive system. This will prove beneficial for your skin, mind and body.

 

Try this: In a hot bath, dissolve 1c of baking soda, 2 c of Epsom salt and your favorite essential oil. Soak for 40 minutes. This detox bath literally turns your bathroom into a sauna. As you begin to sweat, your body releases built up toxins, as well as absorbs the minerals from the bath. Once you get out (after you endure) lol you will feel like you just left the gym. Light, refreshed, and a bit dehydrated. Lol Be sure to drink plenty of water before and afterwards. You won’t regret it!!!

 

  1. KEEP YOUR FACE FRESH Being a make up artist, and someone who wears foundation pretty regularly, it’s always nice to be able to switch up and wear a fresher face. Lately, my muse has been a liquid illuminator by Manna Kadar cosmetics. It can be worn alone, or mixed with foundation. It gives the skin a beautiful sheer glow. Pair with a translucent powder and you have a fresh, bright face for spring.

 

Try this: Make your own BB cream. Using a liquid (preferably) or a cream foundation, mix 1 part foundation with 2 parts moisturizer. Apply to the face with a foundation brush. Be sure not to prime the face as it will block the skin from absorbing the moisturizing causing a layer of build up on the skin. I have used this custom BB cream on clients with sensitive skin, or those who want a flawless complexion without an overuse of foundation. It really works!!!

 

Thank you so much for reading today. I hope you find these tips simple and helpful and repeatable. Share your thoughts. Subscribe! Love ya!!!

 

Angela Brand