Tag: Beauty

essential oils, how to build muscle, quote via belle vivirThis week’s recommended links list is short and sweet.

I enjoy a chic scented candle and furthermore if it exudes a good smell.  Anything that remotely resembles the fragrance of bergamot is a seller to me, however lately I’ve been rather curious about the negative health effect of waxes in certain candles.  It’s said that the paraffin found in some candles can be toxic, and are carcinogen once burned.   Since many companies decide not to declare what their wax is made of… I’m becoming increasingly interested in products with honest ingredients and nothing is more truthful than essential oils.  They are what they say they are, extractions of natural plants and seeds.  To embark on the rode of candid aromas, I’m getting one of these diffusers which are not only themselves made of ceramic and porcelain, two materials derived of natural sources, but they look good as well, so I can burn oils wherever I want in my house without the feeling of appearing ugly.  To read more about all the ways you can use and mix essential oils go here.

I go to the gym very morning around 6:30 at least four days a week and work out with a trainer three times a week.  However, since I wasn’t an athletic child it has taken me a long ride to get in my “ideal mind shape”  if such a thing can happen outside Hollywood.  Experts in the field say that our bodies start losing muscle once we pass our thirties.  This age-related muscle loss is known as sarcopenia.  Not a nice word, right… Here is how you can slow the process and in some cases even reverse it.

And last, if you’ve been putting off a hard conversation, here you can find some advice to get that difficult conversation started.  A hint, don’t worry about not being liked too much.

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Thankfully it’s time to take out our denims, espadrilles and ruffle tops because summer and all its glory is here.  It culturally starts this weekend with the celebration of Labor Day although officially a bit later.  As the Sun sets later and the Rosé is ready for happy hour, the nail polishes get lighter in beautiful pastel colors.  From Guerlain’s light purple-tone nail lacquer base, for those looking for a very subtle touch of color to Yves Saint Laurent ‘s
bright yellow for those more unique and adventurous.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

 

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Remember the days of the messy ponytail, well now is the time for the ultimate hairstyle, the half-bun, the hun or the half-up-bun.  Whichever way you prefer to call it, the half-bun is without a doubt the most versatile and latest hairstyle fashion.  A more girly version of the messy bun, the half-bun, as the name implies provides the best of both favorite hairstyles, the fresh loose hair and the more serious bun.  It can be sport for day and night and I can’t get enough of it.

Half-bun

 

Half-bun via belle vivir

 

 

Half-bun via belle vivir

 

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red nail polish roundup via belle vivir

 

I remember growing up red nail polish was never for girls, only for gown-up women.  Girls were only allowed to use light natural colors instead.  Anyone doing otherwise
would be easily labeled as a potential trouble maker.  Obviously the red nail colors I was more exposed to were darker red tones ranging from Burgundy to Garnet.  Color tones that still until not long ago I strictly associated to older ladies.  Red nails are a true
classic with so many different shades now to make everyone happy and more than excited about painting their nails.  I personally prefer red nail polishes with orange and coral hues for
their shades being more dynamic, happy and excited.  Below is a cool selection of Red Nail Polish that will make any hand look classy and modern at once.
From left to right, top to bottom,   My Chihuahua Bites by OPI,   JAFFA by butter,   Too Too Hot by essie,   Julep Red Carpet Arrival,   300 Military Red by Burberry,   essie,   Nagellack by Butter,   Tomorrow’s Red by NARS,   deborah lippmann.

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Here in Sao Paulo we are heading towards Autumn.  I’m actually looking forward to wearing my new Fall clothes.  In other places such as New York City, my favorite city of all, Spring will soon come and as every other season, Spring also brings along its own fashion standards.  In this case I’ll focus on Spring hair because isn’t that what all ladies obsess about?  In a season where temperatures can be so unpredictable it’s a must to have different hair style options, here are a few images of fabulous hair styles for future reference.

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Everybody wants to look their best and every woman wants to look younger than their age.  I started using anti aging serum about a year ago and I’ve used many different ones from Oil of Olay to the more expensive ones like Skinmedica anti aging serum.  Even though I have a pretty nice skin I have combination skin which means that I’ve been dealing with blackheads and enlarged pores, mostly on my nose for most of my adult life and if your skin is like mine and you use serum plus anti aging night cream then you know it’ll only get worse!  I have found a very simple and common sense solution how to get rid of black head once and for all while at the same time I use my creams more smartly.   I simply don’t use cream on my nose, not at nights not during the day.  The only product I use on my entire face is sunblock.  I’ve been implementing this for the past six months and my skin is as clean as a baby’s.  I’ve noticed that my creams last longer now since I end up using less.  I also put my night creams on early, if I’m not going out at night, so they’ll work for a longer time.

how to get rid of black head via belle vivir

For night I use.
Givenchy VAX’IN serum and it’s not bad, but I’m really looking forward to start using Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 of which I’ve heard wonders.  On top I use Shiseido Bio-Performance super restoring cream for the night.  It’s a bit more oily than I like.  I prefer SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream which is smoother and the skin absorbs it much more quickly. I have an obsession with my eye area.  I think that’s where age shows the most.  My eye area is hyper sensitive so I wasn’t able to use retinol products until I tried RoC Retinol correction SENSITIVE eye cream and it’s the one that I like the most so far.   I use Kiehl’s Midnight recovery concentrate for my neck and decollate.  I also use it on my hands before bed and I love how soft and better my hands look.

For the day.
I apply a bit of Givenchy VAX’IN serum only where I really need it.  (forehead and eye area)
SkinMedica Redness Relief CalmPlex. And Shiseido Sun Protection Lotion 50+ face and body.  I love the liquid consistency of this.

how to get rid of black head

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