Secret Beauty Ingredient: Water

Okay.  It's actually not a secret at all.  And we've all heard the instructions for us to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day for optimum health...

Well, whilst it's true that we all could do well to drink a little more water every day (you should be drinking water instead of soft drinks, for instance) there *IS* a risk of drinking too much water.  Yes, beleive it or not, you CAN drink too much water and make yourself pretty sick in the process.

However, having said all of that, have you noticed that nearly EVERY time you look at the ingredients list of your beauty products (if you're NOT reading the ingredients lists, then you seriously SHOULD be) the very first ingredient listed is water [aqua]?

It's not an accident.

In case you didn't know, the list of ingredients on any skincare or cosmetic label, are always in descending order.  So that means, the closer to the front of the list an ingredient is, the more of it a product has.  And, the ingredient that is at the very FRONT of the list, is the ingredient that the product contains the most of.

Yup.  Most of us are shelling out big bucks for products which contain mostly water!!  What the...?

As an aside, you might find the Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary interesting reading.  If you've ever wondered what some of those weird sounding words on the back (or underside) of your skincare/cosmetic products are, then this is certainly the place to find out.  It contains not only the name of the product, but some detailed information as well, including links to studies and other sites.  Highly recommended!

There are literally thousands of web articles discussing the importance of water in the human body, and it's not my aim here to replicate any of them.

Just to remind you that:

• water is important
• we should all be getting a little more of it into our bodies than we currently do
• it's the main ingredient in nearly every skincare or cosmetic product
• dry skin NEEDS water, not only in the form of drinking water, but water applied and sealed directly onto the skin
  

Secret Beauty Ingredient: Olive Oil

Olive Oil!

I grew up in an area saturated with Italians, Turkish, and Greek immigrants.  Many of the kids I grew up with were 1st or 2nd generation Aussies!

As a result, most of my culinary experiences included extra virgin (and in most cases, homemade) olive oil!  MMMMMM, delicious!

But did you know that Olive Oil is also one of the most amazing [not so secret] skincare and beauty ingredients?

It's been found that the Egyptians (think Cleopatra), Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans (among many others) all used this oil in beauty preparations!

Olive Oil:

• is a natural moisturiser - yup, it's absorbed right into the skin and helps to promote and retain it's elasticity (awesome news for those of you with rediculously dry skin like me, or eczema like my daughter)
• is very rich in antioxidants, including vitamins A and E, which are the key ingredients in ALL anti-ageing creams/lotions/serums etc
• also has the natural ability to stimulate cells and therefore, helps to enhance firmer and healthier skin
• can be used as a soap replacement for your entire body
• can be used as an eye makeup remover, removing even waterproof mascaras and eye liners
• is awesome when used as a lip balm
• is an amazing hair conditioner, and some people swear by it's ability to treat/prevent dandruff
• has got to be one of the best oils to strenghten nails and cuticles

I've recently, accidentally by the way, discovered what I consider to be the most amazing, hydrating, non-sticky, non-oily moisturiser featuring Olive Oil.  And what's better, is that it's cheap as chips, and you can make it yourself!


Basically, Olive Oil is the good stuff.  And you want to incorporate much more of it into your daily life than you already do.  Amazingly, not only is this stuff great on the skin/hair/nails (and in your beauty products) it tastes amazing too.  I've continued the traditions passed to me by some of my closest Italian friends, and we eat olive oil practically every day in our household.

As an aside, my three kids (17, 4 and 2yrs) LOVES 'garlic butter' that I make.  I take a tablespoon or two of softened butter, and drizzle olive oil into it (stirring constantly with a fork to incorporate it) until it's a really smooth pastey consistency.  Then I add salt and garlic to taste (you can use garlic powder if you prefer, but we reckon fresh minced garlic HAS to be the best).  Cover with clingfilm and leave in your fridge.  They'll have that stuff on bread, toast, plain buscuits, rice crackers or whatever.  No other flavours required!

Want to know more?  I'm composing a series of posts about 'secret' beauty ingredients, and have 3 more to go before I post my moisturiser's secret recipe.  Keep coming back to find out more.

Heads Up!!

G'day everyone.

I've seriously, almost accidentally, discovered what would have to be my holy grail of moisturisers!!!

Really!!

And it's homemade, all natural, and it's the most AMAZING thing for rediculously dry/damaged/sensitive skin.

I've been having terrible issues with my seasonal allergies.  My skin has been disgusting.  Dry, flaky, itchy, supersensitive.  It's been reacting to nearly EVERYTHING.

To say I was getting desperate is a little understatement.

I'm going to make a YouTube video about it, along with how to make it, and how to use it, and follow it up with a blog post here with the list of ingredients and some interesting facts on all of the ingredients and how awesome it is.

Seriously, my hubby thinks I should just patent or trademark the ingredients, keep them a secret, and make a million selling the product!  *laughs*  I, on the other hand, am paying it forward.

So if you know anyone with super dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, or skin that's supersensitive, you might want to tell them to keep an eye out in the next few days for my post...

It's really awesome.

Have a great day.

*hugs*

Vashti

I haven't forgotten you... honest!

July 2nd!!!

That was over 3 months ago!

Seriously!  That's how long it's been since I last posted, and it's probably been around the same length of time since I've posted a video to YouTube.

Life has been crazy hectic.  We've had health challenges, MUCH interstate travel, and my seasonal allergies have been wreaking havoc with my skin (and moods), we've bought a business...

Our 4yr old has just switched to full days at kindy, to prepare for school, so we've had all the hassle of ALL our routines changing to accommodate it.

I've got SO many videos, reviews, tutorials, tips and tricks to catch up on, I'm going to begin filming next week.

So, my first video will be a quick update.

Then I'm going to do two subscriber requests:
Top 10 Lip Products
5-minute face

I've also got tons of other requests, and questions, and a STACK of videos to make for my OzBudgetEvolution channel too.  So keep an eye out for it.

If you haven't already, follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ozbudgetbeauty and subscribe to my YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ozbudgetbeauty

Have a fantastic day!

*hugs*

Vashti

At least I'm starting early...

I'm SO glad I'm starting my PersonalProject a little early!! (try 6 weeks)

I've totally failed 5 days out of 5 in the "getting up at 6am" department!!

At least I can blame caffiene withdrawals.

I have to say, though, that I actually remember turning my alarm off yesterday... I thought that I was putting it on snooze, but I accidentally turned it completely off.

And this morning, when 6am came round, I actually contemplated getting up... I'd recorded last night's episode of Medium and knew that if I didn't get up and watch it then, I'd not get a chance until 6am tomorrow...

I've got dessert club tonight, have to get Dorothy to the airport at 8 in the morning, then have another appointment with the stylist to try and fix my hair tomorrow midmorning - fingers crossed on THAT one - and then spending the arvo getting stuff ready for Mark's man-date with two of his besties... I don't think I can wait 'til tomorrow night to watch it, so it's gonna be awesome incentive to actually make it out of bed early tomorrow!!

(how sick are you of hearing: "I'll get up at 6am tomorrow"?)

My body is slowly getting used to being woken at 6am, though. So, that's been a surprise.

And what's surprised me more is that I haven't been able to rely on my willpower to just get it done.

Normally, I would consider my willpower to be REALLY strong. When I make up my mind on something, it doesn't budge and I just get it done... so it's been an interesting experience to really NOT BE ABLE to do something I'd decided to do..?

(I'm secretly really cross about it, actually. I guess it's the perfectionist/anal-retentionist in me?)

I'm reading "The Gabriel Method" at the moment (don't get me wrong, I don't wanna lose 100kg or anything, but I do want to change my body) and he talks a LOT about how if your body/subconcsious beleives it's unsafe to do something, then no matter how much you try to do that thing (with your conscous mind) your body will rebel EVERY step of the way.

I just have to teach/show my body that no caffiene is in my safest best interest, and that 6am starts are beneficial, and then I'm pretty sure that before long, I'll be bouncing outta bed before my alarm's gone off, full of vitality and energy, ready to start the day.

Of course, I'm also realising that - realistically speaking - I need a lot more sleep than I've previously been getting (two young children, waking in the night, a husband who snores REALLY loudly!!) so I've decided to start acting like the old woman my 17yr old tells me I am, and start going to bed really early to get a headstart!!

GRRR... and I need to be a whole lot more organised... I feel like I need to have everything regimented...

Yeah... well, we'll just see how THAT goes, won't we.

PS - have you noticed I'm not as grumpy today? I think I'm over the worst of the caffiene withdrawal process *YAY*

Project 5 Pan - P5P

So, the inimitable Valerie Valentine and I are embarking on a Project 5-Pan (P5P), and want YOU to join us.

What, pray tell, is a P5P. Basically, a much more managable version of Lollipop26's Project 10-Pan.



So, in line with my Budget Beauty theme (hence the moniker) I don't have a rediculously expansive collection to begin with, but the project is still an amazing one to do.

I did it a few months back, and now after a few more purchases, I feel it's time to go ahead for round two.

Valerie is already ahead a few notches... her first item is a lipgloss (which is already 85% gone, by her own account *laughs*) so I'm gonna have to step up a bit in order to keep up!!

Join us in our P5P, follow us on twitter (OzBudgetBeauty & VIsForValerie)to get all the daily updates, and keep us tuned to YOUR progress!!

OzBudgetEvolution: 6am rise... whatever...

Okay, so today is was day 2 of my caffiene detox.

And today was the day I was supposed to [come hell or high water] be out of bed by 6am.

Yeah right.

So disappointed in myself.

Apparently I turned off my alarm this morning. Mark assures me he never touched it. I beleive him. It's just that I don't remember any of it.

Now, I don't think that I have a 'problem' with caffiene. After all, 4 or 5 coffees a day isnt' so bad - is it?

But, apparently, my body disagrees with me. I've been grouchy and crotchety ALL day... Thankfully, I was forced into goodnaturedness this morning (I have a weekly catch-up with girlfriends, so I have to be at least civil). From there, I raced to take Moto to kindy.

We raced home in time to get Brutaxis his lunch and pop him into bed...

After checking a few emails, generally wasting time being grouchy with myself, slinging back a few DECAF coffees (no sugar), and trying unsuccessfully for a few minnies to read a book on my 'must read' list, I decided I'd better not fight it any longer...

I flopped onto my bed, fully clothed and shoed (something that I normally find so rediculously uncomfy that I can't sleep) and immediately fell asleep.

Thankfully, I had the good sense to set my alarm which - I'm happy to report - I managed to wake up to. It was only 40 minutes, but it was enough to recharge my batteries for the next few hours.

I managed do cope with Brutaxis' constant "Why?" all the way to kindy which as any mother knows, can get just a little grating after the zillionth iteration, only to be caught by a freak rainstorm on arrival.

Needless to say - getting completely soaked before I can even open the umbrella, then having to wrestle a 2yr old out of the car and carry him AND his soft-toy-friend-dujoir to the kindy didn't do too much for my general demeanour.

I am, however, thankful for small mercies... It was all 'over rover' by the time we all emerged, with the added baggage of a painting (still wet and getting paint all over my clothes, of course), a term portfolio, and a few sticks of something-or-other into the car.

Then, once we were all bundled back into the car, we had to drag our sorry selves to collect Mark from work, and get home to prepare dinner (via the beach, of course, to see the waves)...

Only for Mark to herd me back to the car immediately upon arriving home so I could go run some poxy errand before the shop shut at 5...

grrrrr

So, now I'm stuck here, writing this post, when all I wanna do is put my sorry self out of everyone's misery.

I'm heading to bed.

Better luck with the 6am thing tomorrow.