by Sharm | Apr 19, 2019 | Articles, Beauty, Healthy KC!, Lifestyle & Technology, What I Love, What You're Missing KC!
My niece works at a dermatologist office here in KC and offered me the chance to try out some lip filler at cost to check it out. In my opinion here are five things you will want to consider before pulling the trigger on the procedure.
Number One: I’ll tell you, although there is a little numbing cream involved, there are still some needle sticks that can be felt and bring tears to your eyes. Especially in the cupids bow area which are the two lines at the top of the lip that go up toward the nostrils.
Number Two: There are many choices of filler to choose from. It is important to do your homework before you go to get an idea of what you want your outcome to be as the different formulas can create different results. You may even want to take in a photo to give the injector an idea of your desired results.
Number Three: It is not permanent. Lip filler will likely last 6 months to a year depending on how your body metabolizes it.
Number Four: For not being permanent it can get quite costly. Prices can range from $400 – $1000.
Number Five: As you can see below, you also need to be aware that bruising can be quite sever and your lips will look quite odd and swollen for a couple of days. But once the bruising and swelling subsides, you will love the results. See photo after one month at the bottom of the post.
Lip Filler Bruising
I’ve done the lip injections three times now. I have to say although I love how they look a few days after, I feel like my body metabolizes the filler quite quickly and I hate that it is not a permanent fix so it is getting quite costly to keep them filled.
Before Lip Filler Injection
After Lip Filler Injection
On month post fill
If you are considering getting lip filler I hope these tips will help you make the decision that is best for you. Also when you do decide to do it, make sure you go to a practice that specializes in filler such as a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or aesthetic medical spa and that your technician is a trained professional in that area.
If you have any questions about it please feel free to contact me or comment below.
Sharm
by Sharm | Jul 26, 2018 | Articles, Beauty, Health, Lifestyle & Technology, Products & Reviews, What I Love
I heard of this process called oil pulling to whiten teeth years ago from my sister-in-law. The concept is to take a spoonful of coconut oil and hold in your mouth for 15 minutes. Overtime this process whitens teeth and improves oral health.
I tried it a few times, but as the saying goes, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”, I quickly stopped doing it and basically forgot about it, until I got contacted by Dr. Ginger’s to try their toothpaste.
Dr. Ginger’s makes a coconut oil toothpaste developed by Dr. Ginger Price, a practicing cosmetic dentist in Arizona for over 35 years.
Dr. Ginger said she came up with the idea for the product after many of her patience talked about this oil pulling thing and as she researched further, found that in addition to whitening, coconut oil was great for overall oral health.
With Dr. Ginger’s coconut oil product line, you get the benefits of oil pulling without the hassle, mess and time consuming process. In addition, if not done correctly there are some hazards with oil pulling that can occur so using the coconut oil based products takes that away.
Below are a few reasons you are going to want to make the switch to coconut oil based oral hygiene products.
1. It Contains No Chemicals – Dr. Ginger’s coconut oil toothpaste contains no flouride, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, coloring agents or chemicals such as triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate.
2. Helps Fight Cavities – Studies have shown coconut oil kills bad bacteria that causes cavities and bad breath.
3. It Can Help With Tooth Sensitivity – The very best toothpaste for sensitive teeth is one that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and detergents.
4. Improves Overall Health – Studies have shown that periodontal disease is directly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, premature births and lower birth weights in babies. Coconut oil has shown to fight bacteria that can cause these problem.
5. Pure Coconut Oil is Safe for Dogs – According to Pet MD, applying coconut oil to your dogs teeth can help with bad breath.
My sample from Dr. Ginger’s contained a few days worth of toothpaste and I have to tell you it is really good. I think the flavor is amazing and can’t wait to try out the other products in their line. I struggle with tooth sensitivity so getting an all natural product that can help with that along with all the other benefits is a plus!
For more product or ordering information visit Dr Ginger’s website.
Photos courtesy of Dr. Ginger’s
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by Sharm | Jun 17, 2017 | Beauty, Lifestyle & Technology, Travel, What I Love
These travel essentials that are airline compliant can be put in your carry-on bag and will save the day should something go awry!
I have been traveling quite a bit over the past few years and am guilty of being an over-packer. After some trial and error have finally scaled down my bag but always include these travel essentials in my carry-on.
Whether I need to wipe down my tray table, my face, hands or take a spit bath when stranded in the airport. I love these chemical free Waterpura wipes. I received these as a sample and have fallen in love with them. I don’t see any sample packs available for sale on the website, so I will be investing in a travel wipe container as the next package I get will be way to large to carry-on
I am usually not a fan of the hotel soaps and shampoos and like to bring my own. I found these great containers at an IKEA store in Dallas. I cannot find them online to give you a link. They could be an in-store product only. The banded labels came from the Container Store.
IKEA Travel Containers
If your shoes start rubbing you the wrong way, the Fab Feet stick from target will help prevent blisters from forming. The tinted sunscreen from Chanel I found at Macy’s and that with a little tinted lip balm from Pacifica can help brighten up your complexion after a long day of travel. I also love the roll on perfume from Pacifica. It is lightly scented and easy to pack.
To freshen up my breath I love the Mouthwatchers travel toothbrush. MouthWatchers uses antimicrobial patented silver technology on its bristles which eliminate 99.9% of bacteria build up on the toothbrush bristles. The special designed bristles are thinner than that of other toothbrushes which clean in between teeth better and adds a flossing effect.
Mouthwatchers Toothbrush
I love having a pill box when traveling and fill it with prescriptions, pain relievers and any other medications or supplements I want to have on hand.
For a quick fluff of the hair, a travel brush and pony tail holders are a must. Tissues, mints, hand sanitizer, glasses, contacts, saline are a few of my other essentials. I always have a nail file and a little travel size of nail polish remover pads.
To put it all together, the non liquids go in a zipper pouch from re-pac bags and for liquids we all know by now they must be in a TSA approved container. Mine is a zipper package that some pillow shams came in.
Instead of spending money on those packaging cubes, save those clear zipper pouches that a lot of sheets or bedding comes packaged in. They make great packing cubes for items that will go inside your checked luggage. I love using them to organize my workout gear, swimsuits, accessories and anything else I want to keep from getting mixed into my other clothes.
Now that you have all of your carry-on items packed. What is the best bag to use to put them in? I love a bag that has multiple storage areas like my Tumi bag. It fits my laptop, carry-on essentials, sunglasses, snacks, chargers, headphones and pretty much whatever else I need while still being slim and compact.
I would love to hear some of your ideas on packing for travel and what essentials you take in your carry-on.
Safe Travels!
Sharm
by Sharm | Dec 21, 2016 | Beauty, Health, Lifestyle & Technology, Products & Reviews, What I Love, Whole Foods Market
Products from the Mineral Fusion Makeup Line available at Whole Foods Market, will keep you looking gorgeous with minimal effort.
The Mineral Fusions company is based in Denver, CO and they make skin care and cosmetics (in the USA) that are free of gluten, parabens, talc, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, SLS, and phthalates. They’re also committed to sustainability and utilize wind power, soy inks, packaging from recycled materials and packaging that is recyclable.
I am a huge fan of Mineral Fusion and use quite a bit of their products so when the chance came to write about them as a Whole Foods Ambassador, I decided to share with you my favorite Mineral Fusion products.
#1 Hydrating Primer. My dry skin loves this primer. It smoothes and evens my skin tone and allows my foundation to glide on smoothly for a flawless look.
#2. Lash Curling Mascara. The curved brush on this lash lengthening mascara separates and defines lashes and is made with a hypo allergenic formula.
#3 Lip Pencil. I use this lip pencil to line my lips and also use it to fill in as a base layer under my shear moisture lip tint which come in at number four.
#4 Sheer Moisture Lip Tint. This sheer lip tint adds shine and color without drying out my lips.
#5 Nail Polish. With 61 shades to choose from that are free from formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl, phthalates and camphor, this polish is long lasting and goes on streak free.
These products with just a touch of foundation and blush can give you a glamorous look with minimal effort.
Whole Foods Market is committed to carrying products that are up to their body care standards and Mineral Fusion fits the criteria. You can check out their standards here along with a list of 400 unacceptable ingredients that cannot be in any of their body care products.
Whole Foods Market carries the Mineral Fusions Makeup line and now for a limited time you can pick up this Whole Foods exclusive eye shadow palette that includes six neutral colors, eye shadow brush and eye pencil.
Disclosure: Whole Foods Market provided me with some samples of the Mineral Fusion products and gift card, but all opinions expressed are my own.
by Sharm | Nov 28, 2016 | Beauty, Health, Lifestyle & Technology, What I Love, Whole Foods Market
The Trilogy Advanced Skincare Line will hydrate dry skin and is New Zealand’s number one skincare brand, where a bottle of Trilogy Rosehip oil is sold every 22 seconds.
When sisters Sarah Gibbs and Catherine de Groot discovered the powerful benefits of rosehip oil for skin, back in 2002, they created Trilogy, a natural skincare line that started out with a range of five rosehip skincare products.
The Trilogy line now crafts over 40 incredibly effective natural alternatives to use in place of all the synthetic skincare, body care and hair care products that are out on the market. These natural and effective alternatives are sold in over 20 countries around the world.
The Trilogy Skincare Line has been added to the Whole Body Department at Whole Foods Market as it falls in line with their philosophy that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body.
All of the beauty products at Whole Foods Market meet the strictest standards for quality sourcing, environmental impact, results and safety. For more information on these standards, as well as a list of 400 unacceptable body care ingredients visit Whole Foods Market Whole Body Page.
As a Whole Foods Market Ambassador we are occasionally sent samples and items to try that meet Whole Foods Market quality of standards. This set of samples included items from the Trilogy Skincare Line.
I’ve been using these products for about a week and I am loving the way my skin feels and looks.
The samples included a holiday limited edition Bare-Faced Beauty Kit, Ultra Hydrating Face Cream and Vital Moisturizing Cream.
The Bare-Faced Beauty Kit included a mini bottle of the rosehip oil antioxidant plus. Hydrating beauty mist and make up be gone cleansing balm.
My skin is on the drier end of the spectrum and I found it soaked up the rosehip oil without leaving a greasy film. I have been applying it to my face after I shower to help lock in some moisture then again at night before the ultra hydrating face cream and my dry skin is loving it!
I carry the hydrating beauty mist with me in my purse. The scent is intoxicatingly floral and when I just need a little refreshing pick me up during this day this mist does the trick.
The make-up be gone cleansing balm gently removes make up and I really like using it under my eyes to get that last bit if eyeliner off that my face soap just can’t seem to get.
I have been using the Trilogy ultra hydrating face cream at night after I wash all of my make up off. The ultra hydrating is no joke. This face cream is thick and rich but glides on smoothly and is easily absorbed and no greasy film.
The vital moisturizing cream is lighter than the hydrating cream and absorbs well. I have been using it the mornings as a moisturizer for under my make up.
My niece is an esthetician at a dermatology clinic and is always giving me samples of other high end and high priced skincare products so I have tried quite a few and I have to say, so far the Trilogy line seems just as good and it is half the price!
I encourage you to pick up a variety of Trilogy products at Whole Foods Market to try for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
