Healthy Skin Foods: Avocado

If you’ve ever heard the saying “you are what you eat,” you know that it is important to fill your body with natural foods full of vitamins and nutrients to keep it healthy. Avocados are delicious and nutritious and provide a variety of benefits for your body. The oils found in avocados are made up of fatty acids, vitamins and essential nutrients with antioxidant qualities that sooth and moisturize the skin.

Here are a few ways you can incorporate avocados and their oil into your diet and beauty routine:

Skincare – Avocados are rich in Vitamin A, which is critical in maintaining and restoring healthy skin. Their antioxidant properties help eliminate the toxins that cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. To improve your skin’s complexion, treat yourself to an avocado facial by mashing and applying the avocado to the skin two to four times a week for 10 minutes at a time, and thoroughly rinsing your face with water following each treatment.

Hair conditioning – Create a conditioning mask for your hair by mashing one avocado with an egg and a tablespoon of olive oil and then applying it directly on the scalp for 20 min prior to your regular hair care routine. This mask offers a hydrating effect as well as helps hair regain its shine, elasticity and body.

Sun protection – Applying avocado oil to your skin before heading out into the sun can help to naturally protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Avocados are also famous for their anti-inflammatory properties, so if you are looking to alleviate the pain of a sunburn, lather a mashed avocado onto your skin for a quick relief.

Diet benefits –Although 85% of the calories in avocados come from fat, this fat is unusual as it offers numerous health benefits. Packed with healthy monounsaturated fat, lutein, folate, potassium and other vitamins and nutrients, avocadoes fight high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and prevent health problems such as diabetes and cancer. Incorporating avocadoes into your diet can be as simple as adding fresh slices to your salads, sandwiches, and tacos.

Clearly, the avocado has been deemed a “wonder fruit” for good reason! We’ll be covering additional natural ingredients that can have a beneficial impact on your body in future blog posts, so keep an eye out and be sure to check out our post on Natural Beauty Secrets: Coconut Oil.

Hairstyles that Flatter your Face Shape

Summer is about to kick into high gear, so we’re covering which trends will be sizzling this summer and how to incorporate your unique style and features into the mix. Your face shape, hair texture and hair thickness are great natural guidelines for determining the hair style that best highlights your features.

Before scheduling your next appointment with your stylist, take a look at these tips for personalizing your haircut and style to your face shape:

Oval Faces – An oval face is the most versatile as most hairstyles look good with it. This face shape is well proportioned so there are plenty of ways to show off your style while looking your best. To make the most of your oval face, try getting a long cut with layers near your cheekbones, lips, or chin, depending on what feature you’d like to accentuate. If you’re looking to keep it light this summer, consider getting a short cut or a shoulder-length style. For a beach ready look, waves or curls are also a great option. Just make sure to choose a hairstyle that doesn’t cover your beautiful face shape.

Heart Shaped Faces – Women with heart-shaped faces should consider flattering hairstyles that consist of deep side bangs or layers. If you want to soften a somewhat pointy chin, drawing attention to your eyes and cheekbones should do the trick. Any textured chin-length hairstyles will suit this shape wonderfully. A great summer choice is getting a short cut with fullness around the jaw line. Want to get bangs? Just make sure that they are side-swept instead of going straight across, so that your face doesn’t appear shorter and wider.

 

 

 

Round Faces – For women who have this face shape, the secret to a great hairstyle is to deflect attention from the roundness of your face. Long hair looks absolutely stunning on round faces because it lengthens the face, but if you prefer a shorter look, be sure to stay away from cuts that stop at the chin as hairstyles that frame the face simply emphasize the round shape. Center parts and deep side parts are a great way to complement this shape. Try choosing an asymmetrical cut that adds angles and minimizes volume.

 

 

 

Square Faces – If you have a square face, select a long hairstyle that softens the strong angles of the face. Consider a layered cut that starts at the jawline and sports a center or a deep side part. Wispy forward falling hair will soften the square lines of your face. Having your bangs swept over to one side minimizes this shape, while parting your hair in the middle can work against you. If you go with a shorter hairstyle, stay away from cuts shorter than chin length as well as one-layer bobs and solid straight bangs.

Remember that updos are huge this season and are a great look for oval, square, round and heart face shapes.

Parabens: What You Need to Know

Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Parahydroxybenzoate… these terms probably don’t mean much to you at first glance, but you may have heard of their other name: Parabens.

Parabens have been a major topic of discussion within the health and beauty communities lately, and are getting increasing media buzz due to their widespread use and potentially harmful effects.

The jury is still out on whether or not parabens are actually dangerous, but we want to make sure you know that we do not use them in any Clarisonic products. We also want to share our insights on how to identify these chemicals and give you the tools to decide for yourself whether or not you want to avoid them.

What are parabens?

Parabens are a group of chemical compounds commonly used as synthetic preservatives designed to prevent the growth of microbes in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care products. They are widely available and cheap to produce, so companies all over the world use them to extend the shelf life of their products.

Causes for concern

Parabens can be absorbed through the skin, blood and digestive system, and can disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone associated with breast cancer, so some scientists worry that parabens increase the risk of certain cancers and reproductive health concerns.

While certain studies have found that the amount of parabens absorbed by the skin is very low and can be metabolized by skin cells without producing estrogenic activity, other studies revealed a correlation between parabens and incidence of breast cancer. Dr. Philippa Darbre, who led a 2004 study on parabens at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Reading, found that 18 out of the 20 tested breast tumor samples contained parabens, indicating that the chemicals stay intact within the breast tissue instead of leaving the body.

Further testing continues, but as a result of this study, experts all over the world are recommending limits on paraben levels in cosmetic products. Currently, the permitted paraben concentration in food is up to .01% in food, and 1% in cosmetics.

What to look for on product labels

Parabens can be found in everyday items like shampoo, moisturizer, shaving gel, topical pharmaceuticals, and even toothpaste, so it can be difficult to avoid them altogether. The items listed below are all parabens, so check your product labels for these terms:

• Methylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Propylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
• Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
• Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
• Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
• Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid
• Parahydroxybenzoic acid
• Parahydroxybenzoate

It’s important to know your body, what goes into it and on it, and how that affects your health.  Keep an eye on the ingredients in the cosmetic products you use, and do your research before trying a new product. We will continue to update this post as we learn more about parabens, and would love to hear your thoughts on the debate. Do you think there is cause for concern?

 

 

Natural Beauty Secrets: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is not only an amazing ingredient for general health, but also does wonders for your hair and skin.

They say beauty is only skin deep, but the way our skin appears is often a direct result of the lifestyles we lead and the foods we consume. Our bodies love whole, natural products that are easy to digest and absorb, and contain the nutrients we rely on for energy and growth. That’s why one of our favorite natural beauty secrets is coconut oil.

Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids that are easy for the body to dissolve and turn into energy or use to strengthen and repair connective tissue. It also has powerful antioxidant effects that stimulate thyroid function, boost your metabolism, and help heal damaged hair and skin. Some coconut oil studies even report a decreased risk of cancer and heart disease.

Here are just a few of the ways you can incorporate coconut oil into your diet and your skincare routine:

• Use it to improve your skin. By protecting against free-radicals that cause wrinkles and aging, coconut oil can keep your skin looking young and smooth. It also has strong hydrating effects that help you lock in moisture—great for those moments before you dry off after a shower.
• It works as a deep conditioner for your hair, repairing damaged hair follicles and adding shine to your locks. Just pour a small amount into your hands and massage it into your scalp and the ends of your hair for a few minutes, then rinse it out. You’ll notice a new shine right away.
• Mix it with brown sugar to create a body scrub and exfoliate. Slough away dead skin cells and make your skin smell amazing while you’re at it.
• To help prevent sunburn—or provide relief if you already have one.
• Add a teaspoon or two to your meals. We love it mixed into smoothies or drizzled over a salad.

Health and wellness is all about giving your body the care and nutrition it needs, and whole, natural ingredients are key. Take a look at our post on the Best 5 Skin Care Ingredients From Your Kitchen and stay tuned for more Natural Beauty Secrets to come!

Have you tried using coconut oil as a beauty product before?

Could You Live Without Makeup?

One of the first things many of us do every morning is cleanse, powder, and paint our faces.  The cleansing part makes perfect sense, but what about the makeup? Why wear it?

It’s a question we don’t honestly ask ourselves very often, and the answer is a little different for everyone. Some wear it to cover blemishes and hide the parts of their appearance they don’t like, some use it to feel more confident and put-together, and others just love the creative twist it ads to their style. Many women also think makeup makes them look more competent, and survey data from the New York Times seems to support that idea. We shared the Times article with our fans on Facebook and responses ranged from the opinion that “less is more,” to the idea that it makes you “look more polished and more confident.”

We’re all about natural beauty here at Clarisonic, so we tend to like wearing only enough makeup to enhance the features that are already there. Makeup can be fun and help you stand out, but it’s also important to know and be comfortable in your own skin, and realize that you are a beautiful individual with or without it.

Last May, two middle school girls from Phoenix, Arizona named Gabby Klein and Michaela Good issued a challenge called “Only You,” encouraging girls to show off their natural appearance for a day and go without any make-up. They were frustrated by the unattainable beauty standards set by Hollywood, the media, and photoshop-loving women’s magazines, and decided to try and encourage girls everywhere to embrace their own skin. So far they’ve received national news coverage and support from women and girls all over the country. In North Carolina, a UNC-Charlotte educator named Rosie Molinary is also encouraging her students to try going a day without makeup. “Our skin is neither perfect nor bad,” she says, “and showing it in its natural form can be refreshing.”

We couldn’t agree more, and we love the idea that more women are going without makeup or aiming for a simple, natural look. It’s all about letting your inner—and outer—glow shine through.  The more you take care of your skin and let it breathe, the better you’ll feel about showing it to the world.

What are your thoughts? Could you live without makeup?

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*Photos licensed through Creative Commons by Mustafa Sayed and uneduex

Clarisonic’s #SonicChat Tweet Chat!

Hey Sonic Fans! Are you ready for summer? In our next #SonicChat we’ll be chatting about summer skincare with special co-host, Supergoop! Join on Tuesday (5/28/2013) at 11am, PDT (2pm EST). Don’t miss out on a great time!

How the #SonicChat works:

• We’ve already set up a tweet chat “room” that you can use to participate here: http://tweetchat.com/room/SonicChat
• Many people also like to use Hootsuite or Tweetdeck for tweet chats. If this is the case for you, you’ll just need to set up a column with the hashtag #SonicChat.
• Join in any time during the hour. The more the merrier!
• We will ask a series of questions, each beginning with “Q1,” “Q2,” and so on. If you’d like to answer a question, just tweet back with “A1,” “A2,” etc. to the corresponding question.
• Feel free to RT great comments from @Clarisonic or other participants in the chat, and interact as much or as little as you like. Just be sure to include the hashtag #SonicChat in all your tweets so everyone can keep track of the conversation!
• Most of all, #SonicChat is about learning, sharing, and having fun.

Sound like something you’d like to check out? Join us on Tuesday at 11am PDT. Let’s do this!

 

Summer’s Hottest Accessories

It’s starting to heat up outside and the layers are coming off. But how do you stay stylish when all you want to wear each day are shorts and tank tops? Accessories. Hats, shoes, jewelry, and sunglasses are fun and easy ways to make otherwise simple outfits stand out. Here are our picks for summer’s hottest accessories.

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Wide-brimmed hats

Wide-brimmed, floppy hats are total statement pieces, and they have the added benefit of shielding your face from harmful UV rays. We like this simple, black hat from Zara, but a classic straw shade is great, too. Pair your hat with a maxi dress or some short shorts and strappy sandals, or bring it with you to the beach.

 

 

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are the most obvious summer accessory, but styles come and go with the years. Stick to a classic shape that fits your face shape and you’ll be able to wear them dressed up or down. We love the TOMS eyewear line because it’s simple and classic with a unique touch of color, but also gives you the opportunity to help someone in need. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need.

 

Colorful Wedges

Wedges are the perfect summer shoe. Comfortable, easy to wear day or night, and fun—we can’t get enough of them. We love these Kelly green Santa Monica Pier Wedges from ModCloth because the color is on-trend and attention-grabbing. Ankle-strap platforms are another fun trend this summer – check out this list from Lucky to find a pair that you like.

 

 

 

Bright, Chunky Jewelry

Nothing will dress up a plain t-shirt faster than a bold, brightly-colored necklace like this J.Crew Bubble Necklace.  This season is all about neon, so be bold and embrace lively colors. You’ll shine even brighter in the sun!

 

 

 

 

 

Stacked Wooden Bracelets

Balance out a flowing white blouse or a little white dress with a few stacked wooden bracelets on your wrists. Wooden jewelry gives your style a natural, organic feel but still stands out. It’s also more comfortable in the hot sun than metal! Check out Good Housekeeping’s picks for some great, affordable options.

 

 

 

Brightly-Colored Belts

Add a burst of color to your outfit—and emphasize your womanly figure—with a summery leather belt. We love J. Crew’s neon skinny belts!

 

 

Which summer accessories are you dying to get your hands on? Did we forget any major looks?

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5 Simple Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Dads are notoriously hard to shop for. Not necessarily because it’s hard to pin down their interests, but because they have a knack for responding to every request for a gift list with: “Oh I’m fine. I don’t need anything.” It’s a line that probably never fails to make you smile, but it sure doesn’t make gift giving any easier.

Since dad hardly ever buys himself anything (and he definitely doesn’t ask for it), think carefully about what he owns that could use refreshing or replacing. Find a way to shave a few minutes off his daily routine so he has more time for fun. Think about that thing he always used to do but hasn’t done in a while. Make it something he’ll use and enjoy, not just another tie.

Here are our suggestions for gifts your dad is sure to love. If you enjoyed our 7 Simple Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, you’ll definitely like these too.

• Kitchen tools—whether he’s an everyday chef or a master griller, he’s sure to appreciate a new set of pots and pans or quality knives. If he likes to experiment in the kitchen, go with something more fun and creative, like a pasta-maker or a cheese-making kit.
• A Graphite Gray Clarisonic Cleansing System –for cleaner skin and a cleaner shave. Our Graphite Gray Classic was developed with men in mind and comes with our Normal Brush Head, which has shorter bristles that work well on men’s tougher, oilier skin. It’s a great way to prep for shaving and will make sure he gets a closer and more comfortable shave. If you’re planning to get one for your dad for Father’s Day, order it before June 11^th and we’ll send a complimentary Deep Pore Brush Head along with it!

• A day at the ballpark –spend an afternoon cheering his favorite team on with him in the stands. When’s the last time you had a ballpark hotdog anyway?
• Time outdoors —if your dad is the outdoorsy type, get outside and go on a hike with him. Or take a look at his camping gear and see if anything could use a replacement. That tent he bought ten years ago won’t last forever.
• Magazine subscriptions—there’s a magazine for every interest—whether it’s photography, fly fishing, or travel—so sign him up for one and help him take his hobbies to the next level.

What other useful gift ideas have you thought of? Do you or any men you know already use the Classic Cleansing System? Leave a comment to tell us about it!

 

 

Image by Roberto Ventre on Flickr