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By Amy Zhang June 22, 2018 in Beauty 5 Comments

At Home Self Tanning Tips

As you know, I’m all about a good faux glow. I love a good spray tan but found that you can get results that are just as good (and for a fraction of the price) with self tanner at home. No one wants to look like an oompa loompa, but that doesn’t mean self tanner has to be scary! It takes a little practice and dedication, but you can get a glow that’ll have everyone convinced you just came back from a tropical vacation with some easy at home self tanning tips (and the right product).

At Home Self Tanning Tips:

+ Shave and exfoliate – always shave and exfoliate your skin the day before so you get rid of any dead skin on your body. This allows product to go on smoothly, dry skin stuck on your body will create patchy spots that make it look obvious you used self tanner.

+ Moisturize – moisturize before applying self tanner to create a smooth base for the product. Make sure it has completely absorbed before using self tanner.

+ Use a tanning mitt – you can rub product in with your hands, but a tanning mitt ensures a smoother and more consistent application.

+ Avoid your hands and feet – these areas of your body absorb tanner more easily and get darker than the rest of your body. Apply a thicker moisturizer or barrier cream on your hands, feet, elbows, and knees to keep them from getting too dark or orange.

+ Don’t shower or sweat right away – kind of no brainer but at home self tanners usually need at least a few hours to set or else they will streak or wash off.

+ Layer product – this helps you get a deeper color that lasts longer! A lot of people think one coat is enough, but I often have to apply a couple layers before I get the color (think: post vacation glow) I want.

+ Use a lemon to fix mistakes – believe it or not this works! If you accidentally use too much or apply tanner unevenly, use a little lemon to color correct. Think of it as an all natural Tide eraser pen for your skin.

+ Choose the right product – my favorite by far is St. Tropez, I love the new dark mousse formula and the golden bronze color it gives you.

Some other products I’ve tried and had good results with:

Bali Body – you can read my review here.

Isle of Paradise – really into the tanning mist, I spray it on after the shower and it goes on smoothly and not orange at all.

Tan Luxe – drops you can mix into your favorite moisturizer for an even glow.

Jergen’s – an old school drug store favorite that is reliable and affordable.

For all of these brands, I use medium to medium/dark since I naturally have a darker base.

What are your at home self tanning tips? xx

swimsuit: l*space | hat: lack of color | sunglasses: quay | bag: clare v

towel: skova from box of style | earrings: luv aj | necklace: similar

By Amy Zhang June 21, 2018 in Lifestyle 6 Comments

Easy, Fun, & Affordable Summer Date Ideas in LA

Whether you’ve been seeing someone for two weeks or two years, date night is important! Especially when you’ve been dating for a long time or married for years, it’s easy to forget to prioritize your relationship. This year, my boyfriend and I set a goal to do date night once a week – we’re both really busy and realized that between balancing our jobs, managing our health, and attempting to maintain some semblance of a social life, we don’t always have much time left over for each other.

Date night is something I look forward to every week – it’s our chance to catch up on each other’s lives and unwind without our phones for an evening. We usually go out to dinner somewhere or to our favorite wine bar, but in the summer there are so many fun activities going on around LA so we’re trying to get a little more creative with our date nights and mix it up. Date night doesn’t have to break the bank, so here are some easy and fun (but affordable!) date ideas.

Summer Date Ideas in LA

+ Outdoor Movies – there are so many fun options for outdoor movies in Los Angeles. My favorites are Melrose Rooftop Cinema at E.P. & L.P. (you can get dinner and drinks there or at the restaurant before/after), Street Style Cinema at The Grove, and Cinespia (BYOB).

+ Hiking – kill two birds with one stone by taking advantage of any of the many beautiful hikes in LA. I love hiking because it’s great low impact cardio (especially on the weekends).

+ Concerts – there are so many free or affordable concerts in the summer, Santa Monica recently moved the concerts on the pier to the fall, but there are a lot of other venues to check out on date night. The Hollywood Bowl is a must do.

+ Beach Day – pack up a bag and a picnic and head to the beach for the day. Be sure to bring tons of sunscreen!

+ Bike Along the Board Walk – you can rent a bike in Venice/Santa Monica and ride it all the way down to the South Bay. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can also ride a Bird scooter. Whatever floats your boat!

What are your favorite summer date ideas? xx

By Amy Zhang June 20, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 6 Comments

Protect the Power of the Sun & Summer Skincare Tips

Protect the Power of the Sun | by The Luxi Look

This is your daily reminder to wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the power of the sun! But in all seriousness, sun damage is no joke and no one wants premature wrinkles. As much as we all look better with a tan (sharing my favorite sunless tanners later this week) and need Vitamin D from the sun, it’s always better to fake your tan and limit your sun exposure.

This year I really I noticed how much my skin is impacted by what I eat, drink, what products I use, and how much sun exposure I get. It’s been a bit of a wake up call, but also made me want to take preventative steps to take proper care of my skin more than ever. A healthy skincare routine for me always, always begins with lots of sunscreen, especially in the summer when I’m out and about more than usual.

Most of my favorite sunscreens can actually be found at your local Rite Aid. I’ve been using Neutrogena brand sunscreen products since I was a kid growing up in Minnesota. In the summertime, my boyfriend and I like to host people by the pool and we always keep these products on hand: Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizing Sunscreen, Ultra Sheer Sunscreen, and Beach Defense Sunscreen spray. The products and tested and vouched for by dermatologists, and they also come at an affordable price point. If you’re looking for a cleaner mineral sunscreen, Jessica from Clean Beauty Gals recommends Badger Clear Zinc Oxide Sport Sunscreen SPF 35 as a great option at an affordable price point.

On top of wearing sunscreen, here are some of my summer skincare tips to keep your skin hydrated, protected, and glowing all summer long.

Summer Skincare Tips:

+ You are what you eat! Diet matters more than anything (think: getting sushi face from too much salt), and since your skin is made up of more than 60% water, eating water based fruits and vegetables can help clear your complexion. In the summertime I love eating berries, watermelon, cucumbers, and other in season produce to keep my skin glowing and hydrated. If you’re having some issues with your skin, try cutting out gluten, processed sugars, fried foods, dairy, and excess sodium to see if that helps. Alcohol is another huge skin buster – as much as I love wine, it’s incredibly high in sugar which is one of the biggest culprits for red, splotchy skin.

+ Partake in routine maintenance. Even if monthly facials aren’t in your schedule or budget, consider doing a facial every 3 months when the seasons change. This helps exfoliate and cleanse your skin so your face can absorb products better. Routine maintenance helps prevent more drastic problems that need attending to in the future.

+ Cool down after the sun. I love using my ice roller in the summer to help tame redness, puffiness, and inflammation. I also try to find products that are cooling and lighter in consistency. Pop some of your favorite creams in the fridge for cool surprise after a day in the sun.

+ Cover up! Even if you’re wearing sunscreen, consider wearing a hat and sunglasses when you’re planning on getting a lot of sun exposure.

What are some of your summer skincare tips? xx

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By Amy Zhang June 15, 2018 in Wellness 2 Comments

Relax With Copaiba Essential Oil

Copaiba Essential Oil | by The Luxi Look

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding copaiba oil lately. So I wanted to take a minute to break down what I know about it. There’s some really interesting information out there I’ll admit I’m pretty intrigued. And, as you probably already know, I’m a big fan of essential oils. Consequently, it seemed fitting to dig in on this topic.

Details on Copaiba Essential Oil

To start with the basics, copaiba oil comes from the sap of a tree found in South America. Also, It’s been used throughout Brazil in ointments and other treatments for diseases going back to the 16th century. Needless to say, it’s been around for a while.

There’s also been a little bit of controversy surrounding copaiba oil because of its cannabinoid properties. However, it’s important to note that it’s 100% THC free (which is what gives you that high feeling). In addition, the cannabinoid found in copaiba is BCP, which is actually what gives the oil its alleged health benefits.

And speaking of benefits, here is a list of all the ones associated with copaiba oil:

Copaiba essential oil benefits

Powerful antioxidant
Boosts immune system/response
Liver support
Cardiovascular support
Increased respiratory function
Increased neurological function
Provides relief to blemishes and irritated skin

How to use copaiba essential oil

Historically, Brazilian natives used copaiba topically like I mentioned above, but they also ingested it for internal healing. Both of these methods are still recommended today. A few of the suggested uses include the following:

Add the oil to your toner or apply it to your face directly to help with blemishes
Create a blend and roll it onto your wrists
Add a few drops to tea, water or juice
Last but not least, you can diffuse copaiba essential oil, but remember you only receive benefits through diffusion for approximately 30 minutes

The benefits and varied applications of copaiba definitely make it intriguing and it sounds like it’s definitely worth giving a try.

Have you tried copaiba essential oil? What benefits did you experience, if any?

By Amy Zhang June 13, 2018 in Wellness 5 Comments

Healthy Foods That Can Make You Bloated

When thinking about how to get rid of bloat, we tend to focus on cutting out the stuff that’s obviously bad for you. Too much salt, sugar, booze – the usual culprits. I mean if something is loaded with sugar and saturated fats, you’d think it would also cause bloating, right? But did you know there are tons of healthy foods out there as well that can cause bloat? Well as it turns out, the culprit behind bloating most of the time is actually healthy food.

According to this article, bloating is caused when the small intestine can’t digest certain carbohydrates known as FODMAP (short for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols). Because they can’t be digested, they get passed on to the colon where they are fermented by bacteria, which then produces gas. This doesn’t necessarily mean your body is intolerant of the foods that are digested this way. However, if you experience discomfort from bloating frequently, it is something to consider.

Here is a list of common healthy foods high in FODMAP that can disrupt gut bacteria and cause bloating.

Healthy foods that may cause bloating

+ Cruciferous vegetables – these include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat them – you should! They are loaded with vitamins and are so good for you. Just be sure to avoid them right before wearing a bikini or crop top.

+ Whole grains – barlery, rye, and wheat are oftentimes the culprit behind pesky bloating. Again, healthy whole grains are part of a balanced diet. However, you should consider cutting them out for a day or two if you’re trying to debloat.

+ Legumes – beans are so good for you (filled with lots of fiber and vegetarian protein!). Unfortunately, they are known for causing gas and bloating as you digest them. Watch out for lentils, beans, and chickpeas.

+ Dairy – the jury’s out on whether dairy has a place in your healthy diet or not (I try to consume in moderation), but it is known to cause bloating, especially if you are lactose intolerant. I read that a lot of models avoid dairy because it makes them bloated. I can’t imagine a life without ice cream or froyo, but if I’m really trying to flatten my stomach, I’ll skip it for a few days.

+ Fruits – yes, even some of your favorite fruits can cause bloating!! Stick to bananas and low sugar berries and pass on apples, pears, and plums.

If you’re looking to find ways to counteract bloating, a simple adjustment to your diet could do just the trick.

Add in some detoxifying spices like cayenne and turmeric to smoothies or your water bottle. These stimulate digestion and can help ease any cramping. Salt is something to look for as well because adding too much of it to any food can cause you to retain water and get that bloated feeling. And of course, there are always some easy tricks to de puff your face when you need it most!

I also want to note that not all of the foods I listed are guaranteed to cause bloating or discomfort, they just simply contain high levels of FODMAPs. Your best bet is to pay attention to how your body is reacting to what you eat and adjust from there.

Did you know healthy foods were the culprits behind bloating?