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By Amy Zhang July 17, 2017 in Wellness 7 Comments

How to Get Rid of a Puffy Face

Helloooo Monday! The weekend is over and it’s the start of a new week. If you’re anything like me, the morning after a sushi or ramen dinner, too many carbs, alcohol, or not enough sleep, you wake up looking…puffy. This is especially the case after an indulgent day or weekend. My face is notorious for retaining water and it doesn’t take much for it to swell up, especially in the morning. My eyes, around my nose, even my lips get extremely inflamed. It’s pretty embarrassing, to be honest. All too often, I’m thinking about how to get rid of a puffy face on a Monday.

Since the whole puffy face look isn’t my thing – and I’m not sure it’s anyone’s – I’ve tried a million different things to solve the problem. Some work better than others, but in general, these are the best tips to de-puff my skin. A few of these exercises can be done daily, or they can be perfect for the puffy face mornings once the damage is done.

Here’s how to get rid of a puffy face (for real)

Hydrate like cray. Hydration seems to be the answer for most skin issues, and a puffy face is no different. A puffy face is a sign of inflammation and fluid retention, aka you’re not detoxing properly or keeping things moving. If I know I’m going to be drinking or eating a dinner full of sodium or carbs, I’m diligent about drinking water that day – a ton of it. This will help your skin overall and will flush out the sodium.

Use a jade roller.

A jade roller is one of the best tools when it comes to depuffing skin, specifically faces. Jade rolling comes from 7th century Chinese culture. Today, spas everywhere use the technique. Jade rolling helps cells turnover, so it’s smart to jade roll daily, but it can be used in a pinch if you’re puffy, too. Simply apply lotion – or oil, whatever – then roll. Here’s an easy tutorial on the exact technique.

Ice, ice, baby.

Kate Moss would famously dunk her head in an ice-filled sink before photo shoots, and the girl was on to something. Just like you’d use ice on a swollen injury, you can use it on your face to help with swelling. If you’re not into sinks full of ice, an ice roller is ahhhmazing. I leave it over my eyes for about 20 seconds each, then roll towards two areas specifically helpful for lymphatic drainage: your ears and collar bone.

Rely on a mask.

If it’s just your eyes that are puffy, or at least the worst, throw on some chilled eye masks. I actually keep these guys in my fridge. Putting them on feels stellar and the coldness helps wake that sensitive skin up. If you’re not a morning person these are GREAT for waking up.

Massage.

Another ritual borrowed from Asian cultures, you can give yourself a detoxifying face massage to promote drainage. Here’s how!

Stay away from certain foods. Pretty obvious, but if you know you have a big event or want to look your best, limit certain things the days leading up. Sodium, excess carbs, and booze tend to puff us up, so focus on water-dense foods like cucumbers, and other lean proteins. Again, water is your BFF!

Fix allergies. Believe it or not, allergies play a huge roll in puffy faces – or can. In the springtime, take an OTC allergy pill if all else fails. I like to use essential oils to purify the allergens in my home as a more natural solution. An air purifier machine helps too!

PLEASE let me know your tips for getting rid of a puffy face! I’m dying to hear.

Want more anti – inflammatory beauty tips? Check out this at home spa day & these clean beauty products.

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang July 14, 2017 in Beauty 6 Comments

Get an All Natural Glow – What is Organic Spray Tan All About?

There’s nothing better than a good tan. I’ve tried accepting my pale skin, but a little sun-kissed glow is flattering on basically everyone. With that said, I do my best to avoid too much sun because, well, wrinkles. The older I get, the more I take skincare seriously. Luckily, sunless tanning has come a long way. There’s nothing better than a good, all natural spray tan. If you’re thinking of the Friends episode where Ross gets a spray tan (too funny!), you don’t need to worry. There are safe, non-orange, organic spray tan options available on the market now. If you’re wondering what is organic spray tan, read on for a little interview I did with LA based spray tan queen, Valerie Mya of On the Go Glow. So, let’s get right into it!

Get an All Natural Glow – What is Organic Spray Tan All About?

Hi!! Introduce yourself and your business.

Hey everyone! I’m Valerie Mya, the CEO & Founder of On The Go Glow. We are an organic mobile spray tanning company. We come to you in the comfort of your home, office or hotel. Open 24/7!

**What inspired you to start On the Go Glow?**

I’ve always loved being tan – I mean who doesn’t? – but as I got older I knew I had to get tan a healthy way. No more sun, no more tanning beds. I disliked a lot of the spray tans on the market because of the chemicals in the solution and the not so natural color. I also knew the experience of going to a salon and standing naked, in a cold uncomfortable room, didn’t sound appealing.

The idea of having convenience, comfort, and an organic solution was my plan. On The Go Glow was born. I now get inspired everyday when we make people feel comfortable in their own skin. The confidence a spray tan gives someone is remarkable. I was inspired to start On The Go Glow from my own desire to feel confident. I didn’t realize how rewarding it would be to give that to others.

Why should you get an ORGANIC spray tan?

Everything we eat or products we put on our skin absorb into our body. A spray tan covers all of your skin – so organic is the only way to go! The difference is pretty simple: non organic solutions have chemicals.

Why is organic better?

Would you drink chemicals? I didn’t think so. Your pores drink everything you put on it. That is why organic is better.

I really, really don’t want to look orange – what do I do/say when I get a spray tan?

The worry everyone has and the question I always get, and I totally get it. Most chemical base solutions you just have to hope have natural pigmentation. So yet another reason to go organic. If it is an organic solution, you want to make sure ‘beets’ or ‘carrots’ are not in the solution. That causes a red/orange pigmentation which causes the orange look you’re not wanting. Our signature solution is made of brown sugar from apples, giving you that brown look.

What’s the best way to prep for a spray tan?

Make sure to have nothing on your skin. No lotion, makeup, deodorant. It is best to exfoliate to get off any dead skin. Really scrub any dry areas – feet, knees, elbows. Shave. We recommend shaving at least an hour before your appointment. Run cold water to close your pores if you can’t shave. Do waxing and manicures/pedicures before your spray tan.

Any tips for making the spray tan last longer?

Our solution lasts 7-10 days. The main after care is to lotion. This locks in the solution. Other tips to prolong the spray tan – take quicker showers, don’t use super hot water, and obviously no scrubbing.

Are spray tans safe?

Spray tans are the safe way to get a tan, but ask for organic.

How often can you get a spray tan?

As often as you like! We have clients who do it every week, every other week, or just for special occasions. Just depends on how consistent your want your tan. I usually recommend at least waiting a week in-between tans so your not laying solution on top of solution causing too much build up.

Any other skincare tips and tricks you have up your sleeve?
We have our secret tricks we do while spraying to give the most natural look. But for the clients, a great tip if you’re wanting to get sprayed and go out, use baby power or face powder and put it in the creases (where your knees & arms bend etc.). This stops the solution from rubbing while its developing.

What are your favorite at home tanning products for girls that want to DIY?

Most at home spray tans can be tricky! My tip is to get something that is in an aerosol can. They come out more even, less likely to have streaks. St. Tropez has a great aerosol at home tanning product.

**What’s next for On the Go Glow?**

We are expanding! On The Go Glow was started in Los Angeles 2013. We opened in Las Vegas October 2016 and now opening in San Francisco Sept 2017. We hope to continue to grow in other cities and boost confidence in women and men!

Will be sharing more sunless tan tips and tricks as the summer continues!

Finally, LA ladies – be sure to check out On the Go Glow for the most convenient organic spray tan you can get (seriously, nothing better than a spray tan that comes to you!).

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang July 7, 2017 in Fitness 6 Comments

Why Foam Rolling is the Best Thing Ever

When it comes to working out, lately I’ve been all about getting the most bang for my buck. I’ve been opting for higher intensity workouts over my usual pilates and yoga. Incorporating more sprints has been a welcome change in my routine (and body!), but unfortunately led to my very pesky IT band flaring up, leading to knee pain after my workouts. What’s a girl to do?! Luckily, I got really into foam rolling and it has been a tremendous lifesaver.

Foam rolling is something that’s been around for awhile now. I only recently decided I really wanted to take a deeper look into it. If you aren’t sure what foam rolling is, it’s incorporating an actual foam roll into your workout routine, but the real benefits of foam rolling come from the massage you get by using it. Here’s some of the research and other information I found on the benefits in case you’re interested, too!

How do you foam roll?

The most common way to use a foam roller is with your calves (which can get sore easily and from a lot of workouts). Place it under your calf and slowly roll from your knee to ankle. Then, with the roller under your right leg, your left leg bent and your left ankle crossed over the right, slowly roll again. It’s important to go really slow. You can even let the roller sit under any areas that are extremely sore/tight for up to 30 seconds.

It’s a really simple movement and can also be done with your thighs and arms. Seems simple enough, right?

My favorite is using it on my IT band – your IT band, or iliotibial band, is the ligament that runs from your pelvic bone (hips) all the way down to your shins. This band helps rotate your helps as well as stabilize your knee – when you hear of runner’s knee or IT band syndrome, we’re talking about this part of your body. Foam rolling has done wonders for helping massage my IT band, allowing me to run longer and faster.

Why is the massage from foam rolling so beneficial?

The benefits from foam rolling are all about the mobility of the fascia. What is fascia? It’s a fibrous layer of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles in our body. If the fascia doesn’t have mobility, its fibers become linked and fuse to the muscles and nerves, which prevents normal motion and will cause pain.

That was a lot of science and complicated information, but when you break it down, it does make sense! The main takeaway is that foam rollers help to massage your fascia to keep it from binding to your muscles and nerves. And it’s essential to a healthy body because if the fascia does bind, it can cause constant pain. No thanks!

Foam rolling is also a smart way to loosen your muscles and treat knots that cause muscular pain. Of course you should always see a doctor if you have any health concerns, but you can definitely use foam rolling as a way to treat your body to a massage after a workout – without having to pay a masseuse. It’s especially cool if you’re training for a marathon or doing something constantly challenging.

How often should I foam roll?

Foam rolling isn’t something you need to do for hours to feel the results. Some experts recommend doing it for just a few minutes each day, or up to 15. I do it for around 2-3 minutes everyday, focusing on the spots that are a little more tender or sore. You should look at it as something to help you (and your body) relax, not as work! And, a good foam roller can be found for under $20 – so it’s really a no brainer.

I hope this was helpful and gave you some new info on something that is so good for your body. If you’ve foam rolled before, I want to hear from you and all about your experience!

By Amy Zhang June 26, 2017 in Beauty 7 Comments

Clean Beauty Products 101

You know the saying, “beautiful inside and out”? Although it’s often used as a compliment, maybe it should also be something we strive for in our daily routines. After all, we’re constantly talking about what we put into our bodies, but what about what we put on our bodies? Many of us stop and think before going in face first into a plate of fries or a slice of cake (but not all the time – balance is key, right?) because we know it’s not the best thing to eat for our bodies. But we rarely think about what our foundation is made of or what chemicals are in our skincare products.

Clean beauty has been becoming more and more popular over the past few years, and while I’ll be the first to admit I can’t say goodbye to my beloved Armani foundation or Nars bronzer, it has been fun to dabble in clean and organic beauty brands. Although I was initially hesitant to use clean beauty products, I’ve found some brands that I really do love and think are worth trying out. The best part is most of them are available on Sephora now!

Clean beauty products that should be on your radar:

Ilia

Ilia is a brand I discovered last year and their lip products have since become one of my favorites. Clean beauty products tend to lack the punch of color and staying power as other brands (in my experience), but Ilia’s tinted lip conditionermulti-stick adds the perfect layer of color and hydration for day and night. It doesn’t go on like a matte or liquid lipstick and needs to be reapplied every now and then, but the berry shades are some of my go-tos in the winter. I’m a huge fan of the as well (who doesn’t love a good 2-in-1 product?!).

Kjaer Weis

If you think clean beauty products aren’t luxurious, think again. Kjaer Weis is a super luxe brand of clean and organic beauty products. The line was started by Danish born makeup artist Kjaer Weis, and you can see the simplicity and quality of the products immediately (Danish women are so naturally stunning!). The mascara is as good of a natural mascara as I’ve found, and the cream blush and bronzer go on so smoothly.

rms beauty

My first foray into natural beauty. The entire line is simple and holistic, made entirely of raw, food-grade, and organic anti-aging ingredients. But that doesn’t mean the products are weak! The living luminizer is a cult classic (before highlighting was the craze it is today!) and gives you that lit from within glow (it’s also tough to overdo, so if you have heavy hands you won’t go overboard!). The concealer is effective yet lightweight and clean enough to use every day. Also, the pots are really cute!

Tata Harper

Clean makeup is a little harder to transition to fully, but skincare is something I can get behind. I’ve been trying samples of a lot of different brands and had heard amazing things about Tata Harper. I love the brand’s mission to create luxurious yet natural products! The purifying cleanser is especially wonderful if you have oily skin, my dry skin has responded well to the face oil.

Herbivore Botanicals

I can’t get enough of these facial and body products!! The minimalist packaging and design caught my eye right away. Although what I really love is how gentle they are! My skin doesn’t usually have issues with natural and organic skincare lines. Which is exactly why I tend to gravitate towards them. The coconut + rose body scrub (YUM) smells amazing and leaves your skin so soft, and I’ve been using their masks regularly ever since an aesthetician recommended them to me!

Coola

I don’t mess around with SPF. Sunscreen is an absolute must if you’re going in the sun. All natural sunscreen is even better! Coola smells like the best possible version of sunscreen (coconut everything!) and gives you the right amount of protection from UV rays. The #1 thing I hear every dermatologist say is WEAR SUNSCREEN. If you’re going for color, FAKE IT! I will have safe ORGANIC sunless tanning tips on the blog soon!

What are your favorite clean beauty products?

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang June 22, 2017 in Wellness 6 Comments

All the Details on CHLOROPHYLL and Why You Need it in Your Life

All the Details on CHLOROPHYLL and Why You Need To Add it To Your Water | by The Luxi Look

I’ll admit, I’m always the first to try new health and wellness trends. My latest favorite health trend by far is chlorophyll water. If you remember from biology, chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that helps them transfer light into energy. Chlorophyll is loaded with vitamins A, C, E, and K. You can find it in green, leafy vegetables, in a capsule, or in a liquid form. You may not even realize it, but you’ve been eating chlorophyll your whole life! Right now the internet is going crazy over chlorophyll water and all of the health benefits that comes with taking chlorophyll in liquid form. I’ve been loving adding chlorophyll to my daily routine – there are SO many benefits of drinking chlorophyll and it’s such an easy addition, there’s really no reason not to try it out.

The exact health benefits of consuming Chlorophyll still aren’t known. However, I notice a positive difference after drinking chlorophyll water on the reg over the past month. Wondering if there are any health benefits of chlorophyll? Read on.

Why You Should Try Adding Chlorophyll to Your Diet

+ Chlorophyll is believed to help fight cancer, detoxify the body, and aid with digestion and weight loss. These antioxidant and anticancer properties suggest that chlorophyll is a superfood you should add to your water.

+ Chlorophyll is also shown to improve energy for an all natural boost! Remember the yerba mate vs. coffee debate? Chlorophyll might be an addition or substitute to your morning routs well.

+ Adding liquid chlorophyll is also a great way to fend off cravings and keep you full. Although many of us may know the trick of distinguishing between thirst and hunger (many times when we reach for that afternoon snack, we’re just thirsty!), adding chlorophyll to your water is a great reminder to drink more water. I definitely noticed a difference in my hunger levels and felt less of a need to grab junk food in the afternoon.

+ Drinking chlorophyll has many beauty and skin benefits! If nothing else, adding the green stuff to your water might encourage you to drink more water, which helps with skin. After drinking the green water for a month, my skin is – dare I say it – glowing?

+ You can also see the cleansing benefits. To be clear, I don’t do cleanses. I don’t believe in “cleansing” the body. However, you will definitely, um, notice a difference in what comes out of your body when you drink liquid chlorophyll.

It may take some time to get used to the taste. Start slowly by adding just a couple drops to your glass of water before adding more. I also like to add a couple drops in a smoothie. Personally, I like the very green taste, but it may be harder to swallow for others. If you absolutely hate the liquid stuff, try it in a capsule form. There are tons of benefits of drinking chlorophyll in water. Try it out for yourself, and let me know how you like it!

Lifestyle

Here’s how to get rid of a puffy face (for real)

Use a jade roller.

Ice, ice, baby.

Rely on a mask.

Massage.

Get an All Natural Glow – What is Organic Spray Tan All About?

Hi!! Introduce yourself and your business.

What inspired you to start On the Go Glow?

Why should you get an ORGANIC spray tan?

Why is organic better?

I really, really don’t want to look orange – what do I do/say when I get a spray tan?

What’s the best way to prep for a spray tan?

Any tips for making the spray tan last longer?

Are spray tans safe?

How often can you get a spray tan?

What are your favorite at home tanning products for girls that want to DIY?

What’s next for On the Go Glow?

How do you foam roll?

Why is the massage from foam rolling so beneficial?

How often should I foam roll?

Clean beauty products that should be on your radar:

Why You Should Try Adding Chlorophyll to Your Diet

**What inspired you to start On the Go Glow?**

**What’s next for On the Go Glow?**