7 Ways Jojoba Oil Can Improve Your Skin and Hair

Jojoba oil is actually a yellow colored wax extracted from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis, a woody shrub native to Mexico. 

Due to its similarities to the skin's natural oils, its high vitamin content, and antimicrobial properties, jojoba oil is the perfect product to protect and nurture skin and hair. Here are a few of the things jojoba oil can do for you.

1. Makeup remover and general skin cleanser

Use a few drops of jojoba oil of a cotton pad to remove the makeup from your face and around your eyes. It will leave your skin smooth and silky, and because it's completely natural and free of harmful chemicals, it will not irritate your eyes at all. 

Desert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil

2. Anti-aging treatment

Jojoba oil is rich in vitamin E, copper and zinc and antioxidants, which fight free radicals and help maintain your skin young and wrinkle-free. Dab a few drops of jojoba oil around your eyes and on your forehead in order to prevent the formation of wrinkles.

3. Moisturizer

You can use jojoba oil as a day and night moisturizer. Apply a few drops of jojoba oil on your skin, and massage it in just like you would with any cream. Due to its easy spreadability, you won't have to use much. If there is an excess of oil left on your skin, blot it off using a tissue. 

Melvita Jojoba Oil

4.  Anti-acne treatment

Because it is so similar to the skin's natural oils, jojoba oil can trick your skin into thinking it has produced enough sebum, thereby restoring its natural balance. Jojoba oil is also non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog your pores and cause further breakouts. Its anti-microbial properties are an added bonus in your fight against acne. 

5. Shaving lotion

Massaging jojoba oil onto your legs before shaving will ensure a smooth, easy shave, without the razor burn and irritation that can follow with other products. It will also leave your legs hydrated and feeling silky.

6. Hair treatment

Because it is a wax and not actual oil, jojoba oil applied on your hair will detangle and condition it without a greasy feeling. A jojoba oil hair mask a few hours before a shower can moisturize and revitalize dull and dry hair, making it soft and easy to comb. 
The anti-microbial properties of jojoba oil can help get rid of dandruff and general scalp irritation.

LOGONA Jojoba Hair Repair Treatment

7. Body lotion

If it's good for your face and skin, then why not for your entire body? Massage a few drops of jojoba oil into your skin after showering, just like you would any oil or lotion, in order to lock the moisture in and have healthy, hydrated skin.

Jurlique Jojoba Carrier Oil

Jojoba oil is a natural product that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Its strong similarity to the skin's natural oils makes it a great skin product for any types of skin. It can be used as a skin cleanser, moisturizer and acne treatment. Jojoba oil is the ideal product which can substitute almost any products in your beauty routine.

How to Boost Collagen Production the Natural Way

Collagen is an important protein that provides the building blocks for healthy skin. When collagen starts to break down or degrade, skin loses its elasticity and thickness, leading to saggy and wrinkled skin. Collagen production naturally decreases with age, leaving older skin more prone to damage, fine lines, deep wrinkles and sagging. Fortunately, there are ways to boost the production of collagen and reduce the signs of aging.

1) Protect Skin 

Strong sunlight can have a devastating effect on the skin, accelerating the signs of aging and depleting collagen levels. Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for preserving and retaining as much collagen as possible. Always apply sunscreen before heading out, preferably choosing a sunscreen with high SPF (sun protection factor). On sunny days, wear a wide brim hat to protect the skin around your face and neck, as well as sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around the eye area.

2) Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods 

Antioxidants neutralize the effects of harmful free radicals in the body. Eating a diet high in antioxidants helps to prevent skin damage and maintain collagen levels. Many fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, with blueberries and spinach being the richest sources. Nuts, seeds and some oils also have a high antioxidant content. Tea, coffee, cola and other fizzy drinks can all deplete collagen, so try drinking herbal tea or fruit juice in place of your regular drinks.

3) Quit Smoking 

Smoking is one of the biggest causes of premature aging of the skin. Smoking depletes collagen, vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals needed for the production, maintenance and repair of healthy skin cells. Quitting smoking can make a huge difference to the health and appearance of your skin.

4) Increase Vitamin C Intake 

Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen. Inadequate intake of vitamin C makes it difficult for the body to replenish collagen in the skin. Foods like red peppers, citrus fruits and broccoli are high in vitamin C and other skin-repairing nutrients. Vitamin C supplements can also be useful, particularly if you are a smoker.

4 Tips to Get a Naturally Healthy Glow

The natural, no-makeup look is extremely attractive, but you can only really pull it off if you have clear, healthy skin and a natural glow. Fortunately, getting healthy-looking skin isn't rocket science. By implementing a few natural techniques, you can get beautiful skin and surprise people when you tell them you don't wear any makeup. 

1) Drink More Water 

Do you skip water but load up on sugary, caffeinated beverages? This may negatively impact your skin's appearance. Drinking at least two liters of plain, filtered water daily hydrates your skin from the inside out. 

Hydrated skin looks and feels healthier. Drinking enough also promotes healthy cellular function throughout the body; sufficient hydration means skin cells have a better chance of fending off acne causing bacteria. 

2) Use Less Soap 

Overusing soap and facial cleansers can cause increased oil production, resulting in unwanted shiny patches and fostering blackheads, whiteheads and even cystic acne. 

Rinse your face daily with cold water, but cut down on soap use to only a few times a week if you have oily skin. It may seem counter-intuitive, but reducing soap use can even out oil production.

3) Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Toner 

Make a 1:4 solution of apple cider vinegar with water, and use it as a daily toner after you wash your face. The anti-bacterial properties of the vinegar kill off acne bacteria. Additionally, the acid clears away soap residue, which helps prevent over drying and oil overproduction. Non-diluted apple cider vinegar is also excellent as an on-the-spot treatment for troublesome acne.

4) Exfoliate

A little exfoliation goes a long way. Exfoliate twice a week using a facial scrub, brown sugar, or even a loofah. Clearing away dead skin cells opens up pores and allows young, healthy skin cells to shine their brightest. 

Good Skin Care Has a Big Impact

Good skin is the foundation of looking and feeling attractive. By implementing these natural techniques for healthy skin, you can eradicate acne, cut down on oil and allow your natural beauty shine through.

The Beauty of Caffeine

Caffeine receives a lot of bad press and many of us will have heard or read something about the harmful effects of our favourite pick-me-up, and that we should reduce our consumption levels. While such advice can help us to make informed dietary decisions, good news about caffeine is often overlooked. 

It does have positive uses, however, and one sector where the pros are recognised is within the beauty industry, where caffeine is increasingly being used as an ingredient in products.

This article looks at some of the ways in which caffeine can help to perk up our skincare, makeup and hair regimes.

1. Firstly, caffeine can help to minimise the appearance of cellulite by dehydrating fat cells, making skin appear smoother. This might seem a bit of an odd statement when you consider that we are often told caffeine makes cellulite worse. 

Nevertheless, there are now many anti-cellulite skin creams and lotions on the market which are spiked with caffeine, so its potential as an effective ingredient in the fight against dimpled, puckered skin is widely recognised. And if you want to have a go at making your own anti-cellulite coffee scrub, there are several 'how to' guides online offering step-by-step instructions.

Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Total V Contouring Serum

2. There are also advantages to including caffeine based products in your daily routine for taking care of your face. Eye-creams containing caffeine can improve the appearance of the eye area, alleviating puffiness and dark shadows, by reducing water retention and constricting blood vessels. Because caffeine contains antioxidants and is reported to boost circulation and cell renewal, it is perhaps unsurprising that it is used in a number of anti-ageing products.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum

3. Next, because caffeine is known to shrink blood vessels, it is effective in reducing skin redness and the flushed appearance associated with rosacea when applied topically. So choosing a cleanser, face mask or moisturiser containing caffeine can help to even out your skin tone.

LOGONA Age Protection Lifting Serum

4. Caffeine is also used in some makeup bases. A major advantage of choosing a foundation containing caffeine is that it has a tightening effect, giving the face a more youthful appearance. There are several high-street brands of foundation that contain caffeine, so finding the right one for your skin shouldn't be difficult or expensive. You can also pick up makeup primers with an injection of caffeine.

5. Finally, it is worth briefly mentioning the benefits of caffeine shampoo. It has been claimed that caffeine shampoo stimulates the hair roots, activating growth and leaving locks feeling stronger, healthier and more lustrous when used regularly. Caffeine shampoo should be left on the scalp for at least two minutes to enable it to penetrate.

It is apparent that caffeine's potential as a beauty booster is increasingly becoming recognised in an industry that has its finger on the pulse. Thus, perhaps it is time for you to take a closer look at the ingredients of your potential purchases next time you're at the beauty counter. 

And while none of the benefits highlighted here justify you ordering an extra shot of caffeine in your hot drink, they will hopefully give you something to mull over when savouring your next latte.

Five Makeup Mistakes to Avoid

Along with clothes, accessories and hairstyles, makeup really helps you to express yourself visually. It is a good idea, then, to make sure you are creating the impression you want with your cosmetics, and that people are looking at you for the reasons you intended when you step out to face the world. This article outlines five common makeup mistakes that will detract from your beauty, rather than enhance it.

1. Too Much Powder

A light covering of translucent powder applied in the right places, with a brush, can help to set makeup and prevent shining. Take care not to overdo it, though, or your skin is likely to appear pale and chalky, and the mask-like finish will only hide your best features. 

Even worse, the powder will sink into any fine lines or wrinkles and magnify them, ageing you in the process. None of this is good news, so think twice before reaching for the powder pouf.

2. Playing up Eyes and Lips

It is a general rule that you should never wear heavy eye makeup when you are rocking dramatic lips. Not only can it be daunting, but also there is a risk you will end up looking like a clown. 

Make a statement with one or the other, not both. By doing this, you will make the feature you are choosing to highlight stand out much more than it would if your whole look is too busy.

3. Unnatural Looking Foundation

If you wear foundation that is not the right shade for your skin, or apply too much, the chances are your face and neck won't match and you will end up working the orange lollipop look. To avoid this particular beauty blunder, make sure you select a foundation that matches your skin type and colour. If you are not sure what to go for, visit any of the beauty counters at your local department store and staff will usually be happy to advise you.

4. Not Blending Your Products 

Failure to properly blend your eyeshadow, blusher, concealer, foundation or powder can put you firmly back in clown territory when you should be aiming for a smooth, flawless finish.  If products are blended correctly, makeup can work like magic to accentuate your best features and contour your face. If you need a bit of help with this, there are plenty of online tutorials showing you how to blend and a key tip is to purchase the right tools for the job. With a bit of practice, blending brushes, sponges and wedges will help ensure there are no harsh lines and streaks. 

5. Overdoing Lip Liner 

Lip liner defines the lips and prevents lipstick from bleeding, so it is an important product for perfecting your pout. However, harshly lined lips or wearing a liner that is too dark will just look unnatural and dated. And if you stray outside of the natural line of your lips, you also risk emphasising any fine lines around the mouth. 

When working with lip liner, therefore, do take care to follow your lip line and make sure the colour is a good match for your lipstick. To avoid severe lines, choose a creamy pencil that is easy to blend. If you avoid using lip liner altogether, give it a go. When you get it right, you will probably want to kiss yourself. 

If any of the above mistakes sounds familiar, don't give yourself a hard time. Remember, even celebrities fall foul of them sometimes and they usually have the benefit of professional makeup artists. And at least when you are having a bad makeup day, there is unlikely to be a photographer on hand to capture your every blunder.