Archive for July, 2011

Acne: What Worked, What Didn’t

Jul

My acne type: rosacea with bumps

And this was a good day!

Recommended Products:

Metrogel – prescription ($7)

Clarisonic – Sephora http://www.clarisonic.com/shop/sonic_skin_cleansing_systems/index.php ($150 – way better than 2 years ago!)

Cetephil Cleansing Cream ($11)

Skin Wipes – Walmart ($4 for 50)

Photofacial – I had mine done at the Belair Laser Clinic ($900 for 8 sessions) Check out Groupon or Teambuy for better deals

Blue Light Therapy – M facials ($60 each, 8 sessions total) – didn’t need 8, would have been better just getting one or two but was sold on a package.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer ($55)

Sunscreen – Neutrogina SPF 55 for faces ($23)

Wouldn’t do it again:

Expensive creams ($80+, multiple brands = Darphin, Sisley, Bobbi Brown)

Proactive ($85)

Naturopathic Doctor for three sessions ($560)

Strict dieting

Tetricyclin prescription – worked at first but I quickly built up a tolerance

Diane birth control pill – made me an evil, highly emotional basket case 24/7

Glad I didn’t do it:

Accutaine – I had a lot of friends who have been helped with accutaine but my skin problems were more from redness and less puss-type or cystic acne

So that’s what worked for me. Everyone has different skin so this might not be the same for you. My top tips are:

1. Wash your face regularly with a gentle cleanser

2. Use disinfectant wipes after you exercise

3. Don’t wear any foundation if you can help it, wear oil-free tinted moisturizer

4. Go see a dermatologist without make-up on. Get a second option if your skin doesn’t clear up within 2-3 months.

1000 Rep Interval Workout

Jul

Wow! This was a marathon, not a sprint interval session.

Take your time, form is WAY more important than speed on this one!

My final time was 32:16.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

Laser Hair Removal – Pain Free!

Jul

Hey Beauties and Bodies!!

So about 2 weeks ago now I bought a deal on teambuy – unlimited laser hair removal for one year.

I was a little skeptical of these websites but a friend of mine did it first and has had amazing results so I decided to give it a go.

One MASSIVE tip = EMLA Cream:

You have to purchase this cream over the counter. It will completely numb your skin. Completely.

It’s a little pricey $39 for 30g tube but you need a really tiny amount so this should last me at least the year.

Today was my first appointment. I decided to test the Emla so I only put it on the left side of my body. What a difference! I was sweating when the technician did the first non-emla side and completely fine on the pre-creamed side. Worked wonders. And yes, I’ll be treating myself to a full application next time!

Bottom line – if you’re spending the money to get laser go the extra mile and get the cream.

Vietnam Interval Workout

Jul

Welcome to Vietnam!!

One of my favourite workouts!! Interval Running

At home you can do this on a treadmill

For beginners here's what I suggest

Warm-up for 5 minutes at a 5.5

Then try your two minute intervals at a 7.0 and

1 minute off at a 5.0 – Repeat 5x

Cool-down for 5 minutes at a 5.5.

For advanced runners:

Warm-up at a 6.0-6.5

Intervals 8.5-9.5 for 2 minutes and your 1 minute offs at a 6.0-6.5

Cool-down for 5 minutes at a 6.0-6.5

The most useful, useless kitchen tool

Jul

The Olive Pitter!

I know what you're thinking, I thought so too… great an olive pitter. But believe me, this tool will change your greek salad's life.

There is nothing worse in a greek salad than sucking on the olive and having to spit out the pit, it's awkward and I feel like you never get a rewarding bite. Pre-pitted olives lose flavour quickly so they are no good either.

Here's what I had for lunch yesterday with the help of my olive pitter.