DIY Sunscreen or DDIY?

During my summer markets, I am constantly being asked if I make sunscreen. I have to explain over and over again why I don't make sunscreen for sale. I don't even make it for personal use.

I have explained that while I could do the research and figure out the exact amounts of certain minerals that you are supposed to use for a specific SPF and make it just like it says. I could even throw a bit more in the mix, just to be sure. However, sunscreens are regulated by the FDA as a drug and actually require testing to show how effective they are and to give the true SPF value.

I know plenty of people have their own feelings about the FDA, but there is good reason for this. Sunscreens are used to help prevent serious skin damage and cancers caused by the sun. Do you really want to use a sunscreen that SHOULD be effective? Or does using one that has been proven to be effective seem like a better idea?

When I explain this, I have some people that nod like I've helped them understand why it isn't a good idea to make sunscreen without testing; however, plenty walk away shaking their heads like I'm crazy. I'm sure there are micro-business owners like myself that do make and sell untested sunscreen, but for me and my family, DIY sunscreen is a big DDIY (DON'T DO IT YOURSELF)!

Interestingly, I was reading the Soap Queen blog and Anne-Marie did an interview with Amanda of Realize Beauty in which she discusses sunscreen testing and her interest in it. I would have eventually looked up her company, but this section led me to look up Realize Beauty right away and start browsing. I found a post about making your own sunscreen and found exactly what I'd been trying to explain!

DIY sunscreen sounds great! You could save money, control the ingredients that go in, use only the freshest ingredients, and no longer have to depend on some large company to do what you are perfectly capable of. However, there are way too many downsides to this DIY project to make it worth it. This is one of those things that should be left to the companies with the know-how and resources to make sure it is done right.

DIY Carrot Mask

Carrots are delicious and great for you! They are high in beta-carotene (vitamin A), they also contain vitamin C and potassium. When I was younger, my doctor always told me to eat lots of carrots because they were good for my eyes. He actually meant eye health, not eyesight; I was not happy with my doctor when I had to start wearing glasses. I still ate my carrots though.

Consuming carrots or fresh carrot juice is good for your skin. It helps to keep your skin moisturized really deep down, which keeps your outer skin looking fresher and fuller. Using carrots on your face is good for your skin too. Vitamin A is a great antioxidant, which means it destroys those pesky free radicals that cause wrinkles (and crinkles), eczema (some forms), and dermatitis. It also helps to heal sun damage and even skin tone. Carrot juice is also good for blemishes and scars! The list goes on, but I really wanted to share a fun mask with you, not all the benefits of carrots.

Photo by: John Loo

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp pureed carrots-you can lightly steam and puree your own or use a jar of baby food (carrots and water only!)
• 1 tbsp yogurt 
• Optional ingredients: 1/2 tbsp finely ground oatmeal or kaolin clay

Directions:

1. Mix all your ingredients together. You can adjust the amounts to achieve a consistency that you like. If you are omitting the oatmeal/clay the mask will be a little runny.
2. Spread evenly over clean skin. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse well with warm water. You can wash again or just rinse really well. Follow with your favorite toner and moisturizer. 

This mask can easily be repeated 1-2 times per week. If you have dry skin, you can also add a drop or two of olive oil and your skin will love you. You can use carrot juice in this recipe, but you would need to increase the amount of clay.

Don't not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

BooBees Ambrosia Soap

Did you know that in Greek mythology, ambrosia was food or drink for the gods? It provided them with ageless immortality and had to ability to wash away the effects of the years. Many believe that ambrosia was supposed to be a type of honey and the association to ageless immortality is due to honey's ability to heal. Even today, honey is often used by many because of its ability to heal. Read more about the benefits of honey here.

All BooBees products are formulated with goat's milk and honey to give your the richest, creamiest bar of soap possible. Goat's milk, like other milk, contains lactic acid which helps dissolve dead skin cells. It also contains a good amount of cream which is full of fats that help your skin look healthier because it provides extra moisture. In soap, goat's milk creates a creamier, more moisturizing bar of soap. People with dry skin or certain skin conditions, such as eczema, may find that soap formulated with milk can help relieve these conditions and leave their skin nourished.

In the mold. Oh, the anticipation!

Honey adds to the humectant qualities of the glycerin already in the soap, but it also acts as an antimicrobial agent on your skin. It will help keep your skin clean and beautiful. Plus, the sugar in the honey will make the soap even more bubbly!

Out of the mold and cut!

BooBees Ambrosia soap is lightly scented with a warm, rich blend of oatmeal, milk, and honey. It smells amazing when you first take a whiff. Then, when you mix it with water and start sudsing up, you will find that it warms into an experience all its own. It will surround you with layers of bubbles, all bursting with the scent of true ambrosia.

To give them a little extra gorgeous factor and to remind you to feel your boobees regularly, I added a little pink on the top.

Honey

Honey is used world wide as a natural sweetener. However, honey is so much more than a sweet (delicious) liquid. Honey is also used in skin care because it offers a wide variety of benefits.

Honey has long been considered one of the best anti aging ingredients; Cleopatra was well known for her milk and honey baths. Honey is still used today in a variety of skin care products. It is used in lotions, cremes, masques, and (of course) bath soaks. You cannot deny the wonderful effects that honey has on skin.

Honey is an effective antiseptic, which helps keep skin clear and blemish free. Honey also contains a high level of antioxidants that help repair damage done by the elements and stress. Using honey as part of a skin care regime can actually leave your skin amazingly soft! Honey is also a humectant, which means it can help seal in moisture and draw moisture to itself.

Photo by Lithfin on Flickr

 Honey can easily be incorporated into your skin care regime with easy DIY recipes. For example, mix a little honey with some milk and egg white to make a gentle cleanser that will leave your skin soft and glowing. If you have very oily skin, try a little lemon juice instead of milk. You can also make a gentle toner with honey and aloe or witch hazel. There are too many options to list! Look for other ideas for masques, hair treatments, bath soaks, or anything else you can think of.

Try getting your honey fresh from a local beekeeper. It usually has a better flavor (because you need to eat some of it :) and you are supporting your local economy!

What is your favorite use of honey?

Don't Skip Toner

Toning your skin after cleansing is an important step that many tend to skip. It is one of those steps that we are told we should do, but never given a reason for doing it. I have posted recipes for toners (here and here), but I haven't explained why they are important. Many misunderstand the purpose and do not do it correctly or do not use the correct product. So, they do not get the desired effect. However, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are all important steps to keep your skin glowing and beautiful. 

The purpose of a toner or astringent is to remove all residue from your skin, refine your pores, and prepare your skin for moisturizing. What kind of residue needs to be removed? All kinds! Oily residue, dead skin cells, and even leftover cleanser. All of that should be removed before you moisturize your skin. A good toner should leave your skin feeling soft and fresh, not dry and tight. Remember, skin should be slightly damp when you moisturize. If your toner doesn't leave your skin feeling refreshed before you moisturize, you should look for a different toner.

Photo by: wlcutler Witch hazel is lovely and effective!

Choosing a toner or astringent depends on your skin type. Dry skin does not need the same care that oily skin needs. Try to choose a toner or astringent without alcohol or use in moderation. Overuse can actually cause skin to produce excess sebum to makeup for the drying effect of alcohol. Floral waters, aloe, witch hazel (without added alcohol), and herbal infusions all make great toners or splashes.

Photo by : tjmwasson Aloe is a great ingredient for a toner!

There are different ways to tone your skin after cleansing:

1. Moisten a cotton ball with your toner and gently sweep over face. This is usually best for normal to oily skin types because it helps wipe away all though residues we talked about. 
2. Dilute an alcohol based astringent with water and splash on your face several times. After each splash, catch the liquid in a bowl or sink and repeat. You should use a bowl of cold water and just a splash of astringent.
3.  Dilute your toner in a spray bottle (half toner/half water) and spritz on face. This might work best for normal to dry skin types because it stays on your skin. So, your skin is a little more moist when you apply your moisturizer.

Have you found the perfect toner or are you still searching?

Pineapple Mask

I went to the store today and pineapples were on sale! They were super cheap, so I bought several. I've been using pineapples in my green smoothies, so I needed to get some more anyway. When I got home, I realized that I really have quite a bit of pineapple, so I started thinking about other uses. Of course, my first thought was...put it on your face :)

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain. Enzymes are proteins that speed up certain reactions; in this case, bromelain speeds up the digestion of proteins. Bromelain is useful in skin care because it will help digest pore-clogging surface cells and leave behind fresh, glowing skin. Pineapple is good for all skin types except sensitive skin or skin that is already damaged or irritated.

Ingredients for your mask:

• Fresh pineapple (you won't need much!)
• Yogurt (any type of milk can be used, but I like the thickness of yogurt)
• Kaolin clay (may substitute fine ground oatmeal)

Directions:

• Mash up your pineapple. Mix with yogurt.
• Separate pineapple and yogurt mixture into two containers. Add 1/2 tsp of clay to one.
• Apply mixture with clay to face in a gentle, upward motion. Avoid eye area!
• Let sit for 10 minutes. Some tingling is normal, but wash immediately if case of irritation. Eat the other half of the mixture while you wait :)
• Rinse face with warm water and follow with normal toner and moisturizer.

Variations:

• Add fresh kiwi for a vitamin rich mixture that offers gentle exfoliation.
• Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants and offers a gentle scrub.

 Please keep in mind that not all ideas are safe for all skin types.

What is your favorite summer time fruit? Have you tried it as a mask?

Yogurt Mask

I know it might seem strange to slather yogurt on your face, but really, if I've recommended pumpkin and avocados, yogurt isn't so strange. Plus, it offers super skin care benefits.

First, yogurt is made from fermented milk, so it contains lactic acid. Lactic acid will gently dissolve dead skin cells to help unclog pores for clearer, healthier skin. Lactic acid will also help to soften the skin, which makes you look more luminous. There is no need to go low-fat either! The fat in the yogurt is actually good for your skin. It can help add moisture and plumpness to dry, overworked skin. Some also claim that yogurt is useful for diminishing the appearance of age spots, but I think you have to add a little lemon juice for that to work.

So, with all these great benefits, why not use it to make your own mask at home? It really is simple. All you need is plain yogurt, it doesn't even matter what kind of plain yogurt.

Here are some easy ideas for different skin types:

Dry skin: plain yogurt, finely ground oatmeal, and/or honey

Oily skin: plain yogurt, 1 tsp lemon juice

Normal skin: plain yogurt :)

In need of exfoliation: plain yogurt; finely ground almond meal

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients if necessary
2. Smooth on face (decollete, arms, and anywhere else if you have enough)
3. Let sit for 10-15 minutes
4. Rinse and pat dry
5. Follow with moisturizer

Some people are sensitive to lactic acid or the active cultures, so rinse immediately if you feel any burning or itching. A slight tingling is normal.

The possibilities are truly endless! Try creating your own combination of ingredients and let me know what you came up with!

Take A Bath

I love baths. I mean, they are wonderful. Sit back in nice, warm water to soak all your cares or worries away. Ahhh...just thinking about it makes me want to take a bath.

Are you looking to enhance the relaxation? Here are a few ideas to help you out:

1. Put the kids in bed (or lock the bathroom door and deal with the devastation later).

Moisturize

Over the years I have heard several people say that they don't moisturize their face after cleansing because they don't want to clog their pores. This seems to be a general misconception about moisturizers. If you choose a moisturizer that is designed for your skin type, it will not clog your pores. In fact, with the proper moisturizer, your skin will look positively radiant.

Masks (Masques)

I love my weekly mask. It isn't always easy to fit it in, but my skin always looks and feels great afterward, that I really try. The biggest bonus for me, is that it is 15 minutes where I will sit and do nothing. I take that time for me and I enjoy it. I also like that I can customize my masks to suit my needs. There are some wonderful masks on the market and I tend to prefer the dry masks that you mix each time you use it. This way I can use different liquids to make the mask depending on what my skin says it needs that week. Just be sure to choose a mask that will not dry out your skin. The purpose is to revitalize, not leave you feeling like this.

The main purpose of most masks is to draw out toxins in the skin for a deep cleansing. However, they can also serve as mild exfoliants or to increase circulation depending on the other ingredients. Most masks contain clays to help draw out toxins and tighten the pores. There are a variety of clays available and they serve different purposes. My favorite is kaolin clay because it is great for all skin types. It absorbs excess oils and is known for its healing and skin softening properties. People with very oily skin may prefer bentonite clay instead.

You can also make a mask out of fruit, dairy products, and even eggs. Many fruits contain acids that help dissolve dead skin cells and pore clogging nastiness. Full fat dairy products contain lactic acid which has a similar effect; the fat helps to replenish skin and restore skin "full" appearance. Eggs contain proteins and fat to help tighten and restore skin. Honey and egg is my favorite mask, but what a mess it will make; be sure to get your hair out of the way and do this one in the tub. Your cupboard is full of ingredients to make a super mask, so just look around.

The point is, you DO NOT have to spend a lot of money on commercial masks! You can make safe, economical masks in your own kitchen. Always be sure to use whatever you make right away, do not store these masks because of their perishable nature. If you do prefer to purchase your masks, please check the ingredients to make sure it is right for your skin and follow the directions carefully. Keep in mind that in product you dip your hand into should be used within a few months, so make your product last longer by using a clean popsicle stick to remove as much mask as needed. Always make sure your hands are clean and DRY, added water will cause mold to grow and that is not pretty!

Would you like to share your favorite homemade mask recipe?

Photo from www.flickr.com courtesy of dreamglow pumpkincat210

Making Mineral Makeup

I am fascinated by the idea of making mineral makeup. I'm not really interested in doing it commercially, but I love learning new information. Plus, I like to support Indie businesses more than large corporations.While cruising around the wonderful web, I found a company that makes some marvelous looking products (which I'm itching to buy). Not only that, but the site also offers information and kits on how to make your own. How wonderful is that? I haven't been able to find much information, so I thought I'd share.

The company is called Monave and you can browse their fabulous selection, or check out the tutorials. I hope you have as much fun as I did!

Feeling Good

These past few weeks have been more than a little stressful and yesterday was just not good for my ego, but I woke up today feeling much better. I really don't know why, but I do feel good. I think I look better than I did yesterday too, but maybe that just goes along with attitude.

It makes me wonder what the difference is. Why do I feel so much better than I did yesterday? Well, I don't know for sure. I think part of it is that I'm officially done with the school that replace me (killer on the ego), I turned in all of my paperwork, keys, and computer. So, for better or worse, I'm moving on from there. However, I don't think that's all of it.

Here are some other differences that really got my attention:

1. Water-I slacked the past few days and didn't get enough. Last night I realized just how thirsty I felt and start guzzling. I started again when I woke up. I know this isn't the miracle cure, but I do know it helps and it doesn't take long to rehydrate.
2. Exercise-Slacking here (again), but I woke up this morning and took my dog on a walk around the neighborhood. It really is a challenge, there are some serious hills in this area. It was a great way to start the day, I felt refreshed and ready to go.
3. Sun-I was working hard on the computer yesterday and making lots of depressing phone calls, so I was inside all day, I didn't even realize how long I'd been working until it was suddenly not as bright in the office. This morning I started off with my walk in the early morning sunshine and then I ate my breakfast on the back porch in the sun. It just felt good!
4. Attitude-I've heard that how we feel is 90% attitude (I've also heard that 56% of all statistics are made up on the spot :) and I think this is true. I went to bed feeling better about things than I have and I woke up still feeling that. Yes, things are tough and they are going to be tough, but everything will work out. Somehow. I guess all I had to do was flip my thinking!

I hope that you feel better today too. Just remember its the little things that make the difference.

Pot O' Gold Lip Balm (Or Any Color You Like!)

I don't do tinted lip balms (YET!), but if you are interested, here is a quick an easy tutorial. You can substitute your own balm recipe! The more mica you use, the more coverage you get; the less you use, the more sheer the color is. Very easy for you to control your end product. Give it a try and be sure to check out the blog I got this from. She has lots of great ideas!

You Will Need:

2 oz Natural Lip Balm Base
0.5 ml Flavor Fragrance Oil (We combined Cafe Latte, Mint Chill & Buttercream Flavor Fragrances to make an Irish Coffee!)
1 cc Radiant Gold Mica

• Place Lip Balm Base into double boiler and set your burner to medium.
• Items will melt in less than 1 hour, if you have a thermometer, check temperature, it should be around 65-70c / 140-160f.
• Use Mica for this oil based product. Add your color and mix thoroughly. Pour a small amount in a clear container and wait for it to set for 20-30 minutes. You will notice the colors tend to lighten as the product goes opaque.
• Only add Flavor Fragrance Oils deemed suitable for Lip Products. Strength will vary on the type of scent.
• Pour into your choice of containers.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Guacamole For Your Face

Last night I decided I needed to do a face mask. You should do one a couple of times a month to help keep you skin looking healthy and glowing. I love doing masks, I love feeling all tingly and when I rinse my skin just feels good. I really just threw this one together, but I loved it! The bonus is, you could pull some out and don't put the clay in it and it would be a great dip!

1/2 ripe avocado
1 tbsp honey
2 spoonfuls of sour cream
enough kaolin clay to make it firm and not runny

Mash the avocado up with all the ingredients. Mix well and spread over clean skin. Let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with a toner and moisturizer. I really enjoyed this one! Avocados are full of vitamins and other good stuff for your skin, honey is a humectant that will draw moisture to your skin, any cream will really help add moisture to your skin, and the clay helps to draw out impurities and tighten the skin.

What are some of your favorite homemade face mask ingredients?

For Your Belly

I was asked about the difference between belly products. I make a wonderful belly butter, but there are belly balms, creams, oils, etc and it can be confusing as to what each is. So, I decided to explain.

• Butter-made with oils and butters. These will have a harder texture that usually melts on contact with your skin. The color and texture will depend on the butters used. For example, a product with a high amount of cocoa butter will be quite hard, but will leave you skin so soft and smooth. Oils are sometimes added to give additional benefits to the product and to soften it for spreadability (think real butter vs margarine). Butters are great for lubricating the skin and relieving that tight feeling you get as your belly expands, but some feel they are too greasy. I think these are great for night time or just out of the shower and a little goes a long way.
  
• Balms-made with oils, butters, and wax. Beeswax is the most common wax used for balms, but there are vegan alternatives. Think about a lip balm (a good one, not carmex) and that is essentially what a belly balm will be like. The will usually be a little softer than the butters and do not tend to melt on your skin the same way. However, the ingredients used are generally chosen for the skin benefits they provide and the wax helps to create a barrier so your skin retains moisture. Again, great for lubricating your stretching skin, but some feel they are too greasy. I think these are great for night time or just out of the shower and a little goes a long way.
• Oils-similar characteristics to a butter, but these will be liquid. The oils are chosen for the skin care benefits and these will also be good lubrication for the skin. These might also seem too greasy. Go easy when dispensing, a little goes further than you think.
  
• Creams/lotions-made by blending oils, butters, or waxes with water. This is done through the use of an emulsifier. The more water used the thinner and lighter the lotion will be. Heavier creams usually have the minimum amount of water needed to emulsify the product. Water is helpful because it will hydrate your skin and the oils will lubricate it. Keep in mind all products made with water MUST have a preservative or be stored in the fridge. Lotions and creams do not generally leave an oily feel (heavy creams might) and I like to use these during the day when you need a little more moisture.
  

Experiment with different product and find what you like and what suits you best. You may also find that you like to use a combination of products to meet your skin specific needs. For example, when I'm done showering, I pat dry and use a body butter all over to seal in precious moisture and then when if I feel a little dry throughout the day, I'll apply a light lotion. This also changes based on where I am and the humidity. Butters and balms can be too heavy during very hot, humid weather.

What is important is that you find a system that works for you and stick to it. Don't let someone else that doesn't have YOUR skin tell you what you are doing wrong.

What kinds of products do you prefer: butters, balms, oils, or lotions?

Everlasting Oil

I had a request for a toner made with everlasting oil. It is not something I normally make and not an oil I keep on hand, but the customer really wanted it. I don't blame her everlasting oil, also known as Immortelle is quite wonderful. Not just for skin either!

Helichrysum italicum is used in aromatherapy to help combat depression and shock. Everlasting oil is also used in skin care because of its cell renewal properties. It will help heal scars and rejuvenate tired worn out skin. It is also thought to be effective against acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. This oil is also useful on skin that has been damaged by burns, bruises, cuts, or other wounds. Some even recommend using it on injured joints to help heal sprains or other inflammatory problems.

Whatever you use it for, this oil is extremely versatile. As with all essential oils a little goes a long way and more is not always better. Everlasting oil is quite pricey, but since it is active a dilute concentrations, you should get a lot of use out of a small quantity.

Nikki Stitch

I have a friend who crochets and I LOVE her stuff. She made me a scarf and mitten set to give as a Christmas gift. I have seen her wear her own adorable sweaters or dresses. I desperately want one of her handbags, but have been told I don't need another one. I could just go on and on. If you get a chance you should check out her brand new website www.nikkistitch.com. I am so happy for her! She is just getting started, so her website does not show all she can do, but still has great stuff. If you are interested in personalized gifts, contact her, she will do a great job.

Ok, that's great, but what does this have to do with soap? Well, she also makes SOAP COZIES!!! You just put your bar of soap in, tie off the ribbon, and you are set for a gently exfoliating way to use your Honu Naturals soap. She even makes them just the perfect size for one of my bars of soap. Just remember, it is important to hang to cozy and soap up after a shower to let your soap dry well.
If you don't think a cozy is your thing, she also makes the best washcloths. I have had plenty of customers tell me how much they like the washcloth and that it is the perfect compliment to a handcrafted bar of soap. I couldn't agree more. If you are going to pamper yourself with a gentle handcrafted bar of soap, you should have a gentle handcrafted washrag too!

Oil Cleansers

Since winter started here in Colorado, I've had to adjust my skin care regime. This is important for everybody living where you have seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. During the winter months, my skin gets parched that I step back to cleansing only at night to get rid of my makeup and any other grime I picked up during the day. I don't sweat like I do in the summer, so once a day leaves my skin just as clear as it is in the summer.

However, I decided that this winter was just too harsh on my dry skin to keep using even my super gentle shea soap. So, I did some reading and created my own oil based cleanser. I know this seems backwards, but oils will actually help remove excess oil, makeup, and dirt. Remember like dissolves like. I made an oil based cleanser specifically for my skin, which is quite dry right now, but you can always adjust the oils and ingredients for your needs.

You will need:

Olive oil
Sunflower oil
Sweet almond oil
Lavender essential oil

I mixed equal parts of the three base oil into my two ounce amber glass container that I found at Whole Foods, I love it because it has a dropper. Any container will work, but you will probably prefer something with a small opening and dark bottles will help protect your oils from oxidation. I added 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil. You can adjust this depending on your skin and whether you like lavender. If you substitute another essential oil, you might want to use a maximum of 5 drops because some are NOT good for your skin at higher concentrations and can actually cause irritations.

To Use:
Use one dropper full or a dime size amount in your palm, rub between your hands and VERY gently massage into skin. Remember to always smooth up, away from gravity. Use a soft cotton cloth to wipe away excess oil. If you want you can dampen the cloth with warm (NOT HOT) water. I follow with a gentle toner and a light moisturizer. You would think that I would need a heavier moisturizer since it is winter, but I found that the cleansing oil leaves my skin clean, but not dry. I cannot use the cleansing oil in the summer because even without a moisturizer, my skin is much too oily, but for dry winter skin, this might be ther perfect cure!

Cleanse

It is so important to clean our skin and we should try to do this twice a day. It is especially important to clean your skin after a long day wearing makeup, being exposed to outdoor toxins, and some sweating. A gentle cleanser made for your skin type will go a long way in helping your skin look its best.

For my face I use Honu Naturals Naked Shea Soap, its unscented and superfatted with shea butter. It has a rich soothing later and it is not at all drying to your skin like many commercial cleansers. The rest of my skin gets treated with a variety of my handcrafted soaps.

There are also a variety of soap free cleansers available to purchase, but be sure to read the ingredients list to avoid overly drying chemicals. Soap free cleansers or cream cleansers are great for drier or sensitive skin types. These will give you a deep clean without stripping your skin of valuable moisture. You can also make your own cleanser at home with ingredients from your cupboard. Check out my recipe section or visit www.makeyourowncosmetics.com for some great ideas. The most important thing is to find a cleanser that is right for your skin type and you will enjoy more vibrant skin.

Sleep

Ah sleep, how we all need sleep and so many of us don't get enough. When we rest we allow our bodies to recover and rejuvenate, but when we deny ourselves the sleep we need it will show up on the surface. Lack of sleep can lead to puffy eyes, sagging, lackluster skin, dull hair, and other emotional problems.

I know with kids, jobs, and everything else we do, it is very hard to fit in enough sleep. I don't have kids, but I do have a full-time job and a business to run. I know exactly what its like to have too much to do. It is so tempting to just stay up a little late to get a few more things done. But, I have learned how it effects me to do that. I am grumpy, irritable, and I just don't look or perform my best. So, take care of yourself and get the sleep you need.