Cin's Skin Secrets!

Cin's Skin Secrets

by Cindi Harwood Rose

Owner of Utopia MedSpa, Uptown Park

 

            Moisturizing your skin daily is a myth created by hungry retailers.  If you live in a humid climate, such as Houston, you should exfoliate your skin three times a week, and only moisturize the dry patches. That way your own beautiful moisture can shine through pores that can breathe.  This gives your skin a radiant glow.  Rather than use a highly marketed product found in a department or drug store, you should opt for the "natural, organic" ones.  These would be food-grade without chemicals or preservatives. I moisturize my skin with sweet almond oil, coconut oil, flax-seed, or grape-seed oil. I make sure my products have certified organic seals on them.

  I touch the dry areas such as the sides of my nose, my hands, the top of my eye-brows with a natural oil.  I exfoliate my skin three times a week in the shower with gentle circles from a natural bristle brush, or a mixture of 3 tbsp. of ground oatmeal with a tsp. of fresh grapefruit juice.  Rarely a day does not pass, when someone does not compliment my skin.  I tone it with a mixture of 8 parts spring water, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp. Bragg's apple cider vinegar.  It is also a good idea to avoid synthetic colors and fragrances added to products, these can be carcinogenic and lead to dizziness.

 Here are 5 synthetic cosmetic ingredients to avoid on hair and epidermal products.They are as follows:

1. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben-- these can be toxic and contribute to skin cancer as well as rashes.

2. Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA).  These chemicals release formaldehyde.

3. Sodium Lauryl and Laureath Sulfate -- this is an inexpensive detergent that causes allergic reactions

4. Petrolatum-- it surface dries your skin and clogs the pores-- it is found in Johnson's Baby oil and Vaseline.

5. PVP/VA Copolymer-a petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, inhaled particles can damage the lungs.

    We all need to do our part to have a safe, healthy body, mind, spirit, and environment.

Pampering Paradise

One day DISH went to an open house at a yoga salon. That is where we met this wonderful girl named Rachel. Rachel then emails us a few days later informing us that she had just started giving non-invasive facials at this locally owned Aveda concept salon called URUKU. This intrigued us seeing as how we adore being pampered, being clean AND aveda. We are even more intrigued when she tells us that she wants to give us a free one so she can build her client base. YES came flying out of our mouth before she could finish the sentence...not sure if you've picked up on this but anything FREE we LOVE! =)

So after being a bit difficult...completely on our bumbly accident...we set the appointment.

Rachel gives the most relaxing facial ever! She is a mother of 2 young children so her touch is soft and loving which is needed by an over worked, stressed out human. She massages your hands, feet and neck and shoulders while you are steaming and masking. It's just heaven! We came out of there feeling like a new human. Remember that yummy feeling when your mom lovingly tucked you in and patted your back to put you to sleep as a child??? IT'S THAT GOOD!!! We are going back without a doubt!

If that wasn't perfection enough...Rachel let the owner, Anthony Skoog, in on the information that DISH was in a crazy hurry that day and had 5 events that night so he offered to give DISH a blow out.

This is not your mother's blow out! Anthony started with having me pick an aromatherapy scent that best fit my needs...revitalization is what we chose. Then he gave us a treatment of deep breaths with the scent to restore and relax us...as if we weren't already jelly after Rachel's facial...then he proceeded to massage the DISH scalp and shoulders for 15 minutes. We then rolled over to the sink for a wash ...more massaging....and a deep conditioning treatment with a hot towel that made us ask if we could put a bed in the back room and move in. Anthony then proceeded to make the DISH hair look so think and beautiful! We got compliments all day! =)

THANK YOU RACHEL AND ANTHONY! You both have a new client!

CLICK HERE to make your appointment!

DStat

The product above was developed by a Dallas hairdresser Tanya Carpenter and it is one of DISH'S favorite hair products ever created!! Here is Tanya...

Who Is Tanya Carpenter?

Tanya built a successful career in the world of fashion, styling hair for editorial and commercial photo shoots, runway shows, films, and television. But her passion has always been working with clients in the salon. After five years on the road, she decided to focus exclusively on her private clients. Tanya is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, where she has had a fiercely devoted following for more than fifteen years.

“It’s amazing to work gorgeous professionals, creating art with a talented team, but there’s nothing more rewarding than watching a nonprofessional beauty walk out of the salon feeling confident and looking her absolute best,” says Tanya.

Her years of experience inspired Tanya to create DStat, but its her boundless energy and a strong entrepreneurial streak that have taken DStat from bright idea to must-have status. For Tanya, this is only the beginning. She founded Tancar, LLC to create many more innovative products that fill unmet needs in the beauty industry. An entire collection of DStat hair products, containing her proprietary antistatic formula, is in development now.

There’s no telling what Tanya will think of next, but one thing’s for sure. It will be something that makes the world more beautiful.

DON'T YOU LOVE HER!! AND her product!

DStat™ Static Relief Hair Spritz. It’s the first and only hairspray that eliminates static electricity – instantly. A little spritz here, a little spritz there, and – voilà – goodbye electric hair! DStat™ turns tresses into a silky smooth halo of luscious shimmer. DISH uses it everyday and our hair is GORGEOUS! Thank you Tanya!

FranBrand Organic Skin Care

DISH contributer Fran Drescher is launching a line of organic, paraben-free skincare products exclusively with HSN this fall. The Delicious actress/cancer survivor's nine-piece collection, dubbed FranBrand, will comprise a cleanser, gel toner (yes that means no more cotton balls!), day lotion, eye gel, night eye cream, night face cream, body moisturizer, face serum, and lip balm. DISH is especially excited about the lip balm, we love our lippies!

Drescher, a uterine cancer survivor and founder of the cancer nonprofit Cancer Schmancer, worked for more than a year with a chemist in California and an organic manufacturing plant in Oregon to develop the products.

"Women are schmearing stuff on their décolleté, wondering why we're all getting breast cancer. Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it's hard to go back to sleep. So I'm sounding the alarm," Drescher told The Cut. "I couldn't possibly sell something that wasn't good for me. I'm still in therapy because I put other people's needs above myself."

Don't think everyone's favorite tv nanny is twiddling her thumbs until Nov. 10, when FranBrand is officially launched! OOOOH NO! Drescher will continue to represent the U.S. State Department as a public-diplomacy envoy for women's health issues.

She's a DISH contributer for a reason! She has style, she has flair and she's HERE!!!! That's why she's called a DISHIE!!!

Tips for a Better Life!

A friend of DISH send this along and we feel it needs to be posted. It's inspiring, reminding, joyful and when combined with you...it's strong!! May these tips fall upon your like seeds and grow beautifully within you.

-Nameste

Tips for a better life  By Nithya Shanti
1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did the previous year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare  your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
31. The best is yet to come.
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
33. Do the right thing!
34. Call your family often.
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
36. Each day give something good to others.
37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
38. Share this with someone you care about (send them to DISH!)

For more on wonderful happiness ideas, join the group Click HERE for more of "The Happiest Day of Your Life"

Our First Genesis Laser Facial!

Ok...so DISH had our first in the series of the Genesis Laser yesterday. Next time we are coupling it with the IPL (photofacial) for ultimate results. The Genesis Laser helps your skin to rebuild collagen so over the series your pores actually get smaller!! So do small wrinkles! The main DISH problem is broken capillaries and redness. The Genesis Laser reduces the redness and actually closes off the broken capillaries and surface veins! DISH is too excited to keep you updated on the progress of our beautiful skin!!! =)

We get all of our treatments done at Utopia Med Spa, which is the official home office of Dr. Franklin Rose. Yes...a med spa with a board certified plastic surgeon actually on site!!! What a novelty! =)

Click HERE to make your appointment today!

Gorgeous SKIN!!!!

For our DISH birthday, we were given the most amazing gift!! A deep cleansing facial from Utopia Med Spa.

We indulged on New Year's Eve and OMG!!! It was so delicious! It involves cleansing, steam, a mask,  a special microderm that actually infuses product into your skin and the best smelling natural products around! You must treat yourself to the experience!!!

Tomorrow we are trying the Genesis Laser! We'll keep you updated! YIPPEEEEEE

Happy New Year Beautiful Ones!!!

Flawless Skin - Part 4, Last Minute Advice

Mashed avocado is used in South Africa to soften the skin.

Papaya is used in Hawaii on sunburnt skin as well as insect bites.

Oatmeal and water is placed on skin rashes in Mexico, Germany, and the United States.

Tomato juice with a garlic infusion can be used on skin that is prone to breakout.

Hemorrhoid cream has been used on puffy eyelids, blemishes, and cellulite, all for on the spot reducing! So can sliced raw potatoes.

Any of the following oils are great to use as a moisturizer: sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E oil.

It is an exquisite thought to realize that nature can nourish your skin allowing you to put “your best face forward.”

By Cindi Harwood Rose

Owner of Utopia MedSpa, Uptown Park

Flawless Skin - Part 3, Clean Skin!

Skin care is really simple. Your skin is an organ and it breathes. For this to happen, the epidermis needs to be clean and exfoliated. That way the wastes can be eliminated and your natural oils can shine through. Your skin should “glow”. After it is cleaned, if your skin is not too dry, the outer surface should be toned, and then moisturized if it is not too oily. If you add moisturizer on top of clogged pores, you will clog them more and either break out with pimples. . Heavy products stop your skin from breathing.

Exfoliation can be done in many ways. It can be done with products that contain glycolic acid or fruit peels. Microdermabrasion can be done at a spa. You can have a skin peel at a dermatologist or physician. Did you know that these treatments are really just a way to get rid of the dead skin? They are effective but are costly in time and money. To put natural vitamin C and a natural fruit acid into your skin, you can rub the inside of an orange peel on your face for two minutes, and take 500 mg. of vitamin C a day. Microdermabrason is just a grain scrub made of crystals (salt is a crystal), pieces of loofa or sand rubbed around your face and neck in circular motions. Scrub your own face and save over $1,000! You can buy a nice honey-almond granular scrub (be sure it is alcohol free) for around $20 or make your own. Use finely ground nuts, cornmeal, or oat bran, a little water and honey and make a thick paste. Scrub your face and neck with circular motions for around a minute and one half. Rinse off with warm water, then splash cold water on your face and neck. For a toner, take a half-tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a half tablespoon of witch hazel, a tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice, to six ounces of spring water. This will keep. Do not tone skin that is too dry.

Home facial treatments include steaming the skin to open the pores and to release blackheads. You can actually boil tea bags, and stand about six to eight inches above the steam for three minutes. Next,rub your skin with one or more of the following ingredients, oatmeal, ground nut meal, poppy seeds, cornmeal, with an equal part of honey. Rinse off with cool water. Then place egg white on your face (including the eyelids) and neck. Leave this on for several minutes. Rinse off with cool water. Finally, add cucumber slices to your eyelids and relax for five minutes. You will experience an instant face-lift as well as glowing skin! To make this an oxygen facial, just add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to your grain scrub.

 

Park 2 of Flawless Skin Secrets!! Eating Your SKin Healthy!

Taking care of your skin involves more than just outer skin care. It involves feeding your skin from within. It is important to keep the body hydrated with six to eight glasses of water a day. If you live in a polluted climate, buy spring water. Stay away from caffeine. Try to eat natural uncooked vegetables and fruits in your diet as well as fish, eggs, seeds and nuts. Eliminate processed sugars and starches. Reduce your salt intake. Go for the whole grains found in brown rice and healthy organic flours such as kamut, barley, flaxseed, spelt, soy, and Brewer’s Yeast. Exercise tones and tightens the skin. Endermologie (a machine that exercises the skin), massage, and water therapy, all aid to skin appeal. For glowing skin, sleep is important as well as vitamins. Vitamins and minerals known to help the skin include the following: Vitamin A, B Complex, C, E, Calcium/Magnesium, Selenium, Chromium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme Q 10, L-Glutamine, Omega-3, omega 6 oils, folic acid, Pycnogenol, and fish oil. Dermatologist, Dr. Margaret Waisman, feels that skin care truly does start from within.

Flawless Skin - Part 1

Flawless Skin Secrets

By Cindi Harwood Rose

Owner of Utopia MedSpa, Uptown Park

Your skin is the largest living organ of your body. It is not an inert covering such as a glove placed on your hand. It has many functions. It is the body’s protective covering against the environment and it is also the body’s principal mechanism for maintaining the temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit in which all our cells and body systems are adapted to function. Perspiration, liquid waste, is given off through the skin. Adults have an average of seven pounds of skin. If it were spread out flat, it would cover about nineteen square feet. Every inch is supplied with busy working cells and responsive nerves that keep your body and mind informed about your environment.

The skin is made of three layers of different cell types. The top layer is the epidermis, the thick middle layer is the dermis and the fatty bottom layer is the subcutis. Chinese medicine incorporates skin analysis to determine Yin or Yang deficiency, and lung disharmony.

Most people do not know how to take care of their skin. They have been brain-washed through modern marketers to buy expensive products that are laden with toxic mineral oils, preservatives, colorings, perfumes, and surface-drying alcohol. This actually clogs the outer skin, stopping it from breathing and releasing the wastes your body wants to discard. The alcohol dehydrates the skin. Its purpose is to prolong shelf life of the product it is in, not to help your skin. The preservatives stop the natural products such as milk, egg, placenta, and fruit extracts from molding and rotting. Do you think your skin deserves a product that even bugs do not want?

Skin-care is an ancient 3,000-year-old science that has been around in all great civilizations. The American Indians rubbed their bodies with bear grease to keep their skin moist. They participated in sweats to rid the mind and body of toxic thoughts and blockages. The Greeks cleansed the skin by oiling it with plant oils, then scraping it off with wet bark, exfoliating their skin. The Egyptians soaked fragrant woods and resins in water and plant oils and rubbed their body and faces with the liquid. The Swedish took elaborate hot mineral baths and cold plunges to detox their skin and invigorate it. The Romans made their cold cream out of the natural organic oils. Coconut and nut oils have been used in tropical climates for thousands of years. The Orientals dry scrubbed their skin with seaweed, exfoliating it, and then moistened the epidermis with sesame oil. They soak in mineral waters laden with natural sulfurs and rub sweet almond oil and mint on the body to aid circulation. They have books on herbs such as Chan Tui (cicada husks) which are helpful for skin conditions. The Middle Eastern countries used the Olive oil for the face and hair. The French used hazelnut oil as a moisturizer. They used lavender oil on skin irritations. Only in the 1900’s, were these natural oils replaced by mineral oils which are based from petroleum sludge, and are not only drying to the skin, they can be poisonous. Strangely, there are many products that we may think are safe such as Johnson’s Baby Oil, Vaseline, and Kiehl’s products. Other products such as Tiger’s Balm, Noxzema, Laura Mercier, Franche, and Aveda, have pure combinations of healthy ingredients.

Part 2 - How to take care of your skin!

My Spa Wish

Do you have dreams of Chocolate and Champaign? How about being pampered from head to toe??

Here is your opportunity to combine the two! Talk about a DISHIE Deal!!!

Click HERE for the info!

The Best Mani/Pedi in Houston!

Athena Elliott of Spathena had just gotten a new certification and she is officially the FIRST certified Medical Nail Technician in the country! She was the first in Houston to use hospital grade sterilization in the work place! She is constantly continuing her education in her field so you don't have to worry about minimum practices here! You have to go see her! She gives the best mani/pedis in Houston and more over, if you have SCARY feet that have not been taken care of in a while or have a medical issue, she is trained to handle it! She is also diabetic specialist!

Wondering Why People with Botox are so Vapid?

A study in the new Journal of Neuroscience says that Botox – AKA: Botulinum neurotoxin type A  – can move from its injection site to the brain stem. It could disrupt nerve cells and change spinal cord circuitry. HHHMMM.

I will still get it =) Speaking of getting some Botox, head over to Nuveau MedSpa on Waugh this Saturday between noon and 4. They are having an open house that will have reps from all of the latest and greatest in the cosmesudical industry. If you are interested in Botox, or dermalfillers, you can pop in, have a snack and chat with the leaders in the industry for free! Plus, there will be huge door prizes every half hour including free facials, massage skin printing and more! 

Tell them Dish sent you!!!

Houston's Ugly Teeth Have a Solution!

What? First they tell us we are fat and now they are saying we are in the top 70 of ugliest teeth in America???

Well I have 2 suggestions, 1) Floss and 2) get to Spathena in Uptown Park inside Uptown Spa!

You can get professional teeth whitening for tons less than the dentist would charge. It's the same thing your dentist does, for LESS! and it's faster! It's Win Win Win!

Go make yourself pretty...you might get more dates!