ONE SKINCARE TREND YOU NEED TO START NOW

You probably brush your hair, and your teeth, but have you ever tried brushing your skin? Watch my short how-to video to find out why you should start!

xo Krista

NINE EASY EXERCISES TO DO AT YOUR DESK

Finding it hard to fit in a workout? Good news! You can make the most out of your time at the office. Spice up those 8 hour days with a little “fitness fun.” Your stiff and tired muscles will thank you for the mini-workout break. Plus, the more you move the happier and healthier you’ll be. So, the next time you’re sitting at your desk facing that long shift, try out some of these desk exercises for a more fit and fabulous you every day of the week!

What are some of your tips for staying active at the office?

xo Krista

STAY HEALTHY THIS HOLIDAY WITH A BOOST OF VITAMIN C

The dreaded Christmas cold or feverish flu can definitely destroy any ounce of joy during this time of the year and put a big damper on your holiday cheer. If you’ll soon be hugging a lot of family and friends, think of how many germs you will soon be exposed to… eek!  Want to avoid getting sick and get through the season illness-free? Then boost your vitamin C!

Vitamin C is the ultimate powerhouse nutrient that protects your overall health by boosting your immune system. Not only can a little extra Vitamin C help you stay healthy, it clears your body of unhealthy toxins. You know… the toxins from all those delicious sugar cookies and grandma’s special bars that are pretty much impossible to pass up. Plus, Vitamin C helps reduce stress –and is there a more stressful and chaotic holiday than Christmas? I don’t think so!  And more stress equals more pimples! Uh oh…

And Vitamin C isn’t just good for your health – it does wonders for your skin too! Want a continuously glowing, blemish-free complexion through the holidays? Maybe it’s time to invest in a Vitamin C serum! Ever since I started using my Enza Essentials Vitamin C Serum a few months ago, my skin has become incredibly soft!

Here’s to a happy, healthy, stress-free holiday!

xo Krista 

IS DAIRY DAMAGING MORE THAN YOUR PHYSIQUE?

Have you ever been talking to a friend and couldn’t help but notice her beautiful skin? No pimples. No redness. Just a glowing complexion that makes her smile and eyes shine a little bit brighter. Can you say skin envy?! If you’re like me, you’re constantly checking out the latest and greatest solution for a flawless face. But, did you know that skin care goes far beyond what you put ON your skin? Maybe you’ve heard the saying, you are what you eat. And I’ve got to tell you, it’s so true! What you put into your body can really have an effect on your skin – both good and bad. One major food group that might be causing serious damage to your skin? Dairy!

It’s true. Dairy can be contributing to your lackluster skin, causing blemishes and white spots! When you eat that delicious scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, you may be dishing up a serving of oily skin and a major breakout. And if that’s not bad enough, milk hormones cause inflammation, premature aging, and skin breakdowns. Yikes!

As a Wisconsin girl, cutting out milk and cheese seems near to impossible. But, if it really is doing serious damage to my skin, it may be worth it! In case you’ve noticed a few blemishes popping up or more redness in your skin lately, you may want to cut out dairy products from your diet for a few days. If you decide to take the plunge into no dairy land, remember it is still important to get the recommended 1000 mg of calcium every day. And the good news is you can get the recommended amount of calcium from other foods like fish, figs, hummus, spinach, kale, and soybeans!

Not willing to give up your ice cream, cheese or milk? Use an extraction cleanser and extraction toner for oily skin. To treat breakout areas, a spot extractor should do the trick!

xo Krista

GET THE BEST BEAUTY SLEEP OF YOUR LIFE

Happy December, Beauties! I absolutely love this time of the year… snow, hot chocolate, bright lights, cozy sweaters… makes me excited just thinking about it! But, with the excitement of the holiday season and finals approaching, my anxiety levels are at an all-time high! I don’t know about you, but for me, more anxiety means sleepless nights — and that’s not a good thing since “beauty sleep” keeps my skin looking fresh and radiant! Recently, I’ve discovered the “4-7-8” breathing trick which helps you fall asleep FAST! Ever since, I have been getting the best sleep of my life!

Here’s how it works:

Inhale for a count of four. By doing this, you are forcing yourself to take in more oxygen which makes it easier for you to hold your breath in the next step.

Hold your breath for seven seconds. At this point your heart rate will begin to slow and you may feel a bit light headed. If this happens, just try again until you get the hang of it! Who knew breathing could be so hard?

Exhale steadily for eight seconds. During this step, you are emitting all of the carbon from your lungs. Immediately, you should feel your heart and mind start to relax. Works like a charm!

Still not able to fall asleep? Fake awake-looking eyes with an Eyebright Anti-Puffiness Gelee!

Happy sleeping!

xo Krista

 

BEAT YOUR WORKOUT BOREDOM

Happy Hump Day! If you couldn’t tell already, I’m kind of a fitness nut. But that’s not to say I absolutely love exercising all the time. Sweat dripping down my back, hot rosy cheeks and shortness of breath… makes me cringe just thinking about it. I’d much rather be spending the evening at home with my roommates sipping on wine while watching sappy movies! Exercising is hard! But, it is also important if you want to live a healthy lifestyle. Plus, the extra endorphins really make you feel good! The key? Make your workout fun so it doesn’t feel like work! My solution? Adding a medicine ball to my routine! Check it out below!

To start off, I do regular crunches on the medicine ball with my arms supporting my head. I do enough until I can start to feel the burn… and then I do ten more!

This move is my favorite! You want to start with the medicine ball above your head, about a foot from the ground.

With your body in a “V” shape, start to bring the medicine ball to meet your feet. At the same time, start lifting your legs until they reach the medicine ball. Once you can place the medicine ball in between your legs, squeeze and lower to the ground.

But, be sure not to let the ball touch the ground! To finish, raise your legs back up and repeat. After this move, you’ll be wishing it was still bikini season!

To finish my workout, I always challenge myself with a plank on the medicine ball! Who doesn’t love a challenge? If you’re in need of more workout ideas, make sure you check out my exercise your way to flawless skin post!

What are some ways you make your workout more fun?

xo Krista

EIGHT THINGS “BEAUTY” I’M THANKFUL FOR

 

Sister. I love having a sister and couldn’t be more grateful for the friendship we share. We’ve always been super close. Plus, having a second closet to choose from when deciding what to wear is the best feeling ever! Did I also mention I’m thankful for her sharing abilities?!

Curling Wand. Having naturally curly hair is both a blessing and a curse. You never quite know how your curls are going to look in the morning. I can’t tell you how many times my curling wand has saved the day!

Coffee. When it comes to those unbearable 8 a.m classes, coffee is a god send. Not only does it make me appear more human, it acts as my most fashionable accessory on days when I’m rocking yoga pants and an over-sized sweatshirt.

Perfume. Silly I know, but smelling good just makes me happy. I love spraying on my own special scent in the morning or before heading out on that special date!

Enza Products. I’m so grateful for ALL of my Enza Products and for the confidence they have given me to put my best face forward every day. Pimple free equals a happier me!

Shoes. I seriously can’t have enough shoes. Buying a new pair of shoes is like sampling Godiva Chocolates for the first time. Excitement takes over and nothing can stop you from indulging!

Chapstick. I hate to admit it, but I’m a more-than-occasional lip licker. End result… dry, irritated lips. Thank you chapstick for bringing back my smile!

Parents. I’ve learned so much from them over the years. One of the most important life lessons they have taught me, that I believe to be true, is that beauty starts from the inside. A kind, compassionate heart is a beautiful heart!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving Beauties!

xo Krista

PRESSED FOR TIME? FOLLOW THESE EASY TIPS FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Are you so busy running from one activity to another that you sometimes neglect taking care of your skin? I totally get it! Squeezing in facials and following a strict cleansing routine can take a serious amount of time! If you fall into the “I’m too busy to exfoliate” category – and skincare isn’t making it to the top of your to-do list — here are some easy tips to keep your skin in tip-top condition.

Clean up your diet. If you want to spend less time worrying about your skin, the easiest way to keep your skin healthy is by eating right. That means filling up your plate with lots of anti-inflammatory foods that contain antioxidants and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. One of the best foods to eat? Raspberries! To discover more benefits of raspberries, check out my post Raspberries for Weight Loss: Who Knew?! 

Simplify your AM routine. Start by doing a cleanse every morning to remove any impurities accumulated on your face overnight. Follow your cleanse with a Vitamin C Serum which helps improve skin tone and texture. End with a SPF moisturizer which, in case you didn’t know, is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care regimen! This is a must!

Make your PM routine a little easier. Simply cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize. Everyone has time for a 3-minute ritual!

Watch your salt and protein intake. Salt decreases the water intake of your internal organs, and when your organs are dehydrated, they suck the water out of your skin! This leaves you with dry, damaged skin that will take even more time to attend to! Want extra salt on that delicious, soft pretzel? No thank you!

Stash cleansing wipes in your nightstand. For those nights when you want to jump right in bed the moment you walk through the door, keep a pack of cleansing wipes by your bed to remove makeup and excess dirt. You never, ever want to go to bed with a dirty face!

What are some of your time saving skin secrets?

xo Krista

 

COLD WEATHER AND DRY SKIN BLUES? BRING IT ON!

As a Wisconsin girl, I am always in need of a really good moisturizer as the colder months draw near. My go-to fix? Enza Essential’s Shea Body Butter! It is extremely hydrating and full of powerful antioxidants that turn my dry, alligator looking legs into smooth works of art. Speaking of amazing legs, did you see my post about Carrie Underwood at the CMA’s last week? Unlike other oils and moisturizers, it soaks into my skin quickly, leaving it silky smooth and not greasy!

Ever since I started using it, I have become obsessed! Even my driest skin areas like elbows and knees are ridiculously soft. I even started using it on my lips for extra hydration! Sound weird? Seriously give it a try! With just one use of this product, you can say goodbye to redness, rough skin, and peeling! Needless to say, this Shea Body Butter will be my savior as the cold starts to cause my skin to flake.

xo Krista

EXERCISE YOUR WAY TO FLAWLESS SKIN

Want to continue your journey towards perfect skin? Then, stop skimping on your gym sessions, early morning runs, yoga classes, and afternoon walks! Yes it’s true; skin care goes far beyond cleansing your face every morning and night. Sweating from exercise can actually detoxify your skin! For me, I really enjoy exercise, but struggle to find the time. So, I came up with this fast paced, metabolism boosting, 15 minute routine! I’ve already started to see the results, it’s AMAZING! Give it a try. Your skin will thank you!

10 push ups. Make sure your hips are tucked forward!

80 jumping jacks. Your heart rate should start to pick up at this point!

15 alternating lunges. Try to get as low to the ground as possible!

20 sit ups. Engage your core the entire time!

25 squats. Don’t let your knees bend past your toes!

1 min plank. Try to keep your body as straight as possible!

(Repeat 3 times)

By exercising regularly, not only will your skin thank you, you will be able to enjoy that cinnamon roll or latte on a crisp fall morning! Stay motivated Enza loves!

xo Krista