5 Reasons to Love Lemon Water

Hey beauties! I love being inspired to write posts about healthy new discoveries. Today’s post is about something that I find very interesting, and I’m sure you will too! I’m going to tell you a bit about why you should be drinking lemon water every morning and how your body and mind will benefit from doing so.

Here are five reasons why you should start your morning with a refreshing glass of lemon water:

1. It detoxes your body. According to Natural News, citric acid (found in lemons, oranges and limes) does a great job at cleaning out your system and detoxifying your body. Drink up to get those toxins out!

2. It works wonders for your skin. Since lemons have a ton of vitamin C—a vitamin that rejuvenates your skin—drinking lemon water will help to give you a clear complexion. And, according to Cajunlicious, not only will it freshen up your face, it will also freshen your breath!

3. It helps with digestion. Lemon juice helps your body to flush out bacteria that hinders digestion. It will also help your body to do a better job at flushing out toxins.

4. It wakes you up. According to Livestrong, lemon water is a natural energy drink. Not only is it way healthier than coffee or chemical-filled energy drinks like Red Bull, but drinking it regularly is also said to give you more energy than these caffeinated beverages.

5. It keeps you slim. Making lemon water a part of your daily routine will help keep your body looking like a lean machine in several different ways: Lemons have fiber, which helps to stave off hunger cravings, and drinking a glass of lemon water will help you stay full longer throughout the day. In addition, MindBodyGreen reports that it boosts your metabolism. What’s not to love!?

A glass of water with a twist of lemon is such a rejuvenating way to start your entire day. The strong citrus taste may take a bit of getting used to, but drinking this elixir is definitely worth it. Just taking one look at the many health benefits above makes me want to gulp down a glass right now…

Will you try drinking lemon water each morning? Do you have any health tips you would like me to share in a post?

Leave your comments, questions and blog requests below and I’ll be sure to check them out

xoxo
Humaira

How to Erase Acne Scars

 By Elle&Blair

Hey everyone! A while ago, I was brainstorming some ideas for posts and I became instantly inspired to write a blog post about acne scars because acne was something I had to deal with growing up (and still deal with sometimes!). You can’t promise that you will ever really get rid of acne scars—some of them will never really go away—but you can sure try to fade them so they’re not so noticeable. Whether you currently have a couple pimples popping up on your face or you’re trying to figure out how to erase the marks from a bad breakout, I have a couple important tips that I’ve learned from personal experience. Going in order from mild to extreme, here are my 3 tips for erasing acne scars:

• Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Exfoliating your skin regularly is really good habit to get into because it will help slough off dead skin cells. This will work to prevent future pimples by letting your pores breathe and helping them not to get clogged, but it will also help scarring. Gently exfoliating your face with a salicylic or glycolic face wash will work to remove that top layer of skin that has discoloration from acne. Be gentle though–If you have really painful blemishes that look like they don’t want to be irritated, then listen to your skin and just leave them alone.
• Use a whitening mask. I honestly think using a whitening mask makes acne scars basically disappear! My favorite mask is one by Mario Badescu because it really works to brighten and even out my complexion. What it really does is just make your skin all one tone so there’s no discoloration. Using a whitening mask will help brighten brown or red acne scars so that they are the same color as the rest of your skin. I highly recommend this whitening mask by Mario Badescu…I honestly love it!
• Splurge on a facial. If your acne days are very far behind you and your skin is super clear but you have some leftover scars that really bother you, it might be time to resort to a facial. I think facials are special treats, and it’s important to treat your skin every once  in a while because it deserves lots of love! I think the best facial for erasing the appearance of acne scars is a microdermabrasion treatment. This facial just feels like someone is gently blowing little bits of very fine sand all over your skin, and I actually think it’s pretty relaxing. Not only does it remove that top layer of damaged, scarred skin, but it also stimulates the growth of new, healthy skin cells. Splurge on a microdermabrasion facial for an extra dose of radiance.

Also, if you’re not looking to do a special treatment and you simply want to cover up acne scars,  you can use concealer and foundation to even out your skin tone.

Will you use any of these tips for erasing acne scars? Do you have any tricks of your own?

Leave your tips and tricks in the comments below!

Hair Oils

By Elle&Blair

Hi beauties! Let’s talk about hair oils: the splurges, the steals and everything in between! The whole hair oil trend kind of replaced leave-in conditioners, and I actually like the concept of smoothing a lightweight oil through my hair a lot more than a heavy conditioner. Oils seem to make my hair much shinier and softer, and I feel like they are packed with way more vitamins and minerals than leave-in conditioners. Now that hair oils are a beauty trend, there are so many new brands and products out there, so it’s important to know which ones to which ones to love and which ones to leave.

Personally, I love using the Macadamia Hair Oil and the Moroccan Oil. They’re both in the $30 to $50 price range, so they are definitely more on the splurge side. But I think the quality is totally worth it because both of these oils make my hair feel like silk. Here’s my process for using these oils to make my hair super healthy:

1. First I get out of the shower and put my hair up in a towel while I apply all of my lotions and face moisturizers

2. By the time I’ve moisturizing my skin, my hair is still about 60% wet. So I take my hair out of the towel and put my oils in so they can absorb while the water dries.

3. I let my hair air dry a little longer—for about 20 more minutes, out of the towel—while I do my makeup or pick out my outfit.

4. Then, once I feel like the oil has really had time to sink into my hair, I go ahead and blow dry it and style it.

My hair always feels so soft after my little routine! I feel strongly about letting the oil sink in as your hair air-dries because each strand needs to absorb the moisture while it’s drying. But if you don’t want to spend a fortune on hair oils, there are two options out there that I really love and they aren’t too expensive. John Freida makes an amazing product called Frizz-Ease Hair Serum for about $9. It sounds like it just tames flyaways but it really acts as a moisturizing oil too. It definitely defrizzes, but it’s super hydrating too and it has all the qualities of “splurge” oils without breaking the bank.

Another inexpensive hair moisturizer is the VO5 Hot Oil Treatment. It’s not quite an everyday leave-in product, but it’s more of a hair mask treatment. It’s been around forever and I think it’s a luxurious and inexpensive product (only about $5!). You basically just warm up the oil in hot water, then once it’s hot, massage it through your hair. Sounds amazing, right?!

You can also whip up a DIY hot oil treatment for your hair by mixing olive oil, canola oil, and lemon juice together and heating up the mixture in the microwave. Let it sit in your hair for about 20 minutes, then rinse it out and admire your lovely locks!

Overall, I think the ingredients in the more expensive oils are better for your hair, but I love the way the cheaper products are great alternatives for getting that same silky effect. Here’s where to shop for the splurges and the steals:

Macadamia Oil, $30.40
Moroccan Oil, $48.95
John Frieda: $8.99
VO5 Hot Oil Treatment, $3.99

What’s your favorite hair oil or hair treatment?

Spill in the comments below!

BB Cream!

Ok you guys…I’m absolutely dying to try Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB Cream! I’ve been seeing people talk about BB creams everywhere online lately and I really want to see if they are as good as they sound. The “BB” in BB cream stands for “Beauty Balm” or “Blemish Balm” and they are basically tinted moisturizers that are supposed to do great things for your skin like fight acne and protect your skin from the sun. They’re kind of like a mix between makeup and skincare, so what’s not to love! They sound like miracle creams, but I’m turning to you guys to get the real truth about this product…

Have you tried any BB creams? If so, what did you think? Write your reviews in the comments below and I’ll be sure to read them!

Care for Your Pearly Whites

Hi beauties! I’ve seen a bunch of you asking questions about what I do to keep my pearly whites…well, white. So, today I’m going to give you the full lowdown on how I keep my teeth in tip-top shape! So first off, for toothpaste I use Crest 3D White when I brush my teeth every morning and night. I really like it because it makes my mouth feel clean and it’s packed with ingredients that remove any stains… Now that I’m a big coffee drinker, I want to avoid getting any coffee stains on my teeth at all costs! I also use Crest Supreme Professional White Strips every 4 to 5 months to give my teeth an extra boost of white. These are so amazing because they have the same effect as if you were to go get your teeth whitened professionally at an actual dentist’s office. They’re a little pricey, but I think they’re worth it! Every night I also use a dental floss that has a whitener in it, like Reach Whitening Floss. This step makes me feel like I’m really hitting every little area with as much whitening power as possible. And lastly, I’ve recently started to use a whitening mouthwash too. Listerine’s Total Care Plus Whitening Mouthwash makes my breath super fresh and it prevents cavities as well. I know it sounds like I’m obsessed with whitening my teeth, LOL, but to be honest, I just really love taking care of my smile! And I feel like since I already have a great routine, I might as well give my pearly whites and extra dose of brightness. No matter what dental products you like to use, the most important thing is that you brush your teeth every morning and night along with flossing every night for a sparkling smile.

What’s your routine for taking care of your pearly whites?

Photo Credit: Women’s Health Magazine

End of Summer Hair Savers

By Elle&Blair

Hey guys! Don’t you hate when your hair feels dry and damaged at the end of summer from hanging out in the pool and lying in the sun? Well, I decided to do a little research and what I found was a little shocking! Even though your hair can’t get sunburnt, the sun can actually damage it in lots of other ways. Even salt water is a contributor! I found a few products that help prevent any future damage and you can use them before, during, or after a day of fun in the sun!

Pre-Pool and Sun: As much as you love soaking up the sun, so does your hair! Your hair is very absorbent, so it can either absorb harmful UV rays, or a moisturizing protectant spray…take your pick! My advice is if you’re heading to the beach or going for a swim in a chlorine pool, protect your beautiful locks with Ojon Shine & Protect Shampoo and Korres Almond Protein Leave-On Conditioner.

During Sun Exposure: The Instant Mineral SPF by Peter Thomas Roth is a lightweight sunscreen that’s actually intended for your skin, but it works for protecting your hair too. This little tube not only contains a good dose of SPF, but it also doubles as a grease fighter for unwashed hair. As if that isn’t enough, it comes in a convenient little tube, so it barely takes up any room in your beach tote!

Post-Pool and Sun: It’s super important to shampoo and condition your hair ASAP after a day of swimming. Ouidad’s Clarifying Shampoo is great because it washes away all of the salt water and chlorine your hair usually holds onto, which makes it dry and unmanageable. After this gentle, deep clean, rub in Aveda’s After-Sun Hair Masque for intense hydration. I would even let my hair dry naturally to prevent even more damage. But, if you can’t get to a shower right away, a great compromise is Rene Furterer’s Moisturizing Spray. Just spray it onto your damp hair and throw it under a cute summer hat for extra protection.

What are some other great remedies you use to protect your hair from summer damage? Share your tips and tricks below and help all of us protect our beautiful locks!

Photo is from here.

Exploring Manuka Honey Benefits

By RubyBeautyOrganics

Honey, that wondrous miracle product of nature and nature’s little helper, the bees. Its numerous uses and benefits are well-known throughout the decades. An ancient Greek physician dubbed honey as “good for all rotten and hollow ulcers.” Today we still use it for its healing properties. So what makes the recently popular Manuka honey special when there are numerous benefits already that can be obtained from any ordinary honey? What sets Manuka honey apart?

Honey, that wondrous miracle product of nature and nature’s little helper, the bees. Its numerous uses and benefits are well-known throughout the decades. An ancient Greek physician dubbed honey as “good for all rotten and hollow ulcers.” Today we still use it for its healing properties. So what makes the recently popular Manuka honey special when there are numerous benefits already that can be obtained from any ordinary honey? What sets Manuka honey apart?

Taking a quick look at the background of Manuka honey will probably already set it apart from the rest. It is not just any ordinary honey, but a special honey that is made from the nectars obtained from Manuka bushes in New Zealand. Manuka bushes are uncultured and are known to have antibacterial effects.All honeys have antibacterial effects because they discharge hydrogen peroxide that can eliminate bacteria. But the manuka honey aside from releasing hydrogen peroxide also releases more antibacterial compounds that are non-peroxide.

Manuka honey, because of its antimicrobial properties can help treat a wide array of diseases. It is well-known for curing stomach ulcers. This is done by inhibiting the growth of helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers and dyspepsia. Other ordinary honeys do not exhibit the same result in fighting against H. pylori.Taking a teaspoon one hour before meals and one at bedtime will provide beneficial results. Another bacteria that can be eliminated using Manuka honey is the bacteria that causes sore throat. It shows that propolis or the antibiotic substance in honey is the substance that is most effective against bacteria. .

There are several Manuka honey benefits for various skin disorders like ulcers, boils, cracked skin and wounds. Its antimicrobial properties can diffuse into the skin which in effect kills even germs buried deep within.  It is effective in cleaning wounds which makes healing faster. It also lessens scarring because it aids in the cell formation that will ultimately avoids scar to appear. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities that will prevent swelling.

There are however various grades of Manuka honey to test its effectiveness against ailments. TradeNZ and Honey Research Unit established a classification of antibacterial qualities of honey. UMF or Unique Manuka Factor is created to rate the antibacterial activity. UMF registered trademarks are the ones considered to have therapeutic benefits. UMF strength of 10 or more is the grade ideal for healing.

Taking a quick look at the background of Manuka honey will probably already set it apart from the rest. It is not just any ordinary honey, but a special honey that is made from the nectars obtained from Manuka bushes in New Zealand. Manuka bushes are uncultured and are known to have antibacterial effects.All honeys have antibacterial effects because they discharge hydrogen peroxide that can eliminate bacteria. But the manuka honey aside from releasing hydrogen peroxide also releases more antibacterial compounds that are non-peroxide.

Manuka honey, because of its antimicrobial properties can help treat a wide array of diseases. It is well-known for curing stomach ulcers. This is done by inhibiting the growth of helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers and dyspepsia. Other ordinary honeys do not exhibit the same result in fighting against H. pylori.Taking a teaspoon one hour before meals and one at bedtime will provide beneficial results. Another bacteria that can be eliminated using Manuka honey is the bacteria that causes sore throat. It shows that propolis or the antibiotic substance in honey is the substance that is most effective against bacteria. .

There are several Manuka honey benefits for various skin disorders like ulcers, boils, cracked skin and wounds. Its antimicrobial properties can diffuse into the skin which in effect kills even germs buried deep within.  It is effective in cleaning wounds which makes healing faster. It also lessens scarring because it aids in the cell formation that will ultimately avoids scar to appear. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities that will prevent swelling.

There are however various grades of Manuka honey to test its effectiveness against ailments. TradeNZ and Honey Research Unit established a classification of antibacterial qualities of honey. UMF or Unique Manuka Factor is created to rate the antibacterial activity. UMF registered trademarks are the ones considered to have therapeutic benefits. UMF strength of 10 or more is the grade ideal for healing.

3 Moves for Your Abs

By Elle&Blair

Hi beauties! This installment of my 3 Moves series is all about the abdomen. There are so many different exercises you can do for fab abs, with the classic sit-up and crunch being the most popular. But did you know there are tons of other moves you can do for great results too? Here are three that are totally crunch-free:

1. The Cross-Knee Strike

Stand in the “on guard” position with your knees slightly bent, elbows in towards your body and hands in fists up by your face. With your weight on your right leg, lift your left knee towards your right shoulder and twist your right elbow towards it. Exhale as you do this step. Then, inhaling, lower your foot back to the floor while keeping your weight on your right leg. Repeat this move 20 times with the left leg and then do the same with the right.

2. Plank with Side Leg Touch

Start in the basic plank position (body lifted off the mat and weight distributed between toes and forearms/hands) with your abs pulled toward your spine and your back un-arched. Lift your right leg out the rights side and touch the floor with your toe. Bring the right leg back to center and do the same with your left leg. This is one rep. Challenge yourself to do 2 sets of 6 to 8 reps with a minute or so of rest between the sets.

3. Hip Lifts

Lie on a mat on your left side with your left elbow under your left shoulder. Keeping your head and neck lifted, lift your left hip off the floor and support your weight with your foot and elbow. Hold this position for a count of three then lower to start position. Repeat for 30 seconds. Then flip over and do the same on your right side.
Make sure to maintain a healthy diet in order for those rockin’ abs to show! What are your favorite exercises to work the abdomen? Share in the comments below and good luck with these moves!
P.S. Photos and moves are from here, here and here.

10 Instant Mood Lifters

By Elle&Blair

Hi lovelies! Some of the most motivational mood lifters out there are simple tricks that cost nothing at all and take almost no time out of your day. To boost your mood on a day when you’re feeling down, try these 10 easy and uplifting tricks:

1. Take a shower. Sometimes “washing off” a bad day can just make the blues go away.
2. Straighten your posture. We often don’t realize that slouching or slumping in our chair can totally change our disposition. Turn the day’s mood around by standing straight and sitting upright.
3. Get moving. You should know by now that I’m a huge believer in the idea that even the smallest exercises can improve your mood. Try walking to coffee instead of drive, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
4. Laugh with friends. This may seem obvious, but if you’re feeling sad, go hang out with your friends! Being silly and laughing with your bffs pretty much guarantees to make you happy. 
5. Learn something new. When I was younger, if I was feeling grumpy my mom would tell me to go try something new. This gets your mind off of whatever is bringing you down!
6. Stay away from junk food. Unhealthy eats have chemicals in them that can make us feel tired and lazy. Stick to healthy food for a good mood!
7. Take deep breaths. This is another tip that is often overlooked. Sometimes taking a deep breath is all you need to calm yourself down and de-stress.
8. Open your windows for fresh air. Staying inside all day can really put a damper on your disposition. Taking a walk outside or opening your windows for fresh air can create a fresh start to your day.
9. Get 8 hours of sleep. This tip is so important for staying happy throughout the week. Don’t skimp on sleep—it can easily bring down your mood!
10. Fill your room with fresh blooms. Whenever I buy fresh flowers for my room, I get happy every time I look at them. Even taking a walk in a garden and admiring pretty blooms can help make you happier.

So there you have it—my favorite instant mood lifters. Try any one of these on a day you’re down and you might just notice that your stress melts away 

Do you have any instant mood lifters? Let me know in the comments below!

Photo is from here.

Summer Citrus Scrub

By Elle&Blair

Hey beauties! I think it would be so fun to have a little summer spa day at home. Something I love doing is making my own spa treatments and just spending an evening pampering myself. This scrub would definitely come in handy after a day of fun in the sun because it helps exfoliate and relieve dry skin. Plus, it just looks so yummy I would come up with just about any excuse to use it

All you have to do to make it is mix the ingredients in the photo above, and make sure the majority of your mixture is sea salt. Then, just top it all off with a little bit of coconut oil and a few drops of orange. It’s as easy as that to have a delicious and luxurious DIY summer scrub!

Do you have any DIY spa treatments you’d like to share? Get the convo started by posting in the comments below!

Photo is from here.