Helping your skin survive the Holiday celebrations

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is all the celebrations.  I just love getting together with family and friends, catching up with those you haven't seen in a while and seeing everyone celebrating such a special time of year.  Unfortunately, my skin does not like it as much as I do.

With all the celebrating (a.k.a drinking and eating), the dry weather, late nights and the constant application of makeup, my skin takes a beating every holiday season.  I follow a strict skin regime during this time to help combat all the abuse it is taking.  With 6 more holiday parties over the next three weekends, it is necessary!  Here are my five daily MUST HAVES that make an incredible difference during this time of year.

Apple Cider Vinegar

I have mentioned apple cider vinegar a couple times on the blog but during the holiday season, it is an absolute must.  I drink 2 tablespoons with water every day to help my immune system and to keep my skin clear and smooth.  It is amazing the difference I see if I don't drink it for a few days.  Plus, who wants to get sick when they can be at holiday parties?!  If you are going to add anything this holiday season, this is it.

Vitamin Water

Remember, water is always better.  And I love water but with how dry my skin gets, hydration is key and I get bored with drinking gallons of water all day.  Vitamin Water is my go-to for some flavor.  Having one every now and then shakes up the blandness of water and helps me stay hydrated.  Is it the best thing for you?  Probably not, but remember, the more dry your skin is, the more your fine lines and wrinkles will show, so find your hydration drinks and keep drinking!

Eve Lom Cleanser

I always use this cleanser at night before bed but during the Winter season I use it morning and night.  It is much more moisturizing than any other cleanser I have tried, takes off all my makeup and leaves my skin feeling refreshed.  I believe in this cleanser so much that I will never use a different one again.  It is that good.

Eve Lom Day Cream

After washing my face in the morning and prior to applying my tinted moisturizer, I apply this day cream.  It is extremely light and provides just a little more added moisture, complimenting my tinted moisturizer without looking greasy.  It also stands great on its own when a day without makeup is needed.

Dr. Perricone Concentrated Restorative Treatment

After washing my face at night and after applying my toner, I apply this Vitamin C treatment.  It is amazing the work it does while I sleep.  Not only does it restore my skin but it also has helped with some fine lines and wrinkles that have decided to show.  The added bonus is how soft your skin feels in the morning.

Other things I do during this time of year is apply aztec mud mask once a week, try to get as much sleep as I can and when attending a party, keeping my drinking to a minimum.  The bonus of this is not waking up feeling like crap with three little ones running around.

I hope you are all having as much fun as I am celebrating the holidays!   

Cheers to the Weekend!  

Nicky's Picks with SPACE.NK.apothecary

When I hosted my first event with SPACE.NK last November, I fell in love with the apothecary.  Each item that I went home with has since become a staple in my skincare regime.  I had heard the same from other individuals who attended that event and was so excited to find a one-stop shop for incredible skincare products.  Being that I firmly believe SPACE.NK carries the some of the best skincare products in the world, imagine my excitement when they asked me to return and host another event this past Thursday.

Our first event was focused on "Mom's on the Go" so this time they changed it up a bit and highlighted "Nicky's Picks of the Season".  If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Nicky Kinnaird in person and hear her speak on skincare, you are really missing out.  She walked us through her "must haves" for summer and then each individual was able to meet with her and members of her team to discuss their own skincare needs.  It was another successful event and once again, SPACE.NK delivered on a fun evening of skincare, laughs and the perfect excuse for a Girl's Night Out.

Thank you SPACE.NK.apothecary, Bloomingdale's and everyone who attended the event for making it such a success!

The Stage!

Nicky and I

The Gift Bags!

And what did I come home with?  Take a look!

Eve Lom Cleanser
NIA24 Sun Damage Protection Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
BAKEL P-Lipic (Rebuilding Formula) Serum
Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Replacement

Medicine Cabinet

Today I am going to empty my medicine cabinet, sharing some of my must have's.

I have an addiction to beauty products and when I find something that works, I use them forever. 

You cannot go wrong with any of these.

Essie Chinchilly

This is my everyday, neutral nail polish. 

 I love the grey and it has been a great basic through the winter.

Cane + Austin Retexturizing Treatment Pads

These pads are CRAZY!

They have erased 90% of my sunspots, not even joking.

For a girl who has LIVED in this sun, these are a miracle.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make Up Remover

The only eye makeup remover that has worked for me. 

 I cannot even tell you how many YEARS I have been using this.

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Spray Mousse

With hair as fine and thin as mine, you need SOMETHING to help it out. 

This root pump works great without making my hair greasy (another issue for fine, thin hair).

Indian Healing Clay

BEST MASK EVER!!!

Thanks to Delighted Momma I was introduced to this mask. 

Mixed with a little Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, this mask is INSANE. 

I cannot say enough about it.  It is my Sunday night ritual.

Kiehl's Lip Balm

Medicine Cabinet.  Nightstand.  Purse.  Desk.

I have this lip balm EVERYWHERE. 

 I am convinced my lips are addicted.

Interested in some of my other skincare and beauty must haves? 

Here are some previous posts on the topic!

Dr. Perricone Moisturizers

Eve Lom Cleanser and Clarisonic

L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes

Laura Mercier

Dr. Perricone High Potency Eye Lift

Perfect Combination

I thought to finish off this week I would share my absolute favorite skincare combination that I cannot live without.  They work in perfect unison and I absolutely notice a difference if I do not use them both.

Eve Lom Cleanser

This cleanser is magic in a jar.  It is a cleanser, toner and exfoliant all in one.  It comes with a muslin cloth to wipe it off and truly removes every trace of dirt and makeup on your face.  It leaves your skin feeling incredible.  I began using this back in November and have noticed a tremendous difference in the texture of my skin.  I was a little hesitant due to the price but now I swear by it.  I have friends who have also been using this and they love it as well.  It will forever be a staple.

CLARISONIC PLUS

BEST INVENTION EVER.  When I was pregnant with number 3, I started to really break out (I blame it on having a girl since they try to make you ugly the entire pregnancy).  Unfortunately there is nothing you can use on your skin so my dermatologist told me to invest in a Clarisonic.  Again, due to the price, I was hesitant but thought spending the money was better than looking like a 13 year old going through puberty.  I am so glad I made the investment.  It cleared my skin right up and two years later, I still use this religiously every morning and every night.

Two investments, two miracle workers.  You will not be disappointed.  

An Incredible Evening with SPACE.NK and Bloomingdale's

Wednesday night I hosted my first event at Bloomingdale's, South Coast Plaza.  It was a SPACE.NK event with a personal appearance and presentation by Nicky Kinnaird, the founder of SPACE.NK and skincare specialist.  The night was filled with champagne, appetizers, and skincare products.  What more could you ask for!  After the presentation Nicky and her team spent time with everyone there to really evaluate their skincare needs and direct them to products they would benefit from.  The entire team at Bloomingdale's and SPACE.NK were incredible and the night ended with many of us having a fabulous dinner at Charlie Palmer.  Girls Night at its best!

Bloomingdales General Manager, Jim Murphy, Me, and SPACE.NK Creator, Nicky Kinnaird

Some fabulous Juggling in Heels followers and Senior Editor at Orange Coast Magazine, Chris Christensen (bottom left on right)

Thank you Bloomingdale's, SPACE.NK, and Charlie Palmer for a fabulous evening!

Join me at Bloomingdale's for a Space NK Event!

As mentioned in numerous posts, I am a skincare addict.  So imagine my excitement when I was asked by Bloomingdale's, South Coast Plaza to host a master class by Nicky Kinnaird of Space NK!  Nicky is a skincare specialist known around the world for identifying only the highest quality of effective skincare products.  Beginning her career in London, she has now stretched across the pond with a number of apothecaries throughout the US and in select Bloomingdale's stores.  I am so excited to be a part of this event and hope you are able to attend!  Space is limited so make sure you RSVP soon as I don't want you to miss out!

See you at Bloomingdales!    

Guest Blogger: Delighted Momma

Hello readers of Juggling in Heels! My name is Lindsay and I am the author of Delighted Momma. Sarah has such a wonderful blog so when she asked me if I would share a skin care tip with all of you, of course I said yes!

This is me...

I am a licensed esthetician and two years ago I decided that working in a medical spa and selling products and services that were overpriced and not necessarily needed was not what I wanted to be doing with my career. I quit and opened up my own business.

My clients can always count on me to tell them little tips and tricks that WORK and will not break the bank.

Not everyone has the time or budget to fit in a facial so today I am going to show you how you can incorporate a little spa treatment at home.

Benefits of a kelp (seaweed) mask:

• It is super high in vitamins and minerals
• Helps tone and moisturize the skin
• Soothes inflamed skin
• Can help open up clogged pores
• Helps to remove toxins from the skin

What you will need:

• Kelp powder. You can find this at your local health food store in bulk.
  
• Aloe vera gel. I prefer to use aloe squeezed straight from the leaf to avoid any weird unnatural ingredients.
  
• Distilled water.
  

How to make your own seaweed mask:

• Mix 2 tablespoons of kelp powder with about 1 tablespoons of water. Mix until you have a paste.
• Add the juice from one aloe leaf.
• Mix everything together.
  
• Apply to face and leave on for about 15-20 minutes.
  
• Remove with warm water and pat your face dry. Follow up with a moisturizer.
  

Your skin will feel SO soft and refreshed!

Thank you SO much Sarah for having me over today!

I would love if you stopped by Delighted Momma to say hello!

One of My Favorites: Dr. Perricone Moisturizers

Face Moisturizers are a big deal to me.  This is for a number of reasons.

1. I have very sensitive skin

2. I have lived my life in the sun 

3. I do not need any additional fine lines than I already have

4. I HATE oily, thick lotions

After spending countless years testing different moisturizers, I have finally found two that I will never veer away from.  The first is Dr. Perricone Face Finishing Moisturizer

I absolutely love this.  It is lightweight, works amazing under makeup and has never made me breakout.  Not only that, it smooths fine lines and, I think, has made my skin look so much better.  Incredible.

Because I live in Orange County, sunscreen is also a HUGE deal around here.  I never leave the house without it on.  My go-to facial sunscreen is Dr. Perricone More than Moisture SPF 30.

It provides amazing daily protection, and just like the Face Finishing, is extremely lightweight and works incredibly well under my makeup.

Depending on the weather I will sometimes use both lotions, Face Finishing first, followed by the SPF.  On a typical day though, I will trade out the face finishing for the SPF to ensure I have protection all day long.

If you remember this post, you will have now probably guessed that I am a big Dr. Perricone fan.  If you are looking for a new skin care line, I highly recommend checking it out.  Each product I have added to me regimen continues to impress me.  You can find it all here.