With Christmas being only a few days away, my goal was to try and get everything wrapped up today so I could enjoy a peaceful, fun weekend with my family. Tomorrow is my husband’s annual work holiday party – something I look forward to every year. I love any chance to get gussied up and enjoy a fun night out. Some years, we go as a family with our children, and other years not. This year, we’ve decided to voluntarily relinquish parental duties for several hours and leave the boys in the trusted hands of grandparents. I know they will have a fun night filled with plenty of Chic-Fil-A, gingerbread house making, and Netflix holiday movies!
When I finally got a moment amidst the last minute duties today, I saw something online that made me laugh. The post read, “I’m just saying that Santa gets all the credit, but you just know that Mrs. Clause is losing her ever-loving mind to get things done and is probably threatening to cancel Christmas!” Now, I would never threaten to cancel Christmas, but the holidays can really be a whirlwind! At the busiest time of the year when moms everywhere are tired and stressed, there is also some expectation to forgo the yoga pants, dab some concealer on tired eyes, and show up to holiday parties and social functions looking halfway decent – a fun, but sometimes difficult task all at the same time!
The truth is that we all could use little “pick-me-ups” this time of year. I decided to write a fun post about some products that I have found to be beneficial in the beauty department this holiday season. I like to mix in a little “beauty talk” from time to time, because health and beauty are so closely linked. When we feel like we look good, we start to feel good on the inside too. Small things can work wonders to help your outlook, general well-being, and self-confidence. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, I’ve compiled a short list below of affordable products that can help you feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the holiday season.
Note: I do not receive endorsements of any kind for branded products. Please consult your physician for any skin, dental, or health-related issues.
Yogi Soothing Rose Hibiscus Skin Detox Tea: I haven’t found substantive evidence that claims drinking any of the ingredients listed in this tea can give you glowing skin, but some small studies show positive benefits – including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects – of rose petals and dandelion. Many of the other ingredients confer their own health benefit aside from skin care. Glowing skin or not, the tea is so delicious in a different, floral-type of way that I can’t help but drink a cup in place of coffee or regular tea.
This product is classified as a green tea, so it does contain some caffeine; however, not as much as an equal volume cup of coffee. It may not give you the “jolt” you’re looking for, but it is a healthy alternative to sugary energy drinks or artificially flavored beverages. I like to use a tablespoonful of honey mixed in for sweetness. The smell is wonderful, and the afternoon tea break is something I look forward to amidst a busy day.
Sio Under Eye Patches: You may have seen advertisements for these patches online or on television. I am very self-conscious about the area under my eyes. I try to blame my dark circles on the sleepless nights of motherhood, however I know that no matter how much sleep I get, I am genetically prone to my shadows. I also forget to wear sunglasses much of the time, so the wrinkles due to squinting have been setting in. These patches do not contain any active ingredients; they do, however, consist of medical grade silicone. Many doctors and clinicians use silicone to help with healing of scars and burned skin. Silicone is occlusive – a barrier of sorts – but also allows skin to breathe. Sio patches claim that moisture is drawn from the lower layers of skin to outer layers, causing the skin to plump and hydrate itself. The product also claims that collagen production is bolstered.
The key is giving enough time for these patches to work. The manufacturer claims wearing them overnight is best, but 4 hours is sufficient. Cosmetic procedures at the doctor’s office aren’t for me at this time, but I do advocate proper skin care for maintenance and prevention. I have found these patches to be a great way to try and feel refreshed and rejuvenated without any pain, harmful ingredients, or side effects.
MyKind Organics Women’s Daily Gummy Vitamins: I actually do not believe that multivitamin supplementation is for everyone. I discuss vitamin supplementation and excessive use of supplements in general in this post. I do, however, feel that women of childbearing age take a multivitamin if only for the folic acid supplementation. I like this brand of vitamins, because it uses whole fruits and vegetables as ingredients. I also advocate vitamin D3 supplementation this time of year, and these vitamins contain 800 IU, an acceptable dosing for most women. Vitamin D can help with immunity, bone health, and mental well-being – all important considerations for this time of year.
Lumineux Oral Essentials Teeth Whitening Strips: I have been searching for a gentler way to keep my teeth healthy and white aside from conventional bleaching. I struggle with tooth sensitivity and have found traditional teeth whitening to worsen this. These particular white strips contain dead sea salt, lemon balm, and other natural ingredients to remove stains safely and naturally. I do not use whitening products on a regular basis, but I do like to use them before an important event. I may never have a celebrity smile, but I am okay with these results!
Lemons: As silly as it seems, I love everything about lemons – their scent, freshness, and vast ability to be used in a variety of food, home décor, and beauty preparations alike. It is because of the latter ability that I find it beneficial to always keep a few lemons on hand. If I am feeling very tired or have been too indulgent with food and/or drink, I find that a cup of hot water with fresh lemon is helpful, if only for the placebo effect. Drinking lemon water may be just a small, healthful act, but it does help to get me going again. I also like to use lemon in a homemade face mask consisting of plain yogurt, honey, and lemon. Lemon juice has antibacterial and astringent properties which are great for skin clarity and toning.
Fresh lemon juice can be used in teas and dinner preparations, as well. Lemons contain vitamin C, which is important to consume during cold and flu season. Whatever your intentions may be, just the pure scent of the almighty lemon may be the cheapest, quickest pick-me-up of all time.
The holiday season can be a fun, but also stressful time. Nearly everyone could use some sort of pick-me-up this time of year to look and feel refreshed. The small things you do for your health and confidence can help you from feeling overwhelmed and stressed when things get rough. Thank you so much for reading this lighthearted post. I hope everyone has a very happy and healthy holiday season with loved ones!
