Facial Massage

At 46 years old, I'm all about aging gracefully. I've never had any "work done"...not even botox which is quite common today.

With that said...aging, wrinkles and sagging skin is the pits. I'm always looking for ways to look and feel beautiful in a natural and safe way and sharing things I've found that I love.

Lately I've learned more about Facial Massage and I'm a fan...

The face is full of nerves and pressure points and is a great way to pamper yourself...while benefiting your skin. Facial massage is not a new thing. It's been used in Chinese medicine for a very long time...

Here's some benefits of Facial Massage:

We know how important excercise is for our body. Think of it like exercise for your face. 

• It increases circulation by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the face which is like a "natural face lift".
• It helps your face products absorb better and deeper into skin so they can work even better.
• Relieves tension in the face...tension that can lead to more wrinkles.
• You'll look younger because the massage stimulates blood flow, which increases collagen and over time will help you have more youthful, glowing, firmer skin.
• Reduces puffiness by helping to move and redistrubute fluid and subcutaneous fat that can settle.
• Reduce stress and anxiety by relieving that facial tension.
• Helps congestion, allergies, even headaches, by releasing sinus pressure that can build up.
• Detoxes the body by stimulating the lymphatic system to release toxins (get those areas along the jawline especially).
• It FEELS GOOD. A great way to do something for YOU daily that's healthy!

When I first started facial massage I was surprised how much that the area around my eyebrows was painful when I massaged there...like it was sore. This really made me realize just how much tension I was holding there. Over time, that pain has gone away because I'm releasing that tension on a regular basis. I love that.

Facial massage can be done during a facial by a professional but there are ways you can easily bring the benefits of into your home by easily doing it yourself.

You can use your fingers to perform a facial massage on yourself, but I've found a couple of tools that I use and love...

Tools I use for at-home Facial Massage:

• Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift 2-in-1 Cleansing and Micro-Firming Massage Device - This Massage Head smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles, boosts the absorption of your daily skincare products, and with 27,000 micro-firming massages per use, delivers a pleasurable ‘spa-like experience. I love this...I even give my husband facial massage treatments and he LOVES IT. Don't tell him I told you that;)
• Jade Roller - the above device is my favorite but this is a less expensive option that I work into my facial massage routine too. The guys from Queer Eye For the Straight Guy recently talked about this...so you know it works because those guys know the best beauty tricks! Jade is naturally cooling. Just make sure you get one made with real Jade like this one I've linked. Oh and don't drop it because it will break.
• Ice Roller - I don't use this as much as the other two tools above, but when I'm feeling extra "puffy" and I need it...I'm glad I have it. I keep it in the freezer all the time and once in a while I roll my face and neck in upward strokes with this super cold roller that totally stimulates my skin and wakes it up! When I do use it, I use this one first with no product, then apply Face Oil or Serum, and follow with one of the above. Extra tip....this ice roller can be used on your body too, for example when I've had shin splints from running, I'll ice my shins and it works great! Also great for headaches. Here's what it looks like....

Products I use for at-home Facial Massage:

You don't want to use facial massage just with dry skin. First of all you don't want to tug on skin...you want the massager to glide on skin easily. Second massage allows products to absorb deeper into skin and work better, so I choose safe, high performing products that are like "nutrition" for my skin...

• Beautycounter Face Oils - Don't be afraid of face oils....especially these face oils. I think of them as "liquid gold".  They're on BC's "Best of Beautycounter" customer-voted list and won Allure's "Best of Beauty" Award in 2017.  Since discovering these face oils I will never be without them. They aren't synthetic like many face oils on the market, so they don't sit on top of skin, make you break out, or make you feel greasy...they absorb and moisturize beautifully. This is my go-to product whenever using my Clarisonic Massage Head.
• Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum - This is a super concentrated serum that bio-mimics your skin to give it exactly what it needs and nothing it doesn't. This one absorbs a little bit quicker than the Face Oil, so I use this with my Jade Roller, but doesn't work as well with the Clarisonic.

How to:

Apply product to face and then use your tool of choice in upward, outward strokes all over your face. When using the jade roller, I use it until it no longer feels cool on my face which is a couple of minutes. When I use the Clarisonic, I use it a bit longer...about 3-5 minutes. I try to use facial massage daily, but at least 3 times a week. Many times I do it right upon waking before I even go to the kitchen or have coffee. It makes my skin feel awake, alive, and hydrated. Starting the day like this is a great pick-me-up!

If you want to see me demonstrating both tools and products on video, head over to my Instagram @happywifestyle Story Highlights under "Beauty" and you can see them in action!

Enjoy, let me know your thoughts and if you give Facial Massage a try. If you need any help with which number Face Oil is right for your skin, #1 Brightening + Vitamin C, #2 Plumping/Hydrating + Jasmine, or #3 Balancing w/ Ylang Ylang, I'm happy to help!

Meet Beautycounter+

Beautycounter+ launched recently which may be the most exciting thing to happen to this company yet.... 

What's new?  Xavier Ormancey is the new head of product development and had a big hand in bringing Beautycounter+ to life.  He came to Beautycounter from Paris after spending over 20 years with Chanel, Loreal, and Roche Posay.  With his experience for developing luxurious products that perform, and Beautycounter's Never List... Beautycounter Plus was born!

So what is this brand new line of products all about and how do you use them?

This is a collection of targeted treatments formulated with safer ingredients to enhance your daily skincare routine.  Here are the 3 new collections (9 products total):

1.  BRIGHTENING COLLECTION + VITAMIN C

Infused with antioxidant-rich Vitamin C to awaken dull skin, this Beautycounter+ collection helps reduce the appearance of age spots for a brighter, more radiant complexion.  This collection offers THREE never before seen products.  This citrus-scented Brightening Face Oil has 7 natural oils including omega-rich marula oil for intense hydration, avocado oil which is rich in vitamins A, B, D and E for intense moisture, and black currant oil which is rich in anti-inflammatory omegas 3 & 6.  Vitamin C brightens and evens skin tone, The Brightening Face Mist has Vitamin C that helps reduce the appearance of age spots while lime pearl extract gently promotes a brighter complexion. Kakadu Plum is rich in vitamin C and this powerful antioxidant in the mist that helps boost luminosity and refine the skin’s surface.  This nutrient-rich white Brightening Facial Mask instantly revives skin.  Polishing kaolin clay deeply cleanses and revitalizes while vitamin C helps minimize dark spots for a more even complexion and radiant glow.

2.  PLUMPING COLLECTION + PEONY

Formulated with powerful peony and jasmine, this Beautycounter+ collection restores and firms moisture-depleted skin.  This line is designed to give skin a more toned look and youthful appearance.  The Plumping Facial Mask has deep cleansing kaolin clay, peony root extract which helps plump skin and restore elasticity, konjac root smooths the appearance of fine lines by absorbing water in skin for a firmer appearance, and rye seed to improve skin structure and soften expression lines.  This alcohol free Plumping Face Mist has peony root extract which helps to plump skin, rye seed to minimize the appearance of fine lines and apple fruit extract which has astringent properties to help tighten and lift the skin. This Plumping Face Oil in this collection has 7 natural oils including jasmine oil helps which boosts hydration with a subtle floral scent, and argan oil which helps minimize the appearance of fine lines. This oil was previously known as "Hydrating" in the regular Beautycounter collection. 

3.  BALANCING COLLECTION + CHARCOAL

Infused with activated charcoal and ylang ylang, this Beautycounter+ collection gently refines oily, uneven skin.  This nutrient-rich kaolin clay Balancing Facial Mask purifies and balances, absorbing excess oil and drawing out impurities. Activated charcoal powder minimizes the appearance of pores, giving skin a smooth, polished appearance while salicylic acid stimulates exfoliation.  It also contains lactic acid which gently exfoliates and smooths skin’s surface. This alcohol free Balancing Face Mist is like no other product EVER.  It has charcoal powder which is highly absorbent and rich in natural minerals to help balance and purify skin, kaolin which is a soft clay that effectively absorbs excess oil, and wild rose extract which is rich in vitamins A and C, and also helps reduce redness.  This lightweight Balancing Face Oil is a blend of seven natural oils that moisturizes, smooths, and helps even skin tone.  It has softening meadowfoam seed oil which restores balance, while wild chamomile calms and soothes skin.  This mask is previously known as "charcoal mask" in the regular Beautycounter collection and this Face Oil is previously known as "Balancing" in the regular Beautycounter collection.

I have tried this ENTIRE line and I AM IMPRESSED.  It is absolutely luxurious.  These products smell amazing.  The mists are so fine and even when applied.  These new masks are EVERYTHING.  The Face Oils have always been my "liquid gold" and now having one with Vitamin C is making me do my happy dance.

Tips for use:  These Facial Masks can be used as needed 2-3 times per week.  The Face Oils can be used daily alone or under moisturizer.  The Face Mists can be used daily to prep skin, set makeup, and refresh skin throughout the day. You can "multi mask" too (see pic below) which means use the Plumping Mask on cheeks to plump...and the Charcoal Mask on t-zone to absorb excess oil, for example.  You can taylor them to your needs!

The ultimate Multi-Tasking is "Multi-Masking"!  I used the #1 Brightening + Vitamin C on my entire face to treat dark spots and #3 Balancing + Charcoal on my T-Zone to shrink pore size!  

Who's ready for a girl's day with MASKS, MISTS, and MIMOSAS?  Click here to shop:

Why are these products SAFER?

----> Our Facial Oils has passed Beautycounter’s Ingredient Selection Process. They are formulated without synthetic or mineral oils.

----> Our Facial Mists have passed Beautycounter’s Ingredient Selection Process.  They are formulated without silicones or sulfates.

----> Our Facial Masks have passed Beautycounter’s Ingredient Selection Process. They are formulated without artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances.

MINI SPA SETS ARE HERE TOO...

JOIN MY "Happy WifeStyle Beauty" FACEBOOK GROUP NOW to get in on a super fun community that's all about aging gracefully, living clean, and all things beauty!  Use this link to Join:  http://bit.ly/JoinHWSBeauty or click the link below.

Is Dulse the Next Superfood?

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You may start to hear the buzz around the mineral-rich "red seaweed" called Dulse.  It's not new as it's been around as a food and medicine for centuries...but is slowly becoming all the rage in the U.S. because of it's amazing health benefits and superfood qualities.

The whole flake form is said to have a palatable, chewy texture with a smokey, umami flavor that some are comparing to bacon!  Whaaaaa?  If I ever come across it in stores, I'll have to give it a taste and maybe add it to a soup!  Yum.  It also comes in a powder form that you can use as a spice or a replacement for salt.

Dulse contains Vitamin C and the carotenoid antioxidants, like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, all of which are known to be great for healthy eyesight, reducing free radical damage in the body and decreasing the risk of some chronic diseases.

Dulse can be a natural way to supplement the diet with iodine. I find it interesting that many are saying that this may be helpful for those with hypothyroidism, a condition that is becoming more and more prevalent in today's world because of low dietary iodine consumption and absorption.  I know so many people personally who suffer with hypothyroidism, so it caught my attention.

Here's what organicfacts.net is saying about dulse...

Some of the most important health benefits of dulse include its ability to improve vision, protect the immune system, build bone health, improve the thyroid gland, increase growth and repair, optimize the gastrointestinal system, lower blood pressure, strengthen the brain and nervous system, and boost circulation.

To read the full article, click HERE

Can adding dulse to your diet make you more healthy....and more BEAUTIFUL??

When I chose the ingredients for my Anti-Aging Drink, I chose them carefully.  Sure, it's easy to see why I chose the collagen and the antioxidants....but did you realize that the Greens Blend that is in it has a very good reason for being there.  It contains DULSE.  That's also the reason I recommend my Anti-Aging Drink in my Beauty Detox Program as an option.

Because seaweed polysaccharides work to detoxify the liver, the cleansing actions they provide naturally help to encourage healthy looking skin.  Pretty cool, huh?

I'm a fan of aging gracefully in a healthy way...and adding dulse to my diet seems like it's doing double duty in HEALTH and BEAUTY!  

You can check out how I'm adding this super-duper superfood into my daily routine by checking out my Anti-Aging Drink recipe HERE and the delicious Greens Blend that has the dulse in it, along with tons of other nutrients, HERE.  

-Photo from Pinterest/Food Matters

P.S.  When you purchase the Greens Blend, you get my entire Beauty Detox program for FREE!!

-Top photo courtesy of Superfoods for Superhealth

My Anti-Aging Drink

We all wish we could find the Fountain of Youth, right?  I've always taken pretty good care of myself.  That...mixed with good genes, has kept me looking more youthful than I actually am.  I'm all about anti-aging because I believe in aging gracefully and don't plan to have cosmetic surgery anytime soon.  ...by that I mean ever.

I'm a "healthy food first....supplement as needed" kind of gal, but there is a drink that I concocted myself as my insurance for healthy skin and anti-aging that I drink every day.  It's my own Fountain of Youth that I drink to combat aging and ensure my skin stays as youthful looking as possible.  

Whenever people hear my actual age, which is 44 by the way, they are usually surprised and I want to keep it that way.  I know what supplements I need to keep my skin looking young and combat those pesky signs of aging.  I learned a lot about this when I became Nutritious Life Certified.  I know that some of the ingredients that can help me keep my youthful appearance, my body doesn't make, so I need to get them from outside sources.  This drink ensures I get them every day!  I'm a stickler about ingredients though....so it took some research to find reputable sources.  I found the best resources for each of these ingredients for you.  I've done the research so you don't have to.  Just drink up and know you're getting quality with no sugar, chemicals or additives.

These are my "fountain of youth" must-have ingredients and why they're important:

1. Antioxidants:  By now you probably know that antioxidants are important for anti-aging because they fight free radicals in our bodies.  It was important to me to find a supplement with a very high ORAC value with healthy ingredients with no added chemicals or sugar.
2. Minerals:  Americans are deficient in minerals due to our soils being depleted.  We need minerals.  Vitamins cannot work properly without them and they are absolutely vital to maintain our mental and physical well being.  They help keep the blood and tissue fluids alkaline, help transport nutrients to cells, and help prevent bone loss.  Since the body cannot manufacture minerals, they must come from our diet.  It was important to me to find a source that I trusted, without any chemicals, added junk, or sugar.  I did my research and found an excellent source from 100% sea vegetables (versus minerals derived from rocks) that tastes amazing without anything artificial.
3. Collagen:  This is all the rage, with good reason.  Collagen is kinda the key to the "fountain of youth" that promotes youthful looking skin, healthy hair and strong nails .  It also supports bone health, healthy joints, and can help maintain weight.  The one I found even promotes healthy immune, digestive, and central nervous systems.  It was important to me to find a high quality grass-fed, non-GMO, pure source.  The one I found is all of those things and completely tasteless.
4. Greens:  This is where it can get tricky, because when you start looking for a truly healthy greens blend...you usually lose good taste.  I found organic raw greens that are grown in glacial soil and cut at peak harvest before the jointing stage, so you get the best quality greens. They are raw, so they retain more nutrients than cooked greens. This formula I found adds a certified organic blend of reishi, maitake, and shitake mushrooms to provide a vegetarian source of iron and B vitamins, and also a great source of phytonutrients and antioxidants.  It also contains Dulse, which is the new hot superfood!  What's the best part?  It tastes amazing, so it leaves you smiling...rather than gagging.  This has a delicious-yet-subtle berry flavor, silky smooth texture, and leaves no "grassy" aftertaste. 
5. Lemon Juice:  Drinking fresh squeezed lemon juice brings a healthy glow to the skin.  Lemon juice benefits the enzyme functions in your body, stimulating the liver and flushing out toxins.  It's great for detox, digestion, and the Vitamin C, which our bodies don't produce on our own so we have to get it from outside sources.  Vitamin C helps the body produce it's own collagen.  Great news all around....we need collagen to combat those wrinkles ladies!  Lemon juice is simply FAB for aging and health.

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Here's how to make my Anti-Aging Drink

Ingredients:

• 16 oz water
• 1 scoop Collagen Peptides
• 1 scoop Greens Blend
• 1 scoop Minerals & Antioxidants
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• a couple of ice cubes - if you like it chilled a bit, I do ;)

Place all ingredients in a Blender Bottle or "shaker" with a blender ball and shake well.  Perfect for mornings on the go, or you can pour into a pretty glass and enjoy leisurely.  I recommend using a good quality Blender Bottle with a metal blender ball.  I like this one.  They work better and will last longer.

Note:  Yes, you must use the exact ingredients in my recipe for it to taste good....and ensure it's non-GMO, chemical-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, and soy-free.

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By the look of this dark green drink, it may scare some of you who have tried healthy greens drinks in the past.... because you may recall the nasty taste you had to choke down.  I sure had.  Nasty tasting drinks don't last long.  I get it.  No matter how good it is for you, in time it will sit on the shelf and collect dust because it's, well...it doesn't taste good.

I've got great news for you!  This combination tastes SO good.  I actually look forward to it because it tastes so delicious.

I hope you give it a try and enjoy!  Let me know!  Here's to aging gracefully.

Here's what people are saying about my anti-aging drink recipe:  'Hey Shannon!  I received the products a few days ago and have been using them to make that green drink you posted on Instagram - it is SOO good and I love that it is filled with so many healthy things! I have also noticed an improvement in my skin tone - my mother in law complimented me on it! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe and these products on instagram ;)'  -Erin

P.S.  When you purchase the ingredients for my Anti-Aging Drink... I'll give you my entire BEAUTY DETOX Program for FREE!