Tag Archive for: Natural Beauty

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Meet Mariah K. Lyons: Crystal Healer, Reiki Master, Herbalist, Author and Designer

Tell us a little about yourself? 

I’m a Crystal Healer, Reiki Master, Herbalist, Author and Designer based in Los Angeles, CA. I grew up in the mountains in Utah, before moving to NY and LA to dance professionally. I transitioned from dance into fashion and then my passions of wellness and art became woven together when I launched my wellness footwear company ASTARA.

What is Crystal Healing, how does it work?

Minerals have the ability to hold a particular “tone” or vibrational frequency. And as quantum physics shows, everything in this universe is frequency and vibration. When we work with particular vibrations, they have the capability of balancing and harmonizing our own energies within our body, and this helps to create wellbeing within our energetic field and physical body.

What Crystals should we be using now?

Lepidolite – Oftentimes called the “Xanax of the mineral world,” it is high in lithium and helps to release stress and anxiety as well as calm “screen fatigue” or headaches from too much tech time!

Moonstone – This is the stone of new beginnings and helps us attune to energies of the lunar cycle, our own cycles of life and moving through transition and transformation into the next cycle.

Herkimer Diamond – A crown chakra stone with a very high frequency that helps us imagine and re-envision/visualize our new way of being so we can create that in our physical reality

Smoky Quartz – helps to keep one grounded in times of change and helps transmute and transform dense energies thought forms and ways of being into new expressions of being.

We are so excited about your new book, Crystal Healing for Women, can you share a bit about it?

Thank you! Yes! Crystal Healing for Women is the first crystal book written specifically to support the phases and changes that women go through throughout their life. It is a practical and thorough exploration into the world of crystal healing and has 50 crystal profiles along with 40 different rituals and meditations. The intention is for women to access their own innate natural healing abilities and reconnect with the elements of the earth for support along their exploration of self and self-care practices.

Where do you find inspiration for your incredible shoes, Astara?

ASTARA was born out of the desire to create a shoe that would keep the body connected to the healing frequency of the earth, but while still wearing a shoe. There is a grounding component that is embedded in the sole of the shoe that resonates at 7.83hz, which is the same frequency as the earth. This has been shown in many studies to help balance the body and help reduce inflammation and imbalances. Each shoe also has a different crystal as well for specific intentionality and purpose. I wanted my customers to feel empowered, grounded and centered when they wear their ASTARA’s and head out into the world as they walk and step with intention.

What have you been doing during quarantine? A trip you have taken? Any hobby started?

It’s actually been a very “full” time during quarantine with the book launching and ASTARA! I did manage to take a trip to Utah this summer to be in the mountains with my family and spent some in Mt. Shasta at one of my friend’s retreat spaces Guru Shasta which was so deeply nourishing. I also started taking guitar lessons which have been very fun and challenging in a new way!

Background on your phone?

I use my background on my phone as a sort of vision board of what I am currently creating in my life. I make a dream board with collected images, phrases and visions I have both personally and professionally and then take a photo and have it as a visual reminder of what I am stepping into and co-creating in my life.

What are your go-to daily beauty products, and why?

Skin: 

Ice Rolling: I have been ice rolling every morning which has been helping to reduce inflammation and any puffiness around my eyes and cheeks.

Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub: Not only are there microcrystals in this scrub, but I love how this scrub exfoliates without completely drying my skin. I always feel bright and luminous after using and following up with Fleuressence.

Goldfaden MD Plant Profusion Night Cream: I LOVE this night cream and have been wearing a bit during the day when my skin has been extra dry. It is the absolute perfect face cream and leaves my skin extra soft and hydrated.

Goldfaden MD Fleuressence Oil: I love how light yet potent it is. I wear it under my makeup and keeps my skin supple and dewy.

Make-Up:

Iris + Romeo “Best Skin Days” is my favorite all in one as it has sunscreen as well as minerals and ingredients that are supportive of combatting blue-light from screens. My skin is extra sensitive and I’ve used this for about a year now and it is my absolute favorite.

Ilia Cheek to Cheek: Perfect clean multi-stick that is great for both cheek stain and a lip. I’m very low maintenance when it comes to make-up so all for multiple applications on products.

Is clean beauty important to you?

I’ve been using clean beauty products for years. I switched over about 10 years ago when I was having autoimmune issues and learned that so many of my beauty products had chemicals and certain ingredients that were adding to my toxic load as well as disrupting my hormones. And energetically, clean products just feel better!

How do you de-stress?

Being in nature, swimming in the ocean, hiking, dancing, breathwork or taking a bath.

Favorite mood-boosting meal?

I love breakfast. I actually just always get very excited to eat so I love a morning smoothie or almond butter and banana gluten-free toast with a matcha latte. I also could eat a bowl of delicious spicy veggie curry with quinoa any time of day (or squash tacos) every day of the week.

What is your daily mantra?

“Ground in.” I can be very vata and living in a city can be quite un-grounding, so I’m constantly bringing myself back to the present moment, in my body, and reminding myself to breathe, ground in and anchor. It helps me to stay fully embodied and not get overstimulated by other people’s energy or situational stress.

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Fall skincare routine: a holistic approach to skin health and wellness

As fall approaches, our beauty regimen and routine might involve some changes. Whether you have spent your summer days under the beaming sun tanning or packing your skin with Vitamin-C infused serums, your glowing complexion can transition into the fall season. Sometimes adopting a minimalist approach toward skincare can reap more benefits than adding a load of beauty products. But also, you need to change your lifestyle to reclaim your skin’s natural health. Many beauty specialists swear by the “less is more” motto and embracing a sustainable skincare regimen leads to lasting results.

Colder temperatures call for a switch in our beauty habits. From the things we consume to the time we go to sleep, our daily habits influence our health. A natural beauty routine is the right solution for treating long-term skin issues. Here are the best tips to refresh your skincare in 2020.

Win at sleep

Put a halt to sleep deprivation and set up a bed schedule. Your body has a natural sleep cycle and a regular sleep schedule can help your skin restore its natural beauty. To get you in a sleeping mode, ban electronics two hours before bed and avoid fatty foods before hitting the sack. Instead, eat almonds which help boost sleep quality and use a silk mask to help you fall asleep faster.

Moisturize and protect your skin from sun damage

We recommend using a heavier cream like ​Goldfaden’s Wake Up Call​ for a night treatment while resting. This cream targets dry and aging skin while smoothing fine lines. Dermatologist and skin expert, Dr. Alicia Barba says “If you suffer from dry skin, avoid hot showers and choose a lurk warm temperature which prevents stripping away our skin’s natural moisture.” Also, always use sunscreen even if it’s cloudy outside. UV rays can still harm your skin during colder months.

Freshen up your skincare routine

Tailor your skincare regimen according to your lifestyle. When it comes to skin detoxing, more is not always better. A mistake most people make is over-exfoliating their skin. Too much exfoliation can strip the skin from its natural oil. ​Goldfaden’s Fresh A Peel​ contains lactic acid and multi-fruit enzymes to balance your skin tone and reduce the appearance of lines and pores. A monthly hydration treatment can also help boost your skin glow. In addition, choose a water-based cleanser like gel or foam, which help remove dead skin cells.

Apply hyaluronic acid

A hyaluronic acid serum helps restore the skin’s moisture barrier while providing more glow. Is important to always layer your serum with a water-based moisturizer to protect the skin’s microbiome.

Use probiotic-based formulas

Probiotics are the answer to target skin issues such as eczema, breakouts and psoriasis. These microorganisms serve as a shield to environmental factors while protecting your skin from bad bacteria.

Try a supergreen diet

A healthier diet is key to battling acne, reduce inflammation and boost your immunity for healthy skin. Reclaim your skin health with power foods such as tomatoes, pumpkin and broccoli. After all, you are what you eat and your meal’s composition can be the solution for cleaner skin. Research conducted by the ​American Journal of Clinical Dermatology​ has proven how diet plays a role in our lives and concluded a correlation between acne and dairy. Choose milk alternatives such as oat milk or soy, and replace cheese for a free-lactose option.

Invest in a blue light device

The FDA has proven blue light therapy to be effective for acne treatment. Blue light devices help target acne-causing bacteria by drying the oil that causes the germs. This is a non-invasive treatment you can try at home while saving money on the dermatologist.

Movement is key

Aside from exercising daily, it is important we move our facial muscles too. Imagine working out your face muscles every day? It boosts your collagen production and your muscles will get more toned. To improve your skin’s sculpture, massage your face with circular motions or use a lymphatic massage roller to boost skin cells.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Jannely Espinal is a curious writer and editor demystifying beauty myths. She has a penchant for fashion history and cultural beauty practices. Recently, she conducted interviews with skincare specialists and celebrities for HOLA! USA, as well as spearheading the lifestyle vertical. Throughout her career, she has attended Milan and New York Fashion Week while unveiling several celebrities’ beauty tips, including Romee Strijd and Patrick Ta. Her mission is to change the narrative on skincare issues and help her readers understand health, wellness and beauty as a whole.

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Real Clinical, Radiant Results with Heather Lilleston

Name: Heather Lilleston
Location: Venice, California
Age: 38

Tell us a little about yourself…
Spent half my life in New York City and half my life in California. I have been teaching yoga since 2003, run a travel yoga company called YOGA FOR BAD PEOPLE (www.yogaforbadpeople.com) leading yoga retreats and trainings around the world, and am in my second year pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. To learn more: heatherlilleston.com.

What are your bodycare goals?  
My body care goals are to feel good in my skin – this means staying hydrated and moisturized, spending time exercising in nature (circulation is so key to happiness, health and being able to think clearly and feel good in your body), to have a good balance of fun and discipline, and to be able to spend a lot of time in the sun without totally destroying my skin. I want to make sure that the products I use on my body are made with – and sold in – environmentally considerate products and packaging, and don’t contribute to the burden of chemicals and toxins eating away at the harmony of our planet. I also want to spend the least amount of time possible on skincare and what I “look like”; it’s so important for me to have an efficient and realistic daily routine.

Do you have any specific body skin concerns? I have very dry skin and have to monitor my beauty marks with all the time I spend in the sun, but other than that, my skin situation is pretty simple. I take daily showers and moisturize at least twice daily, but really don’t encounter much difficulty besides sun damage.

What do you look for when creating a bodycare routine? Something environmentally conscious, smells good (not too perfumey) and fast and easy. I don’t like to worry about too many steps. I like products that smell good and are healing and made from natural ingredients – I can’t stand products that have such a strong scent they take over the room.

First thoughts when trying the Bodycare Regimen
1st week …I love the products so far. They are essentially unscented and feel gentle on the body. I love how small the scrubs are and nothing is too thick or oily, even though it is moisturizing. So far, so good!
2nd week… I am enjoying getting into the routine of scrubbing. Especially during the California fires where the air has been so thick and intense, it’s been key to come home and scrub and then moisturize and firm.
3rd week… My skin feels really soft after the scrub and the firming lotion has gotten me into a routine of making sure to rub lotion into the skin using an upwards motion. I never considered that before, but I think it’s making a difference. I am happy I have chosen to collaborate with Goldfadden and really respect this trial period with the product. I definitely would recommend it to friends. I have never really committed to scrubs before but I look forward to using the lightness of the Goldfadden scrubs.

Is clean beauty something that you feel passionate about? Absolutely! The beauty industry needs much improvement in terms of environmental standards and accessibility to all people regardless of economic status. Making organic, non toxic products available and standard, removing chemicals and toxins lotions, sunscreens, and makeup and anything that isn’t of medical-grade – everyday products – should be environmentally sound and affordable. FDA regulations can set the standards for that, but also individual companies can change their ingredients – as well as evolve packaging from plastics – this is vital and necessary. I love how proud I can be when products are 100% environmentally sound.

What else do you feel passionate about?
Social justice, a radical shift in America away from corporate-run governments and back to a truer democracy, environmental issues, revamping the entire education system in our country, the importance of taking many of the funds used for policing and reverting them to other programs that better reflect the actual help that is needed for the majority of police calls, and ending homelessness. It is time for massive change in the United States – our entire country needs healing. COVID made all our issues obvious. Now we have to deal with them. I think our generation got apathetic about justice issues and politics and now we are realizing politics aren’t just for politicians. We have a massive amount of catch up to do – especially white people regarding facing and being honest about the reality of racism in America – and I feel a sense of urgency in our catch up. Especially with the election not that far away. I am passionate about being fearless about this. The time is now.

Best advice you’ve ever received in regards to caring for your body? Rest is just as important as effort in working out and doing a lot. Chewing your food and drinking more water than you think you need. Getting yourself into nature and spending time alone too. Your body is a reflection of your emotional and psychological states, so this comes into play as well. You have to take care of your heart, and sometimes this means solo time and sometimes this means making more effort to connect to your community and support systems, playing and dancing, and leaving some space to be spontaneous – all of these are so key.

How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day? I make sure that anything I am involved in I believe in – reflects my values and passions – and is never just for money. Also, balance. Taking a moment to walk around the block or lay down with your legs up the wall, standing up and listening to a song and walking into the other room – all of this is important to go back to the drawing board and meet the task at hand. Oh, and odd elixirs – like homemade hibiscus iced tea mixed with sparkling water and a dash of apple cider vinegar  – with ice – this gets me going.

What are some of your favorite foods that keep your skin healthy?
Spirulina, Avocado, Passion Fruit, Apple Cider vinegar mixed with sparkling water and an iced tea or fruit juice, dandelion greens, chlorella tablets, lemon water, and let’s not forget the most important – STRAIGHT UP WATER!

What’s on your WFH playlist?
The albums I can listen to and still get work done are:
The Ethiopiques, vol. 21 and vol. 4 collection
All Melody by Nils Frahm
Sous la direction de Traore Keletigui, vol. 1 by Orchestre Paillote
Angel’s Rest by East Forest
Devi Prayer by Craig Pruess
Talking Timbuktu by Al Farka Toure with Ry Cooder
The Best of Caetano Veloso
Horizon Unlimited by Lijadu Sisters

Fill in the blank:     Spending time alone     is underrated.
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