Goldenudeofficial blog

Summer Beauty Hacks You Need to Know

1:08 PM

Nothing says summer quite like sweating profusely in record-breaking high temps. To help you beat the sweltering heat, we’ve pieced together a no-sweat survival guide that answers, explores, and solves every issue you might encounter this summer.

Tired of the heat getting in the way of your beauty game? We hear you. That’s why we’re sharing our favorite summer beauty hacks to keep you looking calm and cool, no matter how high the temperatures get. While some of these might seem a bit strange, like, say, ditching your mascara for a glob of Vaseline (don’t knock it until you try it), they’re all surefire ways to sweat-proof your look. Check them out below:

1. Tame Frizz with a Toothbrush

When dealing with pesky flyaways, turn to this pro secret: a toothbrush spritzed with hairspray. Gently run it along the hairline, part, and above the ears to smooth stray hairs back into place.

2. Trade Your Mascara for Vaseline

Seriously. Coat your lashes with the drugstore staple before working out or hanging by the pool. You’ll achieve a thick, voluminous effect without the fear of looking like a raccoon.

3. Use a Toilet Seat Cover as Blotting Paper

We’ll admit this one seems a bit icky, but a toilet seat cover can combat shiny skin in a pinch. Take a clean sheet and pat it over your face to instantly soak up excess oil.

4. When in Doubt, Sprinkle Baby Powder

This fresh-smelling powder isn’t just for the little ones. It doubles as dry shampoo for greasy hair, defends against chafing, and magically removes sand from the skin (needless to say, we’ve been stashing a bottle in our beach bags).

5. Only Wash the Front of Your Hair

Want to salvage a sweaty hairstyle? Gather your strands into a low ponytail, leaving out the front pieces around your face. Wash this section with shampoo and conditioner and go over it with a blow-dryer for a quick polished look.

6. Prep with Milk of Magnesia

As strange as it sounds, you can avoid a makeup meltdown by using Milk of Magnesia as a primer for oily skin. Apply it after moisturizer and before foundation to maintain a complexion that’s matte and smooth.

7. Swap Your Powder Blush for Cream

On a sweltering day, powders can cake up and crumble, which is why we suggest getting acquainted with a cream-based formula. Use your fingers to blend along the apples of your cheeks to achieve a soft, dewy glow minus the greasy feel.

8. Use Deodorant to Sweat-Proof Your Blowout

Besides blocking sweat and odor from your underarms, a swipe of antiperspirant on the back of your neck will keep you feeling cool while preventing freshly-styled strands from sticking to your skin.

blushwithoutbrush

Oils? Yes Please!

1:16 AM

There are 4 big reasons why we're obsessed with face oils:

Truth 1: You can fight oil with oil! Applying oil to already oily skin can help manage pore-clogging sebum.
Truth 2: Curb signs of aging with oil. Oils smoothly deliver powerful antioxidants and other anti aging ingredients to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Truth 3: Glow, not grease with oil! Oil deliver moisture, boost radiance, and give skin that lit-from-within warmth.
Truth 4: Cleansing with oil is awesome. Washing with cleansing oil is one of the most delicate but effective ways to remove makeup and impurities from your skin. Don’t believe this? Refer to our previous post about oil cleansing down below!

Because of its greasy nature, oil is the black sheep of the beauty world. But just as there are good oils for your diet, the right natural oils can keep your skin moisturized, smooth, and glowing — and even fight breakouts — without any slimy residue. Don’t take it from us, take it from the skincare experts. Stroll through any beauty aisle and you'll spot skin, hair, and nail products made with— or created entirely from—naturally derived essential oils. Experts love 'em for their healing powers, and we're fans of how lightweight, yet hard working they are. (Not to mention how customized they can be to help battle your biggest issues based on skin type.) Not sure where to start? These are the best ones to look for on store shelves.

Argan Oil

Best for: Fine lines, dry skin, and dry hair

Argan oil is surrounded by more hype than anything, really. Extracted from the kernels found in the fruit of Moroccan argan trees, argan oil has high levels of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. While it first claimed fame as a savior for dry, damaged hair, the oil also works wonders on the face and body. The fatty acids help our skin cells make healthy membranes, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy collagen.

Avocado Oil

Best for: Dry, sensitive, or irritated skin

This oil is high in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which helps proper cell function and decrease inflammation. Because it's such a rich emollient, avocado oil is ideal for those with dry, itchy, or aging skin.

Coconut Oil

Best for: Sensitive skin, eczema, dry hair

Coconut oil is great for those with super-sensitive skin - especially as a body moisturizer. Its fatty acids make it helpful for anyone with eczema, too. Additionally, research has shown that coconut oil restores dry hair. Its 12-carbon fatty acid structure allows it to penetrate the hair cuticle and help provide flexibility and strength. Rub a small amount on dry ends, smooth a bit on your fingers to tame flyaways, or use it as a deep-conditioning treatment in the shower.

Flaxseed Oil

Best for: Irritated, sensitive skin, and conditions such as eczema and dermatitis

Packed with heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, flaxseed is important for a healthy heart and complexion. You can mix the seeds in foods, or use the oil as a topical moisturizer. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and studies have shown that if taken daily, it can improve skin conditions such as eczema in almost no time at all.

There you have it GoldenBelles! 4 packed with goodness facial oils that has been proven to significantly improve the appearance of our skin. For all the beauties who’ve had tried applying oils to your face, do leave a comment down below on which works best on your skin! Happy experimenting, GoldenBelles ♡

blushwithoutbrush

The 4 Best Vitamins for Your Skin

12:28 AM

Taking care of your skin should be an essential part of your health regimen. It is, after all, your body’s largest organ.

The first thing most health professionals will tell you to do in order to keep your skin healthy is to limit your exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and wear protective sunscreen when you’re exposed to sunlight. But the sun isn’t all bad. Just 10–15 minutes of daily exposure helps manufacture vitamin D throughout the skin. Vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for your skin, along with vitamins C, E, and K.

Making sure you get enough vitamins can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. This could translate to a reduction in: dark spots, redness, wrinkles, rough patches, excessive dryness

Essential skin vitamins are available in supplemental form, but they are also found in skin care products. Learn more about these four essential vitamins and how they can help you achieve optimum skin health.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is most often made when sunlight is absorbed by your skin. Cholesterol converts to vitamin D when this happens. Vitamin D is then taken up by your liver and kidneys and transported throughout the body to help create healthy cells. This includes the skin, where vitamin D plays an important role in skin tone. It may even help treat psoriasis.

Calcitriol is a man-made version of a kind of vitamin D that humans produce naturally. Calcitriol is a topical cream that has been effective in treating people with psoriasis. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology found that applying calcitriol reduced the amount of skin inflammation and irritation in people with psoriasis and produced few adverse side effects.

The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University recommends a daily vitamin D intake of 600 IU per day. You may need more if you are pregnant or over the age of 70. You can increase your vitamin D intake by getting 10 minutes of sun exposure a day (check with your doctor first, especially if you have a history of skin cancer), eating fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, orange juice, and yogurt, eating foods that have vitamin D naturally, such as salmon, tuna, and cod

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is found at high levels in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) as well as the dermis (inner layer of skin). Its cancer-fighting (antioxidant) properties, and its role in collagen production help keep your skin healthy. This is why vitamin C is one of the key ingredients found in many antiaging skin care products.

Taking vitamin C orally can enhance the effectiveness of sunscreens applied to your skin for protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It does this by decreasing cell damage and helping the healing process of bodily wounds. Vitamin C can also help fend off the signs of aging because of its vital role in the body’s natural collagen synthesis. It helps to heal damaged skin and, in some cases, reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Adequate vitamin C intake can also help repair and prevent dry skin.

Due to the prevalence of vitamin C in over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, and foods we eat, deficiency of this nutrient is rare. The recommendation is 1,000 mg per day. If you find that you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, you can eat for more citrus foods, such as oranges, eat other plant-based sources of vitamin C, such as strawberries, broccoli, and spinach, drink orange juice, take supplements, as recommended by a doctor, look for anti aging skin treatments with vitamin C for treating dryness, redness, wrinkles, and age spots

Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant. Its main function in skin care is to protect against sun damage. Vitamin E absorbs the harmful UV light from the sun when applied to the skin. Photoprotection refers to the body’s ability to minimize the damage caused by UV rays. This can help prevent dark spots and wrinkles.

Normally, the body produces vitamin E through sebum, an oily substance emitted though the skin’s pores. In the right balance, sebum helps keep the skin conditioned and prevents dryness. If you have particularly dry skin, vitamin E can possibly help counteract a lack of sebum. Vitamin E also helps in the treatment of skin inflammation.

While vitamin E is available in many skin care products, the problem is that any effects could be minimized upon sun exposure. Getting enough vitamin E in your diet is preferable. Most adults need about 15 mg of vitamin E per day. You can increase your intake by eating more nuts and seeds, such as almonds, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds, taking a multivitamin or separate vitamin E supplement, using topical products that contain both vitamin E and vitamin C (this can be more effective in photoprotection than those that contain only one of the two)

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential in aiding the body’s process of blood clotting, which helps the body heal wounds, bruises, and areas affected by surgery. The basic functions of vitamin K are also thought to help certain skin conditions, such as: stretch marks, spider veins, scars, dark spots, stubborn circles under your eyes

Vitamin K can be found in many different topical creams for the skin, and it can help treat a variety of skin conditions. Doctors frequently use creams that contain vitamin K on patients who have just undergone surgery to help reduce swelling and bruising. This may help speed up skin healing. However, research on vitamin K’s effects on the skin is more limited than that for vitamins E and C.

According to the University of Florida, vitamin K deficiencies are rare in the United States. Adults need between 90 and 120 ug per day. You can increase your intake by eating kale, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, green beans

acne

5 Foods That Your Skin Hates

7:42 PM

Welcome back Goldenbelles! A few weeks back we covered the topic of eating healthy foods that your skin absolutely love (if you haven’t, check it out here). Since now you know your important do’s, today we will show you ladies on the critical dont’s. Here’s our top picks on foods (and drinks) you should avoid for better skin, with their alternatives:

Alcohol

Wines, especially reds, may be touted as a good source of antioxidants, but alcohol is actually worse for your skin when it comes to acne and anti-aging. Alcohol is jam-packed with sugar, which drives blood sugar levels to the roof and contributes to aging by depleting collagen. Not to mention that it is dehydrating - preventing your skin from retaining moisture and may cause dark circles to appear around your eyes (unless you want to be a panda), and your skin will start to resemble a leather bag.

Once a while is fine, but if you really have to go out for a night’s drink with your friends, try sticking with clear spirits, which are lower in sugar, mixed with hydrating coconut water (or just drink enough water).

Milk

Milk or other dairies are pro-inflammatory foods that can aggravate or worsen existing inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, rashes, and eczema. To add with that, milk may contain growth hormones and antibiotics that tips off your body’s natural hormonal balance. In particular, excess estrogen (the female growth hormone) in your system is suspected to contribute to hormonal cystic acne, although this is yet to be fully confirmed.

Replace dairy with unsweetened nut milk, such as coconut milk, almond milk, and cashew milk. These alternatives are hormone, antibiotic and lactose-free, and have less of a negative impact on your liver and digestion.

Coffee

It’s not actually the coffee, but the caffeine instead. Studies have shown regular caffeine consumption can increase your cortisol levels, which can impact your skin by causing inflammation, and throwing the rest of your hormones a bit cray-cray. A better solution to you coffee-lovers would be decaf, or better yet, herbal teas like dandelion or burdock root which also promotes detoxification.

Fast Food

Most fast food items are deep-fried in refined vegetable oils, such as canola oil and peanut oil, and loaded with trans-fats. While vegetable oils may sound healthy (they do contain the word “vegetable” after all) they can worsen skin conditions because they’re extremely high in omega-6 fatty acids. Before we go further, it is important to note that omega-6 is essential for your growth and brain function, but being a pro-inflammatory agent, too much of it can cause unwanted skin conditions. Not to mention that omega-6 acids when exposed to high temperature (like deep-frying) can form free radicals which destroy our cells and accelerating premature aging.

Avoid deep fried foods altogether by eating healthy protein bars, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables instead. Or just grab a healthy smoothie or a bowl of salad when in a rush.

Salt

Salt is capable of retaining a lot of water (as well as other nasty fluids). We know, salt tastes darn good, there’s no debate about that, but having too much in your diet is bad for both your skin and heart.

An overabundance of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, and with a lack of adequate blood flow on top of fluid retention, your skin will look dried out. If you know someone who always has bags under their eyes, it’s likely because of too much sodium in their diet in addition to fluid retention. You can top off your foods with a hint of salt, but processed foods should be avoided at all costs.

BWB, I WANT! BUT HOW?

10:13 PM

These circular shaped paper doesn’t make any sense! That’s what she said, follow the steps on how to blush without brush!

1. open the package, then put your index and middle finger in the middle of the color sided and non colored paper

2. here comes the fun part!

Team PAT :

Lightly press and PAT paper with the pigmented side to desired areas of face. For a natural-looking flush, concentrate on the cheekbones, chin, bridge of the nose, middle of the forehead. Then flip back the paper and blend it out to get the level of flush you desire.

Team SWIPE :

swipe with the pigmented side of paper to desired areas of face or create the motion that works best for your face shape!. This clever beauty hack doesn’t require a brush. Then flip back the paper and blend it out to get the level of flush you desire.

3. then Discard after each use.

Well, which team are you in? Comment down below and join the blush without brush club <3

blushwithoutbrush

Skin v. City! #GOLDENUDE

4:00 PM

City lights, buzzing vibes, glamorous life...

Ah, such is the promise of a bustling city that never sleeps. It may seem super glamorous and enticing to be an urban dweller, however when you move to a city, there are naturally some sacrifices to be made. Not to complain about it or anything—the thrill of adventure takes us to brighter, louder, more expensive places—but it's important to go into city-living with your eyes open. You’ll most likely live in a tiny apartment, spend a fresh ton of money, and expose yourself to lots of stress that could have been avoided if you had stayed the suburbs (unless of course, if you’re a Kardashian).

Urban dwellers are exposed to heavier concentrations of pollutants. Because beyond having to navigate a two-story penthouse when all you need is toothpaste, really, there are also different skincare concerns for city folk. Things like protection against free radicals, ozone, and floating debris (!). If the air around us isn't conspiring to kill us, at the very least, it could be leading to your acne and pre-mature aging. But before you do, it would be wise to know what you're defending against…

Free radicals are reactive molecules created as byproducts of other processes, like photodamage and cigarette smoke. As a result, our skin cells become less happy, and prone to age us and dry us out quicker. And because UV rays are a big trigger for cell mutation, it is imperative to protect our skin with SPF. Besides the all-important sunscreen, ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, argan oil, green tea, etc can also act as excellent anti-oxidants for your skin. The idea is protect the rest of your cells from free radical damage, while also preventing the formation of new free radicals.

Few things substitute a killer eye cream like regular sleep and exercise, especially if you find yourself in a high-intensity city, but if you can afford a country house, maybe do that, too J

blushwithoutbrush

Attaining Kissable Lips! #GOLDENUDE

10:15 PM

Oh, the joys of a plumped, pretty pucker! Just like with your complexion, did you know that our lips need to go through a thorough prep prior to applying makeup? This is to slough away dead skin, treat dry, cracked lips, and nourish with a sheen balm for us to achieve that all natural, kissable lips.

You want a smooth canvas so that your lipstick applies effortlessly and actually accentuates your lips, instead of hindering them. But with so many amazing lip prep products now available, how do we use them… and what do they actually do?

Fret not beauties, because in this post, we’ve put together a short (and totally achievable) list of tips to help you prep your lips! Use nourishing oils

Your lips are very soft and sensitive, so that makes olive oil the ideal product to use on dry chapped lips. Olive oil will help soften your lips, it will be absorbed quickly and it won’t irritate the skin at all. You can also use other nourishing oils to hydrate your lips, for example, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, rosehip oil, linen seed oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil, and shea butter. Use lip balm

Your lips can easily dry out in the wind, so use lip balm on them regularly to keep them hydrated. Carry lip balm with you all the time and top up the moisture, whenever you feel you need to. Exfoliate weekly

Another tip on how to take care of your lips is to exfoliate weekly. Exfoliating your lips will remove the dead skin cells and expose the soft and kissable skin underneath. Sprinkle some sugar on a piece of fruit, such as banana, mango, strawberry, or any other fruit you like, and then rub your lips gently with it. This is the best and tastiest way there is to exfoliate your lips. Invest in a trusty vitamin E lipstick

Because your lips are so sensitive, it is best not to use the cheapest lipstick that you can find or it will dry out your lips. Look for lip products that contain Vitamin E, so that way, your lips will look great and you’ll be helping keep them soft and kissable, all at the same time. Massage your lips

Next beauty tip on how to take care of your lips is to give your lips a daily massage and that will help keep them in good health too. Rub your fingertips, in a circular motion, over your lips and it will help increase the blood supply to your mouth.

These are just some off the bat beauty tips for prepping and priming your lips. Do share with us in the comment section down below on how you take care of your lips, Golden Belles!

Until then, flush and shine ♡