Beauty & Health: Exfoliation is a method of removing the dead skin cells on the upper layer of your skin and increasing circulation to promote new skin cells. Once used only in exclusive spas at a costly amount, exfoliation is a simple technique that you can do at home. When using a store bought exfoliate (or commonly called body scrub), do not overdue. Store bought exfoliates have chemical ingredients that may cause irritation if used to often. Many store bought body scrubs include petrochemical-based agents, such as mineral oil, and potential carcinogens, like parabens. Natural or homemade scrubs use ingredients such as sea salt, sugar,
and nutshells to exfoliate. Additionally, in choosing the
right exfoliate, it is important that your scrub contain
moisturizing ingredients, such as honey or oatmeal, to protect and hydrate the newly exposed cells.

Body scrubs are usually made up of two properties: one for the scrubbing ability and one to soothe and smooth.

Below are common ingredients and their properties that are commonly used in making at home body scrubs.

Exfoliates (scrubbers) Sea salt is a natural for normal skin. It contains marine extracts and minerals that help revitalize the skin.

Apricot kernels are rich in vitamin A, which is vital for
healthy skin. Additionally it is perfect for rough spots,
elbows, backs, heels and thicker skins. Note: Nutshells and fruit kernels can have jagged edges so they are not ideal for sensitive skin.

Sugar is a gentle exfoliate ideal for sensitive skin since the grains have smoother edges than salt grains.

Soothes, Smoothes and Moisturizes -
Honey moisturizers, softens, nourishes, and heals normal
skin.

Nut and seed oils such as almond, hazelnut and sunflower oils are often used to soften and hydrate skin: ideal for dry skin.

Oatmeal is a gentle grain that moisturizes skin, soothes, and reduces inflammation for sensitive skin types.

For skin care articles and recipes visit Complete Skin Care Therapy Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

Beauty & Health: I speak to many women who sigh with recognition when I mention that my work is to help women bloom at midlife.

“Oh, I could use that!” they’ll say wistfully.

Usually they tell me a bit about their story. And it usually follows a familiar pattern, one of several scenarios that I realize so many of us are confronted with past the age of 40.

Is one of these your story too?

• Your children have grown and left home, leaving a vacuum where your sense of purpose used to be.
• Your marriage has ended, and you’re wondering if there’s life after divorce.
• You lost your “secure” employment and don’t know where to turn, or who to be.
• You’re stressed and bored at your job and hope there’s more to life.
• You’re facing retirement and dread the emptiness.
• You’ve had a brush with illness, and are feeling a renewed commitment to how to use your precious time.
• You’ve put everyone else’s needs ahead of your own and you’re questioning if it’s too late to live YOUR life, to put YOUR work out into the world.
• You had a vision once to create something beautiful and meaningful with your life, and that vision is haunting you now.

Whatever the reason, if you’re like the women I speak to, you’re feeling adrift and wondering where your purpose and joy have gone, and how to find them. You know you’re capable of SO much more – but what exactly that looks like may be eluding you.

You probably always wanted to make a difference in the world, but decided to do something “practical” instead. So many of us were put on the “practical” track in our youth, and convinced to give up our idealistic or creative aspirations.

But the dreams you put in a drawer long ago are now calling for your attention again. You may have been considered a dreamer in your youth, but maybe those dreams are exactly what the world needs now!

Maybe you’re one of those people with so many talents that you’ve never been able to choose what to focus on, and you’ve always felt like there was something wrong with you. But now you may be ready to combine your gifts into an original form of expression that the world has never seen before! You won’t know till you try!

What would blooming look like?

What can you expect to experience when you do take steps to transform your life?

When aligned with your purpose, your energy will be released and you may feel greater vitality than you have in along time. You will also find yourself in a larger psychological space. It’s as though you’ve been living in a small room and suddenly the walls have become farther apart or even opened altogether, and you’re outside, in a field of possibility.

You will notice synchronicities happening and opportunities “miraculously” arising. You will feel more creative and playful. It can even feel like you’re falling in love – with your own potential!

Every path does require effort and patience, but these will come more easily to you because you will feel more alive and excited about your vision. Above all, you will know that your timing is perfect – that you’re right on time! And that what you want to create is not only possible, but has been waiting for you!

Is this your time to bloom? Are you ready to start fully blooming? Free 3-part Audio Series – Blooming at MidLife offered by Midlife Empowerment Coach, Tomar Levine.

Beauty & Health: There are so many different types of handbags for women available in the market but among all these, you probably want to invest in a good quality leather clutch purse. This is a very versatile accessory that every woman should have. Pair it with casual clothes like denim jeans and a shirt or with a formal garb like evening gowns. Of course, it still depends on the style and colour.

Purchase a clutch handbag made of leather for your accessorizing needs. It is a no-fuss accessory that lets you bring things that all women cannot live without such as makeup, tissue, mobile phone, and other small objects. However, before buying a clutch handbag, first consider the tips below.

• Are you going to buy the leather clutch purse for yourself or as a gift for someone? If it is for yourself, then choose something that you like. But if you are going to give it to someone, make sure to consider the person’s style and also their height and weight. A tall and heavy person needs a longer and bigger clutch bag than a small and lightweight person.

• Pick the right colour. Purchase a handbag in white, brown, or black. Black is the most popular option because it is very versatile. It can be paired with almost all outfits. But if there is enough money in your budget, definitely buy a white and a brown purse for those outfits that require either brown or white accessories and is appropriate for the season. Try not to use a white clutch handbag after Labor Day.

• Choose the right design and style. This should be based on the place where you are going to use it and on your age. Choose a formal purse if you are going to use it in a ball or formal party. On the other hand, a casual purse is better for your everyday use. Select an age-appropriate purse. Nothing looks more comical than a 50 year old trying to pretend she is 20 again.

• It is also important to consider the leather used for making the purse. You should buy genuine leather because it is easier to clean and it is more durable and stylish than faux material. However, it is also more expensive. If one is only going to use it once or a few times or if one does not have enough money, buy a leather clutch purse made of fake leather that will fit right into your budget.

A leather clutch purse is a need womens accessory. Why take the chance not having one? Get your new evening clutch purse now.