Everything You Need to Know About Cleansing

If you're feeling less than anxious to throw on that bikini and head to the beach and anything like my friends you've definitely toyed with the idea of doing a cleanse. Sure, healthy dieting and exercising are an absolute must, but sometimes you just need a little jump-start.  Since juicing and cleansing seem to be the new “black” this year, I turned to Nutritionist Heather Bauer, and Founder of Bestowed.com to get 411 on cleansing (the true benefits) and most honest tips for beginners.

What type of cleanses would you recommend for a first time "cleanser?"

If you're nervous about trying a cleanse I would recommend trying Organic Avenue. This cleanse gives you 3 - 4 juices throughout the day and then an actual meal for dinner - this way you are not going cold turkey. But if you're ready to go full force, the BluePrintCleanse is a great option. It's very easy to find (sold in Whole Foods) and they are sold separately so you can customize it according to which you like best.

What are the benefits of doing a cleanse?

Cleansing gets rid of all the unhealthy cravings that people have by eliminating caffeine, salt, white refined processed sugars etc. You lose a lot of water weight with a cleanse which makes people feel good and want to continue to eat healthy. It’s a great jump start to a healthier lifestyle.

Who are the right candidates for cleanses?

First and foremost, always check with your doctor first. Generally, a good candidate is someone who is busy and doesn't have time to cook and prepare lots of food. It's someone who feels unhealthy because they haven't been eating properly and is looking for a jump start to lose a good amount of weight.

 What are the common side effects?  Will I feel tired, hungry...?

All of the above. Modify the cleanse if it feels too aggressive. Try it on a weekend so it doesn't affect your current lifestyle. If you're an avid coffee drinker, incorporate a cup of green tea so it's not as difficult of a transition. 

What's are some key ingredients in cleanses and how do they help?

Lettuce, celery, cucumber, kale, parsley, green apple, spinach, cashews, agave nectar and cinnamon are some common ingredients found in a lot of cleanses. These foods contain important vitamins, minerals, nutrients, anti-oxidants, flavanoids, and enzymes that will gently rid your body of impurities, regain an alkaline balance and normalize digestion and metabolism.

How often can you do a cleanse?

This is where people go wrong because they do them too frequently. I wouldn't recommend doing a cleanse more than 2-3 times a year because you wont get optimal results.

Is there anything else I can do to achieve optimal results?

Don't overdo cleanses! Use the cleanse as a segue into healthier eating and an overall healthier lifestyle. Once you're done cleansing, concentrate on eating LESS caffeine, salt and white refined processed sugar and MORE lean proteins, fruits and veggies and healthy grains!

Spring Break Beauty Essentials for Girls Who Like to Party... with Class

Spring Break is officially here and if you’re anything like me or my friends, you’ll be flying south to soak up some sun.  Although I didn’t go away this year (I know – so lame!), I asked some of my friends what they put in their beauty survival kits as they packed their bikinis and sunglasses for the warmer weather. Here are my top five fave beauty essentials that won’t break the bank: 1. Nail Polish

I usually bring Essie’s ‘Fiji’ with me wherever I go, but this year I’m up for a little change. The Essie Spring 2013 Collection is packed with fun colors and I’m dying to try ‘Go Ginza.' It’s a great bright neutral and the cherry blossom pink color will really bring out the tan in your hands. Be sure to pack it away in your suitcase so you can fix any chips and touch up your nails as needed.

2. Waterproof Mascara

While some of us might be totally against wearing complete face makeup to the beach or pool (leave it at home), there’s no reason our eyelashes can’t look fierce!  L’Oreal’s Telescopic Shocking Extensions Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black is liquid extension gold in a bottle! Since I also wear contacts, I’m very cautious of flaky mascara so this is a must-buy for my sensitive eyes. The plastic, ‘lash hugging’ brush separates and extends each individual lash from root to tip for added length and volume.

3. SPF

Sometimes lugging around a big bottle of SPF is tedious and I know I’m always nervous about the cap busting open and dealing with an oily mess in m bag (yikes!). I suggest using Powerful Sun Protection Daily Sunscreen Towelettes SPF 30 by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. These towelette packets are perfect and easy to just throw in your beach bag. They’re 100% mess-free and oil-free so they won’t clog your pores. They block UVA and UVB rays along with other environmental pollutants. Plus, they're loaded with antioxidants, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E. so you can use these little gems on both your face and body.

4. Lip Balm

I’m a firm believer in lips always, always needing protection. Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is a sheer tinted lip balm that instantly moisturizes and leaves your lips looking fuller. Sometimes regular chapstick can be boring, but this comes in 6 different shades for every skin tone to give your lips a little something extra. Protection plus fun colors – what more could a gal ask for?

5. UV Defense for Hair

With all of the island wind, sun and salt water, your luscious locks are going to need some serious protection. Save them by using Bumble and bumble Color Minded UV Protective Styling Balm. When working it into your hair from root to tip, it creates a seal around your strands, resurfaces damaged cuticles and locks in moisture and nutrients. It works for all hair types and I highly recommend it for color-treated hair because it doesn’t contain sulfates, blocks UV rays and will save you a visit to your colorist.

My Intern Pushes Boundaries at the Spring Sonia Kashuk Event, Her Story

Last week, I had the pleasure of going to Sonia Kashuk’s event where she unveiled her 2013 spring collection. The Sonia Kashuk team (who are the nicest ever!) led me over to a makeup chair where the makeup artist added a pop of color on my lips.  Something I'm always a little shy about, but as soon as I looked in the mirror I fell in love!  The color was perfect and I was totally impressed with how long it stayed on after the event. The shade: Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Rosie Nude.  Sonia's new collection is packed with fun colors and bold prints for spring. I can’t wait to get my hands on a cosmetic bag featured in one of the many gorgeous prints. These bags come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors that even match some of the new brush sets. Her A Kiss on the Cheek Lip and Cheek Palette was also one of my favorites, which includes four colors you can mix-and-match that can be used on both your lips and cheeks, leaving you with a bright and dewy finish.

Spring is officially here and color has found its way back into my wardrobe and my makeup bag.