LESS HUSTLE MORE GLOW

Less Hustle MORE GLOW Avoid the Beauty Burnout

by Jennifer Battisti

Choosing is hard. Waltz into any department store and your head will spin from the overwhelming selection of products plumped with promises to infuse your life with beauty. It’s daunting, not to mention expensive to navigate the land of hyaluronic bliss, the island of charcoal dreams and peptide paradise. Add to this the constant influx of social media ads with hip packaging and “convenient” subscription options and you are sure to experience beauty burnout.

Skincare shouldn’t be bewildering. Beauty shouldn’t compromise our values or our pocketbook. But also, self-care shouldn’t be a buzz word we sometimes act upon. It should not be an impulse buy. The struggle is real: busy schedules, demanding careers, a full family life. Staying healthy should be based in reality; otherwise, it cannot be integrated into our routines.

I am a firm believer in a holistic approach to beauty, that we cannot treat and heal the skin without also treating the mind and spirit. I am also a firm believer that less is usually more and so I typically don’t recommend “fluff” products, such as toners, and instead recommend good quality concentrated products with small molecules, such as serums and oils. You’ll get more bang for your buck and also see results sooner thanks to their potent formulations.

Science has narrowed down the No. 1 culprit in premature aging, stress and disease: inflammation. The foundation of my beauty and health routine is based on the philosophy that an anti-inflammatory lifestyle promotes beauty. Alkaline foods such as leafy greens, nuts and good fats (think avocado and coconut oil) combined with anti-stress activities such as meditation, yoga and artistic endeavors help to reduce cortisol production (the inflammation hormone). When combined with a largely organic skincare regimen, the results are radiant skin that comes from the inside.

It makes sense then that we won’t get the glowing results we’re hoping for with the latest and greatest serum or moisturizer, if we are ignoring our frazzled minds and eating a diet full of processed foods. Creating a beauty routine that acknowledges the whole person doesn’t have to be extensive or time consuming, below are tips for infusing your life wellness, which always glows, head to toe.

The Four R's of Rejuvenation

Rest: I am putting this first because we need to normalize the need for a full night’s rest. The culture of pulling “all-nighters” and foregoing rest in the name of productivity is shaming and just plain arrogant. We are mammals! We need to replenish and renew at night. Nighttime is a wonderful opportunity for vitamin-rich serums to work their molecular magic.

Tip: Try Eminence Organics Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil.

Replenish: We live in a very harsh, dry desert. Water, electrolytes and vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and biotin not only repair the skin, but also the organs so the skin can properly receive the nutrients. Collagen powder and turmeric are both anti-aging and anti-inflammatory. Eat fresh fruits and veggies, limit inflammatory foods such as sugar, wheat and dairy. For topical replenishment, fruit

acids, vitamin C and peptides are all hard working multipurpose ingredients proven to renew the skin.

Tip: Try Nuun effervescent tablets in a liter of water for electrolytes and try Eminence Arctic Berry Peel and Peptide Moisturizer kit, plus a weekly Eminence Citrus and Kale mask for environmental damage.

Render: The definition of render is to cause to be or become, make, perform, furnish or provide. Render means service; it means action, thoughtful action. If I help someone, if I contribute, I forget myself, my plans and designs, my troubles, and I connect with humanity, and just like that, radiance, energy, and pure beauty! I cannot stress this enough: belonging to a community, to something larger than yourself makes you feel and look more beautiful. It’s an inside job. Find your cause, a way you can help someone else every day. The cells, the biology, your elasticity will follow. Suddenly, that ninestep regimen to relax your wrinkles and firm the skin will fall away for something manageable. The point is paring internal joy with safe and effective products and real box-free foods.

Tip: Try Eminence Stone Crop Oil Cleanser and reading books to children, shea butter lip balm and fostering shelter pups or Eminence Marine Peptide eye cream and helping a co-worker or an aging parent.

Reflect: Meditation and stillness feel very counter intuitive. Reflection first requires awareness, dropping out of autopilot and into mindfulness. It requires a clear vision of who you want to be, every day. Morning journaling and meditation are two powerful ways to get to know yourself. Be in nature, color, exercise and connect with your community. All of these activities boost serotonin and reduce cortisol. Go ahead, ignore your planner for a few mornings a week, limit your exposure to media, watch something slowly unfold, book an appointment with the closest available ladybug, marvel at simplicity.

Tip: Try Insight Timer Guided Meditation App and YouTube Joe Dispenza talks.