Homemade Facial Masks

This past week my family and I vacationed in sunny Jamaica . We were surrounded by  tropical flowers, breath taking landscape, and delicious fruit. We stayed at The Rainbow Tree Villa; a stunning house that was located on a hill overlooking the beach. It is a great place to reflect and an even better place to draw inspiration from. One of the many things I love about Jamaica is how the people who live there are so resourceful. They use the nature around them for not just food but remedies as well. This way of life influenced this article on Natural Face Masks. We get so caught up in our chemical based face washes, toners, and moisturizers that we don’t even realize that we can use nature to obtain the same, if not better, results. Here are a few facial masks and scrubs that you can make that are 100% natural and easy to make.

Oatmeal Face Mask

Essentials: Oatmeal, Honey, Water Instructions:  Cook regular oatmeal they way you cook it for a meal. Let it cool then add honey. Mix well then apply to your face and leave on for 10-20 minutes before removing with a luke warm towel.

Benefits: This mask is great for acne. The oatmeal’s textures helps take away dead skin cells and exfoliates the skin. It also helps clear up blemishes.

Avocado Face Mask

Essentials: 1 avocado

Instructions: Cut the avocado in half, take out the pit. peel it, cut it in parts and mash it to a pulp. Spread the pulp with your fingertips on your clean face and neck; keep the eye area clear. Keep on for about 30 minutes, after rinse off cold water and pat your skin dry. After add a thin layer of moisturizer.

Benefits: Avocado is great for dry skin;  it nourishes, moisturizes and cleans your pores.

Honey Face Mask:

Essentials: Honey

Instructions: Make sure all cosmetics and lotions are off your face. Dampen your face with warm water so your pores can open up. Apply honey onto your face and neck and relax for 15-20 minutes. Then wash it off with warm water, end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Benefits: Honey is great for hydrating your skin. It makes your skin instantly and noticeably soft. It also has anti-oxidant properties which play an important role in protecting your skin against damage from UV rays.

Strawberry Face Mask:

Essentials: Strawberries and Honey

Instructions: Mash the strawberries into a pulp. When your face is clear of any cosmetics or lotions apply a layer of the pulp on. Leave on for 20-30 minutes. Then wash it off with alternately cold and warm water and end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Benefits: Strawberries cleanse, exfoliate and refresh your skin because the salicylic acid gets rid of your dead skin cells, it tightens your pores and brightens up your face making it look shinier. They refresh, remove impurities, reduce swelling and redness and slightly whiten your skin.

Banana Facial Mask

Essentials: Bananas

Instructions: Mash bananas into a paste. Spread a layer of it on your face and neck. Sit back and relax with this on for 10-15 minutes. Then wash it off with alternately cold and warm water and end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Benefits: Bananas contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, zinc, iodine, iron and vitamins A, B (folic acid), E, and F and much more. All these essential vitamins are GREAT for your skin! And you can’t get more all natural vitamins from anywhere else.

If you add sugar to a majority of these mask you can also make a very good all natural face scrubs! Do you have any recipies that you use? Let us know! Leave a comment on facebook, twitter, or leave a comment below! Stay Well&Chic

Maximize your Maxi Dress

Summer clothing is all about looking good and staying cool. Our Fashion Pick does exactly that. Clothing designers like Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney have channeled the 70s with the rebirth of maxi dress.

The Maxi dress is a very bohemian chic article of clothing that can be dressed up or dressed down. Maxi dresses are frequently seen on the runway. So why not add it to your wardrobe?

Maxi dresses are perfect for the daytime/nighttime transition. Maxi’s are great for the beach; they’re easy to slip on and, depending on the pattern, earthy and beach themed. Maxi dresses are also great for the boardwalk when it gets dark, or drinks with the ladies.

http://sole.shoes.com/2011/06/how-to-master-the-beach-look/

Dress it up: Add metallic accessories like bangles or large earrings. If the dress calls for it try a wide belt. For shoes wear wedge sandals, but make sure the wedges match your purse and the color scheme of the dress.

Dress it down: slip on some flip flops, grab your beach bag, pick up a book, and throw on a hat and some shades!

Have a favorite maxi dress look or place to buy one? Let us know! Leave a comment on facebook, twitter, or in the comment section below.

Healthy Family Activities

Hello Ladies and Gents I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July! I also hope you remembered some of the summer dieting rules. If you didn’t, well it’s understandable, sometimes you just have to live on the edge and eat that peach cobbler. But don’t beat yourself up to much, today we have a list of fun ways to lose those Fourth of July calories. This list is filled with fun family activities that will keep you and your family healthy and active.

Burning calories are dependent on three factors: Weight Time and Intensity. For example someone who is 200 pounds will burn more calories in an hour than someone who is 130 pounds. So this list will show you the calories burned in 1 hour for the following weights(in this order): 130lbs 155lbs 190lbs

Backpacking/Hiking 413-493-604

Bike Riding (Low Intensity): 238-281-245

Basketball: 472-563-690

Canoeing 708-841-1035

Tennis: 413-493-608

Beach Volleyball 472-543-593

Try some of these activities during the week, weekend, or on vacation with your family. If you have any other activity that you would like to suggest to Well&Chic or to our readers leave a comment below!

Communicate to Connect with the Listener

 The goal of effective communication should be for the listener to say, “Me, too!” versus “So what?” ~ Jim Rohn

To communicate effectively, there must be a connection with the listener. The listener must show interest and be willing to pay attention to what you have to say. There are so many people with a multitude of messages competing for attention. We are all multitasking and trying to get many tasks done at once. Your job is to figure out a creative way to be seen, heard, and understood in order for you to be successful in your personal and professional endeavor. Here are a few tips to consider:

1. Be of Service to Others: Before approaching a listener, establish the right mindset. Figure out how you can be of service and help. It is not about you all the time. Keep in mind the listener will ask themselves, Why should I listen to you? What will I get out of this conversation? To connect with the listener, the message has to be about helping them.
2. Be Observant and Ask questions: When approaching a stranger, try to learn something about them before speaking or delivering your message. Do a visual assessment. How is the person dressed? Can you compliment them on something to warm them up? Are they reading or doing an activity that you can connect with; something that the two of you have in common? Most importantly, are they open for a conversation or are they preoccupied with other thoughts or activities. Observing non-verbal behavior is also extremely important. Are they smiling and do they look relaxed? Do they look annoyed and have their arms crossed? Is so, this is probably not the best time to try to communicate with them. If you are getting a GO signal, approach the person. Ask questions first. Find out if they are open to a conversation. Try to get to know them first; their interests, profession, hobbies, etc. Deep listening is required. Do not interrupt. Give your full attention. Your body language should show that you are very interested in this person. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand exactly what they are telling you.  Do not rush this process; take time to really get to know them. People can sense when you are not sincere with them. You may find that you need more time to establish a relationship and should not present your message at that time. Ask the person if they would like to exchange contact information and stay in touch. If they say yes, offer your business card. Follow-up in a few days and work on the relationship and make the connection with the person.

If you are giving a presentation to a group, ask the organizer to clearly define the purpose of the event, describe the audience that will be attending, and the subject matter they would like you to discuss.  Arrive early to the event, again make a visual observation of the audience, and ask questions to get more insight into the event.

1. Tailor your message: After getting to know the listener, be flexible and make adjustments to your message. Tailor your message to meet the needs and interest of the listener. Cookie cutter messages are not very effective in connecting with individual listeners
2. Be creative: Present your message in a creative and interesting manner. Take the time to figure out a way to really appeal to the listener in a way that will make them stop and take notice. Pay attention to details and do something that reaches the listener at an emotional level. You will stick out and will be remembered.

Be sincere, honest, and truthful: This tip is extremely important. You must be sincere, honest and truthful at all times. Be sincere in getting to know the listener. Be truthful about your message. Listeners can sense when you are only interested in getting what you want out of a conversation. You will connect and communicate much more effectively if the listener believes you are honest and have their best interest in mind.

Great Holiday Spa Party!!!

What a SPECTACULAR Event!!! Well and Chic would like to thank  everyone who came out to our Holiday Spa Party last night. We had a wonderful time pampering and serving you. The Christmas Decorations (Red and God) were  beautiful and the calming aroma, music, and lights were absolutely fantastic. Great food is always important to nourish the body, mind, and soul.

We were very happy to hear that folks loved our Full Body Detox Massage treatment and Foot Massage. Thanks to our Masseuse Kym straight from Italy. You have the MAGIC TOUCH!!!

Everyone went home looking FABULOUS after our Makeup Artist Carolyn got though with them. The Facial Massage and complete makeover finished off the evening. A special thanks to our Makeup Artist extraordinaire Caroline. YOU ROCK!!

Thanks Melinda for helping hands!!! We appreciate your support.

We used a line of pure, safe, botanically based products from Arbonne International.

We are here to create a UNBELIEVEABLE EXPERIENCE for you, your family and friends. Give us a call for consultation.

Check here often to learn more about our upcoming events.

Love and Peace!