7/30/2014
@_ecoop
@prettyhairdontcare
@trishstresses
July 30, 2014
Relaxed Healthy Hair Inspirations from Instragram
Looking for a bit of inspiration? I'm just gonna leave these here and let you marvel at the glory of these flawless heads of hair. Make sure to check out the Instagram pages of these relaxed haired unicorns.
@ddorry (now natural but she still has images from her relaxed days on her feed)
July 29, 2014
Love her look | All Black Everything
She pairs the simplest of pieces in a way that makes a bold statement. I love how the textures of the Givenchy crocodile envelope clutch and the lace accents on her blouse add a bit of variety to the look. White polish perfectly accents the all black outfit without being a distraction. I need a cute long sleeve black top like yesterday. The blouse she's wearing is perfect for dressing up or wearing casually. I also like how she didn't use any jewelry to district from the look, but allow allowed her clutch, minimal heels, and flawless hair to make the statement.
July 28, 2014
First Impressions | The Super Elixir Green Powder
It's been less than a week since we first talked about The Super Elixir, a super green formula brought to us by the ageless supermodel Elle McPherson and her team of nutritionists. Soon after the story broke of the Elixir launch, the product was said to have sold out at least a couple of times. I suspect that image of a 50 year old woman in a bikini looking as good as women half her age had something to do with it.
I was actually shocked to find the product in stock. This sense of relief may be the reason I purchased despite the high end pricing. Days later, the package arrived to me from Australia. The rapid delivery led me to believe that some of the cost was a result of the embedded shipping. I took advantage of the price savings by purchasing the larger package. The powder itself was paler than I imagined. The consistency is extremely fine to make for easy assimilation into liquids. Once opened, I dipped my finger into the product to get my first taste.
Overall, I'm liking the Super Elixir. Next on the agenda is to find a way to make the powder portable to take with me on my travels. I still will continue to take other green powders because both (while similar) offer different ingredients. I'll be mixing both in my smoothie to amp up the green powder power. Oh, I also wanted to mention a couple of hair healthy ingredients in Super Elixir like horsetail and biotin. Could this be the reason her hair is so luscious and wonderful at 50 years of age?
Super Elixir ingredients:
Ingredients: Certified Organic Barley Grass1*, Certified Organic Wheatgrass1*, Pineapple1, Apple1, Certified Organic Alfalfa1*, Spinach1, Goji Berry1, Apple Pectin, Fructo oligosaccharides (FOS), L-Glutamine, Linseed Meal1, Psyllium Husk1, Lemon1, Lime1, Beetroot1, Carrot1, Natural Pineapple Flavour, Natural Lime Flavour, Xylitol (sweetner), Acai1, Pomegranate1, Calcium Citrate, Papaya1, Probiotic Blend (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longum), Certified Organic Spirulina1*, Astralagus Extract, Broccoli1, Grape Seed Extract1, Kelp1, Magnesium Citrate, Milk Thistle Extract, Eleutherococcus senticosus Extract (Siberian Ginseng), Zinc Gluconate, Dandelion Leaves Extract, Maitake Mushroom Extract, Shitake Mushroom Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric1, Aloe Vera1, Horsetail1, Sweetener (steviol glycosides), Copper Gluconate, Beta Carotene, D-Biotin, Selenium Methionine
and
 |
| Super Elixir in a pouch |
First impressions was how much milder the flavor was compared to my other green powder. Super Elixir was also a bit sweeter. I put a little bit of both in separate cups and blended with coconut water. Super Elixir was easier to bit easier to drink of the two. If you aren't a fan of green powders, this could be a good entry level formula. I also see the benefit of Super Elixir being easier to take when mixed with light tasting liquids. Meaning, if you don't have time for a smoothie, you can add SE to water or coconut water, mixed well and be ready to go.
Overall, I'm liking the Super Elixir. Next on the agenda is to find a way to make the powder portable to take with me on my travels. I still will continue to take other green powders because both (while similar) offer different ingredients. I'll be mixing both in my smoothie to amp up the green powder power. Oh, I also wanted to mention a couple of hair healthy ingredients in Super Elixir like horsetail and biotin. Could this be the reason her hair is so luscious and wonderful at 50 years of age?
Super Elixir ingredients:
Ingredients: Certified Organic Barley Grass1*, Certified Organic Wheatgrass1*, Pineapple1, Apple1, Certified Organic Alfalfa1*, Spinach1, Goji Berry1, Apple Pectin, Fructo oligosaccharides (FOS), L-Glutamine, Linseed Meal1, Psyllium Husk1, Lemon1, Lime1, Beetroot1, Carrot1, Natural Pineapple Flavour, Natural Lime Flavour, Xylitol (sweetner), Acai1, Pomegranate1, Calcium Citrate, Papaya1, Probiotic Blend (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longum), Certified Organic Spirulina1*, Astralagus Extract, Broccoli1, Grape Seed Extract1, Kelp1, Magnesium Citrate, Milk Thistle Extract, Eleutherococcus senticosus Extract (Siberian Ginseng), Zinc Gluconate, Dandelion Leaves Extract, Maitake Mushroom Extract, Shitake Mushroom Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric1, Aloe Vera1, Horsetail1, Sweetener (steviol glycosides), Copper Gluconate, Beta Carotene, D-Biotin, Selenium Methionine
and
July 25, 2014
The real key to having a great facial structure (and it's not contouring).
When you flip through the pages of high fashion magazines, one thing that you might notice is the striking bone structure of the models featured on those pages. Well defined cheek bones and a strong jaw are regarded as an attribute of beauty in our society. Heck, you can browse through dozens of videos on Youtube on how to contour your face with make up to create the illusion of a face with a strong bone structure. While contouring is a great method, it's not a substitute for the real thing.
What if I told you that, if you are older than 30, your facial bones are diminishing. Take a moment of reflect on the celebrities who spend good money to ward off wrinkles with botox, fillers and face lifts only to look like a middle aged person who's had work done. As we age, there's less collagen to maintain the structure of their skin. Our muscles atrophy which causes sagging and wrinkles. And, most importantly, our bones shrink.
The market place offers creams and lotions in an attempt to address the wrinkles. There are fillers available to help build the loss of volume but nothing to deal with the root cause. The strength and integrity of our bone structure is just as important (if not more so) than making sure you take your collagen and apply eye cream. Those who engage in strength building resistance exercise are able to maintain a strong "young looking body" for years beyond their youth. But, often times, the appearance of their face gives them away. Their body (and bones) remained strong, but aging in the face progressed. When we see a celebrity and proclaim, "wow, they haven't aged," We aren't only talking about the lack of wrinkles, we are impressed with how much they look like we remember them years (or decades) ago.
So what is a person to do to keep our bones strong? First off, resistance train. We already talked about how strength building exercises helps maintain muscle. It's been proven that our bones respond well when resistance/pressure is applied. Now let's talk about what we can do to help maintain a strong facial structure. Let me start by saying that (at this point) there isn't a lot of info online on this topic so much of what I will be sharing is pure speculation crafted from the wild theories conjured up in my mind.
From what we know for sure, our bones respond to resistance, pressure, and vibration/stimulation. We know this because of how exercise affects the bone. Regarding stimulation, there are vibration plates on the market meant to stimulation bone density. The vibrations cause muscle contractions which makes the brain think we are engaging in resistance exercises. This, in turn, promotes the creation of stronger bones. There aren't any strength training machines for our face. You can find examples of various facial exercises that help strengthen the muscle. One could assume that the facial bones will benefit from this. But we don't know for sure. I have begun to find creative ways to apply pressure & stimulate my facial bones as much as possible. For example, my Clarisonic Plus,(unlike the regular Clarisonic) is so effective, that I feel the stimulation well below the surface of my skin. I can feel the sonic vibrations all the way down to my bones. I also love my Panasonic facial massager. At first I wasn't sure I liked it because of how "heavy handed" it was on my face. But then I realized how I could feel the stimulation down to my facial bones which none of my other facial massagers/rollers could do. Now it has become a staple in my regimen. When I conduct a facial massage, I try to press down really firmly to apply pressure on my facial bone. I just want to stimulate it as much as possible to prevent atrophy from setting in.
Let's not forget about the role of nutrition in maintaining strong bones. And, no, I'm not talking about drinking a glass of milk. The true way to strong bones is to prevent our bodies from leeching calcium from our bones. The leeching happens when our bodies are acidic. Since calcium is alkaline, we are designed to utilize available calcium to neutralize our blood when our internal pH is outta wack. We've got to keep ourselves as alkaline as possible by drinking lemon water, super greens, alkaline water, eating right. Maybe that's why Elle Mcphearson maintains her youthful look her bone structure might look like someone in their thirties, not a 50 year old.
Lastly, there is a information out there that suggests we can remineralize our bones through nutrition. That's one of things that attracted me to fermented cod liver oil (FCLO). Lot's of people shared their results of how FCLO was integral in refilling cavities in their teeth. I suspect the natural vitamin D in fermented cod liver may have something to do with it. I watched a 2 hour presentation once from the folks responsible for this all natural cod liver oil. They showed images of various tribes who enjoyed a diet rich in raw milk and all natural omega 3 (like the kind found in FCLO). These individuals had common trait of having a strong bone structure. Their mid-face was described a broad in appearance. Then, as the diet of the tribes evolved to resemble a western diet, there was an obvious change in the facial structures. Their faces became narrower which lead to "crowded teeth" perhaps due to less space for the teeth to form. It was as if, their bones didn't form "properly" during their development. Anyone who is pregnant or is in child bearing age should learn more about this. It's quite interesting.
I'm gonna stop here, before I bore you with all my nerdy ramblings. Just remember that anti-aging is more than just avoiding wrinkles by applying topicals. It's about having a strong foundation of health. For us that means ensuring our internal environment is alkaline and taking action that directly benefit the strength of our bones.
 |
| A progression of how our facial bonus change as we age. On the far right, an infant. The farthest left is an elderly person. Notice the minimal cheekbones and the size of the hollows of the eyes compared to the adult skull. Tooth loss contributes to a thin jaw. |
So what is a person to do to keep our bones strong? First off, resistance train. We already talked about how strength building exercises helps maintain muscle. It's been proven that our bones respond well when resistance/pressure is applied. Now let's talk about what we can do to help maintain a strong facial structure. Let me start by saying that (at this point) there isn't a lot of info online on this topic so much of what I will be sharing is pure speculation crafted from the wild theories conjured up in my mind.
From what we know for sure, our bones respond to resistance, pressure, and vibration/stimulation. We know this because of how exercise affects the bone. Regarding stimulation, there are vibration plates on the market meant to stimulation bone density. The vibrations cause muscle contractions which makes the brain think we are engaging in resistance exercises. This, in turn, promotes the creation of stronger bones. There aren't any strength training machines for our face. You can find examples of various facial exercises that help strengthen the muscle. One could assume that the facial bones will benefit from this. But we don't know for sure. I have begun to find creative ways to apply pressure & stimulate my facial bones as much as possible. For example, my Clarisonic Plus,(unlike the regular Clarisonic) is so effective, that I feel the stimulation well below the surface of my skin. I can feel the sonic vibrations all the way down to my bones. I also love my Panasonic facial massager. At first I wasn't sure I liked it because of how "heavy handed" it was on my face. But then I realized how I could feel the stimulation down to my facial bones which none of my other facial massagers/rollers could do. Now it has become a staple in my regimen. When I conduct a facial massage, I try to press down really firmly to apply pressure on my facial bone. I just want to stimulate it as much as possible to prevent atrophy from setting in.
Let's not forget about the role of nutrition in maintaining strong bones. And, no, I'm not talking about drinking a glass of milk. The true way to strong bones is to prevent our bodies from leeching calcium from our bones. The leeching happens when our bodies are acidic. Since calcium is alkaline, we are designed to utilize available calcium to neutralize our blood when our internal pH is outta wack. We've got to keep ourselves as alkaline as possible by drinking lemon water, super greens, alkaline water, eating right. Maybe that's why Elle Mcphearson maintains her youthful look her bone structure might look like someone in their thirties, not a 50 year old.
Lastly, there is a information out there that suggests we can remineralize our bones through nutrition. That's one of things that attracted me to fermented cod liver oil (FCLO). Lot's of people shared their results of how FCLO was integral in refilling cavities in their teeth. I suspect the natural vitamin D in fermented cod liver may have something to do with it. I watched a 2 hour presentation once from the folks responsible for this all natural cod liver oil. They showed images of various tribes who enjoyed a diet rich in raw milk and all natural omega 3 (like the kind found in FCLO). These individuals had common trait of having a strong bone structure. Their mid-face was described a broad in appearance. Then, as the diet of the tribes evolved to resemble a western diet, there was an obvious change in the facial structures. Their faces became narrower which lead to "crowded teeth" perhaps due to less space for the teeth to form. It was as if, their bones didn't form "properly" during their development. Anyone who is pregnant or is in child bearing age should learn more about this. It's quite interesting.
I'm gonna stop here, before I bore you with all my nerdy ramblings. Just remember that anti-aging is more than just avoiding wrinkles by applying topicals. It's about having a strong foundation of health. For us that means ensuring our internal environment is alkaline and taking action that directly benefit the strength of our bones.
July 22, 2014
Why you should be resistance training like your life depends on it.
Not long after turning 30, I noticed something peculiar happening to my body. I noticed a subtle change. I would feel my legs and could get a sense of what was happening beneath the surface. It was as if my inner thigh muscle was secretly & slowly being replaced by fat. Worse yet, my legs remained relatively the same size. So if I hadn't paid any attention, my muscle loss would have continued on.
At that point, I decided to get a gym membership. But instead of allotting all of my time to the treadmill and elliptical, I'd head upstairs and leverage the resistance machines. Months later, the fat stores were diminished as muscle mass returned. Clothes fit better, energy levels where up and, overall, I felt better about myself.
Then, I stumbled upon this image which clearly details what I thought was happening to me. It's a cross section of the thigh of two men in their 70s. One lives a very active lifestyle. The other, sedentary. From the outside, their legs appear to be around the same size. It's what's happening on the inside that's most alarming. Notice how little muscle mass there is compared to the guy who works out consistently. The bone of the inactive person also appears smaller. They say that resistance exercises can actually build bone mass. This image seems to correlate with that.
Lean muscle is good for us in so many ways. Our metabolism increases, along with our glucose metabolism which, in turn diminishes the risk of diabetes. As we build muscle, our ability to burn fat rises. Our energy levels skyrocket. And let's face it, having good muscle tone is should be a life goal for each one of us. But we don't do it simply to look amazing in our crop tops. We do it because a 2010 study found that resistance training helped improved the cognitive performance (brain functioning) of seniors over the course of a year. There are too many benefits to ignore. Your body looks better, your heart gets stronger and your brain functions better. Just know that, with each day that passes in which we choose not to incorporate strength training our muscles atrophy. Slowly fat will creep in to take its place. No one wants that.
No one.
At that point, I decided to get a gym membership. But instead of allotting all of my time to the treadmill and elliptical, I'd head upstairs and leverage the resistance machines. Months later, the fat stores were diminished as muscle mass returned. Clothes fit better, energy levels where up and, overall, I felt better about myself.
Lean muscle is good for us in so many ways. Our metabolism increases, along with our glucose metabolism which, in turn diminishes the risk of diabetes. As we build muscle, our ability to burn fat rises. Our energy levels skyrocket. And let's face it, having good muscle tone is should be a life goal for each one of us. But we don't do it simply to look amazing in our crop tops. We do it because a 2010 study found that resistance training helped improved the cognitive performance (brain functioning) of seniors over the course of a year. There are too many benefits to ignore. Your body looks better, your heart gets stronger and your brain functions better. Just know that, with each day that passes in which we choose not to incorporate strength training our muscles atrophy. Slowly fat will creep in to take its place. No one wants that.
No one.
July 21, 2014
Beauty Secrets of a 50 year old Super Model Unicorn
Years ago, I stumbled upon a video interview of Elle McPhearson and, at one point, the host made mention of Elle's age. In her late 40s at the time, I could barely believe my eyes. It seemed like Elle was easily defying the aging process. Silently, I wondered about her health and beauty regimen but couldn't find much info at the time. A year or so later, I saw an image of her with her husband who is 5 years her junior but appears older than her. That's when I knew that she does something special to appear so youthful.
Well, we finally got a glimpse of what she attributes to her good health and wellness. In a recent Instagram photo, she flaunted her bikini body with the caption "Super greens...After a super swim." That simple pic sent waves across the internet as people scrambled to find out what was in her cup. Turns out she was sipping on Super Elixir.
Super Elixer is a blend of 45 key ingredients including super greens, Chinese herbs, digestive enzymes etc. that help keep your the body at a desired alkaline range. The Elixir also contains omega 3s, fiber, vitamins and minerals. The product sells for a bit more than your typical bottle of super greens powder. It's likely due to the high end designer packaging and celebrity endorsement (by Elle herself).
Perhaps these greens has preserved Elle's beauty for all of these years. Perhaps not. But one lesson we can all take away from her is how important it is to keep our bodies in an alkaline state. The pH of our body is the environment where each of our cells function. If the environment isn't healthy, then our cells can not thrive. Without healthy cells, we are not healthy. Throughout any given week, I'm probably eating lots of fried foods, staying up late, and dealing with loads of stress. All factors which directly contribute to creating acid in my body. If I don't take action to counteract the acidity, things go down hill. For this reason alone, I recommit to doing something daily to promote an alkaline body.
We've talked about drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning as a way to detoxify and balance our pH. Since I travel pretty much every week, having access to fresh lemons while on the road, is a task. Powdered greens seems like a viable option. A few months back I picked up some single serving packets of Green Vibrance but couldn't get used to the taste. I decided to purchase a packet of The Super Elixir hoping the high price will motivate me to drink it regardless of what it taste like.
Aside from the greens. Elle's other beauty secrets include drinking 3 liters of water a day. In one interview, she shares that she has six 500ml bottles that she makes sure are gone before the end of the day. Elle also recommends 45 minutes of movement on a daily basis and getting plenty of sleep. One thing that adds to her youthful look is her amazing head of hair. She thanks her greens and water intake for helping to keep her hair healthy. Lastly, another beauty tip Elle shares is to exfoliate daily. She uses an exfoliating glove to "scrub her body quite strongly every day" and, just like Chilli, scrubs (exfoliates) her face on a regular basis. I love being inspired by women who are constantly defying stereotypes about what beauty looks like at 30, 40, 50 and beyond.
July 20, 2014
DIY Glam Glow treatment mud at home
You already know how much I love GlamGlow Super Mud Clearing Treatment. Currently I'm on my second jar and, to be honest, I've been using it sparingly because I'm not looking forward to shelling out another $50.00-$60.00 at the department store when my jar runs empty. Then I got to thinking, could I recreate a similar version of this amazing mud at home?
Seconds later I was checking out GlamGlow's ingredient list. I smiled to myself as I realized just how much of it was already in my possession.
GlamGlow ingredients I had on hand:
Seconds later I was checking out GlamGlow's ingredient list. I smiled to myself as I realized just how much of it was already in my possession.
- Aztec Healing Clay
- Activated Charcoal
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Eucalyptus Oil/Peppermint Oil
- Mandelic Acid
Ingredients I added that aren't in GlamGlow
- Coconut Cider Vinegar
- Manuka Honey (instead of glycerin which is found in GlamGlow)
GlamGlow is basically made of a clay that extracts dirt & oil blended with activated charcoal for even more cleansing power. Then they added a series of acids including glycolic acid and mandelic acid. I just happened to have some mandelic acid on hand. I've made clay masks at home before but never thought about including an acid to exfoliate the top layers as the clay works deep within. Thanks to the inspiration from GlamGlow, adding an acid to clay masks will be my thing from now on.
I added a drop or two of Eucalyptus oil to bring a little tingle to the experience. Although I included aloe vera juice as per the original formula, I decided to use coconut vinegar as the main liquid to blend everything together and bring the pH level down. Every time I prepare a clay mask, I include manuka honey for the anti bacterial properties. It also keeps my skin from feeling too dried out. I knew that adding the honey would make my version of the mask a bit different from GlamGlow's but I was ok with it because the benefits are worth it.
The final result was very close in color and slightly a bit less thick than the original. When I rinsed my face, several minutes after application, my skin felt smooth, looked bright, and felt soft to the touch. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the HydraFacial I had earlier this week, but my face felt much softer than when I use GlamGlow. Because of the cost, I only used GlamGlow once in a while. Now I can make a small batch whenever the need arises and treat myself to a clearing mask at will.
July 18, 2014
Style Obsession | The Curly Top Knot
The Top Knot has got to be one of my favorite go-to styles. With little effort, anyone can create a this simple, modern version of the traditional bun. What if we could take the top-knot to the next level with the addition of a few curls?
If you aren't rocking naturally curly hair, the look can be recreated by first adding a curl via flexi rods or steam curlers. Once set, gather the hair into a high ponytail and pin to create the bun. I've also recreated a similar look from an old braidout.
July 16, 2014
The Importance of Penetration in a Healthy Hair Regimen
I came across this picture on Pinterest the other day and immediately was mesmerized by the strength and health of her hair. Then I got to thinking about the importance of internal penetration and healthy hair. Especially for those of us who relax. If we want to make considerable progress in the overall health of our hair, I feel like we must do much more than simply moisturize and seal. Or should I say, "we must always think about the internal strength or our hair as much as the external."
Until recently, when I applied a daily moisturizer before sealing, it never crossed my mind if the internal structure was also getting some love. Especially since breakage really comes from the inside out. I'm now shifting my thinking to balance products that work on my hair's internal structure as well as the outside.
INTERNAL MOISTURE
When I reflect on my hair's internal structure, I think about replenishing it the same way I would on the outside. I'd provide it moisture, oil and strength. Prior to learning about the L.O.C. method, I'd simply slap on some moisturizer, seal with Gleau and move on my merry way. After learning about the power of adding a liquid to the routine, things changed. People with chemically treated hair have high permeability levels when it comes to water due to a loss of 18-MEA. Perhaps that allows for greater evaporation of moisture as well. If this is the case, then perhaps we can find some benefit in hydrating the hair with water on a regular basis. I can not rave enough about my secret weapon when it comes to daily moisture. Evian Facial Mist is truly a God-send to my regimen. The water particles are small enough to absorb into my hair without over saturating it. It makes a huge difference in my hair's moisture levels overall.
INTERNAL STRENGTH
It's also important to incorporate powerful proteins into my regimen that have the ability to go deep within to make a difference. One product that comes to mind is Silk Amino Acids which boasts of it's ability to deeply penetrate the hair. I've also talked about functional keratin which has the power to better adhere to the hair because of how it closely resembles our naturally occurring keratin. Let's not forget about ceramides which are the naturally occurring glue that hold's our hair's cuticle layer together. Which reminds me that I need to stock back up on Biolage Cera Repair which is an amazing leave-in.
Lastly, I find myself digging into my tub of coconut oil more frequently. Many say that coconut oil can go deeper into our strands than other plant oils. This makes it a great choice if you are rebuilding the hair from the inside out. I think there is a place for penetrating and non-penetrating oils. For instance, I may layer on some coconut oil and later mist my hair using my Misto sprayer containing jojoba oil. Jojoba oil doesn't penetrate the hair making it a great choice to seal the hair.
It's all about balance. Yes we need heavy creams and moisturizers to treat the hair strand AND we should also incorporate various products to get in on the inside.
Until recently, when I applied a daily moisturizer before sealing, it never crossed my mind if the internal structure was also getting some love. Especially since breakage really comes from the inside out. I'm now shifting my thinking to balance products that work on my hair's internal structure as well as the outside.
INTERNAL MOISTURE
When I reflect on my hair's internal structure, I think about replenishing it the same way I would on the outside. I'd provide it moisture, oil and strength. Prior to learning about the L.O.C. method, I'd simply slap on some moisturizer, seal with Gleau and move on my merry way. After learning about the power of adding a liquid to the routine, things changed. People with chemically treated hair have high permeability levels when it comes to water due to a loss of 18-MEA. Perhaps that allows for greater evaporation of moisture as well. If this is the case, then perhaps we can find some benefit in hydrating the hair with water on a regular basis. I can not rave enough about my secret weapon when it comes to daily moisture. Evian Facial Mist is truly a God-send to my regimen. The water particles are small enough to absorb into my hair without over saturating it. It makes a huge difference in my hair's moisture levels overall.
INTERNAL STRENGTH
It's also important to incorporate powerful proteins into my regimen that have the ability to go deep within to make a difference. One product that comes to mind is Silk Amino Acids which boasts of it's ability to deeply penetrate the hair. I've also talked about functional keratin which has the power to better adhere to the hair because of how it closely resembles our naturally occurring keratin. Let's not forget about ceramides which are the naturally occurring glue that hold's our hair's cuticle layer together. Which reminds me that I need to stock back up on Biolage Cera Repair which is an amazing leave-in.
Lastly, I find myself digging into my tub of coconut oil more frequently. Many say that coconut oil can go deeper into our strands than other plant oils. This makes it a great choice if you are rebuilding the hair from the inside out. I think there is a place for penetrating and non-penetrating oils. For instance, I may layer on some coconut oil and later mist my hair using my Misto sprayer containing jojoba oil. Jojoba oil doesn't penetrate the hair making it a great choice to seal the hair.
It's all about balance. Yes we need heavy creams and moisturizers to treat the hair strand AND we should also incorporate various products to get in on the inside.
First Impressions | The HydraFacial Experience
It's been over 24 hours since my first HydraFacial experience. After first learning about this hot new facial that promised to treat multiple areas with problem skin, I jumped at the opportunity. My intention was to see if this was a treatment that I would partake in on a regular basis and if the Hydrafacial could give me even toned, glowing skin.
My appointment was set extra early making me one the first client of the day. Because the Hydrafacial isn't your typical run of the mill spa treatment, it's mainly offered at plastic surgery centers. While I waited for my name to be called, I flipped through a book of before and after pictures of various procedures ranging from nose jobs & tummy tucks to laser resurfacing. Minutes later, I was escorted to a small, comfortable room where my eyes immediately landed on the Hydrafacial machine.
The woman assigned to conduct the treatment attempted to explain the process to me. I, however, was fully aware of what laid ahead after watching hours of demonstrational video on Youtube. After answering a few questions about my skin concerns, the facial began. The Hydrafacial occurs in layers. First they apply a solution to the skin that loosens up the dead skin. Then the exfoliation occurs using a tip that feels a little bit like my Riiviva microderm machine (only gentler). Karen described it as a "wet microderm" because it applied a light solution to my skin while exfoliating. Finally, she used another tip to apply a serum "deep into the layers of my skin."
The entire process was only around 20 minutes. Once the Hydrafacial was complete, I opted to finish off with a LED light treatment. The LED treatment is an additional $25.00 but she was generous enough to throw it in at no additional cost as a birthday gift. Once I made it home, I checked the mirror to examine my skin.
Normally, after a facial, I can see an immediately difference in my skin. Particularly when I had troubled skin. After extractions and exfoliations, the difference in my skin would be night and day. Nowadays, the Clarisonic Pro and the Riiviva helps keep my skin exfoliated and there is little need for extraction now that my acne is at bay. So, in the end, I could see no real difference in my skin. To be honest, I felt a little disappointed.
Then, hours later, I touched my face and noticed how deeply hydrated my skin felt. Last time I received a traditional hydrating facial, I left the center looking like I had a ton of serums on my face. With the Hydrafacial, my skin looked absolutely normal but it was as if the serums were laying underneath the surface. It felt amazing. Like I was drinking a gallon of water a day for weeks. Not a dry patch in sight.
I woke up the next morning and reassessed my skin which was still hydrated and soft. But when I looked closely, I saw signs of something else going on with my skin. Purging. There were whiteheads on my nose and I noticed a little purging elsewhere on my face. Instead of worrying, I took it as a sign that the impurities were fleeing so my skin could truly glow from the inside out. After realising what my skin was doing, I simply walked over to my nightstand and grabbed the jar of GlamGlow clearing mud which is made for moments like this. The GlamGlow did a fine job.
The more time that passes, the more I like this facial. The one attribute which I identified as a flaw is actually a benefit. The fact that you walk out of the place looking very similar to the way you walked in (at least in my case), makes it a perfect facial to fit in during a lunch break or before a night out. Lord willing, I'd like to incorporate this into my monthly regimen. More importantly, I'd like to see if there's a way to emulate this at home between visit. I'm bouncing around ideas like simultaneously using my Riiviva and Panasonic Facial steamer to recreate the "wet exfoliation" experience. We'll see how that turns out. I'm also looking for an at home tool that has the ability to allow for better penetration of the product deep within the skin's layers. Will let you know what I find.
My appointment was set extra early making me one the first client of the day. Because the Hydrafacial isn't your typical run of the mill spa treatment, it's mainly offered at plastic surgery centers. While I waited for my name to be called, I flipped through a book of before and after pictures of various procedures ranging from nose jobs & tummy tucks to laser resurfacing. Minutes later, I was escorted to a small, comfortable room where my eyes immediately landed on the Hydrafacial machine.
The woman assigned to conduct the treatment attempted to explain the process to me. I, however, was fully aware of what laid ahead after watching hours of demonstrational video on Youtube. After answering a few questions about my skin concerns, the facial began. The Hydrafacial occurs in layers. First they apply a solution to the skin that loosens up the dead skin. Then the exfoliation occurs using a tip that feels a little bit like my Riiviva microderm machine (only gentler). Karen described it as a "wet microderm" because it applied a light solution to my skin while exfoliating. Finally, she used another tip to apply a serum "deep into the layers of my skin."
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Screen Shots taken from @tazangelsbeautybar Instagram page
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| After the HydraFacial |
The entire process was only around 20 minutes. Once the Hydrafacial was complete, I opted to finish off with a LED light treatment. The LED treatment is an additional $25.00 but she was generous enough to throw it in at no additional cost as a birthday gift. Once I made it home, I checked the mirror to examine my skin.
Normally, after a facial, I can see an immediately difference in my skin. Particularly when I had troubled skin. After extractions and exfoliations, the difference in my skin would be night and day. Nowadays, the Clarisonic Pro and the Riiviva helps keep my skin exfoliated and there is little need for extraction now that my acne is at bay. So, in the end, I could see no real difference in my skin. To be honest, I felt a little disappointed.
Then, hours later, I touched my face and noticed how deeply hydrated my skin felt. Last time I received a traditional hydrating facial, I left the center looking like I had a ton of serums on my face. With the Hydrafacial, my skin looked absolutely normal but it was as if the serums were laying underneath the surface. It felt amazing. Like I was drinking a gallon of water a day for weeks. Not a dry patch in sight.
I woke up the next morning and reassessed my skin which was still hydrated and soft. But when I looked closely, I saw signs of something else going on with my skin. Purging. There were whiteheads on my nose and I noticed a little purging elsewhere on my face. Instead of worrying, I took it as a sign that the impurities were fleeing so my skin could truly glow from the inside out. After realising what my skin was doing, I simply walked over to my nightstand and grabbed the jar of GlamGlow clearing mud which is made for moments like this. The GlamGlow did a fine job.
The more time that passes, the more I like this facial. The one attribute which I identified as a flaw is actually a benefit. The fact that you walk out of the place looking very similar to the way you walked in (at least in my case), makes it a perfect facial to fit in during a lunch break or before a night out. Lord willing, I'd like to incorporate this into my monthly regimen. More importantly, I'd like to see if there's a way to emulate this at home between visit. I'm bouncing around ideas like simultaneously using my Riiviva and Panasonic Facial steamer to recreate the "wet exfoliation" experience. We'll see how that turns out. I'm also looking for an at home tool that has the ability to allow for better penetration of the product deep within the skin's layers. Will let you know what I find.
July 14, 2014
First Impressions | Linange Shea Butter Relaxer Review
Not too long ago I mentioned that, for the first time in years, I would be trying out a new relaxer. More specifically, Linange Shea Butter relaxer. The reviews alone were enough to interest me, but when I received even more confirmation in the form of a wonderful comment about how amazing the relaxer is, I was sold.
It was difficult, at first to decide between their texturizer and relaxer so I decided to try the stronger formula this time and, if I so desired, I'd experiment with the texturizer next touch up. The lye formula comes with nothing other than the jar contianing the relaxer. No activator needed to mix in like with my Affirm Fibergaurd.
With sprush in hand, I prepared myself for the experience. Normally, I would mix a little Pure Protein into my relaxer but, for the sake of this review, I decided to add no bells and whistles. Minutes prior to relaxing I applied excessive amounts of coconut oil to the length of my hair allowing it to soak in a little before touch up process.
I separated my hair in small sections and began to apply the thick cream. The consistency was heavy enough that it didn't move when applied. That's a good thing. My only thoughts were about how I demonstrated no discipline with regards to scratching itches in the days leading up to the relaxer application. I silently hoped that Linange would spare my scalp from intense burning and subsequent scabs.
Linange didn't have that "relaxer chemical" scent and when I applied it throughout, it barely affected my new growth. Another thing I noticed was how little scalp irritation I was experiencing. After it was applied throughout, I began to smooth with my gloved hands. Again, very little irritation. Since it appeared that my hair wasn't over-processed, I allowed the relaxer to do its thing for a few more minutes before washing out. The best way to describe what I love about Linange is that allowed my hair to retain its structural strength. I felt like it respected my hair. I know this sounds weird but typically, after a touch up, I can tell that my hair was been "weakened" by chemicals and I immediately begin the process of reintroducing protein to my regimen to try to reverse some of that damage. This wasn't the case with Linange, It did its job without wreacking havoc to my hair. I can only imagine the long term benefits of this.
With Linange, my hair doesn't feel damaged AT ALL. It processed my hair enough to loosen my texture without making it weak and fragile. I almost felt like I didn't need a protein step after rinsing the relaxer but I did it anyway. Oh, and I left the experience with ZERO damage to my scalp. No scabbing....nothing (even though I didn't deserve it). I would say the experience was pretty flawless with one exception. Everything was perfect with my newly relaxed hair but, I felt like my previously relaxed hair dried out a little from the impact of the relaxer run off as I rinsed in the shower.
The good news is that dryness was combatted with the help of Kerastase Nutrithermique and Kanechom Shea Butter. Throughout the week, I kept the hair nice and moist using Evian Facial Spray, Aveda Damage Remedy moisturizer and Gleau Argan oil blend. Next time I touch up, I'll come armed by applying Avlon's preservo serum to the length or perhaps I'll experiment with using their nuetralizing conditioner on my previously relaxed strands.
Lastly, the one jar was enough to do my entire head and leave a little for next time. I will still need to purchase a second jar when I do this again in 3-4 months. Overall, I'm a believer in Linange. It has now become the official relaxer of Relaxed Hair Health Blog until further notice. For those of you interested, I would say that if you aren't looking for the "bone straight" look, consider trying Linange out and seeing if your hair likes it. Most of the people who tried it (including myself) are very happy with the results.
It was difficult, at first to decide between their texturizer and relaxer so I decided to try the stronger formula this time and, if I so desired, I'd experiment with the texturizer next touch up. The lye formula comes with nothing other than the jar contianing the relaxer. No activator needed to mix in like with my Affirm Fibergaurd.
With sprush in hand, I prepared myself for the experience. Normally, I would mix a little Pure Protein into my relaxer but, for the sake of this review, I decided to add no bells and whistles. Minutes prior to relaxing I applied excessive amounts of coconut oil to the length of my hair allowing it to soak in a little before touch up process.
I separated my hair in small sections and began to apply the thick cream. The consistency was heavy enough that it didn't move when applied. That's a good thing. My only thoughts were about how I demonstrated no discipline with regards to scratching itches in the days leading up to the relaxer application. I silently hoped that Linange would spare my scalp from intense burning and subsequent scabs.
Linange didn't have that "relaxer chemical" scent and when I applied it throughout, it barely affected my new growth. Another thing I noticed was how little scalp irritation I was experiencing. After it was applied throughout, I began to smooth with my gloved hands. Again, very little irritation. Since it appeared that my hair wasn't over-processed, I allowed the relaxer to do its thing for a few more minutes before washing out. The best way to describe what I love about Linange is that allowed my hair to retain its structural strength. I felt like it respected my hair. I know this sounds weird but typically, after a touch up, I can tell that my hair was been "weakened" by chemicals and I immediately begin the process of reintroducing protein to my regimen to try to reverse some of that damage. This wasn't the case with Linange, It did its job without wreacking havoc to my hair. I can only imagine the long term benefits of this.
With Linange, my hair doesn't feel damaged AT ALL. It processed my hair enough to loosen my texture without making it weak and fragile. I almost felt like I didn't need a protein step after rinsing the relaxer but I did it anyway. Oh, and I left the experience with ZERO damage to my scalp. No scabbing....nothing (even though I didn't deserve it). I would say the experience was pretty flawless with one exception. Everything was perfect with my newly relaxed hair but, I felt like my previously relaxed hair dried out a little from the impact of the relaxer run off as I rinsed in the shower.
The good news is that dryness was combatted with the help of Kerastase Nutrithermique and Kanechom Shea Butter. Throughout the week, I kept the hair nice and moist using Evian Facial Spray, Aveda Damage Remedy moisturizer and Gleau Argan oil blend. Next time I touch up, I'll come armed by applying Avlon's preservo serum to the length or perhaps I'll experiment with using their nuetralizing conditioner on my previously relaxed strands.Lastly, the one jar was enough to do my entire head and leave a little for next time. I will still need to purchase a second jar when I do this again in 3-4 months. Overall, I'm a believer in Linange. It has now become the official relaxer of Relaxed Hair Health Blog until further notice. For those of you interested, I would say that if you aren't looking for the "bone straight" look, consider trying Linange out and seeing if your hair likes it. Most of the people who tried it (including myself) are very happy with the results.
July 12, 2014
Currently Craving | The Hydra Facial
It's been way too long since I experienced a professional facial treatment. Since I have a birthday coming up, I thought I'd treat myself. But I didn't want a typical facial. I've been there done that. I want something that can transform my skin. And....I didn't want to spend a ton of money.
Then, Instagram taught me about the hydrafacial. This facial is like the holy grail of skin care treatments. It exfoliates like a mircoderm treatment. It helps fill and plump the skin, cleanses and hydrates. The skin is extracted and moisturized all at once. Fine lines are diminished, dark spots faded, pores purified, all from one simple procedure.
My search to find out more led me to Youtube where I viewed countless videos describing the wonderful nature of this super-facial. Immediately, I Googled a local spa that offered the service. Two results popped up. The first was only $149.00 but the easthetician was out for the work requiring me to have to wait until Friday. The second place was offering the hydrafacial for only $99.00 and could take me on Monday.
Sold!
I'm so looking forward to the experience. At only $99.00, I can afford regular treatments (at least once a month). I've saved a ton from not having to buy skin care products ever since I got serious and purchased heavy hitters like the Clarisonic Pro, my Riiviva and drank loads of water. Now I'm finally at a place where I can begin to create phenomenal skin and it feels good to be here.
Then, Instagram taught me about the hydrafacial. This facial is like the holy grail of skin care treatments. It exfoliates like a mircoderm treatment. It helps fill and plump the skin, cleanses and hydrates. The skin is extracted and moisturized all at once. Fine lines are diminished, dark spots faded, pores purified, all from one simple procedure.
My search to find out more led me to Youtube where I viewed countless videos describing the wonderful nature of this super-facial. Immediately, I Googled a local spa that offered the service. Two results popped up. The first was only $149.00 but the easthetician was out for the work requiring me to have to wait until Friday. The second place was offering the hydrafacial for only $99.00 and could take me on Monday.
Sold!
I'm so looking forward to the experience. At only $99.00, I can afford regular treatments (at least once a month). I've saved a ton from not having to buy skin care products ever since I got serious and purchased heavy hitters like the Clarisonic Pro, my Riiviva and drank loads of water. Now I'm finally at a place where I can begin to create phenomenal skin and it feels good to be here.
July 9, 2014
The Dewy Skin Formula
Now I get to play offense instead of defense with my skincare game. After reflecting on some of the characteristics of amazingly healthy skin, I created some new goals. Summer is absolutely the best time to rock dewy skin. I'm referring to skin that appears ultra hydrated and is accompanied by an all over glow. Who wouldn't want that?
I have a few tips and tricks on creating dewy skin that are simple and effective. Let's discuss.
Before we get into the discussion, I would like to create a distinction between glowing skin and dewy skin.
Glowing Skin = Skin that appears healthy and reflects light
Dewy Skin= Healthy, ultra-hydrated skin that reflects light.
Obviously, the skin can not look dewy if one is suffering from dry areas. Priority one has be to elevate moisture and sealing it in. You already should know what I'm going to say next.....
The very first step in increasing moisture in the skin is drinking enough water. I'm talking two liters a day or more. When you are dehydrated, it shows up in the skin big time. Worst of all, the change happens pretty quickly which is why consistency is everything.
Once you've upped your water intake, now we can move to dewy-skin creating actions. Dewy skin is fresh skin. Meaning, the skin should be well exfoliated in order to give off that envious glow. My absolute favorite product for this job is Fresh's Sugar Face Polish first introduced to us via an Instagram Beauty Secrets post. It exfoliates gently and contains natural plant oils. When you use it, you remove dead skin cells while the oils seal in the moisture received from the water while rinsing. When you're done, the skin looks hydrated on another level. It's flawless. I've used oil-free facial scrubs before but they only work to strip the skin of the natural oils and moisture. You don't want to go there.
Another go-to for super soft, ultra hydrated skin is Manuka honey. They say that honey face mask boosts moisture levels in the skin. Manuka is your typical honey, but on crack! It's loaded with anti-microbial properties. My skin after washing off a Manuka honey mask, feels so moist and dewy but without the light shine of using a product containing oil.
Speaking of oil. Let's talk a little about oil cleansing. That's where one uses a natural oil to "cleanse" the face by massaging it into the skin. Oil cleansing is an extraordinary way to remove makeup. I find it extremely effective for bringing dirt to the surface for easy removal. Similar to the Fresh Sugar Polish, a very thin layer of oil remains on the skin to seal in moisture. People who are scared to try this method are fearful of breakouts and looking greasy. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, some say that using oil to cleanse can actually help your skin control it's oil production. I battle with oil skin at times and, let me tell you, I'd rather have the even dewy look after oil cleansing than walk around with super oily skin. There is a huge difference.
Lastly, I want to take a minute and shout out my Evian Facial Mist spray. Ever since my first encounter, this product has been a daily staple. I use it more so to moisturize my hair but I also appreciate it's ability to provide instant moisture when my face feels a bit dry. Right now I'm experimenting with misting with Evian and then applying a light layer of CapriClear coconut oil to seal and so far, I'm digging it. All of this will serve me well come winter time.
July 8, 2014
Monday Motivation | Stop Combing the Mirror
This weekend, while watching videos on Youtube. I came across one where a gentleman shared a brilliant analogy with regards to creating change in our lives. He talked about how reality is merely a function of what is happening in our internal world (our subconscious mind). The illustration he used is like someone looking into a mirror. The reflection one sees in the mirror is like the reality we now experience. What would happen if someone realized their hair was out of place, in the reflection, took out a comb and tried to comb the hair in the mirror?
Essentially nothing would change because the person is not going to the source of the issue. In the same way, when we see something we want to change in our "reality" we often try to change it by focusing on what we see. But are we getting to the source or are we combing the mirror? Perhaps that is part of the reason why we fail to create lasting, long term change.
So, what is the source and how do we get to it? The source, my dears, is our thoughts. According to Joe Dispenza, we produce an 60,000-70,000 thoughts a day. Ninety percent of those thoughts are the same the day before. These repeated thoughts create our choices, our behaviors/actions and experiences. Never mind the fact that we are unaware of most thoughts as they occur. Sometimes we're aware of what we think but the same thoughts keep popping up even without our conscious action.
What are our options? How can we create lastingchange transformation instead of repeating the same unwanted behavior over and over again? There isn't one simple answer but I do believe that a bulk of our focus must shift to working on our inner selves. Some examples include:
Essentially nothing would change because the person is not going to the source of the issue. In the same way, when we see something we want to change in our "reality" we often try to change it by focusing on what we see. But are we getting to the source or are we combing the mirror? Perhaps that is part of the reason why we fail to create lasting, long term change.
So, what is the source and how do we get to it? The source, my dears, is our thoughts. According to Joe Dispenza, we produce an 60,000-70,000 thoughts a day. Ninety percent of those thoughts are the same the day before. These repeated thoughts create our choices, our behaviors/actions and experiences. Never mind the fact that we are unaware of most thoughts as they occur. Sometimes we're aware of what we think but the same thoughts keep popping up even without our conscious action.
What are our options? How can we create lasting
- Reading books that promote reflection, growth and self development.
- Plant the thoughts to repeat in your mind over and over again (affirmations) rather than allowing random thoughts to run rampant on their own .
- Quite your monkey mind daily.
- Ask yourself new questions. This technique will help break you out of the cycle of doing the same things over and over again. For example, if you are always repeating the same pattern of eating sweets when you're upset. Ask yourself, "what else can I do right now to deal with my feelings?" Force yourself to answer that question which will lead you to new actions which = new results.
- Do one thing different. Our minds naturally want to create routines and rituals. Even though the ritual is one that we don't want to repeat. We have to FORCE ourselves out of the trance by doing something to shock us out of it.
- Create a new reality in your mind. When I visualize how I want my day to go, I'm much more likely to follow the plan in my mind versus being on auto pilot.
- Learn something new. Whenever we learn, we use parts of our mind that raise our awareness.
Most importantly, it's critical to remember that if we only work on what's happening on the outside, we could be fighting a losing battle. If life seems to remain the same even no matter how hard you try change it, work on what's happening on the inside. Stop combing the mirror.
July 3, 2014
Monday Motivation | How to Master the Law of Attraction
There's something I've been reflecting on lately that I'd like to share with you. I was watching a Youtube video a few weeks back where this gentlemen was reviewing his goals for the year, providing updates on the ones he'd achieved and the ones he was still working on. For the most part, his goals were pretty lofty. Some examples included earning five figures a month, living in a penthouse, driving his dream car and preparing for a fitness competition. As of earlier this year, he already achieved most of the goals he'd set for 2014.
I thought to myself "wow, that guy is pretty good at achieving what he wants, I wonder what factors contribute to it?" After more thought, I was reminded of a concept I first learned in Talent is Overrated known as the 10,000 hour rule. Great artists, athletes, musicians, actors are all beneficiaries of this rule. Basically, by putting in an equivalent of 10,000 or more hours of deliberate practice, they become masters in their craft. What if goal achievement is something that can be improved on, by hours of practice, just like any other skill?
I watch a show called Master Chef. The contestants on this reality TV show must show their skills in the kitchen by creating delicious dishes based on the directions from the judges. Let's say, for instance, the participants are tasked with preparing the perfect 7 layer chocolate cake. You can instantly tell, by the looks of their faces, who has been practicing their baking skills and who have not. And, for the most part, those who have invested hours of practice in the art of baking usually fare better than those who haven't. I want you to think of goal achievement in the same way.
When you write down that you want to achieve various outcomes by a certain time, one factor in how likely you are to achieve this is how skilled you are at achieving goals in general. The guy on Youtube who reached his goal of earning over $40,000k a month has a video that he recorded two years ago with a goal of earning $8,000 a month. And I bet before that he goals was to earn $5,000 a month (he mentions struggling financially and being deeply in debt at one point in his life). He makes as much as he does because he's a master at goal achievement. So, how did he become that way and how can we be better at achieving what we want?
DO IT DAILY
One thing that alltalented skilled people have in common is that they practice their craft every single day. Wanna have the ability to reach your lofty goals? You need to practice goal achievement on a regular basis? July 1 is tomorrow. Do you have your intentions ready for the month? Today is a start of the week, what are your goals for next 7 days? What's on your goal list for today? If you practice writing down your goals daily, you condition your mind to get comfortable with the concept creating an idea and easily bring it into reality. From this day forward, whenever you write down a goal for the day and achieve it, use that as reenforcement of your ability to achieve your future desires.
PRACTICE SUPPORTING ACTIONS
When you hear stories of how great artists and athletes practice, pay attention to the "supporting actions" they take that elevate their craft. For instance, I heard that Matthew Knowles made the young ladies of Destiny's Child run while singing to support their vocal strength and endurance. Tiger Woods was said to be one of the few golfers who lifted weights to help improve his golf game. In the same way, we must practice supporting actions like visualization & mediation, reading inspiring motivational books, attending seminars, etc. These actions help support your mindset so that goal achievement becomes easier.
EAT, LIVE & BREATHE YOUR GOALS
People who master a skill invest hours upon hours doing what they love. This helps them reach that magical 10,000 hours more quickly. Take a look at your day, how much of it is dedicated towards achieving your desires. I know we all have jobs, families, and other responsibilities. Because of this, we have to be extra crafty in finding time to dedicate to our goals. Do you have to wake up a little earlier or sleep a little later? Do you have a long commute to work that you can use to listen to audiobooks? What about your lunch breaks? What are you focusing on when you're washing dishes or taking a shower? My point is that you have to find time to think about, focus on, and take action on your goals. The time is there, you have to identify and leverage. The minutes add up let's allocate them towards become skilled goal achieves.
My thinking has shifted to seeing this whole "goal achievement" thing as something that can easily be learned and replicated. This is why some are seem to attract what they want so easily. They've been doing deliberately for years.
I thought to myself "wow, that guy is pretty good at achieving what he wants, I wonder what factors contribute to it?" After more thought, I was reminded of a concept I first learned in Talent is Overrated known as the 10,000 hour rule. Great artists, athletes, musicians, actors are all beneficiaries of this rule. Basically, by putting in an equivalent of 10,000 or more hours of deliberate practice, they become masters in their craft. What if goal achievement is something that can be improved on, by hours of practice, just like any other skill?
I watch a show called Master Chef. The contestants on this reality TV show must show their skills in the kitchen by creating delicious dishes based on the directions from the judges. Let's say, for instance, the participants are tasked with preparing the perfect 7 layer chocolate cake. You can instantly tell, by the looks of their faces, who has been practicing their baking skills and who have not. And, for the most part, those who have invested hours of practice in the art of baking usually fare better than those who haven't. I want you to think of goal achievement in the same way.
When you write down that you want to achieve various outcomes by a certain time, one factor in how likely you are to achieve this is how skilled you are at achieving goals in general. The guy on Youtube who reached his goal of earning over $40,000k a month has a video that he recorded two years ago with a goal of earning $8,000 a month. And I bet before that he goals was to earn $5,000 a month (he mentions struggling financially and being deeply in debt at one point in his life). He makes as much as he does because he's a master at goal achievement. So, how did he become that way and how can we be better at achieving what we want?
DO IT DAILY
One thing that all
PRACTICE SUPPORTING ACTIONS
When you hear stories of how great artists and athletes practice, pay attention to the "supporting actions" they take that elevate their craft. For instance, I heard that Matthew Knowles made the young ladies of Destiny's Child run while singing to support their vocal strength and endurance. Tiger Woods was said to be one of the few golfers who lifted weights to help improve his golf game. In the same way, we must practice supporting actions like visualization & mediation, reading inspiring motivational books, attending seminars, etc. These actions help support your mindset so that goal achievement becomes easier.
EAT, LIVE & BREATHE YOUR GOALS
People who master a skill invest hours upon hours doing what they love. This helps them reach that magical 10,000 hours more quickly. Take a look at your day, how much of it is dedicated towards achieving your desires. I know we all have jobs, families, and other responsibilities. Because of this, we have to be extra crafty in finding time to dedicate to our goals. Do you have to wake up a little earlier or sleep a little later? Do you have a long commute to work that you can use to listen to audiobooks? What about your lunch breaks? What are you focusing on when you're washing dishes or taking a shower? My point is that you have to find time to think about, focus on, and take action on your goals. The time is there, you have to identify and leverage. The minutes add up let's allocate them towards become skilled goal achieves.
My thinking has shifted to seeing this whole "goal achievement" thing as something that can easily be learned and replicated. This is why some are seem to attract what they want so easily. They've been doing deliberately for years.
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