The 411 on Dry Brushing

Every woman wants smooth, silky skin and here's an easy way to achieve that with DRY BRUSHING. What is dry brushing you ask? Well, it's literally taking a natural bristled brush, not to be confused with a good ol' hair brush, and gently rubbing it on your skin in short, quick strokes. YES it's that simple! 


SO here are the amazing benefits of DBing...

1. Gets rid of dead skin cells.

2. Increases circulation.

3. Helps the lymphatic system work better.

(In your body, your lymphatic system is the system responsible for eliminating cellular waste products. Hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, a process referred to as lymphatic drainage.

When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick. Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. By stimulating your lymphatic system and helping it release toxins, dry skin brushing is a powerful detoxification aid. Source.)

4. Decreases bloating.

5. Reduces cellulite. 

6. Improves digestion and kidney function.

7. Relieves stress.

8. Helps to tighten skin.

9. Helps your skin to absorb nutrients by unclogging pores.

10. Helps with muscle tone.

Here's how I dry brush:

Before I get in the shower, I grab my natural bristled brush and pour a quarter size amount of vitamin E oil* and/or grapeseed oil* directly on my brush. (Kinda defeats the name of DRY brushing when using a liquid, but it's all the same.) I like to use oils because the bristles can be a little rough on my skin, and the oils help to soften up the bristles. (*Grapeseed oil helps to tighten skin and aids in anti-aging. *Vitamin E oil is a great antioxidant and promotes healing!)

I start with my right foot and move up my leg, then go to my left, always moving in a circular motion towards the heart. (Always brush towards your heart because it's best for circulation and your lymphatic system.)

I then work my way up to my bum, lower back, stomach, arms, chest and upper back. I don't brush my face as I will exfoliate once I'm in the shower. 

It's that simple!!!

Then I hop in the shower! My skin feels silky and smooth like a baby's bum!

Typically it will take me 5-10 minutes to do my entire body. I do tend to emphasis more on my thighs, bum and hips, where cellulite and stretch marks are more predominate. 

Here is the brush I use: Hydrea London Dry Skin Body Brush, $12

Here are a few others: 

• Hydrea London Dry Skin Sauna Brush, $16 (This one has a long handle for hard to reach places.)
• Hydrea London Dry Skin Brush, $14 (This one has a detachable handle.)

Go out and get your Dry Brush on!!!!

Natural Sunscreens

Let's be honest... AGING SUCKS!  There are fillers and injections to make us look younger, which can be awesome...but why not try and prevent using those things!

When it comes to sunscreens, I am the person who tells her friends and family to APPLY APPLY APPLY!!! It is SO important to protect your skin! (It's the only skin you will EVER have!)

Let me break it down why I'm so nuts about sunscreen:

Skin Cancer.

Wrinkles.

Aging.

Fine Lines.

Pigmentation.

Sallowness (a yellow discoloration of the skin).

Benign tumors.

The destruction of collagen - good byeeee youth!!!

The sun is an amazing natural resource! BUT it can also be very harmful to the skin! Vitamin D is AWESOME! Helps with so many things us as humans need to be healthy! But, let's get serious about preventing the BAD things the sun can also do...

Here are my favorite NATURAL sunscreens:

1. Badger SPF 30 - One of the simplest sunscreens! Only 5 indigents! Zinc oxide (VERY IMPORTANT! It reflects the sun off your skin!) Organic sunflower oil, Organic extra virgin olive oil, and Organic beeswax, $15  (There is also a face stick that I use for certain spots on my face. Like my upper lip, (I tend to get a bunch of freckles which make my look like I have a mustache, not cute!) Also, by my hair line. (Sometimes we forget that just because there is hair, doesn't mean we won't burn in-between the hairs!!)

2. Honest Sunscreen - Zinc is the only active ingredient! NO harmful chemicals, baby safe, Non-Nano, Hypoallergenic, Vegetarian, Non-Whitening, Biodegradable, and Water Proof! It does go on think, but I'd rather have a layer of sunscreen then nothing at all! $15

3. Organic Coconut Oil - Coconut oil has soooooo many uses and sunscreen is one of them! I've used it many times! You must be thinking, OIL FOR MY FACE?? YES!!! (Here is a post I wrote about face oils!!)You can find out more about the benefits of coconut oil here. $12

4. Kiss My Face Sunscreen - I love this sunscreen! It goes on light and protects your skin!!! It is an oat based sunscreen...with NO artificial fragrances, NO artificial flavors, Vegan, NO animal testing, NO parabens, NO phthalates, and it's Gluten free! $15

One thing I use EVERYDAY is Josie Maran's Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47. When you purchase the 4 oz. bottle, you receive a free 1oz mini bottle, which I keep in my purse in case of emergencies!! This goes on a little think, but I just add a bit of 100% Argan Oil to make it less thick and it blends in amazing!!!

Please do yourself a favor and protect your skin!! You will thank yourself in the long run!!! ;)

Disclaimer: All information provided on http://lipsticksnstones.blogspot.com is read of your own free will.  All opinions are my own, I do not work for any of the above companies. All the information provided is based on my own use of the above items and want you all to be informed of natural products! :)