Pissed . . .

I really hate that I still think about you, that I'm still mad at you, that I still worry about you, that I still have horrible dreams about you. I hate that I can guarantee you don't.

I hate it.

Oily Skin? . . .

As a licensed Esthetician and full Cosmetologist, I have found that there are many misconceptions to getting good skin. Additionally, many products over the counter are plain junk and we all know that the professional products are very pricey.

I've been trying and testing a number of products to create a regimen so that the average joe can afford to get good skin. I've designed this combination for those with oily skin with three essential parts: cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. These three products work for a number of reasons. One reason is that the cleanser is clay based and is a high percent of benzoil peroxide. Clays draw oils out of the skin and benzoil peroxide kills the bacteria that frequently causes acne infections. For optimal results, it is essential to pair benzoil peroxide with salicylic acid, and to not just use one or the other. This is why I've chosen the other two products as salicylic acid products. My skin has cleared up in one week following this program and I encourage you to try it as well if you have oily skin!


1. Neutrogena Clean Pore Cleanser/Mask
7.99 at most drugstores

Wash face/neck once a day at the end of the day (Only splash water on face in the morning). Use as a mask 2x per week.

Washing your face before bed is the best option for three reasons:

• First, oils generate more quickly on the skin overnight allowing a longer growth period for bacteria.
• Next, going to bed with a clean face keeps your pillowcases from becoming a welcomed breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
• Lastly, over-washing your face can actually increase the amount of sebum (oils) your skin produces ergo causing more acne.

2. Sea Breeze Astringent
4.00 at most drugstores

After washing your face, use Sea Breeze (I suggest sensitive skin version because it is gentler) on a cotton pad (not toilet paper) and wipe each area of your face/neck one to two times.

The Sea Breeze works as a "toner" for your skin and is used for two reasons:

• First, to get rid of bacteria. To do this properly and most effectively, you must first clean visible debris (cleanser above) then use a "sanitizer" (Sea Breeze).
• Second, the two main ingredients are salicylic acid and alcohol - this product will dry current blemishes up.

3. Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Control Moisturizer
7.50 at most drugstores

Use approximately 2 pumps of moisturizer and rub into face/neck after first two steps. Let dry fully before putting on makeup.

This is an essential part of a skin-cleansing regimen, but often a forgotten part. There are two main reasons for needing a moisturizer:

• The first two products are going to be very drying to your skin. Without a moisturizer, this regimen would cause your skin to first dry out and get flaky, then overproduce oils.
• In dry climate, everyone should be using moisturizer because dryness can cause quicker visible aging and sometimes uncomfortable irritation.

Let me know what you think!
<3 KT

I feel the same way . . .

Don't you think that instead of giving new customers great discounts on phones in exchange for signing their soul away for a 2 was contract, they ought to give a loyal customer discount to those who have chosen to keep spending money and loading up their pocketbooks and not those of their biggest competition. I'm just saying right now you can get a blackberry curve from at&t, t-mobile, and sprint but NOT from verizon. WTH? KT

He looks so happy!

Well do i feel like a b-i-t-c-h or what? Maybe i went a little overboard with my last post. I'm not saying i think any differently, however, i should have added how i do admire her standing up and being brave (though i wouldn't have chosen such a bare-all approach). Well if i offended any one i'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. I struggle with my self image and health every day and i just want people to feel as motivated as i do and more to get healthy and to live longer. Today is slow at work... I've got the christmas station on. :D i'd really like time to fly by today :) and through saturday. Lol

stophatingyourbody

This is really bothersome. The message this photo sends is that this woman has given up.

It is not right to laugh at or judge this type of body because no one is perfect, and it is great to love who you are no matter what.

BUT

Our society has an obvious problem - its called obesity... ever heard of it? While one can revel in their uniqueness and enjoy being different, it is NOT ok to just sit back and accept this tragic health problem as being okay!

Did you know that obesity is the #2 cause of preventable death in the US second only to tobacco related deaths? Or how being overweight increases your risks of Breast cancer, Coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Sleep apnea, Gall bladder disease, Osteoarthritis, Colon cancer, Hypertension, and Stroke?

• http://www.getamericafit.org/statistics-obesity-in-america.html
• http://www.doctorslounge.com/primary/articles/obesity_death/

Is this type of demonstrative photo is in response to years and years of shoving Twiggy-skinny celebrities in our faces? Absolutely. That usually coupled with daddy-issues and a national menu unforgiving of its caloric intake, it's really not very surprising that our majority chooses the easy way out through all out giving up (NJ woman attempting to become world's largest lady) or by fake fixes found in plastic surgeries and fad diets.

The problem here is this, people. We are now conditioned to believe that everyone deserves a gold star for everything they do and that everyone is a winner (even if you are a loser!). People find other people who are like them, and instead of trying to better themselves they settle! If we could just stop settling for mediocrity -excuse me, celebrating it!- we may all stand a chance to win the battle against this disease.

I can't stop having brain cancer just by changing a few choices in my life, but I could stop being obese that way. It is selfish to take your life and body so for granted when there are so many who don't have the choice to have their disease. Our tolerance and acceptance can only go so far before we must, as a nation, stand up and fight for our own to get healthy and live longer lives! We cannot sit idly by and watch our country kill itself.

Katie