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At AURA, it is our mission to provide you with the very best in luxury cosmetic services - which includes our organic makeup line: VAPOUR BEAUTY.
Choosing organic makeup is one of the best choices that I make each day. And no...you don't need makeup to feel beautiful :) But since I do love to wear makeup on a daily basis, I feel great knowing that I am actually working with my skin, and not against it. Organic makeup has significantly changed the appearance and health of my skin for the better. For a long time I didn't wear any makeup due to sensitivities that I was experiencing when I used traditional cosmetics. I had scarring from acne that I thought would never go away. I tried lots of combinations of natural oils and ingredients to help, but it wasn't until I started using organic makeup that my skin really started to change. My organic makeup journey began with a company called 100% Pure. The base of their tinted moisturizer is Aloe Vera, which is full of nutrients that helps to break down scarring, as well as provide a natural anti-bacterial support. Pretty awesome. Within a few months of wearing this consistently, I noticed a dramatic difference in the scarring on my skin. I was ecstatic of this! Especially considering that I had always thought of makeup being generally unhealthy for my skin. I used 100% Pure for years and would still recommend them to anyone looking for an alternative. But while looking for an organic company that offered a wider range of color matches, I stumbled upon VAPOUR BEAUTY ~ and simply fell in love. Besides offering the greatest range of organic color choices, they also have amazing ethic. Their most popular lip color, Honor, is a 100% Proceeds item donated directly to the Cleveland Clinic to support Women's Breast Health Research. Their Facebook page (which I highly suggest you to follow!) is always full of feel good inspirations ~ from food to DIY beauty ideas.
These are just the basics. I also love the way organic companies tend to be smaller, more intimate, and heart-centered. I feel like the products are made with a lot of love & sincerity, simply because if you are looking to only make money fast, there would be much cheaper & easily accessible options in the world of cosmetics today. I love knowing that when I purchase organic-anything, really, that my money is commonly going to passionate people who are making a difference for the better in our world.
Cheers to a happy, healthy you! Inside & out. Xx Alana
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Half spinal twist is an amazing pose to help realign the entire body and to help loosen the spine. Which means YOU will be feeling less stress, and more joy!  It’s an especially great pose for women to keep the reproductive and urinary organs healthy and in great working order. Twists in general are detoxifying and this one in particular increases the circulation to the pelvic region; providing fresh blood, nutrients and oxygen. It’s a bit tricky to try this in a meeting, though easy to do if you have a private office and need a short break to realign your body and mind. It works well at home before you go to bed to help the spine and hips relax and release before bed.
Benefits of Half Spinal Twist • Increases the elasticity of the spine • Stretches the muscles on the side of the body • Relieves back pain and stiffness from in between the vertebrae. • Useful for slipped discs • Massages the abdominal organs and increases the digestive juices making it useful for loss of appetite and constipation. • Useful for diabetics, with concentration on the pancreas. • Opens the chest and increases the oxygen supply to the lungs. • Loosens the hip joints, relieving stiffness. • Releases tension in the arms, shoulders, upper back and neck. • Increases purification of the blood as well as the internal organs. • Improves round shoulders. Source: Yoga Pose Of The Week: Seated Twist | Free People Blog http://blog.freepeople.com/2013/01/yoga-pose-week-seated-twist/#ixzz2IYwk4NvB xx Alana Self-compassion is a willingness to look at your own mistakes & shortcomings with kindness & understanding ~ it’s embracing the fact that to err is indeed human. Loving yourself does not mean vanity, self-centeredness, or egotistical actions. When we really take a moment to feel love for ourselves, this is more of a serperation of ego and spirit, than it is engaging the ego.
For anyone who is not familiar with the concept of ego, it is simply the neurological personality - it is what you identify with in this life. It is your strengths, your weaknesses, your dreams, your fears. It is the the way you react to events because of your history. It is the voice in most of our heads, telling us what to do and how to do it and evaluating each & every experience that we encounter. PHEW. That kind of perspective gets tiring. I used to believe that my ego was my worst enemy. I had a hard time living with it, and did a lot in order to suppress it's voice. I learned in time that my ego was my friend, as long as I was consistently staying in touch with my heart, and taking the time each day to nurture that essential part of my nature. It is all about striking a balance. Ignoring your heart is no way to live- and at the same time, denying your ego is no way to live, either. I have learned that each of these aspects can live harmoniously in balance, when we are willing to really look at ourselves, our values, and what we aspire to be in this world. There is so much more to you than the battle that we often feel inside. ♥ She is doing her best, she is trying. She has been given this life & she is taking it day by day. Maybe she has made mistakes, maybe she has hurt some people on the way. Maybe she has been hurt. But you know what? She is getting there. ♥ I promise that with practice and willingness, it gets easier and easier to love yourself. And I can't argue with Lucille Ball when she says - When you love yourself first, everything else falls into line. Everything... xx Alana And because you are ENOUGH, you deserve to:
Unwind* Take time to unwind each week, do something calming even if it’s just as simple as lying down and starring at the ceiling. Read your body* Eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired. Be comfortable with your body* don't let anyone else make you feel otherwise. Create a healthy mind/body relationship* Mix high intensity works out with mind exercises like yoga or meditation. Consider your health* Eat food that make you feed good, as well as keep in touch with your emotions and heart's desires. Get plenty of sleep * Try and sleep eight hours per night, your day that follows will be a lot easier. xx Alana "Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line." -Lucille Ball  What a beautiful woman. Fierce, fiery & always fashionable, Lucille Ball was an iconic figure not just because of her quirky charm-but because of her trail-blazing spirit. Being one of the first incredibly famous women to be recognized on screen for more than just looks, Lucille inspired women all over America to dig deeper into their own personalities- & shamelessly so.
We hear the catch-phrase often, "Love yourself....". And I love how Ball takes it to the next level. "Love yourself FIRST...". In my life I have experienced that this is absolutely true. And this has nothing to do with being selfish or vain. Loving yourself means honoring yourself, listening to yourself, standing up for yourself, and trusting yourself. Loving yourself means taking the TIME to nurture a relationship with YOU. This is how you know yourself. It may take some getting used to, some re-arranging of your schedule....It might take some creativity and appreciation of how powerful 5 minutes here, and 5 minutes there can be......But we all have the ability to begin a beautiful- and highly important-relationship to ourselves. And this is why it is so unselfish: Because everything else falls into place. When we honor ourselves first, we teach others to honor themselves as well. We allow others to grow. Our respect for others exponentially improves. There is more space between the lines to really enjoy the life that we have been graced with. We are fulfilled, and then ~ we fulfill others. We truly honor ourselves, and then ~ we truly honor others. It is a win-win way to be. Cheers to loving yourself more & more everyday. xx Alana Being healthy is easy & delicious.
The Hibiscus Flower is highly prized for it's sweet fruity flavor and brilliant crimson color. When infused as a tea, this precious flower is high in vitamin C, antioxidants, has also been shown to mildly decease blood pressure in hypertensive adults AND helps to prevent recurring bladder infections. It has a soothing, relaxing effect on our nervous systems, which makes it great for reading a book, sitting around with your friends, or even a mid-day break.  For more knoweldge on this amazing flower, visit Gaia Herbs to read the article and study by Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. http://www.gaiaherbs.com/articles/detail/42/The-Surprising-Health-Benefits-of-Hibiscus  Hibiscus is by far my favorite-favorite-FAVORITE. The earthy taste of other medicinal teas such as dandelion or sage steals my heart at close second, but I find the refined, relaxing, refreshing & desert-like YUMMINESS of this herb to be unmatched.
What is your favorite tea? Relax & Enjoy. xx Alana Lash Extensions are one of the hottest new trend. This involves a refined process of individually attaching synthetic or natural lashes to your own lash bed with an adhesive that binds strong enough to last over a course of about 60-70 days. The lashes tend to fall out individually, and you return to the salon every few weeks to upkeep them.
When life gives you lemons....
When life gives you them, squeeeeze them (into your water, of course!). Then drink that water, steam your face with that water, and feel like a new born babe all over again. Just watch those precious eyeballs. They'd rather stay out of it. Refreshing Benefits: Exfoliating – Exfoliate with lemon to maintain clear, youthful skin! Lemon fruit acids are ideal for gentle exfoliation; add the vitamin content of lemons and you’ve got a complete skincare treatment right in your kitchen! To exfoliate, apply lemon juice on clean skin for 5-10 minutes then rinse. Teeth Brightening – It’s not a secret anymore that one of the best natural whitening products is lemon. Improve Hyper-pigmentation- Rub half a lemon on your face or any darker areas like elbows and knees. Repeat every day until you notice improvement in pigmentation. But remember to use sunscreen all time for increased protection! Neutralizing environmental damage – Sun, pollution and stress take their toll on your skin. Vitamin C is known to be a potent anti-oxidant that combats the effects of free radicals on your body. Why not use it on your skin as well? It helps prevent wrinkles and helps maintain skin elasticity. Mix a bit of lemon juice in your favourite home made treatment mask to reap the benefits of antioxidants! Toning – Tired skin is no longer a problem when you have a lemon at hand. Shrink pores and regain your glow with this concoction: in a glass of water, squeeze half a lemon and add a few cucumber slices then shake and let stand for 5 minutes. With a cotton ball, wipe your face for a minute then clean with cold water. Hydrating and nourishing – Lemons are popular for their Vitamin C content, don’t forget they are also a good source of folate, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B6. Lemon’s nutrients detoxify, repair and renew skin from the inside out. Use this 20 minute mask to energize your skin: one teaspoon each of lemon, honey and black tea infusion. Fighting wrinkles – because Vitamin C stimulates collagen formation, using lemon juice in your wrinkle treatments can improve your results. A home made, hydrating wrinkle treatment is a solution made of milk and a bit of lemon juice. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water. Pore cleansing– If your skin is oily, and clogged pores or blackheads are often a problem, lemon can help. Because of its exfoliating and astringent properties, overnight lemon juice treatment on problem areas can help you achieve a beautiful, smooth skin in the morning. Apply with a cotton swab where needed and let dry. xx Alana
 BERRIES. Simply looking at them makes me feel playful & alive. I mean, is there any more perfect, gorgeous shades of pink & red? There is just something magic about it. And really, there is. Aside from my visual love affair, science has something to offer about the possible attraction. Yum. Gotta love the logic. But, who says you have to EAT them to actually feel the love? the strawberry: (Fragaria ananassa) Bursting with the natural goodness of antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, folates and vitamin A * Strawberries are completely cholesterol free & extremely low on calories. Because of the amazing punch they pack with their antioxidant count, their regular consumption has been known to keep your heart & organs extremely vital. Strawberries reduce the free radicals (aka cellular waste, from all the hard work they are doing!) in your system, which in turn lessens the stressful impacts on your body. You feel, and ARE a more youthful, vibrant you. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 100g (about 1 container) of strawberries is 1,540 units A study was conducted on strawberries by Dr. Gene Spiller of the Sphera Foundation with results showing that antioxidant levels in the body increased remarkably 30 to 60 minutes after eating strawberries. for your SKIN: When used as a face mask, strawberries gently refresh & exfoliate your skin because of the presence of salicylic acid (to help balance oils) & a cornucopia of antioxidants which keep skin full of elasticity, hydrated & remove the effects of environmental stress on the face. Add a dash of cinnamon to your mask to enhance circulation & increase cell renewal. Cinnamon has really helped to keep the oils on my skin in balance. * After all masks, I will typically wash with a gentle cleanser & use shea butter as a moisturizer. the raspberry: (Rubus idaeus) This beauty runs the scene with anthocyanins, pelargonidins, gallic acid, cyanidins, coumaric, catechins, kaempferols, ellagic acid, ferulic acid and salicylic acid. What?! Not to fear. Those illegible words, they fight for the good guys. Raspberries also are a bountiful source of Vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B complex, folic acid, copper, iron and dietary fiber. If you are looking to balance your weight, raspberries are rich in dietary fiber & play a magical trick to make you feel nice & full. Raspberries have an ORAC of 4,900 units per 100g (about 1 container). The high levels of manganese present in it increase your basal metabolic rate which is the amount of energy you burn while at rest. Nice! So does that mean that you can maintain your health by lounging? Yes indeed. The more the basal metabolic rate the better the weight loss. for your SKIN: With a similar profile to strawberries, raspberries can be mashed into a face mask to exfoliate & rejuvenate your skin just the same. Suggestion: Mix strawberries, raspberries & cinnamon together :)  the cranberry: (Vaccinium macrocarpa) Being one of the world's healthiest foods isn't easy... and being practically a pure ANTI-OXIDANT... now that's, working overtime. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 100g (1 container) of cranberries is roughly around 9,584 units. Cranberries are a rich source of essential micronutrients such as manganese, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. Like other berries, they are also rich in phytochemicals, flavonoids and polyphenols. Cranberries are known to be anticarcinogenic & act as anti-clotting agents (for those on blood thinners, it is suggested not to ingest cranberries). They are also used in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections and are so healthy for your heart! for your SKIN: Pour 4 tbsp. of cranberry concentrate (no sugar) into your bubble bath & soak up the benefits. Also excellent as a hair rinse or to add to your shampoo. Use with caution if you have chemically bleached hair; blondes tend to soak up the reddish hue. the blueberry: (Vaccinium angustifolium) With all the goodness of anthocynins, luteins, flavonoids, antioxidants and phytochemicals, blueberries have the amazing ability to greatly reduce inflammation. They are also known to improve vision. Blueberries have an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 2,400 units. A cup of blueberries which is roughly around 145g supplies over 30 percent of our daily requirement of vitamin C which helps to fight infections and scavenges harmful free radicals besides being anti-inflammatory in nature. Blueberries have been found increase mind & memory health, and keep our brains functioning optimally. The phytochemical pterostilbene (a methoxylated form of resveratrol) present in blueberries keeps glucose levels healthy. for your SKIN: Mash together blueberries & honey (antibacterial & full of minerals!) to make a refreshing face mask. Amazing for refreshing areas around your eyes. For a feel-good body scrub, start with a base of sugar & add just enough of the blueberry/honey mix so that it sticks to your skin. This is my favorite way to exfoliate my whole body every once in a while. Exfoliation will keep your skin healthy & vibrant, plus it feels so, so awesome.
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