Subscribe to Birchbox’s YouTube channel for more videos weekly. 

Learn more about Birchbox at www.birchbox.com

The post Outdoor Beauty Essentials For Spring appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Find even more skincare tips on the Birchbox YouTube Channel.

The post Our 6 Top Tips For Sensitive Skin with Acne appeared first on HelloGiggles.

IDENTIFY TRIGGERS

Often a specific place—a particular mirror or a bathroom with bright lighting, for example—triggers the urge to pick. “Identify those places” says Dr. Feder, “and raise a mental flag or red alert when you’re going into those spots to guard against engaging in the behavior.” If completely avoiding that space isn’t realistic, Dr. Feder suggests setting a time limit for how long you’re in there and visualizing something in the mirror that will make you walk away, like a giant red stop sign.

CHECK IN

When you’re feeling the urge to pick, check in with yourself to examine the thoughts and feelings that are driving that urge. Is it anxiety? Stress? Boredom? Try to identify the underlying reason behind your picking habit, then consider how to address the root problem.

OCCUPY YOUR HANDS

If your hands are otherwise occupied, they can’t be picking at blemishes. Some easy recommendations: playing a game on your phone, typing out emails, or giving yourself a manicure.

TAKE A PHOTO

If you can’t stop obsessing, try taking a picture of the pimple and saying to yourself, If it still bothers me in 24 hours, then I can touch it. “Often what we see is that picking is an instant gratification, impulse thing,” say Dr. Feder. “The person is unable to wait, even though they know that the damage they’re doing to themselves is so much worse than if they were to just wait for a day for the pimple to resolve itself or for medicine to kick in.”

—By Meredith Stebbins

This article originally appeared on Birchbox.com

The post How To: (Finally!) Stop Picking at Your Face and Prevent Acne and Acne Scars appeared first on HelloGiggles.

“The biggest misconception [about face peels] is that the skin will be burned and bright,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. We asked Dr. Jaliman for the real story on this not-so-scary treatment.

How They Work and What They Do

Face peels remove top layers of skin to exfoliate and expedite cell turnover, Dr. Jaliman says. When new cells are formed, this creates a new layer of skin—one that is fresh and smooth. Face peels can improve skin’s texture, even skin tone, minimize fine lines, and clear up acne by unclogging pores. One problem they can’t fix, contrary to popular belief: scarring (only lasers can do that). Another misconception? Face peels cause skin to overproduce oil and become more acne-prone. Not true, according to Dr. Jaliman. The key, she says, is choosing the right peel for your skin problem.

How to Choose a Peel

Problem: Acne-Prone and Oily Skin

If you have acne, a salicylic acid peel can help unclog pores. Since it’s drying, this type of peel best for skin that tends toward the oily side.

Problem: Uneven Skin Tone and Fine Lines

Pomegranate, pumpkin, antioxidant, and glycolic peels hydrate skin and smooth wrinkles. Pomegranate, pumpkin, and antioxidant are especially popular during winter because they’re mild and can be done repetitively without dryness or irritation, Dr. Jaliman says.

Note: If you have rosacea or eczema, you should steer clear of peels. Because these conditions cause skin inflammation, peels only increase irritation and redness, says Dr. Jaliman.

When to Peel

Although different skin types require different face-peel regimens, Dr. Jaliman says that in general, a series of three to six peels two to four weeks apart should result in a noticeable difference in skin quality. For some patients, she recommends peel pads with low concentrations of acid, which allow patients to continue treatment at home daily or weekly.

Post-Peel Care

Don’t use retinols, which can irritate skin post-peel. Do use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Redness should last only a few minutes after your peel. If dryness, irritation, and redness persist longer than that, try using products with hyaluronic acid for added moisture and green tea for soothing properties.

Post-Peel Power Players

For healthy hydration, we can’t get enough of Juice Beauty products, which contain juice-based formulas and organic ingredients with nourishing properties.

For extra fine line-smoothing power, try Marula Oil, which reduces existing wrinkles by plumping skin, and My Skincare Skin Recovery Formula, which brightens skin and can further help zap fine lines and wrinkles.

For persistent redness and irritation, Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner can help soothe normal to oily skin, while Fresh Lotus Gel Moisturizer can help hydrate skin, which may also be prone to dryness post-peel.

—By Melinda Carstensen

This article originally appeared on Birchbox.com

The post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Face Peels appeared first on HelloGiggles.

The secret to glowing skin

During times when I’ve been more stressed and eating junky foods, my skin has felt dull. Now my life is all about living well from the inside out and hoping to inspire others to live well, too. Since I made this conscious shift in my mind, I’ve seen fantastic results in all areas of my life, including my skin.

Tried-and-true products

I try to go as natural as possible. It really makes a difference for my skin and how I feel. I use Alba moisturizer. It’s pretty inexpensive and works just as well as all the fancy natural and organic ones I’ve tried. Tata Harper moisturizer is a nice special treat every once in a while—I’ll buy it for a gift and pick up one for myself as well.

How to get back on the fitness wagon in 2013

Grab a BFF or a co-worker, get over to a yoga class and sign up for a package that will make you come regularly. Enlist friends and family into cooking at home with you. Explore healthy cooking at home, and you’ll get hooked and feel fantastic right away.

Studio soundtrack

Music is so important to us with Strala, and to me personally. I love to find interesting music on my travels and inject some world flavor into our playlists. Right now I have a group from Ibiza called Red Fulka, some Bruno Mars, some old-school Tribe Called Quest and Beastie Boys. I like to mix up some throw-back jamz with fun, silly pop songs and world music, all winding down with deep relaxing Tibetan heart chakra bowls to center and uplift everyone. A little exotic, contemporary, nostalgic and spiritual, and you’ve got a great blend!

Kitchen confidential

I have an insanely healthy soup I call “All Veggies in My Soup.” You can make it with any veggies you have in your house. Put a little onion and garlic in a saucepan with olive oil. Toss in the chopped veggies, add veggie stock and simmer down for 20-30 minutes. I like to add a lot of crushed red pepper flakes for spice. Then comes my secret ingredient: a couple of cups of coconut milk. Simmer down for 10 minutes, and either eat chunky or blend it for more of a puree. It’s amazing, crazy healthy and tastes indulgent!

Being “easy” in body and mind

When you practice forcing and pushing, you end up running into a bunch of walls, or expending tons of energy trying to break them down. Practicing being easy is the mindset of looking for the doorknob to open the door. It’s there. I’m influenced a lot by classical dance and Eastern movements and ideas. Since we get good at what we practice, we start accomplishing hard things easily, whether it’s an arm balance or any task in life.

On the horizon

I’m super excited about my partnership with Reebok. I’ve been working with them since the beginning of 2012, designing a range of yoga lifestyle clothing. The clothes are fantastic, fun, cozy, and you’ll want to live in them! We launch the first season in spring 2013. Stay tuned!

Bonus: Check the Birchbox blog for Tara Stiles’ homemade Wendy’s Frosty recipe!

—Interview by Bene Cipolla

Photo: courtesy of Tara Stiles

This article originally appeared on Birchbox.com

The post Birchbox Crush: Celebrity Yoga Instructor Tara Stiles appeared first on HelloGiggles.

• 1 medium beet, raw, steamed or roasted*
• 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries
• 1/2 cup fresh orange, sectioned
• 1 cup of almond milk

*If using raw beet, carefully peel the beet and cut into squares. Use steamed or roasted If you don’t have a high-speed blender.

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Enjoy!

If you’re not a huge beet fan, try adding a bit of frozen banana. It will make the texture creamier and soften the beet flavor. I also added a tablespoon of ground chia seeds to make it more filling.

For something a bit, well, more chocolate-y, try Goop’s Chocolate Love Smoothie. —Mollie Chen, Birchbox Editorial Director

This post originally ran on Blog.Birchbox.com

The post A Pink Smoothie Recipe That’s As Healthy and Delicious As It Is Pretty appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Happy sweating!

Danielle Hopkins in the Group Fitness Manager at Equinox Printing House in New York. http://www.equinox.com/

To learn about Birchbox and get more tips, tricks, and tutorials, go to Birchbox.com. For great beauty and lifestyle videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The post The 5 Workout Moves You’re Doing Wrong appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Featured image via Goop.

The post Chocolate Love Smoothie By Birchbox and Dr. Frank Lipman appeared first on HelloGiggles.