Save My Skin Stat!

I’m almost at wits’ end trying to juggle a ton of stuff. I’m just so excited to work on all of these projects but like everyone else, I could get pretty overwhelmed when I have a lot on my plate. One major thing I’m working on at the moment is migrating Pretty Darn Fit to its new home because we are finally turning one in July! You heard that right, guys ONE YEAR!!! *30-second happy dance*. This is a major milestone for the blog–it means finally having the freedom to make adjustments and make the whole site more interactive. However, this also means having more responsibility and taking care of every bit in terms of maintenance and back-up (sigh). I’m not very familiar with the process and have been studying the steps, options and whatnots since last week. This, coupled with the regular posting here, preparation for my daily classes and the launch of my new training program in July is causing me sleepless nights, less sweat time, more hours sitting and staring at a computer screen and ultimately, bad skin.

Last week, I posted my current obsession with The Flow Shop’s 100% Natural African Shea Butter on Instagram. My friends and family know that I’m pretty much low maintenance and it’s the one, single thing I use on my face and my entire body. I mentioned in the caption of my photo that I’ve let go of all lotions, moisturizers and balms. Right now, I use it as a face moisturizer, lip balm, body moisturizer, tattoo goo and after-sun balm. I make sure to bring portions with me all the time because it doesn’t get all sticky or greasy on my skin especially during the day. Of course, it’s there when I sweat, but not as bad as most lotions do. That little bit of discomfort is okay because at the end of the day, your skin is really going to need it. And hey, it’s not just the heat that causes your skin to get all wrinkly, being in an airconditioned room dries it up real bad too, so watch out.

Anyway, this had me wondering how a few other girls I know keep their skin and hair healthy. Here are the products they swear by:

BATH

RITUALS LAVENDER LIQUID SOAP is available at the Legazpi Sunday Market or visit Rituals.ph .

HAIR

Image of Malibu products from Salonpremiere.com. Order Malibu online through Malibuc.com

Tip: Kate knows the challenges of maintaining color-treated hair, learn more tricks from her here. Read more from Kate at www.katewashere.com

LIPS

Hurraw lip balms are available at The Legazpi Sunday Market and from Cutieverse.

MAKE-UP

Bambi’s brushes are available at any Body Shop branch. Also on her list of vegan/cruelty-free brushes are Urban Decay, Charm and Real Techniques.

After asking them, I realized that these women are not at all the type to put so much gunk on their faces. I RARELY ever see them with full make-up on, if it’s not for work (yes, even Bambi the makeup artist). So where does one draw the line between putting on stuff for aesthetic purposes and putting them on to soothe, nourish and protect? It’s simple really, once you’ve found one or two natural products that your skin reacts really well to then you can stick to that. It could be as simple as Virgin Coconut Oil or pure Cocoa Butter. The less ingredients the better. And seriously, plant-based ingredients are WAAAAY better (for yourself and for the planet).

Now, don’t take this over your dermatologist’s advice, I’m speaking from experience after I’ve gone through the phase of putting nearly the entire universe on my face in High School for no pressing reason other than to look pretty. Don’t wear yourself out chasing trends, I mean why would you want to put horse fat or pig collagen on your skin?

Cliche as it may sound beautiful skin stems from a good diet and the kind of lifestyle that keeps the body happy and thankful. Rather than covering things up from the outside, go for keeping a healthy gut and living clean. And do it now, your future self will thank you later on. xx