Happily Ever After: Indigena’s Tips for your big day!

 

Love is in the Air! June is one of the most romantic months & always a favourite month for us here at Indigena! This month we will be sharing some wedding tips from former brides, as well as our own tips, so stay tuned!

This wedding season is extra special for me personally as my cousin is getting married!! With an impending wedding on my mind  I thought I’d share some wedding tips for the bride and the groom so your pictures are awesome and you feel totally confident on your special day.

Spend a bit of alone time doing whatever relaxes you before the wedding. Go out on the proverbial limb and get a facial or massage with your Fiancé the week before. Nailed, Arendella Spa, Still Waters Massage & Spa, The Wash House Spa, StillWaters or The Doctor’s House  are among our favourites on the Island.
Let’s face it lovebirds your days are getting more stressful and its starting to show. Schedules leading up to the wedding are gruelling. You need some well deserved R&R for the big day! If you don’t want to go to a spa, you can always have a DIY night at home.

 

Pack a  “LifeSaver” kit for yourselves, the wedding party and parents.

Here are my suggestions:
-Water for each person, you don’t want anyone getting fatigued from dehydration. Try Pearl Springs or Iceberg Water.
– Facial Blotting to help keep the shine away.
–Land and Sea Healing Mist or Sea Mineral Mist to refresh your skin and keep it glowing.
– Healthy snacks keep everyone happy not hangry, a Snickers works but how about some healthy choices? Have you tried the Made with Local bars? They are to die for!!
-Lip balm!!! Everyone gets dry chapped lips and smiling all day in the photos doesn’t help. Have a few lip balms on hand and your bridal party will thank you! If you want a more glossy finish try our reformulated Smooch Lip Balm, but if shine is not your style try our Partridgeberry Lip Balm.
– Add a small sewing kit, bandaids, stain remover, cozy footwear and some Advil!  It never hurts to be prepared! You never know what the day might have in store.

Just these little things say “I Love You” so intimately to the most important people in your lives. Enjoy your day, go make more memories and look and feel awesome doing it! Share the Love!
Xo Lisa & Hayleigh

Do’s & Don’ts For Perfect Skin

• Do wash you skin with a mild cleanser that does not leave behind a residue. I find cream cleanser best, my favorite is Roobios Tea.
• Do use a clay-based mask treatment once a week to eliminate excess oil. The Blueberry Bliss Face Masque is great for this!
• Do treat your skin to facials, even if it’s a DIY.
• Do avoid rough scrubbing of the face, instead gently apply products with finger tips.
• Don’t pick of squeeze pimples. This can spread infections, delay healing and cause long term scaring.
• Do rinse with lukewarm water after cleansing your face and using a toner or mist.
• Do use a fresh face cloth to avoid the spread of bacteria that can grow on damp clothes.
• Don’t give up too soon. Give a new skin care regimen time to work, studies have proven it can take at least 6 weeks to see results. Remember, Roma wasn’t built in one day!
• Do wash your face after exercising to remove sweat, dirt, and germs for gym equipment.
• Don’t touch your face, this spreads bacteria that causes acne from hands to face.
• Do use a natural sunscreen that is lightweight, oil-free and non-comedogenic.

  Xo Hayleigh

Why You Should NEVER Sleep With Makeup On!

One thing I always make sure to do no matter how tired I am, or how tipsy I might be from a night out is to remove my makeup. It only takes a few minutes and my Roobios Tea Cleanser makes it super easy! Here are just a few reasons why I always make sure to follow this simple skincare rule.

1. Leftover eyeshadow can clog the little oil glands and hair follicles on your eyelids causing infections like styes.

2. When makeup mixes with your T-zone it can cause clogged pores and even bacterial infections

3. Makeup holds onto dirt, oil and dead skin cells, which can clog your pores leading to blackheads and zits.

4. Keeping lipstick on over night will not only stain your bedding, but it can clog the pores around the lips causing blackheads in that area.

5. Sleeping in mascara will dry out your lashes, causing them to be brittle, dry, and prone to breakage.

8. Sleeping without removing your makeup will break down the natural collagen in your face, due to the exposure of free radicals in the environment, that makeup holds on. This will lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.

xo Hayleigh

5 Spring Skincare Tips for Men and Women

Thankfully the sun is shining bright and you can smell the hint of summer in the salty sea air once again. With the change of seasons our skin needs time and help to adjust smoothly.

What are some common problems we see with the skin as we move from winter to spring?

Dehydration, flakiness, excessive oiliness even on people who have normal to dry skin, acne, redness, milia and blackheads are but a few of the things that make us feel self conscious about the our skin. How do you put your best face forward and feel great?

1 Exfoliate your skin once or twice weekly. Yes guys, you too especially the chin, nose and forehead areas ( known as the T- Zone ) You can use your regular cleanser and add 1 tsp of fine granulated sugar. The sugar melts as you rub gently in little circular motion over the face. Don’t feel guilty about this sugar fix! Not interested in making your own? There are thousands on the market that will do the trick but try to use a brand that uses little or no chemical based ingredients. Sugar itself is a preservative so why manufacturers use so many chemicals is a mystery to me.

2 If you must use soap ( I love it myself ) use glycerin based soaps, as they are more hydrating, less harsh and work well on all skin types. Lather up soap bar and massage your face for 1 to 2 minutes.

3 Use a toner all over the face and spray on your back often as well after working out. Toner is the essential item most people skip, especially men they don’t know why or how to use a toner. Toner rebalances the pH of the skin and slightly firms the epidermis making your pores appear less visible, yes, less visible so if you have enlarged pores on your face and or body this is a miracle elixir you can’t do without. Cleanse, tone (use a spray toner, it is quick and easy as an applicator. Great for guys after shaving to calm the skin and reduce sting), and moisturize (step 4)

4 Moisturize, even if you have acne. If there is anything I can claim being an expert on it is the prevention and maintenance of acne problems. People with problematic skin are over- aggressive in the treatment of skin problems. Your skin is the body’s largest and most forgiving organ, but it needs daily TLC. Moisturizing keeps each pore aerobic… in other words your skin needs to breathe. Keeping your skin moist allows the skin to replenish itself naturally. Once a pore becomes anaerobic it is party time for bacteria to grow. Moisturizers with harsh drying agents for acne tend to cause more acne because the skin drys out too much and the pores  become clogged from the dry dead skin on the service which causes the bacteria to spread in underneath layers the skin.

What happens then? Most people pick at their skin causing even more rupturing of the bacteria in the dermal layer and the acne spreads. So if you have acne using a small amount of moisturizer on your skin daily (morning and evening) will benefit your skin in reducing your breakouts.

After you shower is the best time to tone and moisturize while skin is damp for the most effective penetration of the products. You also use less. Don’t over use your skincare products because like medicine too much is not good either, that can cause skin irritation or excessive oiliness. As a general rule use half the amount you think you need and scale it up as needed.

5 Weekly Masquing. Are you looking at your skin and thinking I really need a lift to make my skin look fresh? Then you need to masque your skin once to twice weekly. There are two types of masques. Cleansing and hydrating. Cleansing masques are usually clay based and hydrating are gel or cream based. I use both at the same time usually. Clay masques on their own tend to really dry out the skin too much. I like seaweed powder, it is like clay but it also hydrates as it works to draw out oils and impurities. I like mixing a little of my creamy cleanser or moisturizer with the seaweed powder and put the paste all over my face for 10 to 20 minutes. This seaweed masque works great on the back as well especially if you have breakout there from working out or acne.

Lisa

Preventing & Treating Redness

There tend to be certain triggers that set off redness. It may be the case that you can’t do anything to avoid exposing yourself to these triggers, however there are some instances where they can be avoided. Identifying what sets you off is key. For rosacea, a lot of people react to spicy food, alcohol, stress and sun exposure. If you minimize your exposure to whatever is causing the problem, that’s going to be the biggest thing you can do to help.

Skincare
When your skin is red and irritated, it’s really worth treating it gently and taking things back to basics. I’d forget about any masks / exfoliants and just pair everything down. Try to avoid products with any added fragrance. OUr entire line of products are made without any added fragrance.

Cleanser: Finding a cleanser that’s gentle on the skin is hugely important. Generally that means avoiding anything that’s soapy or foaming… a cream cleanser is ideal. Our Cream Cleanser is designed specifically for environmentally sensitive skin. The soothing properties in this milky cleanser make the skin feel soft and calm redness.

Toner: If you’re using a toner, make sure to avoid anything with alcohol in the ingredients list, as it’s a surefire way to dry out and irritate your skin. Our 100% Aloe based toner (no water) helps revive dry, dehydrated or environmentally stressed skin.

Moisturizer: Moisturizer is also essential. Your skin needs a protective moisture barrier. If you’re experiencing severe redness and chapped skin, our Sea Veggie Facial Lotion is a fantastic choice. It really calms things down and repairs damaged skin. Customers who have predominantly sensitive skin love this product.

SPF: SPF is important to wear even in the winter. Your skin may be experiencing irritation from sun exposure without you even realizing. A physical sunblock (containing zinc oxide) is best suited for those with rosacea. Our Sun Goddess SPF does the trick!

Overall, make sure to keep it as simple and gentle as possible.

XO Kimberley

3 Juice Recipes for Newbies

It seems like green juice is everywhere we look lately. And it’s not hard to understand why- these leafy drinks offer a high concentration of micro-nutrients and vitamins essential for a glowing complexion. These beauty boosters can help improve radiance and balance the skin. Today I will share with you three of our favourite recipes for juicing newbies.

1// Sweet Greens:  This no nonsense blend of kale, celery, cucumbers, and green apples is the most nutrient rich of the bunch. The sweetness of the green apple will dial down the earthy flavours without adding any extra sugar.

What you’ll need: 6 kale leaves, 4 stalks of celery, 1 cucumber, 2 green apples, and a knob of ginger about an inch long

2// Carrot, Orange, Lemon, Kale & Ginger: The combination of lemon and ginger gives each sip an awesomely tangy kick, while the kale adds a nicely savoury touch that stops the carrot and orange from becoming overly sweet

What you’ll need: 2 oranges, 4 carrots, 1 handful of kale, 1/2 a lemon and a knob of ginger about an inch long

3// Berry-licious: For a sweeter option this fruity concoction combines blueberries, blackberries and beet or a light and tasty treat.

What you’ll need: 1 cup of blueberries, 1 cup of blackberries, 2 small beet and a knob of ginger about an inch long

Let us know which one you will be making! 

XO Kimberley

Go Green for St. Paddy’s Day

St. Paddy’s Day is coming up which means it’s time to celebrate all things Irish and Green!

There are plenty of ways to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day like dressing in green but at Indigena we like to celebrate with our green label products.

A fresh bath makes us happier than finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, so we’ll be sure to start the day off right with our Sea Veggie Sea Soak. The delicious citrus scent will leave you feeling awake and bright while giving you soft and supple skin.

Once you’ve picked out your most festive outfit, it’s time to bring out your gorgeous skin. Emerald Serum visibly reduces signs of aging while making your complexion appear smooth and firm.

When your day of celebrations is finished, end the day with our Sea Veggie Face Masque to keep your green spirit alive. This masque will brighten your skin to get you ready for the days ahead.

Don’t forget to pop by our store or check out our sale online from March 8th-17th.

xox Ashlee

Antioxidants… your insurance policy for a healthy future!

What are antioxidants? They are protective substances that stop potential cellular damage before it happens. Our bodies produce free radicals which are a by product of cells as they produce oxygen. It is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive.

Exposure to environmental pollution, chemicals and nitrates in our foods increase our exposure. Free radicals attack cells breaking down collagen and elastin, they slow down lipid production, which dehydrates the skin, this in turn reduces the resiliency and tone of the skin. Premature aging is the result of free radical damage.

Antioxidants rescue us from this chain reaction by neutralizing these free radicals  by stopping the reaction before damage is done. Free Radical damage cannot be reversed by antioxidants, it is preventative… so start eating more blueberries and other antioxidant rich foods today!

There are many types of antioxidants available to us daily.

Vitamin A ( found in eggs, sweet potatoes, and carrots)

Vitamin C ( Found in fruits such as oranges, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, spinach )

Vitamin E (Found in vegetable oils, avocados, and whole grains)

Beta Carotene (Found in any orange fruit of vegetable)

Minerals (Found in selenium, zinc and manganese)

Flavinoids (Found in tea , coffee, berries and dark chocolate )

Can you eat too many antioxidant rich foods?? No, as our bodies are under constant attack we need continual replenishment. Using products topically also can be preventative. In short less free radicals means less aging.

10 Beauty tips to Prevent Free Radical Damage

1. Stop or reduce cigarette smoking
2. Cleanse your skin morning and night and apply a chemical free toner and moisturizer
3. Avoid sunburn and cover up, it is the best sunscreen
4. Wear foundation, preferably a mineral one
5. Eat lots of fruit and veggies ( and that includes sea vegetables like Dulse)
6. Drink tea, coffee
7. Eat dark chocolate
8. Avoid using pesticides in your home
9. Use less or no chemicals when housecleaning, use earth friendly brands or make your own!
10. Take a multi vitamin everyday

At the beauty counter many options abound for the consumer looking for alternatives to chemically ridden products, be a proactive consumer and choose your beauty products as wisely as you choose food!

Lisa

How to clean your makeup brushes — naturally!

Washing your makeup brushes should be a regular part of your beauty routine. You need to clean your makeup brushes in order to get rid of ALL of the bits of makeup, oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria that accumulate on them after regular use. So while it might seem basic, skipping this step can lead to clogged pores and pesky breakouts, especially or those of you who have oily skin or acne.

When you are cleaning your makeup brushes, two things need to be accomplished; the brushes must get clean and all of that icky bacteria that has accumulated from many applications to your face needs to be eliminated.

Think of it as basic hygiene. For brushes that you use daily (and don’t share), I would aim for at least once a week (every Sunday perhaps?) or twice a week if you really love makeup and apply it often.

What you’ll need:

You probably already have everything on hand to clean your brushes.

Skip the expensive brush cleaner that is probably filled with chemical ingredients. The  face is such a delicate area of the body and our skin is porous and absorbent like a sponge and anything that you are washing your brushes with contacts your face directly and goes into your body! We already receive enough chemicals from other products on a daily basis. Choose something that will benefit the skin not harm it. We like to use our Lemon and Rosehip shampoo– free of dangerous chemicals and smells delicious!

You will also need a shallow bowl, a lint free cloth and your sink! Simple enough?

Directions:

• Pour a tablespoon of natural shampoo into a small bowl then add warm water from your faucet so it gets nice and bubbly. One at a time, dip your used brushes into the solution, gently swirling them across the bottom of the bowl to release the product. Keep the brushes in the water as you add each new one.
• After washing, let the brushes have a quick soak for 5-10 seconds, no more and no less.
• One by one, hold each brush under cold water to rinse any remaining product and seal the hairs.
• Use a cloth to wipe your brush clean, reshaping the bristles as you go.
• Lay your brushes to dry.

Tip: You don’t want to dry your brushes in an upright position because the water settles into the glue that’s holding the bristles together at the base of each brush head and starts breaking down the glue over time, causing the hairs to come off when you swipe the brush against your face (so annoying). So you can either lay your brushes flat or even better, balance brushes with heads facing downwards.

And there you have it!

XO Kimberley

We’d love to know: How often do you clean your brushes? Are your brushes in need of a cleaning?

Valentine’s Day Date: Romantic Night In

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to put together a dinner plan for a romantic night in with your significant other. Here are a couple of simple things to sweeten the day for your Valentine.

Cook up a special dinner for two

Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan

What you’ll need:

6 tablespoons butter

2 cloves garlic

2 sprigs thyme (or rosemary)

2-3 handfuls baby spinach

8 ounces pasta

¾ cup shredded parmesan

1. In a sauce pan, heat butter over medium-low. Mince garlic and add to pan. Saute for 1, add thyme, and cook for 1 more minute. Add spinach to butter mixture and cook until spinach is wilted.
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender. Drain and add pasta to spinach mixture. Sprinkle parmesan on top and mix everything together.
3. Serve with an extra sprinkle of parmesan and thyme.

Treat each other to a massage

Try using a massage oil like Indigena’s Apres Sport Massage Melt to relax at the end of a long day. Warm the oil between your hands and gently massage into shoulders, legs and arms to create soft skin.

Put on your favorite movie

Cuddle up on the couch and watch your favorite movies.. Maybe it’s a movie you both watched on your first date? or maybe it’s something you both have been wanting to watch for a long time.. and what movie night would be complete without snacks? I suggest this white chocolate popcorn recipe to sweeten the night.

And there we have my suggestions for a romantic night in! What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

XO Ashlee