Beauty and Wellness Goals and Habits for the rest of 2026
I just had surgery yesterday and something the doctor said to me was to increase my vitamin C intake to promote wound healing. It reminded me of how important vitamin C is for beauty, hormone health and skin. "Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, stablalizes the collagen specific messenger RNA encouraging your skin cells to produce more collagen proteins." This is even more crucial as the collagen drop off happens which usually starts at age 25 (yikes). Vitamin C also is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and protects the skin from free radicals, pollution and UVB damage. Vitamin C also preserves your existing collagen from degradation.
As far as hormone health: vitamin C increases progesterone and reduces cortisol. Progesterone usually increases after ovulation and it supports better period health, mood and sleep. Vitamin C helps protect your egg cells from oxidative damage and increases fertility... (anything that increases fertility will usually promote beauty).
As an anemic girly, taking vitamin C regularly keeps my iron levels higher because it is a cofactor that helps with the absorption of non-heme iron. My natural hair has been growing in thicker and healthier and I'm so excited to see where my hair will be next year :)
The ways Ive increased my vitamin C is through drinking hibiscus tea regularly, drinking orange, turmeric and ginger juice and I will soon start incorporating Noni juice (shoutout to Miranda Kerr) lol. I also take a high dose vitamin C on the days that I don't have my juices and teas.
Red Light therapy is one of my non-negotiables for self care rituals. I started doing red light therapy in 2021 with a Joov light which was the brand at the time, but no one I knew was doing it or even cognizant of the science behind it. It oftentimes comes across as trendy or a little pseudo sciencey but there is real data that makes it an absolute staple for me ...
When you think about it, light is what plants absorb to grow via photo synthesis, and light is how we absorb vitamin D3 as well as UVB radiation. Light Is a neuro-modulator that regulates our circadian rhythm. Learning about red light makes me aware of how light is something more than what the eye can see but a real biology-changer that cannot be ignored when it comes to health.
According to science, red light therapy leads to healthier mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. By having healthier skin cell mitochondria, over time you increase collagen production, skin elasticity and reduce uneven pigment.
I use my own brand LunAura's LED mask which incorporates both blue and Red light, but I often use the red. Before I put on sunscreen in the morning I often put on the mask while I'm getting out of bed and feeding my cat, opening my curtains etc. To be honest, my morning red light session is negotiable lol, but I ALWAYS get my night time session in because it provides ritual and has been scientifically proven to aid in sleep.
I am an absolute makeup junkie so this new phase of actually caring about beauty products that are clean and organic while also caring about what the carbon footprint, climate impact of the products I use on a regular basis has been a hard yet exciting new frontier for me. Makeup, perfumes and many skin care products are laced with endocrine disruptors, carcinogens and toxins. With the skin being one of the largest organs, it's increasingly hard to ignore the impact these products could have on us over the next 20+ years.
Im currently starting to switch some of my skin care from La Rosche, Tatcha and Biologique Recherché and Revision Skin to KORA Organics. I haven't fully fleshed out my plan for switching over my skin care as I'm still at the beginning stages of this process but I have set my intention to be at least 70% switched over to clean skin by the end of the year. Makeup will be another huge barrier that I need to research and understand though lol. So far the brands I already use such as Rhode and Kosas have many certified Clean products I already use and love.
Im also working on reducing my perfume purchases and wear, especially cheaper perfumes that I know are cheaply made and laced with toxic products. Right now the only fragrances I'll be purchasing are essential oils, or certified clean perfume such as Henry Rose.
JEWELRY IS MY NAIL POLISH
Okay so this is a huge one that is an extreme change for me.... I love having long nails but Im getting to the point where Im so over getting my nails done and having the chemical load of gel x, builder gel and acrylic nails. Then on top of that roasting my fingers and cuticle under a heat lamp for the rest of my life doesn't sit well with me lol...
Here are some of the toxins regularly used in nail polish (Google)
Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen formerly used as a hardener.
Toluene: A solvent linked to developmental and nervous system issues.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP): A plasticizer associated with reproductive problems.
Formaldehyde Resin: A derivative that can cause contact dermatitis.
Camphor: A chemical that can cause irritation and nausea if inhaled in high concentrations. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Im not saying Ill never get my nails done again but Im thinking for non event days and regular life I can live with my natural nails shaped with a coat of non toxic nail polish, a little Hermes cuticle oil and non-scented lotion.
Something about a plain nail, diamonds on the wrist and rocks o the finger just gives classy tech billionaire wife... idk, I love the vibe personally. I think I'll be picking up a little Messika and Bvlgari stack soon to dress up my newly plain hands.
Those of you that know me know that I've loved Shera Seven since my mom introduced me to her at 19 years old lol, but when you scroll past the money videos she has a deep spiritual practice that has always deeply resonated with me. In one of her older videos she recommended this Astrolada video that changed me. In the video Lada talks about becoming more energetically feminine and attracting better partners, money and love into your life and the first thing she says to do is hydrate lol! She goes into how a strong and balanced sacral chakra that attracts good fortune is well hydrated. If we move away from the spiritual aspect of this and only discuss the scientific benefits of maintaining good hydration levels, we see how this is crucial to maintaining beauty and attractiveness.
Being properly hydrated smooths and prevents fine lines as well as strengthens your moisture barrier for not only your skin but hair as well. Chronic dehydration is one of the leading causes of rapid aging that is completely preventable.
I make sure to drink at least half my body weight in oz on a daily basis and make it a point to eat hydrating foods (even though I still am actively working on this). Lots of berries, grapes, cucumbers and dark leafy greens. I oftentimes have a splash of coconut water in my regular water or lemon to increase my levels of hydration.
To piggy back off of hydration we must talk about the juices I have been incorporating into my daily routine. Right now the two juices Ive had regularly are beet and carrot, but now I'm incorporating celery. Juicing is not a means of "detox" or "weight loss" tool for me, I just use it to increase the micronutrients and hydration in my body.
Carrot Juice has beta carotene, luetien, potassium, vitamin k1, biotin and polyphenols. These compounds are critical for skin cell turnover epithelial barrier integrity, wound healing (super crucial for me right now being 1 day post op scar revision surgery) and regulating sebum function (imperative to controlling acne). The beta carotene found in carrot juice also acts as an antioxidant and reduces/prevents DNA damage from pollution, UV exposure and inflammation. It also increases the warming and gold tone in the skin giving you that glow!
Beet Juice contains dietary nitrates, betalains, folate, potassium, manganese and polyphenols. Beet juice leads to nitric oxide which helps dilate, blood vessels, improve blood flow, reduce vascular resistance and improve oxygen delivery. Beet juice can lead to increased exercise performance which I have noticed in myself, sometimes I don't need a pre workout coffee if I had my beet juice. Beet juice has also helped me maintain blood health, I notice when I drink beet and lemon juice, my hemoglobin rapidly rises and this is essential to keeping my iron and folate levels up to par.
I haven't yet included celery juice into my routine but I will start to incorporate and let you all know the results! its good for hydration, electrolyte support and anti inflammatory compounds. If I don't love it, I'll definitely stick with my beet, lemon and carrot juice!
I notice when Im consistently hitting 15k steps I lose weight and easily maintain a lower weight even if Im eating a bit more. Right now in Atlanta things are getting scary with the random Beltline stabbing and all the young men trying to talk to you on the walking path and huge crowds.. ugh it's just draining. I literally lost most of my weight walking on the Beltline, but for now... I'll just stick to an hour on the treadmill everyday and walking around throughout the day and a little Chastain Park to meet my minimum steps.
Walking burns so many calories in a low impact way and when I focus on walking I literally drop the pounds. I love to workout but when I prioritize workouts over walks, I just see myself expand lol.
GUIDED INNER HEALING and MENTORSHIP
When I watched Amanda Frances on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, I as well as many others were intrigued by how someone could make millions of dollars a month while teaching others how to manifest their financial wellbeing and peace. When I did deep dives into her and other manifestation, business and love coaches I gain value from I had a break through: Its okay to spend money on mental and inner healing coaches. For some reason, I along with many others, feel comfortable spending on bags, shoes and vacations, but the idea of spending money on a coach who helps me to think about my problems, mindset and approach seemed "weird." Right now Ive moved past that mental block and I'm doing some course work and journaling and I have felt the difference.
Even some of my favorite online business mentors like the Hormozi's emphasize the importance that their business coaching made for them. As I continued to learn about business, mindset and manifestation one common truth reigned: mentorship and coaching is crucial, especially if those mentors dont naturally exist in your life.
This year I'm prioritizing conferences, coaching and mentorship even if it is paid.
PRIORITIZING NUTRITION WHILE BEING MINDFUL OF CALORIES
After losing 70 lbs, maintaining calorie awareness is crucial for me, but right now I want to expand my food awareness to the micronutrients I'm consuming.
Using the Chronometer app and the Myfitness pal nutrient calculator, helps me stay aware of my micronutrients.
Hitting micronutrient goals helps with:
energy production, hormone synthesis, neurotransmitters, collagen formation, immune defense, collagen formation, red blood cell production, detoxification enzymes, muscle contraction, nervous system signaling, bone remodeling, luminous hair and skin and strong nails.
A part of that "sunken in" weight loss look is the lack of micronutrients people get when they rapidly decrease their calorie intake.
In this phase of life of course I want to be slim, but I want luminous skin and hair, vitality and a strong lean physique and glow.
This one is huge... I'm tired of dating guys who have money, fame, or potential but don't have the characters, morals and integrity to maintain a healthy long lasting relationship that leads to a strong family unit. Money, sex and a vibe are great but not the foundation of the romantic relationship I want to curate.
I tend to present very sexy and attract rappers, athletes and "urban" professionals at times, but I naturally have an earnest, spiritual and nerdy nature that I don't always let men see. I realize I don't psychologically fit in with a lot of people...
I'm working on sharing the more real parts of myself right now so that I can attract a relationship with someone who aligns with me beyond money and lifestyle.
Don't get me wrong though, he needs to be super rich lol... but maybe tech millionaire rich... not rapper rich lol. Like im in a Dior gown he's in a Patagonia vest rich (word to Miranda Kerr... again lol)
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