Posts by lisamarie82

Aquagirl2115:

Hello! I was excited to see your post on this because I'm an esthetician too. I've been following this thread for quite some time and like to see people's reactions to the OCM once they start using it. The Japanese have used olive oil cleansing methods for decades if not centuries, so there's clearly something to be said for it! I use an olive oil based line in my spa, and it has made tremendous differences in people's skin... so exciting to see!!!

I agree with most of what you said in your post, except for the bit about castor oil and essential oils. I cringed the first time I heard about this, too (the castor oil anyway), but then did my research. Castor oil is not harmful in any way, except for the fact that if you use waaaay too much, it can be drying (which is surprising, because it's actually designed to hold moisture on the skin). It comes from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis Plant, so is actually natural. Of course, if you can get organic castor oil it's even better. Castor oil has wonderful cleansing properties (obviously b/c it's used to clean out our body's "pipes"... hehe), and is often used as a humectant and an emollient in skincare products - so it's okay to use in proper amounts! Yeah I was shocked about that too. Our local natural grocery store actually keeps the organic castor oil in the skincare aisle.

As far as essential oils, I was taught to work with essential oils a bit in esthetics school, and then learned more when I went on to work at a spa that used Aveda products. Pure essential oils are totally fine to use if you know that they have to be blended and not put directly onto the face or body. Generally when I use them in my facials or on myself, I get a healthy handful of oil (either olive oil or jojoba oil) and then put anywhere from 3 to 8 drops of a pure essential oil in with it, mix it together in my hands, and then apply to the skin. Clients love it. There have been a few times where I got an "excited" bottle that gave me many more than 8 drops, and we had no problems because I just added some extra jojoba. Some essential oils have actually been known to help with certain skin conditions. Rose, for example, is excellent for dry skin. Sage, Lemon, and Lavender are great for oily skin, and Tea Tree is awesome for acne and any type of bacterial infection. I've read that Lemongrass is really good for blackheads, but I've yet to try it. I use Ylang-Ylang alot in my facials and clients loooooove love love the scent of that one, and it's good for just about all skin types. So yeah, as long as it's diluted enough, it's totally fine to use on the skin. People with sensitive skin, though, obviously should use caution. I had a girl the other day with very sensitive skin, and we used just a couple drops of peppermint and a bit of sweet orange oil and it worked out perfectly.

I have a question about your skincare regime... what does the Carnation Milk do? And is this in powder form? I hadn't heard about adding that, so was just curious about what benefit it adds to the cleansing method.

Also, which kind of sunscreen do you use?

Thanks for posting! I always love to see what other estheticians have to say!!

Take care,

Lisa

Hi, there... It's been forever since I've checked in on this thread. I'm the esthetician that has posted before.. I was reading what some of you were saying about the cleansers you use in the morning. I think I mentioned this before, but I can't stress enough -- try to find an organic cleanser with olive oil as the main ingredient!!! (Soap is bad!!! If your cleanser foams, it has a detergent in it which is only good for stripping your skin of its healthy oils...) The one I use in my spa is Martina Gebhardt Naturkosmetiks. If you live in the Bloomington/Normal, IL area, you can get it through me. If not, look up Eco-Beauty Organics and you can order it from there. Yes, it's expensive, but one bottle of cleanser should last you a few months if you're doing your OCM as well.

As for mineral makeup, check out EveryDay Minerals. I just started carrying this in my spa and it's AMAZING! It's healthier and more pure than Bare Minerals, and it's SOOOOO much CHEAPER!!! You can order free sample kits (just gotta pay about $4 for shipping) so you can test the different shades to see which one works for you. Seriously, ladies, this stuff is amazing!!!! 

I hope everyone's skin is doing well!!! Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Lisa

Thank you to those of you who have stuck to the question I asked and answered in a respectful manner without judging me or assuming things about me.

I've asked the moderator to remove this forum message and the responses because this is supposed to be a supportive environment (especially in the emotional realm). There ARE ways to answer questions, even if you disapprove, without slamming someone... This is why I have stayed away from this forum in the past and will do so in the future. Again, there are ways to disapprove of something but do so in a positive manner. Believe me, I'm 100% open to receiving dissaproval on things like this - that's why I asked the question in the first place. I'm not, however, open to being ridiculed for simply asking the question.

Let me remind some of you that you don't know what methods I'm taking for my weight loss, the physical situation my body is in, whether or not I have spoken to doctors, or even what choice I've made as far at the HGH... So please, don't assume things about people you don't know!!!

I hope that you can all find a positive place to get your answers and support! Best of luck!

lol No, it doesn't kill people and it's not illegal. It's a natural hormone that is produced by your own body, but it slows down after the age of 20... so the supplements are just to boost the amount that is produced in your body. It's used in the health care profession, so clearly is not illegal or dangerous if used correctly.

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

You wrote that your face wash is an acne scrub?  Is it exfoliating?  If it is, that could be your problem right there.  Most people don't need to exfoliate their face everyday.  That stuff can rip up your skin and make acne worse.  I'm no expert but I'd think exfoliating would be suffcient at once or twice a week.

Correcto-mondo!!! People with dry-normal skin should exfoliate only once a week. Those with combo-oily skin need to exfoliate twice a week. Over-exfoliating can irritate the skin way too much and cause inflamation, which breaks down collagen in the skin, which means wrinkles in the future!!! Bad stuff.

Original Post by offinlalaland:

lisamarie, I have a question. I have a little vial of my favorite scent but I don't know if this is ok to add to the face. It says its perfume oils, pure concentrate, wearable or pottery. Can I add that?

Hmmm.. I'm not sure. Depends on what they consist of. I suppose that since it will be diluted by the olive oil and what not that it might be okay. What you can try is doing a test-patch on the skin behind your ear. Put some there and wait 24 hours and see if there is any irritation at all. Pure essential oils are best to use on the skin rather than artificial fragrances, but then again I'm not sure what yours is made of.

Good luck!

Thank you for posting this! I am an esthetician (skincare therapist) and am constantly telling my clients that "oil is your best friend!!!" So many people think that having oily skin or putting oil on their face is going to clog their pores and break them out. But what clogs your pores and breaks you out is what most people put on their skin - or don't put on their skin for that matter! Just like the article you posted says, so many acne and blackhead washes out there do nothing but strip our skin and cause it to over-produce oil, which then causes more breakouts and blockage. So, yes, moisturization and oil replenishment is the key to clear skin, ladies!!!!! The Asian cultures have been using olive oil on their skin for years, and ever notice how beautiful and flawless they look?!?! I currently use an organic skincare line in my spa that also uses olive oil and sunflower oil in the products, along with plant extracts. It's amazing how when you keep it simple and natural, your skin just glows.

Thanks again for posting this!!!

Consider it more of a "cheat meal". I started working with a personal trainer a few months back and was following a strict diet. Well, I hit a plateau, and to my surprise he asked what my favorite fast food restaurant was, and I said "Taco Bell". He said, "Go there for lunch today." So I did! I had my old favorites: a ranchero chicken taco and a bean burrito. From there on, I've had one or two "cheat meals" a week and have lost at least 2 pounds every week - sometimes more. I stick with my high protein, low carb diet for most the rest of the week, as well as my regular workouts, but allow myself to cheat once or twice. Of course, keep portion sizes reasonable and don't over-do it!

I make my cheat meal in the middle of the week if I can. I weigh-in on Mondays, so usually have my cheat day on Wednesday or Thursday to allow plenty of time to burn it off if I need to. It seems to be working well! My cheat meals so far have consisted of Chinese carry-out (small order of chicken w/ broccoli and a 1/2 cup of rice), thin crust pepperoni pizza, taco salads, and I even feasted on cheesey mashed potatoes, mac'n'cheese, and cake on Easter Sunday! It seems to have certainly kicked my body into "fightin" mode, and has also helped to kick the cravings. Good luck!

Hi, Raechel! You and I sound like we're about the same body type.. I am 25, 5'2" and weigh 164 pounds. Three weeks ago, I weighed 171, and then started working with a personal trainer. He has me on a high protein, low-carb diet. By low carb, it's basically low low lowwwww sugar. Of course you still need some so you don't shoot your body into a diabetic coma or something, but pretty much just don't go out eating the most sugar-filled foods you can find.

I eat a lot of veggies and a lot of lean meat (chicken and tuna mainly). If I eat carbs, I eat them in the early part of the day when my metabolism is highest.. and even then it's like a piece of whole grain toast and a small orange. You can do a piece of fruit or something right after you workout, too.

Also, make sure you're drinking enough water to get rid of any water retention you may have. I try to drink a gallon a day. Tea counts towards that, too (and green tea, by the way, speeds up your metabolism!). I try to get at least 100 grams of protein a day.. if you can't get all that in food, try a low sugar (less than 1 gram) protein powder mixed with water (Wal-Mart has a decent one). Stay away from milk for now - it has lots of sugar.

If you're working out, you probably are gaining muscle. I know I ate really well and worked out a lot this week but still gained one pound, but I'm noticing a lot more muscle in my arms and legs. Muscle weighs more than fat, so that's okay! Go by how your clothes fit and the measurements of your body, not the pound number.

I know it's frustrating - trust me, I feel it too! But hey, we can do it together, right?!?!

Best Wishes,

Lisa