Microblading by Alana Everett Hart
  • Home
  • About
  • Brow Gallery
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Brow Gallery
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Blog
Search
Picture
Glow Recipes
Skin Healing
Microblading

MY VEGAN + FAT-FREE HAWAII WINTER SALAD

12/14/2018

 
Picture
Picture
I don’t know about you, but my mind is in two places right now.

Focused on warm, soul-comforting flavors (it’s been about a solid month of freezing temps here in Michigan so far!)

Devising my tropical escape.

This salad combo was born out of my fantasy today, so I thought I’d share with you guys because it was deciduous! Wherever you are, I hope you enjoy. Be sure to make this in a very big salad bowl— it creates a massive meal for 1– or share with a friend!
Picture
INGREDIENTS:

Salad


1 small cucumber
​1/2 apple
1-2 cups spring salad mix
6 small sweet peppers
1/2 cup of chopped pineapple
1/2 cup chopped baby bella mushrooms
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
sea salt (to taste)
red pepper (to taste)
chipolte power (to taste)

Optional fats:
black olives
avocado

Dressing
​

4 tsp maple syrup
4 tsp lime juice
2 tsp fresh orange juice

​INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat a ceramic pan on low heat and add celery, peppers, mushrooms, sea salt, and chipotle powder. Simmer using water (as an oil-free option) for 20 minutes.

2. Add chopped pineapple to the pan and continue simmering for 5 minutes.

3. While waiting to finish cooking, spiralize your cucumber noodles (I used the ribbon setting) and chop up your salad.

​4. When done simmering and cooked to your liking, add warm veggies and pineapple to top your salad.

5. Sprinkle with red pepper, fresh apples and add dressing.

​There you have it! If you are near a beach, be sure to enjoy this there for me, k?


Picture
Picture

    Recieve My Free Guide ↓

Receive My Guide
Picture
Picture
Picture

My story of how I finally healed acne, and how you can too.

Learn More
Picture
Picture

Stay on track with your goals by joining our 14-Day High Raw Community Cleanse!

Learn More
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

My Ayurveda Fall Skincare

10/20/2018

 
Picture
Picture
Although I am continuing to eat a low-fat diet this fall, I am becoming more mindful of my own inner callings for comfort and security during this seasonal shift.

Our increased cravings for fats are one way that our body stimulates us to create balance within dryer, cooler seasons.


​Without many fats in my diet at the moment, I am feeling drawn to incorporate more self-care measures that involve oils, which will absorb from the surface of our skin into deeper layers of tissues. Using oil in this way nourishes the entire body as it creates a layer of warmth and protection from the dominating elements.

Picture

​The concept of using specific oils during seasonal shifts stems from ancient Auryvedic practices. For the fall transition, sesame oil is preferred to balance the excess element of Vata (air).
​

I tend to use what I have on hand, which right now is some almond oil!


Over the next few weeks I will be bringing in my favorite essential oil from doTerra that is created with warm tones of cinnamon, clove, thyme, and rosemary.

Picture

For dry, tight facial skin my very favorite remedy is the Medical Medium recommended Lagoon Essentials Pomegranate Seed Oil (if you have acne, go slow with the oils to experiment if they work ok for you!)
​
Picture
And of course a moisturizing, trusty lip balm is always key. My favorites are the ones I pick up at my local farmers market from the beekeepers. ♡


How are you nurturing your body through this seasonal shift?
Picture
Picture

    Recieve My Free Guide ↓

Receive My Free Guide
Picture
Picture

The story of how I finally healed acne, and how you can too.

Learn More
Picture
Picture

Stay on track and reach your goals with a
​14-Day High Raw Cleanse!

Learn More
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

TOMANGO PIZZA SAUCE + DRESSING

10/11/2018

 
Picture
Picture
If you haven’t noticed, I am a creature of habit and simplicity. So, when I find healing food combos that hit the spot AND don’t take long to make— you count me in!

I originally had created this Tomango Pizza Sauce as a raw dressing for the Free Your Glow Cleanse. But with Fall here, I have been craving more warming, savory meals. I morphed this dressing into a sauce and it’s delicious!

​Whether you make this raw and service it over zoodles or cooked over spaghetti squash (or some combination raw and cooked combined!), I hope you enjoy this recipe in whatever way it suits your fancy.
Picture
INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup mangos, diced
1/2 lime juice squeezed
1/8 cup yellow bell pepper
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/8 cup white onion
2 tbsp cilantro
2 tsp Pizza Spice ( I love the blend from Frontier Co-Op!)
​sea salt to taste
​

INSTRUCTIONS
​

Raw Dressing: Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Cooked Sauce: Dice all ingredients. Simmer tomatoes for 10 minutes on low heat and then add in everything else (except for the lime). Simmer for another 10 minutes. Serve over spaghetti squash or a baked potato, squeeze a lime over the top + ENJOY!
Picture
Picture
Receive My Free Guide
Picture
Picture
Picture

My sorry of how I finally healed acne and how you can, too.

Learn More
Picture
Picture

Stay on track and reach your goals by joining our 14-Day High Raw Community Cleanse!

Learn More
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

My Top Selfcare Rituals

9/20/2018

 
Picture
Picture
My body handles stress much better when I am calling on daily selfcare practices that are calming to my nervous system, rather than trying to only implement them during times of high stress. preventative medicine is the best medicine.

What I love:

Going to sleep early. Did you know the body regenerates most between the hours of 10pm-2am and again from 10am-2pm? Sleeping during this window of time is key to boosting your immunity and restoring your spirit.

Turning my cell phone off at 9pm. The lights from our phones are so stimulating-- not to mention the endless content we are consuming. It helps me so much to take some time to disconnect from the outside world and connect within myself before going to sleep.

Taking magnesium supplements (or eating lots of mango). My favorites are Ionic Magnesuim sprays, Magnesium Glycinate and NueroMag. They all have different functions to a degree so I rotate my use of them throughout the week.

Brainwave entrainment. Linked here is my very favorite binaural audio entrainment, which has always helped me through times of high stress and anxiety.

Giving my face a massage. I began learning about the benefits of this from my esthetic mentors. Massaging our faces is actually a deeply self soothing mechanism that releases tension and helps us to unwind.

Stepping outside before bed + breathing fresh air. This simple but powerful intention and action gives me time to reflect on the bigger picture of life around me, and on nature’s ability to transform and let things go.

Journaling. Never underestimate the power of taking some time to write what is hard-- if it doesn't make any sense right now.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Getting Clear Skin With An Elimination Diet

7/10/2018

 
Picture
Have you tried everything to heal your acne, yet chronic breakouts persist? Sometimes the best way to figure out if there is a dietary connection to your skin irritation is to do an elimination diet to see if you can pin point any triggers.

While reading The Clear Skin Diet by Randa + Nina Nelson, I discovered that so much of their journey mirrors my own experience while healing acne. A big thank you my friends, Eden Rose and Aida Qui, for bringing this book to my attention. Honestly, I am just so impressed with how they translated their experience and how similar my own experience with healing acne was.

My biggest take away from this book, is Randa + Nina’s exploration and concept of utilizing an elimination diet, a concept I also utilized extensively during my healing process— and ultimately what inspired me to write this post.
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
If you are struggling with acne despite consistent efforts, let’s talk about this concept of an elimination diet and how you can use it to your advantage.

First of all, Randa + Nina
start everyone out with some really basic rules based on Dr. McDougall’s findings which are summed up simply: Eat only plant based, whole foods only. Avoid all oils and high fat plant foods. Eat unrefined starches for the bulk of your diet. Don’t worry so much about variety to start, just eat as simply as possible. They are very clear that you must be 100% committed to this lifestyle to get results. If you have been following these guidelines and are still struggling, they suggest exploring an elimination diet as your next step.

​“Before you institute the elimination diet, please be sure you have already ruled out other possible triggers discussed in this book, such as vitamin B12, skin care and makeup products, laundry detergents. If you’ve eliminated those as possible influences and been 100 percent compliant on the Clear Skin Diet for at least three months—and are still experiencing new breakouts—you’re a candidate for the elimination diet.” +

​In other words, an elimination diet is for someone who has already been following a very low fat diet, rich in whole food carbohydrates for at least 3 months and not seeing any change. If you haven’t gone through these steps, try starting there before exploring more restrictive measures.
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
When you are dealing with chronic acne that persists despite major efforts, the first step is to become aware of common trigger foods that cause inflammation and irriation in the body. It is important to have a journal dedicated to tracking what positive and negative reactions occur during this time.

COMMON ACNE TRIGGER FOODS

Dairy
Eggs

Gluten (wheat, corn, oats)
Soy (tempeh, tofu)
Plant based Fats (avocado, nuts, seeds)
Oils
Supplements/Herbs
High glycemic fruits (peaches, bananas, apples)
Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits)
These foods are based off foods that are listed in The Clear Skin Diet. They have made these suggestions based on the work on Dr McDougall’s Elimination Diet Guidelines. I would like to point out that trigger foods by no means indicate foods that are “bad” foods or anything to fear! It’s just simply that these foods may be either detoxifying your system too quickly, in turn exaggerating breakouts, or these foods may be triggering inflammation, due to a variety of reasons. It doesn’t mean you need to swear off these foods forever, but just means that your body may require a break from them in order to get into balance. You will find that many of these foods can be added back into the diet without negative side effects as time goes on. Especially fruits, which are incredibly healing for the body.
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
Healing is definitely a building process and as the body heals you will notice that different building blocks will be required. What you are eating over the course of a few years will change quite a bit. For example, you may be wrong predominately starches right now with very little raw food tolerance. Bit soon you will find your body tolerates raw food better and better. As you watch your body’s signals you will witness that it will call you into deeper levels of healing when it’s ready. So please don’t get frustrated if your diet feels very simple at first. It’s okay. Consistency is the key. An elimination diet is simply a starting point that gives you a clean slate to discover any irritants in your diet.

Also keep in mind that not everyone will have adverse effects to all the trigger foods listed above. Acne is complex because there are so many factors at play and everyone who experiences it will have different sensitivities. This is why some people can go raw with great success and others will have success by focusing on cooked foods. It is why some people can take lots of supplements that help and for others it makes acne worse. It’s not about comparing. This process is all about discovering your own unique balance.
​
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
So, what would creating a baseline in an elimination diet look like? Let’s talk about it.

Creating a baseline means that you are eliminating the complexities of your diet and creating simplicity so that you can experiment.
​
The most important part of creating a baseline is having at least 2 or 3 basic carbohydrates that you know you do well on. For myself— sweet potatoes, potatoes and bananas were pretty steady carbs that my body did well with. Don’t get me wrong, I still had acne while eating very simply however I noticed that it got a bit better. As many of you know from reading my guidebook, from my baseline diet I would experiment by adding in some other foods in and I could tell within a few days if my skin was irritated by that food.

The Clear Skin Diet emphasizes brown rice and oats as a main staple. I personally didn’t do well on grains for quite some time, however others seem to tolerate it well. Being willing to experiment and discovering what works for you is really what this “diet” is all about.
​
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
I really love the focus foods that Randa + Nina give to their readers to focus on. They recommend starting with carb-rich cooked foods in order to create a baseline for yourself.

​The Clear Skin Diet recommends focusing on: “Rice (brown rice is preferred) Cooked green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, swiss chard, lettuce, collards, string beans, asparagus, spinach. Cooked yellow and orange vegetables, such as carrots or sweet potatoes, beets, beet greens, chard, artichokes, celery, summer squash.” +

Sweet potatoes and squash have been such a blessing for me at certain times in my life, especially when healing from acne. I love they have recommended these gentle carbs as staples for a skin healing diet.


From my experience, foods that created minimal detox were definitely best. For many that will mean focusing on whole, cooked foods to start with. For others they may be able to focus on mostly raw foods. You will likely have an intuitive sense about where this balance is for you — or you may need to experiment some. It’s okay if you do, just be patient and willing to try.

In general, raw foods will stir up a lot of detox which can exasperate symptoms in the body which is why they are not always ideal for an elimination diet. This may not be true for everyone, some see their skin improve greatly just from going raw. However if you have been trying this for months without improvements, considering experimenting with cooked foods may be helpful.

The Clear Skin Diet guidelines are also strict against not consuming fats — plant or animal sources. In my personal experience, going low-fat helped me substantially. However I have never been completely fat-free for longer than a day, because it makes me feel really off kilter. But when I upped my fats from none to just a 1/8 teaspoon of hemp seed a day, I felt really good. The addition of that very small amount really did it for me. You may find that it’s way too hard to eliminate all fats at once, so you can gradually decrease them over a period of 6 months and feel so much better this way. It is perfectly okay to take your time. I highly encourage you to listen to your body and experiment with where you feel most balanced, and make changes in a gentle way that do not overwhelm your body.

I love that the twins recommend cooking your fruit— although I have never actually tried cooking my fruit! Although so more easily consume fruit now, I struggled with fruit as a trigger while healing my skin. Instead of avoiding fruit, The Clear Skin Diet recommends baking or steaming “apricots, berries, cherries, cranberries, papaya, plums, and prunes.” + This makes perfect sense as a way to receive nutrients but soften the fruits harsh detox effect.

If you desire raw fruits in your diet, try focusing on just low glycemic raw fruits like wild blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and kiwis. If you tolerate these well, you can begin adding in other raw fruits and see how you do.


​Randa + Nina also recommend to drink only plain water during this time, avoiding all other beverages, including coffee and teas. These beverages can be so stimulating to the adrenals which can trigger hormone imbalances.

​“Salt is the only condiment allowed—this means no salad dressings, lemon juice, mustard, vinegar, sugar, or other condiments. We want to prevent any allergic response and make the diet completely simple and basic.” +

I love the way Randa + Nina break this all down. The goal is to simply your diet so that you can begin to see what is working and what is not at this time.
​
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
When you get to a place where you feel a bit more balanced and would like to begin testing out different foods, add one food in at a time.
​

“In order to test a given new food, eat that new food three times a day, at every meal and in large amounts. Do this for three days, eating large amounts of the test food at each meal. If by the end of three days you are not noticing any breakout or other skin problems, you can conclude that this food is not a trigger food for your acne. You can then keep that new food in your diet going forward. Anything that causes acne through this testing should be eliminated. Once you are ready, move on to the next food in question.” +
Picture

​For myself, I added foods in pretty slowly over the course of a few days. I was super sensitive though, where I could tell with just a small amount. So for example, I would eat a cherry — and then if I did well on it, I would eat a few more the next day. Then, give it a day or so to observe any reactions.

The girls also bring up an important point that if you are a woman you are more likely to be more sensitive to triggers on your period. Therefore, it may work to your advantage to simplify your diet a bit more during this time.

To a a larger extent, breakouts may be unavoidable as your body heals, but it will get better with time. It is so important to understand that having breakouts in this process do not mean you are doing something wrong, but are a natural occurrence as your body is healing. A bad breakout doesn’t always mean that you need to reassess every little that you are doing. A lot of times it is just part of the process.

I love that Randa + Nina do not emphasize the use of supplements and herbs in the first stages of healing your skin. I remember taking so many out of desperation without fully understanding how any of these herbs were really helping me. For a while, supplements and herbs were too much for my body but as I healed with food, I was able to tolerate more of them.

As many of you know I did use digestive enzymes with great success while Inwas healing my skin. I have learned so much about the value of supplementation since this time and how different we all are when it comes to this— so it’s important to feel this one out for yourself. If you aren’t sure, you can eliminate supplements in the same ways you do food and then reintroduce them to see how you feel.

The twins do highlight zinc briefly, with Dr. Leila Masson explaining the importance of the mineral and the benefits she had witnessed of supplementing it for her acne patients. This information resonates with what I have studied from Anthony William, Medical Medium’s work. Zinc is highly supportive to the immune system so it may be worth keeping this one in your daily routine— or at least experimenting with it.

The Clear Skin Diet promotes a fully plant based diet, so the question of supplementing B-12 naturally comes up. They address this by stating:

“We encourage people to follow Dr. McDougall’s guidelines and begin taking a vitamin B12 supplement. We recommend you wait to start that B12 until after your acne has cleared, or up to two years. Research suggests a small percentage of people may be susceptible to acne outbreaks triggered by high doses of B12, like the dose levels found in commercial B12 supplements. This is why you should not begin B12 supplementation right away.” +
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help
The truth about healing chronic acne is that no matter what diet you are following, it can take time. In The Clear Skin Diet, Randa + Nina do also seem to agree as they confirm that if you discover your triggers and find healing within 1-year, you are moving at a great pace.

Some will discover triggers right away and for others it’s just a matter of having some deeper healing to do. It’s really important to understand that it’s not JUST about the foods you eat, it’s about allowing your body time to recover and giving yourself time to let these healing foods work deeply for you.

​For example, it took me about 2 years of eating a low fat, high carb plant based diet, exercising regularly, going to bed early and moderating my stress through mindfulness practices to begin seeing improvements in my skin. There wasn’t a quick fix exactly, although there were crutches I found that worked to assist my recovery from breakouts along the way.
If you are interested in learning about the deep causes of acne, I recommend checking it Anthony William’s podcast on Soundcloud. His insights explore the missing link as to why some diets work right away for some and not others. This will also help you understand why some people will need more time to heal than others. His work has helped me understand that acne wasn’t just about my skin, but my immune system as a whole.

Having these deeper understandings can allow us be realistic about our expectations and to cultivate patience in this process. Hands down, anxiety is the most common co-factor of acne. Feeling desperate for a solution is very real. I hope everyone who is reading this finds their missing piece and peace, whether it be through discovering potential triggers or just from letting time pass while consuming a low-fat diet.
The Clear Skin Diet Acne Help

For anyone who has read this far, I know your struggle is real and you have tried so much. Only you understand what it’s like, people who haven’t gone through it absolutely do not. Because of that, others can be quick to label any restrictive habits with food as a disorder, without understanding that the fear is caused by physiological effects not psychological ones. Even well meaning professionals can impose this harmful view on their patients, making them believe that their food fixations are all in their heads.

The reality is, a lot of people are very sensitive to foods they eat and chemicals they are exposed to. When you start to understand that certain food makes you feel ill and causes symptoms, you can’t help but become more mindful of what you consume. There is a learning curve involved just like any other new idea you have just been introduced to, it can take time to let your new way of eating feel natural to you.

An important part of my own healing has been acknowledging how my relationship to food, emotionally and socially, has been effected. Acknowledging this has helped me to be more mindful around how I can re-create positive associations and ways of connecting to the foods I did feel safe eating.
Picture
Even though food does effect us, it does not have to distresses us forever. Remember that food itself is not to blame for your acne. No food is “bad”, even the ones you discover that trigger you. In fact, there’s a good chance you will more easily enjoy a variety of foods again soon!

It’s important to take steps to cultivate a more positive association by enjoying meals with friends, even if they aren’t eating the same thing! Or invite your curious friends and family over to try your favorite new recipes. We eat with our eyes too, so remember that it can be fun to take the time to make your meals visually appealing. Most importantly, keep the faith that your relationship with food will heal with time, as you do.

If you need extra support, please reach out. It is always better to have a support system, a health coach, or someone you trust helping you get a clear plan together. This eliminates stress and helps you stay focused.

I highly recommend checking out The Clear Skin Diet to absorb all the wonderful information that Randa + Nina provide outside of just the diet itself— tips on skincare, lifestyle habits and even emotional support.

If you have tried the Clear Skin Diet or are doing an elimination diet to heal your skin, I would love to hear from you. Let us all know what IS working for you, in the comments below!
Picture
RELATED ARTICLES
✧​
Cultivating A Longevity Mindset On The Healing Path

Insulin Resistance and Acne

6 Tips For Naturally Healing Acne

Picture
Receive My Free Guide
Picture
Picture
Picture

This is my story of finally healing acne and how you can, too.

Learn More
Picture
Picture

Stay on track with your goals and join our High Raw Community Cleanse!

Learn More
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

3 Fruits You’ll Want To Put On Your Face

7/5/2018

 
Picture
Do you ever put fruit on your FACE?

​I asked you guys this question on Instagram the other day and the responses were nothing short of awesome.

I mean, fruit is healing to consume so why wouldn’t it be healing to use it topically? I am thrilled to share a few fruity skincare remedies that are close to my heart today, along with some of the insightful tips YOU all offered!

​If you haven’t tried face food yet— it’s time to experiment.
Picture
the gentle refresher

​Every morning when I wake up, I squeeze one lemon into 32 ounces of water and guzzle it down. Every once in a while will take what is left over on my hands from squeezing the lemon and rub it into my skin. I do not wash my face in the morning, so I will rinse it off with water after 15 minutes and apply a moisturizer.

I call lemon the gentle refresher, as it is a mild exfoliant, hydrating toner, and even an oil busting cleanser— all in one. Some will be sensitive to lemon (you don’t want it to burn!) so be sure to test a small area of the skin first or combine the juice with water. You can also mix the juice to create a mask with honey, your favorite oil, or a facial clay.

Whenever I see lemon juice, lemon peel powder, or lemon essential oil in a cleanser or acne product, I trust it will be a pretty effective one.

​Caution: Be sure to rinse before going into the sun.
Picture
the queen of vitamin C

​Kiwi is the leading source of Vitamin C in the fruit world and it is vitamin C that the beauty world rages on for keeping skin vibrant.

Vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits, peppers and cruciferous vegetables. It is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body and affects collagen formation, wound healing and skin pigmentation.

While vitamin C is abundant as a powerful antioxidant in hundreds of expensive skin creams, it tends to oxidize over time making its efficiency impaired. Instead, why not opt for the freshness of a kiwi?

What makes kiwi’s bioavailable Vitamin C extra special for the skin is it’s combination with high amounts of Vitamin E. Vitamin E improves the effaciacy of Vitamin E by driving it into deeper layers of the skin.

After you eat your kiwi, save some of the fuzzy skin and rub the extra fruit juice on your skin. It’s best to use it fresh so that the vitamins have not oxidized.


I like to do a few times a week before bed. I will let it dry for a while on my skin as I go about my other bedtime rituals. Then, I rinse it off with water, followed by using my cleanser.

Caution: Be sure to rinse before going in the sun.
Picture
the powerhouse exfoliator

​Papaya! My love. Is there anything you don’t do?

Rich in proteolytic enzymes, papaya is a powerhouse exfoliator that helps to remove dry skin as well as cellular build up. This is an important step to take in order to ensure the effectiveness of your moisturizer.

​The gentle exfoliation of papaya may feel as though nothing has happened at all, which is what makes it oh-so-gentle for our delicate facial skin.

I use this remedy a few times a week before bed. I will simply rub papaya fruit on my skin and let it dry. You are going to turn orange, but this washes off.

​I notice the results of this mask in the hydration of my skin when I moisturize after. My skin’s ability to absorb the hydration is increased and it just feels so dang good!
​
Picture
You guys really are the best. I learn so much from you! Check out some of the highlights and responses to the question, “Do you use fruit on your skin?”
Picture
@jamnardo_ I will wash my face and then massage banana peels on it. Do that for a couple minutes and then apply a honey and spirulina mixture. Great for acne 😊
@mmhealing Aloe and banana peels— for minimizing fine lines.
@carisaloraine I heard once to run the core of a pineapple on your face. I tried it a few times and it feels really good! It’s almost like a super gentle exfoliation. 🍍
@healingwithrose I’ve used banana peels for both teeth and rubbing on face. Orange juice massages into face for vitamin C. Lemon juice mixed with aloe and lemon for hyperpigmentation. Avocado, banana, honey masks for hydration. I used to do it a lot more back in my raw days about 5 years ago... now I really only use water.
@madmaxgladiatorpug I’ve been saving the juice foam from fresh juice that is a mix of oranges, strawberries, and apples. And brushing it on my face with a makeup brush and letting it dry and rinse and then use a moisturizer.
@sarahs.holistic.health I haven’t used much fruit! Sometimes I mix oranges and raw honey or cucumber and aloe blended as. face mask is amazing!
@ashleysmaldino Papaya for sure!! And aloe of course 😉👍🏼I’ve also tried a honey face mask 🍯 banana peels and lemon helps any itchy bites, as does aloe 🙌🏼💗
@muneeza_medical_intuitive Yes, cucumbers and avocados.
So, I will definitely be trying this banana peel thing! Thank you all for sharing your amazing, bright and beautiful spirits.

Share this post with someone you’d like to have a spa night with! I wish I could have one with ALL of you. xo
Picture
Picture


​RELATED LINKS:

​HOW TO MAKE THE BEST SMOOTHIE OF YOUR LIFE
•
​DIY NATURAL BODY BRONZER
•
6 TIPS FOR HEALING ACNE NATURALLY
​
Picture
Receive My Free Guide
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Upkeeping Integrity For Microblading

7/1/2018

 
Picture
Once upon a time microblading was not taught formally, it was a skill that was passed on from master to apprentice. It was an art form that could not be bought.

For years I studied the details of the finest artists I knew of— Amy Jean and Branko Babic — in hopes of one day imbibing their abilities.

The confidence they personally filled me with changed my perception of how I saw my myself as an artist. The opportunities they presented to me opened my world and I am forever grateful.

I wanted to take a moment today to express my gratitude to the people who sculpted such a beautiful foundation for this industry. Amy, Branko — thank you.

In the explosion of the microblading craze over the last few years, I have seen it all. We have a lot to figure out in this industry culture, that’s for sure— yet so much integrity has emerged from the cringe worthy practices that go on. My personal mission is to uphold the integrity that I originally was taught by the artists I admired most.

How can we upkeep integrity, exactly?
​

It’s a question I want to ask you all.

Like any growing culture, there is a bittersweet tone. As more people come in, more innovative solutions arise along with the inevitable bad apples who give the collective a soured name. We long for the days when this was a sacred art form passed on respectfully, but we have to be real. Those days are gone.

So while I do not have the answers, I do have some ideas I’d love to share— in hopes it inspires your own ideas around the idea of industry integrity.
​
Picture
Pushing for state regulation of permanent makeup as a trade would ensure that all artists are focusing on sanitization procedures more heavily than the art form itself.

It would ensure that all artists are being trained within the same guidelines and all have equal amount of training prior to actually cutting into someone’s skin with a blade— I mean let’s just be real about this.

Every email I receive from someone crying about getting bad brows from an underqualified person, I can predict to be a dangerous scenario for more reasons that just looking bad.

Cross contamination is an issue not largely talked about because it is often hard to pin point these root cause health issues when they arise in someone.
​
Picture
Educating our clients and the general public about the safety of these practices is imperative, especially if the state isn’t ready to acknowledge permanent makeup and tattooing as a trade, then we need to do that for ourselves.

That means creating more awareness around what this services should look like— and what it should not. A few common practices I have observed that should raise red flags on an artist are:

  1. Not wearing a face mask.
  2. Covering clients with blankets and giving them pillows.
  3. Doing procedures in breakrooms, at home or anywhere there is people eating and socializing.
  4. Opening drawers and pigment bottles while working.
  5. Re-using brow pencils, surgical markers, and tools.
  6. Not covering the work area (beds/tables) with a protective barrier.​
​
These common malpractices are just the tip of the iceburg of when it comes to important precautions that are not taught in schools or an online microblading training course. They are typically not intentional and a result of a lack of awareness and experience.
​
Picture
Respect is everything when it comes to building relationships with colleagues. This may come across as old school— but as a new artist, it is integral to pay respects to the hard work that this industry was built on. Remember that the artists who you are learning from have gone through a lot to help build the career that they are helping you achieve today. The opportunities that experienced colleagues provide can opened doors in unexpected ways as there is truly years of learning with this skill, most of which can not be taught in school.

​From experience I have witnessed how paying respect to the lineage and understanding the progression of the industry has kept me humble, hard working and honest about my expectations when I was a beginner artist.

These are just a few ways that together we can create something amazing, not only for ourselves but for eachother. We can create something by coming together and complimenting where we each are in our careers.

What do you think? If you are a microblading artist, new or an OG— let us know your thoughts below!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

 How To Make The Best Smoothie Of Your Life

6/25/2018

 
Picture
I am making big claims here today. But I swear by this one key ingredient for transforming all of my smoothies into something totally magical!
Picture
Picture
You can freeze bananas by choosing ripe ones, peeling them, and storing them in tightly sealed freezer bags. Stick in your freezer and use them as desired! I usually eat mine within the week.

Bonus: Another mouth watering way to upgrade your smoothie game is to replace water with coconut water. If you are already on the frozen banana train, try this for a change!

​Extra bonus: Drizzle maple syrup on top and drink it with a straw!

​The straw makes all the difference, guys. Here is a recipe for one of my very favorite smoothies combinations:
Picture

1. Blend 1/2 cup raspberries, 1/2 cup wild blueberries, and 1 cup coconut water together in a high speed blender.

2. Add 2 ripened bananas (brown spots are best!) and 1-1/2 frozen bananas. Blend together on high until smooth.

​3. Pour into a glass. Drizzle 1-2 tsp of maple syrup on the top. Insert your favorite straw and enjoy!
Picture
Picture
Receive My Free Guide
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Insulin Resistance + Acne: What’s The Connection?

6/23/2018

 
Picture
Is your blood sugar affecting your skin?

It was for me. It took me a long time to figure out what dietary lifestyle would help me balance this and what wouldn’t.

Even the good guys— like lots of fruits— seemed to work against me.

Over time, I figured out some tricks to balancing my blood sugar while healing, which I’d love to share with you today.
Picture
First things first— it’s important to understand the adrenal and blood sugar connection. Healing insulin resistance (the body’s inability to absorb glucose) really is a process of healing the adrenals. This is why we notice that “stress” seems to affect our skin.

When we experience stressors, even just minimal daily ones, adrenaline can pour through our system to give us the alertness we need to manage our lives.

An increased amount of anxiety and panic for no logical reason is often an indicator of an adrenal weakness.

It was no coincidence that I was experiencing panic attacks at the same time I was experiencing upset in my skin. It really is all connected.
Picture
I learned a lot from Medical Medium about the connection between the adrenals and blood sugar. This is also why so many of us are sensitive to eating lots of fruit.

​Here are a few tips that helped me the most:

♡ Ditching the smoothies

I was a smoothie queen and one day decided to try actually eating the fruit. Chewing our fruit activated enzymes and predigests the sugars before they hit the gut. This little adjustment helped me feel so much more balanced.

♡ Cutting out oils

Oil can really hinder the body’s ability to absorb carbs and sugars correctly. I stopped using coconut oil in my food, along with all the others. It was very helpful for me personally.

♡ Focusing on low glycemic fruits

Low glycemic fruits include berries, kiwi, and even watermelon. Watermelon actually has less sugar than an entire apple (thanks for that wisdom Medical Medium!)

You are likely to find that in a short time you will be able to tolerate more variety of fruits and MORE of them. Listen to your body to know what is best.

♡ Pairing your fruit with sodium-rich foods

​This is everything! If you are sugar sensitive, be sure to pair all your carbohydrates with foods like celery, spinach, cucumber or dulse. This simple combining act will balance the sugars and help your adrenals big time.

Thisbis when paying attention to Medical Medium’s advice on eating Adrenal Snacks will come in handy for you!

♡ Sprinkle cinnamon on your carbohydrates

​Cinnamon is truly amazing for helping to balance blood sugar! Sprinkle a little on your meals for some extra assistance.

♡ Don’t be afraid to experiment

If you are coming from a paleo lifestlye, sticking to eating a bit higher fats for a while may be helpful for you, as you transition into eating more carbs. Sometimes, it is lowering your fats dramatically that will make a difference (see my blog on Transitioning To A High Carb Lifestyle for more info)

It all depends where you are at in your healing and where your body is. Experiment to find your balance. But remember, slow and steady is the key. “Transition” is the key word.

For most of my healing journey it was optimal to have low fats, but I also recall a time earlier in my journey when I couldn’t tolerate a lot of fruit sugar.

​At this time I was eating a LOT of sweet potatoes to compensate. My body digested small amounts of animal proteins and fats (chicken was what I mostly ate) better than plant based fats. So this is what I worked with.

After some time, I let go of eating animal proteins and was able to eat a bit more fruit.
Picture
Please don’t fear experimenting a bit to find what works for you. We all have well meaning advice, but only you can know when something is right for your body. Document what is working and what is not, and in time you will begin to find your balance.

Again— digestive enzymes can really help you out while you are finding what works best for you. There is a video on my IGTV all about them and how I used them!

I also go into more depth on enzymes and how they helped with my healing process in my guidebook Finally Healing Acne.

Thank you for reading! I truly wish you all the best on your journey to healthy skin!!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

DIY Natural Body Bronzer Recipe

6/18/2018

 
Picture
Picture
I love this DIY recipe for a body bronzer that works right away to naturally enhance my skin tone... and in a Michigan winter I can use all the help so can get!

The secret is cacao powder! Just mix a little with some shea butter or coconut oil — and glow on ☻
​
Picture

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup shea butter or coconut oil
3 tsp cacao powder
1 drop lavender essential oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

☼ Melt down shea butter or coconut oil, your choice of the two depends on your desired consistency. Coconut oil will be a thinner formula, where the shea butter will be a thicker body butter.

☼ After melting down, add in your cacao powder— remember this is cacao, not cocoa!— lavender oil and mix well.

☼ Enjoy as an all over body lotion!
    Picture
    Picture
Receive My Guide
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
<<Previous
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    Acne
    Alopecia
    Autoimmune
    Brows & Lashes
    Cosmetic Tattoo Info
    Interviews
    Makeup & Skin
    Microblading
    Natural Healing
    Product Reviews
    Recipes
    Studio Annoucements
    Tattoo Removal
    Tattoos
    Wellness

    RSS Feed



​128 Ashman Circle, Midland Michigan

Microblading by Alana • est. 2012 • Copyright 2019

  • Home
  • About
  • Brow Gallery
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Blog