5 Skincare Tips to Bring you into the Light

The daffodils are blooming and winter is wrapping up-it's time to think about summer! This is the best time of year for us pale Oregonians to prep our skin for the sunshiny days ahead. I'm so excited even writing this, I think I'll pull my wool socks off and put on my short shorts to keep writing.  Oooweee--my legs are chalky as all get out. 

#1 SCRUB! 
Chill out and have a steam, then indulge in a head-to-toe sugar or salt scrub followed by a massage with Organic Sacred Earth massage cream. The steam helps loosen all the layers of dead skin, then you slough it away with a scrub. Finally, hydration with a delightful 20-minute lotion application by a massage therapist.  I like to add a 30-minute massage to my scrub when I've got the time to reach extreme wet-noodle-like status. 

#2 FACIALS & PEELS
There is no better time of year to get a facial and/or peel. This time of year is great because the sun is further away than it is in the dead of summer, so there's less risk of sun damage after a short lunchtime peel or extra exfoliation.  A series of peels will be the most effective for smoothing fine lines & hyper pigmentation. If you can start before spring, you should be able to get a few peels in before summer. 

#3 ADJUST YOUR MOISTURIZER
Most people need to change up their skin care seasonally. It's time to check last years supply of sunscreen for an expiration date, because it looses its effectiveness. You may need a lighter day time moisturizer as well, since you wont be getting blasted by indoor heating and blustery cold wind. Your skin retains more moisture in the spring & summer. My favorite (as a 35-year-old seeking to stay naturally youthful)  is Yonka Elastine Jour, but you can get a good recommendation for your skin type from your Esthetician at The Pearl. Skincare consultations are always free.

#4 FIND A HAT!
The time is nigh! You need a hat.* Something that folds up that you can fit in your purse or bag is ideal. Go find one you like, and NEVER leave it behind from May - September.  You can thank me in 20 years ;). You will avoid so many burns and so much sun damage this way (*In addition to your uva/uvb sunscreen, of course). 

#5 WAX IT.
Smooth as an Easter egg, soft as a cherry blossom, slick as a raincoat! Ladies & Gents, do you have any hair on your spring chicken bod that you would like to be free of? Personally, I don't mind letting it grow for the winter, but in the Spring it feels pretty lovely to de-fuzz. My favorite is the lesser known under-arm wax. It's amazing because it leaves no shadow, for WEEKS.

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Easy Habits to Improve Your Immune System
Easy Habits to Improve Your Immune System

As those hot summer days transition into beautiful fall days, we all know that there is the potential to come in contact with seasonal colds and the flu. Add a global pandemic on top and it because apparent that health and wellness are of utmost importance this time of year. As I lean into my own season of wisdom and deeper self care, I have found there are ways to better support my body and immune system with the shift in weather and potential contact with unwell coworkers, kids, and community.

When the Pollen Comes 'A Callin'!
When the Pollen Comes 'A Callin'!

Managing allergy difficulties is especially rough during the spring and summer months in the Pacific Northwest. I love the magnificent majesty that is Oregon. As the season changes, so do the allergens in the air, triggering symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion for many of us; sometimes I have to go inside to breathe better or stop clawing at my face, despite wanting to enjoy a picnic or walk about on a sunny afternoon.

The Power of Traditions: Uniting Past & Present
The Power of Traditions: Uniting Past & Present

Introduction

Traditions are the timeless threads that weave through the fabric of our lives, connecting us to our roots and shaping our sense of identity. While many of us associate traditions with holiday rituals and celebrations, their significance extends far beyond these festive occasions.

In this blog post, we will embark on a journey through the rich history of traditions, exploring their evolution and why they continue to play a pivotal role in our lives, both during the holidays and year-round.

The Art Of Healthy Boundaries
The Art Of Healthy Boundaries

During these shorter days and cold, long nights, many of us are spending our evenings getting cozied up in our sweaters or blankets and possibly thinking about the upcoming holidays. While some of that might give you the warm fuzzies, thinking about the holidays can also stir feelings of stress and anxiety. Whether dinner parties, company events, or family dinners with not-often-seen family members, these opportunities can be a great time to connect and feel the holiday spirit. Annddd they can also open us up to difficult people and difficult situations that can cause us to feel overwhelmed or even lead to emotional shutdown at a time of year we might like to otherwise enjoy.

Relaxation Delivered, A New Model for Care
Relaxation Delivered, A New Model for Care

Self-Care Check-In: Not Feeling So Hot?

How does your self-care look these days?

Do you have all the time you need to fit in exercise, eating well, and taking care of your mental health? Does your work day stay within its tidy bounds? Or does your to-do list affect your interactions with your family, your children, your partner? Does everything just go totally smooth and as expected every day? If you’re a busy professional (or just a living human), I’m guessing you’re balancing a lot and can probably answer NO to most or at least some of those questions

Prioritizing You—Self-care Through Spa Membership
Prioritizing You—Self-care Through Spa Membership

You're not alone. Life can get hectic, and it's easy to put ourselves last on the list of priorities. If you’re like me you think, “Oh yeah, I’ll schedule that massage when I get home. “ Nope! No I will not. I will get caught up making dinner, helping the kiddo with homework, answering texts from three days ago, and trying to remember to sit down. I often say, “I need an adult!” Cause let’s be real—we could all use the help of another adult from time to time. And even this adult struggles to prioritize self-care, despite being surrounded by a team of people at The Pearl believe that self-care is essential for overall well-being and happiness.

Do I Really Need You?
Do I Really Need You?

HUMAN CONNECTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR WELL-BEING.

Do you ever find yourself caught in between feeling both lonely and overwhelmed by social interactions? In a world where we are constantly surrounded by people, yet feel disconnected and isolated, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives to others through social media—feeling left out, questioning why we aren't receiving invitations or participating in the same activities as our peers. This critical voice inside our heads fuels self-doubt, pushing us to measure our worth based on what others are doing. The more we delve into this cycle, the more overwhelmed we become, until human connection itself feels like just another burden on our never-ending to-do list. And these hard feelings can be detrimental to our health…increased cortisol (stress hormones), lack of sleep, and can negatively affect our mental health. While we may jokingly throw around the phrase “compare and despair,” there’s a lot of truth to it. Never before in human history have the highlight reels of nearly everyone we know been constantly visible to us 24 hours a day.

The Power of Positive Touch: Nurturing the Queer Community
The Power of Positive Touch: Nurturing the Queer Community

As a queer person who has worked in a touch-centric industry for decades at this point, I can assuredly say that my relationship with touch was not always a simple or positive one.

The challenges faced by the queer community, which often go unnoticed by a heteronormative society, deserve attention and understanding. The narratives presented in stories, movies, advertisements, religious teachings, friendships, literature, and societal norms perpetuate the notion that there is a singular correct and acceptable storyline for people's lives, dismissing any other experiences as deviations to be concealed or left unspoken. Without counterbalancing messages to combat these pervasive feelings of exclusion, many of us have grown up with an inherent sense that our very essence as individuals is fundamentally flawed.

The Mental Weight of Motherhood - And 10 Ways You Can Help
The Mental Weight of Motherhood - And 10 Ways You Can Help

Being a mom is fucking hard. No matter how amazing a person is, this is an inescapable truth. And when you can tell it’s hard from a distance, you know it’s exponentially harder firsthand. Stereotypes aside and progress included, there is still an undeniable societal expectation that mothers bear the brunt of the mental load when it comes to caring for the family. From planning meals to organizing schedules to managing budgets, to maintaining a career, the to-do list for moms appears never-ending. Add to that the mental labor of keeping the family together, managing everyone’s emotions, and often being expected to be the primary caregiver for children, and it’s no wonder that so many mothers feel overwhelmed and exhausted.

5 Tips For Spring Health Refreshment
5 Tips For Spring Health Refreshment

Spring is here, and along with the buds on trees and flowers peeking out from the earth, it's also a time to consider some health shifts for the season. Spending time outdoors, taking advantage of fresh produce, and reevaluating habits can all contribute to a refreshed mindset and physical health. Getting outside for some sunshine and fresh air, even for just a few minutes during your lunch break or a coffee date with a friend, can boost your mood and vitamin D levels. Incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet can support improved digestion, energy levels, and overall health. Spring is the perfect time to reevaluate habits and make positive changes to prepare for warmer weather and longer days ahead.

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Skincare & Beauty, Self-careSean VierraDIY, spa, scrubs, sun, skincare, sun damage, body treatments, moisturizers, esthetics, waxingComment