LaShell's Beauty Xpressions

Happy New Year 2011!!!

TheBajanBeauty — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 02:24:33 +0000

Happy New Year beautiful people!!! I love this time of year as everyone makes their new year’s resolution and hopes for a better, successful year…and it will be!

This year I will try to do a better job at updating my blog while running my very successful business (Shanti Spa) that I am very proud of! If you are in the Houston area, you should come check me out.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year filled with great memories.

Many Blessings!!!

The Shiitake Mushroom and Your Skin

TheBajanBeauty — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:09:42 +0000

The Shiitake Mushroom plays a huge role in the health of our skin. Who would have thought?? Well, the Japanese have known this for years. This mushroom, which I absolutely LOVE has been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation in the skin. Hyperpigmentation is considered darkening of the skin such as age spots, melasma, freckles or even the dark spots you get once acne leaves your skin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanocytes group together as a result of overproduction of melanin.

To get rid of this pesky problem all you need to do is eat 1 cup of shiitake mushrooms a day. Why? Because shiitake mushrooms are packed with Kojic Acid, an ingredient that has been proven to lighten the skin. So, buy them dried or fresh, add them to your favorite dishes and enjoy the healthy vegetable that’s great for your skin!

Also, it will be wise to purchase a skin care product that also contains Kojic Acid. You can get the benefits internally and topically

You can also try an all natural product called Lightning that helps to lighten the skin as well as decrease the amount of bacteria that is present on the skin. With proper skin care this product has active ingredients that will exfoliate, clarify and prevent future damage without the use of hydroquinone. You can purchase the product by calling or visiting Shanti Spa.

Review: Chia Seeds

TheBajanBeauty — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:11:08 +0000

I recently came across this wonderful seed called the chia seed. I was on the internet searching for chili spiced mango that I would purchase from Trader’s Joe’s when I lived in New Jersey (oh how I miss that place!) and came across a website called www.nutsonline.com. I searched and searched the website to view all the good stuff they had and came across a sampler pack that had chia seeds in them. I’ve never heard of chia seeds before to be taken internally, I only heard about the chia seeds for the chia pet! Well, I began to do research on the internet and read all the major health benefits these little seeds pack. I ordered the pack because it had other stuff in it I wanted to try and couldn’t wait for it to arrive. A couple of days passed and I got my package! That night I opened the chia seeds and put a teaspoon in a cup of juice and drank it. Not bad at all!! Well, as days passed with me taking the seeds internally in my favorite glass of juice (pomegranate cranberry), to make a chia fresca, I noticed my energy level has increased AND so has my elimination process (I know, I know…sorry)! I also noticed that I feel fuller longer and haven’t been having cravings. These chia seeds will definitely remain in my daily health regimen.

I purchased my chia seeds from this website, it will give you the health benefits of the chia seed. Amazing!

Have you ever tried chia seeds? What was your experience?

My love for Tea

TheBajanBeauty — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:13:39 +0000

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love tea. I have a cabinet in my kitchen dedicated to my teas, tea cups and anything else that makes my cup of tea more enjoyable. Over the years, I have become more and more interested in the quality of teas that I drink. I began to research all the different teas that I love and the benefits of each. Soon, I began to realize that my little tea bag isn’t packing all the good stuff I need out of my tea. I read many articles that suggests the leaves inside of the tea bags are just ‘dustings’ of the actual tea leaf. So, I began going to tea houses around Houston and purchasing actual tea leaves that have been dried. The taste is so much better because I am steeping the actual leaves or parts of the leaves to brew my tea. Today, I purchased organic chinese green tea from a place in Houston called The Path of Tea and the brew is so much stronger than my green tea bags. The employees were so willing to educate me on all the different teas that they carried and the owner of the store informed me that each teaspoon of tea leaves that I use is enough to make 3- 16 oz cups of tea! After brewing my first cup tonight I definitely believe her!

Do you have a love for tea? What’s your favorite type? My favorites are green tea and herbal teas. I also love an authentic chai tea once in a while.

Review: Clinique’s High Lengths Mascara

TheBajanBeauty — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:59:02 +0000

I recently went to Clinique to purchase an eyeshadow quad and received a free gift. When I got home I was so excited to try out this new mascara that was included. I untwist the top and pull out the wand to discover this cool looking comb! I immediately begin to put it on my eyelashes and love the effect that this mascara gives to my lashes. It doesn’t add any volume, but like the name says, it gives GREAT LENGTH. The formula is smooth and it glides right on for a perfect application. Give it a try and let me know how you feel about this product.

How to: Have smooth lips

TheBajanBeauty — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:09:30 +0000

All of my life I used vaseline on my lips as a moisturizer. I would put it on every morning and every night. Well, recently I decided to make a change because, although I kept my lips moisturized, they would always peel. The best way to keep your lips smooth is to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and to moisturize you lips with a natural oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. These natural oils are easily absorbed into the skin as they are very similar to our body’s natural sebum. If you prefer to use something with a little bit of a consistency, try 100% shea butter or vitamin E oil. Also, once a month it is a great idea to exfoliate your lips using your toothbrush and plain water or using a clean washcloth with water to gently wipe your lips.

Try these basic, easy steps and work your way to beautiful, kissable lips

Bikram Yoga and its Benefits

TheBajanBeauty — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:54:49 +0000

Today, I did Bikram Yoga for the first time in a very long time. Bikram Yoga is done is a heated room of about 105 degrees for 90 minutes. During those 90 minutes you would complete a series of 26 stretching postures and 2 breathing exercises. Let me just tell you that I was a bit nervous. I remember when I took my first class I was not used to the heated room and how to breathe properly and I got dizzy multiple times and had to sit down during postures. I was afraid that, since I took a long break, this would happen to me again. Guess what! It didn’t!!! My body recalled all the postures It was kind of like learning to ride a bike again. Once you start the process it is all good from there.

I loved how Bikram Yoga shaped my body and made me appear very lean, but shapely. I love my curves and never want them to go away, however I love having a slender, toned look as well. The workouts that I have been doing with my trainer made me a little bulky in the hip and thigh area. I have not been loving the outcome because my jeans aren’t fitting. I am still going to train with my trainer, but I am just going to train with him less and do Bikram Yoga more.

If you would like to learn of the MANY, MANY other benefits of Bikram Yoga just click here.

Have you ever tried Bikram Yoga? How did you feel about it?

Fitness Dilemma

TheBajanBeauty — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:09:13 +0000

I have been consistently working out 4 times a week since December. I feel good about myself and I know I am getting stronger. However, I get sooooo aggravated when it’s time to put my jeans on and THEY DON’T FIT!!! I thought going to the gym and having a trainer was supposed to help me lose fat and tighten my muscles. I understand that I am gaining muscle and the fat is still on top, but, come oooonn, there has GOT to be a way to get rid of the fat faster. I was SERIOUSLY thinking about taking the pills that Kim Kardashian promotes. I just can’t imagine taking pills to lose weight…I am too much of a hypochondriac to even take my thoughts seriously.

I decided that I would put myself on a “meal plan”. I will eat small meals and snacks everyday at he same time of day. Hopefully this will put my body on a schedule and stop the cravings that I get. I already eat healthy and drink as much water as I can, so I’m just going to try to take it a step further. If my thighs don’t shrink or if I can’t fit my beautiful jeans that I just bought a month ago…I just might cut someone, LOL!

Do you know of any tasty and healthy snacks or meals that I can try?

How to: Keep your polish from chipping

TheBajanBeauty — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:05:00 +0000

If you are anything like me, you hate it when you polish your nails and the next day the polish is chipped. Well, I have some tips for you that will make your polish last 5 – 7 days!!

Before applying polish:

- make sure your nails are properly filed and buffed. This prevents them from chipping. If your nails chip, your polish is bound to chip as well.

- make sure your nails are dry and free from lotions/oils. If your nails have any residue on them the polish will not adhere properly.

Once you have completed the steps above you can now apply a base coat (I always use the base coat by OPI). It is important to let each coat of polish dry a little bit before applying the next coat. Also, try to make each coat as thin as possible. If you apply the polish to thick, it will take a long time to dry and smudging will occur. Wait about 60 seconds before applying the top coat. You can purchase a top coat that helps polish dry faster or you can purchase drops to apply at the final stage of painting your nails. OPI has both, the polish and the drops.

Once your polish is dry and you go about normal activities be sure to protect the tips of your nails. Instead of using the tips of your nails to pick up things, practice using the pads of your fingers

Try it out and let me know if it helps. Do you have any tried and true tips that makes your polish last long?

Jewelry Craving: Gucci Bangle Bracelet Watch

TheBajanBeauty — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:39:08 +0000

This watch is part of Gucci’s “Twirl Collection” and I absolutely LOVE it. I stare at this picture because there is no way I will be purchasing this watch anytime soon with a price tag of $945. A girl can dream, can’t she?