Top Her Couture

“If you desire 100% avoidance of infection, the only way to achieve it is to isolate yourself completely. ” (David G. Hill, 2020) That is right! There is no #vaccine , cure, face mask, or other measure that is going to help you to keep from this. That is no different than flu, ebola, or any other communicable disease. I learned that there are over 80 communicable #diseases that are tracked and/or reported many of which are very much so present in today's world. Many of which are just as contagious. “. . . a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but with limited success. . . . 80–90% of #particles from human expiratory activities were aerosols with the diameter being smaller than 1 μm.” (Jayaweera, 2020) With 80-90% of our spray being aerosols, the mask catches no more than about 20% of our spray. While COVID-19 and other #viruses like to cling to larger particles, it is u...

I have graced the bikini stage in the bodybuilding world for about a decade.  As I have gone along, I have tested, tried, and got getting stage ready down to a science.  This includes tips and tricks that I still use today when doing a self-tanner at-home.  The below steps help me have an even, dark, and long lasting tan every time. Shower & Shave :  Enjoy a nice long shower and give yourself time to shave.  Shaving is a way to start the exfoliating process.  Most shave gels/creams/lotions leave a residue, so use a soap without any oils in it after you shave.  I like to use a Japanese washcloth with a little soap on it.  Liquid Dial is great as well as Liquid Sun Rayz pH Balancing Body Wash. Balance & Exfoliate :  If you use a pH balancing soap like the one mentioned above, you can skip this step.  Our body requires balance to function.  This includes the pH of the skin.  To help buffer your skin, I suggest using...

COMMON INGREDIENT TERMS All labels from food to skincare to supplements are composed of scientific names and each name has a specific trait, affect, or value to the product it is attached to. So what is all the fancy jargon? See some #skinchemistry broken down. Humectant - keeps in moisture Solvent - liquid used to dissolve other substances to create a solution Emulsifying -helps to blend ingredients that would otherwise not mix together like oil and water Chelating - substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion. Chelating ingredients help products from spoiling or by removing metal ions that would otherwise interfere with the solutions affect. (www.scifun.org, 2017) Solute - dissolved in the solvent Emollient – skin softener Surfactant - substance which tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved. What other ingredient terms do you see often either on a label or in market...

An estimated $239 million dollars will be spent this year alone on collagen supplements. The promise of more youthful, plump skin just being a scoop or pill away! (Marshall, 2019) Does this 2020 fad look promising and what questions are being raised to its efficacy? While 2019 started the fad, 2020 is sure to kick it into high gear with powders, foods, pills, and complete supplement lines devoted to this ‘fountain of youth’. Collagen holding the body together in a lattice of scientific processes and structures while also helping with the healing of joints, tendons, skin, and -bones. (Marshall, 2019) Treatments like micro-needling and other laser procedures increasing as they offer slight trauma to the skin signaling our bodies to increase collagen production and generate new skin tissue(s). The treatments starting at $300 are out of reach for some especially with the recommendation of a treatment every 4-6 weeks for optimal results. This is where the collagen supplements come in...