Winter is here in full force. Many Canadians are booking trips to warmer climates this month. Are you ready to get some sunshine? We have created a vacation prep checklist to have you looking your best. From head to toe, you will be ready to go!

Vacation Prep for Your Skin

Weeks before your trip you should be thinking about how to get the softest skin. If you haven’t already, step up your skin care routine with exfoliation. First, during a shower, use a bath mitt or loofah with your regular cleanser. Alternatively, you could opt for a sugar or salt scrub. Both of these products are an excellent way to get rid of dry skin. For maximum results exfoliate 2-3 times per week.

Next, you want to apply moisturizer immediately post-shower. This ensures moisture is locked in. We suggest choosing something natural such as shea butter to provide lasting hydration.

Finally, don’t forget to find a suitable sunscreen. A quality sunscreen on your vacation prep shopping list is a must! Do your research, many lotions contain harmful ingredients that will block pores. At the same time, high-quality sunscreens can double as a body lotion as well. Therefore, you can hydrate skin while staying safe from the sun, and save some room in your bag.

Build Your Tan

Nothing screams summertime like soft, golden skin. Unfortunately, during these cold winter months, the sunshine is scarce. Not to mention, excess sun exposure is considered a big no-no. To get a healthy glow, add an organic spray tan to your vacation prep checklist. This is the easiest way to become bronzed up, minus the harmful effects of tanning beds or direct sun. Furthermore, you will have a natural looking finish in just 15 minutes.

At Sugar Savvy, we offer Organic Airbrush Tanning services. A St.Tropez Spray Tan Treatment gives you a fast and flawless tan. Moreover, we now use AromaGuard fragrance technology to eliminate self-tan aroma by at least 70%. The mist is paraben free and does not contain harsh chemicals. In other words, what more could you ask for?

Get Polished

Although, not a service we offer, your nails deserve some attention before your big trip. Whether you are headed to a nail bar or planning to DIY, nail care is an essential add-on to your vacation prep checklist.

Pedicure

It is a great time to get your feet ready to go. Proper exfoliation and polishing will make your toes look fantastic in your summery sandals. If you opt to do your pedicure yourself, follow the same steps as a salon. First, begin with a soak. This will soften calluses and rough patches you may have. Next, use a foot file to smooth them over. Finally, cut and file nails as needed. Be sure to push back cuticles and moisturize at the end.

Manicure

You can follow the same routine for your fingernails. Additionally, you will want to try and add some shape. Check out The Ultimate Guide to 12 Different Nail Shapes if you are unsure of what you like. If you are headed to the salon, talk to your esthetician. They will be able to help you choose the perfect shape for the look you are after.

Getting The Perfect Polish

There are a few things you can do to help get your polish just right. To begin, clean the nail with polish remover. By doing so, you are removing any dirt or oil that is left over. Use both a base and a top coat, plus 2-3 coats of color for a rich finished look. Having a hard time choosing a color? 2019 is all about bigger, bolder shades! 9 Best Summer Nail Polish Colours include coral, teal, reds, yellows and even gold. However, if you are looking for something basic and classy – go for the french manicure/pedicure.

Hair Removal

So, you have booked your flight and found a hotel. You have started packing and bought a few new outfits. You are all ready to go! That is until you remember that unwanted hair you forgot about. Unfortunately, many people are self-conscious about their body hair, making hair removal a crucial step in prepping for a vacation.

For a quick fix, shaving is always an easy go-to method. But nicks and scrapes don’t go very well with any swimsuit. Of course, we suggest sugaring for your hair removal needs. Why? Mainly because it is natural, affordable, and will have you feeling soft and smooth for 2 weeks. You won’t have to worry about pesky stray hairs turning up here and there. Consequently, sugaring is also less painful than other methods such as waxing. We use all natural ingredients and work with your skin, instead of against it. Do you have sensitive skin? Sugaring is for you!

Are you interested in added sugaring to your vacation prep checklist? Check out our full List of Services, Or book an appointment online!

Vacation Prep Diet

First and foremost, stay hydrated! Drinking water will be essential before your trip, during, and after. When temperatures rise, so do the risks of becoming dehydrated. In addition to drinking water, try to avoid beverages that have high amounts of sugar, salt or caffeine. Otherwise, your body will be working overtime to try and stay hydrated.

If you are like many, you probably are looking to indulge in foods that aren’t the healthiest choices. Hey, we don’t judge, that’s what vacation is all about. But, that means it’s time to stock up on fruits and veggies before your trip. Vacation prep on the inside is just as important as your looks on the outside. You can improve your immune system with the following foods:

Kick Back, Relax and Enjoy

Now that you have taken all the steps on your vacation prep checklist, you are ready to jet off to somewhere warm. To conclude, we have a few more tips to keep you happy, healthy, and looking fantastic on your trip.

DON’T forget to pack your hat. Not only are hats essential to our outfits, but they also keep the harmful UV rays off our newly glowing faces. A good hat will also protect your scalp from an awful burn.

DO choose proper footwear. Is your go-to choice a pair of your favourite flip flops? While flip flops will protect your feet against things like warts and athletes foot, they may not be the best choice. Experts say that the lack of support can leave you with tendon strains and sore heels, making walking a painful feat.

That’s it, that’s all. Now get out there and enjoy the sunshine for us!

Having a healthy diet for healthy skin is a choice! Your nutrition choices are very important to the look and feel of your skin overall. An unhealthy diet can also damage your metabolism, cause weight gain and affects your heart and liver. What you eat also affects the health of another organ — your skin!

Healthy Diet for Healthy Skin

The more information we gather on how our diets affect our bodies, the clearer it is to know that what we are eating is significantly affecting the health and the aging of our skin.

This article is part one, and will focus on some of the best foods to include in your diet.

Avocados

Avocados are high in healthy fats. Yes, there are fats that we can call healthy! You don’t have to remove all fats to have a healthy diet for healthy skin. Healthy fats benefit many functions in your body, including the health of your skin. Getting enough of these fats in your diet is an important factor in keeping your skin moisturized and flexible.

Studies have found that a high intake of total fat (specifically the types of healthy fats found in avocados) was associated with having more supple, springy skin. Preliminary evidence also shows that avocados contain compounds that may help to protect our skin against sun damage. UV damage to the skin can cause signs of aging, such as wrinkling. Avocados are also a very good source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress.

Other studies have shown that vitamin E seems to be even more effective when it is combined with vitamin C. Vitamin C is also essential for maintaining healthy skin. Our skin needs vitamin C in order to create collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein that keeps your skin strong and healthy. A deficiency in vitamin C is very rare these days. Common symptoms would include dry, rough, scaly skin that can bruise very easily.

Vitamin C is also an anti-oxidant that protects your skin from oxidative damage. This can be caused by the sun and the environment, which can lead to signs of aging skin.

Broccoli

Broccoli makes the list because it is full of many vitamins and minerals important for skin health, including zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C. It also contains lutein, a carotenoid that works like beta-carotene. It protects the skin from oxidative damage, which can cause skin to become dry and wrinkled.

Broccoli florets also contain a special compound called sulforaphane, which seems to have some impressive health benefits. It may even have anti-cancer effects, including some forms of skin cancer. Sulforaphane is also a powerful protective agent against sun damage. It works in two ways: by neutralizing harmful free radicals and turning on other protective systems in the body. There is also evidence that it helps maintain collagen levels in the skin.

Dark Chocolate

Does anyone need a reason to eat chocolate? The effects of cocoa on your skin are pretty impressive! One study found that after 6 – 12 weeks of consuming a cocoa powder high in antioxidants, participants experienced a thicker, more hydrated skin. Their skin was also less rough and scaly, less sensitive to sunburn, and had better blood flow which brings more nutrients to the skin.
Several other studies have produced similar results, including improvements in the appearance of wrinkles.

Evidence shows that cocoa may be a powerful tool for keeping your skin young and protected from damage. Make sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa in order to maximize the health benefits and keep added sugar to a minimum. Who said a healthy diet for healthy skin meant no chocolate!

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel and herring) are an excellent choice to eat to maintain healthy skin. They are all rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are an important part of the diet when wanting to have a healthy diet for healthy skin. Omega 3 fatty acids are a necessary component to keep your skin thick, supple and moisturized. Having a deficiency in omega 3 fatty acids can also cause dry skin. The omega 3 fats found in fish are known to reduce inflammation, which can be the cause of redness and acne.

There has been some research done and studies have found that fish oil supplements may help fight inflammatory and auto-immune conditions affecting the skin, such as psoriasis and lupus. Fatty fish are also a good source of vitamin E, which is one of the most important antioxidants for the skin. Getting enough vitamin E is essential for protecting the skin against damage from free radicals as well as inflammation. Fatty fish are also a source of high-quality protein, which is necessary to grow the structural proteins that maintain the strength and integrity of our skin.

Fatty fish is also a source of zinc, a mineral that is important for regulating inflammation of the skin as well as the production of new skin cells and overall skin health. Having a deficiency in zinc can lead to skin inflammation, skin lesions and the delay in the healing of any wounds.

Green Tea

Drinking green tea also has the ability to protect your skin from damage and aging. The powerful compounds found in green tea are called catechins. They work to protect and improve the health of your skin in several ways. Like several other antioxidant-containing foods, regularly consuming green tea can help protect your skin against sun damage.

One 12 week study in 60 women found that drinking green tea daily could reduce redness from sun exposure by up to 25%. It also improved the moisture, roughness, thickness and elasticity of their skin. While green tea is a great choice for healthy skin, you may want to avoid drinking your tea with milk. There’s evidence that milk could reduce the beneficial effects of its antioxidants.

Red or Yellow Bell Peppers

Like sweet potatoes, bell peppers are an excellent source of beta-carotene. They are also one of the best sources of vitamin C, the antioxidant that’s necessary for creating the protein collagen, which keeps skin firm and strong. A large observational study in women found that eating plenty of vitamin C was associated with a lower chance of skin appearing wrinkled and becoming dry with age.

Being aware of what you are putting in your mouth has a huge effect on your skin is step one. Maintaining a healthy diet to ensure your healthy skin is step two.  You have the power to maintain a healthy diet for healthy skin! Watch for next months blog where we reveal the other food items that are great to have as part of your healthy diet for healthy skin.