Green Child Magazine Winter 2013 | Page 9

There’s a soft, natural beauty to every pregnant woman… Even though there are days you really don’t feel it. Here are 5 tips to help keep stretch marks, itchy skin, hormonal changes and sleepless nights from taking their toll. 1. Make every bite count, and drink plenty of water. Choose nutrient-dense foods. The easiest way to do this is to avoid white flour and white sugar. Keep a pretty decanter of pure water (add lemon or peppermint oil to it if you wish) on the kitchen counter or your desk and drink half a cup every time you pass by or begin a new task. You will have more energy, better sleep, clearer skin… and your baby will reap the benefits. 2. Keep your skin clear and make the most of your pregnancy glow. Make time to wash and care for your face each night. For those days that your skin is just not cooperating, use a healthy concealer/corrector for uneven pigment splotches. A pure mineral powder without any dyes is your best bet to keep your skin clean and clear. 3. Go fragrance-free. Choosing healthy products that contain no synthetic fragrance will keep phthalates out of your beauty routine. Phthalates are hormone disrupters, which can have an impact on your growing child. Pure essential oils add a touch of scent without harming your developing baby. 4. Try these makeup artist’s tricks for those days when you feel less than perky. Curl your eyelashes, use a pink toned blush to perk up tired looking skin, and add highlighter to cheekbones, under brow bone, and on the inside of your eye area, near your nose. 5. Choose better beauty products. Be as careful about what you put on your skin as you are about what you eat. Avoid the ‘toxic dozen’ in terms of ingredients, such as phthalates, parabens, dyes, and most synthetics. The information is out there, or consider getting to know a healthy beauty expert who will take the time to understand you and your individual needs. Most importantly, enjoy this miraculous time in your life. You are beautiful. by Lisa D Liguori, founder and beauty expert behind Style Essentials, a green healthy-beauty marketplace, featuring mineral makeup, botanically based organic skincare…all with a skilled, personal touch. 9