Howard Murad's Blog, page 6
March 7, 2017
Technology and Our Connection Crisis
The ability to quickly text a friend, check your work emails, and snap your meal all in a matter of minutes means we’re compulsively sharing more than ever. According to research from Deloitte, Americans across all age groups said they look at their phones within five minutes of waking up, and those people are checking their phones 150 times a day!
Device addictions consume more than just our time and data plans as valuable personal connections are being compromised at an alarming rate. In an era where belly laughs have taken a backseat to LOLs, heartfelt conversations have become passive-aggressive tweets, brunches gushing about a proposal have been replaced by public Facebook posts, and daily chats with that hilarious friend have been traded for meme accounts, the realization that our culture is starved for real-life human interaction should come as no surprise.
YOU, ME AND SIRI MAKE THREE
If you’re noticing a rift in your closest relationships, the elephant in the room could very well fit in your back pocket. In a 2014 study reported in Environment and Behavior, Virginia Tech psychologist Shalini Misra monitored the conversations of 100 couples and identified what has been dubbed the iPhone effect: the simple presence of a smartphone, even as an object in the background, degrades private conversations, making partners less willing to disclose deep feelings.
These findings are supported by Essex University’s Andrew Przybylski and Netra Weinstein, who reported in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships that smartphones “inhibited the development of interpersonal closeness and trust and reduced the extent to which individuals felt understanding and empathy from their partners.”
WHAT’S STRESS GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Stress is the body’s reaction to harmful situations, real or imagined. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to effectively conquer important tasks. However, our bodies are designed to only take stress in small doses. Constant and pervasive stress – like Cultural Stress, or the stress of modern living – is more than our bodies were designed to handle, putting us at risk for long-lasting and dangerous consequences.
The irony of technological advancement is that we are more digitally connected than ever before, yet less connected to one another in meaningful ways. This has profound implications for our skin, health, and ultimately happiness. – Dr. Murad
This relatively new type of stress is so ingrained in our lives that it tends to go unnoticed, but it impacts the entire body with a particularly visible effect on the skin.
WEARING STRESS ON YOUR SLEEVE
At Murad, we understand that healthy, beautiful skin is a reflection of how you live your life.
There is a powerful, yet often overlooked, connection between the mind, body and skin, and our tech dependence is rapidly taking its toll on each at an alarming rate.
Dr. Murad and the dermatology community have long recognized the neuropsychological connections between the appearance of the skin and overall health. According to The American Institute of Stress, chronic stress, like that from Cultural Stress, has been shown to weaken immunity, increase inflammation, and accelerate aging.
THE CONNECTION ANTIDOTE
True health not only means the physical body is free from cancer, disease, and illness – but that one has a passion for life, meaningful connections with friends and family, and an overall positive sense of self.
The ultimate antidote to ever-increasing Cultural Stress is the power of human connection. Real-life, face-to-face, eyes-up connection. By spending more time with loved ones, we mentally, socially, and emotionally solidify our support group, reminding ourselves that, even when there’s poor cellphone reception, we’re never truly alone. This confidence helps us to take on new challenges, explore passions, and do more of what we love. When we’re surrounded by people who support and understand us, we can put things into perspective and realize that we’re too blessed to be chronically stressed.
GOING #EYESUP
Cultural Stress is changing how we exist as humans and, without intervention, it will continue to have devastating results. While we aren’t telling you to burn your mobile devices in a 1960s-style protest, we do think there is a compelling need to hit the “off” button from time to time and experience the people we love face to face.
That’s why we are launching EyesUp, a powerful campaign designed to educate people about the danger of purely digital relationships while reinforcing the power of real-world human connection.
In the spirit of technological moderation, we invite you to join us by mindfully going #EyesUp for a few minutes or even a whole hour in order to build stronger connections in real life.
Who will you go #EyesUp for? Share your answer in the comments!
The post Technology and Our Connection Crisis appeared first on Murad Blog.
February 22, 2017
Do You Really Need Winter SPF?
There is often a misconception that you only need sunscreen when it’s 80 degrees or warmer outside, on a clear day, sitting by the pool or the beach. It’s not just a misconception held by individuals. Ever notice how the sunscreen displays are prevalent in the spring and summer, yet you have to look around for it during the winter?
Applying sunscreen to your entire body, and most importantly your face, is imperative in the winter months as well. You should also get in the habit of reapplying throughout the day. Your skin gets dryer in the winter due to the colder air not holding a high density of water molecules. Warm air on the other hand, holds a higher density of water molecules and thus keeps your skin more hydrated.
This is when winter weather can be introduced to an indispensable product with SPF (sun protector factor) like our Essential-C Day Moisture. This product contains protective molecules called Ectoines that bind water to their cellular membranes. These molecules help to moisturize your skin and protect it from everyday assaults from stress, pollution and sun year-round.
Clear skies are not the only forecast for lathering up and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. Don’t let a cloudy day fool you into thinking your skin is safe from harm. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) up to 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can pass through cloud coverage. These harmful rays attribute to 90 percent of skin cancer cases, making winter SPF is anything but optional for your health.
Furthermore, if you are a winter sports enthusiast, the combination of higher altitude and UV rays reflected off the snow put you at a higher risk for sun damage to your skin. When you are on slopes, your skin is not only susceptible to the UV rays and dry air, but high winds, which will further deplete its health. In this scenario, reapplying moisturizer and taking breaks indoors away from the elements are good precautions.
Ultimately, you want keep yourself bundled up during the winter with plenty of products with SPF in them to prevent sun damage and keep your skin radiant and healthy.
The post Do You Really Need Winter SPF? appeared first on Murad Blog.
February 17, 2017
Understanding Hydroquinone
What is Hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is used in skincare as a pigment lightener that fades dark spots, post-acne marks and other skin discolorations. This powerful ingredient inhibits melanin production, and it has been used as an ingredient for lightening sun spots, age spots and melasma for over 50 years.
Over-the-counter Hydroquinone products can contain .5% to 2% concentrations, with 2% being the highest OTC (over-the-counter) amount. At the pharmacy, 4% concentrations of Hydroquinone are available by prescription only.
Exposure to the sun is not advised while using Hydroquinone. Because the ingredient is working to lighten the pigment of your skin, you will be more prone to damage from the sun. You must properly protect yourself by wearing an SPF of 30 or above. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours and wearing protective clothing like a large hat, is also recommended for additional protection. If you don’t adequately protect your skin, you can actually darken pigmentation.
Dr. Murad developed our bestselling Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum, which contains 2% Hydroquinone, the strongest you can buy without a prescription.
Learn more about Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum and the rest of Environmental Shield® line to fade dark spots and reveal radiance.
The post Understanding Hydroquinone appeared first on Murad Blog.
February 14, 2017
The Silent Killer: Cultural Stress
Stress has helped shape us as modern humans. Our hardwired response to stress makes us more alert so that we are better able to protect ourselves from danger and keeps us hyper-focused so that we can complete tasks necessary to survive and thrive. The challenge we face today is learning to respond to an entirely different kind of stress: Cultural Stress, the stress of modern living.
Today we live in a highly competitive society where each of us is on a never-ending quest for perfection. Fueled by technology that has made it possible to access the Internet and communicate with anyone from anywhere, 24 hours a day, we have become all-knowing, always-on beings that desire the best of everything. This stress of modern living, which we at Murad refer to as Cultural Stress, is wearing us down and negatively affecting our health and happiness in profound ways. Not only have our biological systems not evolved fast enough to keep up with these relentless modern demands, but we are also changing our approach to our relationships with each other by becoming more socially isolated. This constant pressure to be “connected” to everyone and everything at every time is redefining what it means to be human while wreaking havoc on every cell in your body.
So what are the physical effects? Our day-to-day lives as human beings have evolved significantly from the days of needing to outrun a lion chasing us in the Savannah. But our biological stress response has not kept pace with our ever-changing modern world. That’s why, when your body is subjected to long-term, chronic stress – like Cultural Stress – it elicits the same physical response. And unlike acute stress, Cultural Stress is constant and pervasive so our bodies are never able to fully recover from its dangerous effects.
This type of stress triggers cellular water loss through perspiration. Stress causes a flood of adrenaline, cortisol and other stress-related hormones that damage cell walls which in turn, allows intra-cellular water to escape. This intra-cellular water loss creates a tidal wave of effects: It causes our cells and connective tissue to break down, which prevents our heart, lungs, brain and other organs from functioning at optimal levels. Stress-induced water loss also contributes to common skin problems – acne, rosacea and even premature signs of aging.
Cultural Stress often causes us to lead more isolated, sedentary lifestyles which is a risk factor linked to over 24 diseases. It can create feelings of hostility, frustration and anger which only exacerbates the problem. Ultimately, Cultural Stress is changing how we exist as humans and without intervention, will continue to have devastating results. Do you now see why we call it the silent killer?
We see the ultimate antidote to ever-increasing Cultural Stress as the power of human connection. Real-life, face-to-face, eyes-up connection. That’s why we have created Eyes Up… it’s our first step in giving people around the tools and resources we all need to push back on stress and reclaim our human connections.
The post The Silent Killer: Cultural Stress appeared first on Murad Blog.
How to Get the Best Night’s Sleep with Your Partner
We will spend around a third of our lives asleep. But here’s an interesting statistic: according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 60 million people a year report suffering either long-term or occasional sleep disturbance. That’s nearly one fifth of the entire US population! It’s also estimated that 60% of the population share a bed with someone else. Coincidence? We’re suspicious.
In the name of science, we’re taking a closer look at whether sharing a bed is good or bad for our own health and our partners in respect to three key areas:
The Physiological Effect: Studies that measure brain-wave activity or body movement have shown that sleeping with a partner in bed (a.k.a. dyadic-sleep) reveal poorer sleep quality compared to sleeping alone. The dyadic sleepers experience less REM sleep and increased physical activity during the night, compared to those who sleep by themselves.
Emotional Factors: You may think you’re sleeping better with your partner because of attachment that leads to feeling anxious when you are apart. While dyadic sleep appears to decrease sleep quality, separation from your partner actually worsens sleep problems because of the effects of attachment anxiety.
Syncing Schedules: Partners influence mealtimes and pre-bedtime rituals during the day – which flows into sleep times and your internal body clock. Research found that couples whose sleep-wake preferences were disjointed had poorer sleep qualities than those who had similar sleeping patterns. Essentially, couples who naturally wake up and go to bed at similar times have been found to be more satisfied in their relationship.
Even with these facts stacking in favor of sleeping solo, you can argue that, in the case of head versus heart, the jury is still out. But what about the compromises you can make to help you both catch enough shut-eye? In the name of love, of course we have to share those too.
You love to watch TV in bed.
Solution: You may not realize that the particular blue wavelength of light emitted from screens — be it the TV, a tablet or even a smartphone — tricks our internal clocks into thinking it’s time to be awake and alert. This means that while you may think your partner is peacefully sleeping while you watch your favorite TV show, you are actually interfering with their sleep. We personally recommend keeping devices outside of the bedroom and fully support bringing back the good old-fashioned alarm clock. –
You both go to bed at different times.
Solution: The night owl and the early riser may be compatible in every other aspect however when it comes to getting enough sleep, the number 1 cause of disruption is created by differing bed times. In today’s world (link to Cultural Stress), it can be exceptionally hard to switch off and many of us keep going until the very last second before we close our eyes. We propose creating a couples routine the hour before bed and while it may sound like something for children, a bedtime schedule (even our iPhone’s are offering us this now) Try turning off devices and enjoy a warming cup of decaffeinated tea. Reading versus using a screen can have a very powerful effect or engaging in a positive conversation about the day you both enjoyed or your plans ahead. Creating a relaxed mind and body is a very important step for getting you both a peaceful night’s sleep.
You have a different approach to eating and drinking before bed.
Solution: After a long day, it is easy to sometimes end up eating and drinking right before bed but watch out, your body and mind has simply lulled you into a false sense of sleepy security. Try to limit caffeine. Caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Keep dinnertime earlier where possible and try to avoid heavy and rich foods too close to bed – 2 hours minimum before sleep is always preferable. And try avoid alcohol before bed – even during all those holiday parties. While a nightcap may help you relax, it interferes with your sleep cycle once you do get to sleep.
You tend to move around a lot in the night.
Solution: Take a look at your bedroom and see if you can make any changes in your environment. Removing clutter and keeping the room cool and dark (at night) can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep and how much you move. Daily exercise, specifically the more vigorous exercise like running, increases the amount of time you spend in the deep, restorative stages of sleep – this means less movement for the both of you. It is worth nothing that you should try to finish workouts at least 3 hours before bedtime to allow your body some time to recover. If you do want to do something right before bed, why not try gentle stretches to draw out any final elements of tension.
Source: http://sleepjunkies.com/blog/science-of-sleeping-together/
The post How to Get the Best Night’s Sleep with Your Partner appeared first on Murad Blog.
February 9, 2017
Socialize with Exercise
Committing to a healthy start at the beginning of the year is common, but how many actually stick to their major health goals the entire year? Don’t let your 2017 resolutions fall by the wayside! We’re all aware that regular exercise benefits our health, but going to the gym solo isn’t always ideal (we’ve all fallen victim to the post-work slump). That’s why signing on for a new fitness challenge is better with a group of like-minded people. Involving a support network makes exercise more rewarding and fun. Plus, you’re doing your body and your social life lots of good. Keep reading for five group exercise ideas perfect for the squad.
Take a Hike
Ah, the great outdoors. You get to work on your tan and also fit in a serious cardio session with a group of friends right on the trail. In addition to a workout, you’ll reap the rewards of hanging out in Mother Nature. Go ahead and let go of your stress while communing at a slower pace.
Rock Your Body
The great thing about hitting a climbing gym with friends is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. Working your way up any vertical incline makes it a cinch to achieve a full-body workout, whether it’s on an indoor rock wall or the real thing.
Who Run the World?
If you don’t consider yourself to be a runner, then perhaps a great cause will motivate you to start pounding the pavement! There are plenty of charitable organizations worth running for, from cancer research fundraising to raising awareness about a nonprofit of your choice. Even if you’ve never participated in a race, joining a team with friends will help make training that much more of a breeze.
Puppy Bowl
Having a dog is a great influence on walking, but what if you don’t have a pooch? Well, get your pals together and organize a dog-walking group to the local dog park or beach! You’ll be doing your four-legged friends and yourself a big healthy favor.
Dancing Queen
Dance like everyone’s watching…because they are, and it’s totally okay! Burn off some stress and let loose with friends in the judgment-free zone of a dance class. You’ll learn some sweet new moves for the dance floor with a workout like Zumba, tango, break dancing, or ballroom. Plus, you’ll work up a major sweat with rhythmic cardio. Now we’d say that’s a win-win.
The post Socialize with Exercise appeared first on Murad Blog.
February 2, 2017
Renew Your (Friendship) Vows
As we grow older, a seemingly endless number of changes begin to weave their way into our lives. The transition into deeper responsibilities takes hold, continuously shaping our understanding of daily demands, goals, responsibilities and shifting priorities.
Of course, throughout these transitions, not every relationship we’ve developed throughout our former years will seamlessly align and adapt. Schedules change and become more demanding, careers take over, people move apart and families are created. As our daily lives become more complicated, and more full, the relationships that continue to evolve alongside us are those connections which we actively choose to continuously cultivate, regardless of the challenges brought about by cultural stress.
So how can we ensure we actively grow and develop those important relationships in our lives, despite any complications and distractions we’ve come to know within our modern world? Luckily, we have a few suggestions to help you continuously renew your friendship vows and prioritize the loved ones in your life.
1. Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Today’s culture boasts the convenience (and subsequent demand) of being constantly connected and plugged-in. Most of us offer an overflowing list of Facebook friends, Tinder matches and Instagram followers; going about each day with a phone settled firmly in the palm of our hand as an endless stream of notifications enter our consciousness.
Unfortunately, we are often so consumed with the idea of being connected at all times, that we may spread ourselves too thinly over various social platforms, distractions, social groups and apps. We immerse ourselves within too many ideas and relationships, without having the time, energy or attention to delve deeper (where the true emotional reward exists). In other words, we are often focused on quantity over quality, and it is vital to our long-term happiness and the state of our relationships that we reverse this equation.
Who would you call if you had a bad day? Who would be there for you when you needed it most, no questions asked, with advice, wine and ice cream in tow? These are the quality relationships you should hold closest to your heart, actively connect with and invest in on a daily basis.
2. Face Time Over FaceTime
Friend dates are never over-rated. Amidst our ever-demanding schedules, set aside time each week (or every month, if your schedule is too hectic) that is dedicated to quality face time with your closest friends. No, we don’t mean FaceTiming a friend from your apartment while you dig through emails from that day. We mean true, face-to-face time with the people who mean the most to you.
This could be a regular dinner or coffee date, a movie or games night or even just a hike or training session at the gym. Regardless of the specific activity, this will give something to look forward to and a chance to take a break from daily demands, un-plug and check-in with your loved ones.
3. Put Your Phone Down
Our ability to always be connected can also be a major distraction from important moments and conversations. During the time you set aside for your friends, leave your phone at home. This way, you won’t be tempted to detract from you friends’ time with you by constantly eyeing or checking your phone for new notifications, texts or emails.
Not only will your friends appreciate this simple gesture, but you will find yourself able to be truly ‘present’ in that experience with them, something which we often struggle to do in today’s society.
The post Renew Your (Friendship) Vows appeared first on Murad Blog.
January 23, 2017
Mallika Chopra’s Nighttime Meditation Sequence
Has a clouded mind ever gotten between you and your best night’s sleep? It sounds much easier said than done, but the key to falling into a deep slumber can be as simple as embracing your inner calm with intent. Through the art of meditation, you can prepare your mind for deep relaxation while reducing anxiety, stress, and even loneliness. What’s not to love?
Begin this nighttime relaxation ritual by first massaging City Skin® Overnight Detox Moisturizer gently into the skin, which helps to banish pollutants as you drift to sleep. Then follow intent expert Mallika Chopra through this 10-minute guided meditation to release those busy thoughts from your mind and allow peaceful rest enter.
https://www.murad.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Murad-Chopra-VO-FINAL.mp3
Free Download: MalLika Chopra’s Nighttime Meditation Sequence
ABOUT MALLIKA CHOPRA
Mallika Chopra is a mom, media entrepreneur, published author, and a notable voice in the fields of parenting, meditation and the power of intention. Her most recent book is “Living With Intent – My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy” and her previous books, “100 Promises To My Baby” and “100 Questions From My Child“, have been translated and sold in dozens of countries worldwide.
Mallika is the founder of Intent.com – an online destination for turning your intentions into tangible actions, and inspiring others to do the same. Her intent is to harness the power of social media to connect people from around the world to improve their own lives, their communities and the planet.
Her varied background includes launching the Heal The World Foundation in the 1990’s with Michael Jackson, being part of the initial team to re-launch MTV in India, and starting The Chopra Well, a premiere YouTube channel with her brother, Gotham Chopra, and father, Deepak Chopra.
Mallika enjoys speaking to audiences around the world, and has shared her passion about Intent at TedXBerkeley, the 2016 Milken Institute Global Conference, the Robb Report Health and Wellness Summit, Ideacity, Business Innovation Factory, the Green Festivals, LOHAS, The California Women’s Conference, The Prevention R3 Conference, and many more. Mallika has an BA from Brown University, and MBA from Kellogg Business School.
Visit www.intent.com to read Mallika’s blogs, share your own intents, connect with others, and download the free Intent App to incorporate intention into your daily life.
SHOP THIS STORY
City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer
$70.00
Learn More
Portrait by Kwaku Alston
The post Mallika Chopra’s Nighttime Meditation Sequence appeared first on Murad Blog.
Malika Chopra’s Nighttime Meditation Sequence
Has a clouded mind ever gotten between you and your best night’s sleep? It sounds much easier said than done, but the key to falling into a deep slumber can be as simple as embracing your inner calm with intent. Through the art of meditation, you can prepare your mind for deep relaxation while reducing anxiety, stress, and even loneliness. What’s not to love?
Begin this nighttime relaxation ritual by first massaging City Skin® Overnight Detox Moisturizer gently into the skin, which helps to banish pollutants as you drift to sleep. Then follow intent expert Malika Chopra through this 10-minute guided meditation to release those busy thoughts from your mind and allow peaceful rest enter.
https://www.murad.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Murad-Chopra-VO-FINAL.mp3
Free Download: Malika Chopra’s Nighttime Meditation Sequence
ABOUT MALIKA CHOPRA
Mallika Chopra is a mom, media entrepreneur, published author, and a notable voice in the fields of parenting, meditation and the power of intention. Her most recent book is “Living With Intent – My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy” and her previous books, “100 Promises To My Baby” and “100 Questions From My Child“, have been translated and sold in dozens of countries worldwide.
Mallika is the founder of Intent.com – an online destination for turning your intentions into tangible actions, and inspiring others to do the same. Her intent is to harness the power of social media to connect people from around the world to improve their own lives, their communities and the planet.
Her varied background includes launching the Heal The World Foundation in the 1990’s with Michael Jackson, being part of the initial team to re-launch MTV in India, and starting The Chopra Well, a premiere YouTube channel with her brother, Gotham Chopra, and father, Deepak Chopra.
Mallika enjoys speaking to audiences around the world, and has shared her passion about Intent at TedXBerkeley, the 2016 Milken Institute Global Conference, the Robb Report Health and Wellness Summit, Ideacity, Business Innovation Factory, the Green Festivals, LOHAS, The California Women’s Conference, The Prevention R3 Conference, and many more. Mallika has an BA from Brown University, and MBA from Kellogg Business School.
Visit www.intent.com to read Mallika’s blogs, share your own intents, connect with others, and download the free Intent App to incorporate intention into your daily life.
SHOP THIS STORY
City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer
$70.00
Learn More
Portrait by Kwaku Alston
The post Malika Chopra’s Nighttime Meditation Sequence appeared first on Murad Blog.
January 12, 2017
Barre to Brunch Refresh Regimen
Most days, the process of sorting through our professional, social and personal demands can be nothing short of daunting. After all, how many mornings do we find ourselves hunched over our kitchen table, desperately clutching onto a cup of coffee while we narrow our eyes at our calendars, determined to fit everything in? For many of us, the answer is far too often.
In our world of crammed agendas and endless opportunities, the question becomes this: how do we evolve into expert multi-taskers who constantly and confidently stride (or occasionally run) from one commitment to the next? The secret to well-rounded calendar bliss lies in a little planning, and a lot of balance between work, errands, and much-needed personal time to un-wind, reconnect and provide opportunity to invest in our health and well-being. After all, a new year now lies ahead, and it is entirely up to us to shape our path going forward.
So, “do it all” women, lend us your ears. If you’re determined to never choose between your Saturday morning barre fix and a well-deserved brunch with the girls directly following, we have a few tips that will ensure you never break your stride as you head from one event to the next.
Don’t sweat the sweat, literally.
Okay, so you’re expecting to work up a sweat as you point, bend, dip and stretch throughout your class. Don’t sweat it, because a simple hairstyle maneuver can go a long way. Prepare your hair for anything by fastening it into a braid, or even go the extra mile for your barre class with the tried and true ballerina bun. The braid will ensure your hair sports a tousled, wavy look following the class (improved with the help of a little sea salt spray) while the bun will transition flawlessly from ‘barre expert’ to ‘brunch chic’. If you’re worried about the quick transition, throw some dry shampoo into your gym bag to allow for a speedy refresh and volume-boost – and always pack a small hairbrush and an extra elastic, just in case.
Freshen up like a pro.
Making plans after your workout shouldn’t require a trip home. (Besides, who has time for that?) Before heading to your class, equip your bag with the post-workout essentials: makeup and body wipes, deodorant, perfume and body cream. Head into the changing room following your class to quickly refresh your skin with your favorite wipes, apply deodorant and a dash of your favorite perfume, and spread on a bit of moisturizing cream for a supple, healthy appearance and a light, fresh scent. ‘Up the ante’ on your go-to body cream with our Collagen Support Body Cream to give your skin a more supple and youthful appearance.
Perfect your post-workout beauty routine.
You don’t need to be a makeup expert to achieve a natural, envy-worthy look following your class. After applying a cleansing wipe to your face, spread a small dab of your favorite BB cream across your skin and use our MattEffect Blotting Perfector to instantly mattify, refresh and set your look. The translucent, liquid blotting formula will help to minimize your pores while playing up your post-workout glow. After that, add a pop of blush to the apple of your cheeks blended out towards your temples, a coat of high-impact mascara to your eyelashes, and finally a swipe of your favorite bold gloss or lipstick. With a few swift moves and products, you’ve perfected the classic, natural chic look that was practically made for brunch dates.
Dress for success.
“Through simplicity, comes great beauty”… especially when it comes to brunch. Dress for success by ensuring your look includes light jeans and fabrics and a killer pair of shoes to tie it all together. Our favorite combo? A light, loose blouse or T-shirt, followed by a pair of dark jeans and ankle booties or over-the-knee boots. The loose shirt will feel breezy and comfortable following your workout, while the jeans will help to nail the perfect “girl next door” vibe in a way our leggings simply can’t achieve. Lastly, the heel of the boots will dress things up a little bit, while you can choose to add some of your favorite, staple jewelry to complete the look. Our pro-tip? Always pack an extra shirt in case one wrinkles in your gym bag, because there is no harm in being a little over-prepared. After all, we accept the brunch we think we deserve.
MattEffect Blotting Perfector
$39.00
Learn More
Collagen Support Body Cream
$40.00
Learn More
The post Barre to Brunch Refresh Regimen appeared first on Murad Blog.
