The Things I Never Thought I Would Say

November 30, 2012, 10:30 AM--

I think I've finally got it down. I'm not going to lie, the first few weeks, I struggled- I was not used to using 3-5 different products on my face, so I would forget my toner, or nightly glycolic serum. But after three weeks of using the products, I've mastered the routine and am starting to see how these products are improving my skin in ways I didn't think were possible.

The number one thing I notice is how soft and hydrated my face feels. Soft skin? Me? And I know it's that time of year when my skin starts to get uncomfortably dry because I am constantly putting lotion on my hands and legs, but I have yet to notice any dry spots on my face or neck since using these products. In fact, my face feels incredibly smooth and I have never had my face feel like that-- especially in the winter. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I owe it to the Sustaining Glow Creme, and I am completely obsessed with it.

I've also began to notice a much brighter complexion. Looking back, my skin was always pretty dull and my face probably screamed "I hate mornings" about as loud as as I would think it to myself. As much as I still hate waking up, after I complete my skin care routine, I am still surprised to see how much these products help me fake my "awake-ness," And that is no easy task.

But my skin's not perfect by any means. I'm still struggling with the breakouts around my nose and chin-- and now I've even spotted a blemish or two on my forehead. I think its becoming worse now that my semi-annual finals- freak out is in full swing. I'm just hoping the breakouts won't stay as long as my test anxiety will!

Spoil Yourself

Now would be the perfect time to splurge a little on yourself. Try a facial, massage, manicure/pedicure, or a full spa day! By allowing yourself a little relaxation, you can benefit your health in more ways than you might think.

For example, did you know that just a 10 minute massage can significantly help relax your muscles, nervous system, and mind? Or that facials can can improve and fix many common skin concerns? That a manicure can hydrate and exfoliate the skin on your hands and around your nails? Or even that a spa day can promote healthy sleep patterns? Of course, the added bonus to all of this is its ability to help you relax and de-stress. 

Be sure to try the Enza Medispa for services like facials, microderms, waxing/sugaring, and others. While you're here, we'll help you splurge even more by giving you a free makeover!  

So don't forget about you this holiday season and let the health benefits of relaxation be an excuse to indulge and spoil yourself!

Cookies, Gingerbread and ... Avocados?

Now that all your favorite holiday food and drinks are back in season, it becomes so much easier to indulge. And it certainly doesn't help when your baked goods become the most popular giveaways from your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. While the first thing we often begin to worry about is our weight, our skin also takes a hit from a high-sugar diet. 

So while it may be nearly impossible to completely avoid a little holiday indulgence, it becomes essential that you try to limit the goodies and mindfully include healthful foods to keep your skin glowing through the winter seasons. We've compiled a list of the best foods for your skin. Be sure to sneak in a few of these before testing out the neighbor's freshly baked cookies!

Enza Essentials: Best foods for your Skin

• Salmon (and other seafood) has high concentrates of omega-3 acids which nourish the skin.
• Kiwi is packed with Vitamin C which helps maintain the collagen in our skin. 
• Squash's vitamins and antioxidants will help boost immunity and fight aging of the skin.
• Tomatoes contain lycopene which reduces effects of sun exposure and stimulates healthy skin.
• Yogurt aids in dry lips, skin, skin lesions, and dermatitis due to its high content of Vitamin B.
• Avocados will act as a natural moisturizer with its healthy fats and its phytonutrients. 

Sure Wish I Hadn't...

November 27, 2012, 10:10 AM--

It seems that whenever I go home for a weekend, my mom absolutely loves spoiling me with my favorite home-cooked meals. Which, of course, I never complain about considering my college-student idea of a home cooked meal is Mac and Cheese. And on top of that, baking and watching cheesy chic flicks is our favorite Friday night routine- meaning we make our deliciously unhealthy baked goods, then eat them as we watch Sweet Home Alabama or Crazy Stupid Love. So you can only imagine what the extended Thanksgiving weekend did for me.

Besides the common issue of weight gain, I started to notice a pretty extreme breakout on my face by the end of break. Usually I get occasional breakouts when I forget to wash my face or something silly, but it's never been quite so bad, and I'm wondering if it's all that Thanksgiving pie I consumed this weekend...

Luckily, I brought my Enza Essentials products home with me. When I saw the breakouts, I decided to  use the Fine Facial Polish. I did the usual routine and left it on my face for about 45 seconds and washed it off. By the next morning, I was surprised to see my blemishes were significantly less noticeable. That combined with my morning routine of cleanser, toner and moisturizer really hid my bad habits well! After a few days now of going through my Enza routine, they're basically gone. Thank goodness for these products!

As Promised!

Before you get too stressed tearing through the weekly ads for deals on "perfect gifts," now that the holiday shopping season is officially underway, take a look at our Do it Yourself ideas! Our previous post showed DIY photo coasters (which I actually tried and turned out great!) and here is another great idea. Try making hand-made and personalized headbands for a sister, mom, daughter, or girlfriend.

For supplies, you'll need a scissors, needle & thread, your choice of trim or ribbon, and elastic. To begin, measure your choice of trim/ribbon to fit about 3/4 of the way around your head, from the top to the back as a headband would normally sit. Next, cut the elastic to fit the rest of the way around your head, allowing room for it to stretch and fit.

Once you have your measurements, use the needle and thread to hand sew the elastic to each end of the trim/lace that you cut and measured. Finally, take a look at your customized, hand-made headband!

Bundled up and Looking Fabulous

If your anywhere near us up here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, you'll understand us when we say, its starting to get really cold, and with it can come the dry and damaged skin. However, to avoid that altogether, it's important to always wear gloves or mittens, a hat, scarf, and a warm coat to keep as much skin covered as possible. While you may be thinking this means fashion goes out the window, right along with your adorable summer clothes, think again! You can still look great with some of the fabulous new fall and winter trends out there. We've picked out a few of our favorites winter outfits! Comment with your favorite!

Cameron Diaz

Kim Kardashian 

Taylor Swift

Kate Middleton

Reese Witherspoon

Lauren Conrad

Stay Tuned...

Enza girls- listen up! We really do value you as a loyal follower and customer of Enza Essentials, and can't wait to thank you for it! Stay tuned for details on our Black Friday Sale! We have sales reaching over 50% off of some of our top sellers-- with additional discounts for our Luxe Members!  If waiting in lines on Friday morning isn't for you, here's your chance to get great deals on your favorite skin care products without even getting out of bed. These deals will be available in store OR online at enza.com. Be sure to check Enza's facebook, twitter, or blog for all the details, coming soon!

Can You Take the Heat?

Well, you might be able to, but your skin certainly cannot. Even though a hot, steamy bath may be exactly what we're craving to de-stress at the end of a long day, in the long run, it will only stress out your skin.

When you do take long, hot showers or baths, the heat softens your skin's oil and when combined with the soaps or body wash you use, will strip the skin of its natural oils. This allows the moisture to escape from your skin and thus, could severely dry out your skin. Which means that winter- when a hot shower is most appreciated- is the absolute worst time do use hot water. 

So, as an alternative de-stress method, treat your skin with a customized bubble bath! Here are some of our favorites: 

•  Milk & Honey bath: Add 3 cups of milk 3 tablespoons of honey: This combination will soften, cleanse, and nourish your skin while locking in natural moisture. 

• Foaming Vanilla Bath: Add one cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of liquid soap, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of honey (all blended together). Vanilla is meant to be good for your sense of well-being as it is one of the most recognized flavors and scents around the world. 

• Lavender Oil bath: Add 1/2 cup of Castor oil and 1 teaspoon of lavender essential oil (blended together). Feel relaxed during your bath, and your skin will be silky smooth after, free of irritations, inflammations, etc. 

Now go ahead, relax, and give your skin a treat!

Enza and Exercise

November 19, 2012-- 1:56 PM

Even though many of you skin fanatics probably already know, I am just learning how complete skin care reaches far beyond your morning and nightly cleansing/moisturizing routine. I mean, did you know that sweating from exercise can actually "detoxify" your skin? I had no idea-- but I figure this can be even more reason for me to kick myself into shape. 

I (like many others) really do enjoy exercise but struggle to find the time (and motivation) for it. So in order to force myself into it, I started a training schedule for a half marathon I will be running in next spring.. which is coming up more quickly than I'd like it to. So anyway, yesterday, I went out for a longer run- the gorgeous weather talked me into it. I remembered from my skin care consult with Deb last week, to cleanse, tone and moisturize my face immediately after working out. And when I did just that, I was surprised to see my face so quickly back to normal after running- not flushed, not red, and not even a little bit oily. My skin felt great instantly. 

Now that I'm working on obtaining flawless skin, I have yet another reason to get out and exercise- especially before the cold weather kicks in! Wish me luck! :)

Tips for Surviving your Black Friday Excursion

With Black Friday being just under a week away, we thought we should offer a few helpful hints that  might help you stay sane on this busiest shopping day of the year!

1. Have a goal in mind. Especially if you are planning to go "all out" this year and wait in lines. Be sure you have a list of items to get that before you leisurely shop for clothes, shoes, or other items. 

2. Pay attention to details. There are some items that will always go fast and you may  not want to bother. But there are other items that are on sale for longer than just the "Early Bird Specials." Be sure to note which sales really are necessary to wake up at sunrise for. 

3. Bring moral support. There are days when some solo-retail therapy is just what we need, but Black Friday is certainly not one of those days. Whether your waiting in line or simply wandering the crowds, be sure to bring someone with you to keep you in-check. 

4. Stay Calm. I hope I'm not the one to break it to you, but Black Friday shopping has been known to get a little out of hand- don't let yourself be one of those shoppers. You must be prepared for long lines, rude shoppers, and bad drivers. And remember, nothing is worth fighting over over. After all, this is supposed to be fun, right?

5. Don't forget about the employees. I'm sure we all know someone sucked into working in retail on Black Friday. Many are unable to enjoy Thanksgiving because of it, so don't forget to be patient, respectful, and thankful to the employees!

It's Tea Time!

It may not jolt you awake as quick as your usual Starbucks order might, but replacing tea with the usual morning drink could improve your overall health drastically.  
 
Tea has numerous benefits for the entire body- such as protecting your bones, whitening your teeth, boosting your immune system, keeping you hydrated, increasing your metabolism, minimizing cancer risk, oh, and did we mention- it's calorie free. But what we at Enza Essentials love about tea is the huge benefits on your skin care.

Green tea, specifically, can help minimize the risks of skin cancer as it exerts sun damage protection and may enhance sun protection when used with sunscreen. Additionally, tea's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities help slow down the signs of aging including wrinkles and skin sagging. When combined with other skin care products, tea can help improve overall skin texture, appearance, and function.

And not to mention tea's calming effect. Studies have shown that tea drinkers will recover more quickly from stressful situations because tea lowers levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body. Green tea, specifically, is famous for its calming effect on the body, keeping your skin too, worry-free.

Maybe try a cup or two, as the weather cools, and the holiday buzz is just beginning to start there is now better time than now to add tea into your daily routine. Warm up the holidays with a cup of black, white, or green tea and begin reaping the benefits now!

A day or two later..

November 14, 2012 3:11 PM--

So I've used Enza product 4 times now. Monday night: after a bit of a late night of meetings, homework, and intermural soccer, I was beat. When my roommates and I got back from our soccer game (which didn't go so well..) we were ready to hit the shower and get to bed. But then, the four of us only have one bathroom, meaning one shower. So while I sat to wait for my turn (last, of course), I could feel the sweat on my face drying up- disgusting, and probably horrible for my face. When I finally got to shower, rinsed my face and pulled out my brand new products.

I went through the routine, just like Deb had told me to. I started with the cleanser on my face and neck, and it felt and smelled amazing. It was extremely gentle on my skin, yet once I rinsed it off, I felt completely clean and fresh. I used the toner next and after using the cotton pad over my face, I could see the dirt that had built up in my skin. Next, I tried out the glycolic. It honestly felt like silk as I rubbed it into my face. It stung for just a bit as I was putting it on, but was relieved when I put on the glow crème. This is by far the best moisturizer I have ever used. After putting it on, I really felt my skin glowing. And now that I was feeling pretty good about my new skin care, I decided to finish that six page paper I'd been putting off, and finally got some sleep around 2:00 am.


Waking up the next morning, I woke up a bit irked- I had slept through my alarm, (apparently that late night wasn't worth it) missing my 8:00 am class and had little time to make it to my 9:00 am. I know I'm a college student, but this was literally the first time in three years I have ever slept thorugh a class! How did that happen? So while I was a little annoyed, after looking at my skin in the morning, it made my day a little brighter! My skin seemed clearer and overall felt so much softer. I'm not sure if this was just because I was expecting a change, but even though I was (obviously) tired and sleep-deprived, I felt like I didn't have to cover up my tired eyes as much as I usually do, especially after (quickly) completing my morning routine before class. I truly believe the sustaining glow crème adds the perfect touch at the end of my morning routine to instantly brighten up my face and get me ready for the day!

Don't stress, Do it Yourself!

When looking to buy a gift for that impossible person on your holiday list- your boss, a co-worker, your sister's new boyfriend-  check out a few "do it yourself" ideas! And we don't mean paper snowflake ornaments or a "redeem this cupon for a free back massage." There are really some cool gifts you can make that are both meaningful and creative! Here is one of our favorites, and we promise more ideas to come!

DIY Photo Coasters
What you'll need: Ceramic tiles, Modge Podge, Acrylic High Gloss Coating Spray, Felt, and your favorite Pictures!

Begin this project by trim a photo into a square shap to fit a tile. Next, apply Mod Podge to the back of the photo with a sponge applicator, then press down onto the tile. Be sure to allow plenty of dry time. Once dry, apply a layer of Mod Podge on top of the photo, being consistent with your strokes and allow to dry completely before adding two more layers. Once dried, spray wtih acrylic sealer generously. Apply a total of 5 times, allowing sufficient dry time between each. Lastly, add a piece of felt to the bottom of the coaster, in order to avoid the tile scratcing your table. And ta-daa! You have an inexpensive gift, that is truly, from the heart.


Be sure to try this, and other gift ideas for this upcoming holiday. Don't stress, do it yourself!

My Skin Care Consult

November 12, 2012, 3:25 PM--

Today I met with Deb- Enza's Paramedical Skin Expert and learned a lot about what I'm doing wrong. From our conversation, I learned that my current drugstore cleanser was most likely doing more harm than good. A lot of skin care is about PH and making sure it is balanced. The drugstore cleanser I currently use is not specific to a particular skin-type and therefore is a majority of the reason my face becomes so dried out. My new skin care regimen will make sure I obtain that balance which would heal my dry skin, rid my chin and nose of blemishes, and overall brighten my complexion.

For my particular skin type, Deb put me on the Sustaining System. This system consists of a cleanser, toner, glow creme and fine facial polish and on top of that, she suggested Enza's glycolic serum. My morning routine will begin with the sustaining cleanser. This will simply cleanse debris, my makeup, and excess dirt. Next, I will apply the cool sustaining toner which is to tone and help bring my PH back to balance. Lastly, I will apply sustaining glow creme as a moisturizer before heading out for classes!

At night, I have the whole routine again, and then some. I'll do the same routine as the morning, just with few additions. Before putting on my glow creme moisturizer, I will be using the glycolic serum. The glycolic serum is an anti-aging treatment that exfoliates and softens the skin. Even as a 20 year old, Deb informed me that my skin has already began its aging. By using this, I will be preventing the inevitable signs of aging, including wrinkles and drying out. The last part of my extensive new routine is the fine facial polish that I will use twice a week at night, between the cleanser and toner. The fine facial polish will act as an exfoliator to brighten my skin.

Wow. As a college student who hates mornings and routinely falls asleep on their homework, this is a little intimidating. Nonetheless, I'm really excited to start using the products and see my skin improve!  Wish me luck!

Stay Awake! Or at Least Pretend to...

As the days are getting shorter, we can't help but feel more tired, but you can help how tired you look by using your makeup bag to your advantage. As Monday rolls around the corner after a weekend that we surely didn't catch up on our sleep, here are some of our tips on how to look awake in the office, even when you don't feel it.

• Start by curling your eyelashes, especially if you don't have naturally long eyelashes
• Use a dab of concealer just a little ligher than your skin under your eyes and rub in completely
• Apply light eyeshadow on the inside corner of your eye, next to the tear duct
• Try out a highlighter to wear just along the brow-bone or above, and rub in
• Use a light colored eyeshadow 
• Apply a white or silver eyeliner on your waterline
• When choosing your mascara, try a product that will emphasize the length of your lashes, not their fullness
• Avoid heavy dark eyeliner & eyeshadows

Even if you're feeling like you just woke up- don't look it! Use some of these easy makeup tips and be bright-eyed and awake, even on Monday morning!

Location, Location, Location!

A few words from Dr. Rucker--

The environment in which you live and work can play a major role in how you take care of your skin. This means, if you are in an area that has drastic seasonal changes, you may want to consider changing your skin care  routine to avoid stressing your skin. 

It's probably no surprise that the lower levels of  moisture make for drier skin in the winter and therefore, moisturizer application may need to be enhanced. But extreme dry heat can have the same drying out effect because the heat will actually bake moisture out of your skin. Yet in warm, humid climates, your skin will be prone to excess oils, and you may need to look into products that will manage oily skin. 

Each climate can impact your skin uniquely,making it vitally important to be aware of your location and environment to ensure you correctly adapt your skin care routine accordingly. You just might find out that last bit of your summer product left isn't worth saving.

Feeling Stressed? We have a Product Just for You

If your beginning to feel the stress that comes around this time of year, leave your skin-care concerns to us! Enza Essentials has various products that are perfect for any lifestyle. Formulated by Dr. Rucker himself, our products, specifically our Stress Extraction Créme, will keep you and your skin remain sane through the holiday and winter seasons. Directly from our Extraction System, the Stress Extraction Créme will protect your skin from the effects of harsh weather environments and all of your daily stresses. Apply this sheer, lightweight moisturizer daily and allow  your skin to feel nourished with vitamins A, C, and E-- leaving you feeling relaxed, refreshed and stress-free all season long. 

Without the Worry and Weight

What better way to get in the holiday spirit than baking! Baking is a staple for holiday parties, holiday gifts, and holiday memory-making. The frustrating part, of course, is having these little weight gainers around for weeks and weeks, even after the holidays are over. But before you start packing away the baking supplies, we have a few tips for you to enjoy holiday baking without the worry or the weight.

• Try using organic flour or whole grain wheat flour instead of white flour
• Fruit purees, especially applesauce, can be used in place of  butter, margarine, or shortening
• Substitute buttermilk with yogurt
• Cut down on salt-- keep added salt in your baked goods to no more than 1/2 teaspoon
• Purchase cholesterol-free egg products to substitute whole eggs 
• Use healthier toppings, instead of an icing or frosting, try fresh sliced fruits
• Substitute milk or semisweet chocolate for dark chocolate
• Increase nutritional value by baking with nuts, oats, spices and fruits

Now go ahead, grab your baking supplies and try out these tips for carefree holiday baking!

And here come the pimples..

November 5, 2012- This morning I woke up with a super noticeable blemish on my chin-- lucky me! Clearly my classes were too boring last week, forcing me to rest my hand in my chin just to look like I'm still paying attention. This probably isn't a good cycle to get myself into.

But, I have my skin care consult later this week, so hopefully I will be able to get rid of this blemish, along with my easily irritated dry skin. I don't know about anyone else, but this cold weather has done nothing but terrorize my skin. I try putting on moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated, but then I feel that it just makes it too oily. My skin certainly has a mind of its own and I just can't win.

 I'm really looking forward to finally investing in product that will (hopefully!) save my skin this winter!

Don't forget about You!

As you start to stress about the upcoming holiday season--searching near and far for that perfect gift, choosing the best outfit for your next party, or trying to make travel accommodations--don't forget to take time to do the things you love.  

We mean it. If worrying and stressing consumes too much of your time, your skin's natural glow will diminish and those worry wrinkles will start to show.

Still, for some of you go-getters out there, this may seem like a hard thing to justify during this busy season. But a good a good way to make sure you get "you-time" is to reward yourself after completing a holiday task. So after that 9-hour shopping excursion, allow yourself to take a long bath, watch your guilty pleasure TV show, relax by the fire with that book you've been meaning to read all year, or do that winter activity you love. 

While your thinking of the perfect way to please everyone, this holiday season, don't forget to include yourself in that. Save your skin and save yourself by penciling in a little time just for you. 

Sunscreen? In the Winter?

Yes, that's right! Just like you would when you're out by the pool, it is vital for your skin to be protected with sunscreen year-round. As we get into the colder, winter months, this may seem silly. While most of us spend significantly less time outside, sunscreen is still essential to keep your skin sane this winter.

One reason for wearing sunscreen year-round is that you are still exposed to the sun, and when in contact with any amount of sun, sunscreen exponentially decreases your risk of aged skin and cancer.

However, did you know that the suns UVB rays (known as the burning rays) are up to 80% stronger when reflected by winter snow or ice? This is why sun protection with an SPF of at least 50 is necessary before heading out to participate in any recreational winter activities.

Sunscreen can also protect your skin from windburn. Windburn can take quite a toll on your already dry-winter skin and strong winds can strip the skin of its natural oils and protective moisture barrier. Sunscreen helps lock in the natural oils and keeps your skin safe looking and feeling smoother, healthier, and younger-looking.

Although we're most likely not going to be heading to the beach anytime soon, be sure to slather on sunscreen daily to keep your skin looking fabulous all winter long.

Take Control, Teens!

For all those teens out there struggling with acne-- we know how you feel! We at Enza understand how aggravating acne can be and that's why we're here to help you take back control of your skin. Dr. Joseph Rucker, founder of Enza Essentials shares some of his secrets for clear, glowing, and youthful skin:

• Try double cleansing- Wash your face once to clean off surface pollutants, then cleanse again to rid toxins from your skin.
• Ease up on the makeup- Instead of hiding under a heavy foundation that can suffocate your skin, try covering blemishes with a concealer which will allow your skin to breath.
• Balance your diet- Steer clear of white foods such as dairy, white bread, pasta, and rice which only aggravate acne. Instead, try incorporating colorful fruits and veggies into your diet. 
• Use lukewarm water- avoid water that is too hot or too cold. Because your skin is very sensitive, extreme temperatures can irritate and even worse, break capillaries. 
• Stay out of the tanning bed- Besides the risk of cancer, you are setting yourself up for heavy wrinkles and ages spots; try a self tanner instead.

Remember, developing good skin habits early in life is vital to maintaining your youthful-looking skin. Now try some of these tips, teens, and you can keep control of your truly beautiful skin.

My, oh My! Look at the Time!

November: cue holiday advertisements, holiday parties, holiday shopping, holiday music, and of course, cue the inevitable holiday stress. As much as this is described as the "most wonderful time of the year," its always a challenge to not let the stress get the best of us. Luckily for you, here at Enza, November is all about ways to stay stress-free this holiday season! 

The majority of stress often stems from feeling out of control: whether it's preparing for family gatherings, planning a party, etc. it's important to be mentally prepared. 

Now pause. Before you do anything else--before you RSVP to that party, before you start signing those greeting cards, before you even start your holiday shopping list, make your very own holiday plan. It may seem early to start, but to lessen your future stress, grab your planner and start planning, prioritizing, and preparing now. Be sure to mark important dates, make to-do lists, and never underestimate "you-time."

So start planning now to make the most of this holiday season!