Ginger Garrett

This week on Atlanta’s favorite morning radio program, Kevin & Taylor In The Morning, I’m sharing some insider secrets from the beauty industry tthat will save all you recessionistas some big money. Here are my notes from the interview, and don’t forget to join me this Sunday at Atlanta’s premier consumer lifestyle expo, The Passion Drive Life show. For more info and tix, visit www.passiondrivenlife.com 

I’ll be there Sunday at 3pm and my live shows are filled with laughter, encouragement, and information you can’t get anywhere else. You’ll walk away from the Passion Driven Life event feeling refreshed and energized, ready to rediscover what you’re truly passionate about.

Secrets from the Salon:Want to stretch the time between salon visits and still keep your hair, nails and skin looking salon-fresh? You can save money and time with a few secrets from the pro’s: 

 

NAILS

• Always use a base coat formulated to increase adhesion of polish

• Clear top coat can be reapplied every other day and make sure you paint the front edge of your nail, not just the top

• Choose a color with shimmer or tiny glitter speckles: those have the longest adhesion

 

SKIN

• You can pick a good night cream and skip the eye cream. Eye creams are usually more expensive and you get less anyway.

• Studies aren’t usually done on cosmetics the same way they’re done for drugs, but one study was done of women who used multiple products: eye cream, moisturizing night cream, etc., and these women got the same good results even when they stopped using their eye cream.

• If you want to buy one of the more expensive creams but your budget won’t stretch that far, there is a company called Reviva Labs that uses very high end ingredients and has a very small price tag. You can visit my favorite website, www.iherb.com and type in the company name Reviva, and you’ll see creams that are formulated with many of the same ingredients of pricey department store brands—with a very small price tag. Most of them are under $20.

I don’t have any financial connection to this company or this website, but this is the best deal going for high end skin creams without a high price.  

HAIR

• If you color your hair, you can extend the life of your color by switching to Loreal’s new line called EverPure.  EverPure does not contain any sulfates, a harsh ingredient that “eats” color and nearly every other shampoo contains. Plus, EverPure is 100% vegan, so it’s a natural haircare system with a little price.

• And if you go to loreal’s website right now, they’re giving away free samples at

• www.Lorealparisusa.com. Click on the haircare tab.

• Also, if you use heat products when styling, like a blow dryer, straightening iron, etc. you must get in the habit of using a heat protection gel or lotion before you style. It will protect your hair from damage, which will keep it looking better, longer. You won’t need an emergency haircut from badly damaged ends.

• One of the best is from Tresemme, Heat Tamer Spray, and you can find it at WalMart for under $4. 

VINEGARVinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, has been a folklore legend for treating everything from heartburn to arthritis.  

Here’s what the science says:

• Studies show it lowers blood sugar and may slow down the rate your stomach empties your last meal. So…it can keep you feeling satisfied longer and keep your blood sugar from spiking after a meal with a lot of carbs.

But here’s the downside: it can be hard on your teeth and on your stomach and it tastes horrible. 

I interviewed Dr. Carol Johnston the scientist who pioneered the studies on vinegar and she told me any vinegar should have the same effect as apple cider vinegar. You can use a flavored vinegar, which tastes better, and get the same results. I’ve been using a blueberry flavored red wine vinegar for a couple of weeks and I’ve noticed what a lot of other people say: a couple of tablespoons in the afternoon does give extra energy and cuts down on the craving for sweets and munchies. 

Want a bit more science?

• In  the Harvard Nurses Study, women who used vinegar and oil dressings several times a week had a significantly lower risk of fatal heart disease

• In separate studies, women who consumed vinegar in the morning ate fewer calories throughout the day and reported feeling less hungry

• Red wine vinegars contain more antioxidants than apple cider vinegars

• Studies have shown that women who consume the most antioxidants will develop fewer wrinkles

But a few words of caution:

• Don’t buy vinegar pills: they don’t contain the active ingredient, acetic acid. You can consider using cinnamon instead, which does the same thing: it lowers blood sugar and may affect the rate at which your stomach will empty out.

• BUT: if you’re diabetic, you must talk to your doctor before you add anything into your regimen that will affect your blood sugar levels.

• If you want to use it, ask your dentist about switching to a toothpaste and mouthwash made to protect enamel.

• And, don’t use vinegar that is labeled as unpasteurized.