Eat Your Way to Glowy Skin

A lot of us are under the impression that the key to good skincare means regular facials, good hygiene and a stellar at home skincare routine - right? Not quite.. Taking care of your skin is one of the most intricate, multifaceted commitments you'll ever make. It involves exploring different avenues with patience, seeing what works specifically for you, and educating yourself beyond the products on your shelf.

Our skin is our biggest organ and most likely your biggest investment! Everything you do, from getting too much sun, preserving a nutrient-poor diet, being inactive, improper detoxing, and allowing your stress to fester, will all result in adverse visible reactions on our skin. Our skin is a direct mirror that reflects how we're treating our bodies on the inside - so it’s important that we nourish it from the inside out if we want to get glowing.

Managing stress to stabilize our hormone levels, drinking copious amounts of water to flush our system, keeping our bodies moving to release positive endorphins, and consuming nutrient dense foods are all ways to keep our body healthy and our skin happy. 

When it comes to food, it’s important that your diet regularly consists of a balanced blend of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and non-refined sugars.  Food gets digested and broken down into vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that your body uses to build healthy skin - so if you’re looking for a place to start, it’s in your gut!

Below we’ve listed our 5 favourite superfoods that we consume regularly - try them out! Your skin will thank you for it.

1. Avocado:

Rich in healthy fat and phytonutrients, it’s recommended that you eat 1/2 an avocado daily.

2. Spinach:

High in chlorophyll and antioxidants, think of this as a purification for your gut! Dark leafy greens should be eaten regularly for this same reason. If you’re a picky eater- you can always supplement your body with liquid chlorophyll as well. 

3. Tomato:

High in lycopene, an antioxidant which helps fight against free radicals will help prevent and correct sun damage.

4. Nuts:

Walnuts have a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids and can boost our vitamin B levels, which positively impacts our body’s natural aging process. Almonds are packed with essential fatty acids, proteins, fibre and vitamin E which are nourishing for our skin. Cashews are high in selenium and zinc- both are acne fighting nutrients. 

5. Sweet Potato:

High in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A once ingested. Vitamin A is crucial for cell production and growth.

Each of our bodies are different, so try to find what works best for you! Our free online acne e-book shares a ton of insight on how to get clean from the inside out, including when to eat what, supplements to aid your skincare journey, and a lengthy shopping list of clean whole foods - so make sure to check that out as well!

Xo, GLOW

COVID-19 Update

As the spread of COVID-19 becomes more prevalent, we find it necessary to explain the cautionary measures we’ve taken to lower the risk of transmission here at GLOW.

We understand that everyone is doing their part to reduce the spread of this virus. We want to assure you that we are keeping our health and yours a top priority.

Although none of the points below are new, we wanted to make you aware of what we do on a regular basis, and we are of course increasing our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy.

If you have ever been to GLOW, you know that cleanliness is a high priority for us as we deal with blood on a daily basis.

-We have procedures we follow every morning, before and after each client, each night, weekly, and monthly

-We properly clean, sanitize and sterilize all of our equipment and tools after each client with hospital grade sanitization products

-We use single use items and dispose of them in a sharps containerWe wear masks and gloves during treatments

-We wash and sanitize our hands thoroughly and often

-We have had 3 routine checks (and passes) from Health Canada in the last two years (with the last check being only 2 weeks ago)

One of the benefits of GLOW is that it is a small, intimate place. We give ourselves 30 minutes after each client to properly clean and change over the room. We provide a boutique experience and never book back-to-back.

We are extremely cautious of the state of our own health as we work in such close proximity to you, and encourage you to also be mindful of the state of yours- recognizing if you are feeling off and taking the right precautions thereafter. Please be sure to wash your hands frequently, use sanitizer, and avoid touching your face.

Let’s focus on facts, not fear, support those in need in our community, and support small businesses during this time.

Since many of you have some time off, it is a perfect time to get out there and support local businesses and practice self-care and destress. If you are practicing social distancing and choosing to stay home, or are being affected financially, here are a few ways you can support local businesses from your couch!

-Write a google review about your most recent service

-Like/comment on IG photos

-Share company posts on your stories

-Reschedule versus cancel

-Refer a friend

-Shop online

-Check on them

Also due to the increased stress, your skin and body will need some extra TLC so here are some ways to destress and practice self-care from home.

-Deep clean/spring clean your home. Nothing brings me more clarity and satisfaction than a clean home

-Meal prep for the week

-Go for a walk or do some yoga/exercise from home

-Enjoy a bubble bath with a good book and a hydrating mask

-Breathing exercises

-Create lists – dumping everything from your head onto paper gives you better clarity on what to tackle

-Tackle some of your to do items

-Garden & yard clean up

-Catch up on your TV shows

-Limit your screen time

-Read our free acne e-book or bridal beauty countdown

-Book appointments for a massage, mani/pedi, haircut, eyebrow wax, spray tan, teeth cleaning or whitening, physical, eye checkup and facial – NOW you’re ready for spring!

-Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep, drink lots of water, and clean your makeup brushes!

We are here for you and look forward to seeing you or hearing from you soon!

Love Ashley and the GLOW Beauty Bar team.

Why GLOW recommends mineral makeup!

Taking good care of your skin involves more than just your monthly in-spa treatments -it has a lot to do with the skincare and makeup products you invest in and use daily. You may be using the best skincare products, but are you using the best makeup products for your skin?

As makeup sits on your face all day and penetrates its surface, you aren’t helping your skin by using chemical filled makeup. That’s why dermatologists have always endorsed using mineral, pharmaceutical-grade makeup. Mineral makeup is made up of finely pulverised rock and sits on the skin but does not penetrate into your pores like regular makeup would.

As mineral makeup is more pure, it will not cause any skin irritation, sensitivity, or allergic reactions and is suitable for all skin types. Mineral makeup has the added benefits of protecting skin with issues such as acne, rosacea, melasma, etc. and is recommended for those with any sensitive skin concerns.

As acne-prone skin tends to produce more oil and therefore clogs your pores, it is important to use mineral makeup products that will not further penetrate into the pores. Mineral makeup products are great for those with rosacea as they will do the job of covering your redness without irritating the skin, as these products are chemical free. Furthermore, for those with a condition such as melasma, mineral makeup with SPF protection are staple products.

Ensuring your mineral makeup products have sun protection is an important factor in your skin care. Sun protection is essential to prevent ageing skin, as sun damage is a significant cause of wrinkles due to the loss of collagen from the sun.

A brand like Colorescience specializes in creating mineral makeup that is chemical-free, but also adds in the extra benefit of sun protection through micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Colorescience creates a variety of makeup and skincare products, such as mineral powders, skin correctors, primers, and serums, all with SPF protection.

Some of the most popular Colorescience products GLOW Beauty Bar carries are the Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen, All Calm Redness Corrector, and the Even Up 3 in 1 Skin Protector, all perfect for those struggling with acne, rosacea, melasma, or any other similar skin condition. If you’re curious about the Colorescience line, we would be happy to answer any questions and make the best product recommendations for your skin type or skin concerns!

Glo Skin Beauty is another great makeup line, with award-winning mineral makeup -available for purchase at GLOW Beauty Bar. Every product in the mineral makeup line is talc-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. Glo makeup is manufactured with ultra-fine minerals in a triple-milled process to create formulations that enhance and protect even the most sensitive skin.

Here at GLOW we not only stress the importance of getting regular facials, but want to ensure every cosmetic you put on your skin, whether it’s skincare or makeup products, that they are the best quality with the best ingredients to treat and protect your skin!