Going out of business, entire store 50%

Going out of business, entire store 50% off – use code SHOP50 at checkout. http://ow.ly/KyZfK

Going Out Of Business

It’s amazing what can happen in a year, or three. Many moons ago I had a dream to have my own skin care company. And a few short years ago I actually started on making that dream a reality. But as my Mom used to say, “there is a season for everything” and unfortunately the season for Ritual Beauty has come to an end. It’s definitely bittersweet. This has been an incredible journey – to start a company from scratch. And as much as I’ve enjoyed it, I know it’s time to move on.

One thing that I learned having this business was how much I enjoyed blogging. I was never as consistent as I hoped to be but I was surprised that I started looking forward to new blog posts. And in case you didn’t know, the blogging community is probably the nicest group of people you could ever meet. They have been incredibly supportive, helpful and friendly. I can’t believe how many friends I’ve made through blogging.   So while Ritual Beauty is ending, I can guarantee you haven’t seen the last of me. Maybe another blog is on the horizon.

I am incredibly thankful for all my family, friends and loyal customers who have supported me and Ritual Beauty over the last 3+ years. You believed in me when I didn’t always believe in myself. I will never be able to thank you enough.

In the meantime, Ritual Beauty products will continue to be available until April 12th at 50% off – use code SHOP50 at checkout. www.myRitualBeauty.com

P.S. If you are in need of a beauty fix, please visit my beauty blogger friends listed below.

www.bellbellebella.com

www.glitteryfingers.blogspot.com/

www.mamafashionista.com

www.mandyssecrets.com

www.pammyblogsbeauty.com

www.simplystine.com

www.trailerhoodchic.blogspot.com

http://www.growitgirl.com

Holiday Specials

Did you miss out on Cyber Monday sales? Don’t worry, Ritual Beauty has fabulous savings starting now!

Holiday savings

Never Say Die Beauty GIVEAWAY

I have recently discovered a beauty blog that I really love. Never Say Die Beauty is a beauty blog geared towards women over 40 and since I’m fast approaching that milestone, this blog really speaks to me. Allison is the force behind the blog and she covers everything beauty from product reviews, beauty tips and even some DIY beauty. I encourage you to check out her blog and her product review on Ritual Beauty’s Daily Perfecting Treatment Serum. And if you’ve been on the fence about trying our amazing serum, you get a chance to try Ritual Beauty for FREE! That’s right, Never Say Die Beauty is holding a giveaway and 2 lucky winners will each win a full-sized bottle of the Daily Perfecting Treatment Serum! But hurry and enter soon as the giveaway ends on September 2nd.

Never Say Die Beauty blog

Ritual Beauty Serum

Simply Stylist Fashion & Beauty Conference

Hope everyone is having a great Monday! I didn’t mean to take the summer off with the blog but somehow that happened. Even if the blog took a break, Ritual Beauty didn’t. I’ve been busy this summer and I hope you will stay tuned to some big news to be announced later this month.

I wanted to share a quick post from Simply Stylist. They held their Fashion & Beauty Conference last month in Chicago and Ritual Beauty was proud to sponsor their amazing event. Hosted by Catt Sadler of E! News, this conference brought together women looking to break into the fashion and beauty world with seasoned industry veterans. The day included a networking brunch, a panel discussion, and breakout sessions with a little shopping and pampering mixed in.

To learn more about Simply Stylist or to register for their next Fashion and Beauty Conference in New York City, visit their website.

Simply Stylist Chicago Gift Bags

Simply Stylist Gift Bag

Look at this gift bag each conference attendee received!

The latest news from Ritual Beauty http:

The latest news from Ritual Beauty http://eepurl.com/VaJFH

Defy Aging: The Secret To Looking Up To 40 Years Younger

The Secret to Looking Up To 40 Years Younger
Did I get your attention?  I know what you’re thinking.  This must be too good to be true.  As crazy as it sounds, research is saying this is possible.  We all know the importance of regular exercise to keep the body healthy but recently researchers at McMaster University in Ontario did a study to show how exercise can actually reverse aging in the skin.  Could this be the fountain of youth?  

The Study
Researchers first conducted this study on mice.  After seeing the positive results exercise did with on the mice, it was rolled out to a small group of 29 men and women aged 20 to 84.  The skin that was tested was on the buttock as the researchers wanted to test a patch of skin that is not regularly exposed to the sun.  As we age, the outer layer of skin becomes thicker and the inner layer or dermis, becomes thinner.  Young skin, on the other hand, has a thinner outer layer and thicker dermis.  Participants were split up into two groups – one that did moderate to vigorous exercise for a minimum of 3 hours per week and one that remained sedentary.  Skin was biopsied before and after and in the active group, researchers found the skin to have altered back to a more youthful composition. Their outer layer became thinner and healthier while the dermis became thicker.

How exercise makes the skin look younger
The exciting part of this study is that is shows that it’s never too late to start an exercise regime.  This is where the 40 years younger part comes in.  A second part of the study showed that even in older participants, just two 30 minute sessions of exercise per week yielded significant improvements to the skin.  After 3 months of sticking to this exercise program, the skin on participants over 65 years old was closer in composition to that of a 20 – 40 year old.  The only change that these people made was adding exercise.

The domino effect
Adding regular exercise will cause a positive domino effect.  The simple act of exercising will force you to drink more water and that is always a good thing for the skin.  So, on top of getting the benefits of the exercise, you top it off by flushing the system with water which makes your skin very, very happy.  Heart pumping activity gets the blood moving  and perspiration helps the body eliminate toxins.  Plus, endorphins make you feel great after a workout.  So, the more you exercise, the more you will want to exercise.  I love the quote below because it is so true.  The only workout you will ever regret is the one you miss.

I really regret that workout said no one ever

And if you haven’t been on a regular exercise routine, you will be amazed at how quickly you will start to see results in your body and your skin.  Which leads to the next bonus – eating healthier.  Once you start seeing some positive results in your body, you are going to think twice before hitting the vending machine for your 3 pm fix.  Eating cleaner and getting rid of processed food is another great way to ensure a healthy body and healthy skin.

It may seem that this is all a lot to take on at once.  My recommendation is not to do it all at once.  Do one thing at a time.  And given that the research has shown that exercise is king, why not start there?  Don’t try too much.  Start small and when in doubt consult a professional, your doctor or a personal trainer.  But start and be on your way to a younger looking you.

Happy Mother’s Day

Wishing all Mom’s out there a wonderful Mother’s Day.

Happy

Melanoma Monday: Create Good Sun Habits Early

When I was a child, my Mom had a skin cancer scare. It was a spot on her back that the dermatologist found among the thousands of freckles she had. Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing but from that point on, my Mom went crazy protecting me and my brothers from the sun. In a way, I’m kind of glad as the situation made our entire family aware about skin cancer. And since childhood, I have developed good habits when I’m outside. Habits I hope to pass on to my own children (I must be doing something right as my children as usually the palest ones at the pool!). Research has shown that it only takes a few bad burns, usually early in life, to cause damage. In honor of Melanoma Monday, I hope you will take a few minutes to read up on skin cancer. Skin cancer is scary just by the mere fact that it is the most common cancer. At the same time, skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.

Here are some recommendations to help you and your family protect your largest organ.

  • Wear sunscreen every day. Even when it’s a cloudy day, you are still getting sun exposure.
  • Remember sun exposure affects your entire body. Don’t forget to protect your ears, nose, back of neck, hands and feet.
  • Apply liberally. Use 1 ounce (a shot glass full) of sunscreen to cover the body and apply every 2 hours at a minimum.
  • Avoid direct sunlight between 10 am – 2 pm. If you have to be outside, stay in the shade, wear a hat and sunscreen.
  • Start young. Teach your children good habits by applying sunscreen before they play outside. Sunscreen should not be applied on infants younger than 6 months so it’s best to keep them out of the sun altogether.

To learn more and find a free skin cancer screening near you, check out the American Academy of Dermatology.

IMG_2655

Snowed In and the Power of (a little) Makeup

It’s hard to believe that about three weeks ago, the weather in the Atlanta area wreaked havoc for pretty much everyone. With a prediction of snow and ice, many people, myself included, didn’t think the outcome would be as bad as it was. Besides the fact that the South is generally not prepared for such conditions, Atlanta is a very hilly city. Add ice and freezing temperatures and it was nearly impossible to get around. You may have seen some pictures of the crazy traffic in the news.

Snow Jam 2014 Traffic

Snow Jam 2014 Traffic

My children’s school was cancelled for three days.
SONY DSC

But thanks to technology, my husband and I were still able to work. For three days it was nice to just hop on my laptop and work from the comfort of my home. Being stuck in the house meant I worked outfitted in a sweatshirt, velour pants and my cozy boots.

It was wonderful to be all comfy.

Once the weekend came, the weather warmed up and the last of the ice melted away. I realized it was time to put on some decent clothes and a little makeup and look presentable for the first time in days. While it was nice to be comfy and makeup-free, it kind of made me feel lazy and blah. A pulled together outfit, even if it’s just a pair of jeans and a nice top is enough to make you feel dressed. Add some essential makeup (enough for the no makeup look) and I couldn’t believe how much better I felt. I looked in the mirror and thought, wow – what a difference that made (which is funny because I usually wear more than that on a typical day). All of a sudden my spirits lifted. I was excited to finally be getting out of the house and getting things done. The blahs were gone and I felt ready to take the day on. What I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t take much to pull yourself together and look great. And when you do, you will find that your attitude changes.

Snow storm

Snow 2014 Part 2 – So pretty to wake up to this

Now that I have realized the negative effects of letting myself go for a few days, I am happy to say I got a chance for a do over. Last week, we had another major winter storm. Fortunately, because we had just experienced a bad storm two weeks earlier, everyone was much better prepared. I knew I would be working at least a couple days from home. On that first day, I still worked in my comfy clothes but took a few minutes to put on some makeup before I came downstairs to start the day. What a difference that made! I felt more put together and alive. The tone for the day was set. Even if we were stuck inside, I was still able to be productive at my job and for my family. The blahs were gone.

After that, it was easy to put a little makeup on each morning even though I knew I wasn’t leaving the house. And when I say little, all I did was use some BB cream, blush, neutral eye shadow, a touch of eyeliner and mascara. No lipstick, just my beloved lip balm. It took less than five minutes.

We have enough challenges each day with work, family, pets, crazy schedules, etc. Taking some time (and by time, I mean minutes) is all it takes to put you in a positive mood. There is so much we can’t control. At least we have the ability to put our best face forward every day.

Last week was a great example of what I like to call the Look.Feel.Be.® phenomenon. That is, when you look good, you feel good and feeling good gives you the confidence to be your best. I experienced it first-hand how just a few minutes to take care of my appearance affected me on a psychological level. There is more to lipstick than just adding color to your lips. Besides brightening your beautiful face, it gives life to our soul.

I want you to be the best YOU. And there is no better time than today to start. Tell me your story how making a small change to your appearance created a positive energy in you.