It hurts…but it’s worth it!

by Amy Macgowan | Mar 5, 2014 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE

I'm talking about Sally Hansen's Wax Strips for Body. This super easy to use press on and zip off wax system is cheapo ($6.49 at Walmart) and allows me to maintain the tiniest bit of modesty while grooming for my bike shorts and occasional swimsuit appearance!

I tried the professional salon waxing thing…once, and didn't like it a bit. I guess I'd rather save the $89 (plus tip), my modesty and inflict my own pain. I also need to admit I'm not very comfortable in a salon setting, so if there are things I can do myself, or go to someone's house, I much prefer that.

Speaking of pain. I'm not gonna lie- it does hurt. But ripping hair out by the root does- no matter how we do it. For me, it's worth the few moments of pain in return for 6 weeks pretty much hair/stubble free and no razor burn or in-grown hairs.

As a side note- I also cut these strips very thinly and use them to wax my daughters brows. No need to buy the separate strips for face. Wondering about brow shape? Check out my post on brows here.

The strips need to be warmed before pulling apart, which can be challenging in the winter months in a cold climate. I tuck them under my bootie for a few minutes, and that seems to warm them just enough to pull them apart- distributing the wax equally on both sides of the strip.

It's important to hold your skin taut with one hand and pull the wax strip off quickly and firmly the opposite way of hair growth. (Think of pulling a band-aid off..) Done properly, you should see the hair follicle at the end of each hair on the wax strip.

The wax strip kit comes with a little bottle of oil that removes the wax residue when you're done. In case you run out, or lose it, any oil will remove the wax- baby oil, massage oil, even kitchen oil (olive, coconut, etc.)

Yes, in an attempt to find less painful hair removal methods I've tried other systems:

-hot wax with strips (ouch from the hot temp and then still having to yank, plus it's messy)

-hair removal creams and gels that smell like perms and burn. No thanks!

-and yes, I tried the no!no! supposed permanent hair removal system. It was painstakingly slow and didn't work anyway, so I'll save you the trouble and appease your curiosity right here :).

So, there's my two cents on how to cheaply and effectively- but not painlessly DIY (do it yourself) hair removal.

Have a favorite product? Something you want to talk about here at PRO/STYLE? I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com.

*I don't receive any compensation or ‘gimmes' for writing PRO/STYLE. If I do, I'll let you know.

The Multi-purpose Powder from long ago…

by Amy Macgowan | Feb 20, 2014 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE

I found this powder way back in the cupboard of our master bathroom.

I remember buying it l-o-n-g ago when the kids were little. They had terrible diaper rash and none of the standard gooey ointments were doing the trick. I called my mom, a nurse from the 50's, and asked her what I should do. She recommended heading over to Walgreen's and picking up some Caldesene Powder. You can't miss it- it comes in a round pink container with blue writing.

I popped that on their cute little booties and they miraculously healed up in no time!

I didn't throw the Caldesene Powder away, mostly for nostalgic reasons. I'm glad I didn't! This little powder has given me relief after long days in the saddle and after teaching back to back classes.

The zinc oxide and talc do a great job of relieving:

Prickly Heat/Heat Rash

• Prickly heat is a heat rash that can develop when sweat gets trapped in the skin
• This trapping of sweat can cause inflammation and itching
• A dusting of Caldesene® Protecting Powder can absorb sweat and help the rash heal faster

Chafing

• Chafing can occur as a result of sweat plus friction from clothing or body parts rubbing together
• Chafing is common in areas such as the inner thigh, groin area or armpits
• By using Caldesene® Protecting Powder, you can help keep these areas dry and protect against chafing
• Caldesene® is gentler on chafed, irritated skin than messy creams

Dryness

• Caldesene® can be used to help relieve dry, itchy skin
• The zinc oxide in Caldesene® serves as a barrier between skin and surrounding air or clothing, helping to soothe skin and prevent further irritation

Sunburn

• Use Caldesene® Protecting Powder to help keep clothes from rubbing against sensitive, sunburned skin

Cuts and Scrapes

• Caldesene® Protecting Powder can also be used to treat minor cuts and scrapes
• The zinc oxide in Caldesene® protects minor scrape and cut wounds from infection and helps them heal faster

Sand Removal

• After a day at the beach, rub Caldesene® Protecting Powder onto skin and hair
• Caldesene® will quickly absorb the moisture on your skin and the sand will fall away
• Caldesene® can also be sprinkled on beach towels and clothing for easy sand removal

For under $5.00, I'm always keeping this pink and blue bottle stocked in my cupboard!

Have any good tips? Please share them with us.

Contact me: amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com. I'd love to hear from you.

*I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE. If I do, I'll let you know!

The solution was right in front of me….

by Amy Macgowan | Feb 5, 2014 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE

And yours might be too!

I've been experiencing low back and knee pain for over a year. When it got to the point when I couldn't climb stairs one-footed anymore, I finally consulted my OB/GYN at my annual appointment (it just so happens he takes John's and my classes and is a pretty darn good athlete).

I asked him for a physical therapy recommendation and he looked at me like I had horns. He referred me directly back to a Personal Trainer I'd recommended to him awhile ago when he was having hip and knee trouble. Duh!!!!

I've had two, TWO(!) sessions with Doug- my Personal Trainer, and I'm already at 50% improvement. Just a couple more, along with putting into practice what I've learned from him, and I should be good to go.

So, why am I writing about hip and knee pain in PRO/STYLE? Because I think we often know the answers to our troubles- in whatever realm we're dealing (fitness, style, beauty, etc.) we just don't realize it. Are you like me? I often problem solve (for myself/ family/ friends)…. think, “Phew” and move on so quickly I forget about it. Out of sight, out of mind!!!!

Whatever's going on- cold weather/ dry itchy skin/ rashes/ break-outs…the list goes on…ask yourself- have I, or anyone I know, experienced this before? How did I handle it then? Take a look in your drawers, cupboards, medicine cabinet and see if you have a solution sitting right there. You may not need to spend a dime, or any additional time. I LOVE THAT!

I Tried the Economical Versions…

by Amy Macgowan | Jan 22, 2014 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE

And I think they ended up being more expensive in the end. Because, no lip liner wears like Lancome's LeLipstique. I need a liner that stays put and doesn't bleed into my vertical lip lines. When I teach, I need more than clear Chapstick, but I don't want a full bodied lipstick either. So a good liner, with a light gloss works well. LeLIpstique + a good gloss lasts through my two Saturday morning classes, so that was the test.

In the quest for a more budget friendly liner I tried:

–NYX Slim Pencil in all sorts of colors ($3.50). The colors are great and all sharpeners work fine (Lancome, Dior and Estee Lauder shapened the NYX pencils well). The problem is these pencils simply don't stay on….lIke for more than an hour. DefiniteIy failed the two class test! I went though one pencil in two weeks from re-applying all the time. Plus, I was bothered to have to do it! However, the ‘Jumbo' pencil gets great reviews for longer wear, and at $4.50, I'm willing to give it a try.

-Ulta Automatic LIp Pencil ($8.00). Love the automatic wind up and color choices were pretty good, but again wearability was not good. It just didn't stay on and I left Saturday mornings with barenaked lips.

-Rimmel 1000 Kisses LIp LIner ($3.19). Same. Great colors, but re-apply city and Saturday morning unintentional naked lip look.

And of course:

-E.L.F. Mineral Lip Liner ($3.00). I liked it the best. Only three colors, but it wore quite well. Not as well as Lancome LeLipstique, and I'm not willing to sacrifice on a regular basis, but not bad!

My favorite tried and true color in LeLipstique is Sheer Raspberry. I find myself constantly going back to it and have for over 5 years. It's a lovely soft shade that looks good used with all lips colors. Fill in your entire lip for even longer lasting all over lip color.

Have a lip liner/color you love? Let us know!

*I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE, but I did enjoy writing this on my shiny new MacBookPro :). If I ever receive anything other than an “Atta Girl”, I'll happily let you know!

Pack light and Carry On!

by Amy Macgowan | Jan 16, 2014 | Instructor Training, PRO/STYLE

We just had a lovely long weekend in Phoenix, AZ for my niece's wedding.

I have a ‘thing' about paying to check luggage . So, I carried on everything I needed for 6 days-rehearsal dinner and wedding day attire, plus jackets (it gets cold there when the sun goes down), 4 pair of shoes, workout wear, etc. My back pack contained my HUGE outdated laptop, which is going to be replaced next week :).

All my liquids- key to my make up regimen, fit in a quart size bag to go through security. The key to light travel? Little jars and bottles.  Here's how to do it:

-Keep any small jars you get from gift with purchases! They are perfect for re-filling and taking on trips.

-When you make purchases (especially at Nordstrom), ask if they have any travel size samples. If the samples are in a re-fillable container, keep it for future trips. Also, Nordstrom has their own store sample containers. Little jars and tiny spray bottles so we can make them for you if manufacturer samples are not available.

-DO purchase manufacturer travel size hairspray. I've tried numerous times to transfer from a big bottle into various little spray bottles and they clog every time!. I found over 30 options at Ulta.com, so choices abound!

-Keep everything in your quart sized bag. In other words, don't un-pack it. That way, everything's in one place for your next adventure. I even go so far as to leave it in my suitcase. I check the jars/bottles to see if they need to be re-filled and I'm ready to go.

-Pack a few extra quart sized bags in your luggage. You never know when someone may offer you a sandwich or piece of fruit for the road. We often stay at all-inclusive resorts and grab a little something for the flight. It beats the awful in-flight snacks available for purchase!

Even this hopeless make-up junkie can pack light and carry on! Please share your travel light tips and tricks.

You can reach me:amyjo@groupfitnessradio.com. I'd love to hear from you.

*I receive no compensation for writing PRO/STYLE. If I do at any time, I'll happily let you know!