GET AN ALOE VERA PLANT!!

Do you have an aloe vera plant in your home? If not. . . it is time to get one. My grandmother, who helped raised me, had a huge aloe plant and I remember her placing pure aloe on my skin to help heal any wound or problem I had growing up. She really believed in the healing properties that the aloe vera plant had and I thank her for introducing me to such a powerful plant!!!

The aloe vera plant is a species of the succulent family and has vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids and natural sugars. The plant also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects. The combination and balance of the plant's ingredients provides large amounts of all natural healing properties.

The aloe plant has long spiked leaves with a thick skin. If you slice straight down the skin of an aloe leaf, a clear gel like substance will appear offering a large amount of pure aloe. If you only need a small amount of aloe, you can break an inch or so off the tip of one of the leaves. This will not kill the leaf of the plant.  It will develop a scar along that edge and continue to grow.

The pure form of aloe and can be used for many purposes. Here are a few ways to use your aloe plant:

•    If you burn your skin cooking, using curling irons/flat irons, or even from too much sun exposure, pure aloe is the most effective way to stop the burn and help heal the skin fast with minimal scarring.
•    If you have an insect bite, small cut or skin irritaion, aloe can help heal and take away the pain and heal the skin.
•    If your skin is dry, irritated or flaking, apply the aloe directly to the skin like a mask, leave on for approximately 10-15 minutes and remove with a cold towel. This will help soften and moisturize your skin, leaving it healthy and fresh.
•    If you notice your scalp flaking or feeling very dry and red, placing aloe directly to the scalp will help heal the irritated area and moisturize the scalp

When taken orally, aloe vera juice is also known for the ability to help with digestion problems, ulcers and diabities. It also helps with your overall immunity and gives you energy if taken daily. You can buy pure aloe juice at your local health foods store.

***Buying Aloe Vera Gel In a Store:
If buying aloe vera gel in the store, make sure to look a the content of  pure aloe vera. Many products that are aloe based have large amounts of alcohol in them to preserve the product. This will not give you the full effect and benefits that aloe has. Make sure it is 100% PURE aloe vera.

Buy An ALOE PLANT!!!!!!!! They are very beneficial and easy to take care of! GET ONE!!!

-Shannon Irene

HOT WINTER NAIL COLORS

Check out the new HOT winter colors from Essie's winter nail collection

ESSIE WINTER NAIL COLLECTION


I love them all. . but favorites are "Smokin' Hot" and "Luxedo". . 

Enjoy

-Shannon Irene

DRY WINTER HAIR

I was talking with my best friend in New York yesterday and she was complaining about how dry her hair is with the winter weather kicking in.

The sun damages our hair during the summer season and now the hair drys out and becomes brittle and dull in the winter. Here is the simplest, most effective way to do an at home treatment that will bring moisture back to your hair and make it soft and full of body.

Cure for Dry/Brittle/Dull Hair: 

Take about 1/2 cup (more or less depending on your hair length) of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(I prefer using Greek Olive Oil as it is made from kalamata olives which can nourish, condition, and improve the strength of the hair)

Place on ends first and then work it up into the roots  (the ends tend to be more damaged)

**For long hair I suggest placing your hair into two side braids. For shorter hair, you can place in a low back bun or wrap hair in saran wrap**

Leave this on your hair for a minimum of one hour. You can actually leave this on overnight for a DEEP moisturizing treatment.

To remove. . . shampoo hair and leave shampoo in for about two minutes to help work out the oils. Then condition and style as normal.

You will notice a difference! Let me know if you love it as much as I do. I just did mine and my hair feels AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

-Shannon Irene

Prepping your Skin for the Winter

I receive many questions from my clients and friends regarding how to prep their skin for the winter as well as how to maintain moist skin through the winter months. Skin tends to dry our in the winter months due to exposure to extreme weather as well as environmental changes.

There are a few simple things that you can do to help your skin during this time. . .

*Use an exfoliant at least once a week (I do it twice) to help exfoliate the dead skin cells that have built up on your top layer of skin.

*Use a heavier cream at night to help maintain and build the moisture level in your skin

*Still use a moisturizer with a minimum of SPF 15 daily to ensure no sun damage on your face/neck and declote as well as to protect your skin from free radicals in the environment

*Get facials in the winter every 4-6 weeks to ensure your skin is clean, balanced and healthy

*Most people do not drink as much water in the winter months, so make sure you are consuming
48-64 ozs of water daily

**If you find your skin is still very dry and dull try this. . .Use pure Aloe Vera combined with Vitamin E and place on your face, neck and declote as a mask for 20 minutes. Remove with cool water. Then moisturize as usual.

Stay moisturized this winter!!!!!!!! 

-Shannon Irene

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to the Shannon Irene Beauty Blog. I am very excited to Blog and share with everyone my tips, tricks and on everything I love including. . . make-up, skin care, hair, and styling ideas.  

I will be reviewing products I've tried as well as making beauty suggestions. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have as well and I will be sure to do my best to help! 

For more information on Shannon Irene Beauty and the services I offer, please visit ShannonIrene.com

ENJOY!!! 


-Shannon Irene