CHICOLOGICAL GUEST POST Allycia of Beauty and a Baby

Allycia Wilson has some pretty serious beauty knowledge under her belt. A captivating writer, Allycia is an editor at beautyblitz.com, freelances for InStyle, and has tested and reviewed hundreds of products. But our favorite way to get our Allycia fix is by visiting her blog—Beauty and a Baby—where the mother of two covers everything from eco-friendly laundry tips to of-the-moment scents from her favorite brands. This week, Allycia is giving us the inside scoop on the best ways to get some relaxation in the midst of a very busy schedule.

Green Your Routine: Relax

Now that I’m a mom of two little boys, ages 4 and 2 months, it’s not always so easy to take time out for myself. But I’ve discovered how to sneak in some much-needed ways to relax. Here are some simple tips how to:

Stop and Smell the Roses (literally!): Spring is right around the corner and it is by far my most favorite time of the year. After being cooped up in the house for those frigid winter months, it’s always nice to step outside, take a deep breath in, and a little bit of Mother Nature! There is a lovely little park near my home where I take my oldest son for walks. Not only do I get to watch him enjoy feeding the ducks and smelling the blooming flowers, but I can also take a break from being in the house all day. If even for only fifteen minutes, try to get up and walk outside to clear your mind. You’ll come back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

Let There Be Light: I may have a minor obsession with candles. I love discovering new beautiful fragrances and having the sweet aromatic scents flow throughout my home. To unwind, there’s nothing like setting a few candles around the bathtub (and letting my husband watch the kids) while I enjoy thirty minutes of blissful uninterrupted “me” time. Or why not curl up on the couch with that book you’ve been meaning to read. Hey, people read by candlelight before we discovered electricity, why can’t you? Some relaxing scents that are great for relaxation include lavender, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and also patchouli.

Drink Up: I grew up with my mom giving me tea to drink every morning and to this day I can’t start my day with a hot cup of it. Tea can also help you relax and fall asleep after a long hard day! My favorite teas have always been green tea in the morning and a nice cup of chamomile on occasion right before bed.

There are many ways to fit in some relaxation in your life. When your mind and body are calm, you are definitely more productive and effective throughout the day. So go ahead… relax! 

Images via: Candles, Flowers, Tea

CHICOLOGICAL GUEST POST Liesa of Daily Glow

Where do we go to get our daily beauty fix? Daily Glow! With everything from fun beauty quizzes to product recommendations, we could browse this site for hours! Daily Glow editor, Liesa Goins has some major beauty experience under her belt—she’s tried it all! And today on Chicological, she’s giving us her must-have list of beauty gadgets that have saved her (formerly) problem skin.

Gentle Tools With Giant Benefits

Acne has plagued me since the 7^th grade. I made the rounds with dermatologists, but none of the treatments – not antibiotics, Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid -- made a dent in my frustrating condition. 

As months passed and nothing improved my severe cystic acne, I took matters into my own hands. My strategy was to bully the breakouts away. I scrubbed, peeled and layered on harsh treatments. Predictably, I irritated my skin and made it much worse. I was eventually prescribed Accutane, which proved to be a miracle cure for my acne.

For years, I still had the idea that manhandling my skin would keep the breakouts away. But over time (and many interviews with dermatologists later), I’ve finally embraced the axiom that the gentle approach is usually best. Now that I’ve stopped using tough love, my skin rewards me. On occasion, I even receive compliments on my complexion – something the 12-year-old me would never have imagined.

Some of the most effective, not to mention most gentle, tools I use to keep my skin happy are in fact tools. These devices keep my complexion smooth and calm without battering it in the process.

Clarisonic Mia

A mild cleanser and this sonic brush keeps my pores clear and my skin smooth without scrubbing or harsh exfoliants. I love that something this gentle can have such dramatic impact.

Honeywell Easy-to-Care Cool Mist Humidifier

One rule I’ve learned from dermatologists is that it’s nearly impossible to give your skin too much moisture. I run this humidifier three seasons of the year, but it’s a must in the winter to fight flakes and irritation.

 Talika Cream Booster

Admittedly this is a luxury, but Talika has aerospace science to back the Cream Booster’s claims. Using light, micro currents and vibration, this wand helps creams penetrate the skin. It’s a form of meditation for me to apply moisturizer and then use this to massage my face for a minute or two at night.

Philips Wake-up Light

What does an alarm clock have to do with my skin? Before I had this light, I could not drag myself out of bed. Every morning was rushed and stressful. And I looked like I could make a guest appearance in the Walking Dead – as a zombie. This uses light to wake me gradually. And when my alarm goes off, I feel more awake and alert. And I look well rested.

 Thanks, Liesa! Argan Beauties, do you have a fave beauty blogger? Let us know, and we'll do our best to feature him or her on the next installment of Chicological guest posts!