A gentle water-soluble cleanser is the best product for most skin types. This type of cleanser is gentle and efficient and should easily remove eye makeup too. With a water-soluble cleanser, using tepid water massage the cleanser over your face and neck and rinse with more water. Your face should feel clean and refreshed, not greasy or dry.

Over cleaning your face can dry it out so that no moisturizer will help. Also, using heavy cold creams can clog pores and leave a film on your skin.

Do read the label before you buy face cleanser and stay away from products that include AHA’s, BHA’s, or disinfectants, as these can cause irritation to the eye area. Also, we suggest you stay away from bar soaps from the neck up.

Healthy, glowing skin is a mood maker. When you feel good about your appearance, you feel good about yourself! Stay on top on your game these nine months by keeping your skin cared for and looking radiant. Feeling good on the outside keeps us feeling good on the inside.

Remember, keep your skin clean and wear sunscreen daily!

Let’s start with the most important aspect of skin care…sunscreen.
If you have ever been to the sunscreen aisle at your local drugstore, you know how overwhelming it can be: SPF this, UVA that and then throw in UVBs in the mix and the sunscreen confusion begins!

Choosing the Right SPF in Sunscreen

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The higher the SPF number, the better protection against the sun’s harmful UVB rays. The SPF number lets you know how much longer you can stay out in the sun without burning. For example, if it takes 15 minutes for a person to burn, an SPF 15 will allow them to stay out in the sun 15 times longer without burning.

UVA and UVB Protection

The label of the sunscreen will indicate the UVA or UVB protection.

UVA rays are responsible for the aging effect of the sun; however, overexposure to UVA rays can cause skin cancer.

UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer.

Choose a product that states, “UVA/UVB,” protection or has “broad spectrum” protectant.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of 15 or higher for maximum protection. SPF is available in levels from 2 to 60. Does highest mean the best protection? Not necessarily, an SPF of 50 only provides 1% to 2% more protection than an SPF 30.

If you are still undecided, check with your doctor or pharmacist for their recommendations.

Don’t think that just because the day is cloudy you are safe from these rays they are still there so make sunscreen your daily top priority.

Over the next few weeks we will be discussing more skin care for our beautiful moms!

1. Give yourself a massage:
* Scalp – Place thumbs behind your ears and spread your fingers on top of your head. Move your fingers in circular motions.
* Eyes – Close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Increase pressure slowly for 5 seconds then gently release. Repeat 2-3 times.
* Shoulders – Place your left hand on the right side of your neck near your shoulder. Press fingers firmly into the muscle while tucking your chin in towards your chest. Hold this position for 10 seconds, release and repeat to your left side.
* Palms – Lace your fingers together, leaving your thumbs free. Slowly knead your left thumb into the palm of your right hand for 20-30 seconds. Repeat to your left hand.

2. Get a good night’s sleep:
* Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning (yes, including weekends). This helps regulate your internal clock to get the 7-8 hours sleep most adults need.
* Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. We suggest a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to pleasant music.
* Avoid stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine from late afternoon on.
* Exercise during the day
3. How to get that needed second wind:
* Refuel with a high-fiber snack such as celery sticks, an apple, or pistachio nuts. High-fiber snacks help control the release of glucose into your bloodstream and may help prevent dips in your energy level.
* Breathe deeply. Every 1-2 hours, spend 5 minutes inhaling and exhaling deeply. This helps you feel calmer and more mentally focused, with renewed energy.
* Take a visual vacation. Close your eyes and mentally escape to a calming place for you.
* Splash cold water on your face or pop a breath mint – mint flavors are stimulating.
* At the end of the day, write down all the good things that happened. You’ll be surprised at how much went right. Plus, you’ll set yourself up for a good night’s sleep and energize yourself for tomorrow.

It is so important that we all take time out of our busy schedules for ourselves. We hope these tips will help you relax yet give you renewed energy to make your days and nights more enjoyable.

When we think of spring our mind goes to warmer days spent in more causal settings. We all are familiar with the term “those long lazy days of summer” and our minds just seem to gravitate toward all that those words imply. Nothing says spring and summer like a great pair of white maternity pants, white maternity capris, a fabulous white maternity shirt or maternity tee.

We love white for so many reasons.
* Pair ANY color with white and never go wrong!
* White can be as simple and casual as a day at the beach or glammed up for a dressy summer event
* White shouts SUMMER like no other color
* We love white with heels or going barefoot

We love that you can take a basic pair of white maternity pants add sandals and a soft tee and run to the grocery store looking chic. Keep that same pair of white maternity pants and tee on, just replace the sandals with a pair of open-toed heels and drape a great necklace over the tee then head out for dinner at your favorite restaurant. We love being a quick change artist, don’t you?

White maternity capris will give you the same kind of versatile service. A smart pair of white maternity capris will give you same endless options for summer. They will be your “go to maternity pant”. They can be a sassy look for around town or on vacation, just add your favorite top and sexy sandals.

We can’t forget the classic white maternity top or maternity tee that will go with anything. There is nothing like the crisp feel of a white shirt or the softness of a white tee.

We love the “Jackie O look”. A perfect pair of jeans paired with a soft, white tee. Remember her on the cover of magazines with just that look? She upgraded casual to chic. We need to take our queue from her and remember that no matter how casual white is always chic.

From the very beginning, Beautiful You Maternity has focused on transitional and versatile maternity clothing that will move from season to season and then beyond baby for both the nursing and non-nursing mom. Consider purchasing soft cotton tee’s that can be worn alone or layered for extra warmth giving you a fashionable, chic look. Maternity camis are a year around basic for your maternity wardrobe that can be worn alone or layered depending on the weather and your preference. Maternity belly bands give a layered look without the bulk and provide a little extra support for your back and tummy. Try the Blush lace topless tee (can be worn high like a cami or lower like a belly band-very versatile!) that adds a little feminine touch with the lace edging. What a great time to look and feel feminine than in these exciting months ahead? You can’t forget about the versatile maternity sweater or maternity jacket that can be paired with your tops and bottoms for many different looks! We love Fine 4 Nine’s ¾ sleeve sweater. The bolero style allows you to wear it throughout your entire pregnancy and beyond. Spring moves into summer so get a jump start on great tops designed to grow with you while flattering your changing curves as the months go by. We have some wonderful rouched tops designed to flatter and shape your body that will have you feeling comfortable and beautiful.

Remember you can add a sweater or shawl to any short sleeve or sleeveless maternity dress for the cooler spring days and nights. Also, ¾ sleeve dresses are a perfect option for spring and carry you into the summer months.

Will spring have you moving beyond baby? Check out our great selection of nursing clothes including nursing tops and nursing dresses with such discreet access that no one will ever guess they were designed for the nursing mom. Several of our pieces serve dual functions, maternity and nursing, so they are a great value!

We feel like our maternity jeans are the best single investment for moving into spring or any season for that matter! Maternity jeans and maternity denim capris give style to your wardrobe no matter the season. Dress them up with heels or boots and a fabulous top; add a great scarf or jacket and you are ready to hit the town. How about lazy weekends at cook-outs or a ballgame, add your casual flats, sandals or tennis shoes and a soft tee and you are ready for any casual event. Choose maternity pants that can be worn in several different seasons so you aren’t repurchasing. A black maternity pencil skirt or denim skirt can be worn no matter the temperature just by adding tights and boots for cooler weather or sandals during the warmer months.

One of our year around favorites is the Maternal America nursing scarf. This great scarf would never be guessed as a nursing accessory. It is lightweight and incredibly soft. You can never run out of optional ways to wear it, even in the warmest climate it is a great piece to throw on for an evening out when the temperatures drop just enough for a cool breeze. Think resort wear when you view this scarf and just imagine packing such a versatile, lightweight accessory.

As always, the key to a versatile maternity wardrobe is accessorizing. You can change the look of your outfits with jewelry, clutches and bags, shoes and so much more. Don’t get frustrated when looking for your spring look, be creative and let your inner beauty shine!

Thinking of spring has us looking forward to summer. We know you will find a versatile selection of spring maternity clothes at Beautiful You Maternity that will follow you into those lazy days of summer in comfort and style.