Micro Needling Easy Users Guide

I'm sure you've heard a lot about micro-needling, or derma rolling. I have had so many people ask questions about this new skin trend and at first, I was skeptical. Honestly, I still am in some ways. I'll elaborate in the coming up paragraphs. But first, let's do a quick breakdown of derma rolling,

Derma rolling is basically hundreds of tiny, little needles that create a controlled wound on your skin. When you create these micro-injuries to your skin, it increases cell reproduction and it helps your skin produce more collagen & elastin. Why do we need to roll needles on our skin? Because this puts your skin into "healing mode." Doing so, it creates pumped up production of collagen and elastin to compensate to this wound & then, viola! Plump, smooth skin! Micro-needling (derma rolling, whichever. I'll probably switch what I call it, but it's the same thing) can help smooth scarring, help the skin plump up for a more youthful appearance, lighten hyperpigmentation, plump lips, and help with under eye puffiness.

I was not really on board with this for the longest. And the reason why is this-multi-level marketing. I totally understand how it works. There's no arguing that it works, if you've ever studied how the skin works But, I just am not 100% confident that anybody and everybody should be promoting this! We need to be very smart about how to correctly use this tool. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure most (some) people know what they're talking about when they're suggesting to roll a toll with needles all over your face. But, you really need to make sure you're consulting some sort of skincare professional. So, buy the tool where you want, but just please use it responsibly.

Not only was a skeptical about the tool, I was skeptical about the procedure you can get done at a dermatologist or skincare studio that provides micro-needling. I'm sure you've seen tons of versions of this procedure done. It can be very scary. My suggestion is if you do it on a professional level-make sure you research and trust where you go! If you purchase a derma roller online-buy it from a reputable source and make sure to read lots of reviews!

Here's the main difference- the tool you can purchase, can only go a certain depth in. So, this will be great as upkeep after doing the microneeding professionally. Or, if you just want a great way to upkeep your skin, give it some rejuvination, and use it as a weekly regimen, I say go for it. Microneedling at a spa is going to be way more in depth. I absolutely love this procedure! I have been trained with SkinPen. We did a lot of research between all the different brands that provide this service, and we really felt comfortable, and really enjoyed the results of the brand SkinPen. This type of wand is pretty fool-proof and researching like we have, I totally trust this brand and will only use them. Basically doing a real, salon service like SkinPen is just a way more amped up version of a derma rolling. But, you have a professional gage how deep into the dermal level that we need to go. You can adjust how deep you go and the specialist can really focus on the issues at hand, This will really bring up redness, cell production, and keep Collagen 1 producing for up to 6 months after the procedure! Doing this procedure will give you dramatic results-fast! There could be some pain (slight sunburn feeling to me) and redness, but it's a pretty serious service, so that usually comes with the territory. So as you can see, it's a very effective, dermal level, service. And the results are so impressive! If you have severe discoloration, scarring, sagging skin, really just need a serious boost-this professional service is for you & its AMAZING!

But, if you cannot find a place near you, you don't feel like your skin needs that serious of a service, or you cannot afford the service (it's pretty pricey) then the derma roller will definitely give your skin a nice little boost.

Ok, here's some pointers-

Some fave derma rollers of mine-
Stacked Skincare Collagen Boosting Microroller $30 (stackedskincare.com)
Glow Girl Cosmetics Roller (prices vary) (glowgirlcosmetics.com)
You can always buy one on amazon, but I say make sure to read the reviews and you're ordering it from a reputable source!

There are different sizes. I would suggest at first-0.3mm or a 0.5, but if you get a 0.5 really ease into this routine! You can find some with different rollers you can take on & off and adjust the depth. You can even use these on stretch marks and cellulite! I would suggest a 0.5 or a 1.0 on the body. But like I said, ease in!

Remember, you can still damage your skin doing this at home, so be safe and go easy!

Make sure you pair your derma roller with a great serum. Y'all know me, I'm a natural gal so I do not use heavy-duty serums like a growth factors or stem cells. But, if you don't mind and you want a serious skin boost-go for it because it'll really amp up your results! It's important to add a serum into your derma rolling routine because it will help your skin absorb these powerful serums up to 90%!!! So, for me, I focus on serums with peptides (major anti-aging ingredients) or hyaluronic acid (holds 1,000 times its weight in moisture!), and  antioxidants. Ingredients to avoid while micro needling-retinols (before you roll) or vitamin c's.

Ok, first thing you want to do before you start aerating your face is exfoliate! I like to do a little scrub (MyChelle Sugar Scrub is my fave) then you can do a little chemical exfoliation of some sort. You can do a chemical peel or a fruit enzyme. Fruit enzymes are my absolute favorite!
A few favorites-
MyChelle Fruit Fiesta Peel (mychelle.com)
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask (tataharperskincare.com)
Chantecaille Hibiscus Smoothing Mask (chantecaille.com)

Ok, next-serum! Apply 1 layer on to skin.

Now-take your derma roller and gently (gentle people!) roll over your skin. You can roll up & down, side to side, diagonally. Do 2 passes. You can tell you're doing it correctly when you see a slight flush to the skin. Not bright-red, and bleeding. Just a little flush. We want our skin to have blood flow come up to the surface, not break the surface. So go gentle, pass over twice, you'll look slightly pink.
I hit my neck, but go even more gentle here. You can go under eyes, but only on the orbital bone-no closer! And do not hit the eye lids! You can go over your lips too!

Next-add another layer of serum on top! If you want (and you're not super sensitive or this isn't your first time using this roller, and only at night, you can add a retinol-my fave MyChelle Remarkable Retinal Serum-it's safe & non-toxic!) My favorite serums to use-
Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum (juicebeauty.com)
MyChelle Apple Brightening Serum (mychelle.com)
MyChelle Ultra Hyaluronic Serum (mychelle.com)
MyChelle G2 Instant Firming Serum (mychelle.com)
MyChelle Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum (mychelle.com)

Can you tell I like MyChelle products? Ha! I mean, they all work so well!! When it's good, it's good!

If you're hitting the roller on your orbital bone and lips, apply a nice, gentle eye cream & a hydrating lip balm!

After the serums, apply a moisturizer & you're set!

You can derma roll a few times a week if you would like. It's completely up to you! I would suggest at least once a week. To clean, I spray alcohol on mine and replace it often!

Also, if you need a visual-hop on to my instagram and watch my video tutorial on how to do it!

 Enjoy and Happy Rolling!

Dairy-Free Living

Hi all! I hope your 2018 has been well so far! Mine has definitely had its ups and downs already! I have seen this meme popping up around social media and let's just say, I completely stand for this and 100% agree.

I totally believe in fresh starts, and new year, new goals. But I also don't think at the strike of midnight on New Years, that you magically feel motivated and ready to go either. Sometimes, I think it's best to just feel it out for a bit. Wait & breathe. That's how January was for me. There is so much going on, so many great opportunities, and I just need a moment to figure it all out! So, here we go February let's do this! So, one thing I'm wanting to work on is eliminating dairy from my diet. (By the way, I hate the word diet, I don't "diet" I like to eat as clean as possible, but the word lifestyle didn't flow. So, diet is the only word I think will work on this one.) Not 100% all the time. But, for the most part. Here we go-


Ok, don't let the title fool you. I'm not dairy free yet. But I'm trying. I am being realistic though. My theory on life is, it's too short. You gotta enjoy everything! So, while I'm home I will eat dairy free. But, if there's a charcuterie board in front of me and I'm enjoying some wine with friends-I will enjoy it. Mexican food-queso is just going to happen. Family events-I'm not going to make them substitute dairy on my expense. If I'm in France, I'm going to chow down on some bread and cheese. But, how often am I at a Mexican restaurant or in France. It's not often, it's all about balance & moderation. You get what I'm saying?

So, while I'm at home enjoying my tea or coffee I will chose to go dairy free. But, I have had the hardest time!! I can make a vegan ranch, I can enjoy a vegan cheese. But why has coffee creamer been so difficult???? I think it's a combo of flavor & texture. It's like dairy free creamers are like water. No good. I want a creamy aspect to be added to my coffee. And I haven't found many dairy free creamers that add this to my coffee. Another issue-flavor. I just feel like most dairy free creamers have this odd fake sweetener flavor that I'm not up for.

I have tried maybe 2 non dairy creamers that will do. And I mean that, they will do. They don't make me want to throw my half & half in the trash can and do a victory dance though. So, here's the two I can handle in a pinch-

 Ripple is from Target. Like I said, it'll do. It's still not my favorite substitute. But, if I'm at Target, trying to cut those trips down in 2018 as well, I will buy it to avoid another grocery store stop. But, my #1 creamer go-to is this beauty right here-

 Califia has great non-dairy products. I love pretty much everything they make! They have great flavored options as well! This right here though is my fave. I don't like a flavored coffee. I just like to add a creamy aspect to it so this right here is wonderful. It's good. It will definitely do. Some days when I don't feel like busting out the milk frother, this is my go to. It's convenient & delicious. Still on those lazy mornings when I want to really relax and indulge in a latte-like coffee, this doesn't foam up when I put it in my frother. So, your good regular mornings where you need your coffee & run-this is a win! If you want this foamy, frothy yumminess like this

This is what you need to get-

I buy mine on amazon. And as you can see, it is $13.39 to be exact. So, I read an article about this new non-dairy creamer option on Well & Good, so of course I hopped on the blog to read about it. They were talking about coconut cream powder. I went straight to amazon to get some! I didn't find as many options of coconut cream powder, and the ones I found were waaaaay too much. I think I found 6-1.76 oz. packs for $14. This bag right here is a pound for $13. So I went for the coconut milk powder instead of the coconut cream powder. I think the coconut milk powder still adds a great amount of creaminess to my coffee so I'm sticking with this one until I can find a coconut cream powder that is even close to this amount for that price! I will say, I have seen a few more articles about the coconut cream powder, so maybe we will see more options pop up soon! But for now, I'm sticking with this!

How I make it- super simple you guys! I get my coffee going, while that's going I add a splash of almond, cashew, or coconut milk into my frother. Whatever non-dairy option you want will do. Hell, if you want to add some non-dairy creamer in your milk frother go for it! So, add enough milk to the bottom of the frother to fill about 1/4 up from the fill line. Then I add about 1 tablespoon of the coconut milk creamer to the cup and really make sure you mix it up to get rid of clumps. The package comes pretty much vacuum sealed, so when I get mine, I get a big glass jar with a tight-sealing lid, and i break up all the powder and put it in the jar! Makes for an easy-access situation. So once you mix the powder with the non-dairy milk, press the on button on your frother and bam! you're done! So simple!! Plus, it's the best latte ever! I like it more than the coffee shops! Here's my frother and my fave coffee!

 This milk frother is awesome!! We received the entire Starbucks Verismo system for Christmas a few years ago and just love it! This little baby really makes a coffee special!

This is my favorite coffee ever!!! I really stretch this coffee by mixing 2-3 scoops into just my regular organic coffee I use. I tend to not love flavored coffee but this one right here is amazing! I discovered it while I was working a La Mer facial trip in Jackson, Mississippi. I fell in love with this flavor and their Southern Pecan. I drank at least 2 cups a day, lol, while I was working in Jackson. I was so sad to part with this coffee I looked it up and found that this coffee is from Memphis! Now, whenever I drive to Little Rock, or Jackson for work, Corey and I take a little stop in Memphis to stock up on our favorite coffees to take home, and we always order a coffee for the road! This is sometimes at Kroger here in Nashville. But it's not consistent so I have no idea where to lead you. But, check out their instagram @uglymugcoffeetn and their website! They always have great deals going on!

Ok, I hope this helps in your dairy free coffee creamer journey! I will keep sharing my dairy free wins on my instagram as well! @naturallytruebeauty

Lots of love!
  Andy