Category: Health & Beauty

Like 2.7 million Canadians I suffer from migraines. Previously I discussed what a migraine is and the things that get me through my “migraine hell,” however, what I failed to go over was how something seemingly benign as a change in the season can be crushing.

So what is the deal with spring and migraines???

Springtime in Alberta is an interesting season. Sometimes on one day we can experience all four seasons. This frequent shifting between sunshine and rain is indicative of the changes in barometric pressure. In addition to this weather roller coaster afflicting migraine sufferers; there are also allergies! Allergies bring sneezing, runny noses, itchy and watery eyes as well as sinus inflammation.

Therefore; April showers not only bring May flowers but they also bring lots of weather triggers for me and others. which then flows into June. 

What about the other seasons???

Summer
It can still be a stormy season in Alberta; but the weather is a lot warmer and humid. I call this the “sweaty season” it is during this season where people tend to get themselves dehydrated. I know I struggle with staying hydrated. Although it can be nice having longer days; it also wreaks havoc on sleep patterns. As a teacher, summer is a season of mixed emotions. I look forward to my time off yet I am sad that I am parted from my students. But, I am also sad because I know that summer brings what the American Migraine Foundation refers to as “stress let down headache[s]” so once my stress is just suddenly over or gone I usually end up with a migraine.

Fall
This season is not all pumpkin spice and everything nice; the temperature cools off, pressure changes, the wind starts picking up and our sleep patterns are once again getting messed with as the days become shorter. Also, I experience a massive increase in my stress level since school is back in session and hunting season begins.

Winter
The winter in Alberta can be brutal and extreme. This past winter we missed four days of school because the temperature stayed below -40 for too long. And, the snowstorms…oh so much snow and oh so much change in pressure! We most commonly associate dehydration with the summer months but it is and can be an issue during cold, dry months as well.

With the government’s inability to get a handle on COVID-19 and the inability of many to put the welfare and needs of society ahead of their own individuality and freedom –we are facing once again another lockdown during this horrendous third wave. Of course, my family and I are staying put and have been doing so since the pandemic started. We have devoured book after book and delved into the archives of our favourite blogs. One of my all time favourites is Cup of Jo by the effervescent, Joanna Goddard. Back in 2014, she did a fun post about her everyday beauty uniform –and I loved it! I thought it would be fun to fill out.

Make-up: Yay or Nay?
Until the pandemic hit and we went online and then returned to in-person teaching (fully masked) I ALWAYS, ALWAYS did my make-up. Now, I find it very liberating to go ‘sans make-up.’ However, I must say, that when I feel especially out of sorts, it is nice to get dolled up –it puts a bit of pep in my step. My skin has done better, without constantly ‘painting my face.’ The only make-up application that remains from my pre-pandemic routine is doing my eyebrows.

Daily ablutions?
In the shower, I always wash my face with First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser, and apply their Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment. To get rid of the dark circles under my eyes, I use the smoothing eye concentrate from Juice Beauty. To finish it off a quick coat of Sephora lip balm.

Beauty Indulgence
I got my make-up professionally done, the summer before the pandemic and I absolutely LOVED the look they gave me, especially what they did to my lacklustre eyebrows. My beauty splurge includes all the necessary products from Anastasia Beverly Hills to achieve the look. You can find more details on one of my previous health and beauty posts: Quarantine Make-Up.

Feeling Fancy
Date nights out of the house are FEW and far between these days. I figured I would phrase it that way because it sounded less sad than, “non-existent.” However, pre-pandemic included going to a really nice steak house for dinner and maybe a movie to follow. Always part of my “fancy night out uniform” are skinny jeans, black boots, a nice blouse from Ricki’s, my favourite Kate Spade purse and a full complement of make-up with a dose of shimmery eye shadow from the Sephora Eye Love Light Warm palette.

Hair Care
I live by the following five rules with my hair: find a good hairdresser, regular maintenance & layering, don’t over-wash, brushing and lastly minimize products. I’ll share more on my “Long Hair Guide,” next month. Currently, I am really loving the Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler.

Favourite Feature
My hazel eyes.

Travel Musts
The bamboo cleansing and exfoliating wipes from the Sephora Collection. They travel well and refresh your skin after long travel days and days of exploring your new destination.
Revolutionary Product
A while ago, my acne was totally out of control, and I was really struggling. I tried the Kate Somerville EradiKate spot treatment and it literally changed my skin and my life. It worked fast and got my skin back on track.

Bath or shower?
Everyday in the AM: Shower
But there is nothing better than soaking in a hot tub with a bath bomb after a stressful week!

Eau de toilette or eau de parfum?
Eau de parfum from Nest New York (Black Tulip)

Tips & Tricks
The De-Puffing Amethyst Roller from Mount Lai, it feels so relaxing; helps relieve stress and makes me feel cleansed.

Beauty Inspo
My stunningly beautiful maternal grandmother, with her olive skin taught me that sunscreen was THE most essential beauty tool in a woman’s arsenal. She never wore make-up except for lipstick occasionally and her skin was flawless until the end.

Felt Most Beautiful
During my wedding.

Hubby’s Opinion
He LOVES my hair and always tells me to never cut it and he really loves it when I ditch the teacher-bun and let my long locks down; a la Rapunzel.

Nail Polish
I started doing my own Shellac nails at home; because let’s face it; manicures really add up and personal services are the first thing cut during pandemic restrictions and lock-downs. I found a UV lamp on Amazon and I source all the other needed CND products from ABS Beauty. Favourite colour: Rebellious Ruby.

Deepest Regret
Dying my hair VERY, VERY blonde with box dye from the drugstore. I couldn’t pull off the blonde hair with brown eyebrows like Cara Delevingne.

Irksome Make-up Moments
When my mascara and/or eyeliner run, or when my under eye corrector cracks.

Celebrity Beauty Crush
Mindy Kaling; she is bold, beautiful and emphasizes body positivity.

Overall Approach 
It has taken me a LONG time to get to this point but: Be comfortable in my own skin! Do whatever it takes to live that way; filter out whatever noise detracts from it and be un-apologetically me when I “put myself together.”

One of my new favourite apps is the Nike Training Club (NTC), this app has helped me make positive changes in my life. I can find a variety of workouts that target specific body areas and of differing lengths which are suitable for my level of fitness and ones that match my limited equipment inventory. I haven’t gotten bored of working out; which I normally do. I have ZERO excuses not to workout everyday and to be honest… I have discovered I actually enjoy it. I have noticed changes in mood and my clothes fit better!!!! Here is a list of my all time favourite workouts from the app so far. They pair very well with our workout playlist.

Arms
-Tank Top Arms

Back
-Back & Bicep Burnout

Abs/Core
-5 Minute Plank Finisher
-Ab Burner 2.0
-Abs & Arms
-Quick Hit Abs
-Back It Down
-Ab & Butt

Legs
-Leaner Legs 2.0
-One Leg At A Time
-Leg and Glute Burner

Glutes
-Glute Toner
-Glutes & Glory

General
-Sweat and Shape 2.0
-Full Body Goal Crusher

Yoga
-Full Body Strength Yoga
-Length & Flow Yoga