One of my favorite beauty treatments is using old honey that has crystallized over time. Honey is an all natural and affordable scrub that can be very effective in retaining moisture. If you have an old jar of honey that can no longer be consumed, use this as resourceful opportunity to treat yourself to a home spa. Your honey sugar scrub can be used safely on your face and body. In fact, the older the honey the better as you can use the crystallized sugars for exfoliation.

I like to apply the sugar when i am taking a bath. Scoop two tablespoons of your honey into a bowl and apply a thin layer wherever you see fit. Using a brush or sponge, gently exfoliate in circular strokes. The enzymes in the honey make the skin soft and holds in moisture while the granules of sugar sloth off dead skin cells!  As an added bonus you can combine a bit of olive or almond oil to make the application smoother.

As some of you may know, I am currently busy on the set of my second full length feature film production entitled “The House of Lizzie Borden”. I always enjoy working on film sets because you get to meet some of the most interesting people in the industry. Whether it’s behind the scenes or in front of the camera, every person plays a critical role in on set. Working 12 hour days and eating catered food, however, does not always lend itself to optimal beauty results. This article focuses on how to navigate the craft service table while staying healthy, glowing, and camera-ready everyday!

Exercise, exercise, exercise

Because of how crazy shooting schedules can get, it is often times hard to find the time and motivation to exercise. However, exercise is absolutely essential to regular maintenance and giving you that extra boost in the morning when you’re in for the long haul. Allotting thirty minutes a day to a versatile exercise regimen can do wonders. I try to diversify my routine each day, focusing alternately on cardio and muscular strength. Whether its going for a quick speedwalk or spending fifteen minutes doing abdominal exercises, working out for even just a little bit instantly transforms my mood and energy for the rest of the day.

Proper Hydration

We all know that coffee is the go-to drink of choice on set. While it may instantly boost your energy, over-caffeination can be detrimental to bodily hydration and getting an adequate amount of sleep. Coffee is extremely dehydrating so it is important to replenish with lots and lots of water. No matter how seasoned our makeup artists are, our body needs the right nutrients to create a perfect camera ready palette. If, and when possible, substitute coffee with green tea. Green tea is an extremely powerful antioxidant that can aid cellular regulation.

Moderate eating

Ah, the temptation of the craft services table is simultaneously every girl’s dream/nightmare. It is difficult to stay away from the various snacks that are often offered on set whether it’s candy, pretzels, cookies, chips, or pastries. Striking a proper balance between snacking and eating a proper meal is the key to creating a moderate diet plan when filming on set. I find it absolutely essential to starting my day with a good, hardy breakfast. Usually I prepare an eggwhite scramble with ham and green onion. This breakfast is enough to last me until lunch because it is filled with vital proteins and vitamins. It is okay to snack once in a while but it is important to recognize how much you are consuming. There is nothing wrong with having a few chips or a donut-it is only when we consume in excess that we start to feel uncomfortable, bloated, and lethargic. Sugar and highly processed foods can create that effect.

Beauty Tips

Being camera ready means constant touch ups and exposure to high voltage lighting. This can create a lot of wear and tear on our skin when we don’t properly clean off all our makeup at the end of the day. I personally know that feeling of being so tired that I can’t even muster up the energy to wash my face after a long day’s work. However, if you want to prevent breakouts and pimples, it is absolutely essential to remove all your makeup at the end of the night. Powders and foundations can clog our pores and it is essential that they have time to breathe. Eye makeup like mascara and eyeliner when left on for extended periods of time can lead to long term buildup around the eyes. It is absolutely essential that we remove all traces of eyemakeup so that the sensitive skin around our eyes are cared for. Try to exfoliate at least three times a week with a homemade scrub created from oatmeal, sugar, and honey. Pour equal amounts into a small dish and mix together until combined. Spread this paste evenly across your face and gently massage for a minute. Wash off your face with cold water and then apply a gentle toner and nighttime moisturizer.

I have always appreciated the positive feedback and support that I have received from my readers at It’s A Glam Thing. Some of you may know that in addition to writing, documenting, and researching about beauty, health, and lifestyle, I am also an actress and producer. I am currently working on a new film, “The House of Lizzie Borden”, which is slated to shoot in two weeks time (November 11th). It will be a horror/thriller that is loosely based off of the gruesome but true story of Lizzie Borden. Right now we are working within the confines of a tight budget and are barely able to pay all our crew members for their time and work. As a result, we have put up a campaign on IndieGoGo in order to cover just the basic costs of producing, shooting, editing, and marketing the film. I would be so absolutely grateful if you would head over to the site, http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-house-of-lizzie-borden, and help us make this film the best that it can be! Any donation, large or small, would be so greatly appreciated and even if you can’t donate, please help us by spreading the word about this film!

Hope you all have a lovely day!

Love, Donna