Wednesday, July 11, 2012

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE - GUEST AUTHOR MARY MARVELLA


We have a guest author with some beauty tips subbing for beauty editor Nicole Emmerling today. Mary Marvella has been a storyteller for as long as she can remember. You can read all about her and her books at her website.

Mary has offered a copy of her Southern women’s fiction book,
The Gift, to one of our readers who posts a comment today. -- AP


Good morning, Anastasia. Thanks for allowing me to borrow your readers for a while today. Since my topic is beauty, I’d like to remind you (me, too) of some simple ways we can keep our skin looking young and supple.

1.    You need to drink water. You knew this, but do you do it? If you are a caffeine junky, drink a glass of water between each soft drink, glass of tea, or cup of coffee. Just do it.

2.    Vitamins A, C, and E are good for your skin. Taking a multiple vitamin isn’t enough to supply those vitamins your skin needs. Eating fruit and veggies helps, too.

3.    We all need to moisturize and hydrate. Even people with oily skin need to moisturize and hydrate. When you wash your face, leave water on your skin long enough for it to evaporate or soak into your skin. If you dry your face automatically, and most of us do, splash water on your skin and make yourself wait. Give your skin a drink of water occasionally during the day.

4.    You should select lotions for your skin type. If your lotions feel heavy, they might be. While your face is still moist, rub your lotion into your hands, then pat your face. The lotion will seal the moisture into your skin.  The same applies to creams at night.

5.    Wearing sunscreen is important, but it shouldn’t be too heavy to soak into your skin. Try using the method I mentioned for applying lotions and creams.

6.    Yes, smoking is bad for your skin, as is drinking alcoholic beverages.

7.    Read a romance or woman’s fiction novel.

8.     For more hints, check MaryMarvella.wordpress.com. 

Was I kidding when I added step 6? No, and I have the perfect novel to recommend. 

Cinderella stories still have appeal today. Sometimes Cinderella lives with controlling parents she tries to please by giving up her life to tend to them.  Edna Mae was such a woman. She wanted the love her parents didn’t know how to show her. Even being their caregiver and denying herself a life away from them wasn’t enough. In The Gift, Edna Mae buried her controlling father and lost her virginity in a one-night stand, all on her fortieth birthday. Yep, she drove to a mall and had her first makeover and bought a pretty dress of her own choice. And she met a man who made her feel desirable.

Edna Mae wasn’t going to a ball or looking for Prince Charming, so the story doesn’t end here. Edna Mae’s new life begins as she takes control and becomes the beautiful woman she was meant to be. Would she have been a different person if she’d had an easier life? Probably. Would she have been a better one? I don’t think so.

I suspect each of us knows someone like Edna Mae who gave up everything to care for a family member of a friend.  We might even have a bit of her selflessness in us.

Wondering what the gift is? I’m not telling, but someone who comments  on this blog will win a copy of The Gift.

Thanks for joining us today, Mary. Readers, are you dying to find out what the gift is? Post a comment and you could win a copy. Don’t forget to check back on Sunday to see who the lucky winner is. -- AP

38 comments:

  1. Good morning!

    I don't do mornings for just anyone. I am off to meet my critique partners, but will check back in to visit and answer questions.

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  2. I learned not to over-use the lotions! Great blog! The Gift sounds wonderful, less selfless people today than ever. Have a great day!! jink Willis

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  3. Thanks for reminding me to drink more water between the glasses of iced tea.
    Rebecca

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  4. I have oily skin and it's taken years of convincing to make me think I need to moisturize. It does even out my skin and cures some spots that become "oil slicks" during the day when I'm lazy and don't keep up with my routine.

    Coffiee is my vice...it could be worse, but yes, I need to fill my water bottle.

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  5. Now I know why you have such beautiful skin, Mary!

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  6. Thanks for the beauty tips, Mary. Most of us need to drink more water, but you set a great example by drinking constantly.:)

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  7. Thanks for reminding us to all drink more water and to use sunscreen. Great beauty tips. I have purchased "The Gift" on my Nook and really loved it. You will not be disappointed. Super story line and written very well. I would really love to have a signed hard copy of it.

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  8. Another beauty secret: a good night's sleep.

    Hard to get when you're reading an un-put-down-able book.

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  9. Jink, lotions and moisturizers are all a lot of people need. Creams are too much for a lot of folks.

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  10. Yes, ma'am, Rebecca. Alternating is good!

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  11. Tammie, hydrating your skin helps dilute the oil. Don't try to remove all oil, because your skin will make more to replace what you stole from it. The same applies to adding too much cream or lotion. Dry skin will make less of the needed oil if you pile cream or lotion on too much.

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  12. Barbara, you are too kind. I had good genes, too. Your skin will tell you what it wants. You just need to listen.

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  13. Thanks, Jackie. You have lovely skin yourself!

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  14. I love your tips and your stories, Mary. You excel at both.

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  15. Theresa, I'm so pleased that you loved "The Gift"! I'm blushing. I really need to learn to do hard copies! Maybe after I publish "Margo's Choices"I'll take time to do hard copies of both books!

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  16. Roxy, you are so right! Sleep is important for healing. I hope a lot of folks lose sleep over my books. Evil grin!

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  17. Beth, you are my hero when it comes to books! Thanks. I love lazy skin care.

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  18. Thanks for sharing all the skin care tips. My daughter is an aesthetican and she preaches all of those things. Good job. I've read "The Gift" and it is southern fiction at its finest. Now I'm waiting to see what MM publishes next. Great author/

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  19. Hi Mary, thanks for all the tips. Are there facial exercises that keep the face in shape? Like firming up a sagging jawline.

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  20. Good beauty tips, Mary.

    I tend to dry my face as soon as I rinse the cleanser off. (I'm always in a hurry.) I'll slow down and let the water stay on a little longer.

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  21. Thanks, Scarlet! I had a good source for my tips! I'll go to your daughter and my sis-in-law when I run out of suggestions. Thanks for your comments about my writing. (Psssst, Scarlet, award winning author, has won 4 Maggies!

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  22. Actually, Pam I need to do a blog for firming facial muscles. Remind me and we can check out some.

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  23. Connie, that tip is for lazy folks and requires no new products. Even if you dry first, splash tepid water on your face again. Use cooler water if you are sleep deprived or have puffiness.

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  24. I sure could use a makeover myself. One of these days!!!

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  25. These are great tips, Mary!!! Love them. I will definitely have to remember that hydrating thing with leaving the water on my face.

    The book sounds awesome. I LOVE Cinderella stories.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Tami

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  26. Hey momma hen!
    I loved this post! I'm always looking for ways to look better and skin care is high on my list.
    I remember years ago you told me when I wash my face to let it air dry if possible. You know what, I've been doing it ever since. I also drip dry straight out of the tub on occasion, especially in the summer.
    Loved your blurb too!
    Have a happy evening,
    Baby chic

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  27. I agree with Barbara. You do have lovely skin, Mary. :)

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  28. Mary R, I think most of us would like a makeover. Well, I don't allow anyone control over my skin, but...
    Just remember to baby your skin and keep it hydrated. If you don't moisturize, do! If you do, don't stop! Occasionally we need to use products that exfoliate so the dead skin cells go away.
    You are a beautiful person, so be good to you.

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  29. Thanks Tami, it really helps. Leaving water on your face will cool you, too. Edna Mae is glad you like Cinderella stories!

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  30. Baby Chick, I'm glad you follow my advice occasionally. While you drip dry, lotion and seal in the moisture.

    Mama Hen

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  31. Linsey, you are a sweetie, too! You have so much to teach me!

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  32. Mary - I love Cinderella stories and this one sounds awesome!

    Great tips, too. Since I've met you, I know you're proof of how well they work.

    I have not-so-good genes, but I'm going to try out some of your suggestions. Thanks.

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  33. Barbara, they won't hurt and you might be pleased. Since you live in a dry climate you should be sure to moisturize and hydrate. A lot of products have light exfoliating agents. Be good about taking your E, A, and C vitamins, too.

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  34. Thanks for the beauty advice. Keep on writing those clever stories, Mary!

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  35. Carol, I try to look as good as you do! Now if I could write as sexy! Thanks, girlfriend!

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  36. I've read The Gift and it is a heart warming story. I love both the hero and the heroine, and couldn't put the book down.

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  37. Thanks for the kind words, Nightingale! You always make me feel good about my writing.

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