Straighten Yourself Out!

7 Jan

One thing you can not be cheap about is your flat-iron.  I have been flat ironing my hair for 15 years and I used to buy those cheap flat irons and let me tell you, THEY DESTROY YOUR HAIR!  You also have to replace them constantly.  The first time I used a high-end flat-iron, it changed my life!  I couldn’t believe how easy it would glide through my hair and how it cut down the straightening time.  Also, the more expensive irons get really hot which is what you want.  This way you only have to do one or two passes on each section of hair to get it straight.  I had my last expensive iron for 8 years!  When it stopped working I was devastated, but then I bought the GHD Classic Style Flat Iron ($185 www.ghdhair.com).  It is just as good as my old one if not better!  I also love the fact that my hair salon uses this flat-iron so I feel like when they style my hair it will be easy for me to “re-create” the same style at home.  This flat-iron is great because you can straighten your hair, but the edges of the iron are curved so you can also use it as a curling iron or  create waves in your hair.  It makes my mornings so much easier, especially if I don’t have time to wash my hair.  If you have curly or wavy hair and want to get it straight, try this iron, I think it will do the trick.  Trust me this is an investment you must make!

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Make Your Eyeshadow Last Forever!

6 Jan

 

 

I have tried every eyeshadow base and primer and when I say “every”  I mean literally every top brand that has one, I finally found one that actually works!  Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion ($19 www.urbandecay.com) is the only eyeshadow primer that will make your eyeshadow last all day and WILL NOT crease!  It is even guaranteed to last 24+ hours!  Even make-up artists at other ‘top of the line’ cosmetic brands have even mentioned it to me.  It comes in an easy squeeze tube and I just put a small  amount on the back of my hand.  Then I use my ring  finger and apply it to my eye lid and brow area.  You only need a little bit, it takes a couple of times to see how much you like.  Then you let it dry for about 60 seconds and then put your eyeshadow on right over it.  You can apply it with a brush if you prefer.  It will wash off easily with make-up remover, but it comes off just fine with my face wash.  I have not had any creases in my eye shadow since I started using this.  The tube is huge and you only need a little bit so it will last for quite a while.  I have the original formula, but it comes in 3 other shades that have metallic tones and you can even wear those alone as shadows or use them as highlighters.  This has made eyeshadow application so much easier and if you are struggling to keep your shadow in place, you need this potion!!

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If You Can’t Dye Them…Hide Them!

5 Jan

For anyone with color treated hair, it is always a pain when your roots start to show….My hair color is pretty close to my natural hair color but sometimes in the front I need a little “touch up” on the roots just until the next time I go into the salon.  I have tried hair powder, pens, eyeshadow etc. to try to get the best thing to cover my roots.  One day while searching on the internet, I came across Color Mark Pro ($22 www.colormarkpro.com).  It is an amazing root touch up that is a liquid!  It goes on really smooth with a wand that looks like a lip gloss applicator.  I have found this to be the best because when it dries you don’t have any residue and you can’t tell anything is on your hair.  It simply blends in with your hair and washes out with your next shampoo.  It doesn’t have any harsh chemicals so there will be no damage to your hair.  You can even brush your hair after it dries and it will remain in place.   It dries in about 60 seconds so you don’t have to wait forever before you finish styling your hair.  There are 12 shades that come in a range from black, blonde, red, and brunette.  I have had my bottle for about a year and I still have plenty left!  If you need that quick touch up give this a try, it is a little blessing in disguise!

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Drink Your H20!

4 Jan

I absolutely hate water.  I don’t know why but I have hated drinking water my whole life.  I am trying to get better about it and I must say it has become easier as I am getting older.  I am always reading how one of the best ways to great skin and great health is drinking enough water everyday.  I don’t think it really matters if you drink it out of a fancy water bottle or straight from the kitchen sink, really it just matters if you drink it!  I try to drink at least 48-64oz. It is hard and some days are better than others.  To make it easier on myself I have a water bottle that is 33oz so I know that once I drink two, I have reached my goal.  Drinking only two bottles seems like a lot less than drinking a bunch of smaller glasses…it is all psychological.  Anyways, no matter how your drink it, make sure you stay hydrated so that your skin and health are at their best!  CHEERS!

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No More Dark Circles!

2 Jan

I have very pale skin and when I am tired I don’t get puffiness under my eyes but I do get dark circles.  I have always just used concealer, but recently I tired Bobbi Brown Corrector ($22 www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com).  You apply it to your under eye area before applying concealer.  I had one of the Bobbi Brown Artists apply this and I had so many compliments throughout the day that I had to buy it!  It really brightens up your under eye area and makes you look AWAKE!  I apply it directly to my skin with a concealer brush and then blend it in using my ring finger.  It does feel a little sticky at first but once you blend it in, you can’t tell it is on your skin at all.  Then you apply your concealer directly on top.   There are 12 colors so you can easily find one to match your skin tone.  I really recommend this for anyone that has dark circles or needs that extra “Under Eye Pick Me Up” in the morning.

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Smooth Skin In an Instant

30 Dec

The best way to get smooth skin is by exfoliating and getting rid of dead skin cells.  However, that usually means using some sort of scrub, which I don’t particularly care for.  They usually just make my skin feel sticky and I don’t really feel like they do all that much.  Last Fall I started using Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate Body ‘Intensive Exfoliating Treatment ($65 www.katesomerville.com) and it is the BEST way to get smooth skin.  You can simply rub it on your body in circular motions with your hands, sponge, mitt or use your Clarisonic Body Brush.  Once it is on you can leave it on your skin for up to two minutes.  You WILL feel a slight tingle which is the fruit enzymes smoothing the skin, it doesn’t hurt at all, it feels like a spa treatment.  Then you simply rinse it off and you will notice you already have smoother skin!  I love this product because it doesn’t only help with getting smooth skin but it helps prep your legs for shaving and prevents ingrown hairs.  This is good to use before you apply any “fake” tanning products to the skin, it will make your tan last longer and it will also remove any tanning products you have applied to your skin.  The ingredients include: caffeine which stimulates and oxygenates the skin, gentle acids polish the skin and refine the texture, fruit enzymes smooth the skin, and essential oils soothe the skin.   It may seem pricey but the tube is 5oz. and you only use it once or twice a week.  I hope you try it, I know you will love it as much as I do!

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All In One!

29 Dec

I am addicted to the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure ($5 www.sallyhansen.com) nail polish.  It is 5 steps in one!  The nail polish has: Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color, and Top Coat.  There are 42 different colors and this polish is totally affordable!  I love to use a light shade or neutral shade on my finger nails all the time to keep them from breaking.  I use the bright colors on my toes to make them pop especially when I wear sandles or open toe shoes.  It is so easy to apply because the brush is shaped just for your nail beds.  I recommend giving this a try if you are someone who does not have time to get a regular manicure!

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A Moroccan Vacation

28 Dec

 

I am sure you are using or have heard about the Moroccan Oil hair products.  I have a sister that is an esthetician and she works in a salon that started carrying the products months ago.  She has been using them and has recommended that myself and my other sisters try it too.  So, I have been looking for something to help fight breakage since I am addicted to my flat-iron, and my hairstylist recommended trying the Moroccan Oil Treatment.  I have thin hair and I wash it every other day, I have to be careful about what products I put in it because they can make it greasy.  So, the idea of putting OIL in my hair made me a little nervous but I thought I would give it a try.  The Moroccan Oil Treatment comes in both the regular and light formula.  I bought the light formula since it is for Fine Color Treated Hair.  After washing my hair I just put a small, and I mean TINY amount on my finger tips and only apply to the ends of hair and then comb through.  Then you can style as usual.  After using the oil my hair was soft, smooth, and so SHINY!  The website says that the oil helps to control frizz, protects hair from environmental damage, detangles hair, smooths and shines hair, softens thick unruly hair, repairs damaged hair, nourishes scalp, and increases hair elasticity.  The oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and it is a treatment you can use everyday.  I recommend using this product because it really gives you the hair your see in magazines ads and it makes your hair so soft and shiny even after just one use!  Give your hair a vacation and take it to Morocco! ($16 www.moroccanoil.com)

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Natural Daily Scrub

27 Dec

 

I was really curious about the Neutrogena Naturals line when I started to see the commercials.  As you can tell from reading this blog my curiosity got the best of my and I decided to try the Neutrogena Naturals Pore Purifying Scrub  ($8 www.neutrogena.com).  What makes this a “natural” product?  Well, instead of having chemicals in the scrub to help cleanse the skin, it has natural plant ingredients.  This product contains willow bark, which is great for clearing the skin and fighting blemishes.  The Neutrogena website is a great place to read about their Natural product line, it provides a lot of information which will help you determine whether or not natural products are something you want to try.  I really like this product because it is gentle enough for daily use.  I use a small amount and when you put it on your skin it feels gentle but you feel “clean” and like it has done its job.   When I use a product, especially a scrub, I like my skin to have that “clean” feeling afterwards and that something is “working” while it is on my skin.  Some natural products don’t give me that feeling but when I use this product I get the feeling that it is doing its job!  If you are interested in using natural products I think this is a good line to try.  It is easy to access and very affordable.  Try one of the products first to get a feel for the line, if you enjoy it then invest in the others.  Good luck and cheers to natural beauty!

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Tone It Up!

26 Dec

 

I have always been on the fence about toner…I mean really, what is it for anyway?  Recently when I was having some blemishes one of my “Beauty Guru’s” recommended trying a gentle toner.  She said it would “help to cleanse and calm the skin before I put on my moisturizer.”  I was a little skeptical but I decided to give it a try.  The toner she recommended was Clarins Toning Lotion For Normal or Dry Skin ($20-$30 www.Clarinsusa.com).  It has chamomile in it which helps to calm the skin but it does not have strong odor or plant smell.  I use it in the morning and it has really refreshes my skin.  It does not make  my skin tight or dry it out like other toners, it is refreshing and feels like you are putting something that is healing on the skin.  If you are not using a toner but need to complete your cleansing program, try this gentle toner from Clarins.   They also have an option for Combination or Oily Skin.  The bottle us HUGE!  You get 70z.-14oz. depending on the size you buy.  I really am enjoying this refreshing toner as part of my morning routine and if you haven’t tried a toner get a sample of this and give it a try!

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