Lauren's Beauty Tips

Quick Eyeliner Tip for Those Experimenting with Eyeliner for the First Time

2012-02-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Quick Eyeliner Tip for Those Experimenting with Eyeliner for the First Time

Here is what you will need:

Flat eyeliner brush

Dark brown powder eyeshadow

Water

Steps to Achieve Flawless eyeliner

And, remember, practice makes perfect.

Take your eyeliner brush and swish the tip back and forth into a little of the brown eyeshadow. Tap on a paper towel.

Rest your elbow on a table to keep your hand steady.

Take your other hand and place your finger at the outer edge of your eye between your upper eyelid and eyebrow.

Apply slight upward pressure.

Place your brush next to your lashes. Begin making a series of small dashes from the outer eye area towards the center. This is what you will be doing:

----------------

What will actually happen is that the dashes will run together in one continuous line.

Now...Just line your lower lashes the same way. If you need to you can fill in the line by doing it again.

Just a quick tip to those people who are just experimenting with makeup !

Güd By Burt's Bees

2012-02-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

I love to smell good, who doesn't ?

But the smell of Floral CherryNova by Güd (Burt's Bees) is divine. And it moisturizes sooo well, I had to blurb about it.

Icing on the cake it is formulated without sulfates, parabens and is never tested on animals !! Top that off with compliments on how amazing you smell.

Count me in for the shampoo and conditioner too. The lotion has me hooked !

YUM !!

Kerapure Keratin Blowout Extender

2012-02-02T17:08:00.000-08:00

I am extremely picky when it comes to my hair. I have the kind of hair that is not curly but it is not straight, either. It is sort of just a puff of coarse, thick hair, if I do nothing with it. NOT pretty !

SEE BELOW -- I covered my face bc I don't need pictures of myself with my hair in a puff ball , circling the internet * lol *

Very becoming picture lol !

I am actually recovering from chuckling over that picture.

Anyway, I have been using Kerapure Keratin Blowout Extender. It was sent to me for review and it is normally not something I would purchase myself. I am so HAPPY I was sent this product. My hair is so much easier to maintain. And, the more you use it the better your results will be.

Here's the scoop :
Kerapure uses new Amino technology formulated without FORMALDEHYDE (be very careful with keratin blowouts and research if you are getting one) . You need to take your time with Kerapure. That is the one thing you will have to be patient with. I let my hair air dry about 40 percent and then proceeded to spray about 12-15 sprays onto my hair. Distributed it evenly and allowed my hair to dry a little bit more.

I then did everything I normally do. Blowdryer, flat iron.

My normal routine took me from 3 days (normal amount of time between blowout/straightening) to 5 days of having my hair looking fabulous !

Heres the science :

This semi-permanent, style sealing spray infuses keratin into the hair shaft and seals the hair cuticle to keep hair smoother, shinier, straighter and frizz-free for days.
The patent-pending, heat activated technology incorporates KERAPURE’s renowned Cross Linked Amino Technology to transform hair with just a blow dryer.
Designed to simplify the blowout process, lock in style and leave hair flawless for days on end (even in stifling humidity).

How To Use Properly :

Cleanse and condition the hair followed by a cool rinse.
Towel dry the hair until damp.
Shake Keratin Blowout Extender well and spray 7 to 10 pumps all over hair.
Comb through hair distributing the product evenly and for best results allow the product to sit for 15 minutes before blow drying.
Blow dry hair straight and flat iron to seal in long-lasting shiny, smooth, sleek
styles

Here is a pic of my mane tamed after use :

Don't mind the serious face.

Bit of an improvement from my puffy hair. And, it is taking much less time to achieve the results that I normally get. Over time using this product actually trains your hair into being more cooperative.

I give it 2 thumbs up !

Winner Selected For The BH Cosmetics 88 Neutral Palette

2012-02-02T15:34:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone !! It has been awhile and I have been extremely busy getting acclimated to my new home in Florida.

First, I want to thank everyone for reading ! And, to say, I am back !!!

Secondly, I selected the winner for the BH Cosmetics 88 Neutral Palette via Random.org

Out of 115 comments , number 75 was selected and I will contact them through their email !

You can congratulate the winner on twitter @geekchic21 !!

The winner will be receiving A BH cosmetics 88 Neutral Palette courtesy of BH cosmetics !

Thank You, to everyone who entered !
And a surprise is in the works for you guys !!!

Angelina Jolie Through The Years to present day !

2011-12-17T22:08:00.000-08:00

I am borderline obsessed with Angelina Jolie. She is the epitome of beauty in my eyes. Here is a glimpse of her through the years.

Angelina Jolie In 1986

Angelina Jolie Graduation Picture in 1991

Angelina Jolie at 16 Years old looking unbelievably beautiful and flawless. Wish I looked like this at 16 !

Angelina In 2007 some subtle highlights looking stunning as always

Angelina Jolie in 2010 , she seems to get better with age (something I want to do ! )

Angelina Jolie cover of Marie Claire Magazine

Angelina Jolie Picture from December 2011 issue of Marie Claire

More Pics Of Angelina In this Months Marie Claire issue

She is amazing, her style is impeccable and she gets more beautiful as she gets older.
I want to be like Angelina ! (hehe )

BH cosmetics 88 Neutral Palette review, GIVEAWAY and Swatches !

2011-12-10T12:52:00.001-08:00

Bh Cosmetics was kind enough to send me the 88 Natural Palette. And have allowed me to do a GIVEAWAY ! I am so in LOVE with it. The quality is great and I personally do not think you can beat the price !

I use a good primer with the shadows and I have not had much fallout with the colors and their staying power is pretty amazing. (I don't use any eyeshadow without a base. In case, you were thinking you need a primer/base to use them.) I am sure you can get away without using eyeshadow primer. I just choose to apply all of my eyeshadows with primer to make sure I have it set in place. I use primer when I use mac, urban decay etc. I just think it enhances the quality and staying power and PREVENTS CREASING. I am currently using urban decay primer potion with these shadows and they are fabulous !

The 88 color neutral palette can be purchased HERE for $22.46 !!

That is 88 eyeshadow colors for under twenty bucks ! I know you can do the math. But WOW !

Below are pictures of the palette and swatches of every single 88 eyeshadows !

Here are all of the swatches from the palette , below !

Row 1

Row 2

Row 3

Row 4

Row 5

Row 6

Row 7

Row 8

The shades range from light to deep and I think it is suitable for all skin tones . The colors are perfect neutrals and will compliment any skin tone beautifully !

Winner will be selected via Random.Org on February 1st !

Here are the rules :

1) Must be following me on twitter here >> @LaurenBeautyTip

2) Must be following my blog HERE
3) Must be subscribed to my Youtube channel HERE

4) Tweet and/or Facebook about my giveaway

5) Leave me a comment in this blog post saying why you would like to win :)

For Extra Entries Follow along on these sites for increased chances to win !!

Follow Bh cosmetics on twitter HERE

Follow BH cosmetics on YouTube HERE
Follow BH cosmetics on Facebook HERE

Each of the rules count as an entry so, please leave a separate comment for each that you do. This will increase your chances of winning !

Thanks for stopping by and GOOD LUCK !!!

Winner of the Envy Pillow Giveaway !

2011-12-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

The lovely ladies over at Envy Pillow were kind enough to supply me with a pillow that is a $199.00 value for a giveaway.

I selected my winner in a different way this time and I actually like this way a lot ! I asked my followers to select a number between 1 and 88 (amount of comments) but I didn't tell them what it was for. I chose the first number that someone tweeted at me and that was 17. So, the 17th comment holder won the GIVEAWAY !

The 17th comment was ksceviour (@ksceviour on twitter)

I will be sending the winner an email informing them.

I also know I can not pick a winner like this again because you guys will know what I am up to ! LOL

Thank you everyone for entering !

Here is a little excerpt from the companies website :

The enVy® pillow was designed by two nurses with an interest in Anti-aging medicine. The unique patented design allows the user to sleep on their side or back in perfect alignment without putting any pressure on their face. Sleep lines, which are formed by forceful pressure of the tissue against the S.M.A.S. over time become permanent and unsightly. Filling them is only a temporary solution as over time they will return. Long term side sleeping will also cause an increase in cheek decent as well as flatness on the preferred sleeping side.

enVy® is also the perfect post procedure tool that can be offered after facial surgery. The pillow’s patented design provides invaluable comfort to the client that their sleeping position will not negatively impact the surgical area with unwanted contact with the pillow.

enVy® allows the client to receive the much needed restorative sleep on their back OR on their side with their face slightly tilted.

enVy® is also suitable for preventative anti-aging measures. If you are not ready or not comfortable with the idea of injections or surgery, enVy™ is a terrific way to assist in avoiding developing sleep lines or asymmetries by keeping you off your delicate facial tissue while you sleep. enVy® also allows you to apply your nighttime skin care products without worrying about them ending up on your pillow case!!

Lastly, enVy® is a perfect solution for acne sufferers. enVy® gives you the comfort of knowing that your facial skin is not being suffocated into a standard pillow and that your nighttime skin care treatment is staying where it belongs……on your face.

Congrats to the winner !

Check Out My Etsy Shop For Blinging Cell Phone Cases

2011-12-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

Check out my Etsy shop for these phone cases !

www.LaurenBeautyTip.Etsy.com

My Very First Blog Sale

2011-11-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

I am moving so, that has been giving me (well, forcing me) to go through my "stuff" I have some makeup that deserves a better home that have just been swatted or worn twice at the maximum. So, in an effort to clear things out, I figured a blog sale was in order. I have seen my fellow beauty bloggers do it before. So, here are the rules :

Blog Sale is open to United States and Canada only.
Shipping to US: $3.00 for first item, $.50 for each additional item. Canada- $4.00 for first item, $.75 for each additional. For lots, add $1 extra to shipping price.
To purchase from the sale please email me LaurensBeautyTips@yahoo.com with the items you would like and I will prepare an invoice through Paypal.
I have a $4.00 purchase minimum (without shipping).
First come, first serve basis. I will hold for up to 12 hours, then it goes to the next person. I will try my best to show on my blog which items are pending or sold as quickly as I can.
I am not responsible for shipping times or for items lost/damaged in the mail. You will be provided with a tracking number for the shipment and I will wrap items carefully to prevent damage.
No returns or refunds. All sales are as-is and final. I have done my best in explaining the amount used and taken pictures to show the items.

Here are the items up for grabs !!!!

SOLD

SOLD

Elf 10 piece professional brush set with roll-- NEVER USED !!!
$10.00

A few pictures below to show detail

Storage Space

More Storage Space !!!

Folds up neatly and compactly with a clasp & tie
$10.00

Left to Right
Prestige Eyeshadow in Cloud - Never Used just opened $3.00
Cover Girl Dram Eyes - (Only Color used out of 4 was black color. All other colors not touched. Used once) - $3.00
L'oreal High Intensity Pigmets - Magnetic (Dark blue and light blue combo) used twice - $3.00
-Bottom-
NYX - Eyeshadow Trio - Cherry, Cool blue , Hot pink (swatched once) (sponge tip applicator not included) SOLD

(top) Smashbox Limitless eyeliner in Vibrant Amethyst (dark purple) used and sharpened about 4 times $3.00

(bottom) Smashbox Limitless eyeliner in Onyx (black) used and sharpened about 2 times $3.00

Buy both together for $5.00

Wet n Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder
Used Once (barely) - $2.00

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Real Sand - $12.00
Used 3 times. (note* this product was never completely full in the bottom part of the sifter, purchased at sephora and they are all not full, just how the product is )

17 Photo Flawless Face Primer
This is a UK brand product.
Minimizes pores, maximizes foundation wear
$3.00

Left to Right
Sally Hansen Thin Lip Collagen Boost tried once - $2.00
Sally Hansen - Lip Inflation Color- Full in Embrace. Used 3 times $3.00
Wet n Wild Lipstick in 502A (color pictured) $1.00

$15.00

These Heels were purchased from Zara last winter. I never wore them. They still have price tags on them and are in new condition.

Heel is about 2 3/4 inch

Check out the next few pics to get a better look

$15.00

The shoes below are Nina and have never been worn. Still have the plastic in the shoe to retain shape. Heel is about 2 3/4 inch, perfect for work or play.

Check out the next few pics to show that they are in new condition

$15.00

Thanks for looking !!

Please Email me at : Laurensbeautytips@yahoo.com to purchase the item(s) and I will send you an invoice.

Thank You !!!

Today's simple outfit with some edge

2011-11-23T20:04:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of running around to do because tomorrow is Thanksgiving. But, I love to always try to look my best. My shoes that I am wearing are over the knee so, they are edgy but they are flat, so, they are comfortable to run around in and do errands, while still looking cute.

My outfit was surprisingly warm and I thought it came together nicely for a casual day of running around.

Jacket - Random boutique in Brooklyn
Shirt under jacket- American Apparel
Jeans - Machine Brand Jeans
Boots- Over the knee flat boots by "Chinese Laundry"

Hope you enjoyed !

Have a good one !

Kaia Facial Cleansing Cloths

2011-11-23T19:49:00.000-08:00

I was given the opportunity to try Kaia Juicy Bamboo Facial Cleansing Cloths.

How cute is the packaging ???

Comes with adorable "chop sticks" to pick up cloths

They are one step cleansing cloths that promised a deep facial clean. They definitely lived up to their claim and I was a bit skeptical, thinking how could something all natural take off my 2 coats of waterproof mascara ?

This was my makeup of the day by the way lol

This is me exhausted and my makeup has settled into my skin and lipstick is completely off.
I want to go to sleep in this pic !

Removing my makeup like a good girl before bed .

This is what came off of my face. Impressive considering thats what my regular makeup wipes look like. But they don't have the added benefits of these wipes
*SCORE*

But they definitely removed everything a typical makeup wipe would remove. But, there are bonuses to using these wipes :

What's in it :
* 8 Pure plant-based essential oils
* Certified Organic Canadian honey (keeps skin hydrated)
* sunflower oil (helps lift impurities )
* oat amino acids (cleanse the skin)

What's Not In It :

* No alcohol
* No synthetic fragrance
* No parabens
* No sulfates

They are also completely biodegradable , sulfate free, and tree free cloths.

I think they are a great alternative to "conventional" makeup remover wipes. And definitely loved the results I got, plus the added benefits of my skin drinking in all of the goodies it has to offer !

Check them out HERE

Check them out on twitter HERE

Topstyler Video , Tutorial and review !

2011-11-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

Before using the Topstyler :

After using the Topstyler :

Rainy Night In NYC plus OOTD

2011-11-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

This is Thursday nights adventure in the rain !!!

Outfit:

Cardigan - Forever 21
Tank Top- American Apparel
Vegan Leather Jacket - Free People
Boots - Rachel Roy
Necklace and all accessories - Forever 21

I am especially obsessed with the necklace and the fact that it was under $9.00 and is definitely something that completed my outfit !

Have a good one !

Thanks for stopping by !

My first YouTube Video ! Wet N Wild Haul

2011-11-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

My First YouTube Video. Please, subscribe to my channel and leave some feedback ! I am curious to hear from everyone what they think !

Thank you !

Check it out here :

Masacara... Drugstore or Big Bucks ?

2011-11-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

I put 2 fairly similar mascaras to the test. Only difference was, one was purchased at Sephora for $25.00 (Fairydrops) and the other was purchased for $10.00 at CVS (I had a 5 dollar CVS coupon so, it cost me a whopping $5.00, *coughs* $20.00 less than the one from Sephora) (L'oreal Voluminous False Lashes)

I wore Fairydrops on my left eye and L'oreal Voluminous False lashes on the other. They both have the same claim to have fibers in it, to give you more dramatic lashes. And, quite frankly they both worked well.

Right Eye ( Voluminous Lashes--Drugstore)

Left Eye (fairy drops)

But, my quest was not complete I wore them and went about my usual day. Look in the mirror 8 hours later and what do you know ? The mascara that I shelled out $25.00 for was sitting under my eyes. And my left eye (fairy drops) completely lost its volume.

My opinion is if you are on a budget. Save on mascara. Buy it at the drugstore. Although, I will continue to try new mascaras because I am constantly on the hunt for "the one" . I know in my heart, there isn't going to be much of a difference, whether you pay $8.00 or $108.00 on mascara. It is one of those items.

They all basically are comprised of the same ingredients, maybe there are a few differences. Like fibers for instance. I was addicted to Fiberwig (another $25.00 mascara I used to always purchase from sephora) but now that I have the option to purchase a good quality mascara with fibers in it at the drugstore. I am much less tempted to go drop $25.00 on fiber wig.

Here are some more pics of the whole look :)

This is my silly face !!! Yay for drugstore mascara WOOT WOOT !!!

Hehehe

Hope this helps you make a decision if you are contemplating mascara. Or at least I hope you laughed at my funny face !

Enjoy !

Saturday Face Of The Day

2011-11-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

What I used to get this look
(pictured above)
Clinique Moisture Surge tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 shade 02
Set it with Tarte Smooth Operator
Used my TokiDoki Kabuki brush
Eyes- Stilla Kitten (brow bone) Nars Island Fever Eyeshadow duo (used gray as liner ) and Mac Steamy (crease)
Cheeks - Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony on the apples of my cheek
Bare Minerals Warmth on the outer portion of my face
Lashes - Loreal Voluminous False Lashes Fiber mascara
Lips- Revlon "Daring Pink" (looks more red to me ! )

Some more snapshots ;)

Hope you enjoyed the post !!!

Lumiere Cosmetics

2011-11-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

I am extremely late with this post. I was sent Lumiere Cosmetics to try out. I was excited because I do not own any eyeshadow pigments and they sent some majorly gorgeous colors and mineral foundation as well.

Check out these colors :

From Left to Right- Medium Warm (Cashmere)
Light Medium Warm (Veena Velvet)
Turquoise (eye pigment) STUNNING
Divine (eye pigment)
Wild Rose (blush)
Ruby (blush)
Coral Gold (eye pigment)

Look at that Turquoise !

Divine

Ruby Blush

Eyelids- Swept Coral Gold on entire lid to brow bone

Face - I used Medium Warm Cashmere on entire face. For blush I mixed Ruby and Wild Rose. The blushes contain sparkle which I am not fond of. But I toned it down with a lot of blending and my blush looked great. (Even Better In person)

Lashes - Dior Blackout

Eyeliner - Mac Feline

Lipgloss - I purchased it from Sephora ages ago and the name rubbed off. It is Sephora brand.

The Lumiere products can be purchased for $8.00 for a large (2 gram) jar.

Hope you enjoyed the review !

Look what I did !

2011-11-12T08:02:00.000-08:00

If you are currently receiving birchboxes (deluxe makeup samples sent monthly). Do not throw out the boxes they come in.

If you follow me on twitter you probably have already seen this. I intended on using it as a jewelry box. But, it has come in handy and I am throwing my samples of products in them and keeping them close by. So, I am actually trying the samples now and they are in an adorable Hello Kitty box!

Very easy to make. I purchased Hello Kitty Duct tape at target and wrapped the entire box. Being careful and trying not to overlap. Then, when it was complete I glued my large Hello Kitty Face onto the front using e6000 glue. And attached six rhinestones across the top with the same glue.

Hope you give it a shot :)

Recycling made adorable !

Gorilla Life --Chlorophyll Drink

2011-11-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

Gorilla Life

I am a firm believer that what you put into your body shows up on your face. Although, some people are lucky and can eat what they want and not gain a pound, for instance. If I have a poor diet it quickly shows on my skin. I get dull skin very easily. And, it isn't due to my skincare routine which I take very seriously.

So, it is my diet that I focus on.

ENTER --- Gorilla Life

Gorilla Life Green Drink is a 100% all-natural drink. It contains a unique blend of purified water, organic agave or honey, organic chlorophyll, and Vitamin C.

What are the benefits of chlorophyll you may be wondering ?

An incredible source of antioxidants, chlorophyll helps neutralize harmful molecules (free-radicals) in the body that can damage healthy cells. It is an extremely efficient deliverer of magnesium and boosts the blood’s ability to transport oxygen to cells throughout the body. Chlorophyll is considered the basis of all plant life, and it closely resembles the molecules of human red blood cells.

I chose the agave sweetened version of gorilla life. It tastes like a lemon ice ! I was expecting it to taste horrible, but it was delicious. I actually looked forward to drinking it.

Lets face it. We don't always have the time to put the best foods in our bodies. This is an easy way to drink something that will ward- off free radicals.

Overall, I had a great experience and plan on ordering more. They updated their website recently and it looks great. When I placed my order the site was a bit confusing but it is in great working order now !

It made me feel great. But I do have to say, you may feel a bit queazy (it passes quickly) as it is ridding toxins from your body and you will be excreting them (TMI ?). But hey, it is better than those toxins staying in you body !!

Rid the toxins and you will feel better. I finished my 12 bottles and have not had the time to order more because I have been doing a lot of bouncing around but once I am settled I plan on drinking this at least 3 times a week. It really improved how I feel. I felt more energetic and lively and even got better sleep !

Your can purchase Gorilla Life Green drink directly from their online store and have them delivered conveniently to your front door.
You may also buy the drink at several retail locations throughout California and Arizona, which include Whole Foods, Erewhon Natural Foods, Nature Mart, Mother's Market, and many others.

Check them out online HERE

Thanks for stopping by :)

Sexual Fresh -- Yea, you read it right !

2011-11-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Sexūal by Michel Germain is a floral-sweet (not too sweet) fragrance. I am a fan of feminine and girly/flirty fragrances. This, manages to have a flirty scent, but, also reminds me of a romantic scent. The longer it is on the more intense it smells and that to me is a great characteristic of a fragrance.

I was still getting subtle hints of it after wearing it for about 8 hours and going about my normal day.

I spray fragrance on my pulse points. This is where the blood vessels are closest to the skin giving off more heat and acting like mini fragrance pumps. Pulse points are the wrist, behind the ear, crook of the arm and knee, base of the throat. Also, for long lasting fragrance spray at the ankles, it allows the fragrance to blossom up.

Top notes: grapefruit, bergamot, ginger, cardamom. Heart: peony, jasmine, tea, magnolia. Base: amber, musk, sandalwood.

I have been enjoying this fragrance and even purchased a new bottle of Sexual Sugar. That is a sweeter smelling fragrance. Both fragrances have long lasting power and I love the scent. My husband evens wears Sexual "Sugar Daddy". The name makes me chuckle. But, it is one delicious smelling cologne !

You can purchase these fragrances at Macy's, Bloomingdales, Victoria's Secret and many more locations !

I even love the bottles they come in !

Cute bottle !

Disclaimer : I was sent this product from the company directly. That does not impact my judgements on it. Any products that do not meet their claim are not given any mention on my blog.

Thank You for reading !

Beauty and Health Tips on A Budget

2011-10-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share with you some easy tips that you could try that will help you stay fabulous on a budget !

1) Emergen-c is not just great for you to drink. Use it on your face as a mask (make it into a paste, mix a small amount of water with the powder until a pasty consistency is formed. The vitamin C in the mixture helps your skin cells produce more collagen, therefore you will look more radiant.

2) Use milk as an exfoliant. Use fat free milk on your face. Dip cotton ball in small amount of milk and it will exfoliate your skin due to the lactic acid in the milk. Lots of high end exfoliants contain lactic acid.

3) Coconut Oil - You can use this as a body moisturizer, hair mask, makeup remover. It has so many uses and keeps skin looking amazing. I have been applying coconut oil one hour before I shower to my body and hair. My skin & hair have never looked better. I am hooked.

4) Bananas & Lemon - Great for oily skin. Mash one banana and add a few drops of lemon juice let sit for about 15 mins then rinse well and you can even exfoliate it off with a washcloth.

5) Egg Yolk, Honey and Olive Oil - Great for dry skin. Mix one egg yolk with one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of olive oil. Leave on your face for 30 mins. Remove with cool water. Your skin should be smooth. Repeat this ritual once a week if your skin is really dry.

6) Get rid of the inflammation of your pimple with Asprin. Take one aspirin in your hand and add a few drops of water (very few, until it forms a thick paste). Apply to your stubborn pimple(s) and let it sit for about 30 mins. Wash off with cool water. Asprin is a natural anti- inflammatory and it will bring down your pimple. Don't do this more then 5 days in a row as it can dry out your skin.

7) For unruly chapped lips - Dip a baby toothbrush into vaseline and gently exfoliate the dead skin off of your lips. Now, your lipstick or gloss won't look cake on your lips !

8) Vegetable oil - Can be used as a makeup remover or for the softest feet ever apply it on your feet at night. Put on cotton socks and sleep all night with it on your feet. Instant pedi.

9) Add Epsom Salt and Baking Soda to your bath water and it will draw out your toxins.

10) Baking Soda - Add it to your shampoo when you feel like you have a buildup of styling products and oils in your hair. It will remove all the residue and allow your hair to shine !

Hope these tips helped ! A little goes a long way with these tips :)

Thanks for stopping by !

Envy Pillow Giveaway !

2011-10-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

If you follow me on twitter or read my blog, you may know that I have been using the Envy Pillow. It is an anti-aging and wellness pillow. It has changed my sleep for the better. I tried many different memory foam pillows, that left me unhappy.

The envy pillow cradles my head. Like a soft, perfect place to lay your head down at night. Or, during the day ! LOL (warning, this may make you want to sleep ! ). Typing about it makes me want to go lay on my envy pillow, RIGHT NOW !

They don't call it the Envy Pillow for nothing. My husband got jealous. I let him use it for two nights and he said it was amazing. I removed the pillow from his side of the bed that night, so I could get back to my beauty sleep. But, his birthday is coming up and I am getting him one as part of his gift. ( SHHH, don't tell. And babe if you're reading, you're welcome).

Enough rambling this pillow has so many amazing qualities :

- Above taken from Envypillow.com

I have a very bad neck pain and have scoliosis. So, to call the Envy Pillow a miracle is not being crazy. It's being truthful. When I lay on a regular pillow I can actually feel how out of whack my neck is. When I lay on the envy pillow, I actually feel the difference. It almost feels like that is how my neck is "supposed to be".

When I read that you spend 2920 hours a year sleeping, I couldn't believe it ! That is a lot of time !

With this pillow every second counts !

And ONE of my lucky readers will win the Envy Pillow !

The giveaway is being sponsored by Envy Pillow. I cannot begin to thank them enough for providing one of my followers with better sleep !

Here are the rules :

1) Must be following me on twitter HERE

2) Must be following my blog via Google Friend Connect

3) Must be following Envy Pillow on twitter HERE

4) Leave a comment on this post about why you should win !

Extra Entries :

ALL OF THE EXTRA ENTRIES MUST BE LEFT AS SEPARATE COMMENTS IN ORDER TO COUNT AS VALID EXTRA ENTRIES.

1) Tweet about the giveaway ( provide link in comments below)

2) Tell your Facebook readers about the giveaway (provide link in comments below)

3) Put the giveaway on the sidebar of your blog for the duration of the giveaway (again, provide me with the link)

4) Publish a blog post telling your readers about the giveaway

The winner will be selected via Random.Org

Contest ends December 1, 2011

(Perfect timing for the holiday season )

Thank you guys for reading !!

GOOD LUCK !

Open to United States & Canadian residents.

Nuance By Salma Hayek

2011-10-16T12:31:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to have won 5 products from Milly over at BeautyLogicBlog

Check her out HERE

Her blog is super informative and she is one of the sweetest, most positive women on twitter ! Follow her on twitter HERE

(And no, that is not a shameless plug. She really is a great person and her beauty blog is fantastic.)

Here is what I won :

Nuance By Salma Hayek

Nuance Beautiful Blends Eye Quad - in Neutral

These colors are extremely pigmented. Have very little to no fallout. Minor creasing but, I fixed that with eyeshadow primer. Definitely, comparable to high end eyeshadow brands and it is priced at $10.00 for 4 eyeshadows ! The packaging is a bit odd. Not something you could throw in you makeup bag. But at the price I don't think anyone would mind.

From Left to right - Shimmering Bronze , Champagne Gold, Frosted Blush, Toasted Almond

Nuance Full Effect Ultra Volumizing Mascara - does make lashes look longer. I would say it is an average mascara.

Nuance Exfoliating Facial Gel - (wild lime) This gel is applied and left on for 5 mins. ( I left it on for 10 , bc my skin is used to peels) It gave a very light tingling sensation. But, I was happy with how my skin looked afterward. Don't expect dramatic results but for glowing skin (temporary) this is a great product.

Nuance Intensive Hydration Hair Mask - This products is PHENOMENAL. My hair felt amazing after using it. This product is so amazing. I would spend big bucks on it for the results it offered. My hair was soft, shiny and silky. And, I had been in the sun and salt water in the previous weeks, so my hair needed it.

Nuance Lipstick In Paprika - The lipstick seems very hydrating which is important to me. The color is perfect for Fall and I plan on doing a FOTD using it.

Overall, from what I tried I love the products. I could not be happier to have won them and to have been given the opportunity to try them.

I definitely recommend checking her products out next time you are in CVS. They are at a great price point, for pretty great quality products !

October Birchbox

2011-10-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

This is a little late. But I have been insanely busy. So pardon my tardiness.

I am SUPER happy with this Birchbox for October. It had mascara. That is all I needed to make me happy. But, aside from that the products that I tried are pretty great !

1) Befine- Lip exfoliator- this worked great for me. My lips were definitely starting to feel the damage of the wind. I used it just yesterday (twice) and I already see a difference. So, hopefully if I keep it up, my lips will stay smooth through the entire winter (for once !! )

2) Blinc- Mascara- I have not tried this yet. But its claims sound pretty amazing. It says it will not smudge or smear. (it actually puts "tubes" around your lashes) . I can't comment on it since I haven't tried it yet. But, I am psyched to give it a shot. I had a party to go to last night and didn't want to try a new mascara for the first time. Because, I am obsessed with eyelashes.

3) Pangea Organics- Facial Scrub- I have not tried this either but judging by my first experience with Pangea Organics (not good, re- September Birchbox) I don't know if I will even use this product at all. Smells kind of strong to me.

4) Redken- Shine Flash- Has camellia oil and vitamin B5 to give you shiny strands. I used this last night on my hair and I curled my hair and the shine was great !! It also kind of worked as a hairspray as well. It provided shine and hold. Couldn't be happier with it.

The Extra - Tea Forté - Minteas - The mints taste great. The fast actually reminds me of a "spa day" (weird, I know) but be warned it has yerba mate which is energizing. I had about 5 mints and felt jittery. So, have one at a time.

I rate this months birchbox an 8. I am pretty happy about it !

Check Birchbox out HERE

Big Lots Haul

2011-09-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

The idea of saving money appeals to almost anyone. So, I find joy in clearance bins and at wholesale stores. It is fun to me to see how savvy I can be. And, the fact that at Big Lots has many items at wholesale and insanely low prices makes me happy !

I picked up so makeup (of course) and some house products.

First, I am thrilled with the face that I scored TWO Cover Girl Boundless color polishes for one Dollar. 50 cents each for nail polish !

Nivea- Touch of radiance body wash ,cream oil body wash. I used it tonight and it is just as gives you the same feeling as using dove body wash which I would normally pay $6.00 or more for.

Body Exfoliator - for in shower use. Kind of like a wash cloth that removes dead skin cells. ONE dollar.

Revlon Lipstick- Daring Pink . TWO dollars.

I needed a conditioner because for some reason I always run out of conditioner wayyy before I run out of the shampoo it goes with. I picked up Alagio professional hair care conditioner . It is a volumizing conditioner. And it lived up to its claims. I used it tonight and I am happy with the results. Wish they had the matching shampoo. But at $1.50 for good hair conditioner, that I am happy with. I will not complain that they did not have the matching shampoo.

House Goods

I had my eye on a chefs mat in Bed Bath and Beyond. But it was $85.00. When I went into Big Lots and saw an almost identical I threw it into my wagon. Come to the register and it was 18.00. Something, I was considering buying for $85.00 for $18.00 made my day. It is great because when I cook, I get tension in my legs and this relieves it.

I also picked up 1 bottle of Carpet Cleaner for when my dogs have their "accidents" on the spots where we have carpet. Purchased it for one dollar ! I usually buy carpet cleaner in Target for about $7.00. So, BIG SCORE

And picked up Kitchen Cleaner with bleach. I am big on cooking and I must bleach everything down after I do so. So, for one buck. I snagged two !

I am happy with my haul and I know everything will go to good use and it was all extremely CHEAP !

Hope, I inspired you to go out there and bargain hunt !

My Experience With The Envy Pillow

2011-09-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

My experience with the Envy Pillow has been great. I have major back/neck problems. Proven medically, not just something I like to complain about. So, when I read about the fact that this pillow allows side sleepers to sleep on their side and still have your spine be in proper alignment intrigued me.

Aside from all of that , this pillow has proven to slow down the signs of aging. People sleeping on regular pillows sink into their pillows, creating lines on your face prematurely. This pillow is memory foam. But, it is not your average memory foam pillow.

Pic may be blah but ,the pillow sure isn't !

I always struggle to find pillows that suit me. I purchased a memory foam pillow not too long ago and I gave it to my brother because it was not doing anything for me and I knew he would enjoy it.

I have been sleeping on pillows that I have had for years, gross I know but I use pillow protectors, and wash them often.

But anyway, back to all of the amazing benefits and statistics of the Envy Pillow :

It has Chiropractic and Physiotherapist endorsed neck support, it is made of dust mite resistant , anti-microbial foam, it comes with a 100% bamboo pillow case.

It is also different in the way that it allows side sleepers the option to sleep on their side without putting any undue pressure on the delicate facial tissue.

It has been tested in sleep labs and was created by two registered nurses who were on the quest to create the perfect anti-aging pillow. It took them years to come to the final product and I must say it is great.

I am a pillow critic. This gets my vote for best pillow , and I have tried many pillows claiming to give proper neck support. They always fell short because I am a side sleeper. This made my world a better place !

P.S. it also comes with a travel bag, so you can take it with you on the go !

Curlformers

2011-09-23T17:41:00.001-07:00

I present to you, Curlformers!

The idea behind curlformers is to create gorgeous curls without heat damage.

Here is how it works :

I washed my hair and then applied Garnier Fructis Volume Inject once my hair was about 50 percent dry. Then I picked up a curlformer and go to work.

What you do is, thread the hook with the curlformer, put your hair in the hook end, and slide the curlformer onto you hair. Then, it snaps back into its coil shape. And, you hair is tightly wrapped in a coil. That is why you get bouncy curls with this !

It took me a few tries to make sure my hair did not get stuck in the curlformer. And it took me about an hour, the first time. I used every single curlformer.

This is what you look like while they are on :D

The colors are so cool. love that it has a tote bag to neatly hold all of them !

Overall, I am thrilled with the results. I have pretty straight hair and I like the fact that I can curl my hair without using heat. (major plus)

Pros

No heat, so less trauma to the hair.
Gives voluminous bouncy curls with no crunch
Comes in multiple sizes
Can blow dry them to have bouncy curls, fast !
Curls last a long time, especially, considering my hair doesn't hold curls easily

Cons

Pulls quite a bit of hair out during the process ( could be because I am a newbie)
A little time consuming, but I think that will get better with time & practice
Very hard to sleep on, so I recommend doing it during the day

Here are the results of what it looked like when I took the curlformers out. I sprayed them with a little Alterna Summer Hair RX Ocean Waves, to give the curls more texture.

I am extremely happy with the results and want to keep practicing so, I can achieve this look much faster !

Check them out HERE

Disclaimer - I was sent this product for review. That does not reflect my opinion on the product in any way. As you can tell by the pictures, my normally stick straight hair had volume and curls !

Friday Evening Outfit Simplicity

2011-09-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Cardigan- Missoni for Target

Jeans- Just USA brand

Shoes- Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target sure made getting ready easy for me ! Top and shoes look great together ! All I needed was my dark wash jeans !

This was right before it started pouring !!

Glad I got a few pics in !

Inspirational Quotes

2011-09-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Just some inspiration for the day !

Have a good one !

Clickr Regimen

2011-09-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

Hot Face Mask

Stop Time Night Cream & Day Brilliant SPF 15

Pearl Wash, Vanishing Mist, Diamond Dust Polisher

All of the products collectively.

Pearl Wash - wash face with it 2-3x daily. Once in the morning and once at night. Also, when I exercise I use this as soon as I can.

It's a versatile, shimmering cleanser for tightening pores, evening skin tone, and increasing absorption of beneficial blemish (or any other) treatments. Make the most of skin that deserves to be at its best. Ever.

Tea Tree Leaf Oil – Settles moody skin with a touch of astringent and antiseptic mojo that sweeps away sun-damaged skin and impurities
Jojoba Oil – Penetrates deeply to unclog pores, increase moisture retention, balance natural PH, and brighten skin imperfections

For all skin types – even the sensitive ones

Firms – tightens pores while calming irritation and releasing impurities
Fortifies – improves moisture retention and balances PH
Fades – lightens uneven pigmentation in scars (or even stretch marks!), smoothes those faintly starting lines

(Above Taken from Clickr Website )

Vanishing Mist - 3 sprays over my entire face let it soak in, swipe with a cotton ball. That simple. 2 x daily

Kills blemishes and calms skin all in one simple step.

Diamond Dust polish - 2x daily

This lightweight mega lotion polishes skin, refines pores, and maintains moisture. Eliminates dullness and restores radiance with its ingredients, including diamond dust, to polish the surface and boost radiance

Day Brilliant SPF 15 - 1x Daily in the morning. If I am out for an extended period of time I reapply.

It's an innovation in skin intelligence, this oil-free daily moisturizer shields you from sun and environmental assault. This silky UVA & UVB protector doesn’t stop at blocking damage—it uses precious ingredients to create smoother, more energized, less blemish-prone skin.

Avobenzone, Octislate, Octinoxate – Protects skin from UV-damage
Diamond Powder – Polishes skin gently to unveil its natural glow
Alteromonas Ferment & Chrysanthellum Indicum Extracts – Provides 90% pollution protection
Hexapeptide-3 – Tones, energizes and smoothes
Sodium PCA, Urea, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyalluronate – Increases moisture saturation and retention
Mother of Pearl – Deflects foreign face invaders
Silver – Zaps bacteria and minimizes facial lines
Gold – Delivers oxygen into the skin to promote radiance

For All skin types – even the sensitive ones

Shields – denies access to UVA & UVB rays and environmental pollutants
Saturates – improves moisture balance and retention
Stimulates – infuses skin with oxygen to energize blood flow

(Above taken from Clickr website )

Stop Time Night Cream -

1 x at night , spread over entire face in an upward motion

It's a night cream you smooth on, crash, and awaken looking refreshed, radiant and beautiful—no matter what time your head hits the pillow. Like the do-over you always wanted, only every day.

Ceramide-2 & Palmitoyl Oligopeptide – Repairs damage from sun and pollution
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Extract – Extends cell longevity and vitality for better tone and smoothness
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline – Tones, rejuvenates, and quenches the skin with moisture
Sunflower Extract – Smoothes and nourishes skin
Mother of Pearl – Deflects foreign face invaders
Silver – Zaps bacteria and minimizes facial lines
Gold – Delivers oxygen directly into the skin to promote radiance
Sodium Hyaluronate – Maximizes cellular moisture retention

For all skin types – even the sensitive ones

Efficient – tones and smoothes, disinfects and moisturizes
Effective – nourishes, energizes and revitalizes skin cells
Easy – repairs damage and reveals radiance overnight

Use it to Sleep well (after using this)

(Above taken from the Clickr website)

Hot Face Mask - 3x a week. Less or more as needed. Listen to your skin !

It's an in-home spa treatment that transforms your skin from hot mess into healthy, bright, and brilliant.

Kaolin – Restores vitality to sun-scorched skin
Sunflower Seed Oil – Smoothes and nourishes without clogging pores
Pomegranate Extract – Deploys multi-antioxidant power to prevent cellular damage by scavenging free radicals
Arnica Montana Flower Extract – Heals and calms inflammation by gently flushing capillaries of irritants

For skin that craves a firm, yet gentle, time out

Releases – exfoliates dulling debris and reduces inflammation
Repairs – strengthens skin cells and reboots capillary function
Refreshes – feeds pores and enriches skin with non-greasy nutrients and power-packed antioxidants

Use it to spread the love 2-3 times weekly or as required

Squeeze a quarter-sized drop in your palm
Smooth over entire face
Let dry for 10 minutes
Rinse thoroughly and follow with moisturizer

Naturally pure. Always vegan. No animal testing whatsoever.

(Above taken from the Clickr website)

This is what I have been living by and it has been serving me very well !

The products used in conjunction with one another seem to work best.

As always, Clickr's products are all natural and vegan and never tested on animals !

Clickr's Dedicating This Week To Natural Beauty !

2011-09-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

The longer you use a product, the more likely you are to get good results from it. I am a firm believer in sticking to a regimen. I have been on board with Clickr for a very long time. The more I stand by it the happier I am. And, my skin too.

They have started dedicated this week to honoring your natural beauty. I am actually going to join them. I have to admit I can not go without lipgloss. So, I must wear some type of lipgloss (that contains SPF ! ). I of course, am not going to skip the SPF. But I will update this post with no makeup pics for the entire week !

Here I am about to leave my house, pretty much live ! Figured I would join this campaign.

Day 1

Clickr has given me the confidence to go without foundation. I mean this isn't something I would do every week because I am addicted to blush lol . But, I was never confident with my skin, thanks to Clickr ,I am. So, I am joining them in this campaign !

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

This week has been liberating ! No makeup is a challenge. But, it is a good challenge. I think Clickr , as a company is amazing for promoting people to embrace their natural beauty. Women are always looking for ways to "improve" their looks. And, I am all for that ( I mean HELLO I write a beauty blog !). It was definitely fun ! And a lot easier to get ready too !

I'd like to thank Clickr ! And , I would also like to thank the founder of the company Florence Sender for the amazing brand that she created.

Thanks to the whole Clickr team for the campaign also !

Nail of the week. Incoco nail polish strips !!

2011-09-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

I have spoken about my love for Incoco nail polish strips on my blog before. So, I was thrilled when they showed up in my September Birchbox.

They are super easy to apply. No dry time and last a very long time.

This is the color I was sent in my Birchbox. I am not sure what the color is called because it is not on the packaging and not on the site. But, whatever it is called, it is amazing ! It is a blue glitter color.

Here are pics :

I would recommend these nail polish strips to any girl on the go, or anyone who likes to change up the look of their nails ! Very fun patterns and designs ! And they last until your nails start growing ! What more could you ask for ?

Check them out HERE

September Birchbox Review

2011-09-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

" Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.

Co-founders Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp met at Harvard Business School. They created Birchbox to help women cut through the clutter of the beauty world to find products that really work for them."

(Above taken from Birchbox website)

As with most beauty related products. Birchbox has a lot of bad and good reviews swirling around it. I decided I would give it a shot for 3 months, if I don't like it I will just opt out,

I will admit. I am not that impressed, as far as the September birchbox goes. I am not dissatisfied , just fell below my expectations.

Here are the products and the extra in my September Birchbox :

Liv Grn (earth) : A company that makes natural fragrance and products from sustainable, earth friendly ingredients. The scent that I received was earth. It is very comparable to DKNY "Be Delicious" . That is what I immediately thought upon opening it. It is very strong in my opinion. But with wear I will say it smells very good. I even received a few compliments on it. ( I threw it in my bag, not thinking I would use it. But it came in handy.) Overall, very happy with the fragrance selection. I love earth friendly products.

Incoco Nail Appliques - I have blogged about incoco before. It is absolutely, hands down 10 times better than Sally Hansen Nail Effects. Incoco will last me an entire week. With Sally Hansen Nail Effects I experience chipping within 2 days. So, I am happy that they included this as well.

Pangea Organics Facial Cream - I will state that this is just my experience. I am very sensitive to products with fragrance in them. Mainly, every single thing that goes on my face is fragrance free. This product is heavily fragranced. Not with synthetic ingredients but with essential oils. Which for some is fine. My skin cannot tolerate it. I applied it to my hand knowing I needed to "spot test" first and it made me itchy in about 10 minutes.

I like the Blue Glitter Incoco Nail polish strips !!!

The Pink friendship bracelet blends nicely with my collection of evil eye and Hamsa bracelets. It does fit in quite nicely.

Cute bracelet !! Nice added touch !

(Not pictured Jouer lip enhancer, I am pretty stoked about this item also. It is very nourishing and is something I would actually consider purchasing (especially considering the colder months are approaching.)

I am not thrilled. But I am not unhappy. I pretty much, like everything aside from the face lotion.

Let's hope next month is a little better :)

Missoni For Target

2011-09-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

With all of the chaos surrounding "Missoni for Target" I went to Target at 7:30 A.M. sharp. And to my surprise I had a line of girls in front of me. I did manage to snag everything I wanted. Thankfully. Just wanted to show you some of the items I purchased. I love them all !! Here are some pics from the fitting room ! (haha) I have not had a chance to wear any of it yet because I have been all over the place. But here is a sneak peek .

Hope you got your hands on some items if you were longing after them !!!

Thanks for reading :)

Mac Turquatic

2011-09-10T08:55:00.001-07:00

I am seriously obsessed with Mac Turquatic perfume !

Overall, the fragrance can be described as floral.

Middle notes are orris root and lotus.

Base notes are cedar and poppy.

OBSESSED since 2005. I was so bummed when it was discontinued. I am glad to be in possession of it again !!!

Birthday Outfit & Makeup !

2011-09-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

So, it has been Virgo season for a while. My birthday was September 4th. My husband took me out to an amazing restaurant we had champagne and then we went to a lounge with a few friends. Just to have champagne and a few laughs !

My outfit is a wide range of low to high. I love mixing high end designers with not so high end designers. And, there is a story behind how the outfit came about.

My cardigan is from K-Mart. I am not a snob. But thinking of buying clothes in K-mart has never really crossed my mind. During the big scare of hurricane Irene, I needed to get essentials for the house. The only place that had flashlights left was K-mart. So, I stopped in for house goods and flash lights. Me, being me, I had to look at the clothes.

The cardigan/wrap caught my eye immediately. The crochet knitting is made better than some crochet pieces I have spent upwards of $200.00 on. It also is a great Fall piece, that I know I will get tons of wear out of. And, at $25.00 I couldn't be happier !!

The tank top underneath the cardigan is from American Apparel. And, the jeans are by 7 For All Mankind. Shoes, Christian Louboutin .

Makeup

Face-

DermaDoctor - Picture Porefect primer

Maybelline Dream matte mousse in Medium beige

Eyes -

Make Up For Ever- shade number 13, cream Waterproof color on entire lid to brow.

Make Up For Ever - shade number 10 (orange copper), cream Waterproof color on entire crease and blended upward.

Blush-

Bobbi Brown blush in Peony.

Brows-

Smashbox brow tech in Brunette on brows.

Lashes-

Dior - Diorshow Blackout

Lips-

Mac- Hug Me

Fall Nail Polish Lineup !

2011-09-10T07:48:00.001-07:00

From Left to Right -

China Glaze - Awakening

China Glaze - Westside Warrior

N.Y.C - # 209

Kleancolor - Mocha

Wet n Wild - FuchsiaRama

Wet n Wild - How I met your Magenta

OPI - The One That Got Away

N.Y.C. - Prince Street

Wet n Wild - Silvivor

All of these colors make me feel very Fall like ! I love the change of season, but I am not looking forward to Winter ! But, I will live in the chilly moment and although it is still technically Summer, the crisp air makes it feel like Fall.

I am currently sporting China Glaze "Westside Warrior" it is the olive green color posted above. It is the epitome of the perfect muddy olive green that I have been lusting after. I purchased it the other day at Sally's. I took them up on the special they are having -- Buy 2 China Glaze polishes get a pair of Ardell lashes FREE. Offer ends September 30th , so snag up this deal while you can !

Clickr Hot Face Mask

2011-09-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

I cannot express my love for the brand Clickr enough. It seems as though words are not enough ! All of their products are magical. I feel like I am always ranting and raving about them. But, the fact that I love their products so much compels me to continue to write about them.

You can find Clickr products at Sephora or on their website www.clckr.com .

The latest product I have tried is their "Hot Face Mask''. It is a clay based mask. As soon as I applied it to my face I could feel it absorbing the oils from my problem areas on my face. But the best part is it is infused with Pomegranate Extract which deploys multi-antioxidant power to prevent cellular damage by scavenging free radicals. So, this mask is a one-two punch. Not only helping us fight our battle to maintain clear skin. But, also nourushing the skin at the same time. No, longer do you have to make the choice to dry up pimples OR nourish our skin. We can do both. Thanks to all of clickrs products. They combat our problem areas and also, with their extensive ingredients, preserve and protect our skin overall.

Anyway, back to the mask. It is great I have been using it twice a week. I want to incorporate it into my regular routine. It makes a noticeable impact on my skin. I can feel my pores tightening and the mask is not at all irritating. It also keeps my shine at bay. On the days I do not use it I can actually see that I have to use blotting papers 2-3 times a day on my t-zone whereas when using the mask the night before I use blotting papers once a day.

Take a look at the ingredients in this amazing "hot mask"

Active ingredients: exfoliates and removes debris but ALSO transmits nutrients that prevent DNA damage from exposure to the sun and other environmental factors.

Kaolin: Repairs damage caused by the sun.
Punica Granatum Extract (Pomegranate): Scavenges free radicals and helps prevent DNA damage.
Arnica Montana Flower Extract: Acts as an anti-inflammatory and assists healing as it facilitates transport of blood and fluid through the capillaries of your skin.
Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: It has smoothing properties and is considered noncomedogenic (non-acne).

ingredients: Water (Aqua), Bentonite, Kaolin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, SD Alcohol 40-B, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

(above ingredients taken from the clickr website)

Here is an embarrassing picture of me with the mask on, but my readers deserve to see it !

Next time you are in Sephora or if you are looking at a serious approach to skincare I highly recommend their products !

Superfood's

2011-08-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

Fewer facets of your day to day life have more of an effect on your body than what you ingest. Help slow the process of aging by carefully selecting your foods. This will not only benefit your looks, but also your overall health. Without your health you have nothing.

"To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
~Buddha

One of my favorite quotes. Because it is so true to keep our mind, body and skin in the best possible condition.

I have put together a list of "super foods" and their benefits :

Watercress - are rich in lutein which acts as a natural sunblock for your eyes. Mix with salad or fish , use oil and vinegar to dress it but not overpower it.

Apricots - 20-30 calories each. They are loaded with potassium, which is great for cardiovascular health. They are extremely high in beta- carotene. The orange pigments of the apricot give your skin a glowing look.

Cucumbers- The skin of the cucumber is most important. It is loaded with cilica. Cilica is an essential component of connective tissue. Plumps wrinkles and boosts collagen production. Do not peel cucumbers. Also make sure to get organic cucumbers that are not covered in pesticides (You can check if the cucumber has pesticides on it by rubbing the cucumber, if it smells like pesticides,opt for a different cucumber. If it is too shiny it has a wax film on it that you do not want to ingest). It is used as a marketing tactic, the waxy film makes the cucumber look more appealing. When really, it is the complete opposite.

Blood Oranges- more vitamin C then regular oranges. They contain anthocyanin an antioxidant known to act as a sunscreen. It also contains 130 % of DV of vitamin C. You can put some blood oranges in salad to give it an unexpected taste and a kick of antioxidants !

Other foods rich in anthocyanin:

blueberry,cranberry & bilberry,black raspberry,red raspberry and blackberry,blackcurrant, cherry, eggplant peel, black rice and Concord grapes.

Ginger: Next time you are out for sushi, don’t pass on this ! Ginger can help the digestive and circulatory systems and even prevent against the development of certain types of joint problems and arthritis.

Avocado: is a great source of monounsaturated fat which helps the body naturally lower the rate of bad cholesterol. In addition, it is a great source of Vitamin E which promotes healthy skin and can also fight the aging process.

There are plenty more super foods that I will be blogging about. These are just the few that, I am sure you can incorporate into your daily diet. Check back soon, for more super foods !

Contest Winner Selected

2011-08-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

Random.org selected comment number 74 out of 578 comments left on this post ! The winner is being contacted as we speak ! The winners name via GFC - Mimz and you can congratulate her on twitter if you have it @thriftybeauty .

Thank you, to everyone who participated ! And as always there will be more !!

So, stay tuned !

Maximize your Beauty Potential- What to Use, What NOT to use

2011-08-25T05:15:00.001-07:00

Everything you eat shows up on your skin. Eat a lot of junk food? It shows. By your thirties, if you have had bad health habits they will show on your face. Too many late nights, unhealthy food, yo-yo dieting…these are the bane of your skin! One of the best ways to maximize your beauty potential and truly let your radiance shine is through your diet. Treat your body well, you skin will repay youJ.

No matter how hard we try to get all the nutrients we need in our diet, life gets busy, and what we eat is one of the first things to go. This is why supplements are fantastic. A few everyone should use for their over-all wellbeing (and skin of course!) are:

Omega-3 Fatty acids- Fish Oil, AND Flaxseed Oil (both of these)

Vitamin C

A multivitamin

Supplements are like skincare, sometimes a little extra money gives you a better product. Vitamin C, and Fish-Oil break down over time with Oxygen exposure. Keep your supplements in a dark, cool place, and I do not recommend buying in bulk. If you buy in huge supply, before your fish oil or Vitamin C supplements are used up, their potency will be gone.

Adding Green tea to your diet can really be beneficial, and it works wonders for your skin! Try drinking as much water as you can (without over-doing it of course), and adding regular cups of green tea to your diet. You will see an improvement in your skin.

Also reach for pomegranates! Several studies have shown that pomegranates have more antioxidant power than Green tea and red wine!

If you have any skin problems, or just want to maintain the glow that you have, stay away (or limit more realistically) these:

Refined white sugar

Dairy

Alcohol

Caffeine

Salt

High fructose corn sugar

Saturated fat

And yes, as of recent several studies have come out in favor of caffeine. Caffeine does have many benefits, between anti-aging, and even sunburn, and skin cancer! But remember, caffeine does dry out your skin. If you drink one cup of coffee per day, and drink water before consumption, that’s fine. Remember, it is all about maintaining skin’s barrier…because if that breaks down your skin is susceptible to bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that are the root of acne, rosacea, and eczema. Maintain your skin’s barrier and protect your skin.

Be sure to comment on this post! With any questions, feel free to email me at madimhebert@gmail.com, or via Twitter- @madihebert

Thank you! –Madison Hébert

How to Beat Acne...For Good.

2011-08-23T17:39:00.001-07:00

If we do not feel good about the skin we’re in- it shows. Between 40 and 50 million Americans suffer from acne. However, the vast majority do NOT use the right products. Trying to blast the problem away with powerful chemicals is NOT the answer. So if you suffer from cystic acne, acne, or even the occasional pimple, these are some of the steps you should take.

Evaluate

In order to evaluate your products correctly, you must first know your skin type. Wash your face with a mild cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and wait a half hour. Does your skin feel dry? Does it feel oily? Normal? This helps to determine your skin type. A common misconception is that only oily skin types can develop acne.

If your face looks shiny look at your regular skin care routine products. Do any contain Benzoyl peroxide or Salicylic acid? What percentage of the ingredient does it contain?

Benzoyl peroxide is more powerful than Salicylic acid. If you use a product with Benzoyl peroxide and your face is red, raw, or irritated, this chemical is too strong for you. Benzoyl peroxide is generally too strong for sensitive skin. To break away from Benzoyl peroxide overuse, try using a Salicylic acid product with a 2 or 3 percentage.

If your skin is oily and has never reacted to Benzoyl peroxide, check to see how much Benzoyl peroxide is in the products that you use. Generally 10 percent Benzoyl peroxide is suitable for acne on the body, and 5 percent for the face. PanOxyl Bar 5 percent Benxoyl peroxide is a great acne choice for those not Benzoyl Peroxide sensitive.

Moisturize

Too often acne sufferers do not moisturize their skin at all. After that half hour waiting period, if your skin is really oily, you probably do not need moisturizer. However if after that half hour your skin feels dry, tight, or is flaking at all, you need to moisturize.

Moisturizing is frequently essential to conquering acne. This goes against what you would think, right? But for a lot of people, moisturizing actually clears up acne.

Great acne moisturizers include the Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Control 2-in-1 Acne and Mark Eraser Kit’s Daily Protecting Moisturizer SPF 15. This kit is especially good for sensitive skin because the cleanser is less harsh than other over the counter acne prescriptions, and it moisturizes as well.

Products containing retinoids such as Retin A are excellent to use to treat acne. Just be sure that any retinoid or Benzoyl peroxide product you buy comes in an aluminum tube with a small opening to minimize air exposure.

Masks

I really like the Proactiv Refining Mask. Proactiv is great for Oily, Sensitive Skin Types. Sulfur containing masks are great for clearing up the skin, especially if you only have an occasional pimple.

What are your favorite acne products? Tell me about it!

Madison Hébert

Email- madimhebert@gmail.com or via Twitter @madihebert

Favorite Sunscreens

2011-08-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

I have been wearing sunscreen every day since I was 14.

And it was because I wanted to age as beautifully as my grandmother has. My grandmother did everything she could to avoid the sun. To this day she wears big sunglasses, and always wears sunscreens and creams. And let me tell you, she has the skin to prove it. She is 76 years old, never had any cosmetic work done in her life and she has the skin of someone less than half her age. Yes, she has terrific genetics,but she has worked really hard to get the skin she has today. And, beautiful does not do her (or her skin) justice. At 14, I did not quite understand the correlation between wrinkling and the sun, but I started to read about skincare because of all of the problems I encountered with my own skin (I was NOT genetically blessed to be without blemishes in my teens!)Trying to figure out my own skin is what got me into skincare.

So, I do know a thing or two about sunscreens. ClickR Day Brilliant Lotion SPF 15 is my relatively new favorite! I know that Lauren blogged about it, but I could not resist- I absolutely love this company! No preservatives, all natural, and Vegan! To protect from the sun, it contains Avobenzone, Octislate, and Octinoxate. Mother of Pearl helps to protect the skin barrier, and the Diamond Powder gently polishes. It contains silver to fight bacteria, and Gold to deliver oxygen to your skin cells. You absolutely cannot go wrong with this product, even if your skin is NOT as sensitive as mine.

For other sensitive (and/or) dry skin, my first Skincare line, La Roche-Posay has a great sunscreen- Hydraphase UV SPF 30.
Dry types might also like L'Occitane Ultra Moisturizing Fluid SPF 20
Dark Skin, I really think that Darphin Vital Protection, Age-Defying Protection Lotion SPF 15 looks fantastic!
For all skin types, especially Oily- Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 is great- and works well under make-up.
For Oily skin, I love the ClickR (again) Day Brilliant Lotion, or La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen.

Do you have a favorite sunscreen? Tell me about it! Comment here, or contact me at madimhebert@gmail.com or via Twitter- @madihebert