Category: Beauty

Yoga – 30 Day Challenge

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Holidays mean – cookies, cakes and candy (even if they are gluten free) they can make you sluggish and help those pounds pack on. I am a little late to the New Year’s resolution making; but, here is my challenge to myself: 30 days of yoga!

For those of you that work long hours like me, this is really going to be difficult; but, we can do it. Aim for about a 20-25 minute video a day. I will post my videos daily, on this blog (so you can do those!)

Let’s pump ourselves back into shape. Yoga is the perfect exercise for stress, flexibility and weight loss. You can do this from your apartment or house. All you need is a yoga mat. Super easy. Wake up 30 minutes early every morning – and get to work.

Start today with this awesome video: (and, we will officially start the challenge tomorrow!)

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The 5 Best Affordable Lip Glosses

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lipssticlI don’t know about you; but, finding a good, affordable lip gloss is a real challenge. I have a stockpile of dollar store gems and, frankly, unusable chap sticks too. I’ve gone through a trial and error stage. Buying several kinds and marking the good ones and chunking the bad ones.

So, you should take this little list to heart. I will not lead you astray when it comes to affordable lipgloss. Seriously, these types below are good for day time use – as well as, for that formal party! They are ranked from #1, being the best to #5 my least favorite (but, still admirable and worth a try!)

1. Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker

Now, you don’t have to let your childhood slip through your fingertips. Buy this popular flavor and get a great daytime color. You typically think of lip gloss as sheer; however, this little stick of goodness has a really beautiful light color to it. So, you will get the yummy taste of Dr. Pepper and that hint of red hue. And the $1.99 price tag at Walgreens really can’t be beat!

2. Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer

A little bit more pricey at $3.49 (but, c’mon way affordable) is the lip shimmer. These are made from 100% natural ingredients including vitamin E and coconut and sunflower oils and they come in 5 different colors. Wow! This is a gloss that I make sure is a staple in my purse pocket.

DR PEPPER

No joke. This is currently in my purse!

3. Bare Minerals ‘Marvelous Moxie’

Okay – this is $18. It was a Christmas gift from my mom; but, it has become one of my favorite lip glosses of all time. It is available in many, many shades of color. It’s lasts a really long time. I use this gloss a lot – and still have not had to buy a new one (from Christmas!). It is worth giving a try.

4. Bath and Body Works ‘Ultra Mentha’

Hello breath freshener and lip gloss in one! At $7.50 a bottle, this little gloss is perfect. It is a peppermint flavor that will give you a lasting breath-freshener! I discovered this little gem in high school and love it to this day. If you are a mint lover, this is the gloss for you.

5. Benetint

So, this is not a gloss – but it is awesome. It will color your lips for a long lasting stay. Created by two sisters, they truly know what women want – all day color. You can get a sample size for $8. And trust me, you really don’t need more than a sample size to begin with!

 

DIY Affordable Vitamin D Eye Cream

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eye cream

Use this in the morning and night!

Every woman in her mid to late 20’s should have an eye cream. You can keep thinking that you are dipping into the fountain of youth – to be surprised when you are 40. Or you can be proactive and treat those problem areas before the problem starts. Let’s choose the latter.

We all know how great Vitamin D is for our skin. Did you know that about 1/3 of the U.S. population has low levels of this awesome vitamin? Crazy. I don’t want to be included in that statistic!

According to You Beauty, over time, the skin’s ability to create vitamin D decreases (up to 75 percent from the age of 20 to 70).  That’s not good.

It has been said that having sufficient vitamin D in the skin helps minimize acne, boost elasticity, stimulate collagen production, enhance radiance, and lessen lines and the appearance of dark spots.

With all those benefits, especially for the skin, we definitely want vitamin D in our face creams. There are serums, suntan lotion and tanning sprays out there that incorporate this good stuff. However, you will pay a bundle for it. I don’t know about you, but I am thrifty woman living in the city and paying an arm and a leg does not appeal to me – especially when I can make a cream so easily (with all the benefits of a store bought one!).

process

The process.

You will need: 2 tbsp. organic coconut oil, 3 vitamin D tablets, a little beauty jar and a safety pin.

Yep, this is the whole list for a beautiful, smoothing eye cream.

First scoop out 2 tbsp of coconut oil into a small bowl. Heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. When you take it out it should be liquidly.

Use the safety pin to puncture the gel capsules of the vitamin D and squeeze the insides into the bowl of melted coconut oil. Stir.

Pour your mixture into your tiny cosmetic jar and set in the fridge for about 30 minutes. It will turn into a solid and then use your homemade cream to your heart’s content.

Way to be proactive in taking care of your skin and be frugal at the same time! See, it can be done.

DIY Cellulite Coffee Scrub

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coffee scrubLove the smell of coffee, but not the taste? Well, I have the perfect scrub for you. OK, you can enjoy this scrub if you love drinking the robust stuff too.

This has easily become one of my all-time favorite body scrubs. In addition to giving you silky smooth skin, it eliminates the appearance of cellulite (yes, you heard me right). Women of all ages deal with this pesky little thing.

You will need: 2 cups coffee grounds (buy the cheap stuff, it works just as well), 1 cup raw coarse sugar and 3 tbps. olive oil.

Simply mix all of these ingredients into a large mixing bowl. You may need more oil than listed above. However, everyone is different. Make the scrub as oily or dry as you prefer.

The caffeine in the coffee helps diminish the appearance of cellulite and varicose veins! It also it increases circulation and reduces water retention. Score!

While in the shower rub the scrub onto your thighs and other problem areas in a circular motion. Let this scrub set for about 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water to close the pores. And remember to clean the shower soon after your coffee scrub action to avoid any brown stains.

Slip into those shorts or mini-skirt with no shame and show off those beautiful coffee scrubbed legs! Remember this is a temporary fix – for maximum results use this scrub at least 3x a week. Overtime, exercise and drinking loads of water will also help with those problem areas!

4 Young, Fresh Tips on Wearing Red Lipstick

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REDI have always shied away from wearing red lips. There was always this fear that the color would bleed on my teeth at parties or at work.

I hated scrubbing that wine glass rim or walking around with a coffee cup and remnants of my lipstick gracing the edge of the cup.

But, you know, there is something freeing about wearing red lips. I thought only fashion models and high profile people could pull it off, but I may have thought wrong. It is simply fun and refreshing to wear red lips to a party – or even to work. Every woman can do it. It does not matter if you are model height, shape or form or not.

There are some guidelines, but it definitely can be done. You will feel more feminine, powerful and classy making this change in your beauty regimen.

You don’t have to wear red lips every day (that might be a little overkill) but once a week may be refreshingly fun. Mix it up. People will notice and like the change – guaranteed.

Toss Red Lip Liners

Lip liners are unnecessary. I feel like this is an extra step that is not needed. All this will add to is your frustration. You don’t want a line around your lips when the red lipstick decides to fade. So, just don’t buy lip liner. Save money – and look young and fresh without a liner.

Make Sure You Pick a True Red Color 

If you have fair skin like me, this tip is really necessary. Choose a true candy-apple red. Look for shades that have blue undertones (rather than yellow). Experts say this brings out the warmth in your skin tone. Here is a top list of red lip colors compiled by Elle Magazine, click here.

Make Your Lips The Focal Point

If you decide to wear red lips – don’t overdo your eye makeup. Red Lips were meant to be the focal point of an outfit. What I like to do is dress in all black (a nice black dress). It looks better to dress in one color. Your lips will pop more that way. No need to play up your eyes, your luscious lips will draw attention.

Pair Your Red Lips With a Red Accessory

If you must throw in color to the outfit – paint your nails red, wear red heels or carry a red clutch. This little accessory adage will enhance the effect of the look you are trying to create. This will for sure look like a fresh youthful look.

Now, powerful women, go out and wear red!