My Favorite Red Lipsticks...

Happy Friday! Oops, I mean Thursday...but since I have off work tomorrow for Good Friday, today is my Friday! Woohoo! I'm so excited about this weekend, not only because it's my anniversary weekend but it's also Easter weekend; a time for us to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus <3 Love it!

Anywho, yesterday I decided to rock some red lipstick, and I swear, every time I wear red lipstick, I get called Taylor Swift. I take it as a compliment because she is quirky and pretty :) Not just the fact that I get called that, but I love wearing red lipstick in general. It makes such a bold statement without going too crazy. So, I wanted to give you my top four red's that I tend to wear, and some tips about red lipstick in general <3

1. Revlon ‘True Red’ = wonderfully wearable pinky red with an ever so slight sheen to it
2. MAC ‘Russian Red’ = dark red matte
3. MAC ‘Ruby Woo’ = retro pillar-box red
4. Nars ‘Jungle Red’ = very bright red

Tips:

♥ When wearing red lipstick, preparation is key. Moisturize your lips well and then let your chapstick penetrate into your lips before applying your lipstick to avoid unsightly dryness or the lipstick sliding off. If needed, you can always take a tissue and blot the majority of the chapstick off.
♥ Make sure to keep your eye makeup to a minimal. You don't want everything to stand out, just your lips. A nice neutral eye with a black wing liner always looks good.
♥ If you have a pale complexion, like me, there’s no need for fake tan as red lips look gorgeous next to porcelain skin :)
♥ With red lipstick, you want to be as precise as possible, simply because any imperfections are easy to spot! Use a matching lip liner first to draw out your lips, and make sure to fill in your entire lips with a lip liner. This is just in case the lipstick wears off during the day, you won't have an awful red line around your lips.

How To Look Good Without Makeup...

Happy Tuesday everyone :) We had another cold front come through Florida, and man it is a cold one! It surely doesn't feel like spring has sprung, but hopefully soon enough it will. I can't wait to wear my spring outfits I bought! The best part about the seasons changing and the weather getting warmer, is you don't need a lot of makeup to look good. In fact, warm weather helps your body look it's best. How, do you ask? Here are some secrets to look good without makeup <3

Get some Vitamin C! Either in a vitamin or a drink, Vitamin C can cut down on your body’s amount of free-radicals, causing your skin to stay healthy and work towards looking its very best. It also soothing on the throat, helps wake up your senses, and adding a little bit of lemon juice helps to flush and purify your body from the inside out, eliminating toxins and reducing the chances of any future skin sensitivities.

Get a tan! Of course, a fake tan for safer results. But even without lotions and the actual sun, there are many ways to still get that glow :) From tea to cocoa, iodine to foods that can naturally tan your skin, there are ways to amp up that healthy glow without having to subject your skin to tanning beds and wrinkle-causing UV rays. Here is actually a great book on this information: book

Exfoliate! When we don’t exfoliate on our face, the dead skin cells on our skin become opaque and don’t reflect any light causing our skin to look dull. Try to exfoliate twice a week, especially if you're one who piles on the makeup. Remember, your skin needs to breath!

Tips for the Perfect Manicure...

Happy Monday all :) Today is one of the first days that my body feels healthy and rejuvenated! That flu I had really kicked my butt for about two weeks, wayyyy too long. BUT now I have the energy to actually do things now, so let's get into the new blog :)

It seems like more and more drug store brands are putting out great nail polishes. Their colors are rich and bold, and there formulas last a good time. There are even fancy DIY Gel Manicures you can purchase, which I am actually thinking about getting (although it is a little pricey, it might save me money in the long run!) Anywho, if you are going to spend money on take home nail polishes, here are some easy tips the next time you give yourself a manicure to make it look great:

• If you are currently wearing a darker nail polish, we all know it sometimes tends to stain your nails when you are ready to take it off. Soak your nails in a solution of hot water, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda for about a minute. Or you could also put some whitening toothpaste on a toothbrush and scrub the stains off your nail.
• Want a quick fast way to dry your newly manicured nails? Stick them in ice water! After painting your nails, let them air dry for a couple minutes. After that, dunk them in a bowl full of ice water (try to avoid the ice cubes) for 3 minutes!
• If you are going with a glitter formula, make sure to dab on the first coat; don't brush it on. This will help to distribute the glitter evenly and get the big chunks where you want them. If all else fails, use a toothpick to move the chunks of glitter around.
• When applying nail polish to your nails, go with multiple layers of thin coats. Don't just do one heavy coat of polish. A thick coat of nail polish will only dry at the top layer, leaving your manicure vulnerable to smudges.

Using Proper Tools...

Good Monday Morning everyone :)  What a past week it has been, I caught the flu! I don't know from where or even how, but I have been in bed, sippin' on sizzurp for about 6 days now...yuck! Today was the first morning I had energy to get up out of bed and move around. Now that I'm up? I want to go back to bed! hehe :)

This morning as I was getting ready, I used a couple new makeup brushes I purchased several weeks ago from Walgreens. They are three eye brushes, very cute in pink, and seem to work well for me this morning. It helped me notice that in order to do a great makeup routine, you need the right tools to perform the job. Tools just as important as the makeup skills that you have. If you are using mediocre brushes and had average skill, just by improving the quality of your brushes, the application would immediately be better, even without improving your technique.

So! What are the right tools? Here is a good running list to go off of:

1. Foundation brush
2. Concealer brush
3. Fluffy powder brush
4. Blush brush
5. Small blending brush
6. Flat eyeshadow brush
7. Precision angle brush
8. Lip brush

When you have your running list, you should learn how to properly hold each one; where you hold a brush on the handle affects your control. The closer your fingers are to the barrel, the more pressure you put on the brush head and vice versa.

Face Mask for Firming and Hydrating...

Happy Thursday friends :) Tonight is Zumba night, and I am very excited to go, seeing that I missed Tuesday's class due to not feeling well :x  If anyone has not tried Zumba yet, I would highly recommend it! You really don't feel like you are working out and burning calories (500-1000 calories each class BTW). All I know is I am dancing and having fun :)

Anywho, this week as I mentioned, I have not been feeling up to par. I had some kind of stomach thing in the beginning of the week and it has just really taken the energy out of me. I haven't been doing my nightly routines and just being lazy with my makeup. when I have these lackluster moments, I like to do a face mask to really help pick my skin back up. There are so many face masks out there, which one to try? Here is a great DIY Face Mask specifically for firming and hydrating the skin. Who doesn't love that <333


Ingredients:
1 vitamin E capsule
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp heavy cream





Directions:
Drain the contents of the vitamin E capsule into a small bowl. Add the honey and heavy cream and mix together until a smooth consistency forms. Apply the mixture to your face and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Honey is an excellent hydrator and heavy cream contains lactate, which is wonderful for mild exfoliation. Plus, you get the benefits of vitamin E’s healing properties.

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DIY Lip Scrub...

Hey there bloggers :) I don't know if it's the weather here, but lately I have had a BIG problem with chapped lips. Even when I put chap stick on, I can still see my lips peeling. This lets me know I need to do some exfoliating. You might not think to exfoliate your lips, right? Exfoliating lips becomes necessary when lips become chapped or discolored. There are various reasons for dry chapped lips, out of which cold weather is one. Other reasons for chapped lips include, smoking, over-exposure to sun, dehydration, breathing with an open mouth etc. Just like your skin, lips regenerate and need help shedding those dead skin cells, and gently exfoliating them can prevent them from chapping and ensure that your lip balm penetrates them to leave them soft and kissable. Here is a great recipe for a DIY lip scrub:

Exfoliating Lip Scrub
☼ Clean Container
☼ 2 Teaspoons brown sugar
☼ 2 Teaspoons of honey
☼ 1 Teaspoon of Olive Oil
☼ 1 Vitamin E capsule

Mix together all of the ingredients and your lip scrub paste is ready! If your consistency is too dry, add in more extra virgin olive oil. If your scrub is too wet, add in more brown sugar. You can use your finger or a toothbrush to apply the scrub to your lips...gently!

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Foundation mistakes...

Good morning and happy Monday everyone :) This weekend was great, I got to see my parents and they got to meet my beautiful dogs. The best part was I got to go fishing, which is something I love to do <3 It was also my beautiful niece's birthday; Happy Birthday baby girl!

So unfortunately I left the majority of my makeup over there when I left, BIG bummer. On the bright side, it gives me a reason to go out and buy new products! Yippee  :) Something I love and hate shopping for is foundation. How do you know which one to get? How do you pick a shade best for you? Many people need help when it comes to foundation, so I am here to expose some common mistakes that people tend to make:

WRONG:TO FIND YOUR SHADE, YOU TESTED YOUR FOUNDATION ON YOUR JAW. I have heard this from everyone and their mom, but you are doing it all wrong! You should actually test your foundation in three spots: underneath the eyes, on/around the nose and at the cheek/jawline. Do it all on one side of your face so you can compare with the no-makeup side. Once you find the perfect shade, it should disappear into your skin. If you are ever in doubt, go with a slightly warmer color. Why? It will help warm up your skin tone, and it covers a lot more flaws vs. a lighter shade.

WRONG:YOU'RE NOT USING A PRIMER UNDER YOUR FOUNDATION. Even though you may think you don't need a primer, put one one! Most people look 100% better with primer! It helps your foundation glide on smoother and stay put longer. Primers can also soften the appearance of wrinkles, control shine or boost radiance.

WRONG:YOU APPLY YOUR FOUNDATION WITH YOUR FINGERS OR A SPONGE. I admit, I do this trick all the time. Aren't your fingers your best tools? Actually the reason foundation brushes are superior is because they use much less product and are also perfect for blending. The better you blend your foundation, the smoother, more natural, less cakey application. The traditional sponge is OK if you have to, but the problem is it wastes a lot of product (it gets soaked up in it). If you have to go with a sponge, I would use the updated Beauty Blender; works like a charm!

WRONG:YOU PUT YOUR CONCEALER ON UNDER, NOT OVER, YOUR FOUNDATION. Why go through all the trouble of putting concealer on, and then a foundation to blend it all away? Remember: foundation first, then concealer.


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A Natural, Feel-Good Remedy...

Weeee!!! It's Friday! Happy Friday everyone :):):) I don't know about anywhere else, but I have noticed many people coming down with colds and becoming sick and congested lately. Maybe it is all the cold weather that has arrived in Florida? Who knows! All I know is, when I get sick, I want to take something that will immediately make me feel better, cuddle up with a good blanket, and relax. If you are feeling down and out or under the weather, I know of a great recipe you can create that will not only make you feel better, but has many health benefits to it as well <3 Try it out:

☺ 2 TBSP Water

☺ ¼ tsp Cayenne

☺ ¼ tsp Ginger

☺ 1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar

☺ 1 TBSP Honey 

Mix them all together, and take about 1-2 TBSP as needed (I would say maybe 4-6 hours). This works especially well if you have a tickled throat or a cough that won't go away. The health benefits to this is also amazing. An ingredient like ginger helps to fight common respiratory problems, strengthens immunity, improves absorption, maintains normal blood circulation, and prevents colds and flu's. Another ingredient like honey reduces throat and cough irritation, acts as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and increases athletic performance. 

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DIY Shampoo...

Good morning everyone :) I am excited because I finally made a hair appointment at the end of the month! I don't cut my hair as much as I should jut because it is so expensive, but when I do, I love it because my hair gets all its' shine and bounce back; it looks full of life <3 I want to take steps now to make sure I am using good quality products on my hair when it gets all its' health back. Something great you can do it make your own shampoo. Why? It won't have any harsh chemicals in it that drain the moisture out of your hair follicles. Here is a great recipe for a DIY shampoo...

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup coconut milk (go for organic)
• 10 to 15 drops your choice of essential oils (one of my favorites it lavender)
• 1/3 cup liquid castile soap (this soap is made with natural ingredients, good for sensitive skin, and easily blend-able)
• 1 tsp almond oil

Blend all these ingredients well and store it in a squeeze bottle (these can be purchase at the local Dollar Store or Walmart). Simply, easy, and fun!

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Ways to tie a scarf...

Hi there everyone! I can't believe this, but it is still cold in Florida! I woke up today and it was in the 50's, so it does seem it is warming up day by day :) Anything below 70 for me is cold, so people usually laugh when I go out in the cold weather; I am dressed like I would be seeing snow! I have mittens on, a scarf, coat, boots, you name it. It is a bit silly, but I stay warm and toasty <3 I don't get to break out my scarfs much here in Florida, but when I do, I like to be creative with them, don't you? Here are four really cute and easy ways to wear a scarf:


1. Short
Drape the scarf around your neck, keeping the left side slightly shorter. Cross the right side over and begin to tie a knot, without pulling the right side all the way through. It then becomes an unfinished knot, with the two ends uneven. Drape the pulled-out portion over the knot, making it look like a half bow.

2. Pashmina
Fold the pashmina in half. Position the center at the front of your neck, with the ends draped over your back. Crisscross the ends and bring them over to the front of your neck. Tie a loose knot at the front and tuck it underneath the wrapped portion of the pashmina, keeping that upper layer (which covers the knot) loose. Flatten out the ends over the chest as much as you can, making them less puffy. Gently pull down the top layer to cover the knot.

   

  

3. Artistic
Drape the scarf around your neck so both sides are even in length. Using only the right side, tie a loose knot in the middle of that side. Take the other side and simply thread it through the knot. Tighten the knot.




4. Long
The most simple, and popular, style is the European way. Fold the scarf in half creating a fold at one end and two loose ends at the other side. Drape the middle of the scarf around your neck, with the two ends on the left side and a loop on the right side—each facing forward. Slip the two loose ends through the loop and tighten.

DIY Shaving Lotion...

Happy Monday all! I don't know about you, but it is FREEZING here in Florida! I'm used to 80 degree weather and this morning it was in the 40's! Yipes! Anywho, The good part about the cold weather is always good hair days (except for those of you who get static cling :x)

So today is Monday and we get to start a fresh new week for ourselves. A fun and innovative secret I thought of for today's post was creating your own type of shaving cream/lotion. I have noticed lately that the shaving creams are getting so expensive at the stores, and typically I have to wait for a buy-one-get-one-free deal before I decide to purchase it. In the meantime, what do you use to replace it? I have tried to use shampoo or conditioner, but that honestly just wastes products. I also tried to use soap, but it leaves my legs super dry :P So, here is a quick and fun way to make your own shaving lotion that will last you a good bit :)

♫ 1 cup of hair conditioner (make sure it's a scent you enjoy)
♪  1 cup of hair shampoo (try to make this the same scent as the conditioner)
♫ 5 Tablespoons of lotion (unscented or try to match the scent of the hair products as best you can)
♪  5 Tablespoons of baby oil

Mix these ingredients all together and let it sit for about an hour. Store in a recycled bottle, possibly one with a dispenser for easy use. The benefits of making your own shaving lotion weigh out any cons. The DIY leg is much softer and has noticeably less stubble because you get a closer shave. You can choose your own scent and it is great for sensitive skin. It is very easy to use and it's easy to make!

Eyeliner tips for blue eyes...

Happy Saturday :) I am a happy camper because there is a marathon of Family Matters on TV! <33 I love old school shows :) Anywho, tonight we have some plans of going out to dinner and a movie with some of the family. So I am going to have to get all dolled up tonight, just for fun :) Something that I love to do it make sure my eye color pops, no matter what outfit I am wearing. Sure since I have blue eyes, I can wear something blue and have it bring out my eyes, But what about makeup? For all you blue-eyes girls out there (of those who have blue colored contacts!) here are some easy eye liner tips to make that color shine through:

1. Use purple eyeliner! Purple eyeliner is a great way to draw attention to blue eyes. Since purple is a mixture of blue and red, its undertones draw attention to your blue eyes. It’s best to choose deeper, darker purple eyeliners for enhancing blue eyes.

2. Mark your waterline! This eyeliner tip for blue eyes may take some practice since the water line is so close to your eye, but it’s a great way to add some drama to your blue eyes.

3. Winged eyeliner! Winged eyeliner, or cat eyeliner, is one of the best eyeliner tips for blue eyes! Winged liner draws other’s attention to your eyes and makes them the focal point of your face.

4. Highlight! Highlight your eyes by adding some hints of white eye shadow or eyeliner to make your blue eyes pop. Add white eyeliner to your water line, or apply it just to the inner corner of your eyes to draw attention to your blue eyes.

Make a Yummy, Healthy Smoothie...

Happy Friday all my readers :) Yesterday was a pretty good day; work went well then I headed over to the gym for Zumba and then home to cuddle with my man and doggies <3 The gym was an intense workout, more than usual  so when I came home, I was really looking for a good pick-me-up off the floor! You never want to eat anything unhealthy when you return from working out, simply because you feel like you just wasted all of your time working those calories off :x So, what is something healthy and yummy I can make? A delicious smoothie of course! Here is a great recipe you can go to whenever you want a healthy, sweet, snack :)

● 1 can of orange juice (pulp or no pulp, your preference)

● 1 can of pineapple juice (yummy!)

● 1 orange (peeled, de-seeded, and chopped into bite size pieces for the blender)

● 1/2 banana

● 1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder (you can omit this is you don't use any Protein Powder)

● A scoop of ice

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and yummy! :D