The Frugal Beauty: Easy DIY Makeup Remover (EV Coconut Oil)

Use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to naturally remove your makeup (even long-lasting and waterproof ones!). Put it all over your face, let it sit for a minute, then gently wipe it away with a warm and wet washcloth. Follow up with the facial cleanser and moisturizer of your choice for very clean, soft, and smooth skin! 

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO 

Quick Tip of the Day: Help, My Mascara Keeps Clumping!

If you're anything like me, you hate it when your mascara gets clumpy on your lashes. The solution is simple: apply your mascara in a zig-zag "Z" pattern, back and forth, across your lashes (instead of the usual up and down motion). Problem solved :)

P.S. Don't pump your mascara wand up and down in the tube--"stir" it around in circles to cut down on air bubbles and your mascara drying out too soon! 

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO

Multipurpose Product of the Week: Well-Rested Eye Brightener Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Well-Rested Eye Brightener is a versatile yellow-based powder made by bareMinerals, industry-leading pioneers in the field of mineral makeup. Not only does this powder brighten the under eye area by neutralizing dark circles, it also opens up the eyelids when applied all over; it's an easy way to give your eye area a more awake and lifted appearance. You can also use this multi-tasker as a facial highlighter, concealer (works wonders on redness!) and as an eyeshadow base to make colors pop and look more vibrant. 

At $20 a pot, this little wonder is worth every penny. Its compact size makes it portable and travel bag-friendly. It also has SPF 20 so it protects the delicate eye area from sun damage. Bonus: you only need to use a small amount of product so one container should last you a very long time :)

I've used Well-Rested powder for years now, both on myself and on clients, so it's always been a mainstay in my makeup kit. I've had great success with it and hope you will, as well. Give it a try if you haven't already and at least look well-rested...whether you are or not! 

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO

Quick Tip of the Day: Help, My Eyeliner Keeps Breaking!

If your favorite pencil eyeliner breaks off easily when you apply it to your lids, don't toss it out just yet...FREEZE it. Simply place the eyeliner in the freezer for ten minutes before using it; the extra cold air will harden your eyeliner making it stronger and more effective (i.e. no more crumbly eyeliner)! 

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO

The Frugal Beauty: 42 Money-Saving Tips Every Makeup Addict Needs to Know (via Buzzfeed)

Interested in stretching your dollar (for your beauty budget, natch!) and saving some money? Of course you are :) What savvy makeup lover doesn't love a good deal, especially when it comes to cosmetic and beauty products?! If you head on over to Buzzfeed's 42 Money-Saving Tips Every Makeup Addict Needs to Know you'll reap the benefits of some great (and arguably not-so-great, I mean it's not a perfect list but it's close enough) money-saving makeup hacks. You're welcome ;) 

Be Beautifully Blessed...and budget-conscious!

XO ^_^ XO

The Frugal Beauty: Fake a Biore Pore Strip Product (Baking Soda Nose Mask)

Here's how to make a cheap but effective blackhead-banishing product like Biore's Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (Bonus: it rids your nose of excess dirt and oil as well!).

1. Combine a small amount of water to some baking soda and swirl the ingredients together in a bowl or cup.
2. Mix together until your concoction takes on a creamy consistency (add more water or baking soda accordingly to the mixture).
3. Apply all around and on top of your nose just as you would with a pore strip using your fingers (or a cheap foundation brush to neatly coat the area). 
4. Let the concoction sit on your nose until it dries.
5. Once the baking soda has dried, use a warm, wet wash cloth to slowly wipe away the mixture from your nose.
6. Gently pat the area dry and add a small dab of oil-free facial moisturizer on and around your nose.
7. Admire your blackhead-free nose! Be Beautifully Blessed... XO ^_^ XO

Makeup Tip of the Day: Lipstick for Days (Making Your Lipstick Color Last)

If you love the look of lipstick but hate how the color fades (or rubs off completely!) follow the steps in this easy makeup hack:

Step 1: Apply the lipstick of your choice straight from the tube onto your lips. Don't use a lip brush. You want to fully saturate your lips with color.

Step 2: Blot your lips using a sheet of Kleenex/tissue paper.

Step 3: Re-apply the lipstick straight from the tube.

Step 4: Now, gently press a sheet one-ply tissue paper (or carefully separate some Kleenex into 2 pieces and use one piece) over your lips.

Step 5: Lightly dust translucent, loose powder (I use Mineral Veil by Bare Minerals) over the one-ply tissue on your lips.

Step 6: Slowly peel off the Kleenex from your lips and Bam! Instant, matte lipstick that lasts for hours.

I use this trick on occasions when I need the lipstick to stay put (weddings, for example) and it really works! The only downside to this is how drying it can be for your lips, so use this hack sparingly; make sure you moisturize beforehand (swipe some lip balm on your lips for 30-60 minutes prior to the lipstick process to prep them; wipe the balm away completely before applying the lipstick). Give it a try and let me know how it works for you :)

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO

Makeup Tip of the Day: Flawless...Blending (Beauty Blender Pro)

Have you jumped on the beauty blender bandwagon yet? This "...edgeless, non-disposable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator*" really ups your makeup game. This little wonder seamlessly blends your liquid foundation/self tanner/moisturizer quickly and easily. It's reusable (use this special solid cleanser or perhaps this liquid one to keep it clean and germ-free) so it's better for the environment than disposable foam wedges. It's stronger and doesn't crumble or flake like traditional wedges; it's also easier to maneuver on your face. If taken care of properly, this beauty accessory can last you a long time!

I recommend the Beauty Blender Pro over the Original Beauty Blender. The Pro has a darker color so it doesn't stain/hold onto pigment as much as the Original (i.e. your blender looks newer longer). 

Note: If you need a more controlled application of products to "...contour, highlight, and precisely apply makeup onto the smallest parts of the face*" give the Micro Mini Beauty Blender a try. 

And there you have it. A family of beauty blenders for every occasion. Go ahead and blend to your heart's content!


Be Beautifully Blessed!


XO ^_^ XO




*as described by www.sephora.com

Sharing is Caring...And I Care to Share: Excellent Makeup Tips From Some of My Favorite Makeup Artists

I found a very helpful article on www.dailymakeover.com called "20 Makeup Tricks Every Girl Should Know." After reading it, I immediately wanted to pass along the valuable makeup information to both makeup novices and experts alike. Some of the tips are tried and true techniques while others are new and and rarely used ones. Please check it out and share your own thoughts if you feel so inclined ;)

Be Beautifully Blessed!

XO ^_^ XO

Makeup Tip of the Day: The Eyes Have It (Perfectly Versatile Eyeliner Color)

Black eyeliner is timeless, ubiquitous, but at times a bit boring. Don't get me wrong, I love a dark black liner as much as the next Basic girl but sometimes I want to change things up; you know, put a modern spin on something classic. Enter SLATE GRAY eyeliner. It's not as harsh as black or as muted as brown so it's a perfect balance between the two colors. It is also a shade that can easily be adapted to fit your makeup needs. You can smudge it out on its own as a creamy eye shadow or layer it under your favorite shade of powdered eye shadow to change its texture and color...the possibilities are endless! 

Slate gray is a universally flattering eyeliner shade; this is great news because many of them are not. Universally flattering means it is very wearable--it enhances any eye color from the lightest to the darkest to everything in between. This eyeliner shade opens up your eyes and makes them look larger in a more natural way (compared to black liner). Black eyeliner has a tendency to make eyes look smaller if applied incorrectly to a particular eye shape. Slate gray, however, is practically fool-proof, regardless of your eye color or shape...so you can draw that line, thick or thin, with confidence! 

Have you tried a slate gray eyeliner yet? If so, what's your verdict?

I recommend this slate gray product for its staying power...I hope you enjoy it as much as I do ;)

Be Beautifully Blessed!

XO ^_^ XO

Makeup Tip of the Day: DIY Tinted Moisturizer

Here's an easy way to make your own lightweight moisturizer with beauty products you already have:

Mix 2 parts lotion (preferably a facial one with at least an SPF of 15) with 1 part liquid foundation and voila! Instant tinted moisturizer that's simple but effective :)

Note: this also works for the shade of foundation you wore when you were more tan (i.e. what you used this summer) that has become too dark to wear during the winter months. Alternatively, for foundation that is too light, add a dash of crushed, powdered, matte bronzer along with the foundation (mixed with the face lotion) in order to customize a better color for your skin tone. 

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO

Skincare Essentials Part 2 of 5: CLEANSE

Hey there, Beautiful! Here is the followup to my Pre-cleanse post from earlier this week. This is part two of a five part series about my personal skincare routine. I'll be doing an initial review of the doTerra products I've been using these past few weeks in posts to follow. I'll give my final review of them in an update when I actually run out of the product and have to buy more (or change to a different brand altogether...we shall see) ;)

C L E A N S E

Product Description (taken from the doterra consultant website):

With dōTERRA Facial Cleanser, CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils of melaleuca and peppermint gently cleanse, lifting away impurities and leaving your skin feeling clean, fresh, and smooth. Cruciferous vegetable extracts also work to inhibit skin irritation and reduce oxidative stress to skin cells.

Price: purchase from a doTerra representative ($22 retail) or on amazon.com (for $8.05 + $9.50 shipping)

doTerra's Facial Cleanser is part of the doterra skincare line which is sold by one of the pioneering essential oil companies, doTerra International. The doTerra company uses plants and flowers, along with naturally sourced ingredients, to make their products--they have oils, vitamin supplements, skincare and everything in between. Their products are good for your skin and the environment...always a win-win :)

The doTerra facial cleanser has 4 ounces and smells like a tea tree oil and peppermint hybrid--and for good reason; melaleuca (tea tree oil) and peppermint are listed as two of the main ingredients. Here's a short history 101 of these two powerhouse plants: Melaleuca has been used for many years because of its antibacterial, antiseptic, and medicinal properties in countries like Australia and New Zealand. In fact, Australia has been the biggest exporter of tea tree oil since it was made commercially available in the 1920s. Peppermint, on the other hand, has been around for hundreds of years. It got its start in Europe and the Middle East. Peppermint has been a versatile and indispensable plant ever since; it's been revered for its many uses including medicinal, culinary, and in the field of aromatherapy. 

The combination of tea tree oil and peppermint in this product makes for an effective facial cleanser. The tea tree oil cleanses while the peppermint soothes and protects the skin. doTerra's facial cleanser washes away impurities and helps to brighten your complexion in one easy step; it's also gentle and all natural with a luxurious, creamy texture. It feels cool and refreshing on the skin--a great way to perk up in the morning!

Since I've been using it my face feels clean and comfortable, not tight and overly dry or stripped of my natural oils (which I attribute to its almost milky consistency). I only use a bit of this cleanser in small, circular motions and I find that it spreads easily and effectively on my skin without making a lot of lather (which could be a potential downside for those of you who love those squeaky-clean bubbles!). Long story short: it gets the job done :)

Ms. Makeup Maven's Yay, Nay, or Just Stay Away: a judicious yay. Since I have sensitive skin, my face tends to break out when I switch beauty products; doTerra's facial cleanser was no exception. I'm not sure whether that was just my abnormal skin acting like it "normally" does or if this product caused some minor pimples on my forehead. It might also be that hormonal imbalances and stress and are to blame (my husband was deployed by the military this week and I've relocated while he is away). Whatever the case, I advise you to try this out and don't give up on it right away if your face seems to react to this cleanser. Incidentally, you should try your best to give a new skincare product 30 days to work before deciding to chuck it completely. A week or two of using something new on your skin isn't enough time to demonstrate how well a product does or doesn't work. Like many things in life, you need to be patient and give it a fighting chance. So here's to cleaner, brighter, (and hopefully) younger-looking skin that's naturally beautiful to boot!

Be Beautifully Blessed...

XO ^_^ XO

Heaven Scent: A Perfume Review (Thierry Mugler's Angel Eau de Parfum)

Product: Angel Eau de Parfum by Thierry Mugler

Price: varies according to bottle size from $25-$180

Description: (taken from Sephora.com) Angel, the first perfume by Thierry Mugler, evokes the emotion of tender childhood memories together with a sense of dreamlike infinity.

Angel, which launched a new fragrance category called the "oriental gourmands," seduces us with angelic flavors found deep within the heart of our memories, as well as sensual and passionate notes.

Notes:

Bergamot, Hedione, Helional, Honey, Dewberry, Red Berries, Vanilla, Caramel, Patchouli, Chocolate, Coumarin.

From time to time I enjoy the scent of a very strong, heady but elegant perfume especially during the cooler "Ber" months (September, October, etc.). Personally, it conjures up images of big bear hugs, a cup of rich, hot cocoa, the warmth of a roaring fireplace, and a chic, over-sized sweater. Angel perfume signals the beginning of all things fall and winter-ish. It's cozy, unexpected, and luxurious all at once. Admittedly, it can be a tad overwhelming after an initial spritz but it dries down to something wonderfully inviting and comforting on my skin. My husband enjoys the way it smells on me (it's what he associates me with as my signature scent) so that doesn't hurt, either! 

I invite you to try out this classic perfume if you haven't already. It's on the expensive side, yes, but it's worth the price tag; the scent lingers all day so only a small amount is needed on your skin...which I think makes it more cost effective than perfume you need to reapply constantly. I only have 2 caveats: it costs a pretty penny and the fact that this is an Eau de Parfum so it has a distinctly intense, long-lasting scent--but it's a fun way to spice up your perfume wardrobe! You have to really love it to commit to it though so keep that in mind...and try out a free sample at Sephora beforehand :)

Ms. Makeup Maven's Yay, Nay, or Just Stay Away: a definite yay--it's timeless, refined, and beautifully fragrant. And if you're anything like me, one whiff of it is all you need to get hooked on this heavenly scent.

Be Beautifully Blessed...
XO ^_^ XO

Skincare Essentials Part 1 of 5: PRE-CLEANSE

Hello Gorgeous :) This post is part one of a five part series on skincare must-haves (as requested by HelloKittyRN). I'll be discussing my current skincare routine (it changes according to the season) and what products I'm using right now. Happy Reading!

P R E - C L E A N S E

Front Side of Wipes

Back View of Wipes

The first step in what I like to call the pre-cleansing process involves loosening the dirt, excess sebum, and makeup from the surface of the skin. Some people use cleansing oils but I prefer the ease and convenience of makeup-removing wipes. These wipes are specifically designed to gently purify your skin in one simple step; they're also a great "lazy girl way" to make sure your pillow case isn't covered in face gunk when you've had a busy day and are too exhausted to do a more thorough skincare routine. But no matter how tired or busy you are you should ALWAYS clean your face before going to bed, no exceptions, even if it just involves a face cleansing/makeup removing wipe. Partial cleansing is always better than zero cleansing when it comes to skincare!

I believe it is important to do a pre-cleansing routine if you wear make up on a daily basis. Your face attracts dirt and oil like a magnet; all that gunk on your face can cause break outs, clogged pores, and disturb the overall PH balance of your skin. Pre-cleansing breaks up the initial of layer of makeup and grime so that your facial cleanser can do its job more effectively...but more on that in a post to follow :)

Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes can be found at any drugstore, big chain store (Wal-mart, Target, etc.), Ulta stores/Ulta website, and many online retailers (drugstore.com, amazon.com, etc.). It's usually under $8 (I've seen it for less than $6 on sale!) depending on where you purchase it so it's both cheap and efficient, practically an anomaly in the world of pricey skincare. Aveeno wipes are great to stash in your gym bag and at your desk at work; they're especially handy during travel because they're a quick way to refresh and cleanse your skin on the go.  

I use this particular product because it has the skin-calming properties of the feverfew plant, which has similar healing benefits to that of chamomile. It's specially formulated for sensitive skin but safe for all skin types overall. These Aveeno wipes are my favorite ones because they are made of soft, cloth-like material that don't irritate my sensitive skin. They are packed with just enough skin cleansers to take away makeup and other impurities without making the wipes overly soaked and runny. Plus, they aren't flimsy like many other makeup wipes out on the market; they can easily remove all sorts of cosmetic (except waterproof eyeliner and mascara; in that case, use these instead) and environmental contaminants from the top layer of skin through gentle exfoliation. I find that they soothe any redness in my face, which is a plus for my highly temperamental skin! Just a quick side note: if you're allergic to ragweed or chamomile, you may want to steer clear of these wipes because feverfew is in the same plant family...

I use the wipes daily and I am pleased with the results; my skin is softer, smoother, and definitely soothed (as well as lightly moisturized, also a plus) after I swipe them around my face. I have a feeling these will be in my beauty arsenal for years to come!

Be Beautifully Blessed!

XO ^_^ XO

Dare to Bare...Minerals (A Foundation Review)

Product: bareSkin® Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Price: $29 at Bare Minerals Boutiques, Sephora, & Ulta

Description and image taken from www.sephora.com

What it is:

A breakthrough tone-correcting mineral foundation and skincare serum in one.

What it does:

Created with exceptional purity in mind, this ultrathin, skin-perfecting fluid provides seamless adjustable coverage, a natural finish, and the look and feel of beautiful skin while delivering a noticeably brighter, more youthful appearance—it’s like nothing you’ve ever felt before.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens

It's official: I adore this foundation; it's great for skin that is on the drier side. You get flawless, buildable coverage with just enough luminosity to make your skin glow without looking "fake" or "cakey." It's lightweight and doesn't sink into fine lines or wrinkles; it won't sit in or on your pores--it glides effortlessly over your face while nourishing and protecting it with a built-in serum and an SPF of 20. The serum in this foundation gives you radiant skin and helps to fade dark spots with the help of face-brightening vitamin C. Honestly, it makes my skin look better than it really is on instagram...no filters needed :-) It feels like a million bucks (if a million bucks felt like ridiculously soft strips of silk sweeping gently across your face)!  

On a side note, I highly recommend using Bare Minerals' Bare Skin Perfecting Face Brush for its easy, seamless foundation application. Simply buff the product into your skin using circular motions and remember, as with all Bare Minerals products, a little goes a long way.

Another convenient feature of the Bare Skin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is its customizable, buildable coverage. Always start with two small drops on your brush and work your way up for moderate to heavy coverage. The following guide is for each side of the face; adjust the amount according to your preference: 

2 drops = light coverage (helps even out skin tone)

4 drops = medium coverage (hides most flaws)

6 drops = maximum coverage (full "makeup" face)

Pros: Skincare, SPF 20, and makeup all in one product (i.e. a foundation that will actually work with your skin instead of against it!)

Cons: Needs a specific brush for best use (separate purchase, extra cost) 

Ms. Makeup Maven's Yay, Nay, or Just Stay Away: an enthusiastic YAY...worth the time and money for naturally beautiful, radiant skin! 

Be Beautifully Blessed!

XO ^_^ XO