Diamonds are a girls best friends...and so are candles...

 

I know, I know...candles are not a beauty item, per se. But you have to admit, nothing can change the feeling of a room like a great candle. The ability to lift moods or make someone relax is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Women use candles to calm their nerves in the bath, to lessen odors in the kitchen, and set mood lighting. A simple little thing used for centuries, and we still use it today. Something has to be said for the candles ability to maintain through years and years of progress. Besides, in a black out, whats more reliable than a candle??

 

What if a candle can be something more? What if a candle can not only make you relax, but makes you a little more lovely than you already are?

 

A few weeks ago, I was messing around on a website I found on Facebook, sneekpeeq.com. With sneakpeeq.com, you are able to search for niftly items for "living", "style", "beauty", and "inspiration". You can browse dozens of companies running short term sales. The cute part of all of this is that you look at the item and see the retail price, the use one of your twenty "peeqs" to take a look at the discounted offerings on the site. (On TOP of that, they give you "badges" for browsing that offer a wide array of discounts from 10% off to free shipping...YAY!) Well, that diatribe aside, I was browing around and saw something called Diamond Candles. My curiosity was piqued. So I looked and saw that these were 21oz, all natural soy candles, but the beauty part is that part way down this lovely candle is a little ball of golden foil. Within this foil is a lovely surprise...a ring! And not just a ring, but a ring that could be worth up to $5,000!!

 

 

During all this research for information, I stumbled on a Groupon for Diamond Candles. I bought it and decided on which fragrances to buy: Sweety Pea and Lemon Lavender.

When they arrived, I lit the Sweety Pea first. I adored the fragrance. It filled my room and lingered for hours even after the candle was snuffed. Because the candle is 100% soy (USA grown, by the way), I was hoping that I would be able to apply the warmed wax as a lotion, and low and behold I could. Darker wax generally gives you a harder time blending, but this did okay for me, and it was super moisturizing!

After about 10 hours, I was able to see the foil peeking out. About an hour later, I grabbed my tweezers and got ahold of the little packet. I wiped it down with paper towels, then used the tweezers to unwrap my surprise...

I love my ring! And the best part was that it fit!

These candles retail for $24.95 and there is $5 flat rate standard shipping, though you CAN expidite it for a higher cost. Want to try these candles at a discount? First time customers can get a coupon from Plum District for $15, but you DO still have to pay for the shipping.

http://www.plumdistrict.com/moms/discount/everywhere/home-and-garden-deals/diamond-candles-plum-steal-best-of-summer-all-natural-scented-soy-candle-with-a-r-xemfqm

As an aside, I wanted to let everyone know that I have never been compensated for any review. I would be willing to use sample sizesfrom companies, but I won;t be paid for my opinion. I take my commitment to sharing things with you all very seriously, and I would never recommend anything that I didn't believe was worth it.

I hope you all have a beautiful day, my lovelies!  Take care!

Revisitng...Hair Crack

Perhaps I was a bit too hasty last time I spoke about this product. Maybe I used it wrong, or was in the wrong frame of mind, but I have decided to revisit Hair Crack, because since I last spoke on the subject, I have been unable to stop using it. It took some tweaking, and and awful lot of patience on my part, but I think I finally figured this stuff out.

Allow me to go over the highlights of what Hair Crack is all about. It is a leave in hair cream, said to be able to tame your tresses from even the driest conditions, including chlorine damage. Call me a skeptic, but I had to try it for myself.  The first few tries, my hair was heavy and unmanagable. It had an odd texture and I couldn't get it to behave the way that I wanted it to. All in all, I was displeased to try a product and spend my own money on it and have this be the result. 

Something told me to keep trying, though...so I did. I fiddled with the amounts I used and finally came up with a way to make it work for me. My chin length hair cannot function with any more than the size of a pencil eraser...or LESS. The results have been amazing. Not only is my hair managable, but its bouncy and full. In these wicked warm and humic southern summer days, I have had tame, frizzless locks. Even at the end of a day of work, or being outside, I have found that my hair is still happy, healthy and full of life!

Not at all what I had originally experienced.

I was very pleased with the results and can now say, with utmost confidence, that I am a Hair Crack addict...through and through!

If you want to give this product a try, it generally retails for around $15 and can be found on an assortment of websites, including Amazon.com.

As always my lovelies, have a wonderful day!  Stay beautiful!!!

I'm Alive...I Swear It!!

It's been an awfully long while since I have posted, and I swear that I am not giving up on this site. I did have to slow down for several personal reasons. Mostly it's due to finances...the hubby and I just bought a car, so things are tight, and since I have to purchase my own products to test and review and recommend...it's just a little tough. On top of that, I am also very busy at work. Writing a blog is fantastic amounts of fun, but not getting paid doesn't really take care of the mounds of bills.

I am working on expanding my topics a little bit though. Instead of just personal beauty product, I want to try and focus on things that can create beauty all around us! (ie - green friendly)

On that note, I wanted to talk about a lovely therapist that I work with. She's one of the kindest people I know...and funny as hell.  To top that off, she's incredibly talented. She has her own line of lotions and other smelly good stuffage!

A few months ago, she made me a lotion that was Lavender and Mint scented...using essential oils. When I got it, I immediately tried it and couldn't have been happier with the results. It was all that I hope for in a lotion. Its rich and creamy and lord have mercy does it moisturize. Its very important to make sure that you are using a lotion that doesn't have a high alcohol content, it shouldn't even be in the first three ingredients, if it is, the lotion is more likely to dry you out over time. Lotion should quickly absorb into your skin and not leave a greasy film, otherwise it is just sitting on the surface of your skin and not solving any problems.

One of my favorite things about her stuff is that she makes it at home. And believe you me, I am ALL about supporting people that make their own things.

She offers a wide array of products:
All-Over Lotion - 12oz - $16
Wash - 12oz - $16
Roll-On - 1/4oz -$5
Room and Body Spray - 12oz - $8
Massage Oil - 12oz - $16
Salt Scrub/Soak - 8oz - $10

In a wide array of scents: Citrus Floral, Sassy, Fresh, Willow, Calm, Lavender and Sandalwood.

She also offers a Neck Wrap and Eye Pillow with aromatherapy in it. ($15 for the neck wrap and $5 for the eye pillow).  For the record, she created the actual aromatherapy insides herself (meaning she sews them and mixes everything together) AND she sews the cases for them. The cases are color coded so you know what is in them. The scents available are Lavender, Sandalwood, Calm, Willow, and Fresh.

If you want to know more about Naturally Gentle Bath and Body, please let me know. The only way to contact her is via email, but I would be glad to share.

And just so you know, my lovelies, I am working on getting information on Soy Candles that also double as lotion. They are expensive, but I know some people that have them, so I will try and get some information on a few different kinds.

Have a beautiful night!!

Primed and Ready for Action

Some things should be second nature. If it works for something, likely it'll work for another. When painting a wall, you add a coat of primer. This covers up the flaws in the wall, and makes it so the new paint shines through...that way you don't see what's underneath. So why should your face be any different? As we age, our faces become flawed. The pores enlarge and our skin tone are uneven. Applying a primer to this can help conceal some of natures "facts" about our own skin.

A primer is a thin coat of creme that is applied to help smooth the surfact of your skin, readying it for make up application. A good primer will help reduce the appearance of pores as well as the amount of surface shine on the skin. All you need is a thin layer of primer to get what you need, and an average sized bottle will last a good long while as long as you aren't too liberal with the amount that you use.  Just apply a small amount (likely no bigger than the size of a pea) to your ring finger. (SIDE NOTE: Your ring finger is the weakest finger on your hand, so when you are applying make up to the delicate skin on your face, it will pull far less than your index finger.) Place a tiny bit of the primer on your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. Blend it with circular motion, working from the center of your face outwards to the hairline and chin bone.

It's important to find a good primer for your skin, and since all skin is different (and all opinions are subjective), allow me to give you a little help!



1 - Too Faced - Primed Poreless

Out of every primer I have ever used, this one seems to call me back regularly. I get a silky finish, even when I don't apply make up over it. It has a consistant coverage and it makes my skin look and feel much younger. it's creamy looking, but it doesn't actually have any pigment in it (even though it really looks like it does). You can find this one at Sephora for around $30.

2 - Bare Minerals - Prime Time

This is a bit more clear/cloudy. It feels a bit more silicone-y when you apply it, but it does offer good coverage. I have found this kind didnt last me as long as the Too Faced, but it does a really great job, especially if you DO use mineral make ups. You cann find this little gem anywhere you by bare Escentuals. Try Ulta, they sell this one for around $23.

3 - Smashbox - Photo Finish

This stuff is pretty cool. Something for every skin type! There are 4 different primers that fall under the umbrella of "Photo Finish". The peach one, or "Blend", help hide dark spots, the green one, or "Adujust", reduces redness, the purple one, or "Balance", helps brighten sallow skin, and the white one, or "Light" gives that silky smooth camera-ready appearance we all want.  By offering so many choices, they are able to cover a wide array of people. Sephora sells all of these choices and the prices range from $17-$49.

All right my lovelies! I am off for the day. Spread the word and offer some suggestions! I am needing help with ideas in the worst way!!  Have a beautiful day :)

Manicure in a Pinch

First, let me just say that I am sorry that I have been so slow in updating. I have been working a lot lately and have found myself too tired to think!! 

Second, on with the show:

As I have said before I have a small obsession with pretty nails. I get my nails done every few weeks (acrylics, not shellac...my natural nail is too damned thin!), and I love to indulge in a cute accent nail. It came down the pike that I couldn't get my nails done for longer than I would have liked. The outgrowth wasn't pretty, and the polish was starting to rub off. I myself couldn't paint my nails for shite and I didn't want to pay for a polish change...what's a girl to do?!

Enter Sally Hansen Salon Effect polish! For under $10, I was able to revitalize my nails and be able to get through the next couple weeks without error.  The nicest part was that it worked on my acrylics just as much as it would on natural nails. They give you a double sided emery board and an orange wood stick just to make it all possible.

They come in strips that you stick to nails that have been roughed up with the emery board.  You find the nail that is the right shape for your cuticle, using either side of the strip. You peel the clear backing, remove the tap, place and press. Make sure you wrap the strip over the free edge of your nail, this will make the manicure last longer. Use the fine side of the emery board to remove excess strip and voila! 

I managed 2 weeks out of the above polish strips before I went back to my nail tech. They still looked so good when I sat with her that the first thing she said when she saw them was "Who did you cheat on me with?!" You can imagine her surprise when I told her that I did them myself in the car while my husband was driving.

So, long story short, if you're anything like me when you are trying to paint your own nails...you know, left hand looks amazing, right hand looks like you set a Labrador with a polish brush in it's mouth on your hand...then this is the best stuff for you. I really liked that I didn't have to add a clear coat and the strips stayed shiny and unblemished for two weeks. It was WAY more than I expected.

As always, if you have any ideas, please let me know! I am always up for suggestions. Have a beautiful day, my lovelies!!

Repair Thy Skin

In life, there are few things that can be considered fundamental truths. In my line of work, one thing I can surely depend on is that skin gets older. It starts when we reach twenty, and it's just downhill from there. If we are wise, wiser than I generally give myself credit for, we will take care of the skin we are in. We will wash it with cleanser, not soap, and moisturize with with product that are meant for the skin on our faces.

It's like this: the skin on your body is different than the skin on your face. You face it made of finer, more delicate skin, then say...the skin on your arms and legs. The pores are more easily clogged and it is far easier to cause irreparable damage. If you place sub par products on your skin, just because they are accessible...and *gasp* cheaper, you will not be happy with the end result.

The key is to find out what your problems are, and I don't mean through self-diagnosis. You wouldn't believe the number of people that I speak to that think they have sensitive skin, when they just do not. People need professionals to help figure out the problems. You wouldn't diagnose a sickness on your own, so how can you diagnose a skin problem on your own. There are two ways to get checked out. You can see an aesthetician for a facial and they can give you a pretty decent rundown of what may be up with your skin. If you have more sever issues, a dermatologist is the way to go.

After all you have heard me say, I'm sure you know that I am a believer in "you get what you pay for". Buying skin products at the drug store can be treacherous at best. My newest skin care addiction is Murad. They have a vast variety of products and they all have some amazing things that they do.

Murad is a three part system: 1 - Cleanse/Tone, 2 - Treat/Repair, and 3 - Hydrate/Protect. You can use and layer as many #1 and #2 products as you wish, but you can only use one #2 at a time. They have several different skin care lines, Acne, Anti-Aging Acne, Environmental Shield, Age Reform, Redness Therapy, Vitalic (for skin with less troubles), and Resurgence (for hormonal skin). They also have a line of hybrids and make-up like products and the Murad Man line, with all sorts of man-friendly goodies.

I know I will probably wind up talking about all sorts of different Murad products that I have come to depend on, but for now, I will go with the basic product that I love and adore: cleaner. I used to think that I had sensitive skin, but it turned out to be a gluten allergy. Once I had the redness on my cheeks under control, I was able to try stronger products. this lead me to the Environmental Shield Essential-C Cleanser. Whoa. Just...whoa. I started using this stuff, and I swear that my face started to thank me. My pores reduced in size and I literally got younger looking skin in the first month. All it took was learning to discipline myself to wash my face twice a day. I never questioned washing my face at night. As far as my face goes, I know I wear make up and that clogs pores, on TOP of the fact that free radicals from exhaust fumes and all sorts of other environmental goodies eee fit to attach themselves to my skin. But, I always wondered why you had to wash your face in the morning. It occurred to me, after starting this regimen, that we all sweat when we sleep. Why would I want to start my day with an icky face. Ew. Seriously...ew. It made such a difference when I started using a proper cleanser.

One of my favorite parts about Murad is that you don't need to use much product to go a long way. I've had this cleanser fpr three months and I still have at least a months supply left. The products are kind of pricey, but they use higher quality ingredients, and you're technically buying at least a 3 months supply, so it works out. If you buy this on the Murad website, you can get the full sized cleanser for $35. They also sell kits that have a 1-month supply of several products in one box for a little more than the cost of the full sized cleanser. I can't say enough how much I love their products. I was never a believer in higher priced skin care before I started using this line, but I am most assuredly reformed now!

As per usual, if you have any questions, please ask! I am always available to answer. Also, I am still on the hunt for your home remedies to basic beauty issues, so please clue me in!

Have a wonderful one, my lovelies!!

Curly Girls Need Love Too!

It's a sad fact that curly hair is often unruly, frizzy, and just general unmanageable. However, with a little bit of help, you can have beautiful, soft, smooth, bouncy girls that most women would swoon over...all it takes is a little bit of knowledge!  Lets start with the facts:

• Curly hair is often frizzy, and easily effected by mother nature and her temper tantrums
• Curly hair is drier than straight hair
• Curly hair is temperamental
• With the right information, all of these facts can be fought!

Because curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair, it often makes it harder to handle. To understand why, let me explain the way the different hair shafts look. Prepare for a bit of SCIENCE!!!

The first picture is of straight hair, the last is of curly. Because of the way the hair grows, straight hair has an easier time of distributing sebum (oil) from root to tip. The shape of curly hair, and even wavy hair, makes it harder for it to travel. Think of it this way, it's easier for oil to go in a straight line, rather than down a corkscrew. Due to this, the ends of the hair are drier and more brittle. No nutrients from your scalp make for sad hair :( ! It comes down to the way the individual hair shaft is shaped:

There is no tricking nature. Even with a flat iron, you can't change the shape of your hair, which is why even a little bit of sweat of the back of your neck can cause the hair there to go POOF!

So rather than fight nature, work with it.  There are plenty of ways to get soft, touchable curls. trust me, lovelies, I myself have unruly hair, so with years of playing with it...along with an ample amount of education...I can help.

Rule #1 - Fight the urge to wash your hair everyday (this is true for all hair type, but more so for curly hair). Now I don't mean don't get it wet. By all means, douse those curls. Water and some conditioner will help them spring back to life. When I am consistently wearing my hair curly, I wash my hair 2x a week...tops. I do condition everyday, though. What you need is a thick, rich, moisturizing conditioner. Apply it about an inch away from your scalp (this will keep your scalp from getting too oily between washes and will help the ends of your curls get the moisture and nourishment that they so badly need). You also want to make sure that you are deep conditioning your hair once a week. When you do wash your hair, avoid clear shampoos, as they are harsher and will dry the hair out. Stick with thick, creamy shampoos for better results...sulfate free is even better if you can swing it. Using a few drops of virgin coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera once a week can be the exact thing thirsty locks need!

Rule #2 - Heat styling = BAD! Because the hair is already drier, adding heat into the mix can make a difficult problem even worse. When you aren't able to resist the urge to heat style, make sure you are taking every precaution to protect your curls. Use a styling serum. Just a couple of drops can help protect the hair from heat. If you are using a blow dryer, make certain that there is a diffuser on it. the direct air flow can cause some serious damage and can even make the hair frizzy and full of fly aways. When using the diffuser, the key is to place the dryer under your hair, cupping your hair in your free hand and encouraging it upwards...never scrunching. You just want to make the curls form neatly, not force them. If you are headed for a straight look with your trusty flat iron...moisturize. The flat iron, tempting as it may be, is awful for your hair if you don't protect it.

Rule #3 - Products made for curly hair are your best friend! Products that promote curling and contain little to no alcohol are the best thing for delicate hair. the hardest thing to do is to not fuss too much with your hair during the day. The more you play, the more is causes the product to break down and the more likely you are to make your hair frizzy and unruly. If you must adjust your hair, use a pick, not a hair brush. I know it sounds fabulously 80s, but it is the biggest benefit for your hair. And for the record, salt sprays are great for defining curls!

Rule #4 -  Get a hair cut, at least four times a year, more if you color treat your hair. Because of the delicate nature of your hair, keeping those split ends at a minimum is a wonderful thing. I know everyone is heard it before, but it still rings true...trimming your hair promotes growth. (See this article from earlier this week for why.) Making sure you have a stylist that knows a thing or two about curly hair is a major help as well. You never, under any circumstances, want to razor cut your hair. Razor cutting can cause more split ends than it fixes, and while texture is something that straight hair can really need, we curly girls don't really need help in that department!

It's a lot to take in, I know, but once you learn how to be the master of your own 'do, you can be unstoppable!

As usual, if you have any questions, please let me know! I always answer :)

If you didn't read yesterdays post, I am looking for any home solutions that you have for your own beauty routine. I have several in mind to share, but I always love to know what everyone knows!

Have a beautiful day, my lovelies!