The direct cause to dark under eye circles are a variety of things. Ranging from heredity, allergies, aging, and pigmentation irregularities to name a few causes of dark under eye circles.  They usually aren’t a sign of exhaustion, though they can make you feel old, unhealthy and tired.

When it comes to concealer, I wouldn’t say it’s a fun make-up item that one could get excited about, but it is necessary when it comes to covering up flaws. For months now I have been trying a ton of concealers ranging from high-end brands to drugstore brands. I have found a few that I love and guess what they are all drugstore. One I am going to spotlight on is by the cosmetic line Hard Candy.

Hard Candy has a concealer called Glamoflauge. It doesn’t boast any skin-caring, SPF-providing, moisturizing properties at all. Instead it is solely and solidly a concealer and in this aspect is performs superbly well. In fact, I would call it comparable to the concealers from Kat Von D, Benefits Erase Paste, and the concealer that Sheer Cover currently offers.  The pigmentation alone is worth a look by someone who is interested in a full coverage concealer.

PROS:

• Truly a full coverage concealer
• Adheres well to the skin
• Very long-lasting, no need to reapply
• Has not clogged my pores or broken out my skin
• No SPF means no fears of flash photography
• Best for those with oily, normal/combination or slightly dry skin

Tip: Use a synthetic concealer brush to apply, and apply a very small amount….a little goes a very long way!

CONS:

• Only three shades to choose from, but since they are so cheap, you could buy all three and mix to make your own perfect shade!
• If you don’t use it properly, for example using way too much can result in an unnatural look.

Overall this product exceeds all my expectations of what a concealer should be….It gives a seamless, even, flawless finish to my makeup while effectively hiding blemishes, and yet doesn’t look like a mask. I have not used the pencil version but the cream one is more than enough for me. After purchasing this concealer, I’m pretty confident in saying that I can toss all of my other concealers. If you’re able to get your hands on a tube, I highly recommend you to try it!

COLOR BLOCKING

Sophie Theallet, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, spring 2012

BRIGHT ORANGES &TANGERINES

Sophie Theallet, Steven Alan, Doo-Ri, spring 2012

Photo taken from: http://www.glamour.com

BASIC METALLICS

Diesel, Theysken’s Theory, spring 2012

photo taken from:http://www.glamour.com

FUTURISTIC  AND BOLD PRINTS

Vera Wang, Prabal Gurung, Cynthia Rowley, spring 2012                                                                     Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam, Altuzarra, spring 2012

photos taken from: www.glamour.com

Have a Beautiful day!

For more info on all 6 shows around the globe please visit: www.imats.net

The second-annual IMATS New York will take place April 14 and 15, 2012!

Photo taken from: www.imats.net

1. For good smelling towels, sheets, clothes, etc. place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying. Add 5 drops essential oil to 1/4 cup fabric softener or water and place in the center cup of the washer
2. Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
3. To enjoy a scented candle, place a drop or two into the hot melted wax as the candle bums.
4. Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemary or Lavender oil onto the back of your neck.
5. To blend your own massage oil, add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 oz. Sweet Almond or other skin- nourishing vegetable oil.
6. 1 Add 10 drops of essential oil to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix very well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets on your home. Let set for an hour or more, then vacuum.
7. The bathroom is easily scented by placing oil-scented cotton balls in inconspicuous places, or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.
8. Apply true Lavender oil or Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches. 1 or 2 drops will promote healing.
9. Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with essential oils. Use soaps which contain pure essential oils.
10. Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with the flowers and herbs.
11. An essential oil dropped onto a radiator scent ring or light bulb will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but will also set a mood such as calming or uplifting. (Don’t put essential oil in the socket.)
12. A few drops of your favorite oil or blend in the rinse water of your hand washables makes for pleasant results.
13. Anise oil has been used by fishermen for years. Use a drop or two on the fingertips before baiting up. Anise covers up the human scent that scares the fish away.
14. Essential oils or blends make wonderful perfumes. Create your own personal essence! Add 25 drops to 1 oz of perfume alcohol and allow to age for two weeks before using.
15. To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic pests, drop a few drops of Citronella oil on the melted wax of a candle or place a few drops on the Bar-B-Q hot coals.
16. 1 drop of Lemon essential oil applied directly to a wart is an effective means of elimination. Apply the essential oil daily until the wart is gone.
17. Rosemary promotes alertness and stimulates memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.
18. Selling your home? Fragrance sells! Fill the kitchen area with the aroma of spices such as Clove, Cinnamon and Vanilla. Simmer a few drops of the essential oil of Cinnamon, Nutmeg and other spices. Geranium oil sprinkled throughout the home creates a warm, cheerful and inviting mood. Add Cinnamon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.
19. Add essential oils to paper mache. The result is the creation of a lovely aromatic piece of art.
20. Infuse bookmarks and stationery with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma.
21. Overindulge last night? Essential oils of Juniper, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Carrot, Fennel, Rosemary and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.
22. Essential oils of Vetivert, Cypress, Cedarwood, Frankincense and Myrrh all make wonderful firewood oil. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.
23. Flies and moths dislike Lavender oil. Sprinkle it on the outside of your window frames.
24. Place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils such as Chamomile, Lavender or Neroli on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.
25. When moving into a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite essential oils and change the odorous environment to your own. Do this for several days until it begins to feel like your space.
26. Ideal scents for the bedroom are Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender or Lemon.
27. One drop of Lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with a gentle buffing.
28. When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Tangerine or Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.
29. For burns or scalded skin, drop Tea Tree oil directly on the effected area.
30. Place 1 drop of Peppermint oil in 1/2 glass of water, sip slowly to aid digestion and relieve upset stomach.
31. Use 1 drop of Chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube to relieve teething pain in children.
32. Six to eight drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.
33. Add 1 drop Geranium oil to your facial moisturizer to bring out a radiant glow in your skin.
34. Place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary on your hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.
35. When the flu is going around add a few drops of Thyme to your diffuser or simmer in a pan on the stove.
36. To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oils have been added.
37. The blend of Lavender and Grapefruit oil is good for the office. Lavender creates a calm tranquil atmosphere while Grapefruit stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.
38. A blend of Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot alleviates anxiety and depression. Use in a room diffuser or 6-8 drops of this blend in the bath.
39. A wonderful massage blend for babies is 1 drop Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond oil.
40. 1 drop Peppermint oil diluted in 1 teaspoon vegetable oil rubbed on the back of the neck helps to relieve headaches.

Have any of you uses essential oils for everyday use? What are your favorites? Mine is Lavender and Jasmine. Have a Beautiful Day!

photo taken from: www.wholeearthoils.com

When it comes to high end make up, there are only a few brands that really stand out (Chanel, NARS, YSL, Dior….to name a few). However, their prices can often be very high (in a department store). So what do you do? Well, the one thing you shouldn’t do is settle for a lesser brand simply because it’s cheap. The internet offers several authentic websites that provide high end cosmetics at discount prices; much cheaper than what you will find at a retail outlet or CCO. Often the discount you find online is over half of the recommended retail price and they offer lots of variety from lip glosses, lip pencils, and lipsticks to eye makeup, blushers, bronzers, foundations, gift sets, professional makeup brushes and many more.

There are only a few things that one needs to be able to purchase makeup at a discounted price. All you need is a computer, Internet access, a source of payment, and a bit of common sense. If you have all these, then you are ready to start saving! In my opinion, go ahead and buy the cheap mascara, lip and eye pencil. I feel those items are things that you don’t need to go overboard on and put a huge dent in your wallet. The following websites have high-end cosmetics for deeply discounted prices.

www.strawberrynet.com
www.hautelook.com
www.amazon.com

Now another way you can save money on your favorite beauty products is start out by buying a kit. Why waste $30 on one single item when you can get a kit of items that you can try out without having to spend a lot money. I can’t tell you how many times I have purchased a full size item and hated it. I should have gotten the kit first…Just walk into any sephora or ulta and have a blast! These are just a few my tips on how you all can save money on your favorite beauty items. Have a beautiful day!

picture credit: www.angrymillionaire.com

Needless to say I walked away shaking my head in disbelief on such a crappy product. So a warning for you all, don’t buy this product, because it totally sucks. Hope you all are having a wonderful week! Have a beautiful day!

What do you all think of this product? Have you tried it?

photo taken from www.ulta.com

This is for those who use a lot of products and heat on your hair. Try these Do-It-Yourself Hair Masks and get back that “virgin” hair you once had as a child! Masks are a proven for bringing your weakened and damaged hair in a good condition. It often turns out that home-made masks for hair are more effective and safe, because they do not contain dyes and various harmful chemical additives. Ditch the chemicals and expensive treatments. Your home cupboards hold the key to keeping your tresses naturally gorgeous.

You want Massive Volume in your hair try this:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 egg
• ½ cup of flat beer
• 1 TBS of honey

Mash up the banana, and add your egg to create a smooth a consistency. Next add your flat beer (Why beer you ask? Beer contains properties that thicken hair, giving the appearance of fuller voluminous hair) and honey. Last apply to your scalp and roots working it in to the tips of your hair. Place a shower cap over hair and let sit for a few hours. Then shampoo out…..Thats it!

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You want to tame that FRIZZ…try this:

• ½ cup of plain yogurt
• ½ cup of honey
• 1 tbsp of almond oil

Mix the three ingredients together and apply all over your hair. Leave it in for 20 minutes and then rinse off with a shampoo. Your frizz will be under control if you do this at least once a month. This one is my favorite one!

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If you have oily hair try this:

• 5 tbsp of plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp of baking soda
• 1 tbsp of lemon juice

Mix the three ingredients together and rub all over your hair focusing on the roots. After 30 minutes rinse off. If your hair is extra oily, try doing this mask once a week.

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Now for those that just want a treatment for their hair they can use twice a week or so….try this. On amazon they sell something that is called hair fertilizer, and coconut oil. Mix those two together in equal parts and put all over your hair. Focus more on your scalp and then comb the rest through with a wide tooth comb. Put a shower cap on, and sleep with it in overnight. Wash out the next morning, it may take you 3 washes to make sure you have washed your mask out. But I promise you will not be disappointed in the results.

So these are just a few natural hair mask you all can try that I promise you will love. Let me know which one you try and which one works for you! Have a Beautiful Day!

photo taken from: www.beautyideas.com

Questions

1.) Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lipglosses or lose all of your palettes and eyeshadows? Lose all of my palettes and eyeshadows
2.) Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?I would rather chop off all of my hair…(EEkkk, I can’t believe I just typed that)
3.) Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?Coral
4.) If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup? That’s easy….buy clothes!
5.) Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick? Apply lipstick as eyeliner, the other choice is just weird
6.) Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora? Sephora….lots more choices!
7.) Would you rather only use one eyeshadow color or one lip color for the rest of your life? One lip color for the rest of my life…….
8.) Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter? Summer clothes in winter….I can layer if I need too
9.) Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round? Dark nails!
10.) Would you rather give up your favorite lip product or your favorite eye product? I would rather give up my favorite eye product…I think!?!
11.) Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun? Ponytail……
12.) Would your rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lipgloss? Never be able to paint my nails again.
13.) Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday? As much as I hate to say this, probably Sharpie them in…(Sharpie has a range of colors these days).
14.) Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish? Live without nail polish.

So that my entertainment can extend far beyond my own answers of these silly, crazy  questions, please do this tag as well!  Leave a comment with the link below and I’ll pop over and read/watch yours too. Can’t wait to hear what YOU say for the sharpie question….that one was a tough one to answer. Have a Beautiful Day!

Price:

$10-$12

What is Divaderme Lash Extender? (Product claims)

Lashes in a bottle. Instantly brush-on lash extension that add hundreds of tiny natural lash fibers enriched with panthenol.

My thoughts:

Application is a little tricky – when I first opened the bottle, there were fibers flying everywhere (thought to myself, this isn’t gonna be fun). So here is my first piece of advice……open the product….. s-l-o-w-l-y and try to shake off any excess back into the bottle (twisting the wand towards the top of the bottle works well for me). The first step is a coat of mascara. Then, while it’s still wet, apply a dose of the Lash Extender fibers onto your wet lashes using the spiral applicator brush. A great tip is to apply the fibers only to the tip of , or middle to the tip of your lashes. A further coat of mascara “seals” the fibers, helping them to attach to your lashes throughout the day. DivaDerme’s advice is to use fresh, runny mascara, as this helps the fibers to adhere. Now a lot of you don’t have fresh, brand new mascara for every application, so a great tip is blast your hairdryer to the side of your mascara bottle so it can warm up and be a little more thiner than usual. The process can be repeated as many times as you like to create greater length and volume. For the best results apply the fibers only 2-3 times. I definitely recommend this product to all those girls who want to have long, thicker and wow-effect lashes without using false lashes or spending hundreds a year visiting the salon. Have a Beautiful Day!

Photo taken from: www.dermapoise.com

If you haven’t already started taking care of your skin, there’s no better time than now. Skin care for women can be overwhelming today because there are many products promising results with ingredients you can’t pronounce, let alone know what they do. One thing my mom always taught is to take care of your skin. When I was in my teens I watched my mom spend so much money on skin care products. When I asked her why she is wasting her money on creams and serums for her face, she responded with, “Well, when you get older, you get wrinkles”. So, I remember I was about 13 or so and I would sneak into my moms super expensive skincare products and slather them all over my face . Of course I had no clue what the heck I was doing or even if I was applying the products in the right places. But I knew I didn’t want wrinkles so I started early.

All skin types may be different but here are few tips that may help you along your skincare journey!

• Drink plenty of water. Water hydrates your skin and flushes out the toxins from the body.
• Take vitamins & supplements. Fish oil supplements contains omega-3 fatty acids that prevent sagging skin and dehydration. Gross who wants to have “saggy face”. Antioxidant vitamins help fight free radicals from the inside of your body.
• Don’t overuse anti-aging products. Excessive application can irritate your skin.
• Avoid the sun. UV rays can cause wrinkles, age spots, skin dullness, and skin cancer. (This is a must! The skin is the largest organ in our body, we need to protect it!) Apply sunscreen…even in the winter months.
• Quit smoking. Smoking speeds up the aging process.
• Hook up the humidifier…..Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.
• Wash your face twice a day and put on the proper treatment products. Don’t forget to wash it in the morning! A lot of icky stuff collects overnight — dead skin cells, dirt, and dust!
• Touch your face less and wash your hands more! Your hands are always getting dirty and you don’t want that dirt to get on your face and collect in your pores.
• Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. I exfoliate twice a week.
• Plus always do your 4-step process when washing your face! Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize, and apply sunscreen. I did not add in any treatments (serums, anti-aging creams, masks) to this process because I believe everyone’s process is different.

The key is to find skin care products that match your skin type and that responds well to your skin. The time you’ll spend on the tips I mentioned above wouldn’t be wasted, in fact, you’ll gain something good from it………..great looking skin you can be proud of. Have a beautiful day!

Photo taken from www.skincarehow.com