November Loves and Favorites

Starbucks Red Holiday Cup

Starbucks: your winter specialty drinks have stolen my heart once again.  The Skinny Peppermint Mocha is my absolute favorite, but I have been changing it up every now and then with the Holiday Spice Flat White.  The Peppermint Mocha is perfect for when I am craving something super sweet and chocolate, and the Flat White for when I am in need of something soothing.  The Holiday Spice Flat White is basically Christmas in a cup.  I have yet to try the Gingerbread or Chestnut Praline, but it is only a matter of time.

BH Cosmetics Long Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick

When I received an email a few weeks ago that BH Cosmetics had just released these, I knew I had to try them.  I purchased Muse, a nude pink grey-beige, and Endora, a bright pink.  The formula isn't over-drying on my lips, but I always make sure to exfoliate and moisturize before applying any kind of liquid lipstick.  The texture is similar to Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and the colors are similar to Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick.  I plan on ordering many more when colors come back in stock.

Honeywell Console Humidifier

You may be thinking: what the hell is a humidifier doing on a beauty favorites list?  I have been waking up every morning this fall and winter struggling to breathe through a stuffy nose, and when my nose is stuffy is stays that way all day long, which means I am constantly using tissues and ruining my makeup.  No bueno.  At first I was stunned by the size of this particular humidifier, as don't have a lot of space to work with at the moment.  But the performance and efficiency of this humidifier quickly outweighed this slight inconvenience.  I actually like the size of it now because it holds a lot of water and I do not have to worry about refilling it for a few days at a time.  My bedroom air is more comfortable at night, allowing me to breathe easier, and the makeup I put on my nose in the morning will continue to stay on my face **double thumbs up.***

 

The Time Chamber by Daria Song

The sequel to The Time Garden, a beautifully designed magical story and adult coloring book, The Time Chamber is another outstanding work of ink art by Daria Song. 

The red haired fairy returns again in this book, but this time it is the fairy that is visiting the little girl's land.  Feeling restless, the fairy desires to explore outside her beautiful time garden inside the clock.  The fairy packs beautiful treasures to bring the little girl each time she visits her.  As she explores, the entire world feels enormous in size to the tiny fair, and everything is new and beautiful.

The designs that fill this book illustrate the magical and charming objects the tiny fairy finds so beautiful: tea kettles, dining ware, silver ware, powder boxes, spools of yarn, and more.  The intricate details featured on each page will leave you mesmerized and captivated with the story and it's beauty.

Luxe Beauty Brows Eyebrow Growth Serum*

My brows have consistently remained sparse, thin, and difficult to grow for years now.  A constant reminder of the over-plucking and torture I put them through during middle school and high school.  I was really excited to try out this eyebrow growth serum when Luxe Beauty sent it to me for review because I have never used any type of hair growth serum before (although I have always wanted to try an eyelash serum).  I apply this to my brows every morning before makeup and again every night after I remove my makeup.  After a few weeks I actually have seen a great difference in the growth of my eyebrows.  While they haven't grown in any thicker, they are actually growing, which is an awesome improvement!

 

Where's Karl by Stacey Caldwell

This book illustrates in beautiful detail a "fashion-forward parody" from cover to cover.  Cleverly designed and gorgeously illustrated, the artwork brings to life some of the best known names in the fashion industry.  We follow quirky and interesting characters around the world, to cities like Dubai and New York, and to fashion week in all of the most fabulous locales.

In your search for Karl you will also find a sea of different celebrity, lifestyle and fashion personalities.  Despite the book's title and main character (Karl), the real hilarity lies within the overall portrayal of the fashion industry.  You see Grace Coddington, Naiomi Campbell, Giselle Bunchen, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Anna Wintour, Alexa Chung, Bill Cunningham; the character legend is intense and wonderfully amusing.

This book makes an excellent gift to any style lover in your life or a great addition to your coffee table books.  A must buy for anyone who follows the fashion industry.

 

Micro Pedi Electric Callus Remover*

I had been debating about getting one of these electric pedi devices for months (because what woman doesn't need smoother feet?) when I was sent this from Care Me to review.  This thing works miracles on my feet, no lie.  The pumice roller is gentle but powerful, and much more effective than the Ped Egg that I have been using for years.  I like the fact that is is not battery powered and actually comes with a charger.  You can detach the roller head and hand wash it to clean.  Honestly, I've never seen or felt my feet so smooth and soft before.  This will definitely save me some money from getting pedicures at the spa.

 

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DIY Beauty: Simple Natural Coconut Oil Face Wash

Coconut Oil has become my new favorite beauty ingredient.  I've been using it in my hair care and skin care routines for its ability to smooth my split ends and soften and moisturize my skin.  This DIY Face Wash receipt is perfect for saving money on those expensive store face washes, or a great alternative to face washes that contain many unnecessary and unnatural ingredients.

I have been using this specific DIY coconut oil face wash for a few weeks and have absolutely seen a difference.  In the morning I wash my face with the Fresh Soy Facial Cleaner, and at night I use this face wash recipe after removing my makeup.

In terms of skin care, coconut oil can turn dry, itchy skin into soft, hydrated skin when it is placed in lotions, creams and soaps.  Coconut oil can strengthen the skin tissue, eliminate dead skin cells, and absorbs quickly into the skin.

 Ingredients 

2 tbsp. Baking Soda

1/8 tsp. Coconut Oil

Directions 

Wash your face with water.  Place the 2 tbsp. of baking soda into the palm of your hand.  Add just enough water to turn the baking soda into a thick paste. 

Add the 1/8 tsp. of coconut oil.  Tip: coconut oil will liquify at room temperature. 

Use your hands to massage the paste into your skin for 20-30 seconds and then rinse with cool water. 

Dry your face by dabbing it with a clean hand towel.  You can then continue with your regular skincare regimen of moisturizers and creams.  Make sure to at least apply a gentle moisturize to close pores.

Let Me Know!

What are your favorite go-to natural beauty ingredients?
 

 

A Beauty Lover's Comfort Guide To Thanksgiving

 

On this day, one of the busiest travel days of the year, we are going to talk about the one thing that everyone (including you, beauty lovers) want for their holiday: comfort.

I don't know about you, but I have never eaten a Thanksgiving dinner in a dress and heels.  Knowing I will be gorging myself on turkey stuffing the inevitable food coma that will follow, I always opt for some of the most comfortable clothing pieces and makeup products I own.

 
Madewell Aya City Cotton-Jersey Sweatshirt

Soft and stylish, but loose enough to hide my bloated after-dinner food baby.  This charcoal and white cotton-jersey is going to be perfect for when my over-stuffed American arse hits the couch for a nap, but will still look great during dinner.

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

 This foundation is guaranteed to last you throughout Thanksgiving day and well into a night of Black Friday shopping.  This full coverage foundation has long been one of my favorites and keeps my skin smooth and matte.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

  Holidays, as wonderful as they can be, can also be stressful.  I notice my face breaking out in my T-zone even more during the holidays, which is probably due to a combination of poor food choices along with stress.  Use this at least once per week or whenever you want a nice skin refresher.

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter Body Butter

 This body butter makes my skin feeling amazingly hydrated and moisturized, and I absolutely love the scent.  I usually keep this body butter handy for special occasions when I want my skin to remain smooth and soft for long periods of time.  While I'm standing out in the freezing cold in a Black Friday line at Target, my skin won't be cracked or dried out by the time I make it inside.

Zella Live-In Slim Fit High Waisted Leggings

  High wasted yoga pants on Thanksgiving.  Need I honestly say more?  I have basically been living in yoga pants for the past year.  Pair this with the cotton-jersey sweatshirt and you can go right from the dinner table to the couch after your Thanksgiving buffet meal.

Beauty Blender

 I cannot live without my Beauty Blender on a daily basis, and Thanksgiving is no exception.  Even when applying a small amount of makeup (which is my usual for Thanksgiving) it will evenly blend and cover your entire face.

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash

So, you've just woken up from your food coma and it's time to get ready for some shopping.  If I have absolutely no time to get ready, I am reaching for this bad girl.  This mascara is lengthening and curling, allowing you to appear wide awake and refreshed (even if that could be further from the truth).

UGG Australia Ansley Knit-Bow Suede Slipper

I don't know about everyone else, but I wear my slippers to the dinner table on Thanksgiving.  Again, the goal here is ultimate comfort.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

While wearing stylish and classic red lipstick is what we would all like to wear on this American holiday, it's not realistic.  I do not need red lipstick smeared across the side of my face while I'm shoveling food down my throat.  This lip cream adds the perfect touch of color while being able to easily remove and reapply after dinner.

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Face Primer

Apply this primer before your foundation and you will have no trouble taking your makeup into Black Friday shopping.  It will keep your face smooth, oil-free, and long lasting, so that instead of worrying about your makeup sliding down your face, you can instead worry about those fantastic deals.

 

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DIY Hair Care Tutorial: 7 Steps On How I Cut My Long Hair

 

Cutting your own hair at home can save time, money and frustration.  If you have the patience and are willing to invest in a decent pair of hair cutting shears, you are 100% capable of cutting your own hair.

My Hair Story

I have been getting my hair cut and dyed for years.   My first hair stylist was a woman named Sue, who, to this day, still lives about 10 minutes down the road and cuts hair out of the basement of her house during evenings.  She gave me my very first haircut when I was a toddler, bangs when I was 10, highlighted my hair Christina Aguilera style in middle school, and went through every single one of my adolescent hairstyle fads with enthusiasm.

During college I was away from home and started frequenting Super Cuts.  It was at this point that I started to become frustrated with the way my hair was being cut.  Each time I would go I would get a random stylist, and each time he or she would cut my hair completely different.  I have been keeping my hair long since about the age of 19, and every time I went to the stylist I asked them to only take off as little as possible while trimming up my few shorter layers.  Many, many times I left with my hair at a shorter length than I desired, feeling as if they had taken off more than necessary.

How I Started Cutting My Own Hair

Wanting to keep my hair long and have it turn out exactly the way I wanted, I started cutting my own hair at home about six months ago.  I invested $15 in a pair of hair cutting shears from Ulta and a six pack of plastic hair sectioning clips.

The first time I cut my hair I was nervous.  Very nervous.  I imagined myself over-compensating for mistakes and ending up with lop-sided hair.  But instead of making my hair a disaster, I took my time and it turned out great.  I did some pre-research and watched several You Tube hair cutting tutorials.

I am not a professional hair stylist, nor have I ever been trained in how to cut hair.  The purpose of this tutorial is to simply show you how I cut my hair at home, and encourage you to look into it for yourself!  I suggest researching on You Tube the exact type of cut you want to try on yourself and becoming well informed on how to find guides and how to properly make a cut.

Let's Get Started!

Step 1

I wet my hair and comb thru it with a wide tooth comb, making sure everything is smooth and untangled.

Step 2

I separate my hair into three even sections.  I pin the top two sections into a bun to keep them out out of the way while I start work on the lower section first.

Step 3

I separate the lower section into two parts and bring them forward in front of my face.

Step 4

I take one of the two parts, bring it in front of my face with a comb, and make an even upward cut at an angle.  I then repeat this on the other side.

Step 5

I clip back my bottom section, un-clip my middle section of hair, and then clip back my top section to keep that out of the way as well.  I then repeat Step 3 and Step 4 on this middle section.

Step 6

I clip back the middle section with the bottom section to keep them out of the way.  I then un-clip my top section.  Parting my hair down its natural part, I then repeat Step 3 and Step 4 on this section.

Step 7

Un-clipping everything and bringing my hair in front of my face, I recheck the angle of each side with a comb to make sure they align evening.  I make any additional small clips in order to even out the angles on both sides of hair.

There you have it!  I just showed you the techniques I used to easily cut my own hair at home.  My goal in cutting it this way to to keep my locks trim and slightly layered, while still allowing my hair to stay as long as possible.

In the end, this is usually the small amount of hair that I trim off:

Let Me Know!

Do you or have you ever wanted to cut your own hair at home?  Do you do any other salon services yourself, such as dyeing hair or hair treatments?

 

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