July 2020 Empties Part 2!

I am so excited I finished roughly 18 full-sized items this month in addition to what I already finished earlier. But, I have a stinky suspicion I definitely adding more than I am finishing haha. I recently began hoarding nail polish because you know that's the most sensible thing to do during a pandemic. 

Out of everything I finished there weren't many items I loved enough to repurchase again. I do like most of the face masks but, I just usually buy what's on sale lately. Occasionally I might go out of my way to purchase something but, lately, I been blowing through my entertainment/self-care budget lol

I did like the Elemis Rose facial oil. It smelled heavenly but, after a while, I felt like it wasn't really doing anything. I think I just liked putting it on because of how luxurious it felt. Sunday Riley Retinoid cream was nice and it didn't cause my skin to break out or get irritation.

The most disappointing thing was the Glow Recipe watermelon mask. This one didn't break me out like their moisturizer but, I didn't really notice anything. I used to be a fan of Lancome's eye makeup remover but, honestly, it doesn't remove tough mascara stains. I have been using the makeup remover cloth and that works wonders.

Here is a list of everything I finished -

Facetory Glow Baby Glow

BioRepublic Skincare Pomegranate Crush

Elvis + Elvin New York Grape Treatment Mask

I Dew Care See The Light Purifying Vitamin C Mask

Nature Republic Real Nature Mask Sheet Acai Berry

Soo ae Purifying Black Charcoal Mask

Facetory Ace that Face Sheet Mask

Evolvh Super Finish Polishing Balm Smooth

Essentiel Elements Fresh Neroli Shower Gel

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

TonyMoly Moisture Boost Gel to Water Morning Cleanser

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Facial Oil

Dennis Gross Stress SOS Eye Cream

Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover

Red Flower Soft Water Mist

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Thisworks In Transit Camera Close-Up

Ladies Home Journal July/August 2014

The 7 Healthiest Summer Fruits -

Raspberries - of all the berries, raspberries have the most fiber to keep you feeling full - one cup gives you 8 grams and has only about 65 calories

Plums - there are more than 200 varieties, but buy the dark purple or red ones and eat the skin, which has the high concentrations of antioxidants to combat inflammation

Sweet cherries - one cup provides about 300 mgs of potassium, which helps regulate your blood pressure, plus a big dose of antioxidants

Strawberries - They can boost your immune system : just one cup will give you your entire daily requirement of vitamin C. Strawberries might also control type 2 diabetes and prevent heart attacks.

Peaches - peaches and other stone fruits have compounds that can reduce obesity and inflammation. They may even help fight breast cancer.

Tart Cherries -  packed with antioxidants, these may decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke and ease arthritis symptoms. They’re linked to better sleep and muscle recovery after exercise.

Blueberries -  they get their deep color from anthocyanins, which protect your heart and can improve memory and reduce urinary tract infections.

Self July 2014

Get rid of swim hair - to rinse the greening chlorine from the pool and damaging salt from the sea out of your strands, pour 1 cup of vodka over your hair when showering and leave on for five minutes, then shampoo and condition. The spirit removes harmful water deposit without altering your color or texture. It also detangles and helps close hair’s cuticle layer, leaving it shiny.

Fight sweat spots - To help keep skin dry and flower fresh, mist your body with an stringent. The astringent’s alcohol and menthol make skin feel cool, and along with witch hazel, cleanse it of sweat and oil.

Marie Claire July 2014

How to grill

1. Prep your surface - before use, wipe down grates with vegetable oil. Brush off charred food with a grill brush after each use.

2. Get the gear - you’ll need noth grill and meat thermometers, and a pair of tongs

3. Let it marinate - coat chicken a day ahead with a simple garlic, ginger and soy sauce marinade [fish and steak only need two to four hours]. No time to spare? Make a spice rub and olive oil paste for major flavor fast.

4. Leave it be - checking on the meat too much. Let it sit for a several minutes per side or until you see grill marks. Then rotate 180 degrees for a crosshatch pattern.

Lucky June/July 2014

Master Class - Great Legs

1. Do both cardio and strength training - the fastest way to see results, is to alternate lifting weights with aerobic workouts such as running and jumping rope. Without cardio, lifting weights alone can make you bulky.

2. Strengthen - squats, lunges, split squats, and jump lunges increase strength, stability, and coordination.

3. Tone - extended leg lifts and side/karate kicks engage every muscle. Isometric exercise like planks and wall sits, which contract your muscles for a set period, are also excellent.

4. Shock your muscles - unless you want to simply maintain your current weight and muscle definition, you need to push yourself beyond your normal limit. Hold weights while doing lunges, aiming for 15 squats if you normally do five. Don’t do what you can do - go a step further.

5. Stretch - muscles are like rubber bands and have an elastic, recoil effect. Stretching helps them stay supple so they perform more powerfully.

6. Run toe to heel - this engages and tones effectively.  The body stays upright and relaxed, so the impact of your feet hitting the ground is less on your joints.

7. Work on your calves - defined calves make the rest of your leg look stronger and more shapely. The key :  calf raises.

Allure July 2013

Editor’s Favorites

Sun Bum Cool Down

Kevin Murphy Shimmer Bug

Jane Iredale Pure Gloss in Bellini

Aerin Beach Cream for Hair and Body

Nivea Touch of Frangipani Hydrating Shower Gel

Covergirl Flamed Out Shadow Pots in Fired Up Pink, Lime Light, and Melted Gold

5 Ways to Use Translucent Powder

“1. To thicken lashes - use a clean spooley brush to sweep a thin layer of powder on lashes between two coats of mascara. This bulks lashes without making them clumpy.

2.To blot out oil - powders with a lot of talc or silica are genius on your skin and on silk. Put a bit of powder on the oily spot, let it set overnight and brush it off. The stain will be gone, or at least less noticeable.

3. To prevent blisters - when switching from work shoes to going out shoes, dust powder over your feet to help keep shoes from rubbing against your skin.

4. To tone down makeup - when that one extra pass with the blush [or bronzer or eye shadow ] is one too many, dip a clean brush lightly in the powder and blend it until it looks less intense.

5. To lift greasy roots - [shake a little powder on your brush and work it from roots to midlength. The powder also adds a cool, roughed - up texture and doesn’t show, even in dark hair.”