Julep Nail Polish - Sienna

 The nice shimmer silvery gold nail polish goes on smoothly but I find it hard to dry properly without it getting dinged or streaky. I find it looks better when using the Julep Fast Dry nail drops. The nail polish lasts forever with two coats and is perfect for celebratory events. Overall, it is not my most favorite but it does look nice on me or so I been told.

 Me having some fun with the Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots - 95 Blue Marks the Spot  -

Japonesque Beauty Fixation Cuticle Conditioner Applicators

My cuticles! Where do I begin with them, they are always raggedly and unkempt no matter what I do with them. I invest in hundreds of dollars of products but I tend to forget to use them. I figured with these easy to use on the go applicators, I would finally be able to get my cuticles up to par. The easy to use applicator just twists off and the product is deposited into the other end of the swab. The formula is packed with aloe vera, essential oils and extracts which promises to condition, rehydrate and revitalized dried and hardened cuticles. I love how easy and useful these were to use. I kept a box of these in my messenger bag, in my desk at work and near my nightstand so I will always remember to use them. Each applicator I have noticed had enough serum for both hands and some leftover either for my feet or just to rub the excess all over my hands. My cuticles did look better after using the product and it did help that it was travel size so I can use it anywhere.

Pura Botanica Just Because Candle Fulfill Mint

This small but potent soy based travel candle packs a crisp scent of Australian eucalyptus, Peppermint, Patchouli and Morocco Cedarwood. One whiff and I feel all my stress is melting away and my spirits revitalized. The scent is soft and not overwhelming. The tiny travel tin has a burn of 21 hours which will allow you to take the little escape anywhere and everywhere. So, light the candle and close your ends and imagine your mind and spirit transported to somewhere tranquil and leave the baggage behind ;)

Yes to Carrots Acne Blemish Clearing Facial Towelettes

As everyone can agree, sometimes there are not enough hours in the day. The last thing I want to do after a long day is wash my face. That is why I like keeping a packet near my bed so my lazy butt doesn’t have to go far to clean my face before hitting the sack. The facial wipes are made with 97% natural compostable, FSC certified fabric is Petroleum, SLS, & Paraben Free. The wipes are packed with tomato extracts, red pepper, witch hazel and salicylic acid. The wipes promise to help fight acne blemishes and leaves skin clean and clear.  While I wasn’t using this wipes to prevent or clear my acne and blemishes, I didn’t notice they did much to alleviate my acne and blemish or clear my pores and blackheads. I really hoped that it would help clean the blackheads that has made home on my nose. This wipes didn’t wipe off my mascara cleanly so I usually have to follow up with makeup remover.

Pritte Organic Skin Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion

The creamy body lotion is made with hand cut and filleted [does anyone else think about fish?] organic aloe vera and organic honey. The body lotion left my skin moisturized and glowy. It fully absorbed into my skin after couple minutes of application. The lotion has a soft honey citrus scent, non greasy and wasn’t very thick. The only thing I am a bit sad that the lotion is a bit expensive so I will probably buy this one in awhile as a treat.

Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream

 

Photo Source : Burt's Bees

This is one of my favorite products from the Burt’s Bees Radiance line. The eye cream is packed with Royal Jelly, natural mica, bee pollen, chamomile, cucumber and rosehip extracts. The non-greasy, fast absorbing eye cream hydrates, softens and makes my dark circles less apparent. The product promises to reduce puffiness, swelling and minimize fine lines but I don’t really have notice any of that . Mostly, because I don’t ever get puffy or swollen eyes unless of course it was that one time I accidentally punched myself in my face. Long story short, I got really excited in Sephora…but in truth, can you really blame me…it was Sephora… :)

Women’s Health December 2013

See Ya, Static

1. Consider your hair type - static tends to be a straight-hair issue. Curls interlock, so each strand is anchored down. Got straight hair? Use a light - hold hair spray pre-hat.

2. Keep strands quenched - dry hair is more likely to stand on edge in  cold, low-humidity weather. Swap your regular conditioner for a deep treatment once a week after shampooing to restore moisture.

3. Use ingenuity - spray the inside of their hat with static guard and then give it a shake before putting it on.

Wow - Worthy Winter Skin

1. Reveal Brighter, Softer Skin - low humidity outside plus heat inside can leave skin dry and rough. Use a grain -  based exfoliating body scrub in the shower to refine rough areas. Opt for a sugar based formula which melts faster than salt and makes skin soft.

2. Get a believable bronze - ditch dark self-tanning products and gel formulas for a gradual self-tanner lotion. Apply it before bed every three or four days.

3. Hyper - Hydrate -  for your glow to last, your skin needs to retain the hydration that freezing temps can strip away. Be liberal with a coconut oil based moisturizer, which helps  bind in H20 to leave your skin soft. Apply it  after your first shower post self tanning and then at least once a day.

4. Go for Glimmer - cream based makeup especially formulas containing vitamin E and green tea extract will calm and hydrate red, inflamed patches caused by icy cold winds.

Better Homes and Gardens January 2014

Winterize Your Smile

In chilly temperatures, blood vessels in your lips constrict to minimize heat loss. The super thin skin in this area becomes drier as the amount of fluid decreases, causing skin to crack and flake.

1. Prep - for moisture to penetrate delicate lip tissue, you must first remove the layer of rough dead skin.  Mix 1 tsp. olive oil with 1 tbsp. brown sugar and use the paste to - very gently - slough off visible flakes. Wipe off with a  tissue or a damp washcloth. The olive oil left behind will infuse skin with softening essential fatty acids. Repeat once a week.

2. Heal - after exfoliating, generously coat the area with a lip ointment that contains petrolatum. If you’re experiencing serious discomfort, try a medicated version that’s also infused with camphor or menthol. A thick layer of petrolatum will trap the lip skin’s own moisture and prevent it from evaporating into the dry, cold air. Camphor and menthol will work on your nerve endings to cool and soothe irritation. Apply frequently, especially before bed, until you’re feeling better.

3. Protect - because continued use of camphor and menthol can dry lips over time, switch to a non medicated, wax-base balm for everyday.

4. Prevent - apply balm early and often. Avoid licking your lips, the enzymes in saliva can actually breakdown delicate lip skin. Finally, if you can’t seem to kick chapped lips, try swapping your toothpaste for an all-natural version. The irritation around your mouth might be due to a sensitivity to sulfates, the sudsing agent found in many oral products.