Category: Beauty Tips

You know how were always trying to achieve that salon look at home, but it never quite looks or feel the same?  Well,  I think I found a DIY recipe for a silk press, that looks just like youve stepped out of the salon.  Now, some of you are probably asking, what is a silk press.   A silk press is a modern day hair press, but a flat iron is instead of a pressing comb.  No grease or heavy oils to weigh your hair done.  When a silk press done properly, your hair should feel light, shiny and silky.

Heres what I used:

• Paul Mitchells Clarifying Shampoo Three
• Suaves Keratin Infused Smoothing Shampoo (Still one of my faves)
• Suaves Keratin Infused Smoothing Conditioner
• Its A 10s Miracle Leave-In Product
• Biosilk Silk Therapy

The Process:

• I washed my hair twice with Paul Mitchells Clarifying Shampoo.
• I used Suaves Keratin Infused Smooth Shampoo to
• Followed up with Suaves Keratin Conditioner, combing it through and did a steam treatment for about 30 mins (will do a post on the DIY steam treatment this week).
• Rinsed the conditioner out with cold water.  Remember using cold water helps seal the moisture in your hair and increases shine.
• Applied Its a 10 Miracle Leave-In and combed it through the ends.
• Blew my hair dry
• Once dry I applied Biosilks Silk Therapy through my hair.
• I finished up by flat ironing my hair.

And here is the end result

Have you tried a DIY silk press?  Let me know what you think.

I recently ran out of my MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and wanted to try a DIY recipe instead of purchasing something new.  I try the baking soda scrub once.  It caused some irritation, so I never used that recipe again.  I heard about sugar being a great exfoliate and decided to give it a try.

Heres what I did:

• I simply mixed 1 tablespoon of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• After I applied the mixture to my face, I gently rubbed the scrub throughout my face.
• After I rinsed off the scrub, I used a warm cloth to get rid of the excess oil.

Let me tell you, my face has NEVER felt so soft.  Its crazy all the money Ive spent over the years on  exfoliators, from Bobbi Brown , when I had an even better product in my cabinet.  Trail and error, I suppose.

Ill keep this up twice a week and see how it goes.  Remember, its important to exfoliate at least once or twice a week to remove the dead skin off the surface, especially since the days are getting the cooler.

Let me know if youve tried this scrub recipe before.  If you haven’t, try out and tell me what you think.

As a beauty addict, Im always on the quest for new amazing products especially if I can save money.  Ive been hearing a lot about the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) and how these same oils are great for your hair, so I have been using  natural oils, such as castor oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil, in my hair care and skincare routine.

CASTOR OIL

Castor oil contains vitamin E, minerals, proteins, antibacterial and anti-fungicidal properties. Scientists attribute its healing benefits to its unusual chemical composition, which consists of a triglyceride of fatty acids with ricinoleic acid of up to 90 percent. In addition to healing benefits, castor oil also contains anti-inflammatory properties, all of which are related to healthy hair growth.

BENEFITS

• Highly effective remedy for hair thinning and hair loss.
• Applying to scalp prevents dry and itchy scalp.
• The oil mends hair scales bringing back shine and strength to the dull and lifeless hair.
• The ricinoleic acid in castor oil works to inhibit many viruses and bacteria, to cure acne.
• The glossiness of the bean oil makes it a popular choice for lip balms.
• Keeps the skin looking smooth, youthful and unlined.
• Thickens eyelashes and eyebrows

REMEMBER

Castor oil isnt a moisturizer, its a sealant.  So make sure you use a water based moisturizer for your hair. Castor oil can be drying, so adding olive oil or another moisturizing oil can prevent dryness of the skin.

WHERE TO BUY:  Most supermarkets or pharmacies may also sell castor oil in small bottles in the laxatives section.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil has numerous benefits for both hair and skin. It is nutrition for all hair types, helping hair to shine, softening hair, remedying damaged hair by helping to preserve the hairs natural proteins  and can even providing relief from dandruff.  For the skin, coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for all skin types, and especially for dry and older skin. Coconut oil is so good at smoothing out the appearance of wrinkles and helping with skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis that its often added to commercial skin care products.  And theres more––the lauric acid in coconut oil has both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

BENEFITS

• It is effective in reducing the protein loss for damaged and undamaged hair.
• It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair.
• Provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair.
• Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including  dry skin, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.
• Prevents premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its remarkable properties.
• Great as an effective natural deodorant.

REMEMBER

Look for extra virgin, that has not been hydrogenated, bleached, refined or deodorized.  This form of coconut oil is the most safe and skin friendly. It has a very low melting point and does not solidify on your skin, clogging up the pores, as is the case with other coconut oils.  A small amount goes a long way.  Too much oil will leave your hair greasy and stringy.  Also, do not leave the oil in your hair for more than a day without washing it, your hair will become greasy.

WHERE TO BUY:  Health food stores like Whole Foods

GRAPESEED OIL

Grape seed oil contains high quantities of Vitamin E and F and also minerals like zinc potassium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and selenium. But most of all grape seed oil is rich in proanthocyanidins (OPC) a compound that is high in antioxidants which are 50 times more effective than Vitamin E and 20 times stronger than Vitamin C. Antioxidants are found in grape skins and seeds and are more concentrated in red and black grapes.  These great components make grape seed extract an asset in the production of massage oils and balms, hair and hygienic products, face and body moisturizers, as well as in sunblocks and sunburn ointments.

BENEFITS

• It contains 73% of linoleic acid which may be beneficial in the treatment of acne, dermatitis, allergic reactions, atopic eczema and dry and itchy skin.
• Protects against UV radiation, and lightens the effects on age spots and pigmented skin caused by ultra violet rays.
• The antioxidant activity may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and saggy skin activity may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and saggy skin.
• The grapeseed oil for hair protects the hair from heat.
• Because it is lightweight, it is quickly absorbed by the scalp and moisturizes the hair follicles from the roots down.

REMEMBER

When buying Grape Seed Oil, look for cold-pressed organic oil since it retains most of the natural beneficial ingredients compared to the chemically pressed oils.

WHERE TO BUY:  Grape Seed Extract is available at most herbal food and drug stores. It can be purchased in the form of capsules, tablets, oil and powder.

MY SKINCARE REGIME:  THE OIL CLEANSING METHOD

I have been experiencing issues with acne and redness lately, and  Ive  heard so many great benefits of using the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM), that I decided to give it a try.  I know using oil to cleanse your face sounds pretty strange, but judging from the reviews Ive read, its worth trying.

HOW IT WORKS

Cleansers, exfoliates, astringents, and scrubs can strip the skin from its essential oils (sebum).  Although Ive been taught to wash my face twice a day, what that actually does is strip my skin from its natural glow and lead to an unhealthy cycle of skin irritation and acne.

Crazy as it sounds, oil dissolves oil.  So by using the OCM , youre getting rid of the dirty oil, while replenishing it with nourishing oil.  This will eventually clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.

HERE WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

• PREPARATION

Castor oil and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are the most common combination of oils used in the OCM.  Castor oil is great for cleansing and dissolving, and it is also antibacterial, but it also can be drying, so depending on your skin type,  youll want to use more or less castor oil proportionally to the other oils.

OTHER OILS:

Jojoba (all skin types, but very desirable for acne-prone skin)

Sweet almond (all skin types, especially oily)

Grapeseed (all skin types, especially oily)

Avocado (dry and aging skin)

Sunflower Seed (all skin types)

Olive (all skin types)

OIL CLEANSING RATIO

Dry Skin: Blend 1 tablespoon castor oil with 3 tablespoons carrier oil.

Normal Skin: Blend 2 tablespoons castor oil with 2 tablespoons carrier oil.

Oily Skin: Blend 3 tablespoons castor oil with 1 tablespoon carrier oil.

Remember, that what may work for others, may not work for you.  So you can adjust the ratio to what suits you.  I have oily skin, so I use grapeseed oil as my carrier oil, and because Ive noticed that the castor oil can be drying so I put a little on grapeseed oil into the mixture and/or apply olive oil as a moisturizer.

• CLEANSE: You dont have to remove your makeup, you can start with a dirty face.  After youre finished mixing the oils, pour a quarter-size into your palm and begin to massage the oils into your face for about two minutes.
• RINSE: Put a washcloth under hot water.  Adjust the heat to let it cool and it apply the warm washcloth to your face for 10-15 seconds.  Then begin to gently wipe the remaining oil from your face.

If your face is feeling tight and dry, you can apply a drop or two of the carrier oil to moisturize your skin.  Use the OCM at night and in the morning, simply just a damp washcloth to gently wipe your face.  Ive only been using it for a couple of days, so its too early to give any results, but I will keep you posted.

MY HAIR CARE ROUTINE

Castor oil is beneficial with hair thinning/loss and dry scalp, so I like to massage it in my scalp and along my hair line.

I use coconut oil as an hot oil treatment and deep conditioner.  After I wash my hair, I mix it with my hair mask, sit under my heated cap for about an hour and rinse it out.  Ive also seen reviews of people using it as a pre-poo.  Remember that coconut oil can cause hair to be stringy and greasy so you want to rinse it out.

Because its lightweight and odorless, I love to to use grapeseed oil as a moisturizer for my hair.  It helps add shine and hydration without looking stringy and feeling greasy.

I drink coffee almost everyday.  Recently, I decided to switch it up, and opt for a healthier morning drink, by drinking hot lemon water with ginger.  Sure, its not as tasty as a White Mocha, but, the benefits certainly outweigh any cup of Joe.

A natural cleanse,  lemon water with ginger works wonders for the skin.

Water

Drinking enough water is important to keep you hydrated so that your organs and systems function properly. It is also important for your looks, as some of the signs of dehydration are sagging, drawn skin and brittle hair and nails. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no one perfect formula for deciding how much water you need, but the basic 8 by 8 rule—8 ounces of water, eight times a day—is a good rule of thumb.

Lemons

Lemon juice contains high levels of potassium and vitamin C. A strong antioxidant, lemon juice is also a mild diuretic, so adding lemons to your drinking water can help support your liver and kidneys in their natural job of flushing out toxins.

Ginger

Fresh ginger contains something called gingerol, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and aids in healthy cellular activity in the gastrointestinal tract.

Heres what youll need:

• 1/2 inch knob of ginger sliced thinly or grated
• lemon
• cup of hot water

Simply pour boiling water over the ginger, let steep for about 5mins then add lemon juice.

Ive been doing it for 6 days so far.

Even if you cant see yourself giving up coffee for a few days, you can still implement drinking lemon water in your morning routine, before the coffee. Are you up for the challenge?

Men are like mascara, they run at the slightest display of emotion. Kabir Bedi

It might be a breakup, a difficult boss, or just an all out bad day, but every woman has a breaking point.  As Kelly Cutrone said it, If you have to cry, go outside.  Yet, when the tears are inevitable, to avoid making the situation any messier, waterproof mascara is your BFF.  Simply, let it out, let it go and keep that beautiful face intact.

Here are some suggestions for waterproof mascara

Let us know know about your favorite waterproof mascara.

Color blocking has crossed over from the fashion scene to the beauty scene.  What was once popularized on the runway, color blocking has now become mainstream in hair and makeup trends.

For those who arent familiar with the trend, color blocking is basically matching two or more shades, which creates a vibrant pop.

Pairing together bright eyeliners, lipsticks, blushes and/or eye shadows is a fun, easy and inexpensive way to join in on the trend.

If youre feeling extra bold, try color blocking your hair.

If you arent that adventurous, you can always keep it simple by color blocking your nails.

I tried it myself, with green eyeliner, hot pink lipstick and neon green nails.

So are you feeling adventurous too?  Would color blocking be a trend you would try?

I finally had the opportunity to go through Septembers issue of my Beauty Bible aka InStyle Magazine with Bey on the cover.  Looking GAWJUS as usual in a gold star Dolce & Gabbana dress.

I came across a short article titled The Girl with Makeup Tattoos. So, remember those temporary tattoos that we used to wear as kids?  Well,  cosmetic companies have recently took look to unleash a new makeup trend. 


Violent Lips offers a wide variety of temporary tattoos, from animal print, rainbow, polka dots, and more! $14.95 for a pack of three.

Heres what I did to achieve the look: