Aug2

New(ish) Elf Nude Rose Gold Palette

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New(ish) Elf Nude Rose Gold Palette

Hellooo everyone and happy Hump Day! As all of you know, I’m trying to get (slightly) more adventurous with my makeup choices. I don’t want anything crazy, and even if I did, I don’t have anywhere near the makeup talent required to do it. But, that doesn’t mean that I can’t branch out and try some new eye makeup colors!

As opposed to buying a bunch of different eyeshadow shades, I was hoping to use a more economic approach and find a palette that would work for me. I wanted to find a palette with colors that I was comfortable with using, as well as with a price tag that I was comfortable with, too. In June, I found that with this here Elf Nude Rose Gold Palette. I know, I know it’s taken me a minute (obviously) to write about it, but here it is:

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With ten eyeshadow colors perfect for mixing and matching and a ten dollar cost, I think that this palette is perfect. It offers colors that I use already, like the bronzes and pinks. But it also gives me some darker shades that I’m excited to try for a more sultry, smokey look. Wa wa woo we wa!

I won’t bore you with swatches of all of the colors, but I thought that I would post some individual pictures of my favorite shades throughout this week. So, after a call to action announcement tomorrow, do make sure to check out some dry and wet swatches from my New(ish) Elf Nude Rose Gold Palette!

What is your favorite eyeshadow palette? What are your favorite drug store makeup brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug1

4 Surprising Truths About Coming Off Of Birth Control

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4 Surprising Truths About Coming Off Of Birth Control

Birth control has offered women more freedom than our forebears would have ever been able to imagine. Not only does it give us the chance to take full control over our reproductive choices, but it can also be used to ease the suffering that painful periods can cause.

However, with every up there tends to be a down – and birth control has its downsides. For some women, the side effects can be severe. Rather annoyingly, those side effects can be similar to the hormonal problems that they were hoping birth control would help – there’s never any predicting with synthetic hormones! The much-vaunted male contraceptive injection actually had its trial stopped as the subjects were struggling so much with the same side effects that female birth control can produce (Boohoo!)

Side effects aside, there are other reasons for coming off of birth control. The most obvious, of course, is in an attempt to get pregnant.

Whatever your reason for ditching the birth control, it’s not as simple as letting it run out and going back to normal. While using the medication, having the injection, or implant – your female hormones have been being controlled in a synthetic manner. Your body is thus going to need a little time to adjust back to normal – which can be quite the shock if you’re not expecting it. So in an effort to ensure that no one comes off of birth control uninformed, here are a few of the problems that you might find yourself experiencing:

#1 – It’ll Take a While to Become Fertile Again

If you have come off of birth control in pursuit of pregnancy, then you’re going to have to be patient. It can take up to six months for your body to regulate itself and settle into a reliable menstrual cycle. Only at this point can you begin to think of conceiving. The clock doesn’t start the moment you get rid of your birth control, it starts six months down the line.

This is important to bear in mind when it comes to worrying about a perceived failure to conceive. What seems like seven months of trying without success can actually be only a month. There is still plenty of time before you need to think about delving into resources about fertility medications and taking medical advice. It’s advisable to wait at least a year after you have ceased using birth control before worrying about a lack of conception. While 20% of women are able to fall pregnant within a month of stopping birth control, medical professionals are unlikely to want to investigate too far until the oft-quoted six months has passed.

#2 – Hormonal Acne Makes a Comeback

One of the more pleasant side effects of birth control is that it can help reduce acne, especially if you’re taking the so-called “mini pill”. Of course, the moment that you stop using the medication, there’s a chance that your acne will return.

Hormonal acne is one of the more stubborn forms of acne. If you have more than a few zits per month or the ones that you do have are deep, cystic, and cause a lot of pain – then there’s no point continuing to suffer through it. Speak to your doctor about your options for managing the condition and start a skincare regime, with a specific focus on using BHA, a form of acid found in skin, to help get to the root of the problem.

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Whomp whomp

#3 – Be Aware of Your Need for Vitamin D

Rather surprisingly, scientific evidence has shown that women who stop using birth control are liable to see depletions in their Vitamin D levels. It’s important that you get to know the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency, so that you can be ready for action should you begin to display any signs of them.

Of course, you can also just skip right to the obvious and begin taking a Vitamin D supplement when you finish your last round of birth control. If you decide to go the natural route, then Vitamin D is primarily derived from sunlight – but make sure that you keep exposure short, and continue to use an SPF when out in the sunshine for long periods.

#4 – You Might Experience Some Emotional Upset

Most of us are well aware of what hormonal changes can do to our moods. When you stop using birth control, you may find that you have a couple of weeks where you feel like you’re in permanent PMS. It sounds miserable, but it will pass. You just need to ride it out; eventually your natural hormonal rhythms will take over and you’ll return to feeling like your usual self.

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There’s no doubt that coming off of birth control can mean changes for your body – but it’s definitely a storm that you’re going to be able to weather!

Featured Image By: Wikipedia

Aug1

NYX Fireball Eyeshadow Swatches

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NYX Fireball Eyeshadow Swatches

Hello everyone and happy first day of August! So as you guys know, I’m not the biggest makeup girl in the world. I am the most undaring, untalented makeup applier that there is – and the thing is, is that I don’t really care. Makeup is and always has been my older sister’s territory. She’s absolutely phenomenal at all manners of makeup application and has been since we were teenagers.

Kristen loves to shop at Sephora and lives for her monthly Ipsy subscription. Meanwhile, I live for her semi annual makeup clean throughs so I can get the odds and ends that she doesn’t want. Kristen’s makeup clear outs can rid products that she might have doubles of, doesn’t care for, or is simply bored with. This is how I acquired an NYX eyeshadow that she got from her Ipsy subscription that I’m looking forward to trying. Take a look at Fireball:

^^^ Lol AYYY. And as always I have no rights to this song or video!

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^^^ The first heart is the eyeshadow dry and the second one is when it’s wet, which is how I prefer wearing my shadows.

I was a bit worried when this NYX eyeshadow came into my possession, because with a name like Fireball, you’d expect for the color to be fairly red. And the color does look it in its container. But, upon applying it to the back of my hand, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the color was a far cry from the Fireball red that I was expecting. Rather, it looked more like a rusty bronze – which I LOVE.

Fifty shades of bronze/gold is my preferred eye makeup color. I love how it looks with my skin, eyes, and hair and I feel like it’s a shade that looks good on everyone. When this NYX shade is dry, it has more of that orange-y bronze look to it. But while wet, it gives a gorgeous, metallic, rose gold aura and I live for it. It takes me a minute to warm up to trying a new shade of makeup – at twenty-three, I’m just now growing comfortable with experimenting more while painting my face. But, when the time is right, I’m totally hyped for this NYX eyeshadow to make its debut!

So there you have it, my NYX Fireball Eyeshadow Swatches! What is your preferred makeup brand? What is your favorite color of eyeshadow to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul31

Blogger Recognition Award #5

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Blogger Recognition Award #5

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Today has been off to a great start, as it began with seeing a comment that lifewithlilred was nominated for its fifth Blogger Recognition Award. Thank you so much to my friend, Stephanie, over at Stephanie Grace for the nomination! Please be sure to go check out her page and give it some love! Now, let’s get on to the rules for this award:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
  • Write a post to show your award.
  • Give a brief story of how your blog started.
  • Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
  • Select 15 other bloggers that you want to give this award to and comment on each blog to let them know with a link to your award post.

Because lifewithlilred has been nominated for this post before, I am going to go straight to naming my nominees. But, if you are interested, you can see my original post for my first Blogger Recognition Award with all of my advice here!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

Thank you so much again to Stephanie for my nomination and do make sure to take a look at her blog! How was everyone’s weekend? Who has been on a summer vacation already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

Expert Roundup: Hair Dyeing For Beginners

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Expert Roundup: Hair Dyeing For Beginners

Hi everyone and happy weekend!! I am so proud to announce my participation in Perfect Hair Guide’s Expert Roundup to give pro tips on Hair Dyeing For Beginners. I am no cosmetologist, beauty guru, or stylist – but I have been coloring my hair since I was at least fourteen (I’m 23 now!). I used to get my beloved red locks spruced up at the salon, but upon realizing how much money I could save with my favorite box color, I made the switch to dyeing my own hair at home.

Thanks to Vidal Sassoon’s Runway Red dye from their London Luxe collection, I turned a monthly eighty dollar bill at the salon into a ten dollar purchase, saving me time and money. It always makes me feel so good when people compliment my hair and ask me for my secrets to maintaining such a vibrant color. The look of shock that I get when I tell them that I dye it myself never gets old, either!

It was such a joy to be able to share some of my tips when it comes to hair dyeing and maintenance with the world wide web, which you can see below:

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^^^ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

For more amazing advice when it comes to dyeing your hair, please be sure to give Perfect Hair Guide’s Expert Roundup a looksee! What are some of your hair dyeing pro tips? What color is your hair currently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul28

July 2017 Finishes

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July 2017 Finishes

Hi everyone and TGIF! My goodness, the months are just flying by, which brings us to another wrap up post for all of the beauty goodies that I used during July. This month brought to an end some products that I’ve been using for what seems like forever as well as some short lived lotions that were still enjoyable, just the same. Take a look at my July Finishes and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Bath & Body Works Beach Nights lotion: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma Body Puree: YES
  • Destiny Boutique Charcoal face wash: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost: YES
  • The Body Shop Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask: NO
  • Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: You guys all know that I love me some Bath & Body Works so, of course, this lotion was no exception. I got this full sized lotion as a freebie months ago and just now got around to using it and am so glad that I did! The Beach Nights scent smells amazing!! It literally smells like vanilla mixed in with the crisp sea breeze scent of the ocean and marshmallows roasted over a big bonfire. It’s absolutely delicious. A fair warning, though, – the lotion is quite pungent. I never wear lotion unless it’s at night, but even if I were a day time wearer, this would be my last choice to use. It took me about six full body uses to finish this product.

TBS Body Puree: I looooooove all things Satsuma from The Body Shop. To me, it is the most divine citrus scent on the market and I am always so happy when I can snag some of its energizing deliciousness. I would never buy The Body Shop bath and body care products from there because the prices are absurd, but when TJMaxx is stocked with their items, it’s hard not to indulge! I got this lotion for four bucks and it was such a wonderful treat. The Body Purees are so much lighter than a normal lotion – it feels like using a lush, aquatic gel and it feels so nice on the skin. The Purees also absorb almost instantly, which is another amazing touch! It took me about seven full body uses to finish this product.

Destiny Boutique Face Wash: Destiny Boutique is a brand that I discovered through TJMaxx that I freaking love. I am obsessed with all things charcoal and loved using their charcoal face bar so much that it seemed silly to not buy their cleanser. This face wash was well worth the ten dollar price tag as it took me OVER FIVE MONTHS to finish it. Every day, this cleanser left my skin feeling fresh, clean, and blackhead free – which is a fantastic way to feel! I’m so happy that I have another one of these washes in my hoard for another five months of beauty bliss!

TBS Skin Boost: I don’t need to explain my love for this product anymore, you guys already know all about it! It took me over two and a half months of daily use to finish my Vitamin C Skin Boost from The Body Shop.

TBS Face Mask: I really enjoy using face masks but, unfortunately, this Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask from The Body Shop really missed the mark. In its title, this mask has everything that I look for when selecting a product – something invigorating that provides bright radiance to the skin. This mask did none of that and my skin was left looking and feeling no different after about a month and a half of using it two times per week. The product smelled lovely, but it was far from effective. Whomp whomp.

Too Faced Mascara: I rarely write about makeup finishes during my monthly empties posts, but this mascara is a different story. Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara has been a complete game changer to my makeup routine. My sister got me hooked on the stuff and after using this mascara for close to FOUR MONTHS, I had to get more to feed my addiction!

This mascara is AMAZING. It does for my lashes what using multiple different tubes of mascara during my routine couldn’t even come close to doing. Better Than Sex gives you gorgeous fanned out, jet black, lush, plush lashes that stay in place but still feel soft to the touch. There is literally nothing better and I am so willing to shell out the twenty-three dollar price tag for a mascara that does what the classic drug store brands can’t. It’s worth every penny and then some.

Besides for my face mask from The Body Shop, July was a very successful month for my finishes. I am so happy with the empties that I did like and would happily purchase them again in a heart beat!

So there you have it, my July 2017 Finishes! Which beauty products did you finish up for the month? Has anyone used any of my empties before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul27

It’s In The Bag: Glorious Gudetama Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Glorious Gudetama Edition

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! So all over the blogosphere I’ve seen posts about this month’s Ipsy bag featuring a special little egg named Gudetama. Long story short, I’m obsessed. I’m not that big of a makeup girl so I’m not subscribed to Ipsy, but lucky for me, my older sister is! As soon as I saw the picture of the bag for the month, I made it clear to Kristen that I desperately wanted it. She wasn’t particularly blown away by the design (lol), so she happily passed it on to me! YES! Take a look:

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Everything about this pouch speaks to me on a spiritual level. The out there design, the “meh” zipper, the colors, Gudetama’s cute little fanny! It’s just perfect. Lol, I am so excited to transplant all of my little odds and ends from purse to pouch. Chapsticks that I never use, lighters, hand sanitizers, the whole nine yards. Who better to be the guardian of all of my random baubles than the laziest egg in the whole world?! I LOVE YOU, GUDETAMA! ❤

And a very special thank you to my beloved sister, Kristen, for parting with this sweet angel. :*) ❤

So there you have it, the newest issue of It’s In The Bag (Or, rather, It’s In The Pouch!): Glorious Gudetama Edition! Who of my readers are Ipsy subscribers? How did you feel about this month’s bag? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Deviant Art

Jul26

Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

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Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

If you are in the process of selling your home, you will probably be exploring the possibility of making a few upgrades. This is an effective way to ensure that your house sells quickly and at the price which you are asking. One of the rooms that you should definitely place a lot of attention on is your bathroom. THE THRONE ROOM! Here are some suggestions on how to make your salle de bain the best ever:

Add an ottoman or stool: By adding a stunning piece of decor that is also functional, you create the ultimate private hotel suite look. Why not put a stool beside the bathtub? You can add a potted plant, candle, or some hand towels to complete the look. Another option is to go for a long ottoman or a marble side table. Nothing says “luxury” like a gorgeous piece of furniture to drape your clothes on!

Buy a new toilet: Let’s face it, who really wants to use a toilet that countless other people have been using for many years? NO ONE. Upgrading your toilet can make your bathroom look new, and it will create a good impression on anyone that is interested in buying your home. Toto Toilets are good because they offer quality, as well as a versatile style selection. But we suggest playing it safe – not many people are going to want a bright red toilet!

Change your counter tops: A lot of people assume that changing their counter tops is going to be an expensive job. However, it is something that you can do yourself. DIY faux marble counter tops will cost you less than $100, yet they will look like they have cost a small fortune. This is a great way to give your bathroom a glam update without breaking the bank.

Flower frenzy: It is amazing how much of a difference that some fresh flowers can make. Fresh plants and flowers will make your bathroom come alive, adding instant texture and color. Plus, they improve the air quality in the room, making it much more welcoming when your viewers look around. There are many different styles of plants and flowers to choose from, but lush purple orchids work especially well in bathrooms.

Stick with neutrals: If you are going to invest in new cabinets, upgrade your tiles, or repaint your walls, it is always wise to stick with a neutral palette for these elements. This will appeal to buyers, because they want to imagine living there, which can be hard to do if you choose a vibrant color that is not suited to their taste. If you do want to add some color to the room, it is best to do it via the likes of accessories and towels.

Clean thoroughly: Last but not least, the importance of cleaning thoroughly should not be understated. Giving your bathroom a quick wipe over will not suffice. You need to ensure that every inch of the room is spotless – even the corners that you don’t think your home viewers will see. A sparkling bathroom gives the impression that your home has been well loved and maintained during your time there.

Bathrooms are where luxury and smart decor is key. Use the tips above to make your home fly off of the market in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul26

Bath Bomb Blitz: Intergalactic Planetary Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Intergalactic Planetary Edition

Helloooo everyone and happy Hump Day! Last night, I treated myself to using the other bath bomb that I got during my Lush shopping trip a few weekends ago. Other than the “DAD” one that I purchased (lolol), I also went with the galaxy bath bomb. I’ve seen many a post about this little wonder product so I just had to give it a go to see if it looks as cool in real life as it does on my laptop screen. SPOILER ALERT: It did! Take a look:

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To me, the Lush bath bombs don’t smell a lot like anything – but that’s okay! These products are still a lot of fun. As soon as I dropped the galaxy bomb in the water, it changed almost instantly. The deep indigo, pink, green, and white began swirling about my tub so quickly and didn’t fizz out for at least fifteen minutes. As much as I loved my DAD bomb for humor’s sake, this one definitely took the cake!

Another pretty surprise was the glitter, that you can kind of see above in the second to last photo. The bright white glitter scattered throughout the water looked like little mini spiral galaxies in a dark night sky and it was so cool to see. As soon as the water was ready, I turned off the main lights in my bathroom, eased myself into the tub, and spent my evening floating around in outer space.

Like my DAD bath bomb, this galaxy one left my skin feeling so supple and hydrated. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the dark blue water didn’t stain my tub, which was definitely a nice bonus! I’m a bit sad that I have no more bath bombs from Lush to play with, so I guess that’s what my Christmas wish list is for! Hey, it’s only five or so months away, right?! 😉

So there you have it, the newest issue of Bath Bomb Blitz: Intergalactic Planetary Edition! What is your favorite bath and body care product? How do you like to pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul25

9 Simple Self Care Changes That Make A Big Impact

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9 Simple Self Care Changes That Make A Big Impact

Having a soothing evening of self care is something that everyone enjoys. A little bit of TLC can make a world of difference with how you feel. Here are some of the best ways to relax and refresh your mind and body:

A long, hot bath: This time may be difficult to achieve if you have young children, but if you do get the chance to have a long soak in the tub, then snap it up. Light some candles, switch the main light off, pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink, and dollop a large amount of bubble bath into the tub. Let the hot water and amazing aromas take you away from the stresses of life for a little while.

Another great thing to do when taking a bath, is adding some pink Himalayan salt to your water. It has incredible health benefits, especially in the realms of skin care. You’ll come out feeling relaxed and your skin will feel super soft thanks to the exfoliating properties of the salt.

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 Those nails!

Face masks: Another great way to treat your skin is to slap on a face mask, cut some slices of cucumber, and relax for ten or so minutes. Your skin will feel refreshed and supple and hopefully the cucumbers will have eliminated those tired bags from under your eyes.

One downside of face masks, is that the first few times that you use them, you may break out in acne. This is your body expelling the dirt underneath your skin. Always remember to make sure that you’re using a mask that is safe for your face. Check out beautyproductwarnings.com for the best advice on skin care and products.

Meditation is a fabulous way of unwinding from your day. Put some relaxing music on, sit comfortably, and breathe deeply. With each exhale of air, push out any worries or complications that you’ve had that day. Once you feel calm and relaxed, you can continue to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Similar to meditation, hypnosis can also work wonders with relieving stress. You simply pop some headphones in and listen. Make sure that you’re comfortable and let the recording take you away. Hypnosis can be great for people with anxiety or people who struggle to sleep. Michael Sealey’s YouTube account is a fantastic example of the hypnosis that you might want to look for.

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 R&R

Time to yourself: Having a small amount of time to yourself is underrated. You may adore your partner and children but taking some time to just be yourself is incredible for the mind. Letting it all hang out (ayyy!) on the sofa in front of the TV is all some people need to rejuvenate.

Foot spa: You might not have a fancy foot spa at home, but there are other ways that you can treat your feet for next to no cost at all. Get yourself a bucket and fill it just under halfway with warm water (the heat you would use for a bath). Be sure to add some bubbles and maybe a drop of lavender oil into the water. Sit yourself down with a book or while watching TV and pop your feet into the bucket. You will feel relaxed almost instantly. Be sure to hit the pumice stone and lotion after!

Manis & Pedis are another great way of treating yourself. You don’t necessarily have to do this at home, either. Take yourself to your favorite salon and enjoy some pampering. Plus, with the amount of wonderful designs that you can choose for your nails these days, you will walk away looking absolutely fabulous.

Dye your hair: Doing this can make you feel like a whole new person. Your hair will look shiny and full of life again and you can even cover up those evil greys(!). Be careful not to over-dye your hair, though, as this can be very damaging to your scalp and locks. Be sure to also get regular trims if you dye your hair as split ends are easily formed.

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 Pamper party!

Have a beauty evening with your girls: Invite the girls over for some drinks and giggles and ask them to bring their makeup bags. You can gossip and put the world to rights while doing each other’s makeup. It’s a great way of relaxing and afterwards, you will be ready to hit the town!

One thing to remember with using makeup is to not ruin your skin by caking it unnecessarily. Take a look at the best way to apply foundation and the routine you should adopt before applying it.

Spend alone time with your SO: It’s likely that you’ve both had a mega hectic day and have barely seen each other. Take the time at least once a week to cook a meal together and sit at the table with no distractions. Talking through your day or week with your loved one can relieve stress and anxiety, and it will also stop any distancing between you as a couple. Grab some wine and make it romantic. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the spark alive in your relationship, even if you’ve been together for many years.

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#datenight

We all have to work hard in life to get what we want, but we also need to take care of ourselves in the process. Take time at least once a week to do one of these things and you will start to notice the difference in how you feel. Also, pampering and self-care will not only make you feel better, but look better too. It’s a win-win situation!

Featured Image By: Pixabay