Tag Archives: beauty

Oct12

New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

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New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! After ten looooong months of having the same set of acrylics on, I finally got new nails this week. I haven’t had a chance to add my gemstone crosses to the middle fingers because I have absolutely no clue where the super glue stash is in my home. But, I do LOVE the champagne pink accent nails against the harsh black on my new set so take a look and let’s discuss:

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Instead of going to my normal salon hang out of Empress Nails to get this set done, I was sort of a traitor and went to LT Nails, instead, which is also close by to my living quarters. Don’t get me wrong, I freaking LOVE my nail tech, Steve. However, he has never put on a set of my acrylics before and I needed to go to someone that I could trust (Not saying that I don’t trust him, but filling nails and applying them is very different.).

I went to Anne at LT Nails all the way back in January to get my last set on and I was long overdue for new nails. I noticed during the last fill that I got that my nails were insanely yellow and because they were so brittle, they were cracking and breaking nonstop. It was miserable. Although it took ten months to finally get new nails, I remembered what a great job was done over at LT and scheduled an appointment at the salon with Anne.

In one hour and fifteen minutes, Anne was able to soak off my old set and apply, shape, and polish my new nails. She worked quickly and efficiently and it was definitely a job well done. One thing that Anne did differently than my Empress Nails techies was that she shaped the nail before the acrylic even went on. This made the shape more sharp and precise and definitely saved a lot of time, as well. The nails are not as long as I would like, but they never are when I get a new set so I am looking forward to them growing out!

I will be getting my nails painted black until the day that I die, but I am so obsessed with the bubbly champagne pink accent nails. Lil Red loves nothing more than sweet colors against punk rock black so this accent nail choice is no exception. The color is as pretty as a New Year’s Eve party dress and I love the bronze and silver glitter against the muted blush pink. I would definitely get another color combination like this again for the holiday season and it is easily one of my favorites that I’ve had in a long time.

So there you have it, my New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails! What accent nail color should I get next? What color of nail polish are you wearing right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Walgreens Freebie Bag

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Walgreens Freebie Bag

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! I’ve been frequenting Walgreens a few times within the past few months because they are the only store in my area that still carries my beloved Vidal Sassoon hair dye. Normally, when I stop in the store, I just take the lot of how ever many boxes of the Runway Red color that they have so that I’ll have a healthy amount on back stock if, god forbid, anything happens to the Vidal Sassoon London Luxe collection.

When I went into the store over the weekend, I was treated to a beauty goodie bag full of amazing coupons and samples just for buying what I was going to purchase, anyway. Not only that, but because I have their reward card, I got five dollars added on to it for my next hair dye purchase. Clearly, I picked the right day to restock my hair dye! Take a look at the spoils of my goodie bag:

freeeee

When the cashier handed me the bag, it was literally filled to the brim with freebies. I was so curious as to what was in it that I couldn’t wait till I was home to open it, so I sat in my car and was blown away at the contents of the bag, which included:

  • Crest Whitening Therapy tooth paste
  • Olay retinal eye cream
  • CeraVe complexion bar
  • Aveeno lotion
  • Jergens lotion
  • Pocket mirror
  • FAT stack of coupons
  • Lotion samples
  • Whitening strips
  • 3 packets of various shampoos and conditioners
  • Moisturizer samples
  • Hair, skin, and nails gummie samples
  • And more!

I had a blast showing off the contents of my bag at home and dividing up the booty to my family, since there were quite a few things that I don’t use. I’ve never been “anti Walgreens” but this amazing freebie surprise definitely makes me feel more inclined to shop there more often. Now, if only Target and TJMaxx would start giving away goodie bags like this! #wishfulthinking

So there you have it, my Walgreens Freebie Bag! What would you like to try from the goodie bag that I received? Which store gives away the best freebies and coupons? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Walgreens

Oct4

Chin Up: What To Expect From An Ultherapy Session

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Chin Up: What To Expect From An Ultherapy Session

We smile, yawn, gasp, and make a lot of different facial expressions during our lives. It’s a good thing, though, and a part of being human – but life leads to wrinkles and saggy skin over time. An increasing number of people are finding new ways to make sure that their skin stays tight and young-looking for as long as possible, and it doesn’t have to put you under the knife, either.

If you’re new to the methods of ultherapy, it’s smart to prepare yourself a bit before the first session. The good news, is that after it’s done, you won’t have to prepare yourself at all for other people’s reactions as the results are gradual and allow you to age with grace, rather than looking like you’ve been frozen in time.

What would I use it for?

If you feel like areas of your face are starting to slope, you may want to do something drastic about it. Some people head off for a numbing session of botox; others go for more permanent solutions, such as plastic surgery. While you need to choose the alternative that would work best for you, it’s always smart to look into every option out there – also the non-invasive ones like ultherapy.

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasounds in order to stimulate more collagen growth deep beneath your skin. A lot of people use it to lift their eyebrows or eyelids when they reach a certain age as the saggy skin may bother them, in general, and keep them from seeing as well as they would have been able to if the skin was lifted.

The same goes for aesthetic purposes and nothing should keep you from straightening out those wrinkles around your cleavage or make the skin in your neck or jawline a bit firmer if it could boost your confidence.

How long is the downtime?

Unlike many other alternatives in terms of giving your face a quick lift, ultherapy requires no downtime. You can literally step right out of the clinic and meet up with your friends or co-workers without any of them ever knowing.

The disadvantage to this, is that you may not see the results that you’re longing for as soon as you’d like, and it can take up to six months before the full effect hits you. It makes it a bit easier to get up in the morning and have a look in the mirror during these months, though, as you’ll be keeping a rigid eye on your skin from now on!

You will only need one session to get the kind of results that last for up to 18 months, and each of them will take between half an hour to two and a half hours, depending on how much work you want done. Luckily, our society is advanced enough to let everyone go about with their beauty business as they please. Want to wear no makeup one day and a full face the following day? Or how about a small nip and tuck to boost your self esteem? No problem, it’s all up to you.

Of course, it’s important to choose the procedure that you feel is best for you, so think it over and enjoy the beauty of confidence.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep29

September 2017 Finishes

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September 2017 Finishes

Hellooo everyone and TGIF. Holy moly – can you believe that it’s already the end of September?! Time is completely flying by, and the end of another month means that it’s time to talk shop on all of the beauty products that I finished up during September’s thirty day run. Take a looksee and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Softsoap Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel shower gel: YES
  • CPR Heat Protecting spray: YES
  • St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange scrub: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E moisturizer: YES

Why/Why Not?

Softsoap Body Wash: I loooove me my Softsoap body washes. They lather so well, smell amazing, and are a wonderful value. The Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel scent is definitely my favorite, though. I love citrus scents and this gel is so bright and invigorating, even when it’s combined with the soft, floral sweetness of honeysuckle. It took me about a month to finish this gel. However, as I was not the only one using it while I was on vaca for a week earlier this month, it would have lasted longer.

CPR Spray: I won this from a giveaway (Woohoo!) and I really enjoyed using it. I flat iron my hair almost every day, so a good heat protecting spray is a must. This CPR protector worked very well in not only saving my hair from damage, but leaving it shiny and sleek because it’s infused with argon oil. I don’t remember exactly what this product smelled like, but I know that it was good or I wouldn’t have been putting it in my hair! It took me about three or so months of daily use to finish this protecting spray.

St. Ives Scrub: I love all of the different scrubs that St. Ives has to offer, but the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange is my favorite, aside from the Apricot one! Facial scrubs are a must in my skin care arsenal and this one definitely did its job well. Not only did the sweet/tart scent smell fantastic, but it left my skin completely glowing after every use. The moderate amount of grit that this scrub offers helped buff away all of my imperfections and my skin looked and felt totally radiant. It took me one month of daily use to finish this scrub.

TBS Skin Boost: You guys already know how much I love this product, so nothing needs said here! It took me about two and a half months to finish my Skin Boost.

TBS Moisturizer: You guys also already know how much I love this product, so nothing needs said here, either! It took me one month to finish this moisturizer.

September gave me a perfect month of product empties, because I would use all of them again in a heartbeat. There was nothing about any of the products listed above that I didn’t like and I feel like each one gave me the most bang for my buck and tons of beauty benefits, to boot!

So there you have it, my September 2017 Finishes! Which products did you finish up this month? Have you 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

Sep26

Disaster Dyes & Calamitous Cuts: Hair Horror Recovery

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Disaster Dyes & Calamitous Cuts: Hair Horror Recovery

When you’ve had a hair disaster inflicted on you — or have perhaps even inflicted it on yourself — then it can feel like the world is ending. This is your life now. You’ll be wincing when you look in the mirror and wearing a large variety of hats/headbands/pony tails until the problem either grows out or returns to normal.

Or at least, that’s how it feels — but coping with a hair disaster doesn’t have to mean resigning yourself to months beneath a hat, scowling at your reflection. For every hair don’t, there’s something you can do to rectify it. Let’s explore the most common hair disasters and the fixes that can get your locks to normal ASAP:

DISASTER! Your Hair Dye Looks Uneven: If you choose to dye your hair, then a bad dye job is probably a fear of yours. Dyed hair can look terrible if it’s been dyed poorly, resulting in uneven patches or even wild colors that you never wanted on your head. If you experienced this as a result of a hairdresser’s work, it’s always worth making a complaint so that the next customer won’t suffer the same fate. If you did it with at-home dyes, then the good news is that it should be easier to remove.

With that said, removing hair dye isn’t easy. The process involves a number of harsh chemicals, and can leave your hair feeling dry and matted. Think long and hard about how much you dislike the color, and the possible downsides of removing it. If you choose not to go down the removal route, then most dark brown dyes will cover other pigment — maybe this mistake is a sign you should be a brunette?

HORROR: Your Hair Is Far Shorter Than You Intended: Hairdressers have a reputation for cutting hair shorter than the person has requested. You go in, request a trim, and leave with three inches of hair missing — it’s happened to us all. Perhaps you’ve even taken the scissors into your own hands and have decided to cut it yourself and gone a little too far. Whether the cutting was at the hands of a professional or your own work, the end result is the same: your hair is way, way shorter than you wanted.

Thankfully, tape in hair extensions exist, so that you can give yourself some length back with a minimum amount of hassle. Then, when your natural hair has grown out to a length that you find acceptable, you can remove them and promise never to go near the scissors again.

SHOCK! Your Hair Has Been Damaged: Dyeing, bleaching, or just overusing heat styling products all take their toll on your hair. If your ‘do is looking to be more of a don’t, then a moisturizing and conditioning regime is needed. Switch to less abrasive shampoos; you’ll find that there are plenty of natural shampoo brands which offer a far gentle way of cleaning your hair. Finish off with a thick application of quality conditioner. In time, with a natural shampoo and a good conditioner, your hair should once again be your crowning glory.

Whatever has happened to your tresses, just remember that there is a way back to hair redemption. And, it shouldn’t need saying, but never go to that same hairdresser or trust yourself with a pair of scissors again. It’s for the best – we promise.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep16

Skin Care Surprise

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Skin Care Surprise

Hi everyone and happy weekend! One thing that I am passionate about in the world of beauty is really good skin care products. I love my staple serums and moisturizers from The Body Shop, but I am always willing to try out new, cruelty free products if the opportunity presents itself.

I have grown increasingly more impressed with the beauty section of TJMaxx during every shopping trip that I make there. Every single time, there seems to be new brands of makeup, skin care, and bath and body care products to try out. And, the fact that they have the bath and body goodies from The Body Shop for a fraction of the in store price is a definite plus, too!

I was running low on my staple skin care products of my Vitamin E moisturizer and Vitamin C Skin Boost from TBS, so I thought that I would try to find something new from TJMaxx. Unfortunately, there is no longer a Body Shop close by to me, as the one near my home closed down. Because I was too low on my supplies to order online, I ended up with these two products from TJs, instead. Take a look:

skincare

  • Dermapeutics Vitamin C Serum – $8 (Originally $45!!)
  • Spa Cosmetics Vitamin C Day Cream – $6

Skin care that offers an extra boost of radiance is very important to me when it comes to protecting my pasty pale complexion. It’s very easy for pale skin to take on an almost pallid and dull appearance when it’s not cared for properly – and that is so not the look that I’m going for! To prevent this from happening, what better method to use than some skin care products chock full of Vitamin C?!

I swear by my Vitamin C Skin Boost from The Body Shop, but I have to admit that I am looking forward to trying this new serum by Dermapeutics out. After a closer look at the box, I saw that this serum was originally FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS!! That’s crazy! I’ve never used a skin care product before that I would consider overly expensive, so it will be exciting to see what an almost fifty dollar serum feels like and if it differs greatly from what I normally use.

As for moisturizers, I’m not exactly married to the Vitamin E one from TBS, although it definitely might seem that way. Honestly, it doesn’t matter that much to me what kind of moisturizer I’m using, because my skin type is extremely normal. I usually just stock up on my Vitamin E if TBS has a good deal on it, though, because it’s easier than searching out a new moisturizer every time that I need more. Am I excited to try my new Spa Cosmetics moisturizer? Sure – it’s always fun to try something new. Do I care all that much, though? Not really, lol.

No matter how I feel about my new products either way, it will definitely be a Skin Care Surprise! I’ll be sure to report back on the products once they’re all finished up in my monthly empties post. Which skin care products do you swear by? Where do you usually shop at for skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep11

Are You Ready To Start Expressing Yourself?

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Are You Ready To Start Expressing Yourself?

One thing that a lot of people struggle with is that they don’t feel as though they’re able to project much about who they are to the world as a whole. You might be the most interesting, creative, and exciting person on the planet and yet you still feel as though you blend into the background when you’re around other people. Sure, not everyone wants to be the center of attention, but it can be tough when it feels like people aren’t getting to see the real you.

However, that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck with that kind of situation for the rest of your life! Being able to express yourself isn’t all that difficult, you just need to know how to go about it, and feel comfortable enough to let the real you shine through no matter what. Here are a few simple things that you can do to get started on really showing the world what you’re made of:

Change Up Your Look: Not everyone is going to be obsessed with fashion, and that’s okay! But the way that you present yourself can have a huge impact on the way the world sees you and can be a wonderful opportunity for you to express yourself. Different styles say different things, and it’s cool to be able to share something about yourself with everyone that you walk past. And of course, no one feels the same every day so why not change up your look constantly?!

Many people will look completely different on a day to day basis, whether that’s through clothes, makeup, or even wigs. That might sound a bit drastic but it can be a lot of fun, and it’s worth trying at least a couple of times. When it comes to wigs, try CelebWigs for a bunch of different styles to see how you can express yourself. Of course, if you’re not looking to make that much of an entrance wherever you go, sticking to a style that you love and reflects who you are is just as good!

express

Who doesn’t love a good makeover?!

Be Proud Of The Things You Love: We all have things that we’re passionate about, but a lot of the time we don’t want to express those things to other people because we’re worried about how they will judge them. This is where the idea of a “guilty pleasure” comes from. The truth, is that you should never have a guilty pleasure. If you love something, then that doesn’t impact anyone else’s life, so why shouldn’t you be proud of it? Whether it’s a type of music, TV, book, or anything else, wearing your passions on your sleeve can be a great way to express yourself to the world. And hey, you might even find that someone else feels the same way and you can strike up a new friendship.

Be Confident In Who You Are: One of the hardest things in the world is being confident in who you are. The media and the world around us work very hard to tell us that we’re not good enough. That we’re too fat, thin, short, tall, old, or young. All of these things mean that many of us are walking around on a day to day basis feeling as though we can’t be confident in who we are. But the world’s not going to change unless we change. So, no matter who you are, it’s important to be proud of it and never let the world tell you that there’s something wrong with that.

Change Your Environment: Of course, sometimes those kinds of feelings don’t come from inside yourself but from a toxic environment. Having friends who don’t appreciate who you are or people around you who try to make you feel bad for the way that you express yourself can make life very difficult and lonely for a lot of people. If that’s the case, then there’s nothing wrong with ending those friendships and changing your environment to something more loving and supportive. You would be amazed what a change of scenery can do for your self love and confidence.

Now, none of this is trying to tell you that you should try and be some kind of bold, brash person if that’s not who you are deep down. You should never try to be anyone else. The point is simply to be able to embrace what makes you a unique individual and to avoid hiding that from the world, because everyone deserves to see the real you shine.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep11

Bath & Body Works September Freebie

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Bath & Body Works September Freebie

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a fabulous and relaxing weekend. While running errands this past week, I had to stop into Bath & Body Works to grab my freebie for the month of September. I knew that I wanted to get a mini shower gel because I had sent my not so baby anymore baby cousin off to college last month with a few from my hoard among other gifts. A restock was definitely needed, so I ended up with a shower gel from B&BW’s scent, Endless Weekend. Take a look:

weekend

I have so many travel sized goodies from B&BW in my freebie hoard that it’s hard to keep track of all of the scents. Now, I just pick whatever I think looks the prettiest in the bottle or the label and go with that. I loved the pale blue color of this gel and who doesn’t want an Endless Weekend?!

I actually am just now taking a whiff of this body wash, because I didn’t bother in the store and it smells like total fun in the sun. It seriously smells like an ocean breeze passing through a giant fruit salad made of pineapples and raspberries with an edible flower garnish. I always prefer fruity scents, so I’m definitely happy that I randomly grabbed one that I like instead of something super musky or flowery. But hey, the unloved scents are great gifts for other people! Mwahaha. :*)

So there you have it, my Bath & Body Works September Freebie! What is your favorite scent from B&BW? Who is excited for all of the fall fragrances in stores now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

New Black, Glittered, And Bejeweled Nails

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New Black, Glittered, And Bejeweled Nails

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! This Thursday I was able to squeeze in getting a much needed fill for my talons. I used to get my nails filled every three weeks, but I’ve pushed it up to four in the name of saving money. I don’t really mind, but by the time the month mark hits, my nails are in desperate need of some TLC.

As always, my beloved nail tech, STEVE, did an amazing job of sharpening the claws and getting them back to their normal fierce selves. Then, once I got home, I rhinestoned my middle finger crosses myself and it turned out great! Take a look:

newnails

I am super happy with how my rhinestones turned out, especially because this is only the second time that I’ve tried my hand at it. AND I freaking LOVE my accent nail color. The glitzy, glam, not quite pink and not quite purple color is so fun. Combined with the harsh black on my eight other acrylics and the edgy crosses, my accent nails add the perfect touch of sassy sweetness and I think that they look stunning.

I must pat myself on the back during this post, because none of my nails broke in an entire month and that rarely happens. It’s not like I mean for it to happen because I try to be careful with my claws, but accidents are bound to occur when my acrylics are over an inch and a half long in length. It’s really no matter, because instead of rushing to the salon to fix a break, I super glue them myself and once I’m in for a fill, Steve can repair it without even putting a new nail on. BUT, it was a nice feeling to not sit at Steve’s station with my tail between my legs about another boo boo on my acrylics! GREAT SUCCESS.

So there you have it, my New Black, Glittered, And Bejeweled Nails! What color of nail polish do you have on right now? Are you an acrylic or natural nails kind of gal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

Assembling A Grooming Kit For The Man In Your Life

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Assembling A Grooming Kit For The Man In Your Life

There’s no denying that women get the best stuff when it comes to beauty. We get the clothes, shoes, and accessories. And, to top it all, we get the beauty products. While more men are admitting to using moisturizer, it’s still not the norm. And, male makeup is even less so. While we get to luxuriate in lipsticks and explore with eyeliner, men get funny looks if they put so much as a splash of foundation on. It’s a shame.

A more intense grooming routine might not be on your guy’s radar. But there’s no better time than the present to introduce them to one! If you feel bad your man doesn’t have a beauty kit to match yours, it might be time to treat him to one of his own. Of course, you need to specify to his needs, so why not focus on shaving? If he’s seen this as a purely practical part of life thus far, he’s sure to appreciate a little added luxury to his routine. Here are a few ways that you can provide it:

A New Razor: Start by stocking up on new razors. He may already have one that is functional – but, functional won’t cut it. Instead, get him the best choice possible by looking at reviews like the ones on iwantashaver.com. During your research, look out for options that have something special. Perhaps they’re tailored for comfort or have a few extra clip ons. Either way, you want something that stands apart from what he’s already got to add that extra sense of luxury.

Beard Oil: Recent years have seen a significant boost to beard oil sales. These wonderful smelling oils give any beard a much-needed shimmer. Encourage your man to add on to his morning routine by buying him a kit with a few different oils. This is an added touch of pampering, which he’ll surely grow to love!

man1

Fancy stuff!

Shaving Cream: As with the razor, your man probably has shaving cream already. But, any old option isn’t going to help him enjoy shaving sessions. Instead, look into some more upmarket options. Something scented with a smell he adores is sure to go down well. Find a scent that’s invigorating for his morning routine to dissipate any grumpiness before that first cup of coffee!

Brushes: Of course, that cream won’t do any good if he has no way to apply it. He could always us his fingers, but it’s hardly the best way to a winning beauty routine. Instead, it’s worth buying him a set of shaving brushes. If you don’t fancy a whole set, you could choose a top-quality standalone which will provide the same experience.

man2

I want one of those for me! 😀

Somewhere To Keep It All: Us women keep our makeup in bags or vanity cases. But, men more often than not shove their shaving stuff wherever it fits. Stop that habit by buying him a bag of his own, like this one at www.sleepypandapieces.com. Not only is this more practical, but it ensures that his beauty routine will feel like more of an event. Just like you, he’ll have to get his kit out before he can get ready each morning!

Everyone needs a little pampering in their lives and it’s easy to forget that guys do, too. Surprise him with a shaving kit just in time for the end of No Shave November for extra brownie points for days!

Featured Image By: Maxpixel