Gone Are The Days of Prickles and Expensive Spa Treatments

It's so often that we discuss the hair on our head in this blog, and although that is certainly the most important part of our look, we can't forget about all of the hair that we don't want to grow long and luscious. That's right, ladies. We're talking about the body hair that makes up cringe. While we all are doing everything in our power to make our head hair grow longer, stronger and faster, we can't seem to do enough to deter the hair on our bodies from ever coming back. It is actually inevitable, unless you're getting some expensive spa treatment... Or is it? Here is everything you need to know about a hair removal method that is much better and more efficient than any kind of razor you can purchase. Stop settling for prickles, ladies. It's not a good look. You know it. I know it. Your boyfriend knows it. Gone are the days of razor cuts and blade sharp hairs.

Epilating is something that I preach on a daily basis, and my pain tolerance is next to nonexistent. The reason why I talk about it so much is because, not only are the results beyond imaginable, but so many people have absolutely no idea about this hair removal method. Epilating essentially is the process of plucking your hairs out from the root. Ouch! Don't worry, it's not that bad at all. After all, you aren't taking tweezers and individually plucking out each and every strand on your body. Instead, Epilators have a variety of tweezers within it's device which grabs a bunch at once and plucks away. The device spins and grabs your hairs and plucks, plucks, plucks. It sounds intimidating, but there's something about multiple hairs being pulled at once that doesn't make it hurt near as much as other hair removals such as waxing.

The best thing about epilators is that there are a variety of sizes and styles so you can truly remove any body hair that you desire. There are some styles that are perfect for your facial hairs, such as the upper lip, eyebrows and any other area that you need a little more smoothness to it. There's also larger ones that cover larger areas, because if you were to use a small one on your legs, you'd be there all day. In addition, the styles all have a bit of a different curve. The larger ones tend to have a curve so it glides across your legs perfectly, and the smaller ones seem to be more straight.

The trick of the trade is to keep your skin taut. You don't want your epilator to jump or bounce on your skin because that would simply be awful. If you desire to keep your hair from coming back, there are natural creams such as the Kalo set that actually inhibits hair regrowth. You don't have to spend the bank on an expensive spa treatment, and you get amazing results. It's time to get rid of those prickles, and do so painlessly.

Photo Credit: http://franklintan.hubpages.com/hub/Kalo-Hair-Inhibitor-Removes-Unwanted-Hair

Balance

      Good afternoon pretty ladies. I hope your week was successful and that you got everything that needed to be done, done. For today's blog I want to talk about having balance. Some of you may be wondering what I'm talking about. Well I am talking about having balance with everything you do. Which includes work, school, family, friends, ect. With such little time and so much to get done, we often forget about certain things or people and get caught up in work or school. So, how can you keep everything balanced, when you have so many things to juggle? Well let's take a look.
 

First of all, what is balance? Balance means having equilibrium between two or more things. Now that we established this, I want you to think. Are your school, work, and social life balanced? Now, some things obviously require more time and attention, but that doesn't mean other things should be forgotten. When I refer to balance I'm talking about the opportunity for you to enjoy everything and everyone in your life. But how can balance be achieved? The answer is organization, time, and commitment. All these three things are tied together and help you achieve balance. Let me further break down these categories.
 
Organization: organization is key to anything you do or want to do. Working with a calendar is ideal to plan out what needs to be done and what you wish to do. It's always wise to have things written out because, since we are always busy and preoccupied with our daily routine, we forget things. And the solution to not forgetting things is to write them down!
 
Time: Make sure you are always spending your time wisely! When you have to study or do something that requires your undivided attention, just do it. Sit down, take a breath, and get it done. Don't push things to the next day, chances are you'll just keep delaying things, and more things will pile up! Always do your best and do what needs to be done on the day that you planed it to get done.
 
Commitment: Be committed to anything you do and always do your best. Be committed to your friends and family, your boyfriend, make time for them, go out, and distract yourself from the everyday routine.  These people after all are your support system; they are always there for you. The least you can do is spend quality time with them. It's important not to shut off the people in your life when you're too busy with other things.
 
      Okay ladies, there you have it. I hope you found this blog helpful. May you all have a lovely weekend surrounded by your loved ones. And Remember, there is always time for everything!  

Photo citation: solo. Hurtling Up Against the Brick Wall. Wordpress. 2011. 28, June 2013

Shoe Essentials For The Modern Day Fashionista On A Budget

In a recent interview conducted by U.K.'s Radio Times with Emma Watson, Emma Watson shared, "I've got about eight pairs of shoes and that’s it." And while I'm sure the U.K. actress, worth at $40 million, can afford as many shoes as she desires (and I'm sure the designers are ever so lovely to provide complimentary shoes for them to wear in public--free advertising!), she opts to stick to the essentials and what she really needs. Let's take a little fashionista advice from Miss Watson and reflect on whether we really need those 10 pairs of black boots. Can we shrink down our shoe hoarding to the essentials?

Shoe Essentials For The Modern Day Fashionista On A Budget

If we were to shrink down our shoe collection to the essentials, there are a few pairs of shoes that you can buy to compliment most if not all outfits. Plus, by sticking to the essentials, you can allocate that saved moolah for something else you've been wanting: that vacation you've been wanting to take. Below you will find a listing of the basic shoe collection every woman should have and should be able to accessorize any outfit:

********************************

Canvas: Perfect for that chill day, just hanging out with friends or cruising downtown. 

********************************

Sneakers: Every girls needs a good pair of active sneakers! My friends and I love to run so sneakers are where we splurge! We like to go to Fleet Feet (or something similar) and have our shoes fitted and customized to our foot shape and arch. Fleet Feet provides shoes that are a mini foot heaven! Even if you just lift weights, dance or hike, you'll definitely feel the difference in support and comfort. Trust me, your feet will be thanking you.

********************************

Sandals: While some people would recommend flip flops, I feel that sandals would be a more appropriate shoe essential. Flip flops are one dimensional and are fairly laid back. Sandals however can be worn at the beach or going out. This takes care of two occasions with one shoe.  

********************************

Flats: The perfect go to shoes to look cute while giving your feet some comfort away from heels. These can be worn with jeans, shorts and skirts.

********************************

Boots: Boots, while mostly worn in the fall and winter, is still an essential to have in your closet. This can range from your UGG boots, mid-calf boots, to knee high boots. The best would be brown or black knee high boots that will give your outfit protection from the elements while still adding style to your outfit. 

To tuck in your jeans without weird bunching, roll up your jeans till it is at your ankles and wear some long socks (making sure that it fits over your jeans). Slip on those boots and you're good to go!

********************************

Booties w/ Heel and Flat: Booties can be worn with shorts, jeans, and skirts! It's a three-fer :) Booties with heels can dress up any outfit while flat booties keeps the outfit pretty chill and kick back.

********************************

Nude Pumps: If we were to bring our heel collection to a single shoe, I would purchase nude pumps. No shoe collection is right without a pair of pumps to dress up an outfit and make your legs look long and lean. Also, the nude color is guaranteed to match any outfit. Pumps, like booties, can be worn with shorts, jeans or skirts!

********************************

When purchasing your essential shoes, don't be afraid to splurge. Splurging on higher end shoes results in shoes that are manufactured with better material and design. These shoes will then last longer, offsetting the cost to purchase them. 

If you do end of veering beyond the essentials (such as purchasing shoes in different hues or styles etc etc), it is totally acceptable to purchase cheaper shoes as you most likely won't wear them as often. For those that you do wear often, again, you pay for what you get. 

And don't forget to hit the off the rack department stores! It is the same quality but just may not be the most current of shoe fashion. Stores like Marshalls, Ross, TJ Maxx, or Nordstrom Rack all carry designer brands but for cheaper! There may be a little more work digging around but I've found gorgeous Christian Louboutin's for half price!

Must Have: Make UP Essentials

      Hello, Hello ladies, I hope you are all doing well and are ready for a new week. It's amazing how fast the time flies by; we're already half way through the year. For today's blog discussion I would like to talk about some makeup essentials you should always make sure to have. Let’s take a look and see what they are.
 
Cover Up: Alright, sometimes there are women who don't use cover up because they don't need it. Other times women use it to complement their skin and even out their face. However I think every woman should owe cover up. The reason why I think this is because sometimes we wake up with unpleasant zits or pimples on our face, and although the cover up won't make them go away, it will definitely help hide them. If you do use cover up on the daily, I suggest using the powder cover up, it's easier to apply, and it's less heavy on your skin, which means it won’t clog up your pores as much.

Blush: Blush is another good thing to have, not all of us are so lucky to have rosy cheeks naturally. However, having blush gives the face some color and makes one look more alive and less pale.

 
Concealer: Oh the eye bags, how I despise them. Nowadays women have a lot on their plate, we are busy individuals, and sometimes the day is not long enough for what needs to get done. For this reason we deprive ourselves from sleep, and suffer the consequences! How terrible. But not to worry, coffee will wake us up, and concealer, the “magical eye bag cover” up will hide our bags. Having concealer is so beneficial for when you want to go out, but don't want to look like a zombie!
 
Lipstick: As a woman, you can never ever go wrong with lipstick! I think it's a most have accessory. The nice thing about lipstick is that you can mix and match depending on your outfit or what color you like to wear. To me, lipstick is the thing that gives your look an extra pow. It is the cherry on top of the ice cream. It gives the face more character and makes guys think OooOo lala ;)
 
Mascara: Oh mascara, I love using mascara, I barely have eyelashes! Applying mascara works wonders on the lashes, it makes them longer, darker, and more define.  If you already have long lashes, mascara will make your eyes look wonderful, if you are like me, mascara will make you look like you have some leashes, hahaha.
 
     As you can see ladies, you don't need a lot to look beautiful; you just need the basic essentials to define your features. Every other piece of cosmetic is an extra. Well I hope you enjoyed these tips. Have a wonderful week ahead of you. 

Photo citation:

Arizona Foothills. Arizonafoothillsmagazine, 2013.  24 June 24, 2013

Are Bumpits Still In Style?

It was only a couple years ago where Bumpits started to take over the infomercial channels and lines of the superstores all around. It created a giant craze for volumized hair and ladies were applying these plastic pieces to the crown of their head to get a little more oomph within their hairstyle. However, since the trend is no longer new, it's hard to tell if people are still opting for Bumpits or if they simply found a way to perfect the plastic of this little gadget. So, if you're wondering if Bumpits are still in style, or if the teasing trend that came along with it for an addition of volume is still haute to trot, you've come to the right place. It's all about whether the oomph is still on trend.

Bumpits are certainly still in style, but with moderation. When they first took over the hair trends, volume was huge and people were teasing their tresses and adding Bumpits to their hair wherever they could. The trend of huge hair has faded to a more reasonable height. Now of course, high hair will never die out completely because the flat head look simply isn't haute. Instead, specific styles call for the Bumpit height, while everyday wear, as what the trend previously required, is no longer in season.

So if you have your Bumpit, use it for certain styles such as pony tails and other updos that can fall flat when you secure an elastic around your strands. The height at the crown of your head is always a desired look when rocking an updo. However, if you simply have your hair down, let it fall that way and use products to add some volume but avoid the use of your Bumpit. As mentioned, use it in moderation.

As for volume as a whole, it has also died down to a rather flatter trend. Teasing is no longer something that is mandatory for everyday looks. In fact, teasing your hair has kind of completely fallen off the face of hair styling. That's not to mention that it's also extremely damaging to your hair and adds way too much oomph that is not currently on the hot list for this season's hair trends. As mentioned, using mousse and styling products to add a natural addition of height and volume is certainly in style.

If you have a Bumpit, don't get rid of it. It's in style but only in moderation. Stick it in only when you're rocking an updo. As for volume, stick with a more natural appearance and allow your favorite styling products to show you what they can offer for your hair. It's a much healthier option for your strands, so if you have a teasing brush, chuck it. It's not doing any good for you as of right now.

Photo Credit: http://everycollegegirl.com/bumpits-alternative/

Shopping Tips

          Hello ladies! I'm hoping you all had an amazing week. I know I'm super happy , I'm done with school for this semesters! Wooooh. Anyways, today I want to share some shopping tips with you guys . Lets take a look.

Budget: For starters, give yourself a budget! Having an idea on how much you're planning to spend is always ideal. It's okay to go a little bit over your budget, but definitely not too much. On the other hand, if you see something you like, but have already spent more than your budget; wait to buy it until next time. Sometimes, waiting might get you a better deal.

Shopping Day: Okay, if you're planning on going to the mall or to some outlets,  you must wear comfortable shoes. Don't wear heels that will tire you or make your feet hurt. You also want to be practical when it comes to the clothing you wear. You don't want to be wearing too many layers because, lets face it, when girls go shopping we always try  things on. On another note, you always want to go shopping in good company, with people that don't rush you and enjoy looking around with you.

Compare and Contrast: Always, have your options open. Don't settle for the first thing you lay eyes on, keep  window shopping and keep your eyes open for better deals. Always compare and contrast. At the end of the day decide which store has the better bargain.

Season Shopping: Alr.ight, here is something some of you may have noticed. When summer is around the corner a lot of the winter things go on sale because there is new stock coming in. The same thing happens when summer season is near. So, if you want to super save you can shop for winter clothing during the summer and shop for summer clothing during the winter.

         Okay my friends, there are some simple shopping guidelines to follow if you want to save money. Ill leave you with these thoughts, have a lovely weekend. 


citation: Elayda elevated Skincare..Elaydaskin . 2012. 21, June  2013

Being Stylish For Summer Fun

Summer is about fun, memories, and living carefree, so the last thing you need to worry about is looking good when you should be experiencing all summer has to offer. Find a few tips and tricks below that help me be prepped and pretty for summer but without the fuss.

Makeup                                                                           

During the summer, please stay away from the heavy foundation and heavy makeup. There's nothing like feeling melty that will ruin your daily groove.
Foundation: For a nice, fresh summer glow, opt for a tinted moisturizer. I visited our local makeup department store (Ulta) and this woman recommended Philosophy's Hope In A Jar A to Z Cream. I was actually hesitant to purchase this because the lady touted it as this amazing new product....that literally just came out that same day. How can she know how amazing the product is if it just came out right? And when I asked her what was so amazing, she then proceeded to dazzle me with her product knowledge by...reading the label of the box to me....pppfffft! Not a very good saleswoman! Know your product if you are saying how amazing it is!!! Anyways, I bought it because Ulta has an excellent return policy and to my surprise, I haven't looked back. This is an excellent light product that combines sunscreen, moisturizer, and a light but buildable coverage. A+ to this product.
Cheeks: I combine this with a nice dusting of pink blush (for my fairly tan skin I use Lorac's PRO Powder Cheek Stain in Rosy Glow) and create the letter "W" from hairline to cheekbone to nose to cheekbone to hairline. Gives a nice rosy glow and looks like I've been lightly kissed by the sun! To highlight, I use a highlighting powder to accent the top part of my cheek. I even dust this on my brow bone.
Eyes: Keep these au natural and beautiful with a couple coats of your favorite mascara. To create a nice curl, pump the eyelash curler 5-10 times as close to the base of your lashes as possible, and a few pumps each up the length of your lashes.
Lips: Go neutral or bold! For the summer, anything is acceptable. From nudes to orange, from pinks to bold reds! Have fun and be beautiful.

Hair                                                                                

I have the perfect trick for getting beach wave hair, without heat and much time. At night, wash your hair and let it air dry. When it is slightly damp, bring your hair as high atop of your head as possible, on top of your head if you can. Start twisting your hair as tight as you can, form a tight bun/ball and secure  it with a hair tie. If it is feeling a little loose, try it again or secure with bobby pins. Looks funny I know. Next day, take it out and you will have some really nice gorgeous waves. Spray and scrunch! For shorter hair, separate your hair into two halves.

Nails                                                                              

Check my previous post on painting long lasting hues onto your nails. Go bright, bold and eye catching!!!