tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61344155593161627742024-03-12T17:50:06.600-07:00Colors That BloomA collection of all things skin, beauty and health from a passionate soul.iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-10079170587546321382014-07-15T23:11:00.002-07:002014-07-15T23:22:08.261-07:00Revisiting the Topic of Silicones<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">I started out with my natural brown hair, photo taken in August 2013</span></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIi0Y3SFiAzgF9GxLutu0QNzqq5r2nnsZu43etYusLlaNFi8PsK23H723G-Wbx2WqDVUtw_lsRhrGNOtb2g8cVYsoCgzMYjzPV9hZH-eMlIoxGf-05vw-FGeINTiFY8PI7Iy-OfMVL3Rx/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" height="480" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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Hello all! If you follow me on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgXl93m0CCJvYTSqR5Ilvqg" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, you may have seen my video on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTux1ZdZRvs" target="_blank">Silicones</a> in which I discuss the negative effects of using hair products with silicones in them. Since posting that video, my hair has been bleached and dyed and bleached and dyed again more times than I can remember. This meant that I needed more intense hair care products. In that video, I talked about the <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2530251" target="_blank">Macadamia Deep Repair Mask</a> stating that while I initially liked the product, it ended up weighing my hair down and making it look not so great.<br />
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If you've seen the video I mentioned above, you can skip this blue portion, otherwise, keep reading!<br />
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<span style="color: #45818e;">The video in short talks about how silicones effect our hair. Silicones are used in hair products to coat your hair, make it look shiny, and temporarily seal the hair shaft which makes damaged hair look healthier. The thing is, this is basically like applying a bandage to your hair, it doesn't heal the hair, rather it hides the damage. This is still pretty awesome, that is until continued use of the product causes buildup in your hair. Most silicones (dimethicone being the one most commonly seen in cosmetics and hair care) are NOT water soluble. When something is water soluble, it means that it dissolves in water. Since they are not water soluble, you need a more intensive cleansing agent in order to remove the buildup from your hair. The most common cleansing agent would be SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) which is in a BUNCH of stuff including shampoo, home cleaning products, dish soap, etc. The thing is, SLS ain't good for us. It irritates our skin and dries out our hair. Because of this, I personally use sulfate free shampoo. This also means that if I use products with silicones in it, I don't have a cleansing agent that will strip it from my hair.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Then I lightened my hair in September 2013</span></div>
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Alright...I hope that was easy enough to understand and not way too cluttered! Moving on, at the time I decided to stop using products containing sulfates, or at least limit their use in my regular hair care routine. However, since I started chemically processing my hair, I noticed that conditioners containing silicones were helping the overall look and feel of my hair. When you chemically process your hair, you remove the natural oils and sort of break up the natural structure of your hair, for this reason, I found my Macadamia conditioner (and other silicone containing hair products) to make my hair look pretty darn good. Immediately after bleaching or dying my hair, the Macadamia Deep Repair Mask was the only one that made my hair feel nice (and not like straw).<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">I didn't much like the gold so I quickly added more red to it, looking something like this from around October 2013 - May 2014</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif42QLGGQxbyh7jUBoBe0gTDHq5-LRgXJqYYgFYyg4tqXLDQD4U7NncF327SQwCq6smJMPg2OSLbpIKxON5I3xSh8InKzXbQVOICDcUW4szqhmZRcP4gfZ5y98cWekjKBzl3WOcxvcCn0z/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif42QLGGQxbyh7jUBoBe0gTDHq5-LRgXJqYYgFYyg4tqXLDQD4U7NncF327SQwCq6smJMPg2OSLbpIKxON5I3xSh8InKzXbQVOICDcUW4szqhmZRcP4gfZ5y98cWekjKBzl3WOcxvcCn0z/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I still limit my use of silicone heavy hair products but I wanted to revisit this topic because I definitely have found them to temporarily make my chemically processed hair look silky and shiny. I think that the key is to find the right balance in order to prevent buildup.<br />
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I know this post is super dense but I just wanted to share this info with those of you who may have seen my video regarding silicones. I still stand by everything I say in the video, but want to add that those with very damaged hair or chemically processed hair can benefit from the right amount of silicone containing hair products.<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Then summer rolled around and I wanted a lighter color so more bleaching and dying was involved June - July 2014 </span></div>
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Thanks for getting to the end of this post my dears! I hope this gave you some worthwhile information :)iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-3365606423593541072014-07-14T17:17:00.001-07:002014-07-14T17:20:35.866-07:00Long time no blog! (And a FOTD)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF01gzbUYNt6S1WcwOQ2VHsiSJaZNO8EM3dcTZZMmltTsJE0cZPnghZuib_wvTC3x3l3QQz-PHuwRCX1Gpn1VEIIlfW2-rTH6Yom9oxmH28D6CIk5sz-qhlO7qcULVH5dn4LLHgTtd1Id/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-14+at+2.49.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF01gzbUYNt6S1WcwOQ2VHsiSJaZNO8EM3dcTZZMmltTsJE0cZPnghZuib_wvTC3x3l3QQz-PHuwRCX1Gpn1VEIIlfW2-rTH6Yom9oxmH28D6CIk5sz-qhlO7qcULVH5dn4LLHgTtd1Id/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-14+at+2.49.18+PM.png" height="569" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello my friends! You haven't seen much of me on this blog in the last few months and I SO apologize for that! I have to say, I constantly have the idea of blogging in mind but somehow I've become rather busy with my sister in town, and a new job (WOOHOO!). P.S., If you don't already know, you can follow me on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/tehtrix7" target="_blank">youtube channel</a> where I make more of a regular appearance!<br />
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So I decided to share a sneaky little <b>F</b>ace <b>O</b>f <b>T</b>he <b>D</b>ay with you all. Todays makeup was super quick to apply and looks very natural. This morning I was low on time and wanted just something light and uplifting to get me through the day. Let me know what you guys think :)<br />
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<b>Products Used:</b></div>
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<b>Base</b>: Today I wore my <a href="http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Foundation-VITALUMI%C3%88RE-AQUA-119648" target="_blank">Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua</a> foundation in B10. This shade is a tad too light for me now that I'm darker around this time of year, so I only applied it in the center of my face and blended it outwards, keeping my darker skin showing through the edges of my face. I then set my foundation with a favorite, the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/ambient-lighting-powder-P377723" target="_blank">Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder</a> in Diffused, which gives a lovely soft satiny glow to the skin and sets the makeup really well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PVUXgKFh6WuAHFqidby-CcAl9_cNAXlxjTysJrFIxhkBn34V0JB4MU_yBFKs1CPEkOXSJUzTN5tSQmuojbzWOIj-waf1JENxYwTaaYBx9F-FebUWjAvQKuEJIxMigCopIg0eqsr-2aWL/s1600/DSCN1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PVUXgKFh6WuAHFqidby-CcAl9_cNAXlxjTysJrFIxhkBn34V0JB4MU_yBFKs1CPEkOXSJUzTN5tSQmuojbzWOIj-waf1JENxYwTaaYBx9F-FebUWjAvQKuEJIxMigCopIg0eqsr-2aWL/s1600/DSCN1399.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Concealer</b>: Under my eyes I am wearing my all time favorite under eye concealer, the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/airbrush-concealer-illuminates-perfects-P122914" target="_blank">Clinique Airbrush Concealer</a> in Neutral Fair. This is THE perfect under eye brightener/concealer. The only downside is that there are only three tones, however I find the formula to blend inexplicably well. It has a beautiful satin texture and finish and it reflects light in the perfect way. </div>
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<b>Cheeks</b>: On my cheeks I am wearing the perfect summer blush, the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/amazonian-clay-12-hour-blush-P278610" target="_blank">Tarte Amazonian Clay 24 Hour blush in Captivating</a> which is the most flattering peachy tone for the summer. In the image above, I'm only wearing a very subtle amount but it can be built up to a beautiful peach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3IUmoPC5CZkHnrNSPIUDKV-8jszvhQw7qULjlnBSDBmt3yeg-CX7xZB2DxKmgUYlari8G93ERUaipeVEXwBpcx9yIsyNezrojNDEVxbHmC6bSLdKMtcExQA-gu21KbLGJ0UIaI-theap/s1600/DSCN1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3IUmoPC5CZkHnrNSPIUDKV-8jszvhQw7qULjlnBSDBmt3yeg-CX7xZB2DxKmgUYlari8G93ERUaipeVEXwBpcx9yIsyNezrojNDEVxbHmC6bSLdKMtcExQA-gu21KbLGJ0UIaI-theap/s1600/DSCN1383.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Brows</b>: I used my <a href="http://www.sephora.com/brow-wiz-P202633" target="_blank">Anastasia Brow Wiz</a> in Medium Brown (formerly called Medium Ash) where the hair was sparse and brushed through them with the spoolie.</div>
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<b>Lashes</b>: Lastly, I curled my Lashes with my Shiseido eyelash curlers and applied one coat of the <a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/volum-express-the-falsies-waterproof-mascara.aspx" target="_blank">Maybelline Falsies Waterproof Mascara</a>.</div>
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I hope you liked this subtle and simple look. See ya!</div>
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<br />iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-68361269516105196942014-03-04T19:31:00.000-08:002014-03-04T19:31:12.851-08:00Review: PHYTO Phyto 9 Ultra-Dry Hair Nourishing Day Cream<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<b style="background-color: white;">Where can I buy this?</b></div>
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Ulta<br />
Sephora<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Phyto-Ultra-Nourishing-Cream-1-7-Ounce/dp/B000KQB0YE" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">How much does it cost?</b></div>
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This product retails for $28. You can buy at on Amazon for between $10-25 depending on seller and size.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Bqm4_9u-Ho_uUeMhFji1nhG5J4qXGGhOURech7hupFP1VT7ViiHHuHvwShyphenhyphenZZVGCRckFPX41oAu3Bjx8ovMXozCsIhXuf2oqjQRaDvE6jRpZnLwTFBiMfYrrsNJV_WhdLeqtcZKAqBZi/s1600/IMG_0053_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Bqm4_9u-Ho_uUeMhFji1nhG5J4qXGGhOURech7hupFP1VT7ViiHHuHvwShyphenhyphenZZVGCRckFPX41oAu3Bjx8ovMXozCsIhXuf2oqjQRaDvE6jRpZnLwTFBiMfYrrsNJV_WhdLeqtcZKAqBZi/s1600/IMG_0053_2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">Pros:</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Ingredients - </i>This product contains lots of plant extracts/oils. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">Texture - </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">This hair cream is v</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">ery lightweight and thin consistency. Its not oily at all and is great for those with finer hair looking for a hair cream.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><b>Cons:</b></span></div>
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Price point for this product is rather up there, however I've been on the same tube for the last year, so it ends up definitely being worthwhile and not too expensive.</div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I love this product. Its great for taming fly-aways, calming frizz, and making your hair much softer and. I have fine hair and found this great for making my hair softer, frizz free, and healthier looking. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">One thing that isn't necessarily a negative attribute but I find important to share is that this isn't really a product meant to heal your hair and make it stronger. While it does detangle your hair, reduce frizz and make it more manageable, I haven't really notices any long term healing benefits to my hair from this. Nonetheless, I love this as a detangled and frizz and fly-away tamer!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Pick this up and try it for yourself. Let me know what you think if you've previously used this product! :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Check out my review on my YouTube channel!</span><br />
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-14068908215926054522013-12-27T00:38:00.005-08:002013-12-27T00:39:52.678-08:00Face of the Day - Rosy Eyes and Bold Red Lips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello my dears! It has been a long while since I've actually written up a blog post but I am getting back into it and wanted to start with something simple and sweet, my first face of the day, aka FOTD! I loved how this look ended up coming together and thought I'd share it with you all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSkl3vUIGVzskxhegQynY7S1Gm75HC6VxMXopcu1txUsv7mByAzbn17n_O0rr749ZMJhDEJc2ilWSgG1GZ72SHro2lsZnSoJCZqzRcsPaBPVAe8MaL1SfpTeC6s082a0Lhkn58ea3K-9q/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSkl3vUIGVzskxhegQynY7S1Gm75HC6VxMXopcu1txUsv7mByAzbn17n_O0rr749ZMJhDEJc2ilWSgG1GZ72SHro2lsZnSoJCZqzRcsPaBPVAe8MaL1SfpTeC6s082a0Lhkn58ea3K-9q/s640/IMG_0039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>EYES</b></div>
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<b>Lid</b> - I used a shimmery light pink color all over the lid. I used one from a <a href="http://www.loraccosmetics.com/make-up_starry-eyed-baked-eye-shadow-trio.html" target="_blank">LORAC baked eyeshadow</a> trio, but you can find similar colors by pretty much any brand! The light pink looks lovely with the blue-toned red lips.</div>
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<b>Inner corners </b>- I used <i>nude</i>, a very light shimmery pink, in my inner corners with a bit of <i>white</i> (matte white) blended in.</div>
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<b>Brow bone </b>- On my brow bone, I used <i>cream </i>which is a matte flesh toned color.</div>
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<b>Crease </b>- In my crease, I used just a bit of <i>taupe. </i>To make sure I didn't darken the crease too much, I only used this on the outer half of my crease.</div>
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<b>Outer crease </b>- In my outer crease, I added a bit of <i>mauve.</i></div>
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<b>Outer corner </b>- I used <i>sable </i>again from <a href="http://www.loraccosmetics.com/make-up_pro-palette.html" target="_blank">LORAC PRO</a> in the outer corner of my eyes then lined and blended out <i>espresso </i>which is a matte dark brown.</div>
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<b>Mascara</b> - I am wearing my favorite mascara, the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/mascara-volume-effet-faux-cils-shocking-voluminous-mascara-for-a-false-lash-effect-P299013?skuId=1370501" target="_blank">YSL Shocking Mascara</a> in <i>Deep Black.</i></div>
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<b>FACE</b></div>
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<b>Foundation </b>- For my base, I am wearing the <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/300908572187?var=600117158753&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation Serum</a> which is an incredible foundation! Since it isn't available in the US, I purchased it on Ebay and am very happy with the seller I purchased from (link above). I am wearing it in shade <i>Light Vanilla</i>. Full review of this product coming soon.</div>
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<b>Concealer </b>- I am wearing the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=clinique%20airbrush&skuId=685891&productId=P122914&_requestid=5273" target="_blank">Clinique Airbrush Concealer</a> in <i>Fair </i>under my eyes. This is an incredible product and the only under eye concealer that I've liked. It is super lightweight and does not cake up at all. I don't really need coverage under my eyes, just a bit of brightness and this does EACTLY that!</div>
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<b>Powder </b>- I am wearing my favorite powder, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in <i>Diffused Light </i>which is a lovely pale yellow-toned shade. It provides a beautiful diffused glow and never ever EVER cakes up or looks powdery on the skin.</div>
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<b>Cheeks </b>- On my cheeks, I am wearing <a href="http://www.sephora.com/amazonian-clay-12-hour-blush-P278610?skuId=1306844" target="_blank">Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush</a> in <i>Exposed.</i></div>
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<b>LIPS</b></div>
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<b>Prep </b>- I prepped my lips by using some sugar and honey to exfoliate then I used a good lip balm and let it soak in while I did the rest of my make up. This is essential is you are going to be wearing a matte lip or any other drying lip.</div>
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<b>Lips </b>- On my lips, I am wearing the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/opaque-rouge-liquid-lipstick-P375384" target="_blank">Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick</a> in <i>Icon. </i>This is definitely the statement of the look! Once applied, these lipsticks dry down to a completely matte and dry to-the-thouch finish. Perfect for a party, a night out, or a bold lip that'll last you all through the day.</div>
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I balanced the matte lips with a shimmery shade on my eyelids but kept it subdued by using matte colors in the crease. I often love wearing red lips with bare eyes (except for mascara) but I loved this combination.</div>
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<br />iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-65037325589296384502013-12-05T12:33:00.002-08:002013-12-05T12:33:42.559-08:00DIY Fashion and Accessories: How to Make a Clutch <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y2mTkNiTazM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2mTkNiTazM" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2mTkNiTazM</a></div>
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Hi guys! I hope you have been well. Last year, my mom set her mind to make made a felted clutch. She made the body of the clutch, but never finished it. I decided to film our process of decorating/making our felted clutch and show you guys how we did it.<div>
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<b>Felted bag:</b></div>
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My mom used wool to knit a bag about 3 times the size she actually wanted it (because wool shrinks). Once complete, she washed the bag in hot water with a tiny bit of laundry detergent. The soap and hot water agitate the wool which causes it to turn into what we call "felt." Now this takes a lot of time and material, so you could totally take the easy way out and just buy some felt. Just make sure its not the super cheap kind, you don't want this to look like your 6th grade felt Christmas tree project (anyone?). There are countless DIY videos on YouTube for making felt clutches, so you are sure to find one you like.</div>
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<b>Things you'll need:</b></div>
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A naked clutch</div>
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Decorative jewels, beads, pendants, anything to decorate your bag with</div>
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Chain/handle for clutch</div>
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Flat nosed pliers and/or round nosed pliers</div>
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Lining material</div>
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Needle and matching thread</div>
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Cutting board</div>
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Thick piece of cardboard</div>
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Scissors</div>
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X acto knife</div>
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Sewing macine</div>
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PUPPY</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCRH8vE93bSjFyLIyBrwcrOpBle9yoWvlkluVMtGAN92R0bR3_Tiq7UFFvNszPW5nXGiuuDsLnD-tvzntO8O517NgREiMCNuaKLr8F-lcfxFl-LukYj1ByYOXZl3_eY2g3yz32ih1y12s/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCRH8vE93bSjFyLIyBrwcrOpBle9yoWvlkluVMtGAN92R0bR3_Tiq7UFFvNszPW5nXGiuuDsLnD-tvzntO8O517NgREiMCNuaKLr8F-lcfxFl-LukYj1ByYOXZl3_eY2g3yz32ih1y12s/s400/IMG_0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Step one:</b></div>
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Start off by cutting a piece of cardboard to fit inside your bag in order to make it taut. We were in a hurry and only had cardboard on hand, but I recommend using an actual fabric/bag stabilizer which you can find at a store like Joann's, or anywhere fabrics and sewing materials are sold. Check out this <a href="http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/05/all-about-bag-interfacing.html" target="_blank">website</a> for a detailed explanation of different types of bag stabilizers. There are even ones with sticky backs or iron ons which makes it that much easier!</div>
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<b>Step two:</b></div>
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Now you need to measure out your lining. The lining should fit nicely in the bag. Lining will make sure that your bag is really elegant. Without it, the inside of your bag will not look clean and professional. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eMLVrfdXY" target="_blank">This</a> is a wonderfully easy video on making a zippered pouch with lining.</div>
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<b>Step three:</b></div>
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Now that you have your lining measured out, you can sew the edges to make sure that they don't fray. After we sewed the edges, we chose to sew the lining onto the bag by hand to make sure the stitches couldn't be seen. This will vary depending on what type of bag you have.</div>
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We made a cool pattern on the lining of the opening flap of our clutch. If you'd like to see how we did it, the first 4 minutes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKd3Q67wzqo" target="_blank">this</a> video show you how to make these same pleats!</div>
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<b>Step four:</b></div>
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Pet your puppy. Or kitty. Or child. Or lover. Have none of these? Give yourself a nice big pat on the back, you deserve it ol' pal!</div>
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<b>Step five:</b></div>
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Now for the fun part! This is where you get to decorating. Since our clutch had a long and slim figure, I chose to place my square pendants horizontally across the bottom of the flap. I liked how this elongated the bag. Have fun with this part! This is where your personality and creativity comes out. Use beads, jewels, fabrics, anything! We used our round nosed pliers to add little jump rings to the pendants, then we used our flat nosed pliers to secure the jump rings. We then sewed the jump rings onto the felt bag in the positions we wanted them in.</div>
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<b>Step six:</b></div>
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This is where you'll add the handle/strap to your clutch (if you'd like one). We used an old necklace and sewed it onto the two ends of our clutch. We wanted this to be evening appropriate which is why we kept to the golds and silvers, giving it a classy look with a bit of edge. You can make this super casual by using different materials (like graphic cotton prints or leather) and adding a wooden handle to the bag.</div>
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I hope you all enjoyed this video and walkthrough/tutorial/DIY. I will definitely be back with more of these. This was my first go at a DIY accessory project so please bear with me. Thanks for reading, make sure to watch the video on my YouTube channel!</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-34929126278700697452013-11-13T00:31:00.002-08:002013-11-13T22:58:59.897-08:00Review: TRESemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<b style="background-color: white;">Where can I buy this?</b></div>
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CVS Pharmacy</div>
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Walgreens</div>
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Target</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/TRESemme-Naturals-Nourishing-Moisture-Conditioner/dp/B003RSY1NE" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">How much does it cost?</b></div>
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Ranges between 6-10 depending on where you purchase it.<br />
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<a href="http://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/265185/450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/265185/450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<b style="background-color: white;">Pros:</b></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Price </i>- Definitely a great price. Unbeatable.<br /><i>Ingredients - </i>This product is silicone free, sulfate free, and paraben free. It is very difficult to find silicone free conditioners, especially in this price range! This product also contained aloe vera and avocado oil (both organic) to nourish and moisturize your hair.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">Texture - </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Sans;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">This product has a thinner consistency than most conditioners. It isn't so thin that its runny, but its thin enough that it coats the hair easily without having to rub it in. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Scent</i> - This conditioner smells great, like other TRESemmé products. It leaves a nice fragrance on your hair that isn't overpowering.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><b>Cons:</b></span></div>
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I've been using this product for about a month now and I have no complaints. The product is a bit thin, but you can pop in a pump and it would be solved.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;">So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I really really really like this conditioner! It makes my hair feel soft without weighing it down or making it greasy or oily. It doesn't leave a residue on my hair either. Its a wonderful conditioner that leaves my hair feeling hydrated. It is also great for color treated hair (as my own) and does not strip color.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br />Pick this up and try it for yourself. Let me know what you think :)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Check out my review on my YouTube channel!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bk5gyBpQ9EA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-10399915816931007712013-11-12T23:44:00.001-08:002013-11-12T23:44:17.443-08:00Review: Lush Let The Good Times Roll Cleanser<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<b>Where can I buy this?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Lush stores<br />
<a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Let-the-Good-Times-Roll/9999906306,en_US,pd.html" target="_blank">Lush online</a></div>
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<b>How much does it cost?</b></div>
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<i>3.5oz </i>- $12.95<br />
<i>8.8oz </i>- $28.95</div>
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<a href="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod18/dw/image/v2/AAHL_PRD/on/demandware.static/Sites-Lush-Site/Sites-lushcosmetics-export/en_US/v1384308040448/images/product/06238.jpg?sw=300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod18/dw/image/v2/AAHL_PRD/on/demandware.static/Sites-Lush-Site/Sites-lushcosmetics-export/en_US/v1384308040448/images/product/06238.jpg?sw=300" /></a></div>
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<b>Pros:</b></div>
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<i>Price </i>- At first, I wasn't really digging the price of this stuff, however now that I think of it, 3.5 ounces for a facial scrub with pretty decent ingredients is pretty good.<br />
<i>Ingredients - </i>This product has few ingredients. It contains corn flour, corn oil, glycerine, talc, water, and cinnamon. Talc can sometimes be irritating to the skin, however I have not had any adverse affects from using this product. It honestly doesn't have fantastic ingredients, but its a basic face scrub and for that, they are suitable.</div>
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<i>Texture - </i>As a facial cleanser, the texture of this product is way too harsh. In my opinion, using this nightly would irritate the skin, which is why I use this product as a facial scrub. For a scrub, this is the perfect texture. When the product is applied to wet skin, it becomes a sort of a paste and it rinses off very easily.</div>
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<i>Scent</i> - OH. MY. GOD. This product smells absolutely amazing. It smells like incredible caramel deliciousness. Which is the main reason I bought this.</div>
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<b>Cons:</b></div>
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<i></i>As a cleanser, this product is too gritty. I also feel like I am going through it very quickly which isn't so great (means I'll have to buy more soon!). I've had it for about a month or so, and I'm half way through it. The employee at Lush told me that this is a seasonal product, so get it before its gone!</div>
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<b>So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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I really do like this product. I absolutely adore the scent <i>and </i>the product actually works really well. When I first purchased this, I used it morning and night as a cleanser. It wasn't too harsh on my skin, but I prefer to use it as a facial scrub 2-3 times a week. Because of the oil and glycerine in this, it leaves my skin adequately moisturized which is a big plus. If you are a fan of the salted caramel popcorn scent of this product, you'll be happy to know that it lingers on your skin/hands after using it! I also really enjoy this :) This cleanser has not broken me out, in fact, I feel that when I use it, it clears my skin up without being harsh. I definitely recommend trying this at the Lush store and picking it up for yourself! I'm usually not a huge fan of Lush cleansers but this is definitely a keeper! I plan to buy a few backups and freeze them before the season is over!<br />
<br />
Have you used this product? Do you love the scent as much as I do?!</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-41467511602084635772013-08-07T20:29:00.001-07:002013-08-07T20:29:13.883-07:00How Not to Get Bit by a MosquitoSo...this may come off as a little bit obvious, but that's because it is.<div>
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However, if you are someone like me who refuses to adequately protect themselves, then this is a reiteration for you.</div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Prevent:</span></b></li>
<ul>
<li>Cover exposed skin</li>
<ul>
<li>Obviously you don't need to cover yourself from head to toe, however if you happen to be going out during dusk when mosquitoes are having a big party, then you might want to wear long pants rather than your short-shorts.</li>
<li>If you are in a location where daytime mosquitoes are especially prevalent but its too hot to wear long sleeved clothing, than take a big scarf with you that you can cover your torso with at the least</li>
</ul>
<li>Use a natural insect repellant.</li>
<ul>
<li>Such as the <a href="http://andsoitblooms.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-badger-anti-bug-balm-and-anti.html" target="_blank">Badger Anti-Bug Balm and Spray</a> which I reviewed.</li>
</ul>
<li>Turn on a fan</li>
<ul>
<li>If you are indoors but have mosquitoes inside, turn on a fan. Mosquitoes are horrible fliers and can not fly against the speed of a fan.</li>
</ul>
<li>Use a mosquito net</li>
<ul>
<li>This mostly applies if you're traveling where mosquitoes are prevalent and need protection from them at nighttime. Look for an accommodation that has mosquito nets for their beds, you will be happy you did!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Treat:</span></b></li>
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<li>Wash the bite</li>
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<li>Washing the site of the bite as soon as you get it seems to help a bit.</li>
</ul>
<li>DON'T SCRATCH</li>
<ul>
<li>Now...this is extremely hard, because it feels so darn incredible to scratch a mosquito bite! But you will regret it later! I have a bad allergic reaction to mosquito bites where they swell up to a ridiculous size. However if I scratch it, it gets exponentially worse. Bottom line, don't scratch it.</li>
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<li>Heat</li>
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<li>Treating the bite with heat does some sciency stuff in your body and calms the itch. (P.S. 'Sciency' is in fact the appropriate term)</li>
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<li>Cold</li>
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<li>Placing an ice cube on the bite also helps calm the itch. I'm not sure if the hot or cold is better, but they both work!</li>
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<li>Balsam</li>
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<li>Rubbing something like Tiger Balm onto the bite also helps calm the itch.</li>
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So I hope my obvious tips are useful to you. Keep in mind that I am <b>NOT </b>trained in preventing mosquito bites or treating them. All of the above is from my own personal experience and I cannot be held accountable for any bites acquired while using my tips above.</div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-90708926729897612292013-08-07T01:59:00.002-07:002013-08-07T20:02:30.406-07:00How to Deal With Creative Energy<div style="text-align: center;">
I hear a song, I watch a video, I see a piece of art, I read, I am inspired...yet I don't know how to deal with it.</div>
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I want to explore all areas of artistic creativity. I want to shine through my creativity yet there is something blocking me from actually putting this creative energy to use.</div>
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What do you do with your creative energy? Where does inspiration take you? What inspires you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuIAIOtjSDnfICWpHXQO2F9d5NZTPxzcClfIxDGBteiThrZrpBCPsKHkUQwF85an8SKdHIDKEA4Ma42xizoUa2LbUayMcHwoDv_lm7GWurMqy2bxiwR6PMqw597DnUv-VLsvP8FeDfu8r/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuIAIOtjSDnfICWpHXQO2F9d5NZTPxzcClfIxDGBteiThrZrpBCPsKHkUQwF85an8SKdHIDKEA4Ma42xizoUa2LbUayMcHwoDv_lm7GWurMqy2bxiwR6PMqw597DnUv-VLsvP8FeDfu8r/s640/IMG_0433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am currently drinking an amazing iced latte. In Bali. This is inspirational to me. I am on a beautiful island in the culturally rich city of Ubud drinking a drink that I didn't know could be so delicious. With my creative energy right now, I chose to write this post in hopes that it would (or rather <b>will</b>) lead to further accounts of using my creative energy.</div>
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Its sort of like a puppy who has way too much pent-up energy with no outlet, no means of releasing it. So the puppy takes chews up your favorite pair of shoes, maybe your vintage leather couch, or your $200 purse. But if you take that puppy out, run around with him, play with him, he will release that energy in a constructive manner with no harm done.</div>
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This is what I feel my energy is. It needs to be released in some constructive manner. My fault arises when I find myself constantly seeking that 'constructive outlet'...</div>
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Sometimes I write, sometimes I draw, sometimes I exercise. But I find myself trying to do these things perfectly (as if there is a perfect) rather than simply doing them to the best of my abilities. For instance, I picture in my mind a beautiful drawing, but the moment my pencil touches the paper, I become disappointed because my fingers cannot draw what my mind imagines. I feel disappointed in myself for not being able to keep my artistic skill up to par with my minds eye.</div>
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Every so often I envision a really nice piece of jewelry and I open up my kit, put on some music and get to making it. I spend hours trying to make the physical rendition of my minds creation. Sometimes it ends up being pretty great, however about 70% of the time, I get angry and impatient with the results and just feel like my time was wasted with no end result.</div>
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Do you experience anything like this? What do you do about it? How do you use your time and creative energy efficiently?</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-67979043054126754942013-07-29T04:57:00.003-07:002013-07-29T05:06:15.254-07:00Review: Badger Anti-Bug Balm and Anti-Bug Shake and Spray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBf74eXGEdiWl0fXURT2_u4kCx7FFut5XG2vnUSDDtFcjrKia4b4lIIXXVz6AlRpj7Shp7e_0l4pRqZPjSam8dXPqlbPzeMGffdW_Gh1ImOAmQrwgpvFKq9eDRwXvSWPZp_0VyjJ7M5wU/s1600/IMG_9726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBf74eXGEdiWl0fXURT2_u4kCx7FFut5XG2vnUSDDtFcjrKia4b4lIIXXVz6AlRpj7Shp7e_0l4pRqZPjSam8dXPqlbPzeMGffdW_Gh1ImOAmQrwgpvFKq9eDRwXvSWPZp_0VyjJ7M5wU/s400/IMG_9726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hello everyone! I am currently in Bali which if you are unfamiliar is a tropical island located in Indonesia. As with most humid tropical regions, mosquitos are very common which means I get bit like crazy! For some reason...mosquitoes REALLY like to suck my blood; my boyfriend has been bit only a handful of times in our 5 weeks here while I've been bit 30 times, at least! Prior to coming to Bali, I made sure to purchase bug repellent. I didn't want DEET or any other strong chemical repellant so I visited Whole Foods Market and asked about an effective mosquito repellent, this is what I was recommended. I purchased the spray and the balm and have found myself using both throughout my stay here.</div>
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<b>Where can I buy this?</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-21-natural-mosquito-repellent-anti-bug-balm.aspx">Badger Balm Website</a><br />
Whole Foods Market<br />
Sprouts/Henry's</div>
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Local health food stores</div>
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<b>How much does it cost?</b></div>
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<i>Balm</i> - This product retails for about $10 USD.</div>
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<i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2127148831"></span><span id="goog_2127148832"></span>Spray </i>- This product retails for around $12 USD.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauzG8tEzXKSh8_5qUZkSxQtTCBvoA87lSDXXWa0nrDsQ9ycQLk_WLxS5pzgEHe6DUeJaB845EQDvAxsAGCPra7NSpEJH_paETc52LthUGcXFCOncQKgmBBgtOVh4r3bFIgmJ_9mZ234ZV/s1600/IMG_9727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauzG8tEzXKSh8_5qUZkSxQtTCBvoA87lSDXXWa0nrDsQ9ycQLk_WLxS5pzgEHe6DUeJaB845EQDvAxsAGCPra7NSpEJH_paETc52LthUGcXFCOncQKgmBBgtOVh4r3bFIgmJ_9mZ234ZV/s400/IMG_9727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Pros:</b></div>
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<i>Price and effectiveness </i>- I think that both of these products are a great price and they both last a long period of time. I have been using them interchangeably and sharing with friends for the past 5 weeks and I have half of each product still remaining. I am also very happy with the effectiveness of this product. Works great to repel mosquitos! I do prefer the balm as it stays on my skin longer and doesn't require a frequent reapplication.<br />
<i>Ingredients - </i>The balm contains a combination of castor oil, extras virgin olive oil, and beeswax as the base which I absolutely love because it is essentially a rich moisturizing balm for my skin. It then has citronella, lemongrass, cedar, and geranium essential oils which have been used for ages as natural insect repellents. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend doing a patch test as essential oils can sometimes be too strong for some people. For me however, they have been no problem :) The spray has a base of water, soybean oil, castor oil, and a few different essential oils all with the same idea as the balm. All of the ingredients in both spray and balm are organic.</div>
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<i>Texture - </i>The texture of the balm is similar to that of your typical beeswax lip balm and it becomes more malleable after the first few uses. The balm absorbs quite a bit into your skin however you can still feel a bit of residue even several hours later; I actually like this because it means I don't have to reapply too often. The spray on the other hand is almost like a dry oil. It is a mixture of water and oil so you have to shake it up before use. To me, the spray feels more oily than the balm. </div>
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<i>Scent</i> - If you are familiar with citronella, that is what this smells like. It is a strong scent but definitely not as strong as straight up citronella essential oil. I don't especially love citronella scent but I love how this smells!</div>
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<br /><b>Cons:</b></div>
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<i></i>I honestly can not think of any!</div>
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<b>So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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I definitely love these products and recommend them. Back in the States, I don't get bit often by mosquitos however I'm already planning on buying more of this balm because I love it so much! Its sort of been my travel moisturizer because of the awesome ingredients. As an added benefit, it also gives my skin a really beautiful sheen which is great! I find myself reaching for the balm more so than the spray but the spray is great for quick and less messy application.</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-1643935997951788232013-07-13T06:25:00.001-07:002013-07-13T06:25:18.398-07:00Exercise? Blogilates!Welcome one and all to the incredible world of...blogilates?<br />
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I was as surprised as you to hear this term. Blog + pilates. I initially heard about this from a blogger who I follow however I didn't seem too interested in it. That was about four months ago. About 3weeks ago, I came to Bali, Indonesia for volunteer work and my two roommates and I became interested in doing daily workouts. Blogilates suddenly popped up in my brain and I looked it up and was very much motivated! I kept seeing photos of all these different girls before and after photos, and their transformation inspired me. For me it isn't about losing weight, it is about having a healthy and fit lifestyle. I have always eaten pretty healthy but have never involved exercise into my lifestyle. Last year I was a member at a gym and tried to go a few times a week but didn't enjoy it too much. I have also taken yoga for short periods of tie but didn't find a convenient place in my schedule for it. I love the idea of working out in the comfort of my own home and I had tried online video workouts before and definitely liked the idea of it. What makes this blogilates thing different from say, video workouts that you purchase is that this one is interactive and there is a community of people who are all trying to get fit and toned using these same videos you are. This means that when I see before and after pictures of girls my age that make me go "Wow! You go girl!" I know they are getting this progress through the same videos that I can access. So for me, this is about getting fit, being toned, and getting my body at its best. I'm 22, so what better time than now?</div>
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The best part? Its free.</div>
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Today was my 3rd day doing blogilates and it feels amazing! I abs have been so sore and it feels great because I know its working. On the blogilates website, you can find a new calendar for each month. Although July is over, I started my June calendar late so I'm continuing with it. I find these calendars to be more of a guide than a strict routine. Over the past few days, I have watched many of Cassey's videos, so when it comes time for a workout, I pick a warmup routine, then one of her longer videos for a more total body workout (20 min.) and then I'll pick my target for that day, thighs and butt, inner thighs, abs, etc. I'll keep a record of all my workouts and update weekly on my progress.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BqYSp_x3Z3JorehweElARIUpqFc4NoPM5sx-6MNvA7m9liV8Gjf6tlQKxmgNYYfF3WmhxV7WVBKiR1it9UYSubBNn-YbyYfGI0JlmzebiShTkzwuSIXcKrDGzllJWC7dpIe0dF4TFy4z/s1600/Beginners-calendar-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BqYSp_x3Z3JorehweElARIUpqFc4NoPM5sx-6MNvA7m9liV8Gjf6tlQKxmgNYYfF3WmhxV7WVBKiR1it9UYSubBNn-YbyYfGI0JlmzebiShTkzwuSIXcKrDGzllJWC7dpIe0dF4TFy4z/s400/Beginners-calendar-new.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I want to sare my journey doing blogilates with you! And I hope some of you will join me on this. If not, let me know what you do to stay fit and get toned! I am so excited and I hope you join!</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-17855439488493398172013-07-09T08:09:00.000-07:002013-07-09T08:09:10.824-07:00The Oil Cleansing MethodHello everyone! Today we are going to talk about the oil cleansing method, aka OCM. Now this may sound like a really weird thing to do, especially to those of you who have oily skin. I mean...isn't the whole point of "cleansing" your skin to remove all that oil? No! We cleanse our skin to get rid of the impurities, makeup, and dirt buildup. The oil cleansing method does exactly this. So for about half a year now, I tested out the OCM so that I could share my thoughts about it after a thorough experience. May I just say that I am in <b>love</b>! Now there are many ways to go about it, but here is my basic recipe.<br />
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<b>What you need:</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Castor Oil</li>
<li>Jojoba Oil</li>
<li>Washcloth</li>
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<b>Where to purchase oils:</b><br />
You can purchase these oils online through various suppliers, or at a local health food store like Whole Foods.<br />
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<b>What you do:</b><br />
I take about a 1:3 ratio of castor and jojoba oil (respectively). You can mix your oils in a small container for easier use (or just mix them in the palm of your hands each for each use). I lightly mix the oils in the palm of my hand, warming it up, and then gently massage my face with it. I usually start out on my cheeks and make my way around my face using small circular motions, and I finish off by massaging to oil very gently into my eyelashes and eyebrows. If you are wearing makeup, no sweat, this will remove all the grime. After massing it into your skin for a few minutes, take your washcloth and soak it in hot water (as hot as you can stand without burning yourself), then wring it out and lay the hot towel on your face for 10-15 seconds or until it cools. Repeat this process with the hot washcloth until most if not all of the oil is removed from your skin. Using hot water is crucial to the oil cleansing method because the heat will help soften the dirt in your pores and it will remove the oil more efficiently than using cold or warm water. If you were are wearing makeup, you might want to double cleanse, meaning you do it once and repeat the same cleansing method to ensure you remove all the makeup and grime.<br />
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<b>What I love about it:</b><br />
Although I have fairly oily skin, I find that using the oil cleansing method actually helps control my oil more efficiently because it only removes excess oil and grime without stripping my skin. Using the OCM also helps any breakouts I have clear up much quicker than any other cleansing/moisturizing method I use. I've tried using acne spot treatments that contain salicylic acid in it to dry up the pimple but I have never had luck with these, for me, cleansing my skin via the OCM is a better treatment for acne and I feel that this applies to many other people. Often times, I don't even follow up with a moisturizer because this acts as both a cleanser and a moisturizer.<br />
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I recommend checking out Etsy for organic cotton towels, they are considerably cheap and much better quality and thus more gentle on the skin.<br />
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If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will get to you shortly. If you have tried this before or want to try it, let me know how it goes for you! Just keep in mind that this is the sort of cleansing method shows results after a few weeks of using it, so keep at it unless you are experiencing bad reactions (in the case of allergies) and you should see results within a month or so. I hope this was useful and I hope you try this method ^_^iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-81554359225147880392013-06-05T22:11:00.001-07:002013-06-05T22:11:21.600-07:00Review: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer and No. 28 Primer Serum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0CMbJO0LQXA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Looking for a natural, healthier option for a primer? Check out my newest video! I'm loving the Hourglass primers, aside from their hefty price tag that is.<br />
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It has been brought to my attention that the background music is rather loud, I apologize in advance and will make a note of it in future videos :)<br />
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Have a lovely day!iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-37357428320574289452013-05-08T12:10:00.000-07:002013-05-08T14:28:53.073-07:00At Home Chemical Exfoliator - Brighter, Softer, Healthier Skin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://spicestationsilverlake.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/lemon-sugar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://spicestationsilverlake.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/lemon-sugar2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://spicestationsilverlake.com/products-page/sugars/lemon-sugar/">spicestationsilverlake</a></span></td></tr>
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Recently, I've been hearing a lot about peels and chemical exfoliators. You may be familiar with glycolic acid in the form of a chemical peel. Glycolic acid is valued for its ability to penetrate the skin (which is not easy). There are currently many serums, peels, masks, and exfoliators on the market that claim to "brighten" and "renew" the skin and they do this with the use of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is an a-hydroxy acid (seen as AHA on many skincare products) that when applied to skin, it reacts with the epidermis (upper layer of our skin) to weaken the bonds of the lipids that hold dead skin cells together. To simplify, it loosens dead skin cells allowing the healthier skin underneath to be exposed. What does this mean for you? Brighter, softer, and healthier skin.<br />
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Now that we've covered the basic science of it, lets get to the DIY! Glycolic acid occurs naturally in sugarcane (also some fruits). To make your own glycolic mask at home, all you need is sugar and a lemon. (Note: I recommend doing this mask at night because lemon can bleach your skin when it is exposed to sunlight).</div>
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<b>What do I need?</b></div>
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<li>Sugar</li>
<li>Lemon</li>
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<b>What do I do?</b></div>
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<li>Take about 1 tablespoon of sugar and place it in a small glass bowl</li>
<li>Add the juice of half a lemon to form a paste. If the mixture is too thick, add more lemon juice, and if it is too thin, add more sugar.</li>
<li>Next, you want to place the mixture on your skin in small gentle circles. This is a manual exfoliator and a chemical exfoliator in one. Based on my understanding, the lemon helps isolate the glycolic acid in the sugar.</li>
<li>Once you have applied the mixture, allow it to sit on your skin for 10 minutes. Allow this time for the glycolic acid to work into your skin and break down the dead skin cells.</li>
<li>When 10 minutes is up, wet your hands in lukewarm water and in gentle circular motions, massage your skin. This is the manual exfoliation that will help remove those broken up dead skin cells. Then simply rinse off the mixture with warm water and pat your skin dry.</li>
<li>Apply your moisturizer as usual.</li>
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I used this mask for the first time last night and I clearly notice a difference in the softness of my skin. Immediately after removing it, my skin was much softer and smoother (and I feel like I noticed some brightness too). This is a mask that helps with consistent use. Because glycolic acid penetrates the skin, it can help reduce previous scarring.</div>
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Have you ever tried this mask? Would you like to? Do you use any chemical exfoliators/serums/masks? </div>
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I can't wait to use this mask again!</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-16328749760120718622013-04-24T00:25:00.001-07:002013-04-24T00:28:07.300-07:00Things That Have Made Me Happy: #1Its 12:07am, I am running on 23 minutes of laptop battery life, and I am happy; I want to share my 'happy' with you all in this rather weird and random post! I hope you enjoy these as much as I did :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.wimp.com/singsalong/">Because who doesn't want to watch a cat sing along with an accordion?</a> Key words here: <b>cats, accordion.</b> Seriously adorable.</div>
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<a href="http://www.wimp.com/heyya/">I don't even know what to call this.</a> Adorable kids, adorable dancing and singing.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfiiWGWhB9g&list=LLgXl93m0CCJvYTSqR5Ilvqg&feature=mh_lolz">17 seconds of awesome.</a> JUST WATCH IT.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6_2x0h4BaU&list=LLgXl93m0CCJvYTSqR5Ilvqg">Jack Johnson's song Broken.</a></div>
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I hope you enjoyed a few of these bits :) They have definitely made me happy in the past 24 hours. Now to leave you with pictures of my snuggle bugs. Spread your happiness to someone today :)<br />
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-18928765964733285212013-04-17T22:59:00.002-07:002013-04-17T22:59:49.530-07:00Empties #1 (Dry Shampoo, Vinegar, and Moisturizer)Hello everyone! I have a few products I've gone through in the last few months. I think this will be a nice way for you all to see what I've been using, get little reviews on the product, and see what I will and will <i>not </i>repurchase.<br />
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<b>Jojoba Oil</b></div>
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If you read my blog or watch my videos, you know I love jojoba oil. It has been my favorite makeup remover for about 6 years now and its still going strong. I buy mine from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods for around $7 and the 4oz size lasts me 3-4 months. You can see my demo <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JfNizV1KA1U">here</a>. I will <b>always</b> repurchase this product!</div>
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<a href="http://az312542.vo.msecnd.net/cdn/productimages/medium/firstaidbeautyultrarepaircream_1_gm.jpg?version=12" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://az312542.vo.msecnd.net/cdn/productimages/medium/firstaidbeautyultrarepaircream_1_gm.jpg?version=12" /></a></div>
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<b>First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream</b></div>
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I am currently on my second tube of this stuff and it is definitely my favorite facial moisturizer to date. I have been using it for about 8 months now and have had wonderful results. I have a quick video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT8PPMvOUbg">review</a> on it on my youtube channel!</div>
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<a href="http://www.sheckys.com/files/2012/10/Aveeno-Pure-Renewal-Dry-Shampoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sheckys.com/files/2012/10/Aveeno-Pure-Renewal-Dry-Shampoo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo</b></div>
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I bought this product several months ago because I wanted a sulfate-free dry shampoo. I really liked the scent and used this product all up, however I didn't feel like it really absorbed oil very well. I probably wont repurchase this product. It was also about $9 which is more than what I'm willing to pay for a drugstore dry shampoo that doesn't work all too well.</div>
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<a href="http://dannigirl2013.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/not-your-mothers-dry-shampoo.jpg?w=490" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://dannigirl2013.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/not-your-mothers-dry-shampoo.jpg?w=490" /></a></div>
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<b>Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo</b></div>
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I finished a container of this product as well however my thoughts on it are the same as for the Aveeno product (above). The only difference is that I disliked the smell of this.</div>
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<b>Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar</b></div>
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I totally love this stuff! I use it to make shampoo for my dog, I use it to make face masks, I use it for my hair, as an aftershave, and a bunch of other stuff! This is a wonderful product that everyone should have in their kitchen! I adore using this stuff to help with <a href="http://andsoitblooms.blogspot.com/2012/10/bye-bye-razor-burn-hello-apple-cider.html">razor burn</a>. Its all natural and works better than anything I've tried.</div>
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I hope you guys (and gals :D) liked this post! What have you used up recently?</div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-54891528816867878662013-04-10T14:29:00.001-07:002013-04-10T14:29:14.566-07:00What's new, Wednesday? Teas' Tea Unsweetened Jasmine Green Tea<br />
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<a href="http://lovelypackage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/lovely-package-teas-tea2.jpg"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">Teas' Tea</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I want to talk about a delicious green tea I have been enjoying for the past several months. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I haven't yet tasted any other flavor, but I have really been loving <b>Teas' Tea</b> Unsweetened Jasmine Green Tea. Have you tried any of these teas before?</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where can I buy this?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pavilions</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whole Foods</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teas-Tea-Jasmine-Unsweetened-16-9-Ounce/dp/B0017T6S1I">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.itoen.com/teas-tea.html">ITO EN</a></span></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How much does it cost?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">I've seen it for around $2 for a 16.9oz/500ml bottle at most grocery stores where its sold. Whole Foods has 2 liter containers which are sold for around $8-10. You can also </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">purchase a pack of 12 (16oz/500ml) from Amazon ($21 free shipping) or from ITO EN (the original source for the tea) where you can get packs of 24 (16oz/500ml) for $36 or a pack of six 2 liter containers for $30 (with $11 ground shipping).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #444444; line-height: 27px;">What are the benefits?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">This tea contains catechins which are a naturally occurring antioxidant. "Among the many known health benefits of tea catchines "count anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, as well as effects on the regulation of food intake" (</span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://missclasses.com/mp3s/Prize%20CD%202010/Tea/cannaboid.pdf">Tea Catechins</a>). It is also very high in vitamin C (110% of daily intake) which is definitely a benefit in my book.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pros:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ingredients - </i>This is where its great, there are minimal ingredients, no extra unnecessary ingredients; just purified water, jasmine green tea, and absorbic acid (good ol' vitamin C!). This tea contains 110% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Woohoo!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Taste - </i>This tea is so tasty! That's the whole reason I'm writing this post! I actually have a bottle of this next to me, as I am typing. I am a huge tea lover and jasmine is one of my favorites; I get my jasmine tea from</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cons:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nada! Well...except I wish it was cheaper...but to be honest its totally reasonable, I'm just being annoying :P</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love this tea! Its refreshing and satisfying without being sweet and overwhelming. If you are a fan of tea then you must try this! It is the most true-to-taste bottled jasmine tea that I have tried. And its so high in vitamin C! Just another added benefit :)</span></span></span></div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-2270075031619004562013-03-21T19:35:00.000-07:002013-04-09T14:01:38.630-07:00Try It Out Tuesday: Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser<div>
<b>Where can I buy this?</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.sephora.com/detoxifying-black-cleanser-P302940">Sephora</a> (online and in store)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boscia-Detoxifying-Black-Cleanser/dp/B006LYO0JQ">Amazon</a> (for some reason its twice the price so I don't recommend purchasing from Amazon)<br />
<a href="http://www.bosciaskincare.com/newsite/product_detail.php?cPath=0&products_id=146&category=&dept_id=41">Boscia</a><br />
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<b>How much does it cost?</b></div>
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$28<br />
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<b>Pros:</b></div>
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<i>Price </i>- Although not as cheap as drugstore cleansers, this product is not too expensive. For a natural product free of preservatives, the price is reasonable. </div>
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<i>Ingredients - </i>This is a non-GMO product that is also gluten-free, cool! It doesn't contain preservatives which is awesome in my book, one less thing to worry about. It also has charcoal in it which draws out impurities from the skin and helps to detoxify.<br />
<i>Size </i>- This is a 5 fl. oz. cleanser which is quite a lot. One pump is the perfect amount to cleanse my skin and I see this lasting me several months.<br />
<i>Packaging</i> - I love the sleek black packaging with the pump. It keeps everything clean and gives the perfect amount of product to wash your face with. <br />
<i>Scent</i>- I love the herbal and hint of floral scent that this product has </div>
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<b>Cons:</b></div>
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At this point, I have no negatives about this product! Some people might dislike the fact that it doesn't lather well, however lather is not a sign of a good cleanser and it in no way makes a cleanser do a better job; so for me this is not an issue but some may not like it. I do want to add that when using this with the Clarisonic, it is a little difficult because there is minimal lather however I just make sure to work it well into my skin.<br />
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<b>So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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I really love this product so far! It doesn't strip my skin of oil, it just cleanses it. I have to keep using it for a few weeks to see a difference in skin brightness and the detox effect but so far I am loving it! I will do an update in a month to let you all know if I'm still sticking to it :)</div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-68535717958316424162013-02-27T17:27:00.001-08:002013-02-27T17:27:31.284-08:00Whats New, Wednesday? Xylitol GumHello all! I wanted to start this series as a way to introduce new products to you all. These will include all sorts of stuff, food, drinks, clothing, you get the gist. This will <b>not </b>however include skincare or makeup because those are things I usually devote more time to testing/trying out. Come back on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G57lSD-P1R4">Tuesday</a> for a series on new products and skincare recipes I am trying out.<br />
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<a href="http://static.caloriecount.about.com/images/medium/epic-gum-xylitol-sweetened-169777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static.caloriecount.about.com/images/medium/epic-gum-xylitol-sweetened-169777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today's product is the <a href="http://www.epicdental.com/c-4-xylitol-gum.aspx">Epic Xylitol Gum</a> in spearmint.</div>
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<b>Where can I buy this?</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Epic-Dental-Xylitol-Sweetened-Spearmint/dp/B005UB5NOW/ref=pd_sim_hpc_4">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.epicdental.com/c-4-xylitol-gum.aspx">epicdental.com</a><br />
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<b>How much does it cost?</b></div>
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You can get a box of these containing 12 packs of gum (12 pieces in each pack) for about $15<br />
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<b>What are the benefits?</b><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Check out <a href="http://www.xylitol.org/dental-benefits-of-xylitol">this page </a>to learn about the benefits of xylitol for oral hygiene. </span></span></div>
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<b>Pros:</b></div>
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<i>Price </i>- Super inexpensive gum and it does what gum should do...that's a plus!</div>
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<i>Ingredients - </i>This is a non-GMO product that is also gluten-free, cool!</div>
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<i>Taste - </i>I LOVE the taste of this gum! Its better than any other spearmint flavored gum I've tried. Since it uses natural sweetener, it doesn't have that terribly sweet taste that "sugar-free" products have.</div>
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<b>Cons:</b></div>
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<i>Lasting Power - </i>Okay...this is where it fails to impress. The flavor of this gum lasts 10-20. However check out what the company has said about this, I think you will agree with me that this is much preferable to artificially enhanced flavors:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Simple and effective, the flavor in one piece of Epic gum last about 10-20 minutes. We could artificially enhance the flavor to make it appear more flavorful, but we prefer </span><a class="thickbox" href="http://www.epicdental.com/skins/Skin_3/images/natural_ingredients.gif" style="color: #0f06c9; line-height: 17px;" title="A small list of natural ingredients">a small list of natural ingredients</a><span style="line-height: 17px;"> that make us feel safer and more secure.</span></span></blockquote>
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<i>Packaging - </i>Typical gum packaging. Easy to remove individual pieces.</div>
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<b>So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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I totally love this gum and recommend it. Even though the flavor doesn't last long, it tastes so good that I honestly don't mind. Its also so cheap that you can just replace it once it loses flavor. I recommend you try this gum out. Its a step towards maintaining good dental hygiene.<br />
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Thanks for reading! I hope it wasn't too weird that I did a review on gum...what'd you think?</div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-1028478784068853472013-02-23T11:36:00.003-08:002013-02-23T11:39:21.127-08:00Follow Up on Daily Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/7e50803c77dc11e2a1b122000a1f9702_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/7e50803c77dc11e2a1b122000a1f9702_6.jpg" /></a></div>
Dealing with work and school has kept me from following up on my goals thus far, however I am here today doing just that! So I did a blog post on my <a href="http://andsoitblooms.blogspot.com/2013/02/daily-personal-goals.html">Personal Daily Goals</a> a short while ago and I am happy to say I completed them! A good friend told me that instead of making daily goals, she makes weekly goals. I thought about this and decided to give this a try because it gives a little bit of leeway. so far, this has been helpful for me. I feel more accomplished because I am getting things done. Although they might be small goals, it still feels great to be able to complete them. I usually give myself a million things to do and basically set myself up for failure. I forget that I'm not Superwoman. I forget that there are only 24 hours in a day.<br />
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This was just a short follow up to let you know that so far, I am doing pretty well with my goals. How are you coming along? Has your method of setting goals been working for you thus far?iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-3445209237879976982013-02-11T02:04:00.000-08:002013-02-11T02:08:07.867-08:00Personal Daily Goals and Weird Cat Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHRDCHoP7wJzQQc9TkhSYWu4zonXIL7GCwUZyMPKu6jfWfkOMv6Ne9NDMIn9Qnj5o9KLF2uGeRW-5DS6f8mi8NgwcLhIgMigF6_UWw6OEUmAMBgwZdm83Hni2kIZ3OEtSfjbuy6HlzmOr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-02-11+at+2.04.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHRDCHoP7wJzQQc9TkhSYWu4zonXIL7GCwUZyMPKu6jfWfkOMv6Ne9NDMIn9Qnj5o9KLF2uGeRW-5DS6f8mi8NgwcLhIgMigF6_UWw6OEUmAMBgwZdm83Hni2kIZ3OEtSfjbuy6HlzmOr/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-02-11+at+2.04.56+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of my cat meowing at me. Just because.</td></tr>
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A short while ago, I write a post about being motivated and setting goals. I totally didn't follow up! I am someone who plans two million things to do in a day and only completes a third of them. Whats so bad about that? Feeling inadequate at the end of the day for not completing my goals. It has taken me (and still <i>is </i>taking me) a while to come to terms with the idea that setting a few small goals and actually completing them is better than setting dozens.<br />
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Since this blog does deal with health, I'm going to go out on a limb and talk about <i>mental</i> health in this post. I spend so much of my time doing wasteful activities (160+ episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch on Hulu anyone?) that I lose motivation to try a little harder, even when it really doesn't take much effort. When I keep myself busy, I enjoy my time much more and I am <b>happy</b>. So this post goes out to completing a small goal each day. Setting permanent daily goals (like doing a half hour of exercise every M/W/F or working on my blog for 30min each day) doesn't work for me, so I'm going to try setting daily goals each night. I would love for this to be a sort of journey for myself and my readers (the few of you that there are ;)) and I would love for you to document and join me on this! I hope that my rambling has given you some motivation to complete small tasks of your own.</div>
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My goal for tomorrow is to go to the gym in the morning then dedicate at least an hour to my homework. Easy enough right?</div>
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Well...I guess we'll see!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Antoine de Saint-Exupéry</span></span></div>
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And now for a more relatable quote...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jordan Belfort</span></span></div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-90304425022824830252013-01-30T23:49:00.001-08:002013-01-30T23:49:16.219-08:00Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8Y7ijj3-eCCSjMzWYJ543GR0EEn6wfmaaw3o13ldRCBQbv4lmjETXhgzE0ronE_0jveg4RIGg8ISLBgM4QvN9-OfYQQ7FObfDdaiY6JuycC3mLJzJGdbOUl0wY_ALJdfxb28Ut_W-Xe5/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8Y7ijj3-eCCSjMzWYJ543GR0EEn6wfmaaw3o13ldRCBQbv4lmjETXhgzE0ronE_0jveg4RIGg8ISLBgM4QvN9-OfYQQ7FObfDdaiY6JuycC3mLJzJGdbOUl0wY_ALJdfxb28Ut_W-Xe5/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today I have a review for you all on the Mint Julep Masque by Queen Helene. <div>
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<b>Where can I buy this?</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod5022025">Ulta</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/queen-helene-mint-julep-masque/ID=prod7481-product">Walgreens</a></div>
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I've also spotted it at CVS</div>
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Local health food stores</div>
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<b>How much does it cost?</b></div>
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This product retails for $4-5 USD depending on where you buy it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2127148831"></span><span id="goog_2127148832"></span><br /></div>
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<b>Pros:</b></div>
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<i>Price and effectiveness </i>- This is an inexpensive drugstore face mask that definitely does the job. It cleanses the skin without being too harsh and stripping it of all oils. That being said, you still definitely need to follow up with a good moisturizer. I recommend using this at nighttime and following up with a thick night cream. </div>
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<i>Ingredients - </i>This mask contains kaolin clay, bentonite clay, and glycerin just to name a few. Kaolin clay is a very mild clay which is used in a variety of cosmetics. It cleanses and exfoliated the skin without removing natural oils. Bentonite clay is by far my favorite clay EVER (post coming soon!). It is a very purifying clay which draws out impurities from the skin. It is much more effective than the kaolin clay at removing impurities hence its use in this mask. The next ingredient I mention is the glycerin; I think this is an important ingredient because glycerin is a humectant which means that it draws moisture to the skin and helps the already existing moisture from drying out. You can see how all of these would combine into a nice affordable mask!</div>
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<i>Texture - </i>This mask is thick but applies smoothly with minimal clumping. It dries to a chalky finish but doesn't completely immobilize your facial muscles like some masks do. It definitely allows you to smile and move without the mask cracking and becoming itchy.</div>
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<i>Not too drying - </i>Some of my favorite masks are WAY too drying, this luckily is not. Although you still do need a moisturizer, it doesn't completely turn your face into the Death Valley. It leaves your skin nice and smooth with no extra dryness.</div>
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<i>Scent</i> - I love the minty smell! It is very nice and refreshing. I enjoy using this mask, its a treat :)</div>
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<i>Easy to wash off - </i>This is definitely one of the easier thick masks to wash off. It doesn't cling to your skin which in turn makes it easily rinsable.</div>
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<b>Cons:</b></div>
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<i>Parabens - </i>This product contains methylparaben as a preservative. I prefer using products without parabens just to be safe so this is a turn off for me but it definitely does not keep me from using this product.</div>
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<i>Packaging - </i>Honestly not too fond of the packaging. Its hard to squeeze the thick goo out of the tube and then to twist the cap back on. I feel like one of those snap closure caps would be better and prevent unnecessary dirtying-up of the packaging.</div>
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<b>So what's the verdict? Do you like it?</b></div>
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Yes! I definitely like it and recommend it. The pros for sure outweigh the cons and this is a mask I always come back to. For me, this is a gentle cleansing mask that I use when I'm too lazy to whip up my own. Go out and get yourself some!</div>
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Have you tried this mask? What do you think of it?</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-58560687876097748282013-01-23T15:41:00.002-08:002013-02-23T11:40:26.135-08:00Quick Fix for Dry LipsHi everyone! You may recall my <a href="http://andsoitblooms.blogspot.com/2012/11/all-about-lips.html">All About Lips</a> post which gave a bunch of tips on how to take care of your lips especially during Winter. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend watching that video and reading that post. Today, I want to sort of revisit the topic of lips...<br />
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Over the last few days, my lips decided to turn into scales. I of course decided "SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB" so I ran to my kitchen (yes...ran), smeared some honey on my lips, whipped out the raw sugar, and went to town.</div>
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But...it didn't work!</div>
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I realized that the skin on my lips was not dead skin, it was just severely dehydrated. So I basically made it worse by trying to rub away at <i>not-</i>dead skin. If you are <b>NOT</b> interested as to why my lips were so darn dry, then skip over the <span style="color: #6aa84f;">green</span>.</div>
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<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I had been drinking very little water. Not only does water keep you hydrated internally, but your lips literally absorb the moisture as the water touches the skin.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I had tried on about 6 shades of lipstick which took quite an effort to remove. (BAD idea guys!)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;">My nose was a bit stuffy, therefore I was breathing through my mouth while sleeping which in turn caused my lips to be even <i>more </i>dry!</span></li>
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So what's the point of this post?</div>
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To tell you not to wreck havoc on your poor lips. Take it slow. Don't add any more stress onto your lips. What I found most helpful was putting honey on my lips for a few minutes then (of course) eating it. The honey really penetrates deep into your skin and helps in the healing process. Don't overdo the lip balm. Wondering why? Read my previous <a href="http://andsoitblooms.blogspot.com/2012/11/all-about-lips.html">post</a> and watch the video! Leave the lip balm for night time and make sure to drink lots of water!</div>
iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-29443110898646515932013-01-19T00:33:00.001-08:002013-01-19T00:38:54.933-08:00No-Heat Vintage Curls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcQ7HA-hQG0_6iiAGPn5eIzDZhVaf0fAXUg4V4rfzipZQSnQlLrr7me8TEXd9csg5pz5IBimQIboH3v5MourlV27EZeTYKhXYXEDyb-Tq_yLIcUkVtxuVY9AVXgPl7_6LOu5GbpEEfL7e/s640/24908406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcQ7HA-hQG0_6iiAGPn5eIzDZhVaf0fAXUg4V4rfzipZQSnQlLrr7me8TEXd9csg5pz5IBimQIboH3v5MourlV27EZeTYKhXYXEDyb-Tq_yLIcUkVtxuVY9AVXgPl7_6LOu5GbpEEfL7e/s320/24908406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.the-cameras-lying.com/2012/05/roaring-1920s-tribute.html">The Camera's Lying</a></td></tr>
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Hello my dears! Today I'm here to share with you one of my techniques for curling your hair with no heat. These curls gives a very vintage 1920s sort of look which I love. For background, I have a lot of straight fine hair.<br />
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<b>What you'll need:</b><br />
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<li>Hair curlers / rollers (<strike>not</strike> <span style="color: red;">hot</span> rollers)</li>
<li>Texture wax / fiber gum</li>
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<b>What you do:</b></div>
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<li>Start out with newly washed hair that has been air dried. I find this curling method works best on newly washed hair as it retains the curls better than say, day-old hair. Your hair should be almost dry, with some dampness left.</li>
<li>You will then take your curlers and place them however you please. I like to roll the curlers framing my face towards the back of my head. Since I have short hair, I find that rolling the hair at the very bottom inwards (towards my neck) makes for a more flattering look.</li>
<li>Leave these curlers in for at least a half hour (longer is better!) Assuming you put them on damp hair, wait for your hair to fully dry.</li>
<li>Once you have waited for a good half hour to an hour, take out your curlers carefully, making sure not to pull your hair (ouch!).</li>
<li>Once you take out the curlers, run your fingers through the curls. I like a more loose and effortless look so I sort of pull the curls apart. I then like to use a texture wax (my favorites are the Schwarzkopf Thrill Fibre Gum or Garnier Fructis Surf Hair which smells AMAZING).</li>
<li>This part can be a bit tricky. If you're unfamiliar with texture waxes, start small. I take a dime size amount, rub it between my fingers, then run it through the curls. The texture wax defines the curls a bit, gives them a light hold (or strong, depending on the wax) without it being stiff, sticky, or crispy. In picture 2 below, I am wearing the texture wax; you can see that it gives definition to my curls.</li>
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Now since this hairstyle is no-heat and without any hairspray or strong holding products, it tends to wear down a bit which I actually love. You can see the photo below that within an hour, the curls sort of dropped and become much more tousled and natural. To me, this adds to the beauty and the vintage-inspired style. If you try this look out, please post photos in the comments below!</div>
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P.S. You can access the comments by clicking on the title of this post then scrolling down :)</div>
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Have a beautiful day!<br />
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134415559316162774.post-3097605363472638892013-01-17T09:41:00.002-08:002013-01-17T10:39:02.750-08:00Good ol' Vitamin D<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've Got Sunshine ~</div>
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Hello my dears! I wanted to talk to you all about getting some sun! Most of us are so concerned with protecting ourselves from the sun that we don't actually know about the benefits of the sun. As with other vitamins, we need the "sunshine vitamin," aka Vitamin D. Now although humans can obtain vitamin D in a few different ways, I am going to focus on the easiest and most efficient way (in my opinion). When exposed to sunlight for an adequate amount of time, our skin produces vitamin D<span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span>. Vitamin D is beneficial to our body in all sorts of ways (I'll attach a few articles that highlight some key points so check them out!). The one thing I am going to mention is that vitamin D allows for better absorption of calcium which is essential in our body. </div>
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Vitamin D is obtained most easily from the sun so do yourself a favor and go out in the sun for a bit every day :) Now the tricky thing is sunscreen. Sunscreen blocks ultraviolet rays which in turn don't allow our bodies to synthesize Vitamin D. I'm not telling you not to wear sunscreen when you're getting cooked under the sun at the beach; but when you're taking a short walk on a fairly sunny day, take off your jacket, wear shorts, let your skin see the light! It'll thank you for it :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.nutritiouslife.com/nlts/the-skinny-on-sunscreen-and-vitamin-d/" target="_blank">The Skinny on Sunscreen and Vitamin D</a></div>
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iamnarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210199846457504472noreply@blogger.com0