Okay, y’all know how I TOTALLY messed up my coconut oil procedure? Welp, my new friend Lori Wescott over at Loripalooza recently conducted a similar procedure on her hair but she followed directions and got AWESOME results for her hair.
I’m always willing to say when I’m wrong. So, go watch Lori showcase her humor along with great hair on Loripalooza. And sign up for her blog feeds too! She’s a good one.
If you have been alive longer than oh… 4 years, you know beauty trends come and go about as quickly as those 5 pounds we all gain and lose. Currently, everyone’s all about the coconut oil. All. A. Bout. It.
I’ve been told it’s good for everything from shaving to clearing up brown spots to conditioning my hair. And, because it’s all natural if my cat licks half of the lotion off of me he won’t die. (Win win, right?)
Since I’m always willing to try a new beauty product (For the sake of you all, clearly. I’m here for you–your own little lab rat) I ran to the newest grocery store and bought a jar…
…And decided to try the whole “deep conditioning” process before going out for the night.
Rule #1 of new products: NEVER try them for the first time when you plan to go out in public.
I usually leave very little time to get ready if I’m going out during the week because frankly, I don’t have much time. A typical day involves me bolting out to the door to work, running around the office doing lots of this and that, making it to the gym just in time for my class, and then skaddling home to feed the cat. Evenings tend to be much calmer because I can only handle so much rushing in one day.
But, when I’m going out the rush continues. (I may need to learn not to pack so much into one day, but alas, I’m an overachiever.)
On this particular day I didn’t have time to fully wash my hair so I rinsed it and decided, “I’ll try some of this coconut oil in my hair while I shave.” And I put a little in my hair, shaved, rinsed, and scrambled to my hair dryer.
My hair wouldn’t dry. Would not. Like at all. It stayed wet.
Rule #2: If you’re hair isn’t drying then you probably have shampoo and/or conditioner still in it. Any dummy knows that… Just not this dummy.
The lack of drying didn’t detour me. I figured I’d just go more natural that night. I fixed myself a quick meal, watched a little TV, and then headed back to my room to get dressed.
MY HAIR HAD NOT CHANGED AT ALL. STILL WET. STILL LIMP. STILL OMG BAD.
I had made a commitment to be at my event so I had to go. Yet I started to panic… What’s wrong with my hair? Why won’t it dry? Is it damaged forever? Have I have 34 years of good hair and I’m doomed to spend the rest of my life looking for a respectable wig?
Y’all. It NEVER occurred to me to wash it or that the coconut oil hadn’t rinsed out properly.
Rule #3 of new products: If you look different than normal and can’t figure out why, it’s the new product. DUH!!!
So, I went out with the worst hair ever. And yes, it was noticeable. VERY noticeable. Like, “Did you come here straight from the gym?” was asked of me noticeable.
I did wash it the next day (twice) and my hair ended up looking fine. But still, my make up tip for you today is this: Test a new product when you have no where to be. New products really need a safety net around them. I applaud experimentation but no one needs to be able to moisturizer her whole body with your head. No one.
Y’all know by now I love make up. My face serves as my own clean slate each morning and I’m typically excited to see what colors I choose to highlight my features for the day. But… there are days I wake up when I need to throw on some make up but don’t feel like spending much time on any of it. Foundation and blush are easy; it’s the darn eye products that always trip me when I’m in need of “easy makeup”.
I’ve found the PERFECT easy eye option and it can be used in any number of ways. It’s Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint. My green eyes love rocking the color Chained, but there are 9 fun colors to mix and match.
From the Website: Go from smoky to wildly intense with non-stop shadows lit with shimmer. Pure pigments in a creamy shadow. Light-emitting dimensional pearls create shimmer to high-metallic finishes. Finger paint it onto lids. Glides on quickly, wears infinitely-all day.
TRUE VISION™ COLOR
• Maximized color impact
• Magnified vibrancy, clarity and dimension
• Amplified brilliance
FORMULA FACTS
• 12-hour wear
• Crease-free
• Won’t fade
• Dermatologist-tested
• Ophthalmologist-tested
From this gal: I’m a huge fan of products in pots. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I really feel like an actual artist when I apply from a pot. Or, I feel like products in pots last a lot longer than their powder-ish counterparts. I like Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint because it’s SO EASY to use. I dip my ring finger into the pot, get a little color on said finger, and lightly apply it to across my eyelid. It’s that easy! I can add as much or as little as I like. Pop on a little eyeliner on top of it for a more dramatic look, but it’s not necessary.
Each Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint costs $24 and can be found at any department store that sells Estee Lauder or you can buy it online. Just a little tip… I like to figure out when there’s a free gift in conjunction with my Estee Lauder purchase and buy it then. If it’s free it’s for me. Well… most of the time.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
I love make up. I adore popping on a fun lip gloss or painting on an extra layer of mascara. Make up can cover up a blemish or enhance an attribute.
The thing about the thing is… we all know make up can cover and enhance but it can never turn us into someone we aren’t. And because I’m in a space of facing my true self (and hoping it’s causing you to ask a few questions too) instead of my typical Make Up Monday I wanna chat a minute about true beauty.
Lemme start with a simple fact: I can be extra hard on myself. My absolute favorite new work out is FlyBarre. I go once a week and anxiously await the class. However… I often compare myself to others in my class. Things like… my clothes aren’t the latest style from Lululemon, my hair isn’t beautifully blown out, or my form isn’t perfectly in line… creep into my thoughts.
I talked to my counselor about how my comparison to others steals my joy while being in FlyBarre. I requested some sort of tool to help me leave the comparing and get back in the joy.
She simply said, “Ephesians, Arden. You are God’s masterpiece.”
From that one tip, I remind myself before I go into class I am God’s masterpiece. When I start to compare, I remind myself I’m God’s masterpiece. Any time I look at myself as less than who God created me to be, I quote Ephesians and assure myself, I. Am. God’s. Masterpiece.
And so are you. No make up can enhance or degrade the beauty of Christ shining through us.
But what happens when the masterpiece turns ugly? When we allow judgement and criticism to outweigh grace and mercy? Is there a blush to hide gossip? A bronzer for selfishness? Does a concealer exist for our sinful actions?
Nope. There’s nothing on Earth that can keep us from our own worst versions of ourselves. Our hearts innately are evil and ugly no matter how much positive spin we try to put on our actions.
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
I am God’s masterpiece because of His grace. You are God’s masterpiece because of His grace. None of us can claim to be anything but people trying our best to live in God’s will and do God’s ways. As I quote Ephesians 2:10 to myself as a self boost, I also quote it about other people too. It’s helping me be less critical and more accepting.
So, your make up tip for this week is an old lesson taught year after year because it always proves to be true: Keep your well glossed lips shut unless you have something kind to say about yourself or someone else. I promise it’ll make your skin glow brighter than any other product I can possibly share with you.
Do y’all know how fun it is for me when I find a new lipstick that’s pretty darn inexpensive? Super fun! I’ve been a fan of “chubby” lipsticks for a while. They are rarely sticky and always go on smooth. But, it’s not a product I can wear alone. Spending a lot of money on what I call a “mixer gloss” isn’t exactly in my budget.
Enter CoverGirl’s LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm available to you in 16 shades! Eeeee!!! So good!!! (I’ve been watching a lot of Sophia Grace & Rosie lately.)
From the Website: Twist up the color and glide on the shine. Treat your lips to a balm fortified with shea and mango butters for a smooth look with a hint of color. Sheer color in 16 shades. Soft shine without the sticky feeling.
From this gal: My obsession nation with lipstick can get pricey. I picked up this CoverGirl lipstick because I had a coupon. Hello! I love the smooth feeling and it’s easy peasy to apply. The color looks simple alone but mixes well with other colors as well. And, really, you can’t beat the price.
You can find LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm wherever you get CoverGirl products. It’s about $6.99. But, find a coupon and a get a little cheaper. Save those dimes for your next hair appointment!
I’ve only recently (like maybe the last 2-3 months) became interested in painting my own nails. For most of my adult life, if I put anything on my nails it was a clear polish. I got the feminine aspect of painted nails but I could never make mine look pretty. The polish chipped and I got as much color on my skin as I did on my nails. Let me tell ya, that’s NOT a good look.
Something changed for me and I got pretty okay at keeping most of the polish on my nails. And I started liking the look of a pop of color on my nails. But, the chipping persisted. I tried Shellac but hated how it tore up my nails. I tried various brands but found, even the most expensive, seemed to chip within 24 hours.
I think I’ve found a winner. Therefore, I’d like to introduce you to this week’s featured product: China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners.
From the Website: For over 13 years, China Glaze has exceeded the bar set by the professional nail care industry. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of globally rich, on-trend, innovative colour lacquers and treatments.
Our unique lacquers contain China Clay as a nail hardener, the same material that gives porcelain its shiny finish. These glossy lacquers work in perfect cohesion with our professional nail treatments for lasting strength, durability and overall gorgeous nails. For a flawless application every time, use our quality formulas with our optimized 440-strand brush. Nothing says the perfect nail like China Glaze. All China Glaze colours are free of DBP, Toluene and added Formaldehyde.
From this gal: I love the vibrant color of China Glaze polish. And the hardener; I can see a difference in my nail strength. I also love that it dries REALLY fast. I don’t have to sit for hours waiting to ensure I don’t smudge. Let me tell you, I’m not patient and I can be sorta clumsy. A fast dry works for me!
You can find China Glaze at Ulta, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Amazon, and any other number of places if you do a quick online search. It’ll cost you about $8 per bottle. I always recommend using something to prime your nails and then a top coat. I haven’t found my favorite of either one of those yet. Stay tuned. I’ll keep testing products for ya!
I know I should exfoliate. I know it’s important to get dead skin off all areas of my body, but I know it’s quite important to exfoliate my face. But… I’ve never really found a product that doesn’t make me feel like I’m rubbing sandpaper all over my delicate facial skin.
Until I found Acure Brightening Facial Scrub and I became an exfoliating fan! My face feels so soft, so pretty, so ready to stay young and vibrant for days ahead without feeling like I scraped off my top layer of skin.
From the Website: “Seas” the day with natural exfoliation from the ocean! Organic Sea Kelp gently exfoliates your skin while French Green Clay and Organic Lemon Peel remove impurities from your pores. Organic Chlorella Growth Factor and Argan Stem Cells help stimulate new cell growth while providing a deep cleansing, brightening experience. “Sea” the difference today!
From this gal: I like the lightness of the scrub. I feel like it’s taking away the dead skin and my face looks so much brighter after I use it. I sometimes even dare to go out (gasp) without make up after using Acure Brightening Facial Scrub. I also like the organic ingredients found in all of Acure’s products. I’m down with no chemicals soaking into this gal’s skin.
You can find the Brightening Facial Scrub on Acure’s Website for $14.99. There’s also a few other Websites including Amazon.com and Drugstore.com where I found it. I bought mine at Whole Foods but I didn’t find it at any other retail stores like Ulta or Sephora. It’s worth the online order though. You’ll love it!
I love lipstick. Obviously. I named my blog after my love of lipstick. I also love a cause the enables others to be better. So, for today’s Make Up Monday I want you to check out a limited edition lipstick brought to you by Amelia Keith, Pretty in the Queen City.
All proceeds from the lipstick will benefit The Sandbox, an organization that hosts An Evening of Believing, a prom for young people with cancer.
Check out the lipstick created for Amelia and look gorgeous for a good cause!
I love make up. I love how it makes me look and how it feels against my skin. With the right colors and a few flicks of a brush I can look bright-eyed and innocent or sultry and mischievous.
But… what if I had no idea how to do make up? What if I really wanted to showcase an autumn face but only own summer colors? And what if I had no idea the difference in a smokey eye and a child-did-my-make-up eye?
Let’s be real honest. I was once a novice in the make up world. And I thought for today’s Make Up Monday post, I’d give you the best piece of advice I got pertaining to make up: Work with a professional and learn his/her tricks. Now, before you flip out about cost or not knowing a professional or no way that will ever work for you… calm down. I’m a gal on a budget so I’d never give you anything but solid advice on a thrifty dime.
I thought it’d be best to put together a list of to do’s. Feel free to cut & paste.
1. Take inventory of what you have and don’t have in your current cosmetic arsenal. I’d suggest writing everything into a list you keep.
2. If you don’t know a professional make up artist, don’t fret. Your local department store has dozens of them waiting on you with a stool, ideas, and teaching tools.
3. Take your list of what you have and get thee to a department store cosmetic section.
4. Survey the make up artists around each counter. See what make up you like and don’t like. I’ve learned if you don’t like that person’s make up, it’s likely you won’t like what he/she does to you. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but for a novice, STICK WITH THIS RULE.
5. Figure out which make up artist seems to fit your style and then walk up to his/her counter and request help with your make up. Here’s one big key: BE HONEST WITH THE PERSON. If you have 10 minutes every morning to do your make up the person needs to know it. If you have no idea how to hold your brush, again share. The person can’t help you unless you dispel the truth of you and your make up desires.
6. Close your eyes and mouth and feel how the person applies each item. I’ve literally felt my way into learning how to apply make up. I notice the sweep of eyeshadow across my brow, lock it into memory, and commit to do it that way when I get home. This isn’t a spa session where you zone out. This is a learning session.
7. Ask lots and lots of questions. Yes, the person helping you wants you to buy the product. But, he/she is also there to help you look your best. And if you don’t like what’s being done on your face or you know you won’t do it, say something! You’re there to get better. Utilize the resource before you.
8. Buy what you don’t already have. Remember the list I told you to make? Now is when it’ll come in handy. You’re most likely going to love the look you’re given. Love. It. So, you’re going to want to buy it all. You can, but you may not need it all. I’ve been known to have 13 shades of the same brown from different companies. Not necessary.
9. Go home, take off your make up, and totally redo what was just done to you. It’s best to start to practice immediately what you learned.
10. Realize you’re not saving babies by applying your make up. Make up should be fun, ladies! It shouldn’t be hassle. Be okay with what you like and play around until you find whatever else you like. Make up enhances you; it doesn’t replace you.
Go forth and get your beauty on, ladies!
I almost didn’t write a Make Up Monday this week because I’ve got quite a growing list of to-do’s in front of me. But, after the last week’s major outburst of craziness I thought taking the time to lighten the mood might be necessary. And since lipstick does truly make everything better, why not share my current favorite lip treat: silky-finish lipstick by Benefit Cosmetics.
From the Website: Our flattering silky finish lipsticks are sheer and buildable, so you can customize your look: a light wash of color for au natural gals or an amped-up POP of color for the drama queen in you! Available in 11 irresistible shades. It has the feeling of gloss…but it’s not sticky!
From this gal: I like the rich color and smooth finish of this lipstick. Often with lipsticks I have to add a shiny gloss on top of it to have a smooth look. Silky-finish lipstick can easily be worn alone. It does really feel silky and moisturizing on my lips (you know that’s not always the case with lipsticks).
As with all Benefit products, you can buy silky-finish lipstick directly from the Website for $18 plus shipping and handling. I did a quick search and found some on amazon.com for a few dollars more and few dollars less. Personally, I’d stick with buying it directly from Benefit or at Ulta or Sephora.
Go kiss someone cute and make it a great week!
