Tag Archives: beauty

Ok, so today I’m going to share something a little embarrassing for me… some close up, no makeup, photos of my blackheads.  Plus, my pores and red blotchiness!  But hopefully it will be for the benefit of all of you!  I’m sure many of you have seen this DIY blackhead remover photo circulating around Pinterest lately…

Clearly, this before and after shot is showing some pretty amazing results.  I was a little skeptical, but also secretly hoping these results were true.  I decided, what the heck, I have all the ingredients, and I would LOVE to get rid of my blackheads.  So I decided to test this DIY out – check out my results below!

Here’s what you need:

• 1 Lemon
• Baking soda

Here’s what you do:

1. Mix about a tablespoon of baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a thick paste.  Adding more lemon juice or baking soda until you reach desired consistency.
2. Gently massage the mixture into blackhead prone areas.
3. Leave on for up to 20 minutes (I did it for 10 minutes), and then gently rinse with luke warm water.

Here’s my before shot…

And my after shot…

As you can see, not really the kind of results pictured in the original photo.  Although, I can see a little improvement, even with some of my redness.  So perhaps if this DIY blackhead remover is used several times, it may prove to be effective in eliminating blackheads.  I’ll continue testing out this DIY for a few weeks and let you all know if I have improved results.

Do you have any tried and true DIY’s for removing blackheads?  If so, please share in the comments section!  I’d love to try them out!

Hey guys, so I know it’s been forever since I posted my first Highlight and Contour results, BUT I have been continuing to add highlighting and contouring into my makeup routine.  I’ve also continued taking pictures, so when I finally kicked my butt to make another post I’d already have the photos ready to go!

I’m still mostly following the techniques I’ve learned from Maskcara, but in this second round of photos I’ve also implemented a blush technique I learned while watching videos by The Makeup Chair.  Basically the technique is to apply blush straight out toward your ear, instead of following the natural curve of your cheekbone.  This will help anyone who has a long face.  What do you think, can you notice a difference between my before and afters?

[Sorry for the bad lighting in these photos!  I still haven’t been able to find the best lighting to take makeup photos in my new apartment.  Hopefully I’ll be able to create better lighting next time!]

In this photo, I’m not only showing a before and after of HAC, but also a before and after of filling in my eyebrows.

Not sure if I notice much of a difference in the set above, but I think my face definitely looks a bit more wide than long in the set below.

In this next set, I see a general difference in bone structure between the before and after shot (even though I’m completely washed out).  My features are definitely more defined and my face looks thinner.

I’m still deciding whether or not HAC makes much of a difference in the long run.  I can’t seem to exclude it from my makeup routine anymore, but I’m not entirely sure if it’s worth the extra time.  There is a fine line of:  if you don’t do enough, there isn’t a noticeable difference.  Yet if you want a big difference, you can easily do way too much and look like a clown.  I guess we’ll see as time goes on and I continue to become better at this technique!  I will also be trying to experiment with different products more in the future.

I’m still using the highlight and contour products I mentioned in my original post, which are the L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation Powder in Deep Cool and Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Nude.  While they still work pretty well, I am on the lookout for a better bronzer for my complexion, and a concealer with better coverage (but still inexpensive).  If any of you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below!

Bonus!  I’m including this photo because I managed to capture the eye shadow pretty darn well.  So I wanted to share this awesome 60-second smokey eye by Maskcara, which is seen in the photo below!  It’s become my go-to whenever I want to do something extra with my eyes, but don’t want to spend too much time on them.  The only difference is that I used the Sephora Collection Pro Lesson Palette for Brown Eyes.

In case you’re interested, here’s a list of some of the other makeup products I used in these photos:

• Clinique Superbalanced Makeup Foundation in Ivory
• Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup in Natural 2
• L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black
• CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eye Pencil in Mink
• Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Raisin
• Ben Nye Eyeliner Pencil in Black

Hi everyone!  Sorry about the decrease in posts lately – I just got over a pretty bad bug and I’m just now getting back into the swing of things.  I’m not really sure what I had, but it involved a lot of sinus and chest congestion (I think it was on the cusp of bronchitis).  I managed to entirely cure myself naturally, which I’m pretty excited about!  Now I want to share the home remedies for sinus and chest congestion that I used.

There were a few key remedies that I believe really helped me feel better quickly.  A bunch of them involved using Eucalyptus Oil.  I had never used it before, but kept seeing a lot of pins about it being great for congestion and phlegm.  Well, it was all true!

One of my favorite ways of using eucalyptus was when I steamed.  Steaming is already a great way to help relieve sinus congestion and break up phlegm in your chest.  Adding in 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil helped clear up my congestion even quicker and gave me instant relief!  I simply filled a large pot halfway with water, added in the eucalyptus once the water boiled, and then put a towel over my head to keep the steam in.

I breathed the steam in deeply for about 10 minutes, and I did this three times a day.  I even added 4-5 drops to the bottom of my tub when I took a shower.  If your shower is hot enough, it has the same effect as steaming.  It made a huge difference in my morning, since we all know that when you have congestion and phlegm it builds up, making you feel worse in the morning.

I also relieved my congestion by adding eucalyptus oil into my detox baths.  If you saw my original post, you know I love taking detox baths when I’m fighting a cold or flu.  I used my typical base recipes and then added about 10-12 drops of eucalyptus into the bath.  Oh man!  I felt AMAZING after soaking for about 30 minutes!

Towards the end of this bug, the congestion started going deeper into my chest and I started developing a cough.  This is when I started rubbing eucalyptus into my chest right before bed.  It has the same effect as Vicks, but I read that when you massage the oil in, it actually breaks up the mucus/phlegm.  Straight oil can be irritating to your skin though, so I rubbed coconut oil on my chest first, and then a few drops of eucalyptus on top of that.  I massaged my chest for about 1 minute.

Also on Pinterest, I read that the best way to suppress a cough is to rub a few drops of eucalyptus oil into the soles of your feet.  Because I was also rubbing eucalyptus into my chest, I’m not exactly sure which remedy attributed to preventing my cough, or if it was the combination of both.  Either way, when I started doing these remedies I was able to get a good night’s sleep cough free!

Eucalyptus oil provided the most immediate relief for my symptoms.  From what I’ve read:  it’s antibacterial, anti-flammatory, analgesic and antifungal.  So basically, not only does it relieve symptoms, but it also helps to heal them instead of just masking them.  I picked up a bottle at Whole Foods, but I’m sure you can find it at any health food store.

My next remedy comes from a time when I was battling chronic bronchitis.  It’s when I first moved to LA, and I think it had something to do with adjusting to a different climate, and a weakened immune system from a case of mono.  It was a miserable time for me, and I was desperate to find a natural solution to cut the phlegm and minimize a whooping cough.  After a few Googling attempts, I found one of my favorite remedies:  Pineapple Juice.

Pineapple juice naturally thins mucus and phlegm, plus it’s packed with vitamin C, which will boost your immune system.  Not to mention it’s delicious!  I had a glass with every meal, and a small glass right before bed to help prevent mucus build-up while I slept.

The third remedy I used during this illness was Apple Cider Vinegar.  I have to admit, I think I drove my boyfriend crazy whenever I was sick.  Any time I started to feel under the weather, he suggested I have a glass of apple cider vinegar, but I always refused.  And I KNOW how many wonderful health benefits it has, but I just couldn’t get pass the taste and smell.  Until this bug, that is.  I felt SO congested that the potent smell could not deter me, but I was determined to make it taste (somewhat) good!

Here’s what I did:

In a mug of hot water, I stirred in 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 teaspoons of Honey, and 1-2 tablespoons of Lemon Juice.

There are multiple reasons this drink is a great remedy for congestion and mucus/phlegm:  Apple Cider Vinegar, like pineapple juice, thins mucus.  Honey helps fight infections and soothes your throat.  Lemon also thins mucus, gives you extra vitamin c, and helps flush toxins out of your body.  Warm liquids are also soothing to your throat and help break up mucus.

I had this drink three times a day, and like the other home remedies I shared, it gave me instant relief while actually helping me get better (instead of just masking symptoms).

There you have it, these were the main home remedies for sinus and chest congestion that were most beneficial for me.  While I hope none of you catch the flu, if you do, I hope these remedies will help speed up your recovery!

Disclaimer:  I am in no way a doctor, and these home remedies are only suggestions of what worked for me.  They are not intended as a diagnosis or prescription, and should not be in place of medical treatment and/or advice from a professional.  Please always consult your doctor first, before trying any home remedies.

As I sit here writing this post, my boyfriend is sick and I’m starting to feel like I’m catching whatever he has.  Oh no!  Temperatures are dropping outside, it’s wet, and the air is frigid… It’s cold and flu season.  Perhaps even more so for us because we’re transitioning to a new, colder climate!  Well, as I try not to think about that fact, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share what I have come to find as the miracle home remedy for when I’m feeling ill… The detox bath.

I first stumbled upon the detox bath on Pinterest (surprise surprise), where I found my go to recipe on the blog Beauty Bets.

Here’s what you need:

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Baking Soda
• Ground Ginger

Here’s what you do:

1. Draw a hot bath, as hot as you can possibly stand it.  You want to SWEAT, I mean, seriously sweat.  This will help you release toxins.
2. The original recipe suggests you add three pints of hydrogen peroxide (3%), but I usually only add about half of a large bottle.  Hydrogen peroxide supposedly helps to oxygenate the body and help expel toxins.  It is also antiviral and antibacterial.
3. Add about 1 cup of baking soda.  The original recipe does not include baking soda, however, after reading about detox baths on Healthy Living How To I now add it to any bath I take.  Baking soda helps neutralize chemicals (such as chlorine) and increases mineral absorption.
4. Add 3 tablespoons of ground ginger.  Ginger is anti-inflammatory and helps increase blood circulation.  I’ve taken baths both with and without it, and I found that the ginger definitely helps you sweat more!
5. Soak in the tub for about 30 minutes, or as long as you can stand it.  PLEASE listen to your own body!  Depending on how I feel, I will soak anywhere from 15 minutes to the full 30 minutes.  Don’t overdo it!
6. Drink LOTS of water before, during, and after.  You want to replenish your body after sweating out all those toxins.

Tips:  I personally only take detox baths when my boyfriend is home, as you do sweat profusely and can feel a little lightheaded.  Better safe than sorry!  Also, please stand up slowly when getting out of the tub.

When you’re rinsing off, please use only natural soap that is free of harmful chemicals.  You’ve opened your pores from the hot bath and released a bunch of toxins; you don’t want to add them back into your body!

I only take this bath right before bed because it does wear you out, and makes your body will feel a bit like jello.   I usually chug a few glasses of water and go straight to sleep.  And boy, do I sleep!  This bath makes me sleep like a baby, and by the time I wake up I feel SO much better.

I’ve taken this bath during varying degrees of sickness, and I ALWAYS feel some percentage of better the next day.  I’d say somewhere between 75-100% better every single time.  It may just be the placebo effect, or the fact that the bath forces me to drink more water and get a good night’s sleep.  But considering any time I take this bath, a cold that would usually last a few weeks only lasts a couple of days… with those results, I think I’ll continue this home remedy regardless!

Here are a few other variations I often use:

Here’s what you need:

• Baking soda
• Epsom salt

Almost all of the directions from above apply to all detox baths.  You want the hottest bath you can stand, you want to drink lots of water, and you want to use chemical free soap when rinsing off.

1. For this bath, I add about 2 cups of Epsom salt, which helps draw out toxins.  Epsom salt also helps decrease bloating.
2. I also add about 1 cup of baking soda.  Again, baking soda helps neutralize chemicals.
3. Soak for about 30 minutes.  I usually take this bath when I’m not feeling well because of my own doing.  Perhaps I’ve been eating too much sugar and junk, or have been drinking a bit too much alcohol.  This bath is great for a general detox to rejuvenate your body.

Another variation I do is basically the same as the recipe above, but I had 5-10 drops of lavender oil to the bath.  I especially like this bath when I feel bloated or stressed out (or both!).  Lavender has a calming effect and, again, Epsom salt is great for decreasing bloat.

In case you need some extra help, here are a few other things I do when I’m sick:  I up my intake of Vitamin C, and I take Goldenseal Echinacea drops three times a day.  You can find Goldenseal at most health food stores, I bought mine at Whole Foods.

Well, I think I’ll definitely be taking my general detox bath tonight.  Hopefully that will prevent me from fully catching my boyfriend’s illness!  I hope these detox baths help you survive cold and flu season!

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor, and these recipes are only suggestions of remedies that work for me.  They are not intended as a diagnosis or prescription, and should not be in place of medical treatment and/or advice from a professional.  Please always consult your doctor first before trying any home remedies.

I’m sure many of you have seen the wondrous trend of Highlight and Contouring (HAC) on Pinterest, and probably want to see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be.  I know I did!  I really wanted to see if it worked because I don’t feel like my bone structure stands out on film that well.  If successful, perhaps this could be a camera friendly trick to land more roles!

As I’ve mentioned before, Maskcara is my go to blog for beauty videos, and was one of my first introductions to HAC.  So I’ve only followed her tips on how to Highlight and Contour thus far.  She basically does it in every makeup tutorial, each time a little differently and with different products.  The two products I bought upon her recommendation was the L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation Powder in Deep Cool for Contouring, and Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Nude for Highlighting.  Being a beginner, I’m not sure if these colors are working for me, since I don’t notice much of a difference in my before and after shots.  Take a look!

This is the first time I tried HAC out.  Not really noticing much of a difference here, maybe a little more definition on my cheekbones.  Because I’m new to this, I think I’m a little worried about going too heavy, as I don’t want it to be obvious in person.  This could be why there isn’t much of a contrast between the two photos.  I also think my Highlighter could be one shade lighter.

This is my second attempt.  I think I got a little better, or am I just imagining it?  I think I’m seeing more definition on my cheeks, a sharper jaw line, and a thinner nose.  I find it so hard to tell though!  Is it the makeup or the angle of my face?!

Third time’s a charm, right?  I think so?  I definitely notice more of a difference between the before and after shot.  Overall it looks like my bone structure is more defined and my face is a little thinner.  I also have a bump on my nose (thanks to the Austrian side of my family), which looks less noticeable after HAC.

All in all, I was expecting more of a drastic difference after seeing all those side-by-side comparisons on Pinterest.  Beauty blogs make it look so easy!  Either my bone structure is already more defined than I think it is, or I’m just doing it wrong (most likely the latter)!

If anyone has any tips or tricks, or know what I’m doing wrong, please share in the comments section.  I’d love to hear from you!

I plan on coming back to this topic again in the future with another HAC series, to see if I’ve improved at all (and if I can take better photographs of makeup).  Stay tuned!