Tag Archives: Beauty

5 Beauty Bloggers You Should Be Following

Until recently, my make-up routine consisted of foundation that never matched my skin, eyeliner that was never even remotely symmetrical, a swipe of Lip Smackers, and mascara. I’m fair-skinned, and at the old age of 27, I still have yet to understand how to apply blush. I have made some progress, however: I discovered the magic of YouTube’s make-up tutorials.

I was initially turned off by these videos because I knew that I would never, in a million years, be able to mimic them. My first (and last) adventure with contouring was entertaining, to say the least. After a little bit of searching, I found a few gals who break things down in a way that I can almost, almost, almost copy. (Not really.)

I’ve gotten lost in these tutorials for hours, aware of the time that has passed only when the apartment goes dark and I realize everyone’s gone to bed. I’m still no expert, but I’ve picked up the basics — plus some cool tricks — from a handful of beauty bloggers/vloggers who have turned the application of make-up into a stunning work of art. Here are my favorite ladies to watch.

 

Carli Bybel

Carli Bybel of The Beauty Bybel additionally covers fashion and fitness; but her make-up tutorials are to die for. She addresses a variety of topics, including smokey eyes, contouring, summer tips, and the perfect look for a night out. Watching her on YouTube feels like you’re hanging out with one of the girls, and she leaves no stone unturned. She even demonstrated her nighttime skincare routine to explain how she gets that healthy, vibrant glow.

NikkieTutorials

I think my favorite thing about Nikkie might be her unintentional humor. She’s funny without trying, and I find myself watching her videos just to be entertained. She’s not afraid to go bare-faced for the camera and even recorded a video where she only worked on half her face, to demonstrate just how powerful make-up is. And let’s not forgot the tutorial she shot poking fun of beauty vloggers everywhere.

Lauren Curtis

I discovered Lauren while searching for a make-up technique to give me a more natural, everyday look. That was when I stumbled upon her “Ultimate ‘NO-MAKEUP’ Makeup Tutorial.” True to her word, Curtis provides a simple cosmetics routine that even I can pull off — and that’s saying something.

Katerina Beauty Blog

Katerina’s like the girl next door. She’s cute. She’s sweet. She’s deadly with a mascara wand. I found Katerina while searching for Halloween inspiration. I swore I was going to go out for Halloween, and I was going to go big. I found her Harley Quinn make-up tutorial and got completely wrapped up in her vlogs. So wrapped up, in fact, that I forgot to go out for Halloween…at all. Here’s how she suggests getting the perfect smokey eye.

Danielle Mansutti

One of the biggest challenges to imitating these talented make-up experts is that they’re using some of the fanciest, most expensive make-up and tools on the market. While on the hunt for a tutorial using only the average gal’s cosmetics collection, I found Danielle, who offers an everyday look using nothing but drugstore purchases.

I’ve had a few good evenings with a glass of wine and my favorite vloggers, playing with make-up and trying new things. Who are your favorite beauty bloggers?

5 DIY Beauty Hacks That Don’t Break the Bank

For the beauty-obsessed, dropping dough on the latest and greatest products isn’t even an afterthought. Yet as purchases pile up, there are times we wish our beloved items would go down in price.

Wishes do come true because there are a few simple tried-and-true household regimens that work wonders and don’t hurt the wallet.

Get ready to channel your inner Lancôme and try out these five do-it-yourself treatments.

Homemade Face Masks

Put that $100 gold-encrusted, caviar-infused facial mask back on the shelf. Making a facial mask is actually as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Honey has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that are outstanding for healing skin and keeping bacteria and fungus at bay. Honey also works to brighten up the complexion.

Pair that up with organic coconut oil and lemon juice to shrink the pores and it’s recipe for success.

Coconut Oil + Honey Face Mask

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Baking Soda + Orange Face Mask

Next up is a citrus treasure that will leave your skin feeling like a baby’s bottom.

 

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Mix orange juice and baking soda into a paste. Spread a thin layer on the face, neck and décolletage.

Leave it on for 20 minutes. If there’s a tingling sensation that means it’s doing its job.

Dampen fingertips and scrub mask in a circular movement for exfoliation. Rinse and admire your fresh-faced glow in the mirror.

Homemade Body Scrubs

For ladies and gents alike, having soft, aromatic skin is one of the main beauty goals of life. What most people don’t realize is that an amazing body scrub can be conjured up by using the simplest ingredients found in the kitchen cabinet.

Here are four easy body scrub recipes for every scent-preference.

 

BW_FaceMask_Recipe_VanillaLavenderSugar

BW_FaceMask_Recipe_SweetOrange_Sugar

BW_FaceMask_Recipe_CucumberMint_Sugar

BW_FaceMask_Recipe_HoneyBrown_Sugar

Baby Oil Beats Shaving Cream

Now that the body is fully exfoliated, let’s get shaving.

Commercials and pharmacies lead us to believe that shaving cream must be applied when you shave. It sounds simple and logical when considering the name, but it’s actually a farce. It’s also unnecessary and a complete waste of money.

Try baby oil. It’s inexpensive, lasts longer than shaving cream and leaves skin feeling smooth for days.  If that’s not enough to sway your mind, it also provides a cleaner shave without those annoying nicks and bumps.

Not to mention, it doesn’t contain alcohol like shaving cream, which means it’s better for skin and seals in moisture.

Put Some Vaseline On It

Vaseline can be used in so many mind-blowing ways. Here are five ways to get the most mileage out of this jelly wonder:

  1. Blot Vaseline around the eye area to help remove eye makeup without the usual tug and pull.
  2. After eye makeup removal, leave a little Vaseline on the eyelashes. In a few weeks, they’ll grow!
  3. In between haircuts, put some Vaseline on split ends and those unruly hairs to keep the coif in check.
  4. When applying lipstick, place a small amount of Vaseline on the teeth to prevent lipstick transfer.
  5. After eyebrows are groomed, a tiny blob of Vaseline will lock in the color and stroke. A little goes a long way.

Whiten Teeth Naturally

Grab your favorite oil, preferably a nice olive or coconut oil. Pour or scoop one teaspoon and make sure the oil is melted within the spoon.

Once ready, swish around the oil for roughly 20 minutes and remember not to swallow. When time is up, spit it out, rinse with water and spit again.

Believe it or not, this method has been around for centuries. Using this technique removes bacteria from the mouth, gums and teeth while whitening up teeth enamel in the process. No bleach necessary.

The Switch: 3 Ways to Save on Beauty Treatments

Trips to the salon and spa are a great way to unwind and keep yourself looking and feeling your best. But these biweekly expenses can sometimes feel a little tough on your wallet, particularly around that time of year when you’re trying to set aside your hard-earned money for gifts. If planning for the holidays has you looking for everyday ways to save, these three health and beauty switches are for you.

Switch: In-salon gel manicures for easy manicures at home

Gel manicures are very popular for their beautiful, long lasting, and chip-free finishes.  The fact that you can leave the salon the minute you’re done without worrying about smudging up your manicure is great for those of us always on-the-go. But these services can cost anywhere from $35-$50 (plus tip) and have to be redone every two weeks.

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© Nilswey | Dreamstime.comWoman Having A Nail Manicure In A Beauty Salon Photo

Try giving your nails, and your credit card, a break through the holidays by doing your own at-home manicures. One kit that we like is the Naked Manicure by Zoya, which costs about the same as one gel manicure at the salon, but will last you through many on your own. According to Zoya, the Naked Manicure’s 4-piece kit contains vitamins, proteins, and botanicals to improve the health and look of your natural nails (their website contains instructions for use.) And, they even have a Naked Manicure kit for men.

Zoya Naked Manicure Women Starter Kit

Available at Zoya.com

 

Switch: Massage therapy at the spa for a massage ball at home

An hour or more of massage therapy can relieve pain and promote relaxation, but unfortunately, it comes at a price. For some of us, this might be an easy expense to temporarily give up for the holidays, since it’s somewhat of a luxury anyway. But if you have sore muscles and want a form of relief without breaking the bank, a massage ball is an inexpensive alternative.

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© Gudenkoaleksandr | Dreamstime.comDeep Tissue Massage Photo

The Trigger Therapy Massage Ball comes in multiple sizes and will cost you about a quarter the price of a 60-minute massage. All you need is the ball and a wall, or even the floor. You can find instructions on the best ways to reach different areas of your chest, back, legs, and arms by doing a little research on the web. Another good thing about the massage ball is that it’s easily taken with you to work, the gym, on vacation, you name it.

trigger point mb1 therapy ball

Available at TPTherapy.com and sports equipment stores.

 

Switch: High-end facials for natural face masks

Facials are a wonderful a way to mind your mug; they can purify pores, help troubled skin, hydrate, and give your face a healthy glow. If you’re considering cutting out your facials in an effort to save money, remember that we’re entering the coldest and driest time of year; your face might need the extra TLC heading into the winter months. You can give your face the attention it needs without splurging at the spa by using face masks once or twice a week. They cost a fraction of a spa facial and take a minimal amount of time to use.

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© Alexnov | Dreamstime.comSpa Salon: Young Beautiful Woman Having Facial Massage . Photo

There are tons of options, so you could try a number of different kinds without spending too much. One that we like comes from Lush, Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. According to Lush, their products are made “from fresh organic fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils, and safe synthetics.” For dry skin, their Cranberry face mask is made with cranberries (for the holidays), argan oil, and rose clay. Plus, it smells amazing.

lush cranberry face mask

Available at Lush.com.