Tag Archives: diy

4 Powerhouse DIY Face Masks for Troubled Skin

Let’s admit it – when you’re desperate to fix your face, you’re willing to try any and everything. When it comes to facial products, I’ve been a stranger to nearly none. What I’ve found is that no matter what new product I come across that promises me clear skin in the morning, it’s only nature that can truly get the job done for me. That being said, not all natural remedies are created equally.

These natural face masks are fail-proof for those of us that have to work for our complexions. Whether it’s cystic acne, hyper-pigmentation, eczema, blackheads, sensitive or oily skin you’re dealing with, these four powerhouse pantry ingredients are going to bring your skin redemption. The key is remembering that while there are no overnight fixes, consistent application is going to get your skin to where you ultimately want it to be.

 

Honey Face Mask

Spot-treat and heal the skin
honey face mask

Honey has incredible antibacterial and healing properties. It prevents new acne from forming and actively treats existing acne. It’s soothing and keeps skin supple while it works.

Spread an even layer of honey over your face and leave it on for 20-30 minutes.

This can be used every night, with many people even swearing by it as a face wash.

Honey is a great overnight spot-treatment too, just be sure to keep your hair tucked away and your pillowcase protected. To experience extra-strength healing from honey, try manuka honey, which has the most antimicrobial properties of them all.

 

Egg White + Lemon Face Mask

Lighten, repair, and tighten skin
egg white

Egg whites work to repair tissue damage, tighten pores, and firm the skin, while lemon helps to lighten scarring and discoloration, and to loosen blackheads and whiteheads. If you have sensitive skin, skip the lemon juice altogether.

Mix one egg white and around 1 teaspoon of lemon juice together.

Beat mixture until you create a foam.

Use a makeup brush to apply this mixture to your face.

Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse.

This can be used every other day. 

 

Bentonite Clay Face Mask

Stop acne, exfoliate, and shrink pores
brown clay mask

Consider bentonite clay your body’s plunger and cystic’s acne worst nightmare. Bentonite clay is best known for being able to draw out skins most stubborn toxins, stopping acne flare ups in their tracks, and shrinking pores. It is also an excellent exfoliant.

The classic recipe calls for bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Use a wooden or plastic spoon to mix both ingredients together in a non-metal bowl to form a paste.

Avoid letting metal touch the clay, as it will also absorb properties from the metal.

If you find that the apple cider vinegar is too harsh for your skin, use water to mix with it instead.

You can add essential oils for more benefits or to counteract the smell of the vinegar.

Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off in the kitchen sink to prevent clogging!

 

Turmeric Face Mask

Lighten and repair skin
turmeric mask face

Turmeric is an almighty antioxidant with superior anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It effectively reduces skin inflammation in the form of skin conditions such as eczema and works wonders in lightening skin pigmentation. Turmeric’s healing powers help to repair skin damage and scarring. Traditional recipes for this mask call for mixing turmeric powder with yogurt or milk and almond oil. My hands-down favorite mask borrows ingredients from the others in this list with turmeric as it’s star.

Mix equal parts turmeric powder, bentonite clay, and buttermilk powder. (Buttermilk powder contains lactic acid which aids in the exfoliation process and makes skin feel extra soft afterward.)

Add enough honey and milk to make a thick paste.

Using a makeup brush or your fingers, spread this mixture all over your face, avoiding your eyes, and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

The Beauty Treatments You Should Never Do Yourself

Sometimes, it’s hard to splurge on yourself ; you might try to cut corners on your beauty regimen to save some time and money. While it’s fine to do your own hair and makeup for certain occasions, some treatments really do require a professional hand. Here’s our short list of beauty treatments you just shouldn’t do yourself.

 

Hair cut

Don’t cut your hair yourself. There’s a reason why hairstylists receive the amount of training they do – “because cutting hair ain’t easy.” I learned this the hard way. For a few years, I cut my own hair and did my mother’s. I was becoming quite a pro, at least so I thought. However, confidence turned into cockiness because one fine day, I did the unimaginable to my hair. I decided to try something new with my tresses and read about how to do layers online. The end result: my layers were uneven, if you could even call them layers. I ended up trying to level everything off and call it a day, but it didn’t look right; I had destroyed my lovely lady locks.

hair cut

A distressed me hopped into the car and went down to the local salon in an effort to fix the ruination – it only made matters worse because they had to cut off a great deal of hair to fix the problem. I was crushed when I looked into the mirror and saw my long, luscious locks were gone, gone, gone. Learn from my mistake and see a pro next time you want to try a new cut.

 

Dark to light hair

I religiously went to the salon (as I should have) and shelled out lots of my hard-earned money to turn my hair from a natural black color to blonde. I would let it grow out a little too much and have black roots with near white-blonde hair. Looking back, it looked ridiculous. I finally went back to my natural hair color, which was easy to do and I matched my color perfectly myself. I couldn’t be satisfied with that, though.

hair swatches

About a year later, I had an itch to give myself caramel highlights. I followed the directions precisely, but when I rinsed my hair, I noticed it was yellow and orange, and not caramel at all. My highlight-placement skills were a bit off as well. I had no time to fix it because I had to go to work in about an hour. Never again will I try to go blonde on my own, and neither should you.

 

Chemical peels

A rule of thumb for beauty treatments – if it has “chemical” in its name, it’s best to leave it to the experts. Chemical peels are effective at making the face look more youthful. It helps to reduce sun damage, age spots, and scarring. However, the abrasive chemicals used can burn your skin or cause a serious reaction if not done properly. After you mess up a chemical peel, you’ll be thankful for those age marks when you finally get the irritation to subside, so be safe and get it done by a professional from the start.

chemical peel

 

Acrylic Nail Removal

After getting acrylic nails done, I decided that instead of getting them filled or having them professionally removed, I would do it myself. ”I am a beauty DIY expert,” I thought to myself. I grabbed a butter knife and popped each one of my nails off, not surprisingly leaving huge holes in my real nails. Afterwards, my nails didn’t grow out at all, so I had short, stubby, holey nails that I waited for quite some time to let grow in naturally.

nails

Take it from me: spend the money and get your nails removed professionally! Once you do the damage from pulling the nails off, you’ll be stuck with an unfixable disaster for weeks to come that isn’t worth the time or money you saved.

 

Ditch the Chemicals: 7 Natural Ways to Color Your Hair

A fan of changing up your look with a new hair color, but not of chemicals with impossible-to-pronounce names that come with the modern dyes in salons and at-home kits? The side-effects from regular exposure to the dangerous ingredients in the dyes you use to color your hair can include dry hair and damaged follicles, allergic reactions such as itchy scalp, rashes, and dandruff, to more serious conditions like asthma and cancer risk. With these seven natural methods of coloring your hair, you can color to your heart’s content without once having to sacrifice your health for beauty!

 

1. Coffee

Coffee is great for naturally darkening hair, covering greys, or adding dimension to brunette tresses. Brew 1-2 cups of strong organic coffee (organic coffee will have less preservatives and work more effectively) and let cool. Mix with 2 tablespoons of ground organic coffee and enough conditioner to fully saturate hair. Leave mixture in hair for up to an hour and rinse. For more noticeable results, rinse with apple cider vinegar. You may need to repeat this application for more noticeable or desired results.

 

2.  Teas

brown hair

Similar to coffee, black tea can darken hair (as well as help reduce shedding) while other teas like chamomile help lighten hair. Rooibos and red hibiscus tea work to add vibrancy and highlights for redheads. It should be noted that these teas work best when used to enhance your natural hair color. To infuse onto hair, steep 5-8 tea bags in a pot of boiled water for 30 minutes (the higher concentrated the tea is, the better). Mix cooled tea with enough plain organic yogurt to fully saturate hair. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil, like lavender, for fragrance. Massage the mixture into clean, dry hair from root to tip, and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave in for an hour. Rinse and air-dry.

 

3. Henna

Henna, which is a powdered form of the leaves from the henna plant, is widely regarded as the most effective natural hair dye. This powerful coloring pigment has been used for hundreds of years to not only dye hair, but skin and nails as well. Occurring naturally as a red-orange tint, many manufacturers will mix it with other ingredients, such as indigo, to achieve other colors such as brown shades. Henna is best suited for dyeing hair darker in brunette or red tones.

 

It’s also a wonderful conditioning treatment that strengthens hair and improves scalp health, and some use it strictly for its hair enhancing abilities. To use, mix henna powder with preferred liquid. For stronger results, mix henna with apple cider vinegar so the pigment can penetrate opened hair follicles and color can last longer. For a deeper brown, mix black tea with the henna powder. Leave mixture in hair, covered, for 4-6 hours. Additional applications will deepen darker tones or brighten reds.

 

4. Beet Juice

red hair

Beet juice can stain more than just hands and your kitchen counter, as it works great at giving your locks the same pretty red hue, too! It’s also loaded with those sought-after antioxidant goodies like protein, potassium, calcium, and vitamins B and C to name a few, making it an incredible scalp-happy rinse that you can incorporate into your regular hair routine. To use, mix beet juice with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, or to make the tint last longer, mix one cup beet juice with ½ cup rose water and ½ cup black tea. Apply to the scalp and work through the ends. Leave in for 15 minutes and rinse well. Regular use will keep this beautiful red tint intact longer.

 

5. Lemon

Lemon, known for being packed with antioxidants and its relatively high level of acid content (containing around 5-8% of citric acid in lemon juice) is widely regarded as nature’s bleach. On top of successfully being able to lighten discolorations and sun-spots from skin, it works just as great at brightening hair. To use, put fresh lemon juice in a spray bottle and spritz throughout hair, leaving on for several hours. Being out in the sun will help further activate its lightening effect. This works slowly, so you’ll have to be persistent to see desired results.

 

6. Cinnamon + Honey

blond hair yoga

This sweetly fragranced spice mixed with raw honey is known for lightening hair as the two ingredients combined act as a natural peroxide, but without the harmful side-effects. To use this mask, mix 4 tablespoons cinnamon, 3 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons olive oil (or conditioner) into a smooth paste. You can add a few drops of lemon juice for extra lightening as well. Double ingredients for longer hair. Apply blend onto damp hair and evenly distribute with a wide-tooth comb. Lay hair on top of head and cover hair with a plastic bag. Leave mask on for 1-2 hours and rinse, following up with a mild shampoo and conditioner.

 

7. Black walnut

The hull of black walnut shells contains the compounds juglone, plumbagin, and tannin, which allow it to dye almost anything it comes into contact with, on top of creating a natural, gorgeous rich brown. Other than hair dye, it’s commonly used in wood stains, ink, and clothing dye. To use, crush black walnut shells (or buy ground black walnut shell powder) and boil in water for half an hour. Once cooled, lather hair in the mixture, or lay pot on the ground outside (to avoid the messy clean up) and submerge hair for anywhere between 5-20 minutes. The longer you leave the mixture in hair, the deeper the brown will turn out so you may want to have a friend monitor the progression. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Words of caution: It will stain EVERYTHING so prep accordingly, and black walnuts can be poisonous for some animals, such as dogs or horses, so please plan to keep your furry ones away while you dye responsibly!

 

While these natural methods might require some work and won’t realistically take you from blonde to brunette, they will enhance the beauty of your natural hair color and will keep you safe while doing so!

 

DIY Hair Masks for Stronger, Healthier Strands

If your hair needs some love, raise your hand and use it to open up the kitchen cabinet because these DIY hair masks use all natural ingredients that you are guaranteed to have around. From milk and honey, to bananas, brown sugar, and even beer, these amazing homemade masks work wonders on any hair type!

Here’s what these pantry ingredients can do for our locks:

hair mask ingredients

 

Avocados

The amino acids, proteins, and vitamins in this super-fruit help to revitalize and moisturize the scalp, promoting strong and healthy hair.

Almond oil

Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium, almond oil strengthens, nourishes, and deep conditions hair strands.

Bananas

Rich in potassium, natural oils, and vitamins, bananas soften the hair and enrich it’s elasticity, helping to prevent breakage.

Beer

Ever heard of beer shampoo? With B vitamins and the proteins found in malt and hops, beer helps to restore damaged hair. What’s more, the sugars present in beer help strengthen hair cuticles which enhances luster and shine. Who knew?

Black tea

Since the caffeine present in black tea helps to decrease hair-loss causing hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), black tea helps reduce shedding and lowers hair loss.

Coconut oil

The richest natural source of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), a special type of fatty acids high in antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, coconut oil is able to effectively penetrate hair follicles, conditioning hair, repairing damage, and helping hair retain protein.

Eggs

With the highest level of protein in this natural ingredient list, eggs strengthen hair follicles, leading to stronger strands and much fewer split ends. Eggs are nature’s conditioner!

Honey

Boasting antioxidants and antiseptic qualities, honey keeps our scalps squeaky clean and fights infection. Being an emollient, it keeps hair follicles healthy and can even wake up sleeping hair follicles, boosting hair growth. Honey also helps to prevent the loss of moisture since it is a humectant, leading to smoother, more nourished hair.

Lemon

The anti-fungal properties of lemon help to rid the scalp of dandruff and build up. Its limonene compound works to promote shine in frizzy or dull hair. Fresh lemon juice also stimulates hair growth by strengthening hair follicles.

Milk

The calcium, proteins, and vitamins in milk help to restore hair’s structure, while enhancing luster and shine.  Got milk?

Olive Oil

The antioxidants and vitamins E and A in olive oil help to strengthen strands and add moisture. Regular use of this oil can nourish hair back to original health.=

Yogurt

The active cultures from lactic acid in yogurt act as a deep conditioner, moisturizing trouble areas on the scalp while fighting irritation, making the hair softer, less tangled, and enhancing shine. 

Masks for Dry Hair

dry hair

Yogurt, Honey + Olive Oil

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tablesppon honey
  • ¼ cup yogurt

(Double ingredients for longer hair)

 

Apply mixture to damp hair. Keep hair covered in a shower cap, towel, or plastic bag. Let the mixture soak in for 30 minutes and rinse out thoroughly. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

 

Honey, Oil + Egg Yolk

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey

(Double ingredients for longer hair)

 

Whisk ingredients together and apply to hair.  Leave in for one hour and rinse. Follow up with conditioner.

 

Avocado + Mayonnaise

  • ½ avocado
  • 1 cup mayonnaise

 

Mash avocado and mix it together well with the mayonnaise. Apply to wet or dry hair and allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing out with cold water and washing hair as normal.

 

Banana + Egg Yolk

  • 1 sliced banana
  • 2 egg yolks

 

Mash sliced banana and whisk together with the egg yolks or use a blender. Apply to wet or damp hair and allow mixture to soak in for 30 minutes before rinsing. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

 

Masks for Frizzy Hair

Banana, Yogurt + Honey

 

  • 1 sliced banana
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey

 

Blend sliced banana, plain yogurt, and honey. Apply to wet or dry hair and leave in for 30 minutes up until one hour. Rinse thoroughly and wash hair as normal.

 

Milk + Honey

    • 1 cup milk (whole, coconut, or almond)
    • 2 tablespoons honey

Apply mixture to dry hair and leave on for 15 minutes, laying hair on top of head uncovered. Rinse out with cold water and condition.

Masks to Restore Shine

blond braid

Beer + Almond Oil

  • ½ cup flat beer
  • 1 teaspoon almond oil

 

Leave beer uncovered overnight or for a few hours. Use ½ cup of the flat beer and mix together with almond oil. Apply on dry hair and lay hair on top of the head, covered for 30 minutes. Rinse out with cold water and condition.

 

Coconut Milk, Lemon, Egg + Olive Oil

  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • Squeeze of lemon
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

 

Whisk ingredients together and apply to dampened hair. Leave in for 15-20 minutes and rinse out thoroughly, following up with shampoo and conditioner.

 

Coconut Cream

  • ½ can coconut cream

(Use entire can for longer hair)

 

Apply cream to damp hair, massaging it in from the roots to the ends. Rinse out thoroughly and shampoo and condition.

Masks for Oily Hair or Dandruff

hair bun

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon + Honey

  • ¼ cup ACV
  • 1 juiced lemon
  • 1 tablespoon honey

 

Whisk ingredients together and apply mixture to dampened hair. Leave mixture covered for up to one hour. Rinse with cold water and shampoo and condition.

 

Brown Sugar + Olive Oil

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

 

Mix sugar and oil together and apply to damp hair. Massage roots with mixture for 3-5  minutes for maximum exfoliation. Wash out with shampoo and conditioner.

 

Olive Oil + Lemon Juice

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 

Mix equal parts olive oil and lemon juice together. Massage into dampened scalp and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse out and shampoo. Use no more than once every other week.

 

Masks for Hair That’s Falling Out

Black tea + Egg white

  • 4-5 black tea bags
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 egg white

 

Add 4-5 tea bags to a pot of water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes and let it cool. Whisk in egg white and pour tea mixture into a water bottle. Fully saturate scalp and spray the rest of the hair. Lay hair on top of head and cover with a plastic cap. Let sit for 1 hour. Rinse hair with cold water and follow up with deep conditioner.

 

Castor Oil + Vitamin E

  • 2 tablespoons castor oil
  • 5 vitamin E capsules

 

Puncture 5 vitamin E capsules and mix together in a bowl with castor oil. Use fingertips to massage mixture into scalp for 5-10 minutes. Let mixture soak in hair, covered, overnight. Rinse thoroughly in the morning and wash out with shampoo and conditioner. Tip: Use Jamaican Black Castor Oil for more effective results. This type of castor oil is used specifically for hair growth and users have seen many positive results with consistent application.

Autumn Eats: Simple Recipes to Break into Fall

With autumn in full swing, you may find yourself tempted by store-bought apple cider and pumpkin pie. To truly capture the season’s essence, though, challenge yourself to more creative, non-traditional activities, such as baking apple pie from scratch, or visiting a local apple orchard for fresh cider. If you’re bored by the customary, try your hand at these recipes that’ll give the whole family new take on fall.

 

Sweet and Sour Apple Salad

Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 1-2

apple salad

What you’ll need:

2 granny smith apples, diced

1/4 cup toasted almonds

1/4 cup dried cranberries

8 oz. vanilla greek yogurt

 

How it’s done:

Combine tart apples, almonds, cranberries and yogurt in large mixing bowl and mix until evenly distributed. Serve chilled.

 

Mushroom Fontina Pizza

Preparation Time: 45 minutes | Serves: 3-4

mushroom pizza

What you’ll need:

1/2 lb. mushroom of your choice, sliced

3 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tbsp. garlic powder

1/2 tbsp. thyme, fresh or powdered

1 tsp. paprika

3 oz. sliced fontina cheese

1 lb. pizza dough of your choice

Pinch of salt and pepper

Optional: 1 large egg

 

How it’s done:

Preheat oven to 450F and lightly grease a large baking sheet.

Combine oil, mushroom, salt, pepper and garlic in large skillet and fry until fully browned on high heat.

Place one layer of Fontina cheese on dough.

Transfer contents of skillet to a second layer.

Top with a final layer of Fontina.

Place pizza in oven and cook for about 15 minutes until crust is golden brown.

For additional flavor, add a fried egg with a slightly runny yolk to center of dish.

Sprinkle thyme and paprika over entire dish and enjoy.

 

Zesty Cheese Tortellini

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes | Serves: 1-2

zesty cheese tortellini

What you’ll need:

1 cup tortellini of your choice (Recommended: Buitoni Three Cheese)

1 tbsp. low fat butter

2 tbsp. garlic powder or fresh garlic cloves

1/2 cup spinach

2 tbsp. fresh basil

Optional: 1 cup mixed mushroom

 

How it’s done:

Boil tortellini, spinach and mushroom in medium saucepan until fluffy.

Drain.

Mix butter and garlic in small bowl.

Add butter and garlic to mixture, stirring well.

Serve warm.

 

Rosemary Portobellos

Preparation Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 1-2

portobello mushroom

What you’ll need:

1 large portobello mushroom cap

2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 tsp. grated rosemary

1 tbsp. fresh basil

1/2 tbsp. crushed red peppers

 

How it’s done:

Remove stem from portobello to make room for spread.

Spread oil, rosemary, basil and peppers on underside of mushroom.

Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes, or until soft.

Enjoy with sauce of your choice.

 

Homemade Cinnamon-Spice Pumpkin Bread

Preparation Time: 90 minutes | Serves: 5-10

pumpkin bread

What you’ll need:

2 8×4 inch loaf pans

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

15 oz. pure pumpkin

2 large eggs

 

How it’s done:

Preheat oven to 325F.

Grease loaf pans thoroughly with unsalted butter.

Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix well and set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix butter, sugar, eggs and pumpkin. Combine and mix both bowls.

Evenly pour mixture into loaf pans, a little more than half way.

Let bake 60-75 minutes using a toothpick to check consistency.

Let cool 10 minutes and serve with milk or coffee.

Homeless Helper Bags: A DIY Way to Give Back

Many of us live in cities stricken with poverty and homelessness, and the brisk winter season often compels us to help where we can. The season is also one of the busiest times of year. From gift shopping to flight delays, it can be difficult to give back to the degree we feel is necessary. Homeless helper kits offer solutions for the charitable who may be too time-strapped for traditional philanthropy. The kits — bags comprised of toiletries, protein-packed food and other essentials to hand out at a moment’s notice — can make a small difference to those with few luxuries. They make for a meaningful holiday family activity, teaching kids the value of giving. Whether you are keeping the kits in your backseat to hand out at stoplights, or donate to your local shelter, they are a simple opportunity to do your part.

Homeless Helper bag contents

Toiletries

Many assume homelessness means no access to running water or opportunity for basic hygiene. In fact, 65 percent of homeless Americans live in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, while 35 percent live in unsheltered locations. Affording people the dignity of self-care can act as a powerful personal motivator. A toothbrush, some toothpaste, body wash and moist towelettes may go further than you know.

Food

In 2014, 48.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 15.3 million children, according to the USDA. Millions of families nationwide are faced with limited availability to a nutritional diet. Many of the individuals who need the kits do not have access to stoves, can openers and microwaves, so food and snacks high in protein and other vitamins in the bags is crucial. Peanut butter crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, dried fruit and other easily consumable foods are best.

Warmth

Especially important for those holding signs during the winter months: Gloves, socks, scarves, hand/feet warmers and ponchos. Keeping warm and dry helps prevent serious illness and sustain a slice of comfort.

Feel Good Items

Remember, you are compiling these kits for people similar to you.  It is possible to become homeless overnight, despite your best efforts. Many of us are an illness or natural disaster away from losing everything we have worked for. Consider what you would miss if you lost it all. Sometimes, petty comforts are much more in dire circumstances. Tossing in a few sweet treats, such as cookies or chocolate, reminds those down on their luck that they’re still loved and respected regardless of their circumstances.

For Women

About 40 percent of homeless Americans are women. Make sure to have a few kits concentrated on the particular needs of women. Tampons, Maxi Pads, shampoo and conditioner and travel-size hair brushes are hard to come by in shelters.

Regardless of what you give, chances are you’ll make a difference in the lives you touch. For less than $10 a bag and a few hours, you can get someone through the harshest season of the year.

Best Makeup Trends from 2015

Every decade — every year, actually — is marked with its own memorable make-up trends that come and go. The ‘90s were packed with brown lipstick, blue eyeshadow, and body glitter. The turn of the millennium presented mineral make-up and everything retro. (Hello, winged eyeliner!) What did last year leave us with? Here are the best makeup trends from 2015.

1. Thicker, More Dramatic Eyebrows

It wasn’t that long ago that super thin, precisely tweezed eyebrows were the way to go. 2015, however, had all the girls reaching for their eyebrow pencils to achieve fuller, thicker, longer brows, a la Cara Delevingne and Lily Collins.

You’re gorgeous just the way you are; but if you’re looking to amp up your brows, there are countless YouTube tutorials demonstrating just that. The key is to find the right products and the proper tools. With a little practice and patience, you can have the eyebrows of your dreams. This eyebrow tutorial is very easy, straightforward, and shows you how to achieve the look in just a couple of steps.

2. Over-Lined, Extra Kissable Lips

2015 was, without a doubt, the year of the plumped up lips, making this one of the best makeup trends, no doubt; and I can’t think of a woman who wouldn’t mind having the pout of Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, or Amanda Seyfried.

Countless products hit the market all promising fuller lips, and girls went a bit nutty trying to pull off the Kylie Jenner look. (Remember when her lip kits sold out in under a minute and the Internet almost collapsed? She restocked the product and it sold out almost immediately again.)

There are ways to get this look with no pain and without having to drop a ton of money. If you want to skip the needles (eek!), give your lips a little love with a few simple steps added into your morning make-up routine. This tutorial makes the process of over-lining your lips super easy, using inexpensive products you can find at your local drugstore. Affordable, fast, and fun! I’ve had the best luck with matte lip pencils that are pretty close to the natural color of my lips, just a few shades darker. Anything glossy not only bleeds and smears, but the real outline of my lips is way more obvious.

3. The Art of Contouring

This is one that still has me scratching my head, and I am in absolute awe of people who skillfully pull this off without flaw. My face always ends up looking dirty. Clearly, I still have work to do.

I feel like, for the average gal, contouring and highlighting are a lot tougher to master, especially since they often require special brushes. This tutorial breaks it down into more manageable steps, again using products that can be purchased from drugstores and Target.

Experts are already making their guesses for what the best makeup trends of 2016 will be, and it looks like blue eye make-up and glitter might be making a return. Are you going to be a bit daring with your cosmetics this year?

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?