DIY 2 Ingredient Face Scrub

This is something I've actually ive actually been doing for a few years now, and I'm surprised I haven't blogged about it once! Possibly the easiest, and cheapest facial scrub you could do yourself, this wonderful scrub only uses 2 ingredients which you (should) already have at home!

Things you'll need:
- your every day face wash.
- baking soda.
(Yes, that's all!)

So, what I like to do is simply wet my face with warm water. I like to use a wet wash cloth and let it sit on my face for a minute to open my pores and soften the skin a bit, making it easier to slough off those dead skin cells!
Then I take a little bit of baking soda, maybe a teaspoon or so. (Start off with a little in case you have sensitive skin, add more if needed.) to that, add your face wash. I use a basic cleanser for this..nothing too strong or anything with a ton of acne fighting ingredients or anything. Also add a little bit of water. Mix it all up right in the palm of your hand.
Now, simply apply it to your face all over and gently scrub in circular motions around your face. Careful not to rub too hard, the small gritty texture of the baking soda does a great job at exfoliating without the need to really scrub. You can let it sit for a few minutes if you want, but I like to wash it off right away. (Baking soda is a chemical, and for some people it could dry out your skin, so try it in a small spot first if you're worried.) you'll notice as you're rinsing it might feel like you're not able to wash all of the baking soda off. It that bothers you just add a drop of cleanser to help get the little residue off. ;)
Your face will look and feel amazingly polished, smooth, and soft afterwards! I always follow up with a good moisturizer after. And my skin feels amazing all week! My skin can totally handle this once a week, but those of you with sensitive skin might want to do it less often.

What is your favorite facial scrub? Do you like to make your own or is store bought more your style? Let me know! I'm always looking to try new scrubs! ;)

Have a beautiful day!
Stay humble & kind.
<3

DIY Beauty: Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

It's been quite some time since I've done any DIY Beauty posts on here..so today I decided to share with you one of my all time favorite DIY products. A Brown Sugar Lip Scrub.

I found this lip scrub recipe on Pinterest a few years ago, fell in love, and have been using it ever since. There are literally only 3 ingredients and it's the easiest thing to make. You can even double this recipe and make some for gifts for your friends!

What you'll need:

• Pure Coconut Oil
• Honey
• Brown Sugar
• Measuring Spoons
• Small Mixing Bowl
• Clean Empty Jar

The first thing you want to do is make sure your coconut oil is not too hard and not too runny. If it is too hard place (closed) in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes just until it has softened up. If its too runny pop it in your fridge or freezer for a few minutes until it hardens up a bit.
      The benefits of using coconut oil for the skin are almost endless, I found this really cool site that breaks it all down for you, you can check it out here!
Once youve got your oil to the right consistency you're gonna scoop out a tablespoon of the 'solid' in the coconut oil jar, dont be shy..you want a nice big rounded tablespoon.. and put it into your mixing bowl. To that you're going to add a tablespoon of honey.
     Honey also has many amazing benefits, so I found a page that explains more about that too!
Take a spoon or even a tiny whisk if you have one and stir until the two are combined and homogenous. You want to make sure you dont have any chunks or clumps of the coconut oil. Once they are mixed thoroughly add 2 teaspoons of packed brown sugar, light or dark it doesnt really matter, and mix that trough. I like the use of brown sugar in this recipe because it not only tastes amazing, but it has a fine texture that isnt too harsh on your skin, unlike a lot of sugar scrubs that use coarse sugar which can be very harsh.
Lastly you want to add one teaspoon of just the oil from your coconut oil jar and stir that into your mixture. You should be left with a smooth mixture you can then transfer into your jar or sealed container.

This scrub tastes great, so you dont have to be worried about it getting in your mouth. It has the perfect texture for the delicate skin on your lips. And it is all natural and organic (if youre sure to use all natural and organic ingredients, which I highly recommend!) and you know exactly what is going into it. The recipe said it can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, but I think it should last quite a bit longer than that..all 3 ingredients last months or even years alone, so I dont see why mixing them together would make any of them spoil quickly.. Just be sure to check it before you use it to make sure it doesnt have any weird smells or mold growing in it..but if youre like me youll use it all up before it would ever even have the chance to spoil!

When you use the scrub its a good idea to leave it at room temperature for a few minutes to soften up a bit before using it. And you just use it the same way you would any lip scrub, scrub it gently in circular motions on your lips for a minute or two and rinse with warm water. Follow up with your favorite DIY lip balm for extra moisturizing power! ;) Enjoy!


Have a beautiful day.
Believe. Dream. Explore. & Be nice to people.

Pamper Day!

SNOW DAY! We got about 14 inches of snow yesterday, so what better excuse to stay inside and pamper myself today!

For my pamper days I do treatments for my hair, skin and nails. I deep condition my hair. Exfoliate my skin, do my favorite facial mask, and use a deep moisturizer. And give myself a little mani/pedi. Candles are essential for setting a relaxing mood, as well as filling the room with my favorite scents.

I start out with a relaxing bath or foot soak. I love to use bath bombs and/or bath salts. You dont have to go to places like Lush to find decent bath products, you can find some pretty good ones at your drug store, or even walmart or target. 

While Im in the bath or soaking my feet, I like to do a deep conditioner or mask on my hair, while using a nice exfoliating mask on my face. After cleansing and exfoliating, I use my favorite eye cream, and intense recovery treatment. Im using my Evologie cleanser, Splurge scrub, Merlot mask, Dermalogica eye cream, and RevaleSkin moisturizer. As well as my favorite Fekkai conditioning hair mask.

After soaking my feet, I give them a good scrubbing with a pumice stone to remove any dead skin. Then once theyre soft and dry, I give myself a little massage while rubbing on some foot cream. The one Im using today is by Udderly Smooth.

Then, I move onto the nails. I clip, file and smooth out my nails before applying a few coats of my favorite nail treatments and polishes.

I like to finish off my relaxing day by lounging in bed with my favorite scented candles burning, and a good book to read!

What are your favorite ways to relax on pamper days? What are your favorite pamper products?

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Baby Quasar: Baby Blue Review

As you probably know if youve been reading my blog for a while, Ive struggled with bad skin and break outs for a long time. Ive tried maaaany different products to try to clear my skin. From ProActive, Murad, Evologie, Merlot, handmade all natural products, and everything in between..finding few products that actually work, I thought it was time to try a different approach.

I remember seeing Blair Fowler (JuicyStar07 on youtube) a while ago using a little gizmo, I cant even remember the name of it, which used heat and light I believe to zap blemishes, she ranted and raved about it for a while..but I havent heard about it in a while and cant seem to find the video anymore. But she seemed to think it really worked. So I started doing some research on blue light therapy.

Blue Light Therapy used to be something only done in doctors offices. The redness and swelling that can occur with acne is caused by a type of bacteria that can be killed by exposing your skin to different types of light. Blue light is the most commonly used wavelength. (Red lights are also sometimes used with blue, but red is more commonly used as an anti-aging treatment)
But recently there have been a few companies that have made it possible to bring that treatment into the comfort of your own home. Making those appointments can be very time consuming and costly. But The Baby Quasar makes it affordable and convenient!

"The Baby Blue light works by killing acne-causing bacteria. The bacteria releases small molecules called porphyrins. When porphyrins are exposed to the Baby Blue's wavelengths of natural light, they produce free radicals that kill the bacteria.
The Baby Blue is 100% natural and requires no harsh chemicals or medication. It is safe, effective, painless, noninvasive and requires no downtime. It can be used on all skin types and skin tones including sensitive and irritated skin."

Before I tried the Baby Blue my skin was freaking out! I was breaking out horribly, and it was making me self conscious..I didnt even want to put makeup on out of fear of another break out! I was trying everything to clear my skin in my break out areas, which was making the rest of my skin extremely dry and irritated.

Here is a picture of my skin before trying the Baby Blue. I break out mainly along my jawline, and have a very oily T-zone. This is right after washing my face. No makeup.

And here is my skin after using the Baby Blue every day for 2 weeks. This obviously is a different angle, and I am wearing makeup..but no concealer, and you can see the bumps and breakouts are pretty much gone and my pores are much smaller!

The Baby Blue is a miracle product for me. It has helped clear my skin when nothing else has worked for me. It also reduces the oil on my skin, which I have very oily skin! But..I must add, that when I stopped using it for a week and a half (I was camping with no electric) my skin did start to break out again. I also want to add that using this device every day did start to dry out my skin a little (especially in spots that arent as oily as the rest) but for me that isnt a big deal and I can manage since my skin is so oily already it actually helps to dry it out a little.

*Added Jan 2015* Ive been using this device off and on for a while now and havent noticed any long term effects or problems. As I already mentioned, when I stop using it my skin does revert back to being oily and prone to break outs, but when I use it regularly it definitely helps keep my skin looking and feeling so much better!!

I know this post is hella long, with a lot of information, so I decided to do a separate post for how to use it! And also where you can find it, how much, etc!
If you are interested in how this device works check out the second half click here!!

DIY Hair and Skin Treatments

Ever see someone and wonder "how the hell does she get her hair so shiny and perfect?!"
Well with this amazingly easy hair treatment, made from something you probably already have in your fridge, youll have people wondering that about you!

There are many benefits from eating eggs, but something that a lot of people dont know is that eggs are also amazing for your hair and skin.
The yolks are rich in fats and proteins, and are naturally moisturizing. The whites contain bacteria eating enzymes which soaks up oils.
That means theyre good for skin, and hair.

HAIR
If you have oily hair, use the whites. For dry, brittle hair, use the yolks. And for normal hair use the whole egg.

• Take 1/2 cup of whichever mixture you need. (if you have long hair and need more, go ahead and use what you need.)
• Apply egg mixture to clean, dry hair. (not freshly washed, if you showered the day before thats perfect).
• Coat scalp and hair. (healthy hair starts at the scalp, so be sure to get it all over the hair and scalp.)
• Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
• Rinse with cool water. (you dont want to cook the egg in your hair with hot water)
• Follow up by shampooing as usual.

Whole egg or yolk treatments can be applied once a month, white treatment can be applied every two weeks.

SKIN
Like I said above, egg yolks remove oils, so they can be a great treatment for oily, acne prone skin; and yolks are a natural moisturizer, so they can be a great treatment for dry skin. This will also firm your skin!
Its really just as simple as the hair treatment. 

• Separate the eggs. (youll probably only need one for your face)
• (for dry skin skip the egg whites part)
• Beat the whites until theyre lightly frothy.
• Take a warm towel and press it against your face to open your pores.
• Apply whites to your skin, apply in an upward circular motion.
• Let sit for 30 min, or until completely dry.
• Wipe off with warm cloth.
• Then apply the yolks the same way as the whites.
• Let sit on your face for another 15-30 min.
• Rinse with warm water, then splash with cool water to close pores. (again be careful waters not too warm, you dont want to cook the eggs)
• (if you feel like they left a weird feeling or if it creeps you out rinse your face with a mild soap after)

NOTE
Eggs that are not organically produced may contain traces of hormones, pesticides, or herbicides that are present in chicken yards and in the egg production line. In order to ensure that you are not also applying these substances to your skin, be sure to use eggs that are organically produced. (which I recommend you eat also)
Since I have my own chickens, I know exactly what goes in, so I know my eggs are the cleanest and purest possible. 
And obviously, if you have an egg allergy, do not apply eggs to your skin or hair!

Foam hair color reviews.

A few months ago I tried the John Frieda Precision Foam Color. (in burgundy.)
I absolutely loved it! The application was super easy, full coverage no matter how long your hair is..
What I loved:

• Easy instructions.
• Thick black gloves. (most boxes come with cheapo gloves that tear)
• Amazingly easy application. (stayed foamy, went in smooth and didnt tangle my hair, and no missed spots)
• Smell was bearable.
• One box covered my entire head of hair. (most boxes need two for long/thick hair)
• It didnt get all over my scalp, forehead and ears like regular dye has a tendency to.
• Rinsed quick, easy, and felt soft after rinsing.
• Amazing conditioner included.
• Beautiful, shiny color. Exactly as pictured on box.
• Color lasted pretty well.

What I didnt love:

• When I bought it, the picture was black and white, the color swatch was in a weird place and made it hard to pick the color. (it has been changed since then, though)
• Color started to fade before the recommended next application, but still lasted longer than most.
• Price. Its one of the most expensive box dyes at walmart/target/cvs/etc., but its a whole lot cheaper than getting it done at the salon, and honestly its worth it to me. (to some it might be too pricey)

Id rate this dye a 5 out of 5.
All in all, I loved this dye, and it is now my go-to box dye. I recommend this to everyone, its easy for first timers and is salon quality for a fraction of the price. :)


Since I loved the John Frieda foam color so much, I thought Id give a cheaper brand foam color a try also.

So, I got the Nice 'N Easy Color Blend Foam. (In medium ash brown)
More trouble than its worth, this box dye isnt for me.
What I loved:

• Reasonable price.
• Easy to mix and sort of easy to apply.
• Came with two conditioner packets. (but each was only enough for one use each)
• Conditioner left my hair really soft.
• The final result, although not the color I wanted, is a pretty nice color.

What I didnt love:

• Cheap little gloves. The kind that always tears between the fingers.
• Absolutely horrible smell.
• As soon as you put the foam in your hair, the bubbles all pop and it doesnt stay foamy at all.
• As I was applying I thought for sure I wouldnt have enough to cover my whole head. (I did end up having enough, but if you have thick hair you might not)
• Sort of sloppy application. (sort of tangled my hair like regular box dye does, and it got on my ears forehead and scalp)
• Took a while to rinse, and my hair felt kind of dry after. 
• Stained my scalp, it didnt wash away from all spots.
• The smell stayed on my hair for a whole day.
• And my biggest complaint, the color was WAY dark. The box showed "medium ash brown" as exactly that, medium shade of brown, when I rinsed it, it came out almost black. Not even dark brown, seriously the closest thing to black you can get without being black. 

Id rate this dye a 1 out of 5.
All in all, I really did not like this dye. I wouldnt recommend this to anyone, color came out way wrong, the smell was seriously disgusting, and the application wasnt any easier than regular dye.

I would still like to try a few other drug store brand foam hair dyes, look for more reviews on them in the future!
Feel free to let me know your thoughts and experience with these, or any foam hair dye. :)

The products in this review was not provided to me for the purpose of writing a review. I purchased this product for my own personal use. I am simply sharing my experience with it. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own opinions. All reviews provided here are the work of myself and remain completely unbiased.

Beach Feet

Summer is here! yay :) And everyone is making their way to the beach.
Keeping your feet in, sometimes, tight shoes all winter can do some damage.
Calluses, corns, dry, cracked feet. No one wants that. So heres what you can do to prepare your feet for those sandals.

One of my favorite things to do is sit back on a comfy chair with a massaging cushion, and soak my feet. Its amazingly relaxing.
If you dont have a foot bath, you can find some really good ones for cheap on Amazon.com, or just soak them in your tub or some sort of pan big enough. You can add oils or salts to the water to soften your skin.

After soaking, another great way to get rid of dry skin and calluses is using a pumice stone.
Theyre cheap, and super easy. You can find them at almost any drug store, beauty supply store, and even some grocery stores. You can get them for anywhere from $.99-$5.
To use:

• Soak feet for about 5 minutes, to soften skin.
• Wet pumice stone.
• Rub stone on dry spots on your foot for around 30 seconds to remove dry skin.
• Rinse foot and stone, to remove excess skin cells.
• Repeat until smooth.
• And dont forget the other foot.

Be careful not to scrub too hard, you can scratch or cut your foot, leaving it prone to infection.
And always make sure to clean the stone once youre done, and leave it out to dry.
As with most things, youre not gonna see a drastic change in one use, so you might want to do this 2-3 times a week before seeing baby soft feet. And you can keep doing it once a week to keep feet soft.

After soaking its always good to moisturize, make sure feet are clean and dry, then apply your favorite foot cream. You can find some really good ones at Ulta for under $10.

To prevent calluses from coming back, make sure youre wearing the right show size, and avoid shoes that are uncomfortable or squeezing anywhere. Calluses are your skins natural way of protected itself, so if your shoes are pressing against your toes, your skin will build up to prevent injury. So make sure your shoes fit. :)

Dont forget to pretty up them toes nails :) And have a wonderful summer!

DIY skin brightening mask.

As you may know, I love DIY beauty stuff. Its cheap, easy, and most of the time works GREAT.

You know exactly what youre putting in it, so you know its gonna be good for your skin. And most of the time its all natural, and you control the ingredients so you know youre getting the best.

Heres a quick and easy mask to help exfoliate and stimulate circulation, to make your face glow.

Three simple ingredients, all available at your local grocery store.

Heres what youll need:

1/2 cup diced unripe papaya*

unripe papaya contains something called papain, an enzyme which helps dissolve dead skin cells.

1 tsp plain yogurt

adds lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy, and gives the mask a creamy texture.

1 tsp honey

helps skin retain moisture.

A quick blend in a food processor until its smooth and youre ready to apply.

Apply to clean face with clean hands, leave on for 8-10 min (mask should tingle a little)

Rinse with cool water, pat dry, and apply a moisturizer. 

In a short ten minutes you will have beautiful glowy skin!

*if you have sensitive skin or prefer a gentler exfoliation, use ripe papaya, which has less papain.

DIY Citrus Facial Scrub

The peel of citrus fruits (such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits) contain skin rejuvenating essential oils. The acids in the oil help loosen the dead top layer of skin, this scrub you can make at home will help slough off the dead skin, leaving your face feeling softer and smoother.

For this at home facial scrub you'll need:
1 tablespoon dried citrus peel.
1/2 cup plain yogurt.
1 teaspoon honey.
1/4 cup vitamin E oil.
2 tablespoons cornmeal.

Chop the peel into smaller pieces, then grind up in the food processor.
Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until just combined. (careful not to over mix)
Apply to damp face, massaging into your skin using circular motions. (avoiding eyes)
Rinse with warm water, then splash face with cold water to close pores.

You can store this scrub in an air tight container in your refrigerator up to a week.

At home face peel

Good face peels, or pore strips, can cost you a pretty penny.
Who wants to have to pay $20 even up to $100 for a facial mask/peel!

Well to do this at home peel, youll need two ingredients, and just a few minutes.

Youll need:
1 1/2 tbsp milk.
1 Packet of Unflavored gelatin.
(if you use flavored/colored it will turn your face that color, not a good look)

Mix together in microwavable bowl or disposable cup.
If it looks a little too thick or chunky add 1/2 tbsp more milk.
Microwave 10-20 seconds.
Be careful not to over microwave if its too hot you will burn your skin.
Apply to your (clean) face with a popsicle stick or paint/makeup brush (clean/new)
Try to avoid your hair line and eye brows, this still will stick to it like wax.
Let it dry 15-20 minutes. (Or longer if you glopped it on too much)
When it feels tight and no longer tacky you can start peeling.
If your face feels sticky or irritated you can wash it or rinse with warm water.

So, there you have it. at home face peel for just a few bucks,
and you have three more packets of gelatin for the future. :)