Sunday, July 31, 2016

How to Improve Your Odds of Getting a Better Night’s Sleep!

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Your bedroom should be free of distractions so you can concentrate on sleep.


We all experience those occasional nights when you simply can’t fall asleep. Sometimes, you can blame this condition on stress.  Other times, you can over stimulate your mind by working too hard into the night and carrying those thoughts with you to bed.  Then again, drinking too much of any beverage, especially coffee with all of its caffeine can keep your mind alert besides body active during your extra trips to the bathroom. If sleeplessness happens to you more than you like, I have some suggestions that will help the problem.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

How to Reattach a Broken Lipstick!

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This beauty is surprised how easily it was to repair a broken lipstick.


Yesterday, I shared how to salvage your broken compacts and palettes of dry powder cosmetics like eye shadow, blush, bronzing, finishing, highlighting, and setting powders to keep on using them.  Today, I thought you might be interested in another helpful tip that happens to us from time to time regarding what to do with a damaged lipstick.

What else that irritates me is when lipstick breaks as you swivel it up.  To solve this unneeded headache, you will need a match or lighter.  All you need to do is heat up one end of lipstick and reattach with your fingers.  Keep a firm hold on the lipstick until it dries.  This solution may be messy but does the trick! 

On the subject of lipstick, hot weather can be a problem for some formulas more than others, especially some natural brands.  You might want to consider storing them in your refrigerator to help prevent melting and ward off any potential break.

Friday, July 29, 2016

How to Rescue Damaged Dry Powder Cosmetics Instead of Throwing Them Out!

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Accidents can happen at any time.  However, you don't have to suffer when you know what to do.


Don’t you hate when you pay good money for a cosmetic like a gorgeous new palette of eye shadows that seem to compliment you perfectly, only to drop it?  Though frustrated, you may be tempted to continue just using it in that broken state, dusting the individual pieces the best you can with your brush because parting with it is so hard.  However, I have some tips that will help you out of this situation.

If you are determined to keep on using the product (this only applies to dry powders), here’s what you do. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the pieces at where the breaks occur until the area is saturated.  Now take your fingers or a knife and gently press them together. Hold the pieces in place briefly.  Then allow the compact time to dry before using it again.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

How to Lower Your Risk of Developing Diabetes!

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Food choices matter and may require changes to your diet.


Though your genes may make you a more likely candidate to develop diabetes, anyone is at risk of getting this disease.  If you found out during your last medical exam that you are bordering on pre-diabetes, there is still time to prevent type 2 diabetes.  Hopefully these tips will help reverse that scary news before your next blood test.

The more overweight you are, the harder it is for your body to regulate insulin.  Therefore, it’s to your best interest to try to drop a few pounds. Often, 10-15 pounds can be enough to halt this disease from occurring. 

Losing weight is not always the easiest thing to do as we all know, but changing your diet is a good place to start.  Now is the time to think seriously about the foods you normally eat.  Replace convenience foods such as prepacked frozen dinners for meals that you prepare yourself with healthier ingredients using more fresh vegetables and heart-friendly oils like olive oil. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Recipe: You’ll Never Miss Fried Doughnuts Once You Taste My Delicious, No-Fry Doughnuts!

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The only things these lack are all the calories and artery clogging grease from frying. 



Deep-fried, raised doughnuts are delicious, but are not exactly healthy. However, with the recipe that I’m about to share with you, you will be completely fooled that these light as feather imitators aren’t the real thing.  The only difference is that mine are much healthier since they are baked instead of fried.  My No-Fry Doughnuts practically melt in your mouth with a hint of nutmeg through its airy texture, topped to perfection with cinnamon-sugar that adheres perfectly due to melted butter.

In case you don’t own a doughnut cutter, you need not worry.  Here’s what you can do to improvise.  Get a large size lid from a food jar (like from the lid of a 64-oz. jar of peanut butter) for the main circle (about 2-1/2 inches) and a small whisky glass for doing the hole.  This works out to solve the problem without any need to rush to the store to buy one.  

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Understanding What Changes in Your Nails Can Mean

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Nails can often indicate health problems.


A healthy diet and hydrating the nails will certainly help prevent them from turning weak and brittle. However, there are other changes that can happen to your nails, which indicate that something else is going on in your body than needs attention.  What I am about to share with you is not a diagnosis, only some warning signs to look for just in case you are wondering what those changes might mean.

For example, if your nails suddenly have been looking oddly white lately, then you could possibly be anemic. Nails that suddenly become weaker and develop a concave shape along with raised ridges might be related to an iron deficiency as well.  Such a ghostly nail color could also point to a liver problem such as cirrhosis of the liver.  

Monday, July 25, 2016

My Coconut Oil DIY Hair Conditioner-Strengthening Recipe Is What Dry, Brittle Summer Hair Cries Out for!


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Besides ample moisturizing power,  the coconut excels at penetrating hair follicles. 


It has been a while since I was in my kitchen concocting a recipe to treat my skin or hair.  However, I have another wonderful solution to revive the look and that brittle feel of dry hair that moisturizes sensationally well for hair due to its coconut oil.

What makes coconut oil especially equipped to repair dryness as well as strengthen is due to its abundance of fatty acids, vitamin E and lauric acid, which are also unique in their exceptional ability to penetrate the hair follicle. Honey is another helpful ingredient, being a humectant to draw in additional moisture from the air to boost the softening effect even more.  Last all, I use a few drops of geranium essential oil for giving hair additional strength.   

Sunday, July 24, 2016

How to Salvage a Nearly Empty Lip Gloss for a Makeup Save!

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Though you can always toss or go with a different gloss, this makeup tip can help stretch your usage.


Don’t you hate when you’re nearly finished with your makeup only to find that the favorite lip gloss that you wanted to wear is nearly gone once you take that applicator out?  In this situation, you usually have two choices of either tossing out the product or hunting through your lip products for a similar color.  However, I have a better idea that helps get you out of this practically drained lip gloss fix that you’re going to love, especially when it delays disposing a prestige cosmetic prematurely.

All you need to do is to take the problem tube of lip gloss to a sink and run some hot water over it briefly for about a minute or so.  Surprisingly enough, the warmth loosens the remaining gloss that always manages to cling to the sides, replenishing the supply.  If you follow this makeup tip, then you will get another few times out of that tube.

Trust me, but you’ll love how well this lip gloss tip works!

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Mineral Fusion Dry Shampoo Review

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

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Mineral Fusion Dry Shampoos


Nothing beats washing your hair the old-fashioned way with shampoo and water for that ultimate clean feeling.  However, life is unpredictable.  For those occasions when you can’t get your head to a sink because of illness or a busy schedule, a dry shampoo like the new ones from vegan brand, Mineral Fusion can really come in handy.

Their new line that PR sent are available for medium to dark hair like mine with a tint to it and a light shade formula for $12.99.  Like all Mineral Fusion products, you have no need to fear sulfates, glutens or parabens in these dry shampoos.

What you can expect is a weightless powder that you spray from an aerosol-free pump that comes out as a fine, tinted mist.  How it cleans is unique with kaolin clay for dealing with oil and vegetarian keratin, olive and lavender for shine and fluffing it back with volume.  

After targeting my roots with the spray and working this dry shampoo through my hair with my hands, I was surprised at how well it freshened up my hair.  My advice is to check Mineral Fusion Dry Shampoo out at their website or Whole Foods.

Friday, July 22, 2016

How to Use Highlight and Contour to Improve Your Profile!


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This beauty's features are nicely balanced with her perfect profile.


Most of the time, we concentrate on a front view of our face when analyzing our features.  However, you might want to think about what your face looks like to others when you turn your head to the side.  Unless you feel that you have a perfectly portioned face where if you cut it in thirds would measure the same distance from your forehead to your eyebrows, eyebrows to the tip of your nose as well as from your nose to the chin, then congratulations, heredity was good to you.  If this rule does not apply to you, you may want to make some corrections to improve your appearance with a little artful use of makeup.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Why You May Want to Reconsider How You Wash Your Face When Striving for a Lovelier Complexion!

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This beauty doesn't have to hide her face now that she knows this skin saving tip!


Though you go through all the motions of cleansing your face properly, if your complexion keeps breaking out, the reason could be more than just diet, hormones, stress, or workouts.   The method of how you wash your face can also contribute.

Fingers are not the best tools when it comes to cleansing.  Despite how well you wash your hands first, the nails can harbor bacteria that you may not see.  If trusting them to do the job, you could be introducing fresh bacteria, aggravating your skin problem.  

A better solution is using a fresh washcloth or a cotton square and gently exfoliating instead of using your hands each time you cleanse. This can help lessen the risk on piling on bacteria so your complexion may stand a better fighting chance.  

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Besides Shaping the Figure and Improving Overall Health, Why Exercise Is Good for Your Brain!

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This beauty knows the value of exercise for keeping toned and focused.

If we’re being honest here, how many of us exercise as often as we should?  After all, our days are jam-packed between work and family that there just doesn’t seem to be enough time or energy left alone to think about it.  I was one of those people that made those excuses for avoiding exercise since I am practically attached to the computer almost like I was wired in from early morning until night like many of us now are. 

However, sitting too long at a time is not good for circulation, the backside or the brain. Yet, what if I told you that even the smallest amount of exercise can help you get on the right track?  

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Summer Beauty 2016 Rouge Bunny Rouge Products Review + Swatches

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

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Summer Beauty 2016 Rouge Bunny Rouge products 


Trends come and go, but the look of classic elegance never goes out of style.  Looking chic and impeccably made-up with artistry through colors and quality cosmetics lends a certain polish to a face that is timeless just like what you can expect judging from the assortment of products from luxury brand, Russian and London based, Rouge Bunny Rouge for the vision of summer beauty.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Beauty Box 5 July 2016 Review

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Beauty Box 5 July 2016.jpeg
Beauty Box 5 July 2016


This month’s Beauty Box 5 assortment has makeup and tools to get you ready for a road trip.  If this beauty box subscription is new to you, then you really need to give it a shot because every little green box that arrives has five (full and sample size) beauty products that always are fun to go through for a cost of $12 per month with free shipping

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Rimmel Good to Glow Color Highlighter Line Review + Swatches

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Rimmel Good to Glow Color Highlighter Line.jpeg
Rimmel Good to Glow Color Highlighter Line



In the quest to look younger or wake up a dull complexion, illuminators can help with that goal.  Products like Rimmel London’s Good to Glow Color Highlighters that I sampled lately do add that touch of instant radiance to get skin beaming.  

These liquid illuminator/highlighters come in 001 Notting Hill Glow (pink-white), 002 Piccadilly Glow (coral) and 003 Soho Glow (golden tan).  They all are shimmery with the exception of 001 Notting Hill Glow, which has more obvious, larger sparkles.  It also has a whitish cast that seems to dominate the pink once it is applied that was a bit over the top for me.  


swatches of Rimmel Good to Glow Color Highlighter Line.jpeg
Starting on the left is 001 Notting Hill Glow, 002 Piccadilly Glow and ending with 003 Soho Glow on the right.

The texture is too not thick or too thin, but a wonderful one that comes out easily that you can build up, being sheer or play upon to mix with your foundation like with my favorite one, 003 Soho Glow for more facial radiance or use alone.

Furthermore, these highlighters wear quite well.  I don’t know how true this will be for someone with oily skin since mine is dry, but this product held its own until I took it off later in the day.

The next time you shop for Rimmel products check out their Good to Glow Color Highlighters.    

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Gimmee Jimmy's two-pound assorted cookies and rugelach Tin.jpeg
Gimmee Jimmy's Two-Pounds of Assorted Cookies and Rugelach


Recently, I was approached about reviewing a cookie assortment from Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies. Of course, it sounded too delicious to resist so I accepted the task to devour their freshly baked cookies and rugelach and share my opinion.

This tin was full of very soft, moist cookies that had a wonderful taste, but unfortunately did not ship well for the most part.  Some were broken already or later would fall apart once you went to sample.  What held up much better was their Chocolate and Cinnamon Rugelach, which were firmer than the others such as the Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Chip, M & M cookies, and their Marble cookies.  Regardless, they really had a great, rich taste. 

You can find and explore what they have to offer at Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies

Friday, July 15, 2016

Your Pedicure Colors Matter Just As Much As Your Shoes for Showing Off the Most Beautiful Summer Feet



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Every step you take will look better once you take this advice to heart.


Summer is the time to dive into fresh nail colors and take the plunge into brighter shades of wild pinks, vibrant oranges, blazing reds to ocean colors from deep navy, cobalt and indigo blues to cool turquoises and classy, pale neutrals in creams to metallics.  Though you may be tempted to just pick out a tempting color to adorn your feet and start painting, you really would be better off considering what shoes that you’ll be wearing first before committing to that color.

Now that it is sandal season, this pedicure tip is especially important if you want to have effortless style. The right polish suited to the shoe compliments the feet like a glam upgrade instead of distracting, which can make all the difference for amazing onlookers dazzled by your gorgeous feet.

A heavily embellished sandal already has a lot going on so you don’t want to overdo with too strong or too vibrant a pedicure color. If the design has metalwork, avoid metallic polishes, otherwise, you may risk your toes from looking like offshoots of the shoe itself.  An easy rule to remember is the more embellished, the more reason for a neutral color on your toes.  

Keep this summer pedicure tip in mind for the best foot beauty to keep you sizzling hot this season.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Fuego Box July 2016 Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**


Fuego Box July 2016.jpeg
Fuego Box July 2016 Review


Even before I knew how wonderful hot peppers are for help with speeding up the body’s metabolism for burning more calories, I adored hot sauces.  Unfortunately, you really can’t get much variety on the shelves of a local grocery store--at least not where I shop.  Thankfully, Fuego Box came along to fill that void for dedicated lovers of the liquid fire like yours truly.

This month is another sizzling delight I am happy to report.  If you want to spice up your life or that of a true connoisseur of the “hot,” then a subscription to Fuego Box is a must. The cost is $29.95 per quarter with free shipping.  Another option is buying one box at a time for $12.95 with a $5.00 shipping charge.  Each assortment also comes with a descriptive card with ideas for recommended foods or dishes to compliment each sauce.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

How to Choose the Proper Eye Cream or Serum for Your Needs




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Know the capabilities of ingredients!
Sometimes, we expect more from our eye creams and serums than they are capable of giving us.  Does this mean the product was lacking somehow?  Of course, you can never rule that possibility out.  However, the real fault may be that you just bought an eye cream or serum without considering the purpose that you want it for first.

For example, if you have darkness under the eyes and hope to address that problem, then you need ingredients that can help in draining that pooled up blood causing it.  Ones that contain vitamin K or kojii acid can be up to the brightening task.

On the other hand, puffiness could be another issue.  Ingredients that can firm up the eye area are ones such as caffeine, copper, retinol, AHA, and vitamin C.  

Now that you are in the know, hopefully you’ll wake up with more beautiful eyes!

For more help getting the most out of your eye creams, do read my earlier posts on the subject.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

How to Give Any Cream Lipstick a Matte Finish

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A world of new matte lipstick looks await you once you know what to do.



If you’re trying to modernize your lip look, matte lips are the way to go.  Though it is always fun to shop for new lipsticks, I want to show you a makeup trick of how to use the ones that you have so they give you that trendy, matte finish.  After you read this post, you will have discovered a multitude of new lip color possibilities just from being creative with your current cream lipstick stash.

What I suggest is taking a box of tissues, cotton swabs, your makeup bag with your lipsticks, loose translucent powder, and eye shadows and get comfortable at your vanity or in front of a mirror.  Pull one out and put some on.  Once you finish capping that lipstick, reach for a tissue and separate it.  

Gently, press that single sheet over your freshly coated lips. Don’t smack your lips together because you need the lipstick intact for what comes next.  Now, pull out your loose translucent powder and brush some on top of the tissue.  Afterwards, lift the tissue.  You’ll notice the color changed.  To build the intensity of the matte effect, repeat with another application of the same or another cream lipstick and dusting with more powder.

Your ingenuity knows no bounds.  Another interesting way to alter that lipstick is with pressed eye shadows.   Use cotton swabs for this and save yourself the trouble of washing any loaded brush or applicator later that you lay over the lipstick.  Blot with the single sheet of tissue and deepen in the same way as the first method.

I hope that you experiment with this lipstick trick because you'll love it.

Monday, July 11, 2016

How to Buy the Best Quality of Face Powder


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Face powder in pressed and loose form can be indispensable!
A wonderful face powder can be the finishing touch to your makeup to keep it lasting longer.  It also can help keep a shine away or add a bit of color, if need be. 

Yet, with all the countless brands to choose from, it often can be confusing trying to narrow your choices down. However, what I’m about to share will help you make a better decision with a few tips on what to look for.

Though online shopping is convenient, this requires in person shopping.  Once you experience what the face powder is like as far as color, brand and price goes, then the next time feel free to order the same powder online without worrying if you wasted your money. 

The first thing that you want to look for is the powder’s coverage. The one that you’re considering should apply evenly over your face instead of noticing the color sticking to some spots more than others.  An ideal powder also shouldn’t fly everywhere.  It should adhere to your face like a smooth veil.

Just as important, you need to examine the texture with your fingers to test the amount of slip it has.  The best ones are silky and feel extremely fine.  A lesser grade powder will have a slight grainy feel and not be as smooth. 

Another great test of a quality powder is absorbency.  Try some on at the makeup 
counter or have a makeup artist do it for you, but don’t immediately buy the powder until you see how it holds up after wearing it for a time.  If the powder begins to cake or you’re starting to shine and need a touch up before you usually require one, then this is not a good powder for you.

If you keep this information in mind, I am confident that you will be more pleased than you may have previously been with your face powders.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

How You Remove Your Eye Makeup Matters If You Intend to Delay Aging

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This radiant beauty's smile reveals her joy of discovering this simple technique.

Most of us don’t give much thought to procedure when it comes to removing eye makeup. After all, what is there left to do when you have but to load a cotton ball or pad with your eye makeup remover or oil-based one for waterproof products and start rubbing?  However, this is a big mistake if you intend to keep your eye area looking young for as long as possible.

Since the skin around the eyes is extremely thin compared to the rest of our face, extra gentleness is called for.  Using too much pressure or swiping randomly trying to dislodge eye makeup can take a toll in time. Instead, your eyes would benefit more if you remembered to use the technique that I’m about to share.

After moistening your cotton ball or pad with your eye makeup remover, close your eyes and very softly press the ball or pad against your lid.  This will start lifting some of those eye products, then gently move it down over the lashes before working inward toward the inner corners of your eyes.  

Depending on the brand of makeup remover and the amount of cosmetics that you have on, you may need another loaded cotton ball or pad to deal with any remaining makeup.  If so, repeat using the "press" and "pat" method. What you need to keep foremost in mind is avoiding being too rough in the eye area. 

Sometimes, in our hurry to remove makeup, we can forget how delicate that skin is and accidentally stretch or tug because you may be tired or short of time.  Nonetheless, remember this little makeup tip because it can save your beautiful eyes and keep them aging more than they need too!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Recipe: My Blueberry-Coconut Dream Cake Is Easy and So Delicious That You’ll Want It Again and Again!



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Here's a piece of my Blueberry-Coconut Dream Cake.  Too bad that you can't taste it through the computer!


Now is the prime to take advantage of blueberries.  If you love their awesome flavor as much as I do, then you got to try my cake.  My Blueberry-Coconut Dream Cake has everything that you want with its moistness and delicate, fine-texture from its gently spiced nutmeg and lemon batter for hosting luscious, juicy berries and coconut in style. 

For this recipe, I do something different and use some coconut flour in addition to the all-purpose flour for firing up more coconut flavor.  However, if you don’t have coconut flour on hand simply take it out of the recipe and eliminate the water.  Don’t add more flour to replace it and it will turn out beautifully for you.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Some Instant Ways to Turn Back the Clock for a Younger Looking Face

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There is no need to hide at your first signs of aging.  You just need to work it to your advantage!


Though we hate to admit it, we all age.  Some are more fortunate to maintain their youthful visage longer than others, but sooner or later seeing changes in the mirror is unavoidable.  You don’t need to panic when you see your first crease or gray hair.  Instead, I have some great tips that can quickly erase some years from your face.

You might want to start with your skin.  Exfoliation is critical for both the face and body to remove dead cells that dull the complexion in order to stimulate a fresh rebirth of collagen production.  My only advice is not to get carried away and overdo with scrubs, anti-aging creams or peels because you can damage the skin. The skin needs time to recover.  Once or twice a week for scrubs and a peel is more than enough.

As to the subject of facial peels, these are wonderful for deep cleaning all the accumulated makeup that may still be sitting in your pores.  Ingredients like silicones (sand-based) may give a foundation, primer, moisturizer, or serum added softness and smoothness with the extra moisture in the product’s texture, but there is also a downside because this type of ingredient is not the easiest to remove with just soap and water or a cleanser.  Silicones can stay trapped within the pores along with dirt and build up more after every use if you don’t take steps to remove it.  

Lips are another area that you might be concerned with. Besides keeping them perpetually smooth with regular exfoliation and moisturizing, they tend to thin more over time.  A lip plumping product with peptides or grape seed polyphenols may help build your lips more.  

As we age, our hair follicles don’t manufacture as much melanin, the pigment for keeping the color, as it once did. Therefore, a haircoloring is a must to refresh your beauty.  

You may notice that your hair is not as lush and thick as earlier.  Hair color also will help add volume as it coats the hair shaft from expansion of the cuticle layer.  Adding a bit more hair to your style also helps give a face more youthful vigor.

Even if you don’t want or need to color your hair, keeping your hair glossy and riveting with a shine will chop off some years from your face as well.  After all, the younger that you are, the shinier the hair will naturally be.  

Exercise of any kind should be on your anti-aging to do list.  We all know it’s wonderful for reshaping the body and its health benefits, but if done regularly it increases circulation as it builds up your metabolic rate to speed up collagen and elastin production.  

For those cringing at the thought of all that physical exertion a workout may put you through, yoga is another way to go.  Yoga positions like bending the head forward or doing a headstand, which also increases blood flow to skin tissues, can help stimulate collagen development also so this might suit you more.

One last piece of advice, smile more.  Don't just smile with your lips, but do it with your eyes because a genuine sparkle surfaces once you do.  Letting your inner warmth show through can light up a face and heart so you look younger and more approachable.  

I encourage you to read two of my earlier posts with some great makeup tricks for looking younger and more anti-aging beauty secrets from keeping your face from revealing your age.  Hopefully, what you learned here will help your beauty flourish!

Thursday, July 7, 2016

How to Gradually Ease Into Healthier Eating Without the Family Revolting

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Making healthy food choices can be confusing.


Whether you’re trying to diet to lose weight, improve your health, skin, or to prevent future problems, changing your normal eating habits is never an easy task.  This is especially true if you have a family that is used to less than healthier food choices with all the sugar, salt, and fats that are in many of the things we love.   Therefore, you need to be a little devious if you intend to change their diet and tastes, including yours, by a gradual introduction instead of serving them an entirely new diet of unfamiliar foods.  

You may be serving red meat and potatoes several times a week.   What I suggest is eating them not as frequently.  Try replacing meat with a fish, egg, chicken, or meal made from legumes along with a fresh vegetable or two more often.  Beans and rice (makes up a complete protein) or you may want to try a wholesome grain such as quinoa.  

Fooling the family into a veggie or bean burger served up like their beloved fast food for a dinner can be a perfect starting point.  My pinto bean burgers are delicious, especially with a side of my “unfried” French fries (oven fries) or my herb version oven fries.   Another excellent "fake" is my lentil-mashed potato burger or black bean cakes. This are just a few examples.  What I am saying is the family will enjoy what they recognize as “junk” food more and give the healthier version the start it needs, which is your goal.

Another way to reduce your red meat is replacing it with ground turkey.  There is so much you can do using a pound roll of ground turkey that can stretch it for a healthier, besides economical dinner.  Meat loaf is one of the simplest dinners where you can incorporate oatmeal and lots of vegetables like onions, garlic, celery, and lots of grated carrot, which sweetens it up. Making it in the crock pot saves time and clean up as well.
Casseroles and stews are also excellent with all the extra vegetables that you can sneak in.  After all, once the veggies are in there, they are easier to swallow when covered with sauce or gravy than reluctant eaters playing with them as a side dish.

Sugar is extremely hard to transition away from in our modern diet.  Therefore, you might want to try replacing desserts with more scones at the beginning to wean tastebuds off the heavier sugar-laden recipes. My blueberry, orange, coconut, and favorite scone and sweet bread recipes won’t let you feel deprived.  I’m not saying to give up cakes, pies, puddings or ice creams entirely–-just not daily. Baking at home guarantees that the ingredients that go into your recipe will be healthier than store-bought, which cares more about their cost of ingredients than the effects on your health.  

Think about turning to fruits more as a dessert.  They can be full of antioxidants and vitamins that can help clear and beautify skin, especially ones like berries, apples, oranges to helping ease inflammation.  Try incorporating fruit into smoothies or a fruit salad with yogurt is a real treat to alternate for dessert. In time, the craving for those same sweets will improve.

Some people can’t live without their sodas.  However, if you want a delicious summer beverage to replace soda, then brew a pot of fruity herbal tea like lemon zinger, sweeten with sugar alternative, and refrigerate for later in the day.   This is refreshing and just as wonderful, only minus the fizz and bubbles of soda and better for you.

Hydrogenated oils (trans fats) clog arteries so read food labels.  Replace shortening and cooking oils for olive oils and ones such as canola, corn or coconut oil.  In fact, you will be surprised at how well substituting canola or corn oil works for your baking.  I use olive oil for my oil pie crust for regular dessert pies, pot pie crust to quiche. 

Excessive salt is not the best thing for us.  Nonetheless, herb and spice blends are one way to help make a delightful adjustment.  You might even want to try my herbal salt substitute recipe or my special blend mixes.

Take advantage of nuts and seeds to supplement your diet.  I urge caution here because nuts can be extremely fattening so measure your portion and stick to it.  

What I shared here briefly is far from everything, but at least it can help make the transition to a healthier way of eating seem more doable. 

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

How to Use Eye Shadow to Shape and Alter the Appearance of Your Eyes

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This beauty knows how to shape and give her eyes even more impact!


Everyone has at least one great feature that they love more than others. For some, it may be a lush, full mouth that is just right but overly too large or crooked, perhaps, for their liking.  While we may see a well-portioned nose on one face may be irritating to another because it may tilt the wrong way or feel too wide. Eyes that have a certain sparkle may belong to someone that only can see, for instance, how small or wide-set they appear.  The truth is no one really is perfect or satisfied entirely with their looks.  However, there is always a way that you can turn what you deem a flaw around like what you can do to alter the shape and appearance of your eyes.

Dark colors can make eyes recede.  Therefore, if you have small or droopy eyes then avoid using deep shades as your main lid color.  Instead, use a light shade on your lid to brighten the area first and bring the eye forward.  Just remember, you’ll have better results saving the dark eye shadow to shape the crease and place near the lash line to rim the eyes, if this is your concern. What you want to achieve is working that dark shade near the outer corner and blending inward toward the bridge of your nose.  Be sure to keep smoothing with your eye shadow brush in an outward direction to get the pigment laid down ideally. Shimmery pale neutral shades are especially effective for calling beautiful definition to small eyes. 

If you feel that your eyes are too close together and want to create the illusion of more space, try placing some light shadow at the inner corners.  You will be surprised at how easily this trick works magic to do what you thought was formerly impossible.

Of course, you may feel that your eyes are farther apart than you like.  Try taking your eye shadow brush and confining dark shadow to a small strip over the lid from the inner to the outer corner of the eye.  

Eyes that protrude too much can be helped by using a medium to dark shadow and blending carefully just above the crease.  Highlight under the arch of the brow and stop there.   This will help angle the eye and give a better sense of balance.

Sometimes, we go overboard looking for flaws when they’re not really as bad as you think.  All you need is a little makeup knowledge and you can have a new outlook!


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint (Smolder, Glisten, Adorn) Review + Swatches

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

three Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tints.jpeg
Starting on the left is Adorn, Smolder and ending with Glisten on the right.


Are you looking for a beautiful way to color, moisturize and treat your lips without any suspect ingredients that might eventually jeopardize your health?  If so, you would love Mineral Fusion’s Sheer Moisture Lip Tints that I sampled lately.  

These vegan brand lip crayons not only feel dreamy on the lips with a hydrating formula infused with cocoa butter and lip firming peptide among their natural ingredients, but they sport a delicious vanilla-mint flavor when wearing them, which is a winning combination.  As always, Mineral Fusion goes to great lengths to keep lips from plthalates, talc, parabens, artificial colors and fragrances in this eight-product line.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

How to Better Select a Non-Oxidizing Foundation Makeup That You’ll Be Happier With If This Is a Problem for You



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Sampling foundation first and correctly makes a big difference.


Some of us have more problems with foundations that keep oxidizing once worn due to excessive oil in their complexions.  If you experience this problem and are tired of trying to adjust the formula or habitually needing to return it, then I have a suggestion that can better your odds for making a selection that won’t turn orange on you.

You may want to try shopping for a cream foundation over a liquid formula and sample it first.  When you’re at the cosmetic counter, don’t just let someone apply the foundation directly to your face because it will not benefit you in this way.  The foundation needs to be warmed first–-not on the salesperson or makeup artist, but on your own skin. Oxidation occurs because the room temperature of the foundation formula is different from your body.  Once you prep that foundation, only then can it be ready to test. 

The simple fix is to sample a bit of the foundation on the hand while you smear it around to warm it.  The ideal spot for this purpose is the outside section between the thumb and index finger, which gives enough unmarred skin to work with.  After you warm that foundation, wait a few minutes to see it changes once mixed with your skin’s oils.  It should show you a truer color of what you might expect from that new foundation to help you determine whether you want to buy it.  

Better still, now that you properly prepped that sample, you may want to apply it to a clean area of your face. Go outdoors or, perhaps, do more shopping and then check in the mirror again after more time before making your final decision.

I hope that you take my makeup tip to heart because it does work!  For more on solving the "orange" problem of your foundations, do read my earlier post with additional help on  makeup oxidation.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Recipe: My Disappearing Low-Cholesterol Brownies Are Another Reason to Celebrate This Holiday!

Disappearing Low-Cholesterol Brownie Bar.jpeg
Here is one of my Disappearing Low-Cholesterol Brownies. 

My Disappearing Low-Cholesterol Chocolate Brownies are delicious with a tasty marriage of chocolate, peanut butter and coffee extract in a moist and chewy bar.  If that doesn’t have your mouth watering yet, then wait until you hear about the double dose of chocolate that this magnificent brownie has from sprinkling mini chocolate chips on top.  Even sweeter is how this simple this recipe is to make while also being a healthier option, if you are monitoring your fats since it uses an oil and egg substitute instead of margarine, butter and eggs.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Some Helpful Tips If You Happen to Have Sensitive Skin

beautiful blonde with great skin inhaling scent of a tulip.jpeg
This beauty knows how to keep her complexion flourishing.


You never know when a reaction can occur.  At any time, you could experience a problem whether from trying a new product or even while using the same one that was trouble free for the longest time, it can happen.  Of course, you can’t control skin sensitivity, but you can at least know what to look for that can create an issue for your skin type.

If your skin has a tendency to react on a fairly regular basis instead of occasionally like mine, then you should avoid anti-aging products with too high amounts of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids).  Despite having a natural origin since they are derived from foods, they still can burn if the concentration is too high.  You might be better off with a combined formula skin care product that also has beta hydroxy acids for balancing out the concentration. Nonetheless, you still need to be careful of what your skin can take.

A good rule to remember is if you apply an acid-formulated skin care product and your complexion continues to feel something happening on the surface after a few seconds, then wash it off.   The formula is just too strong for your face.  Four seconds is the maximum that product should be tingling your skin--no longer!  

Exfoliation is important for all skin types.  However, sensitive skin needs to avoid abrasive forms of ingredients that can dig into your complexion like sharp edges of ones that might contain apricot seeds or nut shells.  What you need is a circular bead in a product like jojoba beads.  You can also concoct your own scrubs from kitchen ingredients that can help get you glowing from granules with a delicate texture like baking soda, oatmeal, brown sugar, etc.  Do check out a few of my favorite DIY scrubs like my reviving milk scrub or lemon exfoliating scrub.  You'll find more DIY homemade skin care recipes to address sensitive skin in my sidebar when you click the homemade skin care recipes label. 

Fragrance is another ingredient that may smell wonderful in the botttle, but you don’t need it to have beautiful skin.  Look for fragrance-free labeled skin care products if you want to be on the safe side.  

Just because you see unscented on the product does not mean that it is free of fragrance.  On the contrary, it just refers to the fact that another fragrance was added to mask the product’s original chemical smell. 

Something else that you should try to steer clear of when considering new skin care products are some preservatives like Quaternium-15, Bronopol and butylated hydroxanisole (BHA).  These aren’t nearly as popular as they once were since companies switched to parabens.  Still, some people might experience redness and do better with preservative-free products. 

Summer weather also can play a part in making skin sensitive.  After all, you sweat and together with ingredients of whatever skin care that you’re using or even makeup can trigger a skin response.  So keep this in mind as well.


Take care and hopefully what I shared here can help keep your complexion as beautiful as possible!