Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Molton Brown Blossoming Honeysuckle & White Tea Eau de Toilette Review -- Soft-Spoken Floral Beauty to Love

blossoming honeysuckle & white tea fragrance.jpeg
This is a fragrance that pulls you in with its happiness.


Have you ever noticed how certain fragrances make you feel?  Some have the power to make you feel more confident, playful, adventurous, beautiful, romantic, sexy, glamorous, sophisticated to bringing out your wild streak or a mix of those things. Molton Brown’s Blossoming Honeysuckle & White Tea Eau de Toilette is a fruity-floral that has a graceful elegance that can shower you in its comforting warmth and romantic beauty.  If you’re searching for a wonderful fragrance for holiday gift buying, this floral can definitely brighten the spirit, even on the coldest day.

This fragrance opens briefly with a bubbly and fresh radiance from its citrus notes of bergamot and mandarin.  You can’t help but take notice of its bright spirit.

As this fragrance soon warms, the initial brightness sheers  when it comes in contact with the floral notes of honeysuckle, white tea and jasmine in the heart.  It is a delicate feeling of romantic bliss that surfaces like you’re privileged to share.

By the time this scent dries down, the base notes of sandalwood, heliotrope and vanilla temper it for a sensual, inviting warmth that lingers.

Anyone on your gift list that loves soft-spoken floral fragrances would adore Molton Brown’s Blossoming Honeysuckle & White Tea Eau de Toilette ($65.00).  I know that I do.  Find this fragrance and other great holiday gift options at the company’s website.


Monday, October 30, 2017

Rimmel #Insta Conceal & Correct Review--Keeping Flaws Secret

closed #instant conceal & correct palette.jpeg
This product has amazing coverage for being so lightweight.


Rimmel London launched a few new #Insta products.  Today, I want to tell you about #Insta Conceal & Correct for hiding flaws such as darkness under the eyes, problems with redness to any places on your face that could use a boost of brightness. 


opened #insta conceal & correct palette.jpeg
The colors appear darker until you use them.


This palette consists of three cream shades and comes in one option, 001 Universal for all skin tones.  In the compact, the shades appear deeper than they actually are until swatched when they lighten up.  The first color is peach, but changes into a pale beige once you use it.  This is the shade that is intended to cover dark circles.

The second color is sort of a sea foam green color.  This shade is for help with redness.

The last shade is a lavender color. It is meant for dealing with dull spots on your face that could benefit with some brightness.

I was really surprised how creamy and wonderfully this product blended, especially for under the eyes without feeling too thick. I do have a problem with darkness toward the outer sides of my eyes, but this product amazingly did the trick.  For feeling so lightweight, it managed to hide the darkness quite well without the black surfacing or the need of several layers of coverage.  

I also loved the convenience of having one palette instead of reaching for another product to help brighten up that area at the same time.

For a product that retails for about $6.99 at drugstores, the Rimmel #Insta Conceal & Correct Palette did more for my under eye darkness than I ever expected.  If also have some problems that you need to hide, you need to try this one for yourself.  


Sunday, October 29, 2017

Molton Brown Stocking Fillers Christmas Gift Collection Review: A Fragrance Gift to Savor!

stocking-fillers-christmas-gift-collection-with-lid.jpeg
This gift has 10 fragrant reasons why you'll want to spend more time in the tub.


When you intend to pamper that special someone, you want to do it right.  One gift that can never fail is a set of luxurious fragrant body washes in a glorious array of scents to match her or his moods from bright, spicy to captivating floral from Molton Brown.  A tempting bath and body set choice is their Stocking Fillers Christmas Gift Collection that I received for this review.  

This is a beautiful set in a lovely, festive red box that came complete with a bow.  Inside, there are 10 different bottles, each 1.7 fl. oz.  


The fragrances include:

Coco & Sandalwood Bath & Shower Gel – This is a gently seductive spicy blend.
Rosa Absolute Bath & Shower Gel – I feel this is an ideal floral tribute to the rose.
Orange & Bergamot Body Wash – Here is a bright citrus. 
Eucalyptus Body Wash – This one is uplifting and refreshing.
Bushukan Body Wash – Here is a scent that is woody and yet fresh.
Ylang-Ylang Body Wash – I consider this yellow floral a delight of notes.
Gingerlily Body Wash – This is an oriental floral.
Black Peppercorn Body Wash – Here is warm and spicy.
Pink Pepperpod Body Wash – This one is energetic and spicy.
Tobacco Absolute Bath & Shower Gel – This is a blend of spicy woods with a touch of sweetness.

What I appreciate about Molton Brown is that they craft their fragrances from traveling the world to bring those faraway notes to the consumer to enjoy in each bewitching composition.

If you’re shopping for a perfume lover, then you can’t go wrong with a fragrant collection of 10 outstanding bath and body products to satisfy their fragrance addiction.  Visit Molton Brown to find this Stocking Fillers Christmas Gift Collection ($50) or other great holiday gift options!


Saturday, October 28, 2017

The Upbra Review: Helps Boost Cleavage for a Sexier Figure

Upbra-in-package.jpeg
This is the Convertible Bra that provides a lot of ways to wear it.


Some women are blessed by nature with perfect size breasts.  Others like me not so much.  This is why I was more than happy to review The Upbra when the company reached out to see if their unique design really could create believable cleavage without tons of padding.   

I hate bra shopping anyway.  Going store to store and undressing trying to find a good fit is such a pain.  Sometimes, you find comfortable ones but they really don’t help enhance size that much.  Other styles may pump up breast size, but may dig into the breastbone or overly exaggerate my girls like I’m wearing falsies, which is not how I like it.  I expect comfort, supportive lift, smoothness, and just enough padding that is realistic to build up my breasts over being obvious.

The-Upbra-T-shirt-bra.jpeg
Here is the T-Shirt Bra.

The Upbra ActiveLift technology is different from other bra designs.  Besides lifting the boobs from the bra straps, it features cleavage control straps under the bra cups.  The bra cups inside are specially distinct to this system being composed of vinyl hearts for help arranging the boobs in position.  Once you put the bra on and adjust your girls, you take the control straps and pull tight for the amount of cleavage you need before hooking them beneath.  

The-Upbra-design-with-straps.jpeg
Those inside control straps are what you pull tight and later hook in place.

There are quite a few spots that you can hook the straps into to vary the look of your cleavage.  At first, it can take practice fumbling for a hook because they’re hidden inside, but it becomes easier the more you play with it. 

The styles I tried were the T-shirt Bra ($77.00)  and the Convertible Bra ($79.00) that you adjust the straps to accommodate the style of the outfit.  I usually take a 36B, but these sizes run a bit large.  For example, the cups fit my girls perfectly.  The problem was the fit around the breastbone.

I forgot to mention The Upbra has four hooks to fasten compared to the usual three. The fit you should aim for is snug enough to hook into the first or second hooks.  The reason for this extra hook is that the bra may stretch in time.  It was the extra hook around the breastbone that accounted for the looser fit.  I would have had a better fit going smaller around the breastbone and keeping the same cup size.  Keep this extra hook in mind because it adds additional length around the breastbone when selecting the right size.

The company sends a booklet with help on getting the right fit as well.  According to the advice, I should have gone with the 34C (if a smaller band was needed) or 34B (if smaller cup/band was needed).  

The Upbra does help create believable cleavage and is an especially wonderful addition to any wardrobe when dressing for special occasions such as holiday parties that will be coming up.  It also makes a great holiday gift for any lady on your list to make her feel sexier than ever.  To learn more or buy, visit The Upbra’s website. 


Friday, October 27, 2017

Three Keune Damaged Hair Solutions–New Care Vital Nutrition Protein Spray, Porosity Filler and Thermal Cream

trio-of-care-vital- nutrition-hair-products.jpeg
If you haven't had luck with repairing your damaged, weak hair, this new Keune trio may be just what you need. 



Healthy, strong hair is what we all strive for.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case as many of us know.  What we do to beautify it with strong chemical processes like hair coloring, perms, straightening to styling tools can also weaken and damage it. The good news is I tried three recently released salon hair products from Keune Haircosmetics Care Vital Nutrition line with their Protein Spray, Porosity Filler and Thermal Cream that are amazing to revitalize texture and shine while strengthening due to their patented Essential Mineral Complex of zinc, copper, silicum, iron, and magnesium.

The first one you need to be aware of is Keune Care Vital Nutrition Protein Spray ($31.00) that is intended to use before, during or after hair coloring or any texturizing treatment.  This product arrived at exactly the right time.  My hair was suffering and ready for fresh hair color, but I needed some serious conditioning first.

After shampooing and using an instant conditioner, I gave my hair a few, short blasts of this spray.  I dried and styled as usual, finding it somewhat softer with more shine.  However, the next time I washed and dried again, I skipped the spray.   Believe it or not, the product had to penetrate deeply into the hair because once I finished styling it felt softer to the touch, even without any more help from that spray.  This product is fantastic to keep on your vanity when your hair gets to the ugly, hard stage when you don’t have time to deep condition, but need more than a shine spray can provide with texture repair. 

I don’t know if regular hair coloring or diet is why I seem to find my hair all over, but I do shed. Inside this box that arrived, I found Keune’s new Vital Nutrition Porosity Filler ($34.00).  This product is enriched with ceramide and wheat proteins to boost hair strength through a special nutri-injection technology that is formulated to create a protective shield around the damage as it repairs and adds moisture to the hair.  

Ceramides are found inside the hair cuticle, a lipid, acting to lock the hair in place.  Aging decreases the body’s natural ceramide production, which can result in hair loss and dry, damaged hair.  The formula works because it supplements that insufficient ceramide along with wheat proteins to alter the structure of the hair for the better.

This product is in between a gel and a cream that can be used on damp or dry hair.  I tried after shampooing working in three drops (you don’t need much) before blow-drying and styling.  So far, I didn’t shed nearly as much.  Also, this does make the hair quite glossy.  I will keep using it.

Keune Care Vital Nutrition Thermal Cream ($30.00) was another new fall launch.  This is protective cream that also has their nutri-injection technology to shield damaged hair from any further abuse from intense heat while styling as it repairs.  This product is awesome for repairing while protecting vulnerable hair for the kind of finish to your hair that you’ll be proud of.

If you have damaged, weak hair and tried your share of products that didn’t do much, I suggest trying the Keune Care Vital Nutrition Protein Spray, Porosity Filler and Thermal Cream to see the difference.  You can only find these hair care products at your salon or visit Keune’s Haircosmetics website to find a salon location near you.  


Thursday, October 26, 2017

Keep Your Cheese From Developing Mold With This DIY Trick

cheddar-cheese.jpeg
Save your cheese!


Since I like to bake my own breads and pizzas from scratch, I pick up my dry yeast and a big four or a five-pound block of mozzarella cheese at GFS Marketplace (Gordon’s Food Service), being the cheapest place in my area to buy those two items.  

What I do is cut and freeze pieces of the cheese, only leaving one piece in my refrigerator at a time.  Before I ever tried this tip, I would just take my chances and hope to use the cheese before it would get any mold.

Then I found this wonderful trick to keep any variety of a block cheese fresher longer. Take two tablespoons of salt, add three cups of water and mix it thoroughly before immersing a paper towel in the mix.  

After that paper towel is saturated, you loosely place it over your piece of cheese to cover before returning to your container in the refrigerator.  Believe it or not, this does help prevent mold from growing.  The reason this works so well is that salt once dehydrated can stop microbial mold spores from forming.

I tried this salt and water trick on a hunk of cheddar cheese and got the same great results as well. I hope you also try this and my bread and pizza recipe because you’ll love them.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Best Sleep Inducing Scents to Help You Drift Off

woman-reclining-on-bed.jpeg
This post may help you fall asleep faster and discover how to have more pleasant dreams!


Though we try our best to get enough sleep, it is easier said than done at times.  Regardless of how we attempt to block out the events of the day, they often follow us to the bedroom to make sleep a challenge.  The right scents, however, have the power to affect the olfactory receptors of the brain to calm as well as help the type of dreams we have.  

Essential oils from nature are the most potent source to benefit from aromatherapy. Some experts believe the essential oils’ molecules directly stimulate the brain to influence it.  Others feel that those molecules once in contact with the blood and hormones or enzymes are what cause the brain to react with a mental or physical change.  

Thus, you are always best to stick with essential oils like lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, and geranium for easing into a peaceful night of rest. If you feel stressed to the point that your blood pressure is rising, then the scent of neroli oil may help even more to bring it down.

Did you know that the scent of rose can help you experience more pleasant dreams?  According to researchers at one university hospital in Germany, the scent of rose during the dreaming state of sleep (REM) when the higher regions of the brain’s thinking processes kick in about every 90 minutes during the sleep cycle can alter the feeling of the dream.

In fact, you might want to try my DIY herbal sleep potion potpourri to help reduce stress and sleep or my DIY Sleep Spray.  They also have rose for improving the quality of your dreams.  

For other ways to improve your odds of more sleep, do read my earlier post.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Burt’s Bees Skin Nourishment Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Day Lotion, Hydrating Gel Cream, and Night Cream Review

skin-nourishment-products.jpeg
If you hate heavy feeling skin care products, then the Burt Bee's Skin Nourishment line is one that you would love.


Royal jelly is the milky substance that worker bees feed their queen.  This rich secretion also happens to be very nourishing for the skin due to all its macronutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids.  Being the case, I was curious how Burt’s Bees Skin Nourishment natural skin care line featuring royal jelly would treat my complexion.

The first product I sampled was the Skin Nourishment Gentle Foaming Cleanser that later rinses makeup and grime off with water.  This product has a pump dispenser and retails for $10.00.  


This cleanser produces more of a thinner foam than you may be used to.  Regardless, it took my makeup off easily once massaging it in, including eyeliner without all that much. I don’t know how it would work on waterproof formulas, but it dissolved what I had on and rinsed off leaving my skin clean and supple.

For daytime, I tried the Skin Nourishment Day Lotion SPF 15 broad spectrum protection ($18.00).  This is another product that has a pump dispenser, which I love to find when hunting for a moisturizing lotion for ease of use and keeping it more sanitary.

I liked the rich consistency and it spread well to make my skin feel like satin.  It reminded me of L’Occitane’s Angelica UV Shield SPF 40, if you ever tried that one.  This lotion wasn’t too oily, but I did have a slight glow. It also wasn’t too heavy and made my dry skin comfortable.   

The Skin Nourishment Hydrating Gel Cream ($18.00) is not quite a cream or a gel, but pleasingly in between with a distinct texture. Though it is intended for normal to combination skin, this lighter than a traditional cream formula wonderfully hydrated my skin and left a smoother complexion. 

Finally, I experimented with the Skin Nourishment Night Cream ($18.00).  This royal jelly formulated product has a luxurious, creamy texture that absorbed quickly once applied.   A little of this gentle cream does go a long way to satisfy even my dry skin with ample moisture.  What I noticed in the morning was a smoother texture and a gradual bit of added luminosity as well.

I was happy with how these products worked for my dry skin and will no doubt buy them in the future.  Judging by the textures and how they worked on my skin, I believe normal and combination complexions will benefit even more so do check Burt’s Bees Skin Nourishment products online and your local drugstores.


Monday, October 23, 2017

Zakia Moroccan Hammam Home Rose Spa Kit 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.**

Hammam-spa-kit-and-bag.jpeg
Your skin will invite caresses after using these products!


Losing yourself to a relaxing bit of private time in the tub is an essential part of my life.  I believe everyone deserves pampering for cleansing and revitalizing the skin but also as a way to reduce stress and tense muscles after a long day.  Thanks to Zakia Morocco, I experienced a bathing ritual similar to a genuine Hammam Moroccan bathhouse with their Hammam Home Spa Kit.

The Hammam Home Spa Kit ($39.99) is available in eight fragrances, but I chose the Moroccan Rose. It includes a Moroccan Black Soap, 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil, Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Mask, Loofah Leather Poof, and a Moroccan Kessa Exfoliating Glove and Toiletry Bag.

spa-kit-without-toiletry-bag.jpeg
I want to try the Amber Musk Black Soap next, only in the larger 16 oz. size.
What I did was to shower first to prep my body for the Moroccan Black Soap. At first glance, this 100% natural olive oil planted based castile and argan oil soap is a murky dark green color in the jar that doesn’t look very appealing.  I dug my fingers into this rose-scented goop and slowly rubbed the product over my body.  Instead of a foamy lather like a body gel or wash, this is creamier with more light suds.  After I had everything covered, I further worked the soap in with the help of the loofah leather poof.  

There was also a jar of mineral-rich Moroccan Ghassoul Clay Mask for a deep facial or cleansing hair to get rid of lingering styling products.  This is a fine powder that I reconstituted with about two tablespoons of warm water first.  Since my complexion is on the dry side, I wanted to use this mask on my hair since I was planning to color it soon.   I worked the mask into my wet hair and left in on as well while waiting for the soap to dry.

Afterwards, I waited about five minutes until my skin tingled slightly.  This was my signal to rinse the soap off and about the right time to rinse out the hair mask.

This was my clue to work with the Kessa Exfoliating Glove.  Once against my skin, it left my body even softer than it felt after that moisturizing soap.  Using a light pressure, I rubbed my damp back and other parts as gently as possible with a back and forth motion.  In the process, some dead skin fell away. You don’t use this Kessa Glove each time only once a week.  

After giving myself one final rinsing, I dried but kept my skin slightly damp before immediately applying the Moroccan Argan Oil sparingly.  This was fast absorbing and made my skin as soft as silk from how its abundant vitamin E nourished the skin, deeply moisturizing to almost seal in the remaining drops of water like a protective coat.

Furthermore, my hair once dried was glossier and felt lighter somehow.  I really liked this product much more than a clarifying shampoo for lifting all that accumulation of hair styling products. 

I honestly loved how extra soft my skin felt using the Zakia Moroccan Hammam Spa Kit compared to a body wash or gel and a nylon pouf.  If you want incredible feeling skin, I urge you to try this kit yourself or put it on your holiday gift buying list because would be a hit by any beauty lover.  Check it out at Zakia Morocco’s website!

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Goodbeing Natural Beauty/Lifestyle Subscription Box October 2017 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.**

Goodbeing-October-2017-box.jpeg
This month I found $65.40 worth of natural beauty in the October 2017 Goodbeing box.


Anyone trying to find healthier beauty and sustainable living products to better your life would find a natural beauty/lifestyle subscription box helpful.  With one such as Goodbeing, you can become acquainted with new natural brands to start you on your way.

Each month Goodbeing sends out a box with four to five full and sample size products for $24.95 and free USA shipping.  You also get to pick two products that will go into your box, which really helps improve your odds of getting items that you’ll love.

If you want a smaller assortment, you can opt for the $9.95 a month mini box with two products instead.  You can specify the standard natural beauty box or the lifestyle box such as what I was sent for October 2017. 

Goodbeing Standard Box October 2017 

1.  Afterspa Sleep Mask–(Full Size)-----------------------------------------------------------$12.00
2.  Orglamix Miracle Worker Color Correcting Cream (Full Size)-----------------------$18.00
3.  Oneself Organics Hawaiian Flower Lei Perfume ( 2ml Sample)---------------------$9.80
4.  Modicum #3 Essential Serum (10ml Sample)-------------------------------------------$21.60
5.  Isa’s Restoratives Immortelle Beauty Balm (1/8 oz. Sample)-------------------------$4.00

Total Approximate Value: $65.40!


Afterspa Sleep Mask can fit any head.  It’s light, contours to the eyes and fastens in place with velcro.

The Orglamix Miracle Worker Color Correcting Cream is to hide skin problems and brighten without any harmful ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals, and synthetic fragrances.  This warm yellow cream has a light consistency that can be built up while covering imperfections in multiple areas from under eye darkness to redness quite well.

Oneself Organics Hawaiian Flower Lei Perfume is the easiest way to experience the welcoming floral scent of  tropical paradise.  I just wish it was a larger size.

Modicum #3 Essential Serum was a great skin care find for hydrating and anti-aging. This intensive serum was packed with superb ingredients such as sea buckthorn berry oil, black cumin seed oil, rose damascus, and Helichrysum oil.           

Isa’s Restoratives Immortelle Beauty Balm is another winning facial skin care discovery.  It has sea buckthorn and is rich with capuacu butter from the Amazon rainforest, murumuru, Helichrysum among other beneficial ingredients.  This anti-aging balm restores moisture, helps heal inflammation and renew cells to promote a younger complexion. You apply this balm a bit differently by warming a small amount between your hands first before patting into your skin.  

I really thought it a nice box with excellent value.  The skin care was my favorite this month. The sleep mask was the only product that I could have done without. I will be giving that a cousin that uses them.  I, on the other hand, just need to close my eyes and I’m good.

If you’re serious about escaping chemicals in beauty and life, I recommend Goodbeing on your journey.  Check them out!

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Recipe: Try My Easy Blender Potato or Macaroni Salad Dressing

potato-salad-in-casserole.jpeg
This dressing is a bit lighter than your usual regular mayo-based version, but tastes just as rich.



I was in the mood for potato salad and decided to make a batch this morning.  The dressing I prefer is this one for the blender that has a bit lighter taste than a straight mayo-based version.   My recipe uses prepared mustard, milk, less vinegar than some other recipes to a tad of sugar, pepper, onion, salt, and pepper to curb the mayonnaise in a delicious way. 

Besides macaroni salad, you can store any extra in the refrigerator for next time or use on baked potatoes or over a green salad for a wonderful change of pace.  

I hope that you decide to give my recipe a try because I think that you’ll love it.


My Easy Blender Potato Salad Dressing
bowl-with-potato-salad.jpeg
This dressing is also great on baked potatoes to green salads, if you have any left.


½ cups of milk
1 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of sugar
1 tablespoon of prepared mustard
1 small onion, quartered
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup of mayonnaise or Salad dressing
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
paprika to sprinkle on top


Place the onion that you have quartered into your blender along with everything except the mayo and vinegar.  Put on chop mode, then blend a few seconds longer before adding the mayo and vinegar.  Pulse until you get a creamy consistency.

Pour over your waiting potato salad.  

Sprinkle paprika over the top, then cover and refrigerate until cold and ready to serve.

ENJOY!

Friday, October 20, 2017

A Gentle Natural DIY Facial Exfoliator That Sensitive Complexions Need to Try

oil.jpeg
Your kitchen is a handy place to turn when it comes to skin care.

All the makeup that we regularly apply does leave minuscule traces behind.  Though we do our best to remove our products, our facial cleansers and toners can only do so much unless we make it a point to exfoliate.  Of course, you can buy exfoliating products as scrubs to facial peel pads, etc. to deep clean the pores and resurface the complexion.  However, your kitchen is also another alternative with plenty of ingredients that can help such as this wonderful DIY facial exfoliator recipe for sensitive skin.

This one uses brown sugar, which has a finer grain than table sugar that could be a bit more irritating.  I also like to use sesame oil in this recipe to help with the glide but also for the benefit its rich fatty acids have for skin from antibacterial to anti-inflammatory properties.  

This recipe is so simple.  Mix one tablespoon of brown sugar to one half teaspoon of sesame oil before applying to your freshly washed face.  You do want to work quickly when using this oil since it can absorb somewhat compared to one like olive oil. Using olive oil is fine with my dry skin, but I like the feel of less grease against my face that the sesame oil provides as well as the way it disinfects.

Another gentle DIY exfoliator is the one I shared using baking soda with some of your facial cleanser that you might want to check out.  This one does a nice job without causing any redness.

Exfoliation is a must especially with all these new chemical ingredients that continue to appear in our makeup and skin care products that could be accumulating deep within the skin.  Allowing those ingredients to remain could eventually take a toll on your beautiful complexion if you don’t take your skin care seriously.  Therefore, take a few extra minutes once a week or every other week to help your skin recover through exfoliation to keep beautiful!  

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Goldwell Kerasilk Hair Perfumes Review: Why This Line Needs to Be on Your Shopping List

goldwell-hair-perfumes.jpeg
These add an extra special touch to hair!


Before hair perfumes became popular, I used to like to mist my hair with my regular fragrance until it started drying my hair too much due to the amount of its alcohol. Later, to avoid direct contact with the strands, I tried spraying my hairbrush first before using on my head.  This was a better approach, but it truly didn’t transfer as much of the scent as I had hoped.  Thankfully, the industry stepped in with all the new products that came out.  One line that I am particularly excited about is Goldwell’s line of Kerasilk Hair Perfumes that I have been using lately.

The line consists of four different scents: Control, Color, Reconstruct, and Repower.  Each is lovely in its own right and can also be worn on the skin, if you want to take more of its beauty with you.

Kerasilk Control is a warm and sensual mix of oriental and wood notes.
Kerasilk Color is a romantic blend of rose and sexy musk that is hard to resist.
Kerasilk Reconstruct is a feminine chypre floral sensation of magnolia-jasmine and patchouli and those haunting notes of amber, tobacco and musk.
Kerasilk Repower offers a freesia and lily against citrus for a sort of airy freshness like those notes are floating on water.

Besides leaving a light, but enticing scent that lingers on the hair, there are other wonderful advantages to Goldwell Kerasilk Hair Perfumes.  They also help give the hair extra shine without making it to feel tacky or hard.  Furthermore, they won’t clash with your regular perfumes.

I really loved them all, but I have to admit that Repower was my favorite.  This is the perfect time to start thinking of the holidays to get yourself ready for those special occasions or just to put on your gift buying list.  

A full-size 1.6 oz. bottle retails around $28 in the USA.  For more information, visit Goldwell.  Check them out!


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

How to Pick Out the Right Brush for Your Hair in Order to Best Bring Out Its Beauty

round-hairbrushes.jpeg
Your choice of hair brush matters.  Do you know the best one for your hair type?



In the past, women would regularly brush their hair with many strokes before bedtime to distribute and smooth the oils for that healthy shine.  This is no longer needed due to all the advances in hair care products that benefit the hair in almost the same way.  Now we can just pick the right brush for our hair’s texture and maximize the style and volume. Here are some hair brush selection tips to keep in mind.

A round brush is what you want to help build volume at the crown or bending the ends when drying.  This type works with any hair texture.  Consider the size of the barrel and the length of your hair first.  The shorter the hair, the smaller the barrel should be. Barrel size increases for medium to longer hair.

The cushion brush is the kindest method for detangling hair of any length into a smooth style.  This is especially helpful for anyone with fine, straight or wavy hair.  The reason this is the best brush is because the cushion limits any forceful tugging to damage it.

On the other hand, a wet brush is similar to a cushion brush, only with wider pins.  This is especially helpful for fine, straight or wavy hair to use when wet before drying. Using this type of brush better protects fragile wet hair from being ripped.

The paddle brush is great for most hair textures except thick or curly.  This type is the one ideal for creating straight, smooth one length style.  This is not the brush that will help if you have layered hair.  

Those with a lot of thick, coarse hair need a vent brush.  The holes in the design help with getting the tangles but also speed up blow-drying.

Thermal brushes are what you want for locking in more enduring curls when drying.   Material such as ceramic or titanium of its inner core is what heat the brush up almost to mimic a curling iron.  

If you keep these different hair brush designs in mind, you’ll more likely have better luck with your hair.  

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Molton Brown Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Eau de Toilette 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.**


Mesmerising-Oudh-perfume-unboxed.jpeg
This is cozy, but elegant oriental fragrance that you'll adore.



If you’re having trouble finding that perfect cold weather fragrance, then look no more because I discovered one from Molton Brown that totally has me smitten. Though Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Eau de Toilette launched in 2015, this was the first time I ever sampled its heady oriental beauty that I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.

This is not a heavily spicy fragrance, but a luxurious unisex one with a sweet honey creaminess against the mossy wood accord.  The effect is a masterful mellowing of the spices in a way that is elegant and so intriguing in how it plays out.  

The top notes are cinnamon leaf oil and nutmeg oil, which blend spice and sweetness, smoothing the two so neither dominates. Yet, you already are drawn into its allure.

As the fragrance further warms in the heart, you experience more of its richness from notes of elemi oil, myrrh oil and black tea accord.  At this stage, the scent becomes a bit drier and more mysterious for how those notes mingle.

By the time the fragrance dries down in the base, it has a powdery, smoky quality due to  a graceful marriage of sweet to spice that is quite sophisticated. 

Those looking for a fabulous and unique winter fragrance or for holiday gift giving should visit Molton Brown for Mesmerizing Oudh Accord & Gold Eau de Toilette ($65).  Honestly, it shouldn't be missed!

Monday, October 16, 2017

Exciting Fall 2017 Lip and Nail Color Inspiration from Rimmel and Sally Hansen

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

Sally-Hansen-nail-polishes.jpeg
Going from left to right is Society Ruler, Ruby Do and ending with Slicks and Stones.


For both Rimmel London and Sally Hansen, plum is the word to show off lips and nails this season.  From a brighter raspberry-infused plum to a vampy eggplant purple, Rimmel has Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colours in Plum This Show (810) and Midnight (800) to create that ideal velvety matte smoothness that is so popular.  


two-Rimmel-Stay-Matte-Lip-Colours.jpeg
On the left is Midnight with Plum This Show on the right.


Nails are treated to the same rich degree of bold color with Sally Hansen’s Salon Manicure Ruby Do (490) and Society Ruler (418)Ruby Do is a sophisticated wine with underlying red that is gorgeous especially against paler skin once tans begin fading.  Society Ruler is a dark plum that almost reminds me of grape jelly.  In the Color Therapy line, you might want to try Slicks and Stones (390), which is an exciting dark purple with multi-colored shimmers.

Whatever your favorite plum preference happens to be, here are some great inexpensive choices to play up your lips and nails.  My advice is to check out these particular shades in their Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colours, Salon Manicure and Color Therapy nail polish lines at your local drugstores or wherever you shop for Rimmel and Sally Hansen products.  

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Makeup Trends for Fall 2017 and Winter 2018


woman-with-huge-false-lashes.jpeg
Extreme lashes and bold, dark lips are in store for fall 2017
The major fashion houses pave the way for each season of beauty and styles.  Most of the trends are exciting with different takes on hues and changes to application techniques that you can’t wait to try. Others may work just for models on the runway or a jetsetter that has a need to stand out, but some can be a bit ridiculous for the average woman’s life unless we spin from them in another way.    

For instance, would you wear a set of overly long false lashes that go beyond your brows and pencil in huge bottom lashes?  The effect, when you close your eyes, is a tiny eye peering through a jungle of sprouting hair?  How is this attractive? 

Longer bottom lashes are going to be major this autumn, but instead of distorting them in that fashion, we can still use that idea and benefit.  A few coats of mascara are less extreme and more suitable for everyday life. 

Even worse, what is appealing about adhering an extra set of false lashes to your crease that is set off with bright color?  If I saw lashes springing from the middle of my eyelids, I would be rushing to the doctor thinking that my hormones were suddenly going haywire.  Long, lash lashes from one set in the normal spot bring attention to magnify eyes, but making the eyelids a mass of hair is ugly in my opinion. 

beautiful-woman-with-minimal-makeup.jpeg
Red lips and minimal makeup also will be just as trendy.
Instead, take advantage of playing with the bright and sunset colors, jewel tones for creating smoky eyes and the metallic shadows, but lose that extra pair of false eyelashes for the creases.  If you want to call attention, substitute liner if you feel that you need it there or experiment with color blocking or bright with a dark, smoky shade for a gorgeous effect.

Lip color this season ranges from deep blood red, burgundies, luscious takes of berries to natural shades in mattes and less shiny gloss.  Still, there is another trend that I do not feel is becoming is gold, silver, platinum blocking on the lips, appearing like you have a piece of metal wedged to go along with graphic smoky eyes.  What makes the look of a square of metal between the lips beautiful? 

Instead, why not use those beautiful new lips colors along with gold and silver only to highlight the cupid’s bow?  

I posted some examples at Pinterest on my Makeup Trends to the Extreme for Fall 2017 board that you may want to check.  

Fashion houses only provide the creative starting point.  The rest is up to us to fuel our inspiration in the best way we see fit to work into our own lives.