The Cheap Diva

Fresh Scents to Complement Your Winter Fashions

Wearing a light floral summer scent with cozy cold weather fashions is like wearing flimsy flip flops with a heavy winter coat. A change in seasonal wardrobe calls for a change in fragrance. One of the best places to find fabulous seasonal fragrances is Bath and Body works. Their collection of fragrance mists offer a sophisticated blend of fragrances delivered in a conditioning aloe mist the nourishes the skin.

 

Snowkissed Sugar is a sweet treat for the senses.

Top Notes: Sparkling Lemon, Juicy Blackberry, White Peach

Mid Notes: White Chocolate, Vanilla Orchid Jungle Essence, Plum Nectar

Dry Notes: Toasted Coconut, Sandalwood, Sugared Musk, Vanilla Infusion

 

 

For a refreshing twist on cool weather fragrance, indulge in Twisted Peppermint. 

Top Notes: Cool Peppermint

Mid Notes: Sugared SnowDry Notes: Vanilla Buttercream, Fresh Balsam, Hint of Musk...

 

 

Get into the holiday spirit and have a very Merry Berry Christmas!

Top Notes: Frosted Raspberries, Holly Berries, Kir Royale Accord, Crystalized Orange Zest

Mid Notes: Pink Prosecco, Jasmine Wreath, Crème de Cognac

Dry Notes: Red Velvet Vodka, Skin Musk, Crystal Musk

Have a Great Hair Day with this Versatile Comb

It wasn't until I tossed out my old falling apart comb that I realized how much I depend on my comb to make my hair look presentable. A wide tooth comb is great in the shower to help comb conditioner evenly throughout your hair. A fine tooth comb is better for dry hair that just needs a comb out to look your best. I discovered that Bass Large Ladies Fine/Wide Tooth Combination Comb at my local Natural Grocers for under $5.00 while I was out grocery shopping. This durable comb features both wide tooth and fine tooth options to address any hair care needs. This acrylic comb feels more solid than the flimsy comb I had before so I expect to enjoy many good hair days ahead. Bass Large Ladies Fine/Wide Tooth Combination Comb is available on amazon.com at the rip off price of over $14.00! My suggestion is the next time you are doing a grocery run at your local Natural Grocers, check out their beauty department for this versatile comb.                                

Cheap Shampoo Delivers Smoother, Silkier Hair

I used Giovanni brand shampoo for years because this "natural" shampoo is not only easy on the environment but also easy on my budget. Giovanni is a budget friendly beauty brand that you find at mass retailers and some grocery stores.

I was satisfied but not exactly excited about their line of shampoos until I discovered their 2Chic Brazilian Keratin and Argan Oil  Ultra-Sleek Shampoo. For the first time I noticed a real difference in my hair after using this shampoo. It must have some built in conditioners because after using it a while my hair is smoother with a silkier texture and less prone to frizzing. The shampoo doesn't completely eliminate the need to lightly apply frizz serum in spots, but after using this regularly I no longer need to use a conditioner after I shampoo, which saves me even more money. 

The one downside of a smoothing or conditioning shampoo is that the product can build up on the hair over a period of time and weigh it down. If you die your hair or if your hair starts to look a little limp, I suggest using a shampoo that is NOT smoothing or conditioning a few times to remove any product buildup before dying your hair. Giovanni brand shampoos often retail for under $10.00 a bottle so buying an extra bottle shouldn't break the bank.

Dramatic Lip Looks from NYX Cosmetics

The arrival of cool weather suddenly makes all my bright lip glosses appear out of season, like I didn't get the memo that summer is over and it's time to wear deeper shades of makeup to go with the dark colors in my fall wardrobe. A change of season is a good excuse to buy a fabulous new lip gloss. Here are lip looks from ULTA that provide a cheap and easy way to update your beauty look.

The NYX Chunky Dunk Hydrating Lippie 4 Piece Collection offers a wardrobe of different lip colors making it easy to change your makeup look as easily the way you  change outfits. The smooth as satin formula goes on light and sheer at first, but builds in intensity the more you apply. The chunky pencils never needs sharpening, the package propels and retracts for s0 no product is wasted.

Available in a variety of irresistible flavors, Honeybee Gardens Luscious Lip Gloss is enriched with the kind of ingredients your lips love, including Vitamin E , cocoa butter, olive oil and shea butter. The ultra-moisturizing lip gloss provides long-lasting shine without the sticky texture often found in other lip glosses. It comes in great neutral shades to enhance any skin tone.

Revamp your favorite lip looks with a stroke of NYX Cosmetics wicked V'amped Up Lip Top Coat. This clever glossy pencil instantly transforms light lip colors into deep, vampy shades so you can enjoy a darker and richer variation of your favorite lipstick colors. This glossy pencil moisturizes your lips with shea butter and vitamin E so your lips stay soft and smooth.

Intoxicating Fragrances that Travel Well

You don't have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy these tempting scents inspired by lush vineyards from Bath & Body Works. Like many of their scented products, the fine wine inspired mists, lotions and shower gels are available in travel size so you can refresh your scent where ever you go.

Transport your senses to wine country with Sonoma Weekend Escape fragrance mist. This fruity fragrance has top notes of  Bergamot, Blackberry, Sparkling Lemon, Sonoma Peach, Mandarin, and Pear Nectar. Mid Notes are Sheer Muguet and Peony. Dry Notes consist of Vanilla, Golden Amber, Creamy Musk, Moss and Sundrenched Oak scents for a well rounded fragrance. 

Break out the bubbly and celebrate the finer things with Vineyard Champagne Kiss fragrance mist. This mist features top notes of Festive Red Currant, Pink Champagne,  Frozen Melon, and Blushing Berries. Mid Notes are Jasmine Flower, Fleshy Nectarine, Black Currant, and Juicy Pomegranate. Dry notes consist of Sweet Plum Wood, Creamy Sugared Musk, and Vanilla Bean Extract.

 

Like shadows cast by the setting sun, the delectable ingredients of this Napa Valley Sunset fragrance mist evoke a bit dark and mysterious sensibility. The luscious fragrance mist features top notes of Vineyard Pomegranate and Wild Raspberry. Mid notes are Napa Valley Plum, Black Fig. Dry notes of warm Golden Amber and California Cedarwood complete this complex fragrance.

Cover Your Gray Hair Instantly

Nothing ruins the illusion of a natural looking dye job more that a strip of gray roots running down your hair part like a skunk stripe. If like me you are too cheap to go running to the salon every few weeks to get your roots dyed and you just want to instantly and temporarily hide your roots, you are going to love Cover your gray, a 2 in 1 hair color touch up.

This brush on root touch up has two brushes, a wand and sponge tip applicator. You are supposed to use the sponge tip for root application and the mascara wand to conceal long streaks of gray hair. I prefer to use the mascara wand for my root touch up and I was very happy with the results. I applied the medium brown shade to my roots and the gray instantly disappeared. The color looked so natural it blended in with my current hair color. I applied Cover your gray in the morning and even after a long day that included walking and hiking up hundreds of steps and sweating it out on one of the hottest days of the year, my hair color still looked fresh and didn't run. The rest of me may have looked like a wet rag, but my hair color touch up looked great.

 

Look Good and Do Good with Eco Tools Hair Brushes

Eco Tools is saving the planet one good hair day at a time! OK that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I am impressed with the line of Eco Tools hair brushes I discovered at my local ULTA store. The Quick Volume Styler hair brush I bought is crafted with a bamboo handle (an easily renewable resource), repurposed aluminum, and cruelty free bristles all contained in a recycled paper package. The eco friendly materials used in this and other Eco Tools beauty brushes makes me feel good about buying products from them. Of course what really makes me feel good about buying an Eco Tools hair brush is how well it works. By using a round brush while my hair is damp, I can skip the curling iron and simply style my hair, letting it dry naturally.  

Getting a Massage at Your Local Shopping Mall

I was bored with bargain shopping so I decided to try something new and different and get a massage at an Oriental massage place inside the mall. I had passed this massage place countless times and I was curious about the types of massage offered there. I decided to give it a shot and get a 30 minute reflexology foot massage for a little under $30.00.

I sat in a clean, dimly lit room on a comfortable adjustable bed with soft instrumental music playing in the background while the massage therapist worked on my feet and lower legs, massaging them, relieving tension with her knuckles and even pounding on my feet and legs towards the end. I wasn't thrilled about the pounding part, but overall I found the whole experience so relaxing I would consider getting a massage there again. Occasionally I have had the opportunity to get massages from professional massage therapists and the quality of the service I received at the mall was just as good as a fancy salon or anywhere else I have gone.

When I think of getting a massage the first place that comes to mind is a fancy salon or day spa, so it seemed a little strange to get a massage at a local shopping mall, but there are benefits to getting a massage or other salon style services at the mall. For starters you often don't have to schedule an appointment. I was out at the mall, had some free time and was lucky enough to drop in when they massager therapists weren't busy so I got right in.

Another benefit to getting a massage at the mall is that because of their location their services are geared towards drop in customers generated by foot traffic. The massage place I visited offered a variety of massages, including chair massages, where the recipient sits in a specially designed chair and keeps their clothes on while getting a massage. Some of the chair massages services were as short as 10 minutes long, perfect for the busy shopper on the go who wants a short break between errands. Also the prices are pretty reasonable. I didn't see any services being offered that cost hundreds of dollars, like at an upscale salon. To the customer getting a massage at the mall it may be more of an impulse buy than someone who schedules an appointment at a fancy salon, so the massage place at the mall may tend to offer the option of shorter massages as well and full hour long sessions, and you may pay less than you would at a fancy salon, even after you pay a generous tip. A professional massage at shopping mall prices is the kind of budget friendly indulgence you can feel good about.

Have Happy Feet even on Hot Summer Days

Even the cutest pair of summer sandals can't disguise less than fabulous feet. to get your feet ready for sandal weather try these tips. As much as I hate those flimsy flip flops you can buy for a few bucks, I have to admit they have their place. When you step out of the shower tit's a good idea to slather on a plant based oil, such as grapeseed oil on your feet. Applying moisturizer strait out of the shower locks in moisture on your damp skin. Oil can take time to absorb. Wearing flip flops allow oil to absorb into your skin, not your carpeting. Flip flops are also great for protecting your feet against all kinds of nasty transmittable things at public places like swimming pools and gyms.

To get rid of dry and cracking skin, exfoliate with beauty product specifically designed for the thick skin of your feet like Earth Therapeutics Refreshing Foot Scrub. Get the most bang for your buck by using an exfoliating treatment infused with tea tree oil. Tea tree oil applied by itself or blended with other ingredients is essential to your summer beauty routine because it fights nasty fungal infections naturally.

After making foot care part of your regular beauty routine, reward yourself and show off your pampered tootsies by getting a cheap pedicure at your local beauty school and polishing your toes in some fabulous color. Or turn your bathroom into a mini spa by giving yourself a pedicure at home.

 

 

Portable Perfumes are on a Roll

A big fancy perfume bottle is great eye candy for  the vanity, but there is no way I am dragging around a bottle heavier than a brick in my purse. If I want to freshen my scent on the go my fragrance will be housed in something roughly the size of a lipstick tube.

By far the most stylish rollerball out there, the bottle of this Armani Code for Her Eau de Parfum Rollerball  features a rich sapphire blue fading to clear embellished by a striking black lacey design. The parfum includes top notes of Orange flower, Ginger, and Seringa Flower, complemented by a indulgent base notes of Lavender Honey, Sandalwood and Vanilla.   

Change your fragrance as easily as you change your fashion outfits with the Travalo Online Only Classic Excel Fragrance Atomizer. The sleek atomizer refills directly from perfume bottles. The pill shaped atomizer is designed to slip into purses or pockets with ease. My favorite feature is the integrated fill level indicator window that reveals how much perfume is left so you never run out of a scent unexpectedly.

Michael Kors Collection Sexy Amber Eau de Parfum & Siren Lip Luster Rollerball pairs the seductive Sexy Amber fragrance with the sultry lip luster shade in Siren so you can freshen your scent and polish your pout using the same compact bottle. The sumptuous scent highlights warm Amber laced with Sandalwood and lush White Flowers.

Using Jojoba Beauty Oil has Ugly Results

Warning: Using Jojoba oil as a hair conditioner will leave your hair so limp you will look like you have a greasy rag hanging on your head, which by the way is not an attractive look. I like the ideal of using plant based natural oils to condition my hair and skin. An article I read touted the beauty benefits of Jojoba oil, saying it was a great moisturizer and hair conditioner, but you have to apply it sparingly. So I bought a travel size bottle of  Jojoba oil and applied about 5 drops to my hair. The good news is that the oil eliminated the frizzy look I had going on. The bad news is that in spite of the fact that I had just washed my hair, my hair looked like greasy, liked I hadn't washed it in weeks.

My hair is on the thin side so I decided maybe by applying less oil I would get better results. So I applied about 4 drops of Jojoba oil to my hands and smoothed the oil over my hands like a hand moisturizer. I let the oil absorb into my skin then I ran my freshly moisturized hands through my hair leaving the lightest film of Jojoba oil on my hair possible. This time my hair didn't look I dipped it in grease, it just looked flat. I have tried different techniques for applying Jojoba oil but no matter what I try I am not satisfied with the results. I did notice it makes a decent moisturizer so I will be using the rest of the bottle as a skin moisturizer. The money saving lesson I learned from this experience is if you are going to try a new beauty product buy the cheap travel size and if the product doesn't work the way you want it to, repurpose it for something else.   

Tasty Lip Treats from Bath and Body Works

From aromatherapy to moisturizing and breath freshening, lip glosses by Bath and Body Works are the ultimate beauty treat for your lips. Here are a few of their mouthwatering lip products. Liplicious Fruit Punch Lip Gloss delivers an irresistible combination of juicy color, yummy flavor and high shine. 

Instead of sleepwalking through the day, give your body and your mood a boost naturally with Orange Ginger Lip Balm. This    nourishing lip balm soothes lips with moisturizing Shea Butter, while an uplifting aromatherapy blend of orange and ginger Essential Oils releases stress and sharpens the senses. 

Double your pleasure! Infused with cool spearmint, C. O. Bigelow Spearmint Supreme 2X Lip Shine is packed with twice the breath fresheners and twice the moisturizers of their original gloss. The high shine gloss keeps your lips looking great and your breath smelling fresh.            

Pack the Perfect Beauty Travel Kit

If your suitcase is collecting dust and the last trip you took is a distant memory, the beauty products you packed in your travel bag are probably as outdated as disco music. Before tossing a bunch of travel size beauty items into a bag and hitting the road, be sure you are packing the right products with these helpful tips.

Use up or dispose of beauty lotions or shampoos. If you suspect the product inside your reusable travel containers may be expired, rinse out empty containers then refill them with new lotions. Some products like sunscreen have active ingredients and are only good for 1 season. Buy new products if to replace the old ones if you think they may have expired. Check shaving razors and replace them if they look dull and rusty. 

After getting rid of old products it's time to go shopping for new beauty products. Look for travel size versions of your favorite grooming products (toothpaste, shampoo, compact hairbrush etc.) at mass retailers and beauty specialty stores like ULTA. Invest in a set of good quality travel size beauty brushes, like this high quality, yet affordable Ecotools MINERAL 5pc Make Up Brush Travel Set.

Running out of a beauty item at an inconvenient time (right before you are scheduled to flaunt your fabulous self at that special event or attraction) is a beauty blunder that's easy to avoid. Just pack a little more product than you need. For example, if you are planning a weekend trip, pack enough beauty products to last at least 5 days. By packing smart, you will have all the beauty products you need to look your best in all those vacation photos.

 

 

 

 

Look Pretty Longer with Maybelline Eye Shadow

The Maybelline Color Tattoo Leathers Collection is perfect for lazy Divas like me. My favorite type of eye shadow is something I can apply and forget about knowing that hours later my makeup will look as fresh as if I just applied it.

Because the eye shadow has a creamy texture I applied it with Q tips and blended it with my fingers. The creamy shadow provides opaque coverage and a nice smooth finish. The Maybelline Color Tattoo Leathers Collection features subtle shades of brown in a matte finish.

I was delighted with the way the shadow looked on my eyelids. The subtle way the neutral shadow enhanced my eyelids looked sophisticated and polished with nice even coverage. In spite of the budget friendly price of this product, I did not look like I was wearing cheap makeup!

Indulge in The Body Shop Travel Size Beauty Items

 

I love beauty products, but I hate to pay full price for a full size bottle of something that may turn into a beauty blunder.  That's why I am loving the selection of travel size beauty products from The Body Shop. I can sample a variety of beauty products without going broke! 

This juicy Pink Grapefruit Hand Cream helps soften and protect hands with light moisturizing ingredients. The fast absorbing formula is ideal for pampering on the go.

 

 

This natural Mini Rainforest Moisture Shampoo is designed to restore moisture and improve hair's softness and shine without weighing it down with unnatural ingredients like silicones, sulphates, parabens or colorants.  

 

I feel positively naked without a bit of gloss on my lips, which is why I carry several in my purse. I can't wait to paint my pucker with the fruit plum flavored Born Lippy Stick Plum. The stick gloss gives lips a pop of color, a burst of moisture and a subtle shine.  

Yummy Beauty Products from Bath & Body Works

Summertime is the perfect time to indulge in delicious beauty products from Bath and Body Works. Like a fine cocktail this Bourbon Strawberry & Vanilla Fine Fragrance Mist, blends tantalizing ingredients to create something truly tempting! The slim pump bottle delivers a light, refreshing fragrance that nourishes the skin with conditioning aloe.   

Infused with Peach and Strawberry extracts, this Georgia Peach & Sweet Tea, Shea & Fruit Body Scrub is a sweet treat for your skin. The yummy body scrub is rich in creamy Shea Butter that nourishes and softens and gentle exfoliators to leave skin silky smooth and radiant.

 

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Southern Lemon Chiffon Gentle Foaming Hand Soap. This lightly scented soap delivers a cloud of luxurious foam that transforms into a creamy lather to gently wash away dirt, germs and the smell of any cheap hand soap you may used throughout the day. The dessert inspired soap includes skin loving ingredients that leave hands feeling soft and smooth.

 

Mabelline Full N Soft Mascara

What I really want from my mascara is to look like I am not wearing mascara. What I want is to look like I have naturally thick lashes. Full N Soft mascara by Maybelline delivers exactly that naturally pretty effect I look for in a mascara. This mascara makes my lashes look a little thicker, a little darker and a little prettier. Full N Soft waterproof mascara did not make my lashes look like the larger than life drag queen worthy lashes you see in the makeup commercials. It's not the mascara to reach for when you want to create dramatic effects. However, it is the mascara I will reach for to create the kind of subtle everyday look that is polished enough to look pretty but not overdone.

Cheap Beauty Treatments to get Before Spring

I love chatting with my hairstylist whenever I get a haircut at my local beauty school. In addition to a cheap haircut I also enjoy the free beauty tips and inspiration. The stylist mentioned that this time of year many women why get their hair colored get highlights before lightning up their hair later on when the seasons change. This got me thinking about the benefits of visiting your local beauty school before spring arrives.

If you have been hiding your drab hair under scarves and winter hats. it's time to consider updating your look by getting a sassy shorter haircut or freshening up your hair color. Getting a dye job at a beauty school costs far less than a color job at a regular salon. A skilled beauty school student can create a professional salon quality look at a fraction of the price.

Beauty school students are trained in a variety of beauty treatments that go beyond your basic haircut. Before slipping into those cute spring sandals or putting those winter glove into storage, consider getting a pedicure to polish your feet or a manicure in fresh spring colors or subtle sheer shades that fit with the lighter mood of spring fashions.

Some beauty schools offer skin care services such as facials. I don't know if facials can dramatically improve the skin, but I do know that they dramatically improve my mood whenever I get one. There is something about shedding all that dry, dead winter skin that just feels refreshing. So the next time you visit your local beauty school, feel free to go beyond your basic haircut and indulge beauty treatments that will have you feeling and looking good by spring.

Get Beautiful Deals at ULTA

The ULTA beauty store is my favorite place to stock up on beauty bargains and right now they are having plenty of sales on popular budget . When ULTA has so many great sales on my favorite brands, including Buy 1 get 1 50% off deals it's tempting to go on a shopping spree and lose track of how much my savings are really costing me. To stock up on my favorite beauty products without going broke I have developed a few foolproof strategies. 

• See what you already have on hand before buying new products. When I looked around my bathroom I found I had a half full bottle of facial cleanser on my bathroom counter and a full bottle of the same cleanser stored under the bathroom counter. That's enough cleanser to last a long time, so I will skip the ignore the sales on skincare products and focus on buying products I do need.
• Some products, like mascara, go bad after a few months after you open them. Products that have to be replaced often are worth buying in multiples.
• Make your money go farther by combining the sale price with a coupon or rewards points that you can accumulate when you sign up online or at your local ULTA store.
• The ULTA store has a huge selection of beauty products in attractive packages to tempt you. Avoid browsing which may lead to buying more items that fit your budget or your bathroom cabinet. Make a list of the specific items you want and stick to that list. 

Pamper Your Skin Summer Inspired Scents

..................................................

To escape the frigid temperatures outside, step inside your local Bath & Body Works and let their light and refreshing fragrance mists transport you to sunnier days. The tantalizing Butterfly Flower fragrance mist features yummy top notes of black tea, tangerine, and banana leaf with mid notes of 0rchid and French Mimosa and dry notes of creamy coconut milk and musk.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Express your sunny disposition with splashes of Love & Sunshine fragrance mist. This sunkissed fragrance features top notes of pear blossom, strawberry, juicy kiwi, lemon, honeydew melon with mid notes of daisies, Lily of the Valley, golden honeysuckle and dry notes of coconut orchid, cedar wood and other nature inspired notes round out this complex fragrance.

.....................................................

Say aloha to this tropical fragrance mist inspired by the lush scents of Hawaii. Caress your skin with a kiss of conditioning aloe mist. Hawaii Passionfruit Kiss nourishes and pampers your skin with tropical top notes of strawberry guava, apple, lush kiwi, with mid notes of pink Hibiscus, pineapple, Papaya Blossom and dry notes of creamy macadamia and a hint of musk.

Cheap Moisturizers from the Grocery Store

After reading one too many beauty articles on the dangers of the unnatural chemicals in skin moisturizers, I gave up the chemical laden moisturizers you find in the beauty isle and started using edible oils from the grocery store. Every "natural" beauty expert seems to recommend a different plant based oil for a moisturizer, so my journey to find the best food based moisturizer has been a lesson in what works and what makes me feel like a greasy French fry. Here are my findings.

Coconut oil  leaves my skin feeling soft and saturated. The problem with coconut oil is from the grocery store is that it often comes in solid form which takes more time to apply. I would scoop a chunk of it out of the jar and apply it to my skin, wait a little for it to start melting then spread it around with my hands then wait at least a few minutes for it to absorb. The coconut oil absorbs so slowly I probably ended up with more of the oil rubbing off on my clothes than absorbing into my skin. This was the least successful of my edible oil experiments.

Almond oil was highly recommended by a beauty author, so I bought a bottle. The good news is that it's available in liquid form making it easy to apply and it has excellent moisturizing properties. The bad news is that the almond oil I bought is so thick it does not absorb quickly and leaves a greasy film on my skin for a while after applying it. After it absorbed my skin felt soft and supple, but because of the thickness of the oil I only applied it to my face and hands.

My most successful attempt at a "natural" moisturizer is by far grape seed oil. I bought a bottle of grape seed oil at the grocery store and I am very pleased with the results. The texture of the grape seed oil I bought is not as thick as the almond oil and it absorbs faster and better than both almond and coconut oil. I still have to wait a few minutes for it to absorb into my skin after applying it, but there isn't that feeling that the oil is sitting on top of my skin like I had with the coconut oil. If buying an edible oil from the grocery store seems a little too weird for you, try looking for grape seed oil in the beauty department of your local natural grocer.                

 

Scented Beauty Sets from Victoria's Secret

If you love trying new scents your going to fall in love with the selection of fragrance sets from Victoria's Secret. Buying fragrance sets is a fabulous way to sample a variety of alluring scents. Match your scent to your mood with a Naughty & Nice Gift Set. The heart felt boxed gift set includes eau de parfums in Very Sexy and Victoria’s Secret Heavenly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pencil these Scent With Love Fragrance Crayons into your beauty routine. The  set features   6 solid crayon infused with Victoria's Secret signature fragrances that draw on clear. The fragrance crayons include Victoria’s Secret Angel, Victoria’s Secret Heavenly, Very Sexy, Victoria, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell and Sexy Little Things Noir Tease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Feel glam wherever you go with this travel ready Signature On-the-go Gift Set. The portable set includes three Victoria's Secret iconic fragrances, Bombshell, Victoria, and Eau So Sexy. The fabulous fragrances are accessorized with a protective travel case and a pretty pink heart keychain.

Battle the Bulge Even in Bad Weather

I know a woman who is such a dedicated exercise nut that she will put on insulated exercise wear and go jogging even when it's freezing outside. I am not a fitness freak and I only go out walking in fair weather which doesn't do my waistline any good during the winter. When it's freezing outside it's tempting to spend an embarrassing amount of time watching too much TV, reading a library's worth of books and basically turning into a total couch potato.

To get my exercise during the winter without freezing my butt off I have come up with some cheap and easy strategies. I have a few favorite DVDs that are my go to exercise DVDs when I need to get moving. A low impact exercise like Scott Cole: Discover Tai Chi AM/PM Workouts is a great way to get moving when you really aren't in the mood to exercise. To add variety to your exercise routine, check out the selection of exercise videos at your local library.

Window shopping can be great exercise. I like walking the length of big shopping malls and antique malls because walking while shopping doesn't feel like exercise. Window shopping is no substitute for a full on workout, but it's a good way to get a change of scenery and get moving when I start to feel a little stir crazy after staying home too long. 

When winter starts to fade and I don't have to worry about driving conditions I like to check out the fitness classes offered at the local community centers. The variety of classes is great, the prices are low. Also being in a classroom with other people makes me want to complete the workout, where at home I might quit if I get bored or find the workout too challenging.

Mascara, the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Sometimes the worst products come in the most appealing packages. Take Organic Wear mascara by Physicians Formula. I was seduced into buying this low priced mascara by the fabulous shiny and sculptural packaging that is practically a work of art in itself. The first time I wore this mascara I learned that the product was not nearly as fabulous as the packaging. If my eyes watered up at all the mascara would run faster than an Olympic athlete. Even when my eyes weren't watering, the mascara created ugly smears and smudges that gave my eyes a messy raccoon eye look.

The next time I bought mascara I looked for a better quality product in a boring packaging. That's how I came to buy Bold Lacquer mascara by Revlon. After the raccoon eye fiasco with the other mascara, I made a point of buying the waterproof version of this mascara. Overall I am satisfied with Bold Lacquer mascara. It doesn't run and dries fast. The name "BOLD Lacquer" is a bit misleading. This mascara adds one thin layer of mascara at a time so I can go for a subtle look or go bolder by applying more layers.

Look Good Even when You Feel Bad

A runny nose, watery eyes and washed out complexion is not an attractive look. So how do you look good during the height of cold and flu season when getting even a mild cold can make you look like you are at death's door? The trick to looking good when you don't feel good is to mask unattractive symptoms with proper makeup and grooming.

Camouflage the telltale signs of sickness one area at a time. Runny mascara will make you look like a raccoon, so if your eyes are watery be sure to wear waterproof mascara. Dark circles under the eye can be disguised with a light dab of under eye concealer. If blowing your nose so often has you look like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, apply a medium coverage foundation to your nose and face and touch it up throughout the day.  

It's tempting to let grooming and showering routines slide when you barely have enough energy to get out of bed, but looking bad isn't going to make you feel any better. Go to bed earlier, curl up with a hot cup of tea instead of tackling your to do list, just do whatever it takes to help you feel more rested so you can maintain your grooming routines. To put your best face forward avoid drab shades of lipstick and apply a pop of fresh pink lip gloss instead.  

Disguising cold symtoms is fine for a while, but there comes a point when I get sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. To feel better faster, I attack the cold virus with natural immune boosting products like Kick-Ass Immune Activator by Wish Garden Herbs, available at health food stores like Natural Grocers and amazon.com. After a day of using this product my eye that had been watering like a leaky hose stopped watering and my runny nose stopped running.

Put Your Best Face Forward with Garnier BB Cream

I recently made the mistake of apply cosmetic power to my face. Yikes! The face powder looked chalky and masklike on my dry winter skin. After that experience I went back to wearing Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream. This multitasking face cream is essentially a tinted sunscreen that takes the place of traditional makeup foundation.

When I first applied Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream to my face it provided light, natural looking coverage and even after wearing it all day it still looks good. Over time a tinted cream disappears, what's important is the way a tinted cream disappears.  Some tinted creams can look patchy and obvious after hours of wear. This BB cream gradually fades away after several hours in a way that so subtle I didn't notice it was doing a disappearing act until I looked closely. As long as the winter air dries out my skin this will be my go tinted cream when I want to put my best face forward. 

Beauty Products Sparkle for the Holidays

 

 

 

The holiday season is the perfect time to show off your glamourous side by adorning yourself in beauty products that shine. ULTA has a dazzling selection of beauty products that offer a lot of bling for your buck! This Skinny's Gift Set from the Ginger + Liz Colour Collection  "VIP List" collection is a perfect gift for glamour addicts who want their nails to shine like ornaments this season. The collection of shimmering lacquer textures includes Rock & Ice Effect, Dry Ice Effect, and Bling Coat, to help you express your sparkling sense of style . 

 

 

Read my lips, trade in your boring matt lip gloss for a fun shimmering lip gloss this holiday season! This  Lipslicks Smoochies Sizzle Gloss infuses it's moisturizing formula with sheer color and shimmer for smooth (lip gloss fills in cracks like spackle) and shiny lips.  The glam lip gloss is available in a variety of shades from subtle to stunning so you can change your lip look as easily as you change your outfits. If you wear a strong lip color avoid dramatic eye makeup because you don't want the lips and eyes to compete for attention.

 

Get the party started with Bear Minerals Party Starters! Loose powder can be applied lightly for a subtle look or apply multiple layers of the same eye color for a more intense shine. Wear one of these three gorgeous eye colors over a neutral eye shadow for subtle highlights. For a dramatic glam look, mix and match multiple eye shadows. This collection of lustrous shades includes After Party (gilden bronze), Disco (lilac pearl), and Glitz (shimmering eggplant).  

Beauty Buys for under $25.00 from Victoria's Secret

 

The gifts that are the most fun to give are pretty, indulgent and well priced! Victoria's Secret has enough beauty products for under $30.00 to satisfy any bargain loving beauty queen. This Mist and Lotion Gift Set includes an appealing selection of fragrance mists and hydrating body lotions, housed in a holiday-ready box to give as a set or break up the set for multiple gifts. The indulgent sent features Pure Seduction, a red plum and freesia scent, Passion Struck, a yummy Fuji apple and vanilla orchid scent and Love Spell, a sweet cherry blossom and peach scent. Delicious!

Why commit to one signature fragrance when you can change your fragrance as easily as you change your outfit The Victoria's Secret Eau de Parfum Gift Set is a sample size collection of popular fragrances all together in a holiday-ready box. The set includes Eau de Parfum scents in Victoria’s Secret Heavenly, Angels Only, Body by Victoria, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, Tease, Very Sexy, Victoria, Eau So Sexy, Victoria’s Secret Night and Victoria’s Secret Fearless. 

For women destined to land on Santa's naughty list, Victoria's Secret presents Scandalous Eau de Parfum Rollerball. With a sultry blend of black peony, raspberry liqueur and praline notes of this fruity and floral scent, it's easy to get seduced by the dark side. This easy-to-carry eau de parfum is perfect for on the go touch ups to keep that sexy feeling going all day.

 

Cheap Cosmetics Bags from Target

Beauty products deserve to be carried around in fabulous cosmetic bags! This fierce SOHO Check Meow't Train Case can carry all of your make up and jewelry essentials so you can always look glam wherever your travels take you.  The full zip closure keeps your  items safely tucked inside. The carrying handle is convenient feature so glamour gals can grab it and go!       

This attractive Sonia Kashuk Holiday Limited Edition Completely Organized The Flapper Cosmetic Bag makes it easy to keep your beauty essentials organized. Gold zippers trimmed in white and accented with tassels elevate the sleek black bag into a chic accessory. The cosmetic bag with two convenient compartments is slim enough to slip into your handbag so you are never without all your makeup and party essentials.        

 

 Inspired by pro make-up artists, Instyle's InStyle On The Go Bump Bag - Pewter combines function and fashion.  With it's unique texture, this cosmetic bag works as a fashionable clutch for a night out on the town. Three separate interior compartments neatly organize and display your make up essentials and favorite pieces of jewelry.    

Spice up Your Beauty Routine with Epsom Salt

I never spend top dollar on beauty products. I believe that the simplest and cheapest beauty solutions are just as good as or better than an expensive product. So I am delighted to share this tips for using Espsom Salt for better beauty and health that were sent to me by  Eryn Johnson .

I had an inexpensive suggestion for a stocking stuffer that could help create an at-home spa, soothe sore muscles after a workout and even help improve your health. It’s Epsom salt. Some people may remember it only as something their grandparents kept in the medicine cabinet, and I know you’ll get more glamorous suggestions than this one, but many experts recommend Epsom Salt as a beauty product, after exercise or to boost your body’s levels of magnesium. Epsom Salt – actually magnesium sulfate – is easy to use and easy to find in your local pharmacy or supermarket and it costs just a few bucks.

Here are a few suggestions:

For pampering

 

One of the first budget cuts for many families is spa trips and expensive bath beads, but Epsom Salt can be used to create the ultimate at-home spa, and it’s something several experts recommend to look and feel better (http://www.goop.com/newsletter/33/en). A relaxing bath or exfoliating treatment will leave your skin radiant and glowing. 

 Tips include:

Glowing skin exfoliating treatment: Place Epsom salt in your hand, dampen it and massage it into your skin.

Microdermabrasion Facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Bathtime Bliss: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

Pedicure Perfection: Dissolve a half cup of Epsom Salt into two quarts of warm water. Pour the water into a container and soak your bare feet for fifteen to twenty minutes. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent. Massage the entire foot with Epsom Salt concentrating on the heels and ankles to remove any dry, rough spots. Then, rinse your feet off with clean tap water and dry them thoroughly.

Homemade bath crystals: Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 TSP of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container.

After exercising

 

Epsom Salt– actually magnesium sulfate – can help people maintain optimum levels of both magnesium and sulfate.  Sulfate helps form joint proteins and helps keep joints healthy, flushes toxins and improves absorption of nutrients. Magnesium helps regulate the activity of more than 300 enzymes in the body, performing more functions than almost any other mineral. Among the benefits: magnesium helps reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps, helps muscles and nerves function properly and helps prevents artery hardening and blood clots.

 Tips include:

To ease muscle pain and fading bruises. Add two cups of Epsom Salt to warm water in a standard-sized bathtub (double the Epsom Salt for an oversized garden tub) and bathe three times weekly, soaking for at least 12 minutes.  Also can be used to make compresses.

To soothe feet aching from a tough workout or a long day, add a cup of Epsom Salt to a tub of warm water and soak them.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit either www.epsomsaltcouncil.org or www.facebook.com/epsomsalt.