tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67436029558864458952024-03-05T14:02:59.476-08:00webcake.webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-10128697836802823002010-05-10T19:09:00.000-07:002010-05-10T19:09:08.484-07:00Bad habits that age you quicker?It's not comforting to know that a lot of the things I enjoy are some of the things that can make me look up to <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/26/health/main6434223.shtml">12 years older</a> than I am. That scares the bejeebs out of me, so I've decided to cut down on the things that will make me look like a leathery hag by the time I'm 40. The three most important to me: smoking, drinking, & lack of exercise.<b> </b>There are a bunch of other bad habits people have that age them much quicker, but those three are the ones that I (and apparently, over half of America's population) have trouble with. <br />
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<a href="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0288/50d207aa-618f-4a42-983b-31c4d7680ec7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0288/50d207aa-618f-4a42-983b-31c4d7680ec7.jpg" width="242" /></a>There are 5 main bad habits that can age a person's body and skin more rapidly: smoking, excessive drinking, greasy / fatty foods (a lot of them, for years), lack of sleep, and lack of exercise. To learn more about how these bad habits affect your body, read <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2968402/5_bad_habits_that_age_you_quicker.html">this article</a>.<br />
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The following is an excerpt from a CBS news report on bad habits VS. your age -<br />
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<blockquote><i>"The risky behaviors were: smoking tobacco; downing more than three alcoholic drinks per day for men and more than two daily for women; getting less than two hours of physical activity per week; and eating fruits and vegetables fewer than three times daily. <br />
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These habits combined substantially increased the risk of death and made people who engaged in them seem 12 years older than people in the healthiest group, said lead researcher Elisabeth Kvaavik of the University of Oslo..." </i></blockquote><br />
12 years? That's awful. That's a lot of years, your entire childhood is pretty much a solid 10 year span, and most of your life's memories occur in that time. Imagine looking like you were born almost an entire generation earlier?! Ew.<br />
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So, the verdict's in and I'm going to quit smoking, I'm changing my diet, and I'm (probably) going to drink less. If I already have a problem with these dark bags under my eyes, I can just imagine what my problems will be when I'm 30 and a heavy smoker. Yuck!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;">**</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">webcake</span> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">xoxo</span></span></b>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-23496281169825840342010-04-18T11:00:00.000-07:002010-04-18T20:13:24.116-07:00Completely eliminating animal testing in cosmetics...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<center><img height="216" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/e/9/a/1/Lab_tech_holding_b99f.jpg" width="320" /></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Okay little guy, hold still. This might hurt a little. It might also kill you. </i></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, yeah, humans still test cosmetics on animals. I don't like it, nobody really likes it, but aside from heaps of people complaining about it and even boycotting most products, there isn't much anyone can do about it simply because of how often it's "necessary". The biggest thing animals are tested for in the cosmetic industry is skin allergies, because we don't want to use products that could harm our skin. (Let me take this time to add that in most parts of the world, even in our own country, cosmetic products are sold that contain possibly harmful ingredients that are simply there because the required testing was not done, or was done and overlooked. I don't approve 100% of the efforts the FDA puts forth in determining which cosmetic products are safe for use, but if you're interested in what sorts of things they look for, check out <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm074162.htm">this page</a>.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since January of this year, great breakthroughs have made it possible to now administer the skin allergy tests and other similar tests to a chip that can simulate the necessary conditions needed for proper results. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span>The chip is intended to replace a local lymph node assay, that is often done on new chemicals used in cosmetics. Today, the tests are generally performed on female mice. (Though some labs use an older method involving guinea pigs..."</i></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(From <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24384/?a=f">Technology Review</a>)</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Skin allergy tests in most animals are done by detecting allergic responses by stimulating T cells, all of which is done within the lymph nodes and lymphatic fluids. This means this tiny chip that could possibly be not only easier, but far cheaper than animal testing, may soon be able to replace tests on many, or ALL animals in the cosmetic industry. This is just the sort of breakthrough that the <a href="http://www.hsus.org/animals_in_research/animal_testing/">Humane Society</a> has been just dying for, because it can, and hopefully will, save thousands of animal lives every year.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A good read into the <a href="http://www.geari.org/alternatives-to-animal-testing.html">GEARI website</a> (Group for the Education of Animal-Related Issues) will make it clear that there are many alternative ways many companies can do their testing without harming animals or even using them in any way. Check it out! ♥</span></span></div>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-31473216017541778512010-04-11T13:42:00.000-07:002010-05-08T09:32:15.978-07:00Sweet spuds for your skin! ♥<h1 class="content_title" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0180/9ac8aecd-3465-4d1f-aab3-9f7fe46da11f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0180/9ac8aecd-3465-4d1f-aab3-9f7fe46da11f.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Solanum Tuberosum, the noble and helpful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_tuberosum">potato</a>...it's been used for centuries to help get rid of skin problems like blotches, scarring, and any other discoloration. It's also very useful for lightening your skin tone in certain areas, making it ideal for getting rid of those pesky under-eye circles. Another awesome thing these <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2818464/solanum_tuberosum_potatoes_your_skin.html?cat=69">cool tubers</a> can do is soak up any excess oil from your face. They can even help soothe your skin after a difficult sunburn too!</span></h1><h1 class="content_title" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1><h1 class="content_title" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are lots of products you can buy at the store or online that contain taters, like many different varieties of wrinkle creams, skin tone lightening (or bleaching) products, acne products, and many clarifying and firming face washes and masks. <a href="http://www.facialcleanser.com/BuyersGuide/NeutrogenaOilFreeAcneWashCreamCleanser.php">Neutrogena's Oil Free Cream Face Wash</a> is my favorite product using solanum tuberosum because it pairs with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that's used to help clean and revive your skin. I also LOVE <a href="http://essencemask.en.ec21.com/Fil_Lup_Potato_Essence_Mask--3776656_3777310.html">Fil-Lup Potato Essence Mask</a>. There's another great product using solanum tuberosum, <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/foot-care/volcano-foot-mask">LUSH cosmetic's Volcano Foot Mask</a>, which makes your tootsies feel like you spent a long day at the spa. Awesome.</span></h1><h1 class="content_title" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking for more information on spuds and how they help your skin? Try <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2818464/solanum_tuberosum_potatoes_your_skin.html">this article</a>, and you can also check out <a href="http://www.beautytips.ayurvediccure.com/homemade-recipies/blemishes.htm">this article</a> for useful tips on using potatoes and other natural stuff in your kitchen to get rid of dark spots and blemishes.</span></h1><h1 class="content_title" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-62826087726703393762010-03-28T08:26:00.000-07:002010-03-28T08:26:37.417-07:00Salicylic acid: What does it do for your skin?<center><a href="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0091/c6052b23-4e6a-4b1b-af6c-d907efe3d37e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0091/c6052b23-4e6a-4b1b-af6c-d907efe3d37e.jpg" width="320" /></a></center><br />
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If you check the ingredients list on many of your favorite and most effective acne treatments and face washes, you'll find an ingredient that tops almost every list. Salicylic acid, a weaker beta-hydroxy acid, is fantastic for getting rid of many troubling skin conditions because of it's natural ability to hasten and replenish the desquamation process. This process is the natural way in which your skin cells are "sloughed away and replaced." (Need more information about what desquamation is and how it works? Read <a href="http://acne.about.com/od/acneinformationglossary/g/desquamation.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desquamation">here</a>.) <br />
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When your skin has a lot of trouble healing and / or recovering from bad bouts of acne, you probably have a problem with your skin's desquamation process. This means that the rate at which your skin should be replenishing itself is either too slow, or could possibly not even be happening if you keep piling on products like heavy or thick cosmetics.<br />
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Salicylic acid, a lovely extract from willow bark and other completely natural and green sources, is not only the way we get rid of acne, oily skin, and blotch problems. Salicylic acid is also how we create something great for our bodies AND skin -- aspirin! (Remember aspirin face masks? Bring them back, cause they work! Try <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Hksg8B4cQ">this video</a> from Michelle Phan, and <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1789248/rejuvenating_aspirin_face_mask.html?cat=69">this article</a> from yours truly. <span style="font-size: x-small;">♥</span> ) <br />
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<blockquote><i>"Products that use salicylic acid normally boast the ability to help cure (or completely cure) cases of mild acne, dandruff, and psoriasis, among others. Since it is extracted from willow bark, salicylic acid is considered an organic ingredient in many aspects and is a key ingredient in many <a href="http://www.bewellstaywell.com/acne_products.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">natural skincare products</a>, as well as shampoos, conditioners, and acne-friendly moisturizing products as well. When this ingredient was extracted at first, it was used to help ease pain of injury and illness, giving us what aspirin is today. Aspirin is made by utilizing a reaction that occurs within salicylic acid, so using aspirin based recipes for your skin can also greatly improve an existing condition like acne..."</i></blockquote> (Read more of this article on <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2818230/salicylic_acid_and_desquamation.html?cat=69">salicylic acid and your desquamation</a> process <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2818230/salicylic_acid_and_desquamation.html?cat=69">here</a>.) <br />
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Looking for some products that contain salicylic acid? Here are a few you may already be familiar with:<br />
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<a href="http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=149923&catid=159095&aid=337953&aparam=neutrogena_acne_rapid_cl&CAWELAID=61292670">Neutrogena Acne Rapid Clear Daily Treatment Pads</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2119459&productId=xlsImpprod640164&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80170&CAWELAID=204689476">Olay 7 in 1 Anti-Aging Salicylic Acid Acne Cleanser </a><br />
<a href="http://hocks.com/hocks-healthcare/hocks-product/A773325.html">St Ives Swiss Formula Medicated Apricot Scrub</a><br />
<a href="http://www.taoofherbs.com/products/3024/HomeHealth/PsoriasilBodyWash.htm">Psoriasil Body Wash from Tao of Herbs</a><br />
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As always, there are people that have sensitivities and reactions to certain beta-hydroxy acids. Make sure you check with your dermatologist if you have any serious skin conditions before you start a skincare regimen using products heavy in salicylic acid.<br />
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I hope this helped out! <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">♥ <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;">webcake</span> <b>xoxo</b></span>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-81379473315407674202010-03-23T09:38:00.000-07:002010-03-23T09:55:09.706-07:00Fruit & Your Face ♥<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0304/0000304337.jpg" width="212" /></div><br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>The best thing for your skin, especially the skin on your face, is something 100% natural. You need something gentle and effective, something that won't irritate your skin, and something that can help prevent skin issues in the future. You also need something full of vitamins, minerals, and natural moisturizing properties.<br />
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It's really (really!) hard to find products that are completely natural, with <b>nothing</b> man-made in them at all. But there's one thing you can always count on to help revive that natural beauty inside of you -- <b style="color: #6aa84f;">fruit</b>!<br />
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There are <a href="http://www.essortment.com/articles/facials_100001.htm">plenty of ways</a> to use fresh fruit to get great skin right at home, and you don't need anything else other than what's probably already sitting in your cupboards and fridge. Here I'll make a quick and simple list of fruits and which skin types & conditions they are best used for:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Acne</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lemons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apples</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strawberries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grapefruit</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kiwi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Dry Skin</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bananas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Guava</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Olives</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Melons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Discoloration / Dark Circles</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tomatoes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grapes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Orange</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tangerine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Wrinkles / Sagging</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Any Citrus fruit</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Papayas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blueberries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pineapples</span><br />
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These fruits all contain antioxidant properties, and also can help naturally cleanse and refresh your skin. Another reason these fruits are great for your skin's health is because they contain alpha-hydroxy acids. Find out why AHA's are good for your skin <a href="http://www.herbalmusings.com/AHA-Skin-care.htm">here</a>. For more information on how these fruits and others are helpful for your skin, check out <a href="http://www.divavillage.com/article_archive.php?id=24665&section_name=&section_id=">this article</a> from DivaVillage.<br />
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For some awesome home-made facial recipes using all natural ingredients like fresh fruit, check out these articles:<br />
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<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2712105/diy_exfoliating_grapefruit_face_wash.html">Exfoliating Grapefruit Facewash</a><br />
<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2712003/refreshing_banana_orange_juice_face.html?cat=69">Refreshing Banana & Orange Face Mask </a><br />
<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2159727/cucumber_melon_face_mask.html?cat=69">Cucumber & Melon Face Mask</a><br />
<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2145157/deep_cleansing_lemon_facial_scrub.html?cat=69">Deep Cleansing Lemon Face Scrub</a><br />
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Have fun and stay cute ♥ <span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">xoxo</i></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"></div>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-45306863107535788362010-02-14T18:18:00.000-08:002010-02-14T18:25:10.501-08:00Using hemp & hemp seed oil to vastly improve your skin's health!No, I am not exaggerating when I say you can "vastly" improve your skin's health using hemp products and extracts! There are many products made using <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2678599/beautiful_skin_with_hemp_oil_hemp_seed.html">hemp oils</a> and hemp seed oils that are used for severely dry skin, as well as skin conditions like eczema, excessive acne problems, and problems with blotchy skin.<br />
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There have been testimonials of people for years and years (since it became legal to grow the crop again in Canada in 1998, anyway.) of people that have had fantastic results with hemp seed oil and hemp oil.<br />
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The craziest part about it though, is that when you search the internet far and wide, you can only find <b>very minimal</b> negative reviews of hemp seed oil products, and it's almost ALWAYS by someone who's a puff-chested anti-drug that can't muster the brain cells to tell the <a href="http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/content/hempCharacter.html">difference between hemp and cannabis</a>.<br />
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I won't go into all the hemp plant's many other uses that could not only enrich our lives, but stimulate a dying economy, so instead I'll just focus on it's great uses in the beauty world. I wrote a helpful article on using hemp oil & hemp seed oil at home yourself to greatly improve the health of your hair and skin. You can read it <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2678599/beautiful_skin_with_hemp_oil_hemp_seed.html?cat=69">here</a>. If you're interested in what popular high-rated products use hemp seed oil and/or hemp oil as a main ingredient, here are a few:<br />
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Body lotion and bath products from <a href="http://www.veganhealthandbeauty.com/products.asp?Section=1510">Yaoh! Organic Products</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hempzhaircare.com/">Hempz Haircare Products</a> (AMAZING products.)<br />
Good ol' <a href="http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/outdoor-protection/res-q-lip-balm-spf-15.html">Burts Bees hemp Res-Q lip balm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sallybeauty.com/GiGi-Hemp-Wax/SBS-448060,default,pd.html">GiGi Hemp Skincare Products</a> (Ultra-moisturizing wax & lotions)<br />
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There's plenty of simple ways to use the extracts and oils of the hemp plant right in your own home to get great results. If you've got a skin, hair, or other condition and it's possible to cure it with hemp oils and extracts, <b>shouldn't you give it a try?</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gV5L_2qwfZt_VnZJ8O_aEZ15HsPNOSb4Xejl1fPeh17hNokMUeBYoe52XiIldeVy3-TYtEx7zsV0torUptCXTbNqObXwsqxeNPx53CeXnIr5rFT0kmht0s90rh7YyA7KwvwiqAMxci8/s1600-h/hemp-mote-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gV5L_2qwfZt_VnZJ8O_aEZ15HsPNOSb4Xejl1fPeh17hNokMUeBYoe52XiIldeVy3-TYtEx7zsV0torUptCXTbNqObXwsqxeNPx53CeXnIr5rFT0kmht0s90rh7YyA7KwvwiqAMxci8/s320/hemp-mote-03.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Yes, that is a hemp wiimote. Stay cute, smart, & green! ♥ <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>xoxo</b></span>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-43304919531042599112010-02-10T10:21:00.000-08:002010-02-13T20:49:01.151-08:00Great & cheap beauty buys that don't suck! ♥So, yeah, it's tough to buy all the cool stuff that I want, what with the economy in shambles and all. Luckily, there are a few companies that continuously pump out the quality products at a wallet-friendly price. Cosmetic & skincare companies like e.l.f, Rimmel, and Alba consistently keep my attention with new good quality, affordable stuff. Here, I'll name and briefly discuss a few of the very best beauty buys I've been able to find...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cosmetics</b></span><br />
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e.l.f Luscious Liquid Lipstick<br />
(Favorite shade: Ruby Slipper)<br />
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They smell nice, they go on glossy and smooth, and they last a surprisingly long time. The applicator is a sponge type point that filters slow shots of liquid lip color up from the tube and through the soft sponge. It's unique, it's good quality, and it's CHEAP. Yeah, I mean cheap.<br />
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Price: $1.00<br />
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Rimmel Lasting Finish (16hr) Foundation<br />
(Favorite shade: True Nude)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rimmellondon.com/Images_Market/US/Products/323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.rimmellondon.com/Images_Market/US/Products/323.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>This is another great find, a long lasting foundation for under $10.00. I use the 10 dollar mark on foundations, because the quality for me seems to halt at 10 dollars. It doesn't get any better after that mark, and all the rest of the money you pay for a brand over that is just fluff name-spank that I don't care about at all.<br />
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Rimmel is a drugstore beauty brand, and it's a great one. I own this foundation and I still buy it every time I run out. It's thick and creamy, and it stays on for a while. Sure, 16 hours is a pretty big push, but I have experience with it lasting over 6 hours without even fading, so that's pretty darn good.<br />
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Price: $7.29<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Application</b></span><br />
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e.l.f Kabuki Brush<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/gallery_medium/10490R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/gallery_medium/10490R.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>I own this brush. It's awesome. Like most Kabuki brushes, the way the bristles are set up has a lot to do with how the handle is shaped. Kabuki brushes boast the ability to cover huge areas of your face as flawlessly as possible, and a small stocky handle makes it easier to apply using this big fan-type brush. It's a high quality brush for an incredible price.<br />
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Price: $5.00<br />
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e.l.f Sugar Kiss Eyelash Curly Tool<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://eyeslipsface.com/gallery_medium/11496R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://eyeslipsface.com/gallery_medium/11496R.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>A high quality eyelash curler that's not put together like any other cheap curler. It doesn't squeak, the handles are soft and easy to use, and it has no harsh tug. It's a great find, and certainly a great buy.<br />
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Price: $1.00<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Skincare</b></span><br />
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Alba Deep Sea Face Mask<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albabotanica.com/images/uploads/4b185fb993687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.albabotanica.com/images/uploads/4b185fb993687.jpg" width="110" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to say that this face mask is one of my favorites. That's saying a LOT for me, because I'm a huge advocate of DIY beauty routines at home. The face masks that work the best (and are obviously the most natural and best for your skin) can be made at home, where you know EXACTLY what's going onto (and into) your skin. This is one of the few product exceptions, mainly because it's got so many goodies from the sea in it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Price: $7.65</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Freeman's Beautiful Face Peel-Off Masque</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Favorite: Cucumber)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/images/fs/large/7215145777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/images/fs/large/7215145777.jpg" width="70" /></a></div>This is another great face mask that goes above and beyond when it comes to end-result and price. It's cheap, and it's got lots of natural goodies inside, which makes me not hate it. Also, it smells GREAT, and leaves your skin completely smooth with a light fragrance.<br />
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Price: $3.99<br />
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Well that's about it for my great beauty buy post...there's lots more that I've found, so stay tuned. Happy shopping! ♥webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-38064986507056210792010-02-01T05:12:00.000-08:002010-02-10T08:34:02.936-08:00Valentine's Day makeovers & making the day special! ♥<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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It's almost Valentine's Day! It's the time of year where people that barely tolerate each other buy expensive, useless gifts and eat disgusting, chalk-like heart candies. (Why do those things still exist? Ew.) This "holiday" gives many people the world over a warm, loving feeling. There's lots of ways to show the person you love just how much they mean to you this Valentine's Day, even with the economy still wobbling on it's last leg. You don't need to go buy your lady a Benz, and you certainly don't need to give your guy a Rolex.<br />
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If you have a wallet full of cash or if you've got nothing more than good wishes and smiles to share, this three-step Valentine's day formula can simply NEVER FAIL. ♥<br />
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<ol><li>Look Pretty. Valentine's Day is about all things pretty, sweet, cuddly, and cute. You want to be ALL of those things, so your significant other will be more inclined to treat you like a queen. Use that beauty routine that you use when you're going out. (You know what I mean. OUT out, not shopping at Target out.) In other words, put your best face on. For some totally sweet Valentine's Day Makeup tutorials, check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDbEB9T-iUA">this one</a> from RiceBunny, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcDA_Tmi_Uc">this one</a> from FaffinetteX3. Also, here's some quick extra tips on <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2075395/make_your_lipstick_and_lip_gloss_last.html">making your lipstick/lipgloss last</a> through dinner, and choosing the <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1988142/which_shade_of_pink_suits_your_style.html">perfect shade of Valentine's pink</a>.</li>
<li>Cook GREAT food. Me, I can cook with the best of 'em. But not all cutie pies can whip up a fancy, delicious feast for their lady/man unless they are taking it out of a take-out box and arranging it on a plate. (Mrs. Doubtfire flashbacks.) Never fear, talentless beauties! Here are some <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/valentinesday/a/easyvalentine.htm">easy and elegant recipes</a> that will make your Valentine's Day dinner a complete success. And, they're idiot-proof, so if you're the type of girl who burns toast, you should be fine with these. </li>
<li>Don't break the mood! This is usually the hardest to do on Valentine's Day. After food (and most likely, some of the most generous sex you've given your partner all year), things tend to wind down and turn the romantic day into just another evening at home. This could include anything from retiring at about 7pm to having to hide upstairs while your fella's buddies come over for leftover lamb and wine. You can't let that crap slide, girlies. So instead of letting the mood die and letting your partner become disinterested in the day you've planned, remember to bring out a tray of goodies and a movie you two haven't seen. Try surprising him with a bottle of some sweet dessert wine and frosted egg biscuits. NOBODY can say no to liquor and sweets. Get him/her nice and tipsy, and fall asleep together, cuddling to whatever lame movie you picked.</li>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="199" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0227/26092094-a7f4-4f5f-b1b9-bd7c733413bf.jpg" width="300" /></div><br />
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Following my patented 3 step Valentine's Day guidelines will not only prove successful, but you won't have to buy anyone anything expensive. And that's really the point, isn't it? Oh, and love. Yeah. ♥<br />
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For some extra super sweet Valentine's Day makeup tutorials, try <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHL2UEWd2k4">this look</a> for blondes by ZoeeBella, or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00uXtviHgJE">this look</a> for dark haired beauties by BeautyBargainHunter. <br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!! ♥webcakewebcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-51311248344731125802010-01-25T18:42:00.000-08:002010-01-25T19:17:46.287-08:00Sexy bɨtches spotlight ♥Well, as usual, I get agitated when all I hear about are thin blondies and heiress blowhards getting all of the media attention because they're so <span style="font-style: italic;">beautiful</span>. A lot of people forget what makes a <span style="font-weight: bold;">real</span> beauty beautiful - <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >a whole lotta tits and ass</span>. Curvy women obviously rule, and there's some sexy ladies getting some (not always so positive) spotlight recently that have curves to match their confidence. I decided to choose one of my favorites to spotlight, since she's been looking positively scrumptious...<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nicki Minaj</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 288px; height: 229px;" src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo42/blakbarbie09/201.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Yeah, she's ghetto. Yeah, she's fly. And yeah, she's got half of the people that know her name absolutely HATING on her. But hey, every fly ass lady has a parade of haters behind her, that's kinda like a rule. Just because a girl wears some boss <a href="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo42/blakbarbie09/21.jpg">Barbie bling</a> and has an ass that rivals a Sealy Tempurpedic mattress, everyone tries to make her look like a fraud. So maybe she got some puff added, and maybe she didn't.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/Cutie404_photo/minaj.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 184px;" src="http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/Cutie404_photo/minaj.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br />My biggest peeve is that everyone's going nuts over what they think are "butt pads", and then in the same instance referencing her fluctuating weight. Well....if she gains and loses weight so much, how hard is it to believe she's just got a naturally phat ass?!<br /><br />She's not claiming she's 100% natural. She's completely straightforward about her plasticy image and she (and her hoards of fans) don't seem to mind. She calls herself a Harajuku Barbie, and shapes her image around colorful makeup, hot hair, and outfits that accentuate all those lovely assets.<br /><br />Nicki's favorite makeup item? According to <a href="http://onthegoux.com/2009/06/01/on-the-goux-with-nicki-minaj-omg-my-pink-nouveau-lipstick/">this interview</a>, it's MAC's Pink Nouveau Lipstick! Want to get some looks from her videos, or Nicki inspired makeup tutorials?<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90UCSMmuLUY">this one</a> from the "Bedrock" video. (Hate that song, love the makeup.)<br />Here's <a href="http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=bWJxeFE0cWuRpVGltd0E&nicki-minaj-makeup-tutorial-5-star-chick-remix-video">another</a> awesome Nicki Minaj makeup tutorial...<br />And a super sweet Barbie-yumyum Nicki inspired tutorial <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7BZkajHTOw">here</a>.<br /><br />Interested in her music? Listen to her <a href="http://bit.ly/5rS2cK">here</a>, on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/pandora.com">Pandora Radio</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-72702061072586179292010-01-15T13:36:00.000-08:002010-02-14T18:29:50.075-08:00Bee & Flower Rose Soap & some new pretty things ♥Hello again! The other day, I made a small purchase that I'm absolutely loving. I was at the natural foods store and found some <a href="http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/58747/S/10000">Bee & Flower soap</a>, one was sandalwood and the other was rose. I'm obsessed with anything rose, and it was only 99 cents, so I got it. It's a vegetable soap and uses no animal related products, and it's super easy on your skin. Not only that, but it smells SOOOOooo good. It actually leaves a light scent on your skin too, without a nasty film or anything gross like that.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/31pSogFX9hL_SL500_AA200_.jpg" style="height: 152px; width: 152px;" /></center><br />
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Another perk is it's beautiful packaging! It's very neatly wrapped in an ornate little pocket type thingy with pretty flowers and Chinese writing all over it. You can smell it right through the package. I have no idea where this soap is normally found, but if you find it, BUY IT!<br />
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As for the pretty things I made:<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/IMG00074.jpg" style="height: 214px; width: 161px;" /></center><br />
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Those round pretty green orbs are Green Aventurine, and sporadically dispersed amongst them are sets of three sea glass chips. I looooove this, I wore it yesterday.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/IMG00073.jpg" style="height: 214px; width: 160px;" /></center><br />
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This one is basically on the same idea, but with only sets of 1, 2, 3, and 4 grade B Lapis Lazuli chips. It's also a little longer, and I made earrings for it too. I only have one shirt that matches, but I love it anyway. Both of them are on basic silver plated double link chain and have silver plated barrel clasps. <br />
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Well that's my piece for the day. I'm about to play some CoDmw2 until my eyes bleed. ♥ <span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">xoxo</span><br />
</span>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-71073275810059065622010-01-11T08:56:00.000-08:002010-02-14T18:31:15.335-08:00Hard Candy's GINORMOUS Lash Mascara & Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow ♥Hello beauties! ♥<br />
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I recently discovered two items that go so perfectly together, I had to spotlight them at the same time. Behold the poor quality of my sidekick camera:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_fARYyO6KMDsD5EQVVlmnq2LKXGxy3K7AqSu3zE12ny7mFHTHzkZcP0lGkgl-A45VmpcxewAyO1VpUyxPRjF7dwrJO9SbNgBgkflhGQPpQAktBQYjHiWuhLMJRzxniL-BhsUMgiGbXE/s1600-h/IMG00047.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425528082491047154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_fARYyO6KMDsD5EQVVlmnq2LKXGxy3K7AqSu3zE12ny7mFHTHzkZcP0lGkgl-A45VmpcxewAyO1VpUyxPRjF7dwrJO9SbNgBgkflhGQPpQAktBQYjHiWuhLMJRzxniL-BhsUMgiGbXE/s320/IMG00047.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 163px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 216px;" /></a><br />
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Those two blurry awesome things are Hard Candy's GINORMOUS LASH MASCARA! I put it in caps because it truly does make your lashes friggin' <span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GINORMOUS! </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">The color is Carbon Black, ofcourse.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%; font-style: italic;">This mascara does exactly what it says it's sup</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">posed to do.</span><br />
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</span></span>When I first used it, I expected big fat clumpy lashes that would go great with my dark gothy eyes that day, but what I ended up getting was something so much more wonderful, and far less clumpy.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">In fact, there are no clumps, at all! (Not that I've seen so far in almost a week, anyway.) I believe it has something to do with the shape of the brush. I can't take a<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>picture that shows anything on my awful camera, so I'll just say that it's pointy, properly bristled, and PLASTIC.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">So, plastic applicators haven't always been my favorite thing, but when it comes to smooth application of a thick-ass mascara like this one, plastic totally fits the bill.<br />
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I've also noticed that it adds length to the tips of my lashes without adding sticky residue that would otherwise come off on my upper cheeks. That didn't happen, and it dried quickly on my lashes without flaking.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">This mascara takes the cake. And we all love cake.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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Oh, and if you're looking for some shots of what this looks like applied, check out <a href="http://musingsofamuse.com/">the Muse</a>'s November post on this product <a href="http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2009/11/hard-candy-ginormous-mascara.html">here</a>.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">The other little pot that's there is Maybelline New York's Dream Mousse Shadow in Black Spice. Though I absolutely love this shadow, I have to be clear before one of you go buy it, open it, and wonder how the heck I wear it every day when it looks (and feels) so clumpy.<br />
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Well, it's a mousse by name, but more of a cream by texture. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">It applies easily if you use a small eye brush, or in my case, a flat lip brush. (I have oily eyelids.) Now let me name a few things about this shadow before I say how much I love it:</span><br />
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<ul><li>Not good for finger application. This is a bit iffy for me, because when it comes to any shadow that isn't dry packaged, I like to apply with my fingers.</li>
<li>If you tip it over, some of it will actually fly out. And it stains. Bad.</li>
<li>Sometimes the sparkles clump together, and take a bit of evening out before you get the "starry sky" look instead of the "i put crayons on my eyelids" look.</li>
</ul>Those things being said, I can now elaborate on why it's better than it seems:<br />
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<ul><li>Using a small brush, the application is MUCH easier. Takes a few minutes, but it's easier.</li>
<li>The color lasts ALL DAY. It doesn't fade, and it's a PERFECT BASE for many other dark gothy shades.</li>
<li>It's SUPER SMOOTH, so if you want to give the ends of your eyes a little wing action, you can easily just use a small lip brush and get profesh looking eyes from a $3 eyeshadow pot.</li>
<li>It's sparkly black. Love.</li>
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Super sexii right?? So go out and buy both of these right now!! ♥<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%; font-weight: bold;">webcake xoxoxoxo</span>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-76847611910411054172010-01-09T07:23:00.000-08:002010-01-09T07:39:27.308-08:00Super Cute Blog Spotlight!I spend a lot of time every morning and every night browsing the blogs of other beauty writers and fellow cutesy junkies. Though I love each and every blog I read (for the most part) and have enjoyed having such wonderful ladies on my BlogRoll, there are two that are super sweet and keep me endlessly entertained!<br /><br /><br />The following two ladies are cool (and totally lucky) enough to receive my 2nd ever blog award, the SUPER CUTE BLOG AWARD! Wicked original, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPo9eA8ZIFW6pRTweSCGiKYhBKKW5u7rPVGUV_pzn-tcqXifSOljG4exgqB-r4mYVsGXNW-s5ZGxI_5AxBFsGR7ic8-aXTKLlPces_UfjRs6o_P6MiikjdlylFlMIGi1ARN611a34yctk/s1600-h/supercuteaward.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPo9eA8ZIFW6pRTweSCGiKYhBKKW5u7rPVGUV_pzn-tcqXifSOljG4exgqB-r4mYVsGXNW-s5ZGxI_5AxBFsGR7ic8-aXTKLlPces_UfjRs6o_P6MiikjdlylFlMIGi1ARN611a34yctk/s320/supercuteaward.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424762823985498498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The first, a super cute blonde (and the only blonde that I don't secretly despise) and fab blogger, Chloë! Check out her blog at <a href="http://makeuprincess84.blogspot.com/">Makeup Princess!</a> ♥ I would also like to add that she's having a really neat giveaway right now, including prizes like Rimmel's Max Volume Flash mascara & some delicious chocolates! Yum!<br /><br /><br />The second is a fellow gamer, a really sweet and chic gal who's also worlds away from webcake's stomping grounds. She's Anastasia, at <a href="http://www.lipsticksandlightsabers.com/">Lipsticks & Lightsabers</a>, and she rules! Some of the stuff I like best about this girl is her brutally honest rants. She holds nothing back, and isn't afraid to speak exactly what's on her mind about a product, whether it's good, bad, or ugly. (Not normally ugly, since she's so cute. ♥)<br /><br />Congrats ladies! Feel free to show my awesome award on your blogs. You don't have to, but it's really cute so you totally should. <br /><br />Keep being so super cute!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">xoxo <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">webcake</span> <3</span>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-79239236103004540892010-01-04T16:27:00.000-08:002010-01-04T17:15:15.474-08:00Sweet special things!! L'Oréal Vive Pro & Harajuku Lovers LOVE fragrance ♥I hope everyone had a beautiful and happy holiday! I plan on sticking to my resolution this year. I hope everyone else does too...and honestly, I usually completely space mine and never do it anyway. But this time, it's different!<br /><br />So let's take a quick look at some of the neat stuff I've received recently. I got two things in particular that were my favorites! <img src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb212/ebelii/e.gif" /><br /><br />First, is the absolutely magnificent Harajuku Lover's perfume in <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">LOVE</span>.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/juku_lovers_love1.png" /><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/juku_lovers_love2.png" /></center><br />First is the super cute doll bottle and the little mini. And get this, that little mini slider is full of solid perfume...and it's shimmery! It's a transluscent shimmer and it smells so sweet!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P240010&categoryId=B70">LOVE is Gwen Stefani's scent</a>, and has hints of Rose, Peach, Pink Pomelo, Ylang Ylang, Watery Peony, Bamboo Leaf, Jasmine Sambac, Creamy Paperwhites, Egyptian Jasmine, Musk, Blond Wood, Vanilla, Bergamot, and Nectarine Blossom!<br /><br />It all comes together to smell sweet, soft, and tOOoooOOotally sexy. There's a peeve I have with it though...that it doesn't last as long as I would like. I love it when pretty scents cling to my sweatshirts, and have people saying how good I smell *all* day when I only apply it in the morning. Other than that, it's <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">wondersextastic</span>. </span> I totally recommend it if you like a soft combination of floral and woodsy.<br /><br />Another neato thing that I got was <a href="http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/?page=top{userdata//d+d//|diagnostic|main:pdp//objectid+HCa2_29//{pdp_tab:pdp_overview//objectid+HCa2_29//}|media:_blank|nav|overlay:_blank}">L'Oréal Vive Pro Glossy</a> Body Boosting Shampoo! It's for fine hair, which I certainly have. My hair is totally thin and gets dry and oily way too easily depending on what's in my shampoo...so it's totally hard to find something that I can use continuously. (Other than <a href="http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/OLRO16/RoseLiquidSoap.htm">Dr. Bronner's Rose</a>.) <br /><br /><center><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/loreal_vive_pro1.png"><img src="http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/webcake/loreal_vive_pro2.png"></center><br />See that? Glossy Volume! Automatically I thought "greasy heavy mess", but I was way wrong.<br /><br />This stuff works GREAT! Usually my problem is that shampoo meant to give body to hair usually adds a lot of weight to it too. That's really counterproductive in hair like mine, it's just thin and flat. This shampoo doesn't seem to do that though, it just adds some gentle bounce and softness, and it even makes it look shiny without looking greasy!<br /><br />There's never a gross film when I rinse this stuff out in the next shower, either. That's usually why I can tell shampoos aren't great for my hair, because they still leave a residue later at night or the day after. <br /><br />Well, that's all for now! Hope everyone enjoys coming down from their new year's festivities ;)webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-27555201765549639262009-12-24T19:41:00.000-08:002009-12-24T20:24:47.488-08:00Soothing holiday bath recipes!Happy holidays from webcake! <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);font-size:78%;" >xoxo</span><br /><br />We're smack dab in the middle of another freezing winter, and it's Christmas eve! I couldn't possible be in a better mood! :)<br /><br />I might not have the same sort of family many others have, but the people I spend my holidays with are more of a family to me than many people's real life families are. I'm so grateful for everyone and everything I have, and I'm so glad I made so many wonderful beauty maven friends to share my holiday wishes! ♥<br /><br />So here's a little gi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/a/d/9/8/High_angle_view_7fee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 290px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/a/d/9/8/High_angle_view_7fee.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>ft from me; a compilation of some awesome d.i.y. holiday recipes for some serious Christmas day relaxation! Let's face it -- Christmas is a great day to spend with loved ones, but it can be one of the most stressful times of the entire year. At the end of the day on Christmas, lots of women like to kick back, relax, and enjoy the rest of their time off. What better way to do that, then with a bubble bath filled with all natural, easy to make goodies that will <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2084139/how_to_make_soothing_almond_bath_salts.html?cat=69">relax your body</a> and soothe your skin!<br /><br />Instead of linking to one of my bath salt recipes, I'll just type out the quick version here. I like the recipes where you can have the scents sit for a week or two, but it's Christmas eve and we just don't have time for that!<br /><br />This recipe has one or two ingredients that can be interchangeable, depending on what you want your salts to do and what you would like them to smell like. The basic recipe is very easy to follow:<br /><ul><li>1/4 cup sea salt</li><li>1/4 cup epsom salts</li><li>oil (essentials like lavender, <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1871011/refreshing_fresh_mint_bath_salts.html?cat=69">peppermint,</a> tea tree)<br /></li><li>other (buttermilk, baking soda, fresh squeezed orange juice)<br /></li></ul>For oils, it's very simple. You can pretty much just feel out how much oil you will need to use for your salts, depending on the consistency and type of oil you want to use. For instance, if you want something that will strip the dirt from your pores and leave your skin naturally moisturized, extra virgin olive oil can be used in place of an expensive essential oil. Or, if you love to use essentials, try using a holiday scent like pine or peppermint!<br /><br />The strength of the oil also has a lot to do with how much you will need to add. Try adding two drops at a time and feeling it out as you mix the oiled salts together with your fingers. This will give you a good idea of what they will feel like once dissolved in water -- too little and it will be gritty, too much and it will be greasy!<br /><br />When combining your oils and your "other", you want to make sure you don't make a gross combination that will confuse your skin and smell like feet. For example, don't put a small splash of buttermilk with peppermint essential oil. It won't smell good, and it will make your skin icky and filmy. Use buttermilk if you're using just a small amount of cinnamon, coconut, or olive oil. Just use common sense, you can't go wrong.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Why baking soda?</span> It's a detoxifying agent that softens your skin. Add just a SMALL amount of this to your salts if you would like, but it's not necessary.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><center><br /></center></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Why orange juice?</span> Because it's full of vitamins and the natural goodness of citrus, duh! Adding just a teeny splash of OJ to your salts and mixing well can help clean and brighten your skin, and can also aid in removing more dead skin cells. Sure, they'll be floating in your water for a while, but they'll slide easier off your skin, and that's what's important!<br /><br />What am I making? <a href="http://www.veria.com/article/buttermilk-bath-salts.html">Buttermilk</a> and cinnamon salts.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: right;"><center></center></div><br />OH, I should mention to tie your hair back or up if you use a particularly softening salts recipe...you don't want super oily hair!<br /><br /><center><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/rentheia/GIF%20images/Divider/xmasdiv.gif"></center><br /><br />Save money this Christmas while treating yourself like a queen! I hope you all have a fantastic holiday season!!webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-19996931441820962972009-12-22T22:07:00.001-08:002009-12-22T22:51:07.013-08:00Your diet's relationship with your hair and skin ...Everyone is well aware that our diet has almost everything to do with our body's health. What a surprising number of people don't know, is that your diet also has quite a lot to do with your skin and hair's health too. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can make shiny hair look dull and limp, and can cause blotchy and clammy looking skin all over. (Ewies.)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=woman%20eating&iid=204625" target="_blank"><img style="width: 281px; height: 227px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0201/1fad2656-b336-4391-9157-c2017b4d606a.jpg?adImageId=8552703&imageId=204625" alt="Woman eating" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />I admit, I will eat unhealthy things from time to time, because not only am I weak willed, but I have a butt as big as Mars, and it takes a lot to keep that badonkadonk bouncing efficiently. Though I cram the occasional (3) burger(s) down my chute, I still make sure that most of my week is filled with foods stocked with natural goodies that will keep my skin and hair looking healthy.<br /><br />For example, if you want to keep your hair and skin naturally moisturized, add natural foods to your diet rich in fruit and vegetable oils. Try adding lots of olives, <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1786186/avocado_beauty_tips.html?cat=69">avocado</a>, peanuts, almonds, and salmon to your diet for starters. Eating enough of these foods can even help cure cases of eczema!<br /><br />When it comes to vitamins and minerals, there are some that are specifically suited to heal and repair skin and hair. Vitamins E, C, A, K, and B complex are all super best friends of your skin and hair. Adding lots of foods to your diet that contain these vitamins (like oranges, <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2084265/the_benefits_of_adding_radishes_to.html?cat=69">radishes</a>, cranberry) can seriously improve your skin and hair health in no time!<br /><br />Changing your diet can even help get rid of skin and hair conditions that you may already have. I already mentioned eczema (let me add that many products on the market today to treat eczema contain avocado, almond, coconut, and peppermint oils!), and there are also plenty of diets out there tailored to <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/acne-diets-top-2-diets-that-get-rid-of-acne.html">cure things like acne</a>, psoriasis, spotty hair growth, and excessive sweating.<br /><br />I have two articles that you should take a look at if you care at all about your smooth skin and luxurious hair:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1984922/10_foods_to_keep_your_skin_healthy.html?cat=69">10 Foods for Healthy Skin</a><br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2001538/5_foods_for_healthy_shiny_hair.html?cat=69">5 Foods for Healthy Hair</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=woman%20eating&iid=160894" target="_blank"><img style="width: 268px; height: 178px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0157/cd580bc8-fe8b-4096-a2f9-f0cacbdb579d.jpg?adImageId=8553473&imageId=160894" alt="Close-up of woman eating frozen treat" border="0" /></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /></div><br /><br />Also, you should try to make yourself more aware of the <a href="http://curezone.com/diseases/toxins/">toxins</a> that are in many of today's food products. You could end up just as appalled as me to find out that half of the food in your cupboard is, in large enough doses, somewhat poisonous. That creeps me out, but that's a rant for another day. Drinking lots of water can help rid your body of some of the toxins, and can also help curb hunger. Of course, water helps keep your skin and hair hydrated too, so drink plenty! (As much as you possibly can without peeing every four minutes.)<br /><br />Though it sucks hardcore, eating less of the things like ice cream, pizza, burgers, and fries can severely improve your health in every single way. I know they're delicious, believe me, but there's nothing more important than being smart and pretty...and you don't look very smart and pretty shoving pizza in your mouth with oily skin and dry, dull hair.<br /><br />Happy holidays, stay cute and healthy and don't forget to send me cookies ♥<br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-41318466076318399712009-12-18T20:27:00.000-08:002009-12-20T10:03:02.642-08:00Helpful makeup & hair tips for girls with glasses! *<div style="text-align: center;"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br /><br /></div>Remember when wearing glasses made you a nerd? Kids still said "four eyes" and other manner of silly things to make the few that wore glasses feel like outcasts for being different. Boy, have times sure changed! <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">♥</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=" wearing="" glasses="" iid="5103314"" target="_blank"><img style="width: 279px; height: 209px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/6/5/2/b/Young_woman_wearing_8a7b.jpg?adImageId=8468591&imageId=5103314" alt="Young woman wearing glasses, portrait" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Now, glasses are chic and sexy! Pretty much half the kids in school nowadays are rocking some sick shades, and it's a safe bet that much of the ridicule has ceased. There are even many, MANY boys (and girls) that think glasses on a lady are the <a href="http://www.kineda.com/girls-with-glasses-are-hot/">hottest thing</a> since the white hot fiery pulses of a quasar.<br /><br />Sure, glasses are awesome now, and sure, lots of girls are even buying a pair with see through glass lenses instead of prescription lenses <a href="http://celebritystyleblog.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/clear-glasses-fake-non-prescription-clear-glasses-1080/">simply for the style</a>, but there are still some small drawbacks.<br /><br />For instance, when you have a long (real long) beauty routine in the morning that includes masterful foundation application, you could get very very frustrated if your glasses leave lines on your cheeks. It rubs off the foundation and powders in a perfect little red line right on your cheeks and makes it look like you got smacked in the face with the side of a George Foreman grill. Also, those two little soft bumpers on the bridge of your nose -- you know the ones I'm talking about -- can bcause troublesome dry spots, or just simply irritate you with the way they rub off all your makeup on your nose after a while. Also, those hinges that keep your glasses together can pinch your hair, if it's long enough. And that can be very, very painful if it gets tugged out!<br /><br /><br />Taking along a pressed powder compact in your purse/bag/pocket/whatever could help patch up any smudges your glasses create. Also, make sure if you can't brush your hair every few hours, keep it as non-straggly as it can be by putting it behind your ears, and kicking the habit of playing with your hair. (If you play with your hair too often anyway, it can get greasy and develop split ends.)<br /><br />You might also want to try carrying around a soft cover stick (like <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/face/all_over_cover_stick">e.l.f's All Over Cover Stick</a>) to help conceal those smudged or red spots. Try dabbing the areas you use the cover stick on with some pressed powder to help blend it back into the rest of your foundation. Be careful, too...if it's winter time, you need to make sure your skin is properly moisturized before you start adding layers and layers of foundation! That reminds me...keep the bridge of your nose and the upper parts of your cheeks extra soft and moisturized when you plan to wear your glasses!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=woman%20wearing%20glasses&iid=294975" target="_blank"><img style="width: 262px; height: 173px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0291/1ab3e5ed-9637-4ca5-b7a3-3939e3da7deb.jpg?adImageId=8493169&imageId=294975" alt="Woman with glasses" border="0" /></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /></div><br /><br />As usual, I've compiled some helpful thingies to help you achieve makeup & hair perfection while you wear your glasses. First, a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91-EqPzSiRA">video from Michelle Phan</a> from earlier 2009 with excellent tips for glasses & makeup.<br /><br />Here's a great <a href="http://www.misschievous.tv/2009/10/makeup-for-glasses-wearers.html">post with a video included from MissChievous</a>. She makes it look so easy and glamorous!<br /><br />Also, there are a couple great tidbits; here's a <a href="http://www.makeuptalk.com/forums/f148/eye-makeup-tips-people-glasses-92399.html">post from Makeup Talk</a> with a couple good pointers, and a great <a href="http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2008/11/11/eye-makeup-tips-for-glasses-wearers/">article from Beauty with Brains</a> with unique make up tips that are organized very well -- you can even find out how your prescription changes how your eyes look!<br /><br />Have fun! Aqua teen is over, which means it's time for webcake to visit sweet, sweet dreamland. Good night ladies!<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">♥</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:78%;" >xoxo</span><br /></div>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-60889207394187481512009-12-12T14:50:00.000-08:002009-12-12T15:28:19.317-08:00Winter makeup tips!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff68/smile4ev/GRAPHICS/62d3e107e215.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff68/smile4ev/GRAPHICS/62d3e107e215.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Happy winter from webcake! <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">xoxo</span></span><br /><br />When the weather starts to get cold and the wind starts to sting your skin, you know you're going to need a bit of extra protection against the elements. Get a head start on things by making sure you moisturize properly with oil-free moisturizers and face creams.<br /><br />Using moisturizers with vitamin E, aloe, and shea butter can help improve your skin's texture through the day if you are often exposed to the cold weather. (See why vitamin E is good for your skin <a href="http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/vitamins/vitamin-e.html">here</a>.)<br /><br />Aside from making sure you moisturize enough, you also need to make sure you don't use a foundation that dries too quickly. (The cheap ones unfortunately seem to do even more damage in cold weather.) If the wind makes your cheeks cold and puffy, it can completely mess up your complexion and make all of that time you spent in the morning completely worthless. And that...is very annoying.<br /><br />If you're like me and you live somewhere that gets pretty darn cold in the winter, you'll notice that your beauty routine almost completely changes with the seasons. Once it starts to get colder, there are just some products we can't wear.<br /><br />For example, I've noticed mousse or cream eye shadows and foundations (or anything with a light whipped type consistency that you put on your face) seem to disappear when chilly wind hits your face for extended periods of time. Either that, or they start making strange lines and seeping into whatever is left of your skin's natural oil, making streaks on my eye lids.<br /><br />You also want to make sure that the soap and/or body wash that you're using is <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2385420/is_your_soap_helping_or_harming_your.html?cat=69">doing it's job</a> properly, and not over drying your skin. Your soap can't tell when it's winter, so you have to adjust how and when you wash accordingly. Also, just because it's winter doesn't mean you shouldn't use your moisturizer with an SPF! The sun is still beating down on your skin, even when it's cold.<br /><br />Looking for some products that are specifically made for your skin in cold weather? Lucky you, because I've scoured the internet for them so you don't have to!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSC5kzLKSaHf9CSgsYpWWvysJaLmwdsMKv2CyaEGwz0bHJSWwCROt3g58jr3eGVKcrROHNRQWaGuKGHr46ED19UQ6LrM9zK3qR-Ks5sjRuf7HvsI4JkDoci1Cp452Auy4IAw71KyWBZ8/s1600-h/clinique+moisture+surge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSC5kzLKSaHf9CSgsYpWWvysJaLmwdsMKv2CyaEGwz0bHJSWwCROt3g58jr3eGVKcrROHNRQWaGuKGHr46ED19UQ6LrM9zK3qR-Ks5sjRuf7HvsI4JkDoci1Cp452Auy4IAw71KyWBZ8/s320/clinique+moisture+surge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414490810253083906" border="0" /></a><br />First, I'll start with <a href="http://www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY4918/PROD13291/Skin_Care/Moisturizers/index.tmpl">Clinique's Moisture Surge</a> moisturizer. It's incredibly easy to apply and goes on so very smooth, you can feel it absorbing right into your skin! Also, it's suited for long wear and can last through the elements, keeping your face properly moisturized and keeping you from getting those big red puffy cheeks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYlLrxymj49jWZHECl8k9tv7OPzHM_xBekzD73kvdZN5uXH9I0LzMoLFB84gaIOVeD7-Qw-RLIc7pKykgJpXg4e1Ck5vfunI_hA6a-722TOI5qjmACkdixnB8iadpw2jMkoPwDHyWc54/s1600-h/6002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYlLrxymj49jWZHECl8k9tv7OPzHM_xBekzD73kvdZN5uXH9I0LzMoLFB84gaIOVeD7-Qw-RLIc7pKykgJpXg4e1Ck5vfunI_hA6a-722TOI5qjmACkdixnB8iadpw2jMkoPwDHyWc54/s320/6002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414491037943564066" border="0" /></a>Next, I'm crazy about <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/face/tinted_moisturizer_spf_15">e.l.f tinted moisturizer</a>. I use it a heck of a lot every day on the circles under my eyes and on the shadowed parts of my forehead and chin, because those places seem to get dry the quickest. This not only blends easily into my foundation and powder, but is actually a really great moisturizer for the price.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRzTHuKTdUeIeyY9KANVkT3jZe8pFtP35JjNZF-7XT0mCXP0Ab5_DeovGPjfY4aEih1lkg-4h1b_OvlbFBo7ygHotJae5QnCEYiEXrcOa7JwVaEGntAbmQVUrLWIoA70s31hlkp1Z83M/s1600-h/30534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRzTHuKTdUeIeyY9KANVkT3jZe8pFtP35JjNZF-7XT0mCXP0Ab5_DeovGPjfY4aEih1lkg-4h1b_OvlbFBo7ygHotJae5QnCEYiEXrcOa7JwVaEGntAbmQVUrLWIoA70s31hlkp1Z83M/s320/30534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414491577594092018" border="0" /></a><br />It's blue, it's chunky, it's in an ugly little tub and it smells like menthol and camphor! Surprise! It IS menthol and camphor! It's Blistex's Lip Medex, and no winter would be complete without this little blue pot of menthol lip balm. It cools your lips when they're dry and chapped, and keeps them moisturized for a good amount of time. It's not cute to whip this out all the time, but before you leave the house it's a good idea to put some on. You can find it at pretty much every drugstore ever.<br /><br /><br />Keep your hoods on and tie them closed so a lot of snowy, chilly, winter wind doesn't directly contact your skin. Use spot treatment moisturizers as much as you can, and never skimp on the chapstick!<br /><br />Looking for some more makeup tips from the pros? <a href="http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Makeup-Skin-Care/Winter-Makeup-Tips-for-a-Smooth-Complexion">Here's a recent good tidbit from ELLE</a> on keeping your skin healthy in winter.<br /><br><br /><br>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-21399190054208490592009-12-12T06:43:00.000-08:002009-12-12T06:52:02.529-08:00Natural D.I.Y face masks can rejuvinate and heal your skin this winter!Many, many women have one similar problem in common when the weather brings icy, raw winds and snow. We all get skin problems — like dryness, patches, puffiness, etc. — that can seriously hinder our makeup routine or even destroy it altogether. It’s very difficult to have a perfect look if you’re over moisturizing or using too many concealers to try and combat a problem brought on by the winter weather.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=face%20mask&iid=5148774" target="_blank"><img style="width: 225px; height: 226px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/3/d/0/c/portrait_of_a_caf3.jpg?adImageId=8252709&imageId=5148774" alt="portrait of a young woman with a face pack" border="0" /></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p>There’s some fantastic at-home face masks you can make that can help protect your skin, as well as heal it before the next day’s beauty routine. I’ve got a collection myself:</p> <p>˟˟ Skin Smoothing <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2290541/make_your_own_brown_sugar_face_mask.html?cat=69">Brown Sugar Mask</a></p> <p>˟˟ Moisturizing <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1851805/moisturizing_olive_oil_face_mask.html?cat=69">Olive Oil Mask</a></p> <p>˟˟ Rejuvenating <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1789248/rejuvenating_aspirin_face_mask.html?cat=69">Aspirin Mask</a></p> <p>˟˟ Softening <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2159727/cucumber_melon_face_mask.html?cat=69">Cucumber Melon Mask</a><br />I hope you enjoy making them and using them as much as I do! If you’re looking for facial scrubs you can make right at home using natural ingredients to use before your mask, I’ve got some of those too:</p> <p>˟˟ Exfoliating <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2168239/how_to_make_exfoliating_cinnamon_face.html?cat=69">Cinnamon Face Wash</a></p> <p>˟˟ Deep Cleaning <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2145157/deep_cleansing_lemon_facial_scrub.html?cat=69">Lemon Face Wash</a></p> <p>˟˟ Pore Cleansing <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2083723/tomato_and_basil_facial_cleanser.html?cat=69">Tomato Basil Wash</a></p> <p>˟˟ Soft and Sweet <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1883226/beautiful_skin_using_coconut_milk_and.html?cat=69">Coconut Milk Wash</a></p> <p>Stay natural ladies, and keep your skin safe and healthy this winter! Happy early holidays!</p> <h4>xoxo webcake <3</h4>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-62238878812330210282009-12-12T06:12:00.000-08:002009-12-12T06:43:08.978-08:00Kick that cold to the curb with natural home remedies!Nobody likes getting sick, especially when it’s a monster cold with sniffles, runny nose, horrible congestion and a sore throat that feels like fire and razorblades. I’m still in the process of getting rid of a really persistent cold, and I was utterly betrayed by modern medicine the past couple nights. <p>Obviously, I’ll try for the conventional bottled medicine in the cabinet before I start chugging salt & vinegar water. But this time, even after (well over) the reccommended dosage of Robutissin, Sudafed, and even slathering Vicks all over my entire upper body, I was getting little to no relief at all. My throat was the worst, it just felt like a bunch of bees kept stinging my throat cavity over and over in an attempt to make me claw through my skin and let them out.</p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=sick&iid=75127" target="_blank"><img style="width: 385px; height: 256px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0072/99875d43-bbfa-4a9a-96cf-9169f474d7e1.jpg?adImageId=8252490&imageId=75127" alt="Box of facial tissue" border="0" /></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /></div><p><br /><br /></p> <p>After not sleeping for over 24 hours and laying with an agonizing cough, I decided to do what I should have done in the first place. The ceyenne pepper remedy!</p> <p>There are plenty of helpful places on the web that can tell you how to make simple ceyenne pepper remedies, like <a href="http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/sore_throat.html">Earth Clinic</a>’s recipies. Here I’ll share with you a simple way to use it in your morning tea. You’ll need:</p> <ul><li>a warm cup of black, green, or red tea</li><li>a few drops of (preferably local) honey</li><li>a hearty dash of ceyenne pepper</li><li>a circular medium-thick slice of fresh lemon</li></ul> <p>I expect people to already know how to make a cup of remedy tea, but just in case you don’t, I’ll explain it so you don’t basically mace yourself with this one. Make your cup of tea, remove (and squeeze remnants from) the tea bag and throw it away. Add your drops of honey and dash of ceyenne. MIX INCREDIBLY WELL. Why do you have to mix it well? Because if you sip it, and any dry ceyenne happens to hit the back of your throat, it will burn. Very, very badly.</p><p><br /></p> <p>Now drop in your lemon slice, let it sit for a moment and then give it one more stir, in case any pepper has settled. Now, enjoy your tea. The best part about this remedy is; if you’re using it, you most likely are so sick that you can’t taste/smell anything. That works well here, because the tea might taste a bit awful and I’m sure it doesn’t smell so great either.</p><p><br /></p> <p>Take small sips, and don’t be alarmed if your lips or the tip of your tongue tingle a bit. It’s pretty much the same sensation as if you ate a bunch of hot wings. Unless you’re a weenie, you should be able to handle that. Just wash it down with another cup of regular tea with another lemon in it, and you should notice almost immedeate results. Your stinging throat should haave subsided, and if you couldn’t previously eat solid food, you can now! This remedy works very fast and it’s perfect for me. (You can’t look pretty when you’re coughing up brown stuff and have snot hanging out of your nose.)</p> <p>There’s truly nothing better than natural remedies. You can use apple cider vinegar and organic honey in lots of natural cold remedies too, and both can be found right at <a href="http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/sore_throat.html">Earth Clinic</a>. Stay safe and feel better!</p>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6743602955886445895.post-89703174238464081762009-12-10T19:50:00.000-08:002009-12-12T20:30:01.182-08:00Salts in your beauty routine ♥<div style="text-align: left;">There's been a good number of ingredients that have been part of a woman's beauty routine for centuries upon centuries. One of those indispensable ingredients is salts. Some of the most prized salts are <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2168057/why_are_dead_sea_salts_so_special.html">dead sea salts</a>, because of the density of all those excellent minerals packed into such tiny salty granules.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=bath%20salt&iid=295192" target="_blank"><img style="width: 290px; height: 176px;" src="http://cdn.picapp.com/ftp/Images/0291/32de168c-f503-4fd2-b126-a9dd9855b356.jpg?adImageId=8269066&imageId=295192" alt="Bath salts" border="0" /></a><br /></div><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></div>"While the ocean has an average salinity of around 3%, the Dead Sea has a steady salinity of over 33%. This concentration of minerals causes the salts harvested from the Dead Sea to have more goodies packed into each natural grain. Also, while sodium compromises most of what's in regular sea salt, Dead Sea salt contains only 10% sodium. The rest is natural minerals."</blockquote><br />(Read the rest <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2168057/why_are_dead_sea_salts_so_special.html">here.</a>)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dead Sea salts are expensive, that's no lie. Luckily, there's a cheaper, and still very effective alternative. Natural sea salts are great for your skin, whether you're using them to help clean it, heal it, exfoliate it, or get rid of acne on it's surface. So grab that cylindrical container and make some awesome stuff for your skin right at home!<br /></div><br /><br /><ul><li>Make your own <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1859941/how_to_make_green_tea_bath_salts.html?cat=69">green tea bath salts</a></li><li>Make your own <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2145039/stress_relief_lilac_bath_salts.html?cat=69">stress relief salts</a></li><li>Make a <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1851805/moisturizing_olive_oil_face_mask.html?cat=69">moisturizing face mask</a> with sea salt</li><li>Simple and effective <a href="http://www.carefair.com/Body/Simple_Sea_Salt_Treatments_870.html">sea salt spot treatments</a></li><li>Remove dead cells with this <a href="http://wildcabbage.net/homemade-olive-oil-sea-salt-facial-scrub/">salt scrub</a></li></ul><br />Use natural products and ingredients (like using sea salt or cinnamon for exfoliation) as often as you can. It's always better for your skin no matter WHAT.<br /><br />Byesies! <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:78%;" >xoxo</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js"></script>webcakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05803750028630685978noreply@blogger.com0