beauty products Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

How to Find Makeup for Sensitive Skin

Paula — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 12:15:42 +0000

Do you have sensitive skin? Me too sometimes. My younger daughter is the same actually but she’s prone to itching and feeling the impact of harsh fragrance first. Recently I bought a night cream that seemed excellent and was super moisturizing. But it actually made my skin break out. So I stopped using it and gave my skin a break. Then I tried it again. Sure enough I broke out immediately again. When you are an entrepreneur running your own business and brand that’s completely not cool. And together with my daughter we have many stories like that. Sometimes I absorb the loss and don’t use a product again but other times I am faced with returning products that don’t work. Do you have really sensitive skin? Can you relate? A lot of people with sensitive skin find themselves having to constantly return makeup due to allergic reactions, or breakouts. No matter what the case is, more brands are coming out with lines for sensitive skin or allergies. They might cost a little bit more sometimes, but it can be worth it in the long run to have nice healthy skin. And frankly it’s simpler to find something that works the first time instead of playing the return game. So what are you to do if you love makeup and need moisturizer regularly too? Here are a few tips on what can help your sensitive skin. Sensitive Skin Ideas Use Powders & Mineral Makeup Powder foundations, blushes and other mineral makeup won’t have a lot of ingredients that some other makeup products do, which is what causes the skin to get irritated. Using powders will cause a lot less skin irritations than using liquid foundations. Get Rid of Any Old & Expired Cosmetics Often sensitivity can develop suddenly. Even though a certain product didn’t cause any skin irritations, doesn’t mean it won’t cause problems now. Like food, beauty products can get spoiled. This is important to remember since makeup is being applied to the face and eyes. Eye infections can result and are hard to get rid of. I know way too much about pink eye here and other eye infections. Last year I had one that wouldn’t go away and ended up throwing out all eye makeup twice and starting over. A lifespan for cosmetics: foundations will last about a year; lipsticks lasts one year as well; toss out your mascara after four months; and your powders and blushes can last up to two years. One mistake many people make is forgetting to clean makeup brushes. It’s important to make sure makeup brushes are cleaned on a regular basis, because the dirt and germs on the makeup brushes can cause skin irritation. Find Earth-Tone Eye Shadows Use eye shadows that are earth-toned. For many, colors like cream, beige or tan cause less eye irritation. Many makeup artists will say that red dye used in some shadows causes problems for many people. Others may experience reactions to using purple eye shadows. These are two common and popular shades that can cause irritation to the eyes. Black eye liner and mascara products are the least allergenic of all the other colours. Use Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or Higher Many dermatologists, makeup artists and skincare specialists will tell people to use products that have an SPF of 15 or higher in them. Check the amount of ingredients always too. The fewer the ingredients, the less likely the sunscreen will create irritation problems. A lot of make up brands are now making foundations that have an SPF of 15 or higher. Remember to check the labels before purchasing to make sure it has the SPF labeled clearly. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Snatched – 15 Tried and True Spring Beauty Favorites

Paula — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:30:31 +0000

The winter months are super hard on my skin. I have had to change my skin and hair care routine a few times so far this year. Which is one reason I am looking forward to spring. Spring and summer bring much kinder skin and hair. In the meantime I have been swooning over some of the latest spring beauty favorites. Spring beauty favorites seemed like a great idea for a post this week. There are a few amazing products here that I use all the time in my home. And there are a few spring beauty products that I am coveting right now. There are also some great hair care products that my girls rely on regularly all year round. For instance, Batiste is one we can’t live without. So, here are my spring beauty faves of the season. 15 Spring Beauty Favorites from Amazon La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash Cleanser for Sensitive Skin Sensitive skin products welcome here always. This is a brand that works well for many skin conditions. Vichy Mineral Infused Face Mask We love face masks. Do you use them? My kids are teens so they get their fair share of blemishes. Face masks can help with that. Colorescience Skin Bronzing Face SPF 20 Primer Skin bronzing face primer is magical! Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse for Body Sunless tanning mousse. Need I say more. LOVE the suntan look without getting the sun damage. Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil With Vitamin E Excellent for your skin. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water Some people LOVE micellar water. I haven’t used it much yet. Trying some this season. UD Naked Eyeshadow Palette Can’t have enough of these. Batiste Dry Shampoo This is the best. My kids are busy and they use Batiste dry shampoo a lot. Can’t wash your hair every single day. It’s not doable. Batiste works well for the in between days. Gillette Venus Women’s Sensitive Razors We have sensitive skin so we often look for products with sensitive skin in mind. Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel ADORE this brand. I have used many of their products. OPI Lisbon Spring Collection The spring collection all!! Exciting. L’Oréal Paris Infallible PAINTS/LIPS Can’t get enough of lip products especially good ones with moisture built in. Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream This was sent to me recently and I have been using it every night for a couple of weeks. My skin looks pretty good after two weeks use. It was dry and even patchy in some spots before I started using this. Seems to have evened out the texture somehow as well. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion Sunscreen Neutrogena makes super reliable skin care products. We have many in our house. This Neutrogena sunscreen is one we have in the drawer for ready access in summer. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Color Correcting Palette Spring is On the Horizon. Time for a makeup overhaul and there are several finds here you should give a closer look. I am an Amazon Associates member. I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you buy something linked to here as a courtesy to my readers. Thanks for reading and checking these gorgeous products out.

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Protecting Skin in a New Way with Skindinavia

Paula — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 12:24:27 +0000

Protecting skin is generally associated with blocking UV rays and moisturizing, but there’s one thing many women do almost every day that is hard on our skin. We wear makeup. To me makeup is a part of most days, but it’s also not the best for your skin. Now Skindinavia has a product that is great at protecting skin and helping it recover from makeup use. Protecting Skin from the Daily Routine If makeup suddenly fell out of fashion tomorrow would you care? I might actually. I tend to be pale without it and that’s not a great look for me. This year I have less and less time for makeup. It’s a total time suck in the morning and it can also be hard on skin. On winter nights I need to “nourish” my dry skin, so that’s not negotiable. And on days when I have in person meetings I apply makeup. But I enjoy those days when I can go without it entirely. Skindinavia Post Makeup Recovery Spray is designed to help skin recuperate from wearing makeup. It’s designed to help us fight the damaging effects of makeup like clogged pores, extra oil, and the resulting skin blemishes that can be caused by wearing makeup and what wearing it does to our skin. It’s simple to use. All you do is spray it on your skin within 5 minutes of removing your makeup, and that’s it. How Skindinavia Works This new post makeup recovery spray has only been on the market for a short time, but it’s already seen a major blast of popularity among makeup artists to keep skin clear after makeup removal. Skindinavia works by delivering zinc, magnesium, and willow bark to help keep skin clear up and feel refreshed after wearing makeup. These ingredients work to reduce oils on the skin as well as to tighten pores and reduce breakouts. In fact, Zinc has been shown to reduce skin breakouts by 50%. I have been using Skindinavia Post Makeup Recovery Spray for about a week. I love the feel of this refreshing spray after I wash my face and remove makeup and dirt from the day. It is light and soothing and seems to make skin radiant and dewy fast. Follow instructions and you will see for yourself. The hardest part of this new product is adding it to your routine and changing your post makeup habits. And while Skindinavia has been shown to work, what I’m just as excited about is that it’s a product that really thinks about our skin’s health. As I mentioned, it’s proven to reduce breakouts and improve skin, but it’s also paraben-free, and just as important to me, it’s cruelty-free. NO animal testing! Give Skin Some Love with Skindinavia Skindinavia is an easy to use spray designed for protecting skin from the daily ravages of makeup and it works. It helps protect our skin and leave it healthier than when we started using it by reducing breakouts, excess oil buildup, and big pores. If you wear makeup regularly, you know how hard it can be on your skin. Skindinavia is designed for protecting skin from the daily makeup grind. Check it out for yourself. I received product in order to write about this topic. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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First Shave – Building Good Hygiene Habits for Daughters #ad #moveslikenoother

Paula — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 20:07:37 +0000

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gillette Venus. All opinions are 100% mine. First shave. There are so many teen and tween developmental milestones that are tricky areas to navigate. First period, first kiss, first shave, first date. There’s really no rule book for these areas. Even though your girls will probably pretend they do not want to hear any of this information from Mom, it’s important that they learn. I mean everything Mom does or says is embarrassing at a certain point, but still you have to keep the channels of communication open. And it’s important that you help build in some basic good hygiene habits from the start. Make the First Shave a Great Experience The first shave is a MAJOR first. I’m not even joking when I say that my youngest was asking since she was 11 years old. “When should I start shaving my legs?” I repeatedly advised her she was a bit too young to start at 11, but by 12 she didn’t want to wait any longer, so it was time to discuss how to do a first shave and what tools we needed. On the weekend we were both driving to a social event – a bridal shower – together. It was an exciting day and something purely girly. Only my youngest and I were going because my older girl had a rehearsal for her play and was busy. The nice thing about these opportunities is that we have the chance to have Girl Time and one on one GIRL DAY. Yes, we even call it that. After martial arts, she and I tidied up and were preparing to dress up a bit so we had the chance to cover this topic again. Use Shave Gel Always start with a great shave gel and use a moisturizing lotion after shaving. The gel helps eliminate skin irritation, and the lotion keeps skin hydrated and healthy. Luckily the Gillette Venus Swirl has a water activated Moisture Glide Serum making the first shave and every shave thereafter, a gentle experience. That’s important for teens and tweens, and Moms too. You can find more information about the product here – www.gillettevenus.ca Use Warm Water Warm water is best for shaving because it opens the pores and helps with getting a closer shave. After shaving, give a quick spray of cold water on the legs to close all those pores back up. Don’t Buy Into the Waxing Myth Many girls, and women too, think that waxing is the only way to get smooth, hair-free and exfoliated skin. This is a MYTH. And a painful one, at that! If your daughter uses a good shave gel and a sharp razor, she’ll get skin that’s just as smooth and exfoliated without the pain of waxing. Waxing can be expensive and painful. Razors are generally more convenient and affordable. Use a Razor That’s Designed for Women In addition to menstruation and the first shave, part of becoming a woman is developing curves. For a wonderful experience with that first shave and every shave after, our daughters can’t use just any old razor. Women need something that navigates curves without causing pressure, skin irritation, and the worst of all, cuts. The Venus Swirl was made for women and designed by women. Why do I care about that? Women’s bodies are unique. We quite simply shouldn’t be shaving with razors made for men. It’s important to me to support businesses that build their products for women, with input from women. It matters to me as a parent of two girls. If your tween, or teenager, is just starting to use a razor, you don’t want them getting discouraged easily. Good products that work are vital to making sure their first tries at shaving are successful. Venus Swirl pivots nicely to manoeuvre around curves, so your daughter doesn’t have to work too hard. The moisture glide serum also means no irritation during or after shaving. My daughter has sensitive skin so I am very conscious of things that can aggravate her and cause itching or dry skin. I find, when I shave, that the knee, both behind and in front, and the ankle area are the trickiest spots. There are often fine hairs left around the knee area even after a long shave. But that wasn’t the case with the Venus Swirl. No more missed hairs? That’s something to celebrate and share. If I had a dollar for every single time I cut myself near the ankle with a rigid razor I’d have about $100 more dollars than I do today. FLEXIBALL™ technology somehow translated into no nicks or cuts. That’s the way a shave should be. The flexible nature of the Venus Swirl is ideal for your teenager. Whether you have been shaving for 30 years, or are just learning, comfort and convenience matters. The cute design doesn’t hurt either. For kicks on the weekend I tried my current razor on one leg and the Venus Swirl on the other. Then, because the one done with the old razor was still not smooth I redid it with the Venus Swirl. The difference was noticeable. The First Shave Should be Wonderful The first shave is a major rite of passage for our daughters, so it’s important to be sure it goes smoothly… I had to. Make sure she understands the importance of a good shave gel, a good lotion, and the most advanced razor out there, the Venus Swirl. With the best gel, razor, and guidance, that first shave can be a milestone our daughters never forget. One that leaves her with smooth, flawless skin! Follow Venus Swirl on Twitter and Venus Swirl on Facebook too. With so many shaving myths out there, it can be hard to know fact vs. fiction. Check out more advice at Gillette Venus

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Healthy Hair and Skin with Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil #AynaraBeauty

Paula — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 23:05:53 +0000

Healthy hair and skin is something we’re all after. It’s a constant game of choosing healthy foods, the best shampoos and conditioners, and the cremes we think will do the best job of keeping our skin hydrated and soft. There’s a new weapon that I’ve found for healthy hair and skin, and it’s Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil. Healthy Hair and Skin with One Product I have used a different version of this product in the past on my hair, and it’s an excellent weapon against frizz. It’s also excellent to keep any hair hydrated and healthy. So, I was curious to see if Aynara was as effective on my hair as the old brand I used. What I wasn’t aware of, however, is that you can also use it on your skin. That makes me love it even more because now I have a double duty product. I’m all about that, because I actually already have a bazillion products exploding out of my bathroom drawers. I have two daughters after all. With Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil, I can kill two beauty birds with one stone, and I like that. A lot. This 100% pure organic argan oil is a dream for hair, face, scalp, and body. It’s a head to toe beauty treatment! All About Argan Oil Argan oil is sourced from Argan trees found in Morocco. These trees are often referred to at the “Tree of Life” for its many health benefits. Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, argan oil can fight fine lines, hydrate skin and hair, repair skin imperfections, minimize scars and stretch marks, restore skin texture, improve skin elasticity and tone, reduce inflammation, and treat split ends. Whew! That’s a lot. Argan oil is a one stop shop for healthy hair and skin, and that’s important to me. It’s an all natural way to improve the health of my skin and hair and it helps me keep my bathroom neat and tidy. It’s a win/win/win. That’s a lot of winning. [tweetthis]Aynara argan oil can also be used on cuticles. #aynarabeauty[/tweetthis] Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil So, we know that argan oil is fantastic, but why do I choose this particular brand? That’s easy. Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil gives me healthy hair and skin without doing anything unhealthy to the planet. Aynara responsibly sources its argan oil, taking what they need in a way that protects the environment. That’s equally as important to me because I’m a huge believer in doing my part to protect this planet we live on. Win Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil! If you want a responsibly sourced argan oil to help you have healthy skin and hair, I’ve got a treat for you. I’m giving away a gift package of three bottles of Aynara Pure Organic Argan Oil! (ARV $150.) Follow @AYNARA on Twitter for more giveaways too. I received product in order to complete this post and the brand has also generously offered a gift package to one of my readers as well. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. Entry-Form

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EcoTools ECOfriendly Makeup Brushes #Giveaway

Paula — Sun, 01 May 2016 03:02:29 +0000

My makeup kit is a beautiful mess. Up until recently, my makeup brushes were too. I’m a pretty thrifty gal and I tend to use everything up until every last bit is gone. Sometimes that means things are falling apart before I replace them. Take my blush for instance. It’s a classic Estee Lauder compact that I love and bought two years ago now. It was a splurge and it’s lasted, but now it’s falling apart and there’s coral blush powder everywhere. Not unlike my makeup brushes. I figured spring was a good time to give my makeup bag an eco-makeover. EcoTools, a leading line of beauty accessories, is known for its super-soft makeup brush bristles and its socially responsible products. Each makeup brush is made with sustainable bamboo, recycled aluminum and cruelty-free bristles. All packaging is made with 80% post-consumer recycled materials, and is 100% recyclable! EcoTools makes looking and living beautifully easier than ever! Each of the brushes works incredibly well and the packaging is amazingly cute and ecofriendly too. The packaging is 100% tree-free paper and 100% recyclable made from 80% bamboo and 20% cotton fiber. A few months ago I got some brand new blush and lip pencils here too. Trying new shades and brands of makeup every season is a treat for me, and for my daughters too actually. My girls are now 12 and 14 so when they spied these EcoTools makeup brushes and the pretty green reusable packaging they were a bit green with envy. I am over the moon with the travel set. It’s ideal for my upcoming travel writing trip to Florida. EcoTools bronzing and blending brush is made from soft, cruelty free, bristles and has a recycled aluminum ferrule with bamboo handle. It will be perfect for the summery months and should help me achieve a sun kissed look without indulging in too much sun. Sweep powder and bronzer where the sun would naturally hit your face and add a healthy glow. The Six piece starter set is likely to find a home with my teenager because she can use it now and it will be a clean set of good brushes for the plays she does. Tarzan is coming up at Spriet Family Theatre by the way. The starter set has five beautiful brushes and includes a concealer brush, an eye shading brush, an angled liner brush, a lash and brow groomer and a blush brush. Some of the packages include how to guides inside the wrap around package so you can try to duplicate the look. By the way did you know you should clean your brushes regularly? EcoTools.com has all of these brushes and more, plus they also have makeup brush cleansing cloths and makeup brush shampoo. I used to be better at cleaning my brushes when I was a teenager. But this gorgeous new set gives me inspiration to keep this lovely set pristine. And did I mention that these EcoTools sets are very affordable. I love that. The big powder brush is only $7.99. In celebration of Spring I want to help one of my readers to make over their makeup brushes too. The giveaway items will include: Day-to-Night Set, Travel Set, Starter Set, Blending & Bronzing Brush and the Precision Blush Brush. Total value for this giveaway is about $60.00. Entry-Form

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Kiss Best Affordable Nail Products and a Giveaway

Paula — Tue, 05 May 2015 03:23:57 +0000

Every so often my kids and I like to just call a girl’s day or girl’s night and do something fun together. This past week we had a great girl’s day planned. I booked it months ago. We planned to take a day and drive to Stratford, Ontario to see The Diary of Anne Frank. It was the first ever Schuck girl’s day at Stratford. So we dressed up a bit, took the day off school, and the afternoon off work, and we were almost ready to hit the road. The kids decided fancy nails were in order. So we pulled out our Kiss Broadway nails. I had a package of numerous samples sent about a month ago. I have been saving some for my oldest daughter because it’s her graduation year. Ainsley and I both loved the shade of Impress Press-on manicure nails that we were sent in a light pink with grey undertones. So we both put them on. One package was plenty for both of us. I have some left over too from that package. Impress Press-on nails are some of the most flexible nails that Kiss and Broadway Nails have. They attached easily and felt completely natural within about 30 minutes. I was a bit concerned that my nails would break off on the drive down to Stratford, or snap off in my purse. They did not. They adhered very well. This batch is softer than some of the other brands of press on nails and this brand is extremely affordable. So Broadway Nails press on nails don’t break the bank if your kids want to give them a whirl just for fun. They are each about $10. We got two applications from one set. The Diary of Anne Frank at Stratford was extremely powerful and well done. I was captivated by the stage which was functional and sparse in a really clever way. The beds pulled out of a wall of wooden slats and a staircase also pulled out of the wall. The wooden slats provided a kind of window behind the wall so that minor scenes could occur off stage in form of conversation and song and you could feel that you were almost eavesdropping. The actress playing Anne Frank was remarkable and she really looked the part. Pieces of the stage that protruded and moved also could be pushed back into the frame so that the wooden slats would then look like a wall. The attic seemed very realistic in large part due to the staging. My one daughter acts with a local theatre troupe so staging impresses me. ImPress Nails also impressed me. See the picture above for how natural they look. They very much resembled a gel or shellac manicure. These Impress Broadway Nails indicate they can last up to a week. I got four days out of mine. In fairness, I could have maintained them longer if I just replaced the one that fell off. But they were getting softer and as the days wore on they began to get a bit bendy at the ends. Not sure if I could get a full week out of that particular style, which was short length. Four days out of press on nails seemed pretty good to me. My daughter Ainsley really just wanted them for the day and that was okay with me. She’s too athletic to use them all the time. Plus they really don’t approve of long nails at martial arts. So this was really just an experiment for her. Payton opted to wear the French manicure by Kiss. These are the ones I was most excited to get hold of. You know how French manicures don’t work if they don’t line up with your natural nail? Well, these worked wonderfully and they looked great. Payton seemed to enjoy them. We are keeping some aside for graduation dances and end of year parties. We also have some birthdays coming up. They might be fun for the girls to wear then. Just like you, we are often running and short on time, which makes it hard to find time for beauty. KISS and Broadway Nails are a quick solution that gives you beautiful salon-perfect nails in less than 10 minutes and will cost you under $10! For the ultimate quickie manicure, imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails is your answer. With no dry time and no mess, just peel off and press on and be out the door in minutes. imPRESS lasts up to one week with no damage removal, plus washing yours and your children’s hands constantly will not cause any polish fading. Available in 40 colors and patterns! If you want to add some fun to your manicure, the NEW imPRESS Accent Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails includes accent nails that can be worn on any finger to create your own unique DIY look. As the play ended the girls wanted to hit a super fun Stratford Family operated toy store. Then it was on to a book store and we contemplated walking around, but headed back to the van because we were getting hungry. Plus Payton’s ankle was hurting from walking and also I needed to race home and check on a few business matters. We were walking back to the van to go home when Ainsley did a double take near the chip wagon and said: “I think that’s the guy from Some Assembly Required.” Payton and I were skeptical. Ainsley often spots people she thinks are people she knows BUT it rarely is who she thinks it is. But this time she insisted, and raced back to say hello. She was having a fan girl moment. Three seconds later she came whipping back to say: “Mom, where is your phone? Can you take our picture? It’s him.” Sure enough it was and she was right. Kolton Stewart of Some Assembly Required was getting something to eat at a Stratford chip wagon. His show is one of the cuter ones on YTV. It’s one I can tolerate and enjoy too. Kolton was super sweet and posed for a few pictures, then thanked us for watching the show and told us he used to act at the Stratford Festival. Apparently he lives in Ontario. This is classic Ainsley. It’s the kind of thing that only happens to her. Her nails (and mine too) looked good for the play and they looked good for the celebrity sighting too!! Broadway Nails is generous! Together we are gifting one of you a gift package of four different styles of Press on nails. (value – about $50) You can win 2 Impress Nail manicure packages and 2 Kiss Salon Acrylic French manicures. French manicures are super cute and easy to apply. Follow the instructions in the giveaway widget below. This one is open to Canada and the US. Entry-Form Related articles across the web Stratford’s Shakespeare Festival FREE Kiss French Manicure at Participating Walmart Stores – No Purchase Necessary (Valid 4/9-4/12) xmorbidcuriosityx: Anne Frank’s remains could have been found…

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End Bad Hair Days With Living Proof Hair Products

Paula — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 20:20:14 +0000

Good hair days don’t have to be few and far between especially with Living Proof Hair Products. It’s no secret that this winter was hard on my hair. In fact, I posted about it often enough. I think most of you have already heard me ranting about dry winter hair. I’m a curly-haired woman and some days more waves than curls, and that’s alright by me. No More Hair Fuss When I was little, my curls were always tangly and dry. I was not so much a fan of my curly hair. I would have traded it for the short dark shiny straight Snow White hair my BFF Sheila had. Her hair was No fuss. It was always sporty and clean and neat and she looked like a skater. Quite the opposite, I had dishevelled curls, prone to cow licks and sometimes very immature ringlets. We always want what we do not have, right? I was in my teens before I realized I had nice hair. I was actually heading out to get a spiral perm one day when I realized I was wasting my money. Truthfully, I had all the curl I needed but I just hadn’t found the right products to tame my hair. Growing Into My Hair At some point in my teens I discovered conditioner and mousse and let’s just say my love affair with hair products was ignited. Over the years I have made peace with my curly hair. In fact I love my hair. It might be my favourite physical feature. So when my hair suffers, I am not happy. When I have a great hair day that makes me ecstatic! Beat Not Great Hair Days This winter and fall I had a mess of not great hair days. But then out of the blue Living Proof hair products arrived for curly hair! I was eager to try them and my hair was thirsty for a change too. So, here’s what I have to say about Living Proof. The products themselves are tailored toward curly hair. To be clear there are several lines. I have seen one for straight hair too, but the one I got was just for me. I started with the Living Proof curl conditioning wash and noticed immediately there’s a huge difference here. To Lather or Not? The Living Proof curl conditioning wash doesn’t lather at all. It is also sulfate free. In fact none of the products lather, so that takes a bit of getting used to. The curl conditioning wash looks like conditioner, so much so that I doubled checked that I was following the instructions twice in the past month. It feels like conditioner and is opaque. Interesting, right? It’s really a two in one product and it doesn’t strip the moisture from your hair. Follow that up with the curl detangling rinse. The rinse is a clear product that looks like shampoo. So you can see why I did a double take. I tend to need a lot of conditioner and a lot of detangler. But I was happy that this product tackled both. The detangler is water activated and it seems to work pretty well. Gentle towel pat to get some of the water out of my hair and then I added a bit of curl enhancing styling mousse and curl defining styling cream. This picture is the shot of me the first time I used this brand and this combination of products. I LOVED the definition in my curls. You can easily see that there are no tangles either. That’s a dramatic result for me. I also love that when I use Living Proof I can see the highlights in my hair. Some products seem to work against highlights and lowlights in hair as if they leave a dull sheen over top. Living Proof seems to clarify and work well with my natural hair. In fact Living Proof Hair Products enhance my hair and they don’t seem to leave that residue that makes hair look dull and lifeless. Living Proof hair products are based on science. Stylists and biotech scientists worked in their labs to challenge conventional hair beauty problems. They invented and patented new molecules that change the way hair behaves. Jennifer Aniston is co-owner and spokesmodel for the company. I have been using these for several weeks now and I have found good results. Sometimes the results are dramatic. I discovered skiing this winter. I loved that. However, Living Proof did not stand up to helmet head. The tangles in my hair after sweating on the slopes in Tremblant were no match for any shampoo/ conditioner/ detangler combo. So maybe Living Proof also needs a workout line? I have also used the leave in conditioner. I often use a leave in conditioner product. This Living Proof Hair Products leave in conditioner works well and has added frizz protection. Apply to clean wet hair from root to tip. The No Frizz Leave In Conditioner is one of my favourite parts of this line. I tend to need that final addition to the hair routine to fix the frizz. Spring is a high humidity season. I plan to keep using and experimenting with these products for a bit longer. They are sold in hair salons. I want to see if Living Proof Hair Products can really tackle the rainy months. In my opinion, curly hair is really reactive to weather. Rainy wet weather tends to leave my hair either frizzy and out of control or flat and lifeless. In the rainy weather styling my hair can be extremely hard. If anything works, I suspect it will be Living Proof Hair Products. I am pretty impressed so far. I received product but was under no obligation to write anything at all. This is my honest opinion.

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Easter Bunny Nail Art Tutorial

Paula — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 02:53:15 +0000

Easter Bunny Nail Art Tutorial Happy Easter! Well, soon to be Easter! I enjoy Easter as a rule because it is the first spring holiday and a great relief after all the snowy holidays. I love to see family and have a great meal together. And the weather means you can usually visit with a little less drama from the snowy weather. You could actually still ski if you wanted to. In fact I might actually try to sneak away just to do that very thing at some point. But not before we try this Easter Bunny Nail Art Tutorial on our finger nails. What you’ll need: Light/pastel blue nail polish White nail polish Pink nail polish Black nail art polish (or black nail polish and a toothpick or thin paint brush) Clear nail polish What to do: On clean and dry nails, apply 2-3 coats of blue polish. Let dry. Make the bunny (As per collage pic): Let dry between steps: 1-Using the white polish, make a semi-circle at the tip of your nail 2-Add the ears 3-Use pink polish and a nail art brush or toothpick, fill in the ears 4-Add the nose with pink polish and an nail art brush or toothpick 5-6Using the black, add two dots for the eyes and two lines on either side of the nose for the whiskers 7 Add a clear coat of polish Although the white may look thick and “clumpy”, once you apply clear polish at the end, it evens out. Happy Easter!

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Easy DIY Shea Butter Anti-Frizz Balm

Paula — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:50:49 +0000

Curly haired girls out there raise your hands!! I am a curly haired girl. I have one daughter with super curly hair too and where there is curly hair there is also tangled frizzy hair sometimes too. So what can you do about that? Well this Easy DIY Shea Butter Anti-Frizz Balm can help. Shea Butter Anti-Frizz Balm – For Frizzy Hair Honestly my youngest daughter and I are always on the prowl for new products that help moisturize our hair, while also detangling and helping hair look good and stay in great condition. This year, which seems to be extra dry, we are trying some home made DIY projects here for skin and hair care. This week we tried DIY shea butter anti-frizz balm. Frizzy, tangled hair is a result of the outer cuticle lifting up and not laying flat and smooth. To avoid making frizz in your hair worse, avoid brushing it when it is dry, as this damages the hair cuticle. ( I only brush my hair wet in the shower when conditioning. It’s the only way it works for me. ) Shea butter is nourishing and moisturizing. Apply to the hair and work the balm all the way down into the roots. This balm is also excellent for split ends and protects the hair by protecting it with a shiny layer. Makes 90 ml Ingredients 1 Tsp of Shea Nut Butter 1 Tbsp of argan oil 1 Tsp emulsifying Wax 1 Tsp Glycerin 4 Tbsp Aloe Vera Juice 5 Drops of Essential Oil of your choice – Sage Essential Oil for Dandruff Rosemary Essential Oil for Hair Loss Cedarwood Essential Oil for Irritated Scalp To Make Melt the shea nut butter, argan oil and emulsifying wax in a bowl over a pot of boiling water. When wax has melted, remove it from the heat. Mix the glycerin with the aloe vera juice and heat gently. Add the warm oil mixture to the warm aloe vera mixture. Using a hand whisk, whisk continuously until smooth. Add the essential oil of your choice. Pour into a sterilized bottle and allow to cool before putting on the pump. You can also store in a bottle without a pump. To Use Shake well before use After shampooing, pump a small amount into your palms and rub them together. Smooth the balm over your hair making sure to get to the roots. Can be rinsed out with warm water or used as a leave in conditioner. Store in a cool dark place. Can be stored for up to 3 months.

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