{Tips and Tricks} The Dreaded Laundry

As strange as this may sound, when I was younger {like 9, 10 younger} I actually liked doing the laundry.  I think it's because it made me feel grown up.  Now, with a husband and two-year-old, the laundry piles up fast.  It's one of those "didn't I just finish this?" chores {right up there with the dishes, right?}  And, again, with said two-year-old, there are stains a-plenty.  Though our family is still on the smallish side, I've rounded up some laundry tips that have helped me through the
dreaded laundry day.

1.  Pick a day

I found it's much easier to have a designated laundry day than to be doing laundry all week long.  Constantly doing a load here and there adds to that never done feeling.  For our family, laundry day is on Saturdays.  This is mostly due to the fact that my husband travels and needs his things washed over the weekend so that he can be packed and ready to leave again on Mondays.  Since there's only three of us for now, I can get everything done in one day.  And if there are accidents throughout the week, then I just do additional loads as needed.

2. Sort!

This one probably seems like a no-brainer.  But it will seriously make things go smoother, and can cut down on the number of loads you end up doing.  My piles go like this: whites, darks, coloreds, towels and Bobby's stuff.  Some weeks if the towel pile is small, I'll toss it in with the coloreds-same if Bobby's pile is small or the darks pile is small.

3. Fight {treat} those stains

Best thing about sorting is, you're looking at everything, deciding on which pile it goes in.  This is a great opportunity to look for stains.  If I find something that has a spot on it, I set it aside and once I'm through with my sorting, I go treat the stain.  Now, there are a billion ways to get rid of stains.  These are just what I'm found works for me.  I swear by Shout Advanced Gel.  It gets pretty much anything you could think of out the very first time.  I dab it on and let it sit for, oh, say about 30 minutes or so before tossing it in the wash.  For really tough stains, I make a little mixture out of laundry detergent, some Shout and some Tide Stain Release powder-it makes a sort of paste which I just rub onto the stain.  For grease stains, I first rinse out the item with warm water, then squirt some grease-cutting dish soap on it.  Rub it in, and let it sit, same as with the Shout.  Depending on the stain, I might even put some Shout on over the dish soap, for a double whammy.  I also lovelovelove Tide Stain Release duo packs-you just toss them in the wash and they take care of the stains.  They're great for the ones we all sometimes miss.  My best tip for stains, especially the grease ones: don't dry the item if the stain is still there.  For some stains, it might take a few runs through the wash before it comes out all the way.  Drying it will set the stain and make it near impossible to get out.  Vinegar also does some wonderful things for your laundry.  It can help get your whites whiter and brighter without bleach and you know that musty smell our towels sometimes get?  Vinegar will get that out!  All you do is pour a little in with your detergent and volia!  And since it's mixed with your detergent, that lovely vinegar smell washes right out {for anyone who was worried that their clothes were going to come out smelling like pickles.}

For some more awesome stain-fighting tips, check out this great post over at Tip Junkie.  

4. Choose your detergent wisely.

The detergent of choice here is Tide Coldwater.  Two reasons: I can wash everything on cold, which saves me money and I don't have to worry about making a separate pile for those "wash warm" items, as this detergent is designed with those articles of clothing in mind, which cuts down on the number of loads I have to do, which also saves me money {and time.}  I also use only Woolite for Darks on my dark clothing.  Seriously, this stuff works.  I've mentioned it before in one of my clothing posts-I have a couple of black pieces that I have washed in only this detergent that I've had for going on 7 years and they have not fade one bit.  There's even a tee shirt that I have from my junior year of high school that I've only washed in Woolite that is still as black as the day I got it.  Personally, I think it's worth the extra money to keep my clothes looking like new, since in the long run, I'm not having to constantly replace my darks.  And, since I only use it for one load a week, one large bottle lasts me months!

5. Take it one load at a time.

Which would you rather tackle: a daunting mountain of laundry or one little load at a time?  I try {try being the key word there} to fold my laundry one load at a time, as it's finished.  It keeps things from piling up.  Now, this isn't always possible to do, because there are weekends when I'm tossing loads in between helping the hubs with a project around the house or getting some homework done.  When that happens, I have a solution.  Back to the sorting.  I sort out the finished laundry by who it belongs to.  One pile for me, one pile for the hubs, one pile for the little man and one pile for towels and such.  Then I can tackle it one pile at a time, usually while I'm watching some TV or at night when we're watching a movie-some sort of activity where I'm sitting anyways.

So, I know this post is about my tips to you for laundry, but I've got one that's had me stumped for years: the dreaded armpit stains.  We all get them because we all sweat, like it or not.  I've tried everything under the sun I could think of and nothing seems to work.  Does anyone know of something that actually gets them out?

{Tips and Tricks} How to Beat the Heat and Still Look Cute

Summer is right around the corner-for some of us, it's already here.  Here in Florida, it's been in the 90's for a while!  With summer comes the hot weather, which means a change in our beauty routines.  As a native Floridian, I am more than familiar with the challenges that the heat and humidity can bring when it comes to keeping your make-up, hair and clothes looking put together.  Here are my how-to's for looking your best all summer long:

Switch your moisturizer.

This one is simple and easy.  In the summer, your skin, especially your face still needs moisturizer, but not the heavy stuff you were using in the winter and spring.  Switch to a light-weight, fast-absorbing formula that has SPF in it-that'll save you the added step of putting on sunscreen AND will put less product on your face.  In the summer, less is always more when it comes to your skincare routine.  I personally like a tinted moisturizer, which gives me just the right hint of color and knocks out the need for foundation.

I swear by this moisturizer.  It's mark.'s Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15.  It's super light-weight and gives a great flush of color.  And at only $10, it's cheaper than anything else comparable to it on the market!  So you can look fab AND not break the bank.  On days when I'm rushed, I put on some of this, a swipe of mascara and I'm good to go!

Ditch the foundation.

I already mentioned that I use a tinted moisturizer in lieu of foundation.  To keep my face from getting shiny, I set it with this awesome cream-to-powder mineral make up that mark. just launched.  

It is amazing!  It gives great coverage, lasts all day and is light-weight.  And it keeps me looking put together even in the hot Florida sun.  Again, the less you put on your face, the better your make up will hold up.

Primer is a girl's best friend.

It's usually diamonds, but trust me, in the summer, primer will quickly become your BFF.  If you have oily-prone skin, primer will get you through the summer months like nothing else.  You'll wonder how you ever lived without it.  Primer creates a nice, even surface on your skin, so that when you apply your make up, it stays put!  And it holds up in the heat.  mark.'s Primed to Perfection Face Primer is a steal at only $10 and works like a dream!

Even if you don't have oil issues, I strongly recommend AT LEAST using an eye primer.  It does the same thing, but for your eyelids.  It'll keep your eye make up in place ALL DAY LONG!  No more raccoon eyes, or case of the disappearing eyeshadow.

You will never catch me without my Please Hold Eye Primer from mark. on.  This little compact lasts and lasts and does the same for your eye make up.  And it doubles as an eye concealor.  AND it's only $8!

Tame that Frizz.

The humidity can bring out a side of our hair we'd like to hide under a hat.  And that is a great option-not only are hats super cute but they also keep the sun out of your eyes!  But there are going to be occasions throughout the summer where you just can't wear a hat.  So, what to do with that frizz?  First things first, determine the cause of the frizz.  Many of us assume it's the humidity when in actuality, it's damage caused by coloring or heat styling.  Never fear, there are fixes for all of these reasons.  I lovelovelove LOVE John Frieda products.  There is something for nearly every cause of frizz that will leave your hair absolutely gorgeous.  My most favorite and trusted John Frieda product?

Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Cream.  It's is very aptly named because it really is my secret weapon to pretty, frizz-free hair.  You just smooth a tiny amount on after doing your hair and it tames all of those little flyaways.  And it even works great on curly hair.  Headbands are great in the summertime because they keep your hair back and off of your face, which can make you oily.  And if you don't feel like dealing with your hair every day, there are plenty of cute, simply ways to style your hair. Check out totalbeauty.com for inspiration and how-to's.

Keep it light.

Clothing-wise, I stick with light fabrics and light colors.  Darker colors do actually trap more heat, which will make you hotter.  Whenever I can, I'm wearing shorts or leggings or a skirt.  And my new favorite is the maxi dress.  Some think "Why would I want a long dress in the summer?"  Answer:  It'll keep you cooler than you think.  It's all in the fabric choice.  Look for something light-weight, but not sheer (cause then you're going to need a slip to keep the world from seeing your bits, which means adding another layer, which totally defeats the purpose of the maxi in the first place) and something "breathable."  

I LOVE this new one from mark.  It has a gorg pattern, is nice and light-weight and uber comfy.  I pair it with a black Wonder Tee (from DownEast), some cute sandals and I'm good to go.

What are your must-haves for keeping cool in the summer heat?

Tips and Tricks: Simplify

Spring has sprung and for a lot of us, that means it's spring cleaning time.  I've always found "spring cleaning" as a good excuse to declutter and simplify things.  But spring cleaning doesn't have to be just for the physical things in your home-you can simplify in all areas of your life just by making simple changes.  Here are some of my best ways to simplify:

1. Unplug things when you're not using them.  Things like your toaster, phone charger, TV and computer suck up a lot of energy and waste a lot of electricity when they're left plugged in.  When you're done charging your phone, unplug the charger.  When you've turned off your computer or TV for the night, unplug it.  It will save you a bundle on your electric bill.  Just by unplugging my TV every night before I go to bed, I cut my monthly bill by $20.  That adds up fast!

2. Do I really need this?  When decluttering, ask yourself "Do I love it? Do I need it? Would I just die if I didn't have it anymore?"  If the answer is no to at least two of those questions, it's time to toss it.  Keeping things that we don't need just junk up our lives and whether we realize it or not, add to our stress.  If it's not bringing you or your family joy, get rid of it!

3. A place for every thing and everything in its place.  I'm a big fan of organizational containers, especially pretty ones.  Not only are you keeping things neat and tidy, but it looks nice, too!  Clearly label things so you know what's where and can easily find things (and put them away when you're done) when you need them instead of having to dig through things to find what you need.

4. Watch those "Best By" dates.  I can't tell you how many times things have sat in my fridge/cupboard and gone bad because I didn't pay attention to when they expired.  Not only am I wasting that food and my money, but I'm then having to waste more money to replace that item.  Now, sometimes you need to know when to throw something out, such as your make-up/beauty products.  Keeping them past their prime can lead to eye infections, and skin problems.  If you want to know when it's time to toss them, check out this post.

5. Have more quality time.  Spend less time in front of your computer screen, your TV or on your phone if you can help it and spend more face time with the people that are important to you.  Get down there and play with your little one.  Set aside a date night for you and your hubby.  I've found that when I do those things, my home life is a lot happier and I'm a lot happier because of it.

6.Have a little "me" time everyday.  Even if it's only 5 minutes where you just sit and relax, having some "me" time can really change the course of your day.  For me, it's like it recharges my batteries and helps me re-focus on what I need to get done for the day.

What are your tips for simplify and enjoying more out of life?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Cottonelle blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Tipping Thursdays: 5 Things Every Girl Should Have in Her Make-up Bag

Sorry I've been tip-less these last few weeks.  As I've previously mentioned, things have been chaotic around here.  Extremely chaotic.  I'm trying really hard to catch up.

Every girl has products that she swears by.  Here are my top 5 things I'd never be caught without.

1. Mascara.  

A good mascara can take you from drab to fab in an instant.  It makes you look done up when it's the only thing you have on.  Just make sure it's not clumpy or you have some tarantula legs going on and that ain't pretty.  I swear by mark.'s Make It Big volumizing mascara in Raven.  It makes my lashes look naturally fabulous, doesn't clump or flake and lasts all day long.

Make It Big in Raven, $7

2. Frizz Tamer.  

I live in Florida, where it's humid most every day.  Add to that that I have fine hair and you have a recipe for some major frizz.  I keep my flyaways tame with Secret Weapon finishing cream by John Frieda.  It's a light-weight cream that you use after you've styled your hair.  It doesn't make your hair greasy or sticky and lasts all day.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Cream

3. Primer

Primer is simply amazing.  It helps even tone and keeps your make-up fresh and in place all day long.  It's especially great if you have oily skin.  I love eye primer because it keeps my eyeshadow in place-no more creases or running or fading.  It looks just as good at 11 at night as it did when I put it on that morning.  I'm lucky enough to not have very oily skin so I really only need primer for my eyes.  You'll find mark.'s Please Hold Eye Primer and Concealer in my make-up bag-I just love it.  It doubles as a concealer.  And mark.'s Primed For Perfection is great for all-over.

 Please Hold Eye Primer and Concealer, $8

         

 Primed For Perfection Face Primer, $10

4. Blush.

Like mascara, blush can give your face an instant lift.  It gives you a nice, healthy glow.  My favorite is NARS blush in Orgasm.  It's a pretty peachy-pink with some flecks of gold that simply makes you glow.

NARS Blush in Orgasm, $26

5. Lip Balm

Despite the fact that I live in a tropical climate, my lips still get dry.  I think I'd die without my lip balm!  The best one I've ever used is Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm.  It leaves my lips soft and moisturized.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $3

What beauty products can you not live without?

Tipping Thursday: Choosing Your Make-up

Picking out make-up can be a daunting, even scary task for some.  I'd like to make it a little easier : )  I'm going to break it down for you by product.  I've found the easiest way to choose anything is to know what you want.  What do you want your make-up to do for you?  Also, make sure that you're using products that work with your skin's needs so that you'll always put your best face first!

Foundation/Powder 

Foundations come in a variety of formulas, as do most cosmetics.  In choosing the one that's right for you, ask yourself these questions:

How much coverage do I want?  Do I want it to be sheer or heavy-duty?

Does my foundation contain an SPF of at least 15 if my moisturizer doesn't?

Do I need a foundation that is going to reduce break-outs or lessen the signs of aging?

Tinted moisturizers, set with a sheer powder, even out skin tone and give you a nice flush of color without being heavy or giving "thicker" coverage.  This is what I personally use, because I don't feel I need a foundation that covers a lot.  I also can have oily skin at times, so I look for one that is non-comedogenic, which means that it won't clog my pores.  Liquid foundations offer a wider range of coverage, based on their consistancy.  Cream-to-powder foundations offer a good amount of coverage, too, and are great for those of us who are pressed for time when doing our make-up because it cuts out the powder step in our routine.  To choose the shade that's right for you (and to see how to apply your make-up), check out the 9 Step Beauty Routine.  Having your shade match correctly is key!

Concealer

The trick to choosing a good concealer is to first think about what you're trying to cover up.  Is it acne, a scar, discolorations, under-eye circles?  For acne, use a concealer specifically targeted to covering up and fighting breakouts.  For harder-to-cover areas, either apply several thin layers or go with a thicker formula.  For under-eye circles, I've seen concealers specifically made for that area of your face-they usually contain some caffeine to help get rid of the circles as well as an eye product to help with lines.

Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow is one of the toughest for some women.  It comes in all kinds of formulas-there are pressed powder, loose powder, cream eyeshadows, and eyeshadow sticks to name a few.  And then there's all of the shades!  Don't be afraid to try a new color!  The biggest thing you can do to make your eyeshadow always look great is to start off with an eye primer.  This helps keep your shadow looking fresh, keeps it from creasing or running and will make it last all day.  This is especially key if you have oily lids!  As far as what colors you should use, that's up to you!  Experiment!  There are a few things that you should stay away from, though.  If you have deep-set eyes, stay away from dark shadows as they make your eyes look sunken.  If you have petite facial features, don't load up on the bright or overly dramatic shadows as they can over-power your face.  If you have fair skin, don't shy away from wearing bold colors, just wear them in smaller doses, like as a liner or in the outer corner of your eye.

Eye Liner

Eye liner isn't for everyone.  And it can be hard to find one that stays in place!  If you have oily lids or teary eyes, choose eye liners that are smudge-proof and waterproof.  They even make some in 12 hour formulas, much like long-wear lipstick.  If you're using eye liner to bring out your natural eye color, here's some colors to try:
Bronze-y gold for blue eyes, plum purples for green eyes and deeper purples for brown eyes.

Mascara

Mascara comes in all colors and formulas these days.  If you have thin eyelashes, look for a thickening or volumizing mascara.  If you have shorter lashes, look for a mascara that will lengthen.  If your lashes just need some omphh! go with a volumizing mascara.  Your mascara shouldn't flake when you comb it out with an eyelash comb or throughout the course of the day, it shouldn't clump when you apply it and it shouldn't run.

Blush

Your blush should compliment your natural skintone.  The point of blush is to make you look naturally flushed.  Stay away from really bright blush, unless you have darker skin.  If you have oily skin, I suggest using a cream blush or a cheek stain, as those tend to have more staying power with that skin type than powder blush.

Lips

Depending on your preferences, you can go with a lip stick or a lip gloss or nothing at all.  I prefer lip gloss myself.  I look for one that doesn't feel sticky when I apply it, is moisturizing and doesn't fade fast.  In a lipstick, I look for pretty much the same things.  There are also lip stains that do exactly what it sounds like they do: stain your lips and the color will last all day.

As with most things, I've discovered that finding the colors that work for me is just a matter of trial and error, so I'm constantly trying new things!

So go be adventurous!

Tipping Thursday: Fun with Color

Ever get stuck in a make-up rut?  Where you do the same thing, the same look with the same colors, every day?

Well, it's time to break out of that rut!  And it's easy to do.  Just add some color!

I'm going to show you how to take a simple, everyday look up a notch.  I took my usual grey eyeshadow and added a pop of color!

Start by applying grey shadow to your entire lid and extending up just passed the crease.

Like so (sorry it's blurry-I had hard time getting in close enough.)

Now comes the yellow.  Yep, that's right-yellow!  I wear yellow eyeshadow!  This quad is by Revlon but I've had it a while and I'm pretty sire you can't find it in the stores anymore.  

Using an angled brush, apply the yellow shadow to the outer corner of your eye, like so.

Repeat on other eye.

Then line inner lashline with black eyeliner and finish off with a coat of mascara.

Other ways you can "change it up":

-Switch out your usual black or brown eye liner with a olive green or a plumy purple.

-Try a navy blue mascara instead of the same old black.

-Try a new color.  Who says you have to wear neutrals all the time?  Pink can be a "day look" shadow.

-Keep your eyes low-key and wear a bright lipstick-like a nice, bright red or pink!

And, most of all, have fun!

Tipping Thursday: Beauty Routines

I've covered what you should have in your beauty routines, now it's time to put them to use!

We all have routines-workout routines, cleaning routines and of course, beauty routines.  The key to a good routine is making it fit your life and needs.  And with skincare, the order in which you apply things really matters.

Here's a look at my daily beauty routine:

I start my morning with a shower: I wash my hair, then condition it (I leave the conditioner in until I'm done with everything else, then rinse it out.)  Next I wash me, shave, then wash my face and rinse my hair.  

Once I'm out of the shower and dried off, I put on my body lotion-stretch mark cream on my hips and thighs, bust cream on my chest and firming moisturizer everywhere else.  

Then I put my toner on my face.  While the moisturizer and toner dry, I put on my deodorant and in the mornings, I dab on some aloe vera under my eyes-it helps with my dark circles.  Next comes my moisturizer for my face then it's on to my make-up and then to my hair. 

 Before I style my hair, I spritz on a detangler that also protects from damage, then I finger-comb in some volumizing mousse.  I brush it all out, then blow-dry it on medium heat.  Once it's all dry, I apply a finishing cream that tames flyaways and helps with frizz.  

So, my morning skincare routine looks like this:

Cleanser, toner, eye gel, moisturizer.

My morning hair care routine looks like this:

Wash, condition, detangle, volumize and defrizz

In the evenings, I wash my face, taking off all of my make-up, apply my toner and a light-weight moisturizer and then my eye cream.

There are also things in my routine that I only do one or two times a week.  

On Wednesdays, I deep-condition my hair (I color my hair, so I use the conditioner that comes with the color once a week, as directed,) and instead of my usual face cleanser, I use a micro dermabrasion cleanser.  After the shower, I put on a facial mask before applying my toner. 

 On Sundays, I deep-condition my hair using a 3-minute hair mask, I exfoliate all over using a body scrub and use an in-shower facial, which also exfoliates, instead of my daily facial cleanser.

That's a look at my routine.  Here are the key things every beauty routine should have:

For your skin, you should wash your face at least once a day (twice a day is best), then follow up with toner, then moisturizer.  Masks can be used about once a week and you should exfoliate one to two times a week.  Your body needs moisture, too, so don't forget your lotion!  It also needs to be exfoliated once or twice a week using a body scrub.

For your hair, if you heat style it, use something that protects against heat damage every time you heat style.  You should deep-condition one to two times a week to help repair your hair and give it an extra dose of moisture.  Depending on your hair type, you might not need to wash it every day.  I have short, fine hair and it needs to be washed pretty much every day.  Sometimes I can get away with washing it every other day.

There you have it-my routine.  What does your routine consist of?

Tipping Thursday: 9 Step Beauty Routine

Wow!  My first video post!  My sister-in-law Charlene was gracious enough to be my model.  Thanks again, Char, for letting me use your face! : )

This routine should only take you about 10 minutes, start to finish.  You can adjust this routine to fit your time constraints or desired final look.  There might even be some steps that you don't ever use-you might not be the eyeliner type-and that's just fine.  Just remember: Beauty is about healthy, glowing skin, so always start off your routine by prepping your face with skincare.  The basics should include cleanser, followed by toner and finished off with a moisturizer with an SPF (if your foundation has an SPF, that's fine, too.)  Never skip those steps!!!!!!

Step 1

Foundation: Apply foundation using a foundation brush to even skin tone, especially around the nose and eyes to eliminate redness.  Your foundation should match your skin exactly.  To determine this, draw a line using your foundation along your jaw line.  If you can't tell it's there, it matches.  *If you use a tinted moisturizer, as I do, that counts as your foundation, so you can skip this step.  Also, if you use a cream-to-powder foundation, you should apply your foundation as if it were your powder and skip this step as well.

Step 2

Concealer: Use your fingers or a concealer brush to apply concealer under the eyes, up to the lower lashline and into the inner corners.  If you have dark under eye circles, I recommend using a shade just slightly lighter than your natural shade to counteract the darkness.  Smooth and blend by gently patting with fingertips.  For under the eyes, use your ring finger as it is the weakest finger on your hand and will put less pressure on the delicate skin under your eyes.  For blemishes and other discolorations, dab on a concealer in your exact shade and wait a few seconds before blending.  

Step 3

Powder: Using a powder brush, gently dust powder over face, trying to avoid areas with concealer, especially blemishes or dry, cracked areas (powder will make these areas look cakey), except around the eyes.  To apply without making your skin look dusty or cakey, swirl your brush over your powder, turn the brush upside down and gently tap to evenly distribute the powder into the bristles and lightly swirl in circular motions over your skin. 

Step 4

Eyeshadow: Begin by priming the eyes with an eye primer.  This will help lengthen the life of your eyeshadow throughout the day, and keep your shadow from creasing and your liner and mascara from running.  For a simple everyday look, choose one shade and sweep it from your lashline to just above your crease.  To give you eyes more definition for your day look, choose a light, medium and dark shade.  The medium color will be your base-apply it on your lid from your lashline to your crease.  The dark shade will be for adding definition to your eyes-apply it in your crease by using an angled brush and sweeping from the outer corner in towards the inner corner, stopping about 3If /4 of the way across (never all the way across the crease, from corner to corner.  This will make your lids look heavy.)  The light shade will be used to highlight your brow-apply it from the crease to the brow bone.  *Depending on your color choices and occasion, you might want to only use two colors-just one on the lid and one on the brow, skipping the crease color.  This look is intended to be simple, so feel free to adjust as needed.

Step 5

Liner-Use either an eye liner or a brush and shadow to line your lid.  Apply as close to the base of the lashes as possible.  After lining the upper lashline, look straight ahead to see if there are any gaps that need to be filled.  *A tip to avoid those gaps is to gently pull your eyelid straight by placing your finger on the outer corner of your eye and pulling out just slightly.  This will give you a straight and tight surface to work on.  Then, if you decide you want to, smudge out the line to soften it.  Line lower lashline if desired.  If you do line the bottom, again, try to get as close to the base of the lashes as possible and be sure that the top and bottom lines meet at the outer corner of the eye.

Step 6

Lashes: Begin by curling lashes, if desired.  Gently clamp the curler around the lashes as close to the base of the lashes as you feel comfortable.  Pump about 15 times and repeat on other eye.  *Never EVER clamp the eyelash curler all the way down and never clamp it down and hold-this will cause your lashes to break over time.  And never EVER curl your lashes AFTER applying your mascara-this too will cause your lashes to break.  After curling, apply one coat of mascara to top and bottom lashes.  Start at lash base and sweep up and out, wiggling slightly from side to side-this helps to evenly coat each lash.  Be sure to wipe off excess mascara, especially the tip-this will reduce clumps and flakes.  Comb out after mascara is dry to remove any clumps.  If desired, apply a second coat.  When applying a second coat, let the first coat dry completely before applying the second and comb out when almost dry-these both will help reduce clumps and flakes.

Step 7

Blush/Bronzer: If applying both blush and bronzer, apply the bronzer first (unless you're going for a "bronzed" look, then keep it minimal and apply over blush.)  Smile to determine where the apples of your cheeks are, and using a blush brush, start at the apples and blend upwards towards (but not actually to or in) your hairline in small circles, then downwards to blend and soften color.  Repeat with blush.  Be sure to tap off excess before applying so that you get a more natural-looking flush.

Step 8

Brows: This is when I usually comb out my eyelashes so it gives the mascara enough time to dry.  Use your brow comb/brush and comb your brows towards your temples to put unruly hairs in place.  *To get them to stay put, I put a tiny amount of hair gel in my hand and lightly run the brush over it before combing them.

Step 9

Lips: Apply lipstick or gloss with a lip brush and use your finger to lightly blend color and give lips a softer look.  If using lip liner, apply after lipstick by lining lips with a creamy lip pencil and blending away any harsh lines with a lip brush or your fingers.

And you're done!

Tipping Thursday (a day late): Shaping Your Eyebrows

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My younger brother came to visit me yesterday and we spent the day at the pool and running errands together, so I didn't get to post my tip for this week yesterday.  So here it is, a day late!

Jumping back into make-up and such, I thought I'd share with you all how to properly shape and groom your eyebrows.  This can be tricky for some of us.  I know it took me a while to master and have my brows match.  

Start by sectioning off your brow.  Using a pencil as a guide, line up the inner corner of your eye with your brow.  That's where your brow should start, straight up from the corner of your eye.  Then mark it with a colored liner.  I like to use a colored one because it shows up better so I know where to pluck when it's time.

Then mark where your arch should be-this is directly above your pupil.

To determine where your brow should end, take your pencil and place it diagonally from the outer corner of your eye and mark it.

I also like to make sure that my brows are even across (I once had one that was higher than the other and it constantly looked like I had one eyebrow raised) so I again take my pencil, place it straight across my forehead where I want my brows to be and mark it with my liner.

So your brow should look something like this when it's all marked up.

Use your marks as a guide when you pluck and then repeat on the other side.

Once you've removed all the stray hairs with your tweezers, it's time to trim your brows.  Using a brow comb, brush your eyebrow up towards your hairline.  

(Sorry this one is blurry!)  Then trim the hairs that extend past the natural line of your brows.  To keep them in place once you're all finished, you can:

*Use an eyebrow gel-it usually looks like mascara, but it's clear and you just brush it on.

*Comb them in place and set with a small squirt of hairspray

*Just leave them be and hope they behave

Or

(this is what I do) Take a minute amount of hair gel, like smaller than a pea-sized and run your eyebrow brush through it then brush them into place.  It's just enough gel to keep them put without them getting crunchy or flaky throughout the day.

And there you go!

Some other shaping Do's and Don'ts (via Allure Magazine):

*DON'T wax eyebrows if you take Accutane or use Retin-A or Renova.  The wax can pull off skin.

*DON'T over tweeze.  It's the most common mistake and can result in spindly lines of hair that leave the eyes "bulgy," according to Denise Chaplin.

*DO have an arch, but be careful: "Many women attempt to create an arch by tweezing too much near the inner corner of the brow," says Chaplin, "so they have this weird opening underneath and brows either look very round or like a polywog."

*DON'T commit these tweezing sins: trimming too much; leaving brows one width all the way across, which makes the nose look wide; tweezing the space between each eyebrow (the space above your nose) too wide, which makes your eyes look too far apart and your face wider; taking too much off of the ends, which makes eyes look smaller and closer together.

*The ideal brow is full, perfectly arched and proportioned.

Now, perfection is a little hard to attain, so here's a way to cheat:

Paula Dorf Eyebrow Stencil Kit, CVS, $25

You just take the stencil, fill in your brow and tweeze the remaining hairs.

I found a kit that was just the stencils at CVS also for a lot cheaper, but I can't remember the brand and I couldn't find them online.

Tipping Thursday: Traveling with a Baby

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Finishing up last week's thread of packing light but still having what you need, I thought I'd share my tips on packing for your baby.  Traveling with a baby or toddler can be rough, especially when you're going to be gone a while.  Here are some tips I've learned through my travels with the little man:

1.)  Make a list.  I know, I know, this was my Number One last week, too.  But trust me!  It works!  Mentally go through your day: what things to you use in a typical day for your baby?  Think about your baby's mealtime, playtime and bed time routine and what you use and write it all down.  Then look over what you'll actually need.  You don't need to bring your own baby towel-wherever you're going will have towels, be it to a hotel or to see the family.  You don't need to bring your baby's entire toy box.  Just bring a couple of his favorite toys to keep him occupied.  And if your baby has a snuggly, DON'T forget it!  Or be prepared to not sleep your whole trip.

2.)  Long haul or weekend getaway?  The length of your trip obviously determines how much you'll need to bring, especially with a baby.  Things like diapers, wipes and baby food can get heavy and take up space.  If you're going to be gone more than a couple days, consider buying them once you reach your destination.  Example:  I flew to Washington last summer, just me and the little man, to visit my in-laws.  We were there for 8 days.  I brought enough diapers and baby food for two days, then bought a small pack of diapers, wipes and enough baby food for the rest of our trip once we got there. It gave me more space in our bags, since I was limited on what I could bring and was much cheaper than having to pay for an overweight bag.

3.)  Sleeping Arrangements.  Do you co-sleep or does your baby need his own space?  Schlepping around the pack-n-play can be difficult and cumbersome.  Plus, if you're traveling with baby by yourself, you're limited to the number of items you can check.  If you can, find ways to leave it at home.  If you're going to see family, see if someone has one that you can use while you're there.  Some hotels offer cribs for their rooms-you just have to request one, like you would an extra cot or pop-up bed.  If you do co-sleep and are staying with family, make sure your bed away from home will accommodate the both of you (or three of you.)

4.)  Just 'cause you're gone for 2 weeks doesn't mean you need 2 weeks' worth of stuff.  One week of outfits, with a back-up outfit is plenty.  After all, there is this magical thing called a washing machine : )  And it's ok to wear an outfit more than once.  Same thing with bowls and utensils-if you're little person is eating solids, you don't need to bring a set of silverware for every day you're there.  One set is just fine.

5.)  Even baby stuff comes in travel size.  You can get shampoo, baby powder and rash ointment in travel sizes.  Even wipes come in travel packs.

6.)  Know what you're getting into.  Try and find out what the plans will be, activity-wise, while you're away so that you can be prepared for them.  

What are your tips for traveling with a little one?

Tipping Thursday: Vacation Packing

I decided to take a short detour from the make-up series and give you my tips on packing light without forgetting things while it was still fresh on my mind.  As I mentioned, I went up to Atlanta this past weekend with my sister to see our dad.  So I had packing on the brain.

No matter how long your trip is, whether it's a few weeks or just a weekend, there are some basic "Rules of Packing" that you can follow to ensure you have everything you need without over-packing.

1.)  Make a list.  This is by far the most important tool to packing.  I know it sounds tedious but it really does help!  First, make a list of the activities that you will be doing on your trip and what things they require (i.e. trip to the beach=swimsuit, flip flops, sunscreen, book/MP3 player, etc, etc.)  Also note how many days you will be gone.  You'll need an outfit for each day, as well as undies, socks, whatever.  Make a list of what you use in your daily beauty routine-items you use in the shower, make-up and skincare.  If it's really long, look at it and analyze what you can live without for a weekend and what is a necessity.  Think of the little extras that you might need-phone charger, extra batteries for you camera, medicines-and make sure those are on your list so they don't get left behind.  And check your items off as you pack them.

2.)  Look for items that are versatile.  As mentioned above, you will need an outfit for each day you're gone.  Pack items that can be worn in a variety of ways so you get more use out of them without having to pack as much.  Bring shoes that go with most of your outfits and that are comfortable.  Bring small accessories to change up your look easily.  If you're going to needing a "dressy" outfit, bring something that can is wrinkle-resistant, can be dressed up or down and can be worn more than once (if you need it to be.)

3.)  Really think about it!  Is it something that is going to make or break your trip if it gets left at home?  You don't need to bring your entire make-up collection with you on your vacation.  And it's ok to leave the hot rollers at home for the weekend-the world's not going to end.  But don't over-think your packing.  That's when the over-packing happens: when you start thinking, "well, maybe it could be cold in the evening.  I should bring a sweater," and you end up bringing a whole suitcase full of things you don't touch the entire trip.

4.)  Check the weather!  Is it going to be hot where you're going?  Then you probably don't need that sweater.  Is it supposed to be rainy?  Don't bring those leather shoes that can't get wet.  

5.)  Have a back-up plan.  I always bring an (JUST ONE) extra outfit-pants, shirt, undies, the works-because accidents can (and often do) happen and on vacation is not the place to be caught unprepared.  I make sure that the extra outfit goes with what I've already planned to bring.  But again, don't over think things and bring that sweater if you know you're most likely not going to need it.

6.)  Travel size it!  Get some little plastic bottles and use them for your shampoo, conditioner, whatever.  They take a lot less room than the full-size version.  I don't know about you, but I really don't like hotel shampoo.  It just doesn't treat my hair right.  So I do like to bring my own.  I prefer bottles that are re-fillable so that I don't have to go buy another one when it runs out.  Plus, if you're flying, most travel-sized items are FAA approved.

7.)  Don't forget the ticket!  If you're flying, make sure you've got your tickets, ID and passport (if needed) somewhere handy where they won't be left at home, like your purse or carry on, ahead of time.  Last thing you want is to get the airport and not have your ticket!

What are your tips for packing?

Tippin Thursday: When It's Time To Say Good-Bye

Everything has an expiration date, even your make-up and skincare products.  Here are some general guideline to help you know when it's time to let it go:

The general rule of thumb is that if any of your cosmetics or skincare items being to look like this:

*product separation

*sour or odd odor

*change in texture-uncommonly thick, grainy or watery

it's time to give it the toss.  But something's last longer than others, so here's are some ways to know when things have gone bad or if there's still some life left:

*Lipsticks and other products that don't contain water, like powders, powdered eyeshadow, concealer, and pencils that can be sharpened, can last two years or even more, but definitely keep a close eye on them and throw them out if something funky is up.

*Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all cosmetics.  NEVER keep an open tube for more than four months, and toss it out immediately if it develops a weird odor or color.

*For liquid or gel eyeliners, lipglosses, cream shadows and iquid or cream foundations, it's pretty much the same four month rule.  Because of the "water" factor in them, they can potentially become a breeding ground for bacteria, so it's time to say buh-bye after four months.  Foundations can last up to a year if you keep your fingers away from the bottle.  Instead, pour a little bit out onto a sponge or onto the back of your hand and apply with a foundation brush.

*Multi-use products, like 3-in-1 sticks and creams, can spread germs from lips to eyes and cheeks.  Wipe the surface clean before switching areas and toss after 6 months.

*Cleansers and moisturizers often contain fatty acids, which can go bad fast!  Kick 'em to the curb after 6 months.

*A good way to give your make-up a longer life is by using clean brushes and keeping your fingers away.  A quality brush will last you years if properly cleaned and stored.  Brushes should be cleaned at least once a month in a warm water and shampoo solution.  I've found that clarifying shampoo works best because it deep cleans without stripping the fibers.  Some brushes will need to be cleaned more often depending on how often they're used and what they're used for, like concealer and foundation brushes-they can get gunked up faster, so should be cleaned more often.  To dry, lay a towel flat and roll up one end inward, then lay your brushes with the handles on the rolled end, bristles tiled at a slightly downward angle.

Tipping Thursday: Skincare/Makeup Do's and Don't's

There are Do's and Don't's for everything in life and skincare and makeup is no different.  Here are my Do's and Don't's:

*DON'T pump the wand of your mascara-this allows air in and will dry out your mascara.

*DO wipe off excess mascara from your wand before applying it-this will minimize clumps.  Roll it gently in a tissue or paper towel and DON'T forget the tip!

*DON'T ever EVER sleep in your makeup, especially your eye makeup-it ages your skin faster.

*DO use a foundation and concealer that matches the actual shade of your skin-not the color you wish it was.

*DON'T be afraid to try new colors.  But DON'T go overboard-pick one feature at a time to play up.  And DON'T match your eyeshadow to your eye color.

*DO shape your eyebrows-it will open your eyes up.  Just DON'T tweeze them too thin or too far apart.  It'll make you look bug-eyed.

*DON'T ever wash your face with soap!  ESPECIALLY if you have sensitive skin!  Soap will make that sensitivity worse and make it harder for you to find products that you can use.

*DO use skincare products that meet your skincare needs.  

*DO know when it's time to toss your makeup/skincare-everything has an expiration date.

What are some of your Do's and Don't's?

Tipping Thursday: What's In Your Make-up "Tool Box"?

This week's Tipping Thursday starts off our make-up series.

Your make-up can only be as good as the tools you use to apply it with.  So let's get to know our tools a little better:

Tool Box

Foundation Brush:  Used to apply liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer and blend foundation on skin; made of firm but flexible nylon bristles and rounded on the end.

Powder Brush:  Used to apply powder all over face; should have softer, more flexible bristles (think fluffy)

Concealor Brush:  Used to apply and blend concealor.  Can also be used to apply cream eyeshadow and liquid highlighter.  Soft, tapered and slightly pointed at the tip for precise application; made of soft nylon fibers which facilitate application of concealor.

Eyeshadow Brush:  Used to apply powder eyeshadow; has shorter bristles for more precise and concentrated application.  Can be used with all types of powder eyeshadows.

Angled Eyeshadow Brush:  Used to apply eyeshadow in crease to create eye definition.  Flat row of bristles cut at an angle, firm yet flexible.

Blending Brush:  Used to blend eyeshadow, can be used to create a "smoky" effect on eyes.  Longer bristles than the eyeshadow brush and much more flexible.

Smudge Brush:  Used to smudge liner or shadow to create a "smoky" look or less-sharp definition.  Short, firm bristles.

Eyeliner Brush:  Used to apply eyeshadow as eyeliner or cream/gel eyeliner.  Thin row of firm bristles, either angled or flat.

Blush/Bronzer Brush:  Used to apply blush and bronzer to cheeks.  Much like a powder brush, but with firmer brushes for better control of the color.  I prefer a blush brush with a flat top-gives more control over where your blush is going and how much goes where.

Eyelash Comb/Brow Brush:  Used to comb out lashes after applying mascara and brushing brows into place.

Lip Brush:  Used to apply lip products to lips and to line lips.  Made of firm nylon bristles.

Eyelash Curler:  Used to curl eyelashes

Tweezers:  Used mostly to groom and shape eyebrows.

I personally love, LOVE mark.'s brushes.  They are made with quality bristles and last and last.  And they don't shed.  I hate it when I end up with bristles all over my face when I'm putting on my make-up.  So, naturally, most of my brushes are from mark.  Another brand I love is Sonia Kashuk.  Her smudge brush is my fav.   And this brush set from EcoTools is amazing!!

Again, they don't shed and they're soooo soft!  When picking out brushes, you want ones that are soft (you don't want something that's going to be rough on your face), but not too soft that the bristles are flimsy.  Opposite of that, you don't want bristles so firm that they're brittle.  If you're able to, touch them, bend them, try them out (without actually putting on make-up with them, of course.)  And remember, a good set of brushes is an investment, so they're worth spending some money on.  But you don't have to go overboard.  The above pictured set is only $10 for 5 brushes and a case, making each brush less than $2.  If properly taken care of, a brush can last you years and years.  So find ones you like and go for it.  As with most things beauty-related, it really is trial and error.