Current Likes: Summer Edition

Just a quick post to share with you some of my "can't live without" products this Summer. Hope you girls are having an amazing time!

1. Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

My favorite hair oil!: I find myself using this product sooo much since after the beach and pool my hair gets very dehydrated. This oil works wonders to provide shine and smoothness without making my hair feel greasy or weighing it down. 

Extra points: It smells so nice!

2. NYX Blush

My killer combo: Pecan (PB22) which I use to bronze and contour my face and Dusty Rose (PB02). The perfect combination to create subtle-yet-defined cheeks.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen

My no-fail recurring product: Sunblocks/sunscreens are a must on summer and no matter how many products I try within this category, I always see myself going back to this one. Is my one and only since it doesn't feel sticky and it's super easy to apply.

4. L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm

My ultimate long time favorite: Caring Coral (418) since it provides a very peachy and natural color with the added benefit of hydration and oils to pamper my lips during this hot summer days.

5. Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover

Just what your skin needs during harsh sunny days: A very simple paraben-free cleanser that will remove makeup traces as well as excess oils from your skin without making it feel tight or dehydrated. 

6. güd Body Wash 

My new fave: I bought this body was in the scent Vanilla Flame a month ago and have been in love with it ever since. Why? It smells amazing and relaxing, it's natural and doesn't contain harsh ingredients, plus it leaves my skin very soft. End point: Great product!

Natural Plum

     When this year started I decided to add little by little some color to my eye makeup, so one of my buys was a plum eyeliner which is sort of neutral, but it's still color! My selection was Rimmel London Special Eyes Eye Liner Pencil in 140 Burgundy (which is not a Burgundy color at all so don't let the color name guide you). To be honest it's not my fave, but it works for now. I think this specific eye liner is not longer available but you can choose one like N.Y.C. Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil Smoky Plum or the Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 21 Matte Deep Plum. I love it how it looks combined with a bronze eyeshadow behind such as the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr cream gel shadow in Bad to the Bronze. I think this two colors complement each other so well and look perfect for summer since it goes great with sun tanned skin. 

Summer Wish List

Summer is already knocking at our doors, so here are some products I would love to try during this wonderful season of the year!

1. Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm in Cherry Me

Summer or not, lips should always be protected with SPF. This lip balm is such a great combo. It’s inexpensive, has SPF 20, moisturizes your lips, plus it provides just the pinch of color you need to keep those lips of yours looking gorgeous in or out of the beach!

2. Organic Lavender Sea Therapy Bath

There’s no better way to pamper your body after a sweaty and drying day at the pool or beach than a relaxing bath filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that will drench your skin. I for sure want to try these bath salts since not only they contain all those incredible goodies but it’s also 100% natural and vegan. Plus it contains lavender which has aromatherapy properties to help you relax. 

3. Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Lip Cooler in Peach

This product is very appealing to me for multiple reasons. First…I just LOVE the peach color with just a hint of sparkling particles to give you that great watery summer look to the lips as if you had just eaten a yummy orange popsicle. Second…it’s a cooling lip treatment that will also hydrate and soften your lips. Last but not least, it has a rollerball applicator that will give you that cooling effect which I'm sure will be glorious after a whole day under the sun. Another plus: it does not contain parabens, sulfates nor phthalates (read my harmful substances post!). 

4. Vichy CelluDestock

Let’s be real…the vast majority of women suffer from cellulite and it’s such a hassle to disguise or get rid of it. But Vichy has this very talked about intensive treatment that claims to reduce the appearance of cellulite, smooth the problem zone and tone up skin in 4 weeks. The company says that this product was tested and showed positive results so I would love to give it a try…anything to vanish away the cellulite curse! 

5. Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée in Poppy Paradise

I think this cheek color will be great for any given day that you find yourself outside in a picnic or pool party. It is infused with coconut water to provide hydration plus the color is supposed to last 14 hours. It is sort of a cream blush and a gel stain in one pot. Also the poppy color is just amazing and will give that pinched-cheeks look. And as some of the other products mentioned, it does NOT contain parabens, sulfates nor phthalates. 

6. The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

During the heat of the summer my face develops more sebum (a.k.a. “face oils”) which clogs my pores forming the terrible blackheads. A friend recommended this Tea Tree toner that works wonders for him so I definitely want to give it a try. It removes makeup traces and impurities plus the tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that will help you prevent and/or fight blemishes. The added benefits: 100% vegetarian, never tested on animals, contains Community Fair Trade Ingredients (for definition of this go here), and is formulated without sulfates, phthalates, GMOs nor triclosan.

7. Victoria’s Secret Smooth Me Over Exfoliating Body Polish

Since the exposure to sun is higher on summer time our bodies need extra exfoliation to remove dead skin cells that make our skin look dull and dry, so an exfoliation at least once a week should be mandatory in our body-care routine. I really want to try this one since it has a buttery feel combined with Himalayan sea salt to buff your skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. Plus VS products always make me feel so feminine and I just love them. 

So, which product(s) are you looking forward to using this upcoming summer?!

Inner Glitter

It's been so long since my last post! My vacations from school started so I went to a cruise ship for a week and then moved from Puerto Rico to Miami. Life has been crazy but amazing this couple of   weeks and I had no time to write. Anyway, I'm back! Ready to get inspired by my new life and experiment with new products as well as makeup ideas that I will for sure share with all of you lovelies. By the way, Summer is just around the corner!!! Yey! I'm so excited. Aren't you all?! Specially June for since it's my birthday :)

Anyhow, I decided to quickly share with you this very easy, fun and fresh look you can try for this summer. I got this idea from an editorial in one of my zillion magazines which now I don't even remember which one was. What I like the most about it is that you can easily add it on to practically any eye makeup look or use it alone. You can easily achieve this look by adding a glitter eyeliner to the lower lash line but just to the first third of it from the inner corner out. I wouldn't recommend applying the glitter to the whole lower lash line since you could easily end up looking like a crazy person. So be prudent and concentrate to just that one third. The product I used here is the e.l.f. Essential Liquid Eyeliner in Stardust. Complement the look with a good coat of mascara like my CoverGirl Clump Crusher in Very Black.

Hope you try this soon!

Harmful Chemicals in Cosmetics

This post will be more of an informative note (although I will obviously add my opinion and personal recommendations in the topic!) but I think it's such an important one to touch when speaking of beauty related products. I also decided to make a post about it since I think many people are not aware of some of the downsides of cosmetics. Not to be a downer or anything by any mean! Come on I'm a beauty blogger so I obviously deeply LOVE cosmetics but the idea is to raise awareness and be more conscious about the use of these amazing products.

Using cosmetic products can make you look and feel beautiful! But it can also have an ugly side to it...say hello to harsh and harmful chemicals. Many cosmetic companies opt to add to their products harmful ingredients that could possibly cause cancer and/or other biologically disruptive actions on your body. There are several reasons to add these ingredients, the most common of them being to preserve the products which can stand for months on store shelves and can last months and even years in a consumers possession. Some of these so called ''preservatives'' are necessary for the product to last without acquiring bacteria and/or molds but the problem is that many of them have been linked to adverse effects in the human body.

So why would they add them or why would the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) permit the use of these ingredients? Well, research can be inconclusive at times and in order for a chemical to be banned from use it needs to be proved that there is a direct link between adverse events and the substance being studied. By law, cosmetic companies can't surpass the maximum quantity allowed to be added of these talked about substances which at the majority of time is a very small one. Even when many of these chemicals are present in very low concentrations and could possibly not be directly linked to adverse effects I do personally worry about them. Go back and think how many cosmetic products you use per day...moisturizing body lotion, face cleanser, antibacterial soap, body wash, face cream, eye cream, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, and the list can go on and on! And many of these we use more than once a day! So even if it's only an insignificant amount of a certain harmful chemical in each product you own, you can see that the amount of it accumulates and multiplies in concentration with every product you use.

For these reasons I have been trying to be a more conscious buyer by looking at the ingredient labels before buying a product to at least be aware of what I'm applying to my body. The reality is that it could be very difficult and at times expensive to completely change your cosmetic products to ''organic'' or free-from-harmful-chemicals ones but I think it's definitely worth it reducing the amount of harmful containing products that I use on a daily basis. There are many emerging beauty companies that are introducing to the market more ''safe'' products that clearly state that their products do not contain substances such as parabens. But don't be fooled and keep your eyes open. Many times they market their product as Paraben-Free but when you look at the ingredients label they contain another form of harmful substance such as Methylisothiazolinone.

I know...we live in such a complicated world, but that's just how it is. It can be annoying and time consuming to be reading the freaking labels on the store but when it's for the safety of your body and your own health, I believe it is definitely worth it. Below I provided a list of some of the most common substances or chemicals that can be assaultive to your body.

• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Triclosan
• Nitrosamines
• Diethanolamine (DEA)
• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
• BHT(butylated hydroxytoluene)
• Formaldehyde
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Talc

Below are some links for those of you who want more information on these or other harmful substances found in cosmetic products.

1. EWG's Deep Skin Cosmetics Database (EWG's Skin Deep is an online database which contains easy to understand safety information for thousands of ingredients, products, and brands. Really cool site!)

2. Breast Cancer Fund

3. Safe Cosmetics

So again, it's not about totally abstaining yourself from the use of cosmetics that contain these substances since they are still subject of ongoing research. It's about being conscious about the possible hazards and making more intelligent buys by looking at the labels as well as sometimes opting for the product that does not contain these substances. Obviously it's YOUR decision, I just wanted to make you aware of this topic!

Hope this was an informative post. What is your take on this topic? Where you aware of these substances?

Spring Nails: Lilac

Spring is the best time of the year to rock out pastel colors and my new go-to nail polish shade is LILAC. I love it because it reminds me of lavender and brings a sense of serenity and calmness to my mind. Besides, its such a beautiful color! You can use it alone or add a subtle nail art such as white spots which I think will look absolutely amazing yet keep them looking subtle and very feminine. I bought this Bettina nail polish in the shade Haze and have been using it constantly.

In a perfect world we would have all the time of the world to go to a salon or give ourselves complete manicures to show off perfect hands at every moment. But sometimes life gets in the way and you only have like 30 minutes or less to make your nails look decent. So to make your mani extra good looking when you have no time to spend, use a cuticle balm to moisturize the skin around your nails which can get a bit dry at times. I have been using the Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm which has been recommended in several beauty magazines. The instructions say it should be used daily, but lets get real...who has time to give themselves a cuticle massage daily?!...At least not me. So I try to use is at least 1-2 times per week. Below you can see the Before and After cuticle balm shots. This balm is very creamy and thick so I use it AFTER my nails are polished and dry to prevent the nail polish from chipping faster than usual. After applying the balm in each finger, remove the excess with a cotton ball and voilà! Healthy, beautiful looking mani in no time.

You can see in the Before photo how the skin around
my nail looked dry and sort of flaky.

Which is your favorite Nail Polish this Spring?!

New Garnier Oil-Free BB Cream Review

I've been a fan of BB creams since they made a boom in the US stores because I love the idea of a lightweight cream that will hydrate my face, protect it from the sun with SPF and give me a little coverage to perfect my skin tone. I was using the regular BB cream from Garnier and I really liked it, but by the end of the day my oily face would look REALLY shinny. To counteract that downside I used a shine-control powder and it sort of did the trick. So when Garnier released their new Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream I was SO excited, and even more excited when I was sent a free sample from BzzAgent to try and review.

What the company claims

• Controls shine (through an oil-absorbing substance called Perlite)
• Minimizes pores
• Evens skin tone
• Hydrates
• Protects with SPF 20 Sunscreen
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• Non-acnegenic (won't cause breakouts)

My personal experience

Since the first day I tried it I felt as if I was in BB cream heaven! This thing is amazing for oily skin because it contains almost the same benefits from the original product but with the added benefit that your skin will look great throughout your entire day. The product kept my face shine-free without looking dull and the lightweight coverage did not fade away, even without a primer underneath. I still use a shine-control powder but very slightly over my T-Zone instead of over my entire face as I used to. The product comes in 3 shades, I used the light/medium one which when I initially put it on looks a bit too light for me but somehow after the product sets it ends up looking just right for my tone.

Cons

• The product did not minimize the appearance of my pores
• The hydration is not as great, I still use moisturizer before applying the BB cream

Final Verdict

If you have combination or oily skin as I do, you should definitely give it a try since there are not many products in the drugstore beauty market that will give you all of these above mentioned benefits without controlling shine. This is a MUST TRY!...Specially for the hot Summer weather which is just around the corner!

So, have you tried BB creams?!...If you had, which is your favorite one?

Fresh Spring Makeup

Spring is finally here! Even do the seasons are not very evident where I live at, I still think this is such a beautiful season. Everything is very colorful and flowery. Here are some makeup ideas that are totally in for Spring.

1. Flushed Cheeks

The winter cold is out and the sun finally comes through...at least in the cold places because here were I live the sun is up and shinning everyday! A great way to translate that Spring energy into your makeup is by using a pinky peach blush. Apply it right on the apple of your cheeks and blend it up a little into your cheek bones. It gives a fresh and healthy look, just as if you had come back from a nice picnic day. Because I wanted to achieve a natural look, I left my eyes and lips almost bare with minimal makeup. You could use a beige eye shadow to correct imperfections on your lids and for your lips just apply some tinted lip balm or a subtle lip stain.

2. Lush Lashes

I'm not going to lie to you, until a few months ago I was SO scared of false eye lashes. Just thinking about my previous failed attempts of applying them and the thought that everyone would instantly notice them terrified me. But those days are long gone now. I decided to buy a pair of lashes just to try them out again. After following a few tips (which I'll mention in a moment) I got into the mood of trying this hot trend that was seen in many Spring/Summer 2013 runway shows. One of the most important tip when applying them is to apply the glue to the lashes and wait a few seconds until the glue gets less liquid and more viscous. That way when you place them onto your lids they would stay in place and wont slide away...which can be extremely annoying and needless to say frustrating. Also draw a black line as close as possible to the lash line before applying the falsies. This will help disguise the band that holds the false lashes and make them look a bit more natural. And if you are worried that they will still look like false eyelashes...the heck with it! They will still look amazing and would pump up the intensity of your makeup. I still have a long way to go with false eyelashes, but I'm loving the look and I would definitely keep trying to further perfect my application. Definitely give them a try!

3. Colored Eyeliner

Another very popular trend for this Spring is the use of jewel tone colors on the eyes such as sapphire blue or emerald green (Pantone's Color of the Year!...see my post about it here). I decided to apply some blended brown eyeliner in my upper lid in combination with this green eyeliner on my lower lash line to make a more interesting look that could work for either day or night. I know it's a bit daring for many (including me) but hey it's Spring! Time for new beginnings and an opportunity for change.

4. Natural Glow

How do the mega movie stars look like they have a facial every single day? Ohh, the magic of highlighter. Apply highlighter to the top of your cheek bones, on the brow bone, on top of your Cupids bow, on the bridge of your nose and voila! Instant healthy, radiant, and dewy looking skin without the need of that expensive facial (which still we all love). You can select any type of formulation you like; liquid, powder, or even paper! Yes, paper! As the one in this previous post of mine.  

5. Bright Colored Lips

If haven't notice this trend going on for a while you are definitely living under a rock! Bright, high impact colored lips have been THE thing for a while and are still going strong for this Spring. Using a very pigmented lip color such as berry, coral, pink or red is a very easy way of looking fabulous without having to invest a lot of money or time in makeup. So go out, look for a bright lip color that compliments your skin tone and show the world your fab lips!

Which of these trends will you be trying this Spring?!

PS. Special thanks to my wonderful boyfriend Jimmy Pabón for taking the pictures! xoxo

Versatile Blogger Award

Yey! I’m so excited that I was nominated by the great blogger behind It's Me Kikay for the Versatile Blogger Award. It was really nice of her to do this and you should definitely take some time later to check out her great blog.

The Rules:

First Thank the person who nominated you for this award and put a link to their blog in your 'reply' post - it's common courtesy :)
Then, select 15 blogs/blogger that you've recently discovered or follow regularly - even though the rules say 15 I am just going to nominate the blogs/bloggers who I think deserve it the most instead of a fixed number of people.
Nominate those blogs/bloggers that you've chosen for the Versatile Blogger Award.
Finally, tell the person who nominated you and your readers 7 things about yourself - they can be about anything!

7 Things About Me...

1. I'm a nail polish junkie
2. You will always find a lipstick and blotting sheets in my purse...they're a necessity for me
3. My shoe size is US 5!...and yes, it's extremely difficult to find shoes that I love and actually fit :(
4. I could never have enough purses, but then again, can anyone?!
5. I love Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Carly Rae Jepsen...yes...I'm a girly pop kinda' girl...don't judge me...have been that way forever
6. Currently, the #1 thing on my bucket list: a long trip exploring different countries throughout EUROPE! Never been there and I'm dying to go.
7. I'm moving from Puerto Rico to Miami in May! (Yey!)

My Versatile Blogger Nominations:

Anusha

Trend-ish

Strawberry Hearts Chocolate Darts

Spring Break Beauty Essentials!

Spring Break time has come! I don't know about you, but I'm hitting Miami this year and I'm so excited! Whether it's Miami or other beach destination, there are some key products you must pack to be completely prepared to hit the beach/pool/party/etc and look amazing while at it.

1. Tinted Lip Balm + SPF

If you're planning to spend the day under the sun, your lips will totally get dehydrated and burned. Be a smart girl and prevent this from happening by using a rich lip balm that would moisture your lips. Find one that has the extra benefits of color and SPF so you look extra cute while taking care of that beautiful mouth of yours. I like the Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment from Fresh which has an SPF 15. This lip balm, while on the pricey side, would be the best, most moisturizing lip balm you'll ever try!...just look at the great reviews all over the internet that rave about it.

2. Sunscreen

This is a MUST! Skin cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer and it has a very high incidence rate so be good to yourself and protect it. My current favorite is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen because it's broad spectrum (which means it protects you against both UVA and UVB sun rays that damage your skin) and it's totally non-greasy. Love tanned skin? I know, I love it too so I opt for sunless tanning products such as my Comodynes Self-Tanning Towelettes (see my post here!).

3. Body Butter

With all of the water, alcohol (if you do drink), and hot sun your skin will end up begging for hydration. Give it some lovin' by using a body butter after you shower to keep it looking healthy during your amazing vacations. I got this Pacifica Body Butter in a sample box and I love it since its very hydrating and 100% vegan which means no nasty ingredients than could harm your skin.

4. Makeup remover wipes 

By the time you get to your house/hotel/any where you are planning to stay in, you will probably be too tired to remove your makeup or clean your face but don't succumb into temptation and at least use some makeup or face cleansing wipes. While it's better to completely remove impurities with a face cleanser, the wipes will cover the job temporarily until you return to your regular life. Sincerely, I haven't found my go-to facial wipes, so in the mean time I've been trying out different ones. The ones in the picture are a sample from my Ipsy bag subscription and are from La Fresh . I'll for sure let you now when I find my holy grail wipes. 

5. Clear Top Coat

Your nail polish could really get dull looking and loose its shine throughout your vacation so to give it a fresh, recently painted appearance by taking your top coat with you and applying as needed. Plus it would make your mani last longer. I always rely on the Sally Hansen Insta/Dry Anti-Chip Top Coat since it's ultra shiny and it dries really fast, perfect for vacations since you're priority is spending time having fun, not waiting for those damn nails to get dry!

6. Dry Shampoo

Getting your hair wet and washing it every day will leave it looking shine-less and very dry. To prevent this, take your dry shampoo with you and use it instead. You will eventually have to wash it, but the dry shampoo will help absorb extra oils in your strands for some time while adding volume to it. My fave, without a doubt, Batiste Dry Shampoo. I wrote a post about it so go check it out if you don't know about this amazing product!

Now for last, HAVE FUN! Spring Break, while traveling or not, is all about de-stressing from work/school and enjoying yourself. For me its way more delightful if I'm looking extra good and taking care of myself while on it. So now be safe, get crazy (or not), relax, and see you until my next post!

Dry hair? Keep reading...

I recently subscribed to BuzzAgent, a website where you can see and write reviews about different products that are currently in the market including beauty related products. By collaborating with them through surveys, you can be selected to participate in a "campaign" which consists of them sending you a product to try and you completing certain activities which mostly consist of reviewing the product in different platforms with your true and honest opinion, regardless if is positive or negative (please read my disclaimer at the end of this post). They recently sent me the new Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge System which includes the Hydrating Shampoo, Conditioner, and the 1-minute Moisture-Plenish Treatment.

How are these products different?

This system is for dry to normal hair and it claims to replenish moisture to the hair, making it feel silkier and softer without weighting it down. This ultra hydration is achieved by the fruity cocktail of Goji Berry, Passion Fruit, and Kiwi that are inside all the 3 products of the system. Also this super hydration is supposed to last 2 days. Jummm, sounds intriguing doesn't it?

So now let's go strait to the point...Does it really work?!

First of all, and as usual, I started out with the shampoo to wash my hair. Right from the start I was really pleased with the product! The smell was fruity and delicious. After I washed the shampoo off, my hair felt nice and soft unlike some shampoos that leave your hair feeling like harsh bristles from a hair brush. So the term "hydrating" really does apply to this product, I was really pleased.

After washing my hair I proceeded to use the Conditioner and the 1-minute Treatment. Because I was eager to try them both, I decided to combine them and use them at the same time. I left them on my hair while I cleaned the rest of my body and washed them off afterwards. My hair instantly felt really soft and it was so easy to detangle it. I was really excited. Then I decided to blow dry my hair and use the flat iron to style it....guess what...my hair remained SO soft! I was really impressed because it felt very silky as the product claimed and looked very healthy and shiny. The next day I woke up, my hair still felt really soft and looked wonderful so I decided to push it a little further and used my curling iron. Again, my hair remained the same as the day before! Now I was REALLY loving the product.

End point : I love these products! I couldn't believe how good these were, and for the price? Pl-ease! They are just amazing and really good quality, even better than many high-end products I've tried. To prove my point even more, my brother, who's 18, used the shampoo because I left it on the shower. He didn't know anything about it being new or that I was trying it out or whatever. He came out asking me about it and telling me if he could take it because his hair felt so soft! It was hilarious since he NEVER mentions anything about hair products, he just uses what's available in the shower at the moment. So if a teenager notices a difference, imagine how you would feel about it! Just give it a try, trust me, you won't regret it.

Will you be giving it a try any time soon?!

***Although these products were sent to me to review, all of the comments in this post are my TRUE, HONEST opinions. I was not paid to review them. Besides I would NEVER recommend or give positive opinions about products that I truly didn't enjoy. Just to let all of you girls know!***

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Many girls do not like wearing lipstick because of the heavy feel of it on the lips. I agree, I don’t appreciate the feeling of having a heavy substance on my lips but I still use them because I just love how it looks. But for those who can’t stand it, NYX has a very cool formulation called a Lip Cream. This product is so different from anything I’ve tried before since it has a very good pigmentation and a matte finish but it feels really light in your lips. There is no sticky or uncomfortable texture on the lips, just like when you leave them all natural without any product! The color lasts for a pretty decent time and even looks sort of like a pigmented stain. Application wise, the product is very smooth and easy to apply. I love this product and I can’t wait to buy more colors to try them out. My selection of color was a beautiful and very natural looking peachy pink with the name of Antwerp (SMLC05). On the negative side it tends to feel a little dry on the lips after some time, but nothing that a bit of lip balm can’t fix. The makeup industry is always coming out with such innovative formulations and this one from NYX is definitely one you should not pass out on. 

Beautifying Relaxation

Some times life just gets crazy and stress can overwhelm us. Apart from the mental exhaustion that stress can bring us, it can also affect us physically. Here are just some negative physical effects of stress (which I'm sure most of you have experienced):

• Headaches
• Weakened immune system (therefore increasing the risk of getting sick)
• Dull and dehydrated looking skin
• Decreased sleep or difficulty falling asleep, which results in terrible looking under eye dark circles (which translates into a Not so good morning the next day)
• Increase in body oils production, which translates into our dear enemies: blackheads and acne

Ugh...I'm getting stressed just thinking about it! That's why everyone needs an anti-stress therapy once in a while, or a few times per week, or all the times necessary! Here I share with you some of my favorite ways of unwinding and diving into total bliss while acquiring some beauty benefits at the same time. You see, even when walking out from stress you can multitask!

Prep-Stage: Light up a delicious smelling candle. You can do this to sit down and meditate/clear your mind a little OR you can do this right before any of the below activities to make them even more relaxing and enjoyable. A little aromatherapy never hurts.

1. Give your face a treat! Apply either a hydrating mask if you feel that your skin is dull and dehydrated or apply a purifying mask if your face is rebelling against you by breaking out.

My two favorite masks: D:Tox System Purifying Mask 
from Giovanni and Hydrating Treatment Mask from Karuna.

While you wait for the mask to do its magic, use the time to read a good book or grab your favorite girly magazine and browse  for new fashion/beauty ideas to try. Trying new things always makes life more enjoyable, even in stress times.

2. Make your body feel luxurious! Always have at hand the Body Wash and Body Lotion of your favorite perfume and use them for those days when you feel like there's just no time for pampering yourself! Give yourself a nice and long shower using the scented body wash. Use this time to enjoy the time you have for yourself and try to maintain your mind blank or think about being on vacations with an amazing cascade rushing water over you...ohhh I already feel relaxed just by typing it! Right after coming out of the shower, take advantage of the humidity in the bathroom to apply the scented Body Lotion so it would absorb better into your skin. Finish up by applying the Perfume. Combining the products will leave you smelling delicious for a longer time and even if you have to get back to work/studying/whatever stressful situation you are in, you will feel the delicious smell and it will transport you back to the relaxed shower and wish-I-had-right-now vacation scene making your stress level decrease a little.

3. Make your own manicure session at home. Instead of going to a salon for the usual manicure, sit down comfortably at home with your coziest cloth and the needed tools for a perfect manicure. Focus just on painting your nails and making them look amazing. It will really bring your stress levels down plus you will end up with beautiful hands! 

Here's some inspiration from me and my sister!

Since most nail polishes need at least 30 minutes before completely drying down, use that time to watch The Food Network! Years ago I read that watching a cooking channel helps you to relax for whatever reason I don't remember anymore and so I tried it...OMG it really did relaxed me and now I'm hooked! My favorite cooks to watch are Giada De Laurentiis (from Giada at Home) and Ina Garten (from Barefoot Contessa) since both are very calm yet very fun, nice, and enjoyable. Plus you get the added benefit of learning some new plates to surprise your boyfriend/family/friends/YOU while avoiding smudged nails. (In the case your nails DO get smudged, not to worry!...watch my post about a quick fix for smudged nails)

Giada De Laurentiis and Ina Garten. My faves from Food Network.
Both make some absolute delicious plates!

4. And if you only have a few minutes for yourself, never underestimate the power of Pinterest. Get yourself in front of your tech device of choice and indulge on the experience of pinning. But I have to be responsible and warn you: while it is a very potent way of forgetting stress, it could be addicting and before you know it a whole hour could pass by! So practice this one with caution but DO try it in moments of need (and why not...in moments of no need too). While no direct beauty benefit will come from it, you will for sure find some amazing ideas for new looks to try as well as enjoyable and beautiful pictures that will make you smile therefore your body will release happy hormones (a.k.a endorphins) which will give you an instant feeling of well-being.

Click on the picture so you can see my pins!

Ohhh I can't wait to try one of these for myself soon since I've been so busy with school! But all of these are tried-and-true techniques, at least from my experience. So hope this helps and gives you some ideas for the next YOU TIME.

What is your go to therapy for relaxing?

Removing Glitter Nail Polish: The end to the struggle!

My last post was about creating a Purple Glitter Mani. It can look amazing while it lasts, but lets be real...removing glitter polish can be such a pain! But let all fears be gone...the battle between you and your glitter polish is over! Here's an easy way to remove it without the endless struggle of rubbing the cotton ball into your nails.

1. Have your materials ready!
- Foil paper: Cut 5 pieces that would be big enough to cover the entire upper part of your finger.

- Cotton balls: Divide one cotton ball into 5 pieces (feel free to use more than one cotton ball if your nails are bigger/longer or if the cotton ball is just too small).

- Nail polish remover

2. Soak one of the cotton pieces in nail polish remover and place it on top of your nail. Make sure the nail is completely covered by it.

3. Tightly cover the top part of your finger with a piece of foil paper so that the cotton will stay in place.

4. Repeat the same process on the rest of your nails.

5. After 10 minutes press your nail while wiggling the foil and cotton from side to side and finally remove the foil/cotton.

6. Voila! The polish will have adhered to the cotton and you have a glitter free nail without the struggle! In the case that some residue is left, just remove it using another cotton ball with nail polish remover.

Using this technique will definitely change your life!...Ok maybe I'm exaggerating but it will surely make it more easier. Now you don't have to think twice when contemplating the idea of rocking some glittery manicure.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Have you tried this technique?!

Purple Glitter Mani

I though I was so over glitter nails...until I saw this beautiful purple glittery nail polish from Victoria's Secret. My re-emerging interest in glitter polish happened all of the sudden, right when the cashier girl called me to pay. A simple head turn and I saw them...nail polishes from VS! And of course my attention was instantly caught by the sparkly purple glitter. I was in love. In an impulsive manner I just grabbed the bottle of polish and added it to my purchase. It was a great choice, just look how beautiful it looks!

I did a little research and found out that this polish is part of the brand new VS nail lacquer collection that was just recently launched in January 29, 2013. Below is a video which features manicurist Yuna Park. In it she shows you some tips on how to do a perfect manicure using the new nail products from VS.

In the pictures, two coats of the polished were used under the base color which is a Wet n' Wild polish in the shade Through the Grapevine (208B) (the same one I used for my Primping Up for V Day post!). I think the combination of the purple glitter with a berry color looks magnificent!

So, what are your thoughts on glitter nail polish?!

DIY Tinted Lips

I love the look of lip stains but sometimes its difficult to find that perfect formulation that will give you the exact color you want, with the exact intensity, and the long duration. So here's a super easy trick to achieve that tinted lips look you crave. The materials: lip balm and your selection of powder eye shadow. To achieve the look:

1. Apply lip balm with your finger.

2. Apply the eye shadow you selected with your finger as well and build up to the desired intensity you want.

That's it! As easy as 1 and 2! You can always mix up colors to create your own, custom made tones. Also play with matte as well as shimmer eye shadow formulations for different finishes. With this technique your imagination is the limit to the amount of lip looks you can achieve. Also if you are not into the matte look, feel free to add a gloss on top. If you forgot your eye shadow at home and want to retouch, use your lip balm and blend the color left on your lips for it to look fresh again. The color wont last 24 hours, but it will last several hours before the color is completely gone.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know what you think of this technique in the comments below. I love to read all of your comments!

Blog Obsession: The Man Repeller

My blog is all about beauty, but beauty many times includes things outside the world of makeup and cosmetics. It is just great to find people who are beautiful just because they are so different and are so outside the box of ''common'' or ''normal'' people. I am subscribed to sooo many blogs relating fashion and beauty but sometimes I find extraordinary people that have amazing blogs and this is definitely one to share. Leandra Medine is the writer behind the fashion blog The Man Repeller. Her blog is all over the world of blogging and fashion, so if you don't know about her, you should go right now and check her stuff out! She recently did a commercial for Dr. Pepper which I posted above. This commercial shows her true self and I just love her! She's so unique, real, and fun to watch. The most fun thing about her blog is not only the fashion but also the way she is so outspoken and writes things in such an un-apologetic manner...I'm obsessed. These are the people I find truly beautiful and admire, those who are one of a kind and decide to live life for themselves and not for others.

Which blog are you currently obsessed with?!

Primping up for V Day

Valentine's Day is coming up tomorrow and I couldn't be more exited. This is one of my favorite celebrations. It's the celebration of one of the most important things in life: LOVE. Many people hate Valentine's Day because they see it as a commercial tactic to sell products that is focused on couples, but I think everyone should see the big picture. This day you can celebrate love for not only a love partner but for your friends, family, pets, people in need, work partners, and last but absolutely not least, love for YOURSELF. So whether you have a special celebration or just going to work/school, primp up a little more than usual and give yourself a treat!

1. Scrub - Use a nice sugar or salt scrub to exfoliate your skin for it to be extra soft and ready to be touched this special day....even if you are the only one touching it! For the face, try using a more subtle formula with micro-particles instead of an abrasive exfoliator which can bring redness to the skin, and believe me, the only redness you want this day is that from your lips or flushing cheeks. And don't forget your lips! You can use a lip scrub or a toothbrush and water to gently exfoliate them.

2. Moisturize - do this right after you get out of the shower since the skin will still be moist, which will absorb any cream or oil so much better. Try using a body butter! They are the most hydrating and moisturizing formulation of all.

3. Mani/Pedi - eating chocolates out of a perfectly manicured hand is such a great view! So primp up your nails with either a classic red color or in my case I'm opting for a rich berry shade. To make it more interesting, add some nail art like glitter or hearts. And of course, don't neglect your feet, they need care and attention too. <3

4. Makeup! - Go with one focal point on your face. Make either your lips, eyes or cheeks stand out and then leave the other points subtle and neutral. I'm going for lips this Valentine's! And instead of the classic red lips (which I still absolutely love), my color for this Valentine's will be a berry shade as in my nail polish selection. I just think is a more modern, fun, and rich shade that will definitely make an impression!

Here are just the lips, tomorrow I will be adding a very thin liquid eyeliner and some natural -looking false eyelashes ;)

5. Hair - Make a romantic look with barely there curls. To achieve this, use a curling wand to curl your hair. Take hair sections of different sizes, so the curls look even more natural. After you are finished curling, use your hand to separate and soften the curls. To finish it all apply a small amount of hair spray all over to maintain the curls throughout the day and if needed apply some spray hair oil to add shine and make them look smooth and healthy!

6. HAVE FUN! This day is to enjoy love, ANY kind of love. So make it extra special and enjoy any of the mentioned above. Plus you can add some music, strawberries, and wine throughout the process to make it a little more cliche jet enjoyable!

So what will you do on Valentine's?