The cutest NECKLACES ever!!

I just came across this artist and I LOVE her work! She makes hand made, glass jewelry, and her name, Andi Reti. She is very talented and I am very impressed with her jewelry.

I am not going to write much here, because the pieces are amazing! You can find them at www.retimade.com . She has earrings and necklaces. Wonder when she will start working on rings and brackets! Each piece looks like a piece of yummy candy!

Hair care buildup........ A serious Epidemic

So, last week I was having lunch with one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world, and we were talking about hair,specifically shampoos. She was saying how she loves her shampoo but how she was going to have to switch it up because she is getting that shampoo buildup. I grew up with this theory as well. That if you use a shampoo and conditioner too often you will get "the buildup".

Well, this weekend my new Oprah Magazine came in the mail. we must believe everything we read in that bible right! I mean it is Oprah why on earth would she steer us wrong! Well, there is some advice I will take from her and like any other woman with a well developed brain on my head I will question other and wonder why.

So, in the magazine was this fabulous article busting tons of beauty myths and secrets! I oddled with excitement I couldn't wait to open up the magazine and start reading! Please note, these are not Oprah's recommendations. They are from Beauty professionals one of whom is my most favorite Carmindy from TLC's what not to wear. So, as I working my way through the magazine, I come across the subject of hair product buildup not just once but twice! Two times, noted in different parts of the magazine saying the same exact thing, from two different professionals in the field.

So, this is what the professionals said about shampoo and conditioner buildup. It is a big myth. It does not exist. The way one of them broke it down was like this. You use the same products on our face and skin everyday and yet we do not experience build up from that. Makes sense, I have the same exact routine daily. Not only products that I place on my face, but cleaners that I use to wash those products off.

So, ladies relax and enjoy your shampoo and conditioners, they are not taking over your hair. But if you feel the need to change formulas because you are lacking a little bounce then so be it. Remember, when you change shampoo and conditioners your hair is going to react differently to each because of the formula. Even if they are the same smoothing formula for example, they are made differently, so what you are experiencing is just a change. Almost the same way our skin changes with a change in the weather.

Another something to note that I came accross, SPLIT ENDS!!! The professionals say there is no way on this magificent earth to repair a split end. There is no magical shampoo or conditioner that will do the trick. The only way to repair the hair and keep the end from splitting further is to.... that is right, get a hair cut. So, do not buy rediculously priced shampoos that say they are going to repair that hair, because it can't. It just isn't possible. Instead go spend twenty bucks on a trim. It will give your hair more shine, and more bounce than any shampoo and conditioner ever will.

Is there an order to put on your makeup?

The other day I was watching as a unknowing woman was putting on her makeup. As she was putting it on, I noticed, why did she put on her eye liner then her eye shadow... It got me thinking, is there a proper order to put on your makeup?

I honestly think so, I think if you put it on in a certain order it will have better "staying power" so to speak. For example you wouldn't put on your blush before your foundation, would you? So, on that note, I will offer up the order in which I believe you should put your make up on.

First always start with your moisturizer, always!
Then put on your foundation, since you just applied your moisturizer your skin is nice and slightly moist to help spread the foundation. Warm the foundation up in your hands before placing it onto your face. Then start in the middle of the face and work your way outward. Working from the middle outward will help prevent any foundation lines.

Next, I apply my cheeks, I use a cream blush. I prefer cream because it is easily controlled and lasts longer than a powder.

From my cheeks I work my way up to my eyes. First things first (for me) I apply a light shimmery cream over my eyelid, just to open up the eye and brighten it. Then I use a cream eye liner right along the lash line, I personally don't care for a hard, bold, line. I think on some people it looks very classic but on myself, it just looks like too much. Then I apply my mascara working from the outer lashes inward.

If I had eyes that did not hold makeup well (oily eye lashes), the eye liner is always smearing, the eye shadow NEVER stays, this is what I would do. I first use a eye base. Clinique has one called Canvas touch base. They have it in multiple shades for almost any skin color once it is blended it. Placing this on the eye works as a "gripper" for the makeup. This is a cream blend so it also has much better staying power. Then apply your eye shadow, if you must be stubborn and buy the cheap stuff it will last much longer when applied over the base. However, if you will buy eye shadow made for women with oily eye lashes you will need to buy a better quality eye shadow. Look for creams, or waterproof eye shadows. There are lots of manufactures out there with lots of colors to choose from. We all have different skin types so why use an eye shadow made for someone else. After you have applied your eye shadow and created the eye you like, then put on your eye liner. Again, use eye liner made for your eye. Waterproof and smudge proof. Test it out on your hand when you buy it, stroke the eyeliner across the back of your hand, let it set (about 60 seconds) then try smudging. If it does not smudge this is the eye liner for you. Last apply mascara, working from the outer lashes inward.

After my eyes, I like to move to my lips, for me usually I like to play up my eyes, so the lips get a lip gloss. They aren't my best feature, so I don't want them to have the attention. If you want your lips to have the attention then down play your eyes.

Finally always set your makeup with a powder. This will help set the makeup and it will help it stay longer.

I hope these tips help you apply your makeup and help it stay on all day long!

Proactive = amazing!

Sorry that I had to push off my normal Monday post. This current post took a little bit more research.

Since I have been pregnant my skin has started breaking out worse than ever. I have never had acne. I have had the occasional pimple but nothing that would make me run out to the store and try to pressure cook them out of my skin.

I told my husband a few weeks ago, when I was applying my normal clinque three step to my face I think I am going to have to invest in something stronger for my skin, he quickly agreed. So, off to do my research, there are so many products out there, which one do I choose, which ones can I use while I am pregnant. I asked my doctor about proactive he gave me the go ahead and approved its use while I am pregnant.

I have been using it for almost a week now and I impressed! This stuff is taking no prisoners with my skin. I have noticed not only are my pimples clearing but black heads that I had on my nose and chin are clear as well.

I must note do not use this stuff anywhere near your eyes or the tender skin around your eyes, it will sting. It is too strong for that tender skin.

If you are struggling with acne and are trying to find a product out there that works, this product works. I am curious how it compares to the advertised half the price Acne Free product. But for right now, I am on board with the more expensive Proactive, hopping that I do not have to purchase this stuff to often.

Hopefully before too long, my skin will be just as clear as Jessica's. Fingers crossed!

hair straightner

So, this past weekend I went to visit my girlfriend in Dallas. I like to pack lite so I didn't want to bog my suitcase down with stuff that she might possibly has up there. I figured if worse comes to worse I would just throw my hair up in a pony tail and be free to not deal with it all weekend long.

Well, I am super glad that I did NOT pack my hair straightener, because I got to use hers! And oh MY!! Hers is AMAZING!! No, it isn't one of those ridiculously expensive chi's... It is a Jilbere, I have NEVER heard of this brand before, ever. Let me just tell you, it takes me usually about fifteen minutes to straighten my hair usually, with this flat iron, my hair was done in two minutes! I didn't have to keep running the iron through my hair, which is incredibly bad for it! But normally that is my routine. I run the flat iron over a strip of my hair 2-3 times before it gets it nice and straight.

So, after using this magical flat iron I had to have one for myself, I was worried that it was going to cost me a ridiculous arm, but it was very affordable! I went to Sally's Beauty supply and picked up the straightener for right about forty bucks! My last flat iron cost me thirty and it is worthless!

I am a firmly recommending the brand Jilbere! Here is the link if you would like to look at the flat iron. http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=JLBERE35&cgid=Hair