June Beauty Buys

Went searching for some items to ease into my skin care regimen, so I figured why not whip out the camera and share what I got!

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

I've been wanting to try theses little babies for a while. It seems that no matter what I do I can't get rid of these bags under my eyes. Is chronic under eye bag syndrome that like a thing or did I just make that up?

sleep

cucumbers

sleeping eye masks

cold spoons

sleep

ice

coffee grinds

coffee beans

sleep

tea bags

frozen veggies

You name it, I've tried it twice! So what's another few dollars to try another remedy...right? So since there are 2 sets in this package and since I'm a little more swollen under the eyes right now than usual, I'll probably use them two days in a row instead of once a week just to get a feel for how they would work if I wasn't so puffy.

Wish me luck!

Deep Cleansing Charcoal Mask

|Mary Kay Deep Cleansing Charcoal Mask |

My favorite auntie in the whole wide world sent me this goodie from Mary Kay! I needed to add something else to the facial products I already had in rotation & since charcoal is the trending ingredient for a lot of new products I figured why not. The reviews I've been reading say that charcoal has "absorbing powers." It is also said that our skin will not absorb the charcoal itself as it does other things we put on our face and skin, but it does absorb substances such as oil, bacteria or dirt from our clogged pores. This absorbing power helps our skin fight acne, which I clearly need these days. 

I've had more acne over the last year than I had through all of my teenaged years combined. I'm not sure why since I haven't changed my routine on caring for my skin. No new regimen, no new products...I didn't the need to change anything...then. New reactions, can be and are very stressful only causing more acne, thus causing more stress. Does that make any sense? Nonetheless,  I'm trying whatever will work.

You will continuously see me mentioning the issues I'm having with my face breaking out. I'm choosing not to use filters on the subject as well as the photos (when I build up the confidence to post before and after photos) because people need to see what real skin looks like! As long as I'm having theses issues I will share them. Miraculously, if I find something that actually works then you'll be here to celebrate that small victory with me, and I you!

The Body Shop: Ultra Nourishing Skin Care Kit

Coconut shower cream

Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub

Coconut body butter

 Thankfully, the skin on my body isn't as sensitive as the skin on my face. I went to Ulta looking for some products for my face, got frustrated and decided to go a different direction. I do notice a difference in how my skin responds to moisturizer, especially when the seasons change so I wanted something that was long lasting. When I say this stuff smells SO good!

I'll let you guys know what I think about everything in a follow up video!

Thanks for reading! 

Facial Fridays : Indian Healing Clay

Apple Cider Vinegar | Indian Healing Clay

1 single ingredient: 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay 

That's it!! 

Ok so I know it's not Friday, but I've committed to giving myself a facial once a week and Friday just seems like the perfect way to end my week and jumpstart my weekend. I've already done a facial this past Friday.  So here are my thoughts from my first experience. 

 I originally chose this mask because I read that there weren't any extra ingredients, chemicals, or fragrances added in. Although the overall texture of my skin is pretty good, I do still have some problem areas where my face has reacted to any and everything. I wasn't on the hunt for anything specifically all natural but once I ran across this product, I thought this may be the direction I needed to go.

So the directions say that you can either use water or raw apple cider vinegar as the solution to mix the clay. I am eventually going to use both to see if there is a difference, but for the first time I just decided to use the ACV.  

This mask felt so good it's kind of scary.

The instructions say you can leave it on anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes starting after it dries. 

Your face will literally start to pulsate! The mask will begin to crack. 

Do not peel it!

When your time is up, splash warm water on your face a few times 

just to loosen the clay up first (I did it about 10 times before I actually used a towel) 

Once the clay is loosened and the excess clay has fallen off, then go back and use warm water with a clean face towel. 

Rinse your face thoroughly

Gently pat face dry

Apply moisturizer immediately

I did have a considerably big new pimple on my face prior to doing the mask. 

After I completed the mask, even though the pimple wasn't completely gone, I did notice that the inflammation was almost 90% gone, and it was no longer tender. 

About 15 minutes after the mask was done, I noticed that the inflammation in that pimple had gone down even more.

I will continue to use this mask once a week (every Friday) and I will also follow up with videos to review as my face begins to show a reaction whether good or bad. 

The 10 Day No Spending Challenge

This challenge is about making a plan for your finances! It's time we all got serious about something every one gets a little squeamish about.

MONEY MONEY MONEY

and 

SAVING SAVING SAVING!!

This challenge will last for a total of 10 days! 

It will be tough, it will make you think, it will make you plan

and most importantly it will help you save!

Here are the steps you need to take in order to prepare

Be Prepared!

The goal is to eliminate any extra spending for the 10 day duration.  So get out your pen and paper and write down everything you need to have a smooth and successful No Spend Week (it's a bit longer than a week )!

Plan out your meals thoroughly! Make a list of every ingredient you need to make your meals right down to the very last seasoning, and hit the grocery store tonight! Make sure you have some leftovers for lunch the next day. Remember, you can't make any stops throughout the week to pick up what you forgot! Be thorough, you can do it! I believe in you!

Fill your gas tank up tonight! Plan out your week, where are you going to go?
Stopping by to see any friends? Have any errands to run? Are you going to run your errands before or after work? Can you make everything in one trip for the day? How many places do you go in one day? One week?

How many times throughout the day do you go home, and then realize you forgot to go to the grocery store, or forgot an errand you needed to run? Being this strict with gas will also get you to think about cutting down on extra stops. If you see you're at a half tank and it's only Tuesday, then you've got to re-evaluate.

Travel long distances to work? What about public transportation or a car pool. Can you do half and half. The point is...DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOURSELF! Write it down! Think about all the gas you could save if you did everything in one swift movement...

Needs vs. Wants

I mean, do you absolutely have to have that skirt, those pair of shoes THIS WEEK? Or do you need personal hygiene products...

Get Creative 

Instead of going to happy hour after work, have an intimate happy hour at home. Have each girlfriend bring something she already has at home!

Find a new movie on Netflix, instead of spending you money at the movie theater

Encourage your friends to participate in the no spend challenge with you, so they won't temp you when they're out to dinner or having a girls spa day

Instead of money leaving your hands, find ways to put some extra cash INTO your hands. It's a much more gratifying feeling anyway. Go through your closet, sell some stuff!

Just because you're not spending doesn't mean you're banished to your home! Grab a blanket, a good book or even your journal and head to the park! Find some free stuff going on around your city!

So here are the rules for the next 10 days:

No eating out (this includes snacks)

No spending on nails or hair!

No spending on beauty products

NO online shopping 

(only if you have a store credit or coupon that makes everything free and the same goes for grocery shopping too)!!

NO lending money

NO SPENDING!! 

For some this may be a little bit harder than others. People with families, 

for those who work a bit further from home. Use your judgement, be cautious and be reasonable.

Do the absolute best you can!

I'll also be doing some updates so stay tuned!

Make the money honey, don't let the money make you

A Jumpsuit Like No Other

 

 

 

I wanted to dress the jumpsuit down so I just threw a jean shirt over it and tied it up. Cute right?

Stuart Weitzman Clutch  | Shoes | Jean Shirt

I saw this jumpsuit in the window of a random boutique in Atlanta. I looked at it from the window, and then kept walking. Every time I walked past that store, I kept eyeballing this jumpsuit...or maybe the jumpsuit was eyeballing me, I don't know.  This has to be the only piece in my closet that I can't remember where I got it from... or how much it was. I don't even think I looked up to see the name of the store I was walking into, it just kept calling me!
So needless to say I wouldn't have the slightest idea on how to link where I got this item from. 

I bought this piece in my early twenties and literally said to myself  "this might be cute... one day." I put it in my closet and didn't dust it off for the first time till' about a year ago. I wore it to church and to a gala with my mom. I was so shocked on how many compliments I received, I guess I just didn't realize how bomb I looked in it!

Around the time I'd first bought it I remember thinking I can't wear this, it'd make me look older, this isn't really in my style range (like my age range...whatever that means) but I never threw it away. After all the times I've cleaned out my closet....I'd look at it and put it back on a hanger.

How many times do we see something attractive, or have a very alluring idea or set a goal for ourselves etc?

How many times after you have an awesome idea, do you talk yourself right out of it?
I can't go out for that job
I can't wear that dress
I can't start my own business
I can't go back to school
I can't afford that car
Im not in the position to buy that home
Blah blah bah

If those things weren't true....where in the world did you get the idea from in the first place???

Our lives are not meant to be lived within certain guidelines!! Why shouldn't you be able to do all the things you want to do? Whats stopping you? WHO is stopping you? Who told you, you can't?
Was it written somewhere in the imaginary book of "Things we're not supposed to do in life" or the book of "Things we don't deserve"
or was it even you? Was it you that talked yourself right out of a goal that would benefit your own life.

Until you've lived that dream...or reached that goal you'll always think "what if". Day after day, you'll  keep hanging that dream right back up on the hanger, just like I did this jumpsuit. It's not going to go anywhere...you're never going to forget about it. Just like this jump-suit, that dream/goal will haunt you. Whatever your life's purpose is will continue to call you until you answer to it.

Just go ahead, and answer

My Skin: Aloe + Healing Clay

I've been having quite a few issues with my skin lately, particularly the skin on my face. With the Atlanta seasons going from one extreme to the other,  my face is completely OVER IT! 

I've been searching for ways to help treat my problem areas and these two items have continued to surface during my hunt for the right products

Aloe Vera Leaf | Indian Healing Clay 

Uses for aloe vera on skin: 

1. Anti-inflammatory & Healing 

Being that it contains minerals & anti-oxidants that help speed up the process of healing, the gel can be used to cool or calm the skin after instances such as cuts, wounds, burns (including sun burn), or even tender pimples.

2.  Moisturizer

The consistency of the gel provides a protective layer that helps retain the skins moisture without clogging the pores.

3. Reduce Acne

The same properties in aloe that protect & aid in the healing of the skin after injury are the same properties that protect the skin from bacteria that causes acne and of course reduces redness and inflammation from pimples. This can also be used as an astringent which helps reduce the size of pores, helping to keep out dirt. 

4. Natural Lightener (for blemishes/stretch marks)

Aloe vera also stimulates new cell growth which helps in treating dark spots, age spots or acne scars and stretch marks too.  (just add lemon)

I'll be updating on my routine, the progress I've made (if any at all), and then my overall thoughts and how often I use the clay mask 

I'll admit, I don't have absolutely terrible skin. For each person their own insecurities are measured by their own level of confidence. What's a big issue for me, won't be the same for the next person and that's okay! The few dark spots that I have, sometimes feel like a million dark spots covering my entire face. We're all a little extra at one point or another, 'specially when it's our face.  Over the past year, Ive had more breakouts than I care to count and I can't exactly put my finger on why this is happening. 

At this point I'll try just about anything.